i am atheist, sometime i think is it too cruel for us to tell christian about the truth of death, people don't believe God out of fun, they believe it so they can feel some hope after death, why should we take that away from them?
2007-12-07 23:12:49 · 20 answers · asked by tostosh 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
As an atheist I never tell people there is no life after death. I have no proof to state such a thing. It would be a lie for me to state that. Just as it is a lie for people to state with certainty that there *is* life after death, unless they have explicit, undeniable evidence. Which I don't think they do.
My disagreement with various religions has nothing to do with my ego. I don't claim to know things that I do not know. That would be as silly as a 'belief', in my opinion.
So belief in life after death is fine, as long as the believer doesn't harm, defame or demonize other people for not believing in their religion, or not conforming to religious concepts.
I don't argue belief in life after death. It would be dishonest of me. And yes, it also seems cruel to tell kids that Santa is really that fat guy that their mom is married to.
2007-12-07 23:22:58 · answer #1 · answered by Bajingo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it isn't cruel. It might be if that's all it was, but there is more to it than that. This isn't some harmless idea about life after death, this is a belief system that divides human beings into two groups - those who are "saved" and those who are not. That is not a harmless "dream", that is a belief system that endorses unimaginable suffering for other people after death. Too look at another person and consider myself "saved" while others will go to Hell - that's cruel.
And then there are the things that the faithful will do to earn eternal rewards such as an Express Pass to the 72 virgins.
2007-12-07 23:15:06 · answer #2 · answered by Godless AM™ VT 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe in human beings and their potential. If people get comfort, get happiness from their belief in some life after death, I don't believe I have the right to try and take that away from them. I am happy to tell anyone that I'm an atheist, and don't believe in gods, and I'm happy to embody the positivity of atheist humanity, so people can see that gods are not necessary to be a "good" person. But ultimately if people want to believe in gods, that's up to them.
2007-12-07 23:26:59 · answer #3 · answered by mdfalco71 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In some cases I think it would be cruel and serve no useful purpose. For example my own mother. She's eighty some years old and I would not even think of trying to put down her faith which has been a big part of her life. There comes a time when some people are better off left alone about their own personal beliefs. I think it's a crutch, but what useful purpose would it serve to try to take this crutch for an old lady?
2007-12-07 23:32:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I see where you are coming from and I agree. I don't ever tell those with the god delusion that their dead family member is rotting and in a a couple hundred years there will be worms crawling through their eye sockets............ and they are not alive in any shape or form anywhere while I accept this as it's fact many can't so I let them be to their drug and fairy tales. It's called compassion and mercy something many atheists have for believers but few believers have for atheists. Like when they insist that if we are not saved we will go to hell that's being mean.
2007-12-07 23:24:45 · answer #5 · answered by thefinalresult 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In general, I think people are too sensitive about death. Death is a part of life and it's unavoidable. I'm a Christian and I think you should tell them.
Question: how can YOU know what lies beyond death? I mean if you're going to start telling people about it and all.
2007-12-07 23:19:56 · answer #6 · answered by dustandrags 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My faith as a Christian is based on my experience with the presence and the leading of the Holy Spirit in my life. I know there is a realm that is spiritual and eternal which the Holy Spirit is leading me to walk in. I know that God's promise of eternal life for me is real. No one can talk me out of my faith that is birthed out of true knowledge and experience. Psalm 14:1 The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." I am not going to listen to those who in God's opinion are fools.
2007-12-07 23:58:16 · answer #7 · answered by seekfind 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps, but reality is often brutal.
Maybe then we could get them to start concentrating on making THIS life better, for others as well as themselves, instead of just trying to get into heaven.
Wow... making a real difference in the world. What a concept.
2007-12-07 23:22:03 · answer #8 · answered by link955 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As an atheist myself i can understand how you feel, but its not really our place to preach about our stance on life.
I haven't a problem with people's belief systems if they do it in their own homes, but when its thrown in my face either by
doorstep preachers or being stopped in the street then i'll give it to them with both barrels.
In those circumstances i really don't care if i shatter their illusions.
2007-12-07 23:30:48 · answer #9 · answered by Steve 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I like to tell them the truth, but I'm considering saying the hell with it, and shutting my mouth, and start selling them salvation instead. There's big bucks to be made selling them salvation, and they'll love you for it.... Then I can just laugh all the way to the bank like most of their religious leaders do.
2007-12-07 23:19:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋