Why are atheists afraid of a challenge?

Question

I've left an open challenge for one atheist here, and he has blocked me!

My goodness!

Atheists: can you tell me without being immature why atheists are so sure of their beliefs until they're challenged and then they put up the shielding?

You would think that, with all that reliance on reproducable science and non-reproducable religion that this would be a cakewalk for you guys!

(He's here, looking in on us, I can feel it...I unblocked him, will he take the bait?)

Okay, okay I'll tell you, too.

He said that he would be an atheist his whole life, and I offered a simple challenge:

I know a story compelling enough to convert him, and one is probably all it would take. After all, you all were human before you were ever atheist, and hopefully you still have human responses.

J'adore:

I've never tried to convert anyone in my life. I'm not gifted as an evengelist, and I've never tried to be. But I don't lie for anyone, not you either, and what I do or don't do is none of your business.

Answer 1

The challenge for them is difficult because they "cannot" and are "incapable" of thinking outside of their evolutionary box.....

Good observation ! ..........And maybe they don't like cake...lol...
but then again it is something they can see so they probably do :)

Answer 2

Hmm... I'm not sure why you're basing a hypothesis on the etire population of atheists on a couple that seem to have irritated you to quite some degree.

As far as being so sure about beliefs until they're challenged, I think you're incorrectly understanding the responses you're getting. Putting up some sort of "shielding" is a perfectly normal response to an attack against your beliefs, whatever they may be, and is certainly not a sign that one is unsure of their beliefs.

Becoming defensive is a rather natural human response, regardless of the topic at hand. Many Christians and believers of other faiths also become defensive when someone challenges their beliefs.

If you care to provide some specifics of this "challenge", and really care to get into it, I'm more than willing. However I believe that you will be coming from the viewpoint that your beliefs are right because it's written in your Good Book, I will not question my own beliefs as I am equally sure of them, and the conversation will be fruitless.

Answer 3

Let me add my name to those laughing at Mahal's childish rant .
No Atheist here is afraid of your childish "proofs" .
You are so afraid that you put up a shield between all of us and your "compelling story" . You are obviously afraid to tell us . Or maybe the story is a fictious thing you use as a shield so you don't have to admit your beliefs are without any sane foundation .
And leave J'adore alone . Once you post your nonsense it becomes anyone's and everyone's business on here . And I'm sure she knows everyone looks foolish doing the Limbo ( except maybe Chubby Checker and Harry Belafonte ) !

Answer 4

My atheism has nothing to do with science. It has to do with the fact that there's no evidence for the existence of any gods. I also don't believe in leprechauns or garden fairies because there's no evidence that they exist.

If you want to believe things with no evidence, or despite evidence to the contrary, that's your right, although I have no idea why anyone would want to be so intellectually dishonest.

[Edit 1]

You wrote: "I know a story compelling enough to convert him, and one is probably all it would take."

If that's true, why not share it with everyone? The fact is, if there were proof that a god or gods existed there would be no atheists. That said, what you consider "compelling" might be laughable to those of us who employ critical thinking.

[Edit 2]

Over an hour has passed, yet you haven't posted your "compelling" story. I guess you're just full of what makes the grass grow, as my mother used to say.
.

Answer 5

Well truly in any religion people will do this.Its human nature to be defensive and when your not 100% sure on something as sensitive as religion then naturally your going to be defensive.We do it because we're afriad that we may be wrong or made a huge mistake.But then theres people like me that are 100% sure so we fear no challenge.By the way I am not an atheist.

Answer 6

I'll make you a challenge....

my challenge....

Stop trying to convert people who you feel need to be saved or converted.... that's my challenge.... can you do it....

and i am positive in my beliefs because I believe in science, i know how the body works, I know how it dies. They teach your this in med school for about $70,000 a year. Now I stand by what I believe. I will not put up a shield, if there is something you don't understand I will be more than happy to follow up with a well educated answer...

If i am wrong and there is a God then I will look like a fool when in Limbo.

but if you are wrong you will look like the fool for pushing your way of thinking on everyone else...

let "God" deal with us if he exists. it's not up to you to judge.

Answer 7

As a self described atheist, I tend to feel the same way about the majority of God-fearing men, though my father is strongly Christian and we do have fairly regular intelligent discussions about God and religion.

The fact of the matter is that atheism is a very broad term, but I'll be willing to discuss my point of view with you in a mature manner, if that's what you seek.

The only thing I ask is that you withdraw your generalization about atheists as a group. Whatever a persons beliefs may be labeled, it's foolish to pool them together with every other person who calls themself the same.

neeitchkuh@g m a i l.com, if you feel the need.

Take care.

Answer 8

Well i can see what you mean. I am more agnostic than atheist, but i can see both sides. Though young, I stand strong with my opinions. You challenged someone? With what?
I would really love to discuss this, and not be ignored because of my age, because if you can truly talk about what you believe in (no matter the age) then i think that deserves enough respect to be heard.

Answer 9

As a matter of fact religious people are the ones that do the sheilding. GO AHEAD CHALLENGE ME I WILL NEVER BLOCK YOU FROM YOUR CHALLENGE. ASK ME ANYTHING.

Just to let you know we don't have any beliefs. so you must be talking to an agnostic.

Answer 10

You are extrapolating too much from the actions of one person.
Most atheists like a challenge that's why we have thrown off the comfort blanket of religion

Answer 11

For the millionth time, we're not sure of our beliefs--we don't HAVE beliefs in gods. A-THEIST= without belief!.

Instead of implying atheists are afraid of a challenge, why don't you say what your challenge actually IS instead of your babbling playground talk.