Your opinion on fundamental ignorance such as this?

Question

I've been pretty attached to reading stuff from fstdt.com/fundies just because it's interesting to see all the things people spout off about, and how much ignorance is present today. That said, I have this question for you:

Why is it that fundamentalists generally have no idea what atheism is about? More importantly, how on EARTH can one make a statement such as "Atheists believe in God, they just don't know/want to admit it"?

Also, how do some people come to the conclusion that atheism is equal to anarchy, that atheists have no morals whatsoever and are baby-killing, God-hating people who are working for the devil?

PLEASE, if someone can explain to me why people are so ignorant...

(Also, please do not post "Jesus said this [...], so you're stupid!" or "Fundies are f***ing morons, etc." I'm seriously interested in understanding what makes people come to such conclusions, please and thank you. =D)

Answer 1

Almost everyone tries to follow the golden rule. In part, we know that we can help other people, and other people can help us, and that we often do better if we cooperate. In part, we see ourselves in other people. All this comes from within ourselves or from our interactions with others.

I don't know why some people ascribe right and wrong to outside legislators. But it's not hard to imagine that people who ascribe right and wrong to God [as something written from outside, instead of something built into us and our interactions] would assume that people who deny the existence of God would reject right and wrong. Similarly, it's not hard to imagine that people who ascribe right and wrong to rulers would assume that people who deny the legitimacy of rulers would reject right and wrong. (I can't imagine why anyone could possibly assert the legitimacy of rulers, but many people do.) (I felt I had to respond to your, perhaps accidental, implication that anarchists, unlike atheists, "have no morals whatsoever and are baby-killing, God-hating people who are working for the devil?")

In addition, fundamentalists believe that people are trapped by original sin. Some fundamentalists believe we need the aid of God to do anything right (most Christians inwardly credit God when doing something right, and these fundamentalists just take that farther). These fundamentalists may believe that atheists are often doing something right, but not recognizing who [the fundamentalists believe] makes that possible, or they may believe that atheists aren't doing anything right.

Answer 2

Your questions appear sincere, so here goes.

You say you're attached to reading fundamentalist literature, but if that is true, you must be reading some bizarre stuff. There's a TON of scholarly material available for free on the Internet which deals with the topics you mention. If you've read them, you may end up disagreeing with them, but you cannot rationally call them "ignorant."

As to Atheists' latent faith, the assertion is layered. On the surface, there's no doubt many, if not most Atheists do not consciously acknowledge the existence of God. Yet on another level, Atheists, in order to live meaningful lives, must *assume* the uniformity of nature (universal precision) and, to some degree, absolute moral standards. Christians believe Atheism unsuccessfully (I mean in a rational manner) accounts for such assumptions.

There are two links below which expand upon this. The first are the logical inconsistencies and contradictions of Atheism and the second is a link to another answer given in Y!A (see best answer) relative to Atheism and morality.

Email me if you'd like to discuss this.

Answer 3

I think for starters, I think that most Christians love God to the extent that they have a hard time comprehending how someone couldn't believe in Him, as the proof (to them) is painfully obvious and irrefutable.

I truly believe that some Christians are basically trying "tough-love", but many others are just are (sincerely) lacking tack. Other's think they may scare non-believers into salvation.

Although I am a Christian, I have some atheist friends, who are normal and moral people. Often people who are atheist are very smart and/or educated, and that is often the reason they have trouble believing in something with such "little proof" or something they cannot reason out. There are some atheists who live better lives than those who **claim** to be Christians (but are not; anyone can claim it, few live it).

Answer 4

I think they get that stuff from their bible. I don't remember the passages, but I think there's something about everyone actually believing in their god, something about being for Jesus or against him (for Satan), things like that. Even telling them how wrong they are doesn't convince them because they believe that their bible is their god's actual words, and that their god doesn't lie, therefore you're lying. They have absolutely no awareness of the psychological manipulation in their bible, even if it's pointed out to them. I can only conclude that they've been so well indoctrinated that, for some at least, they are unable to think critically on any subject.

Answer 5

My opinion (and I am a Christian) is that some Christians can not and will not except anything or anyone that is not just like them, and believe me athiest are just one of many on their list, some even talk down about other Christian Religions. My father in law goes to the Church of God and in his mind there is no other correct religion but his...but back to the point sorry.
I believe everyone is born with Free Will, I believe God gave it to me, you have Free Will as well and it's your choice to decide who gave it to you.
The fact of the matter is, some Christians like to point the finger at anyone different from them to keep from reflecting on their own faults and lack of something in their life.
As to you, I judge people by who they are, not what religion or lack there of. As long as I am granted the same respect.
Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Too often Christianity is abused as a form of control. I feel uncomfortable with the way you act so I use Christianity as an excuse as well as a tool to coerce you into acting or being a certain way which makes me more comfortable. This has nothing to do with common sense or reason but has a lot to do with a corporate dysfunctionalism i.e. fundamentalism. It's kind of ironic really. Irrational people worshiping a rational God.

Answer 7

When people make a statement like "Atheists believe in God, they just don't know/want to admit it", they are dismissing it as reality. They cannot, will not or do not want to believe that there are people who do not believe in the god they believe. It is much easier for their delicate psyches to pretend that atheism is not real.

It is similar to any atheist claiming that christians do not believe in god. They just don't know or want to admit it. However, you will not find many atheists claiming such an ignorant position.

Answer 8

I was an Atheist before I became a Fundamental Christian. I became a Born Again Christian because God manifested Himself unto me.

So I can understand where Atheists are coming from because I use to be one. I use to eat, drink, and be merry. It led to many problems. If a person believes that there are no consequences for their behavior, then there is no reason to live a good and moral life. Hitler was an Atheist who believed in evolution. If he knew that he was going to end up in hell, he would not have killed all those millions of people.

I am glad that God revealed the truth to me after I received Jesus as my Lord.

Answer 9

They simply can't imagine a world where people know right and wrong without it being revealed to them. If we can know right or wrong without God, it invalidates many of their core beliefs.

The most important would be Original Sin. If I am innately evil, I cannot choose to do good on my own, right? But I am an atheist who clearly does know right from wrong-how? They simply can't imagine me being capable of such a thing.

Answer 10

I have no idea. They have it all wrong. I'm an atheist and I love life more than anything because of it. I care for all people. My parents have taught me from right and wrong. I don't need a book to tell me.