Why do Christians feel so threatened by atheists?

Question

I have to wonder if they are afraid of losing their faith. I do not see people terrified of those who believe in UFOs, or children believing in the tooth fairy.

Answer 1

They ask us here on an hourly basis why we are here.

If their faith was so rock solid, they wouldn't care if we were here. The fact is that we scare them to death NOT because we are "going to hell". We scare them because we can dissect their religion with ease. They are kicked in the teeth with common sense here daily, and for many, the first time in their entire lives. They can't stand it.

Answer 2

I think there are different reasons. For one thing, not all of them feel threatened. Some feel challenged: they want to see if they can convert you. But many of them are afraid, and all I can do is explain the way it was for me when I was a youngster and my mother was a Methodist Sunday school teacher.

I was told it was a sin to question God's will. It was also a sin to read about other religions, or question doctrine, or entertain doubts. So if you're not sure whether you have enough faith, if you suspect you're just trying to believe, rather than really believing, or going through the motions, you also have been told that God can read your heart, and so you suffer for your doubts and try hard not to indulge them.

Then along comes an atheist (in my case, my own sister) and starts shaking what is already a very fragile structure. Pascal's wager comes into play: the great What If. It's all extremely frightening, and it's no wonder they shy away from atheists. It's a wonder any of them are able to bear talking to an atheist at all.

I was a very long time coming to atheism myself.

Answer 3

People who believe in UFO's, tooth fairies etc also believe that scoffers are fools.

People scoffing at their beliefs actually vindicates them and their beliefs (in their minds).

So Christians are not 'terrified' of atheists, they just don't trust them. Atheists are the least trusted minority in the US. In some states they can't get certain government jobs because of their atheism.

"No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office, or public trust, in this State; nor shall any one be excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments, provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being."

The fact that anyone disagrees with the supposed truth of the Bible only 'validates' it even more for the believers.

Answer 4

I think for some Christians, God is one of the most important people in their lives.

I think it must be hard sometimes. When someone questions what you believe in- what keeps your strength alive when everything seems to fall apart- it does shake one's faith.

I'm Christian, but my mother has never taken me to church since I was little, so I am unfamiliar with God and have no solid decision yet whether I believe or not.

I think it takes a lot to place so much faith in something where someone can say is not "real." I believe in angels, and I believe in Heaven. =] Because I want to believe that even though someone I care about has passed away here, I want to have faith that they're watching over me always, taking care of me. If someone were to say that was a "stupid" way of thinking, it could possibly shake my faith, yes. If believing in something makes me happy, and gives me strength, why would I question it? Why would someone want to strip away that from me?

I think for some Christians, believing in God- believing in a higher power- is what keeps them going through the day. He may be what gives them faith in the darkest times of their lives. Losing a loved one, they might be thinking, "God will take care of them. They're okay now. They're safe now."

I'd like to believe in something, if not God. I have so much to learn though before I will be positive. But... I would hope that people, no matter what their religion or beliefs are, could accept each other. People are different. People need different things. Some people may need God, others may not.
I want to be the kind of person who can accept someone's beliefs, and hopefully have them accept mine as well.

Because if it's what makes us happy is to believe, it shouldn't be taken from us, right? =]

<3

Answer 5

Probably because they know that for the atheists to be right they have to be wrong.

That's also the case with Muslims, Jews, Hindus, etc but the difference is that the other religions are pretty much the same as Christianity in their probability of being correct (i.e. they're all equally likely to be false) while atheism which is a mere result having no need for faith is in a much stronger position.

Secretly, they probably have some doubts about the existence of God but won't admit it and instead of finding out what is truly going on they just attack those who try to bring out their doubt.

Answer 6

I think it depends on the Christian. Some feel deeply offended more than threatened, because they understand atheism to be more about rebelling against God rather than lacking a belief that he exists. Other Christians I think might wonder about the same questions atheists wondered about, but aren't brave enough to consciously admit it... so they just want us to shut up and quit making them think too hard.

Answer 7

I can't say why they throw such a fit - I was talking about this with a friend today - he says every time he mentions things like evolution to certain people we know, they go blank, like a computer shut down or they've stuck their fingers in their ears to avoid hearing things that would challenge their beliefs.

And then they accuse atheists of having closed minds...

Answer 8

Two people standing on the edge of a cliff. One thinks he can jump off and will gently float to the bottom and he's intent on jumping. The other knows if he jumps off he will die.

If you want a good idea of how most Christians feel toward atheists than put yourself in the shoes of the one who knows the truth.

Answer 9

We are? wow not hardly since I was one for some time. Maybe you have a case of wishful thinking. Why would someone who is certain of the truth be threatened or afraid of someone who doesn't. I think you have concerned and afraid confused. I see it as actually the other way around.

Answer 10

We don't. What are you afraid of? Gaining some faith?

Btw, the tooth fairy is a scary being. Just how does the fairy get in your house?

Also, btw, why do atheists assume things like this and then act as if Christians brought it up? Talk about making your own argument.

Answer 11

I seriously think they fear us lol not just christians tho but muslims aswell. (bash islam week FTW!) We are something completely out of the ordinary for them and different so they can't understand us or our views so they freak.
"Atheism is a religion!"
"You need more faith to believe in no god as I do to believe there is one!"
ETC. Its sad really