Can atheists and christians be friends....?

Question

OFCOURSE THEY CAN!!!

But my REAL question is, what do you think of the christians here who stands up for atheists (which of course they can do for themselves), who jokes with the atheists ONLY (I do too as my history will show but NOT to the point of EXCLUSIVITY) and who never asks them meaningful questions that doesn't involve humor ....some atheists here are on my contact lists b/c although some can be arrogant (just like some christians) others are quite endearing... Lord Vader, My Prophet of Lettuce, Murazor, Skalikitty just to name a few.... I don't find them ALL endearing and I don't care who knows it which is why I don't walk on eggshells with them and am not afraid of thumbs down or of being ostracized. It's okay not to like ALL of them you know. I wonder what atheists think about that christian who doesn't stand up for christians, questions ONLY christians in a demeaning way but never atheists.

(((breggie prophet)))

Hi Green!! - Hope all is well with you, just one of those "giddy" days, you know =)

I refer to someone in particular here who fits the bill to a tee. I can't comprehend what the big deal is if a few people dislike you on an anonymous forum if you are genuine in your belief, that's beyond me.

Answer 1

Well to be fair, I can only pick on that which I am a part of. What judgement do I have to pass on other beliefs?

What can a believer in Jesus and Yahweh say to someone who is not such a believer?

I cannot say anything about it since I am not of that group.

We'd be splitting hairs all day.

My questions are generally not directed at a person specifically but at an doctrine or theological belief. Sometimes they take offense to that as a person thing but that is not the case from my point of view.

Questions that are vulgar to my beliefs or just vulgar in general I ignore and don't bother answering so that may contribute to perception that I don't defend the faith. Unless it angers me. The last question like that was from a fellow believer so...

Then again, I'm one of very few that share my beliefs so...

Answer 2

Most of my friends in real life are under the impression that they're Christians...lol.

I'm sure many Christians on this board do NOT find me endearing. I can be a rather disheartening kind of chap. But I'm really not here to make friends. I like arguing, and I don't pull punches, and I call it like I see it. I feel like I owe you all that much.

I WILL stand up for Christians who are being unfairly attacked, though, whether by atheists or (more frequently) other brands of Christian. I do it all the time. I'll even do it for people who just got done abusing me unfairly; because I'm not taking any of this personally - that's the beauty of an online forum. I have no problem with "fair" attacks, by the way.

Answer 3

There are obnoxious jerks on all sides of any issue.

I find it ironic that the extreme christians and the extreme atheists tend to act very similar even though they are the ones proclaiming the hardest how better t hey are then the other.

Being mormon I see both sides. I get the extreme christians telling me I am in a cult and going to hell and am not a christian, blah blah
and then extreme atheists sometimes say the same thing with the additional you are brainwashed, have no education, moron, blah blah blah

I think most people have their own views and beliefs, many are very strong and opinionated about them, but dont stoop to being obnoxious jerks. If a christian or an atheist is being over the top rude or obnoxious in their answer or question I will call them on it if I see it.

Answer 4

Hmmmm, okay, well, in an attempt to render an intelligent answer...

run that by me again?

:)

edit: Giddy is good, Hope :)

I am seeing that I am falling in with people that I would otherwise also be attracted to out in the "real world." I think religion is having less of an impact on me than I expected. I'll at least read and often respond to any intelligent and honest question, regardless of who asks it.

I agree... lots of endearing atheists out there. More than a couple believers, too.... :)

Group hug, anyone?

Edit#2: you gonna name names, Hope?

Answer 5

I'm usually an equal opportunity offender. I don't suffer fools gladly of any stripe. I've got both Christians and atheists among my contacts, most of whom I consider very bright people. I long ago stopped walking on eggshells and biting my tongue or chewing my cheeks raw. The LGBT part of the website is often more spiritually realistic than the R&S.

Answer 6

Yes.
But I lost most of my Christian friends when I became an atheist.
They couldn't handle the apostasy from such a previously firm, committed and active Christian.

On your other question, no, there's no rules about liking everyone here, or respecting all beliefs and utterances.
(People are due a degree of respect and courtesy on the grounds of them being human, not because of what they do or don't believe. Possibly that can be forfeited owing to their behaviour, attitude or language, but I don't start from there just because of their beliefs, theistic or atheistic.)

Answer 7

I'm an agnostic so I try to point out when I think anybody is being ridiculous, no matter what their beliefs. I have seen a lot of Christians and a lot of Agnostics who are very dogmatic, and members of both groups who are very open minded - it's really the individual, not what belief system they hold to.

Answer 8

I have mixed feelings on your REAL question. I have trouble with certain attitudes from different people on this site but I try to be fair. Ironically as I christian the only hate mail I've gotten is from other christians who seem quite agitated with me (e.g., you're not a christian, you worship another Jesus, and so on and so on). I have yet to have an atheist be rude to me in that way here. Yes I see certain condescending questions and answers but I generally blow them off. I can't speak for other christians that don't stand up for one another--I just generally try to state my mind and not worry about the response.

Answer 9

I'm a Christian, I question other Christians conduct on here. Just as at times mine is questionable.

It is easy to get caught up in our own bad attitudes. Jesus tells us not to. To be humble, loving, and patient.

It should be all our goal to do as such. To lift each other up. We should do this for ourselves, for each other and especially for the atheist.

They need to see God at work in us, to be something desirable, encourager's of the faith. Not haters.

Some people are on another point on the road Jesus paved for us. I need to remember that, we all need to consider that.
God Bless.

Answer 10

Hi hope, and yes, even though im very anti-christian on the internet, i have many, in fact, almost all of my friends are christian, but we normally have other things to talk about besides our beliefs.