Atheists and agnostics, what would you reply to such a statement?

Question

I am left without words, so I am just curious what you would reply to a person who said this:

"My savior suffered and died for your sins as well as his and mine and everyone else's, the least you could do is accept it and worship him."


Do you think a person saying such a thing would ever realise that what he's talking about, is (for others) just as real as the celestial teapot?

norcot feel free to have an opinion. It's an open forum, any opinion is wellcome if you ask me.

David B, you either completely missunderstood me, or there's something I'm missing

Answer 1

A friend of mine told me last night..."I have no problem with you being an Atheist, but I think it's wrong that you are telling your kids you don't believe in God". Ummm ?????

As far as the one you have there, I've heard it many times. My reply has gone from. "Well I guess so". to "Go peddle your crazy somewhere else, I have a mother."

No they don't realize, they think they are right.

Answer 2

This flawed argument presupposes two things: 1.) Every single individual's acts are to be judged by an event that supposedly occurred millenia ago, no matter how far detached each person is from it. 2.) The use of "my" regarding said figure only highlights the selfish nature of the person making the claim. If he had used "our," that would also presume that everyone accepts said "savior," therefore, negating the necessity to even make such a claim. Either way, it is still illogical.

Answer 3

It is incredible that they try to use their own guilt created by their personal belief and hoist it on to your shoulders, then claim theirs is a loving religion.....

I guess I would respond this way:

I appreciate that you believe that your version of God died for my sins, and that he chose suffering and pain and ultimately gave his blood to pay for the sins we inherited by Eve's inability to know right from wrong.

I think that such a kind, selfless person will be willing to overlook the fact that I require tangible evidence for belief, and that given Satan's skill at temptation, I need more than emotion or other peoples stories to risk believing in the wrong God.

I hope that if an afterlife exists, such a loving person would understand my position as honest and will do the right, moral thing with my soul. If your description of God and Jesus is accurate and the right one, then I can only assume they will do a just and moral thing for my eventual eternity, if they choose not too, then God help us both.

Answer 4

I don't want to appear rude, or to stop you asking these type of questions, but the approach you make to the general public is a bit like an unknown person ringing me in the evening, at home, to try and sell me something I don't want and don't need. What is it that fuels your missionary zeal? Do you have a quota of people to 'convert' to your belief?
Is religious recruitment your number one goal in life?
Amongst us Humanists, Atheists and Agnostics there are many who work voluntarily for the community, giving their time and efforts, without the need for religious beliefs. They 'love their neighbours' and try to keep to the Ten Commandments too.
Larissa, I find you a very interesting person, but I just can't understand your devotion to a myth.
(Merry Christmas ).

Answer 5

I don't really think there's much point in debating with such people.

They're cult members and need proper deprogramming

So it doesn't matter how completely nonsensical you try and point out the whole thing is they're not going to listen

Answer 6

I'd just turn and walk away before I started laughing out loud. I wouldn't want to show disrespect to that persons face by guffawing at the ridiculous statement.

Answer 7

I would tell him to go soak his head.
Just show me one real person who really went to heaven.
While I'm not a Christian, I do know some of their stories.
Didn't God evict the devil and 1/3 of the angels from heaven for waging war there? Doesn't sound like a place I want to go to.

Answer 8

No, a person like that would not see reason, I know I have a person like that in my family. I would tell them the same as I tell my brother - it's your choice to accept what you will and it is my choice to not accept your beliefs because I have my own.

It has often made me wonder, if people who phrase statements in such a manner need more people to believe in order to boost their own faith and convince themselves that they are correct.

Answer 9

I would say something like I am deeply honored but decline to accept. I like to be in the same boat as those who were born before Jesus Christ's time.

Answer 10

I think a person saying such things needs some psychological counseling to get over his delusions.