Why does an Atheist do this? Help me out here...

quietpraiyze

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Why does an Atheist online feel the need to attack a Christian who is comforting and encouraging other fellow Christians? This has happened to me on a different online site on two separate occasions months apart with the same person. I didn’t seek the Atheist out and I’ve never had a conversation with them. I’ve never said anything about Atheism or talked about any of the Atheist on the site. The two Christians who individually started the threads I responded to, never said anything about Atheism.

With one Christian I briefly mentioned “the Peace of God” which the Atheist decided to zero in on and attack God and then me for. With the second Christian, I sent them a word of encouragement that also included a song about God hearing us when we pray, which the Atheist attacked me for.

So why would an Atheist do this? What does it matter to them that I’m comforting and encouraging fellow Christians? What is this really about? I have my thoughts but I’d like to hear from others…


* I didn’t know where else to put this...
 

bekkilyn

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Why does an Atheist online feel the need to attack a Christian who is comforting and encouraging other fellow Christians? This has happened to me on a different online site on two separate occasions months apart with the same person. I didn’t seek the Atheist out and I’ve never had a conversation with them. I’ve never said anything about Atheism or talked about any of the Atheist on the site. The two Christians who individually started the threads I responded to, never said anything about Atheism. With one Christian I briefly mentioned “the peace of God” which the Atheist decided to zero in on and attack God and then me for. With the second Christian, I sent them a word of encouragement that also included a song about God hearing us when we pray, which the Atheist attacked me for. So why would an Atheist do this? What does it matter to them that I’m comforting and encouraging fellow Christians? What is this really about? I have my thoughts but I’d like to hear from others…


* I didn’t know where else to put this...

Because it's human nature. It's not just atheists who do it, but non-Christians of other religions, and even Christians when you're not talking about God in the exact way that they believe.
 
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ViaCrucis

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It's not an atheist thing. It's just a human thing. We are all, each and every single one of us sinners--we sin, we behave poorly, we say mean things, we aren't loving, we act selfishly, etc.

There is nothing innate about being an atheist that would engender such behavior. As Christians we are just as guilty of this kind of behavior.

Though, as Christians we lack even the pretense of an excuse; we know what our Lord's commandments are concerning how we ought to conduct ourselves in love toward others; so when we don't do it, our own hypocrisy is exposed all the more than in others.

To that end the most important thing is this: You can't police the morality of other people, but especially of those outside the Church. What you can do is heed the command of Christ and to forgive, show compassion, patience, and unconditional love.

-CryptoLutheran
 
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grasping the after wind

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Why does an Atheist online feel the need to attack a Christian who is comforting and encouraging other fellow Christians? This has happened to me on a different online site on two separate occasions months apart with the same person. I didn’t seek the Atheist out and I’ve never had a conversation with them. I’ve never said anything about Atheism or talked about any of the Atheist on the site. The two Christians who individually started the threads I responded to, never said anything about Atheism.

With one Christian I briefly mentioned “the Peace of God” which the Atheist decided to zero in on and attack God and then me for. With the second Christian, I sent them a word of encouragement that also included a song about God hearing us when we pray, which the Atheist attacked me for.

So why would an Atheist do this? What does it matter to them that I’m comforting and encouraging fellow Christians? What is this really about? I have my thoughts but I’d like to hear from others…


* I didn’t know where else to put this...

Some people, especially on the internet, are just jerks atheist or not. We have a number of atheists here that are not in that category and some that are. The same is true of us Christians. Why anyone would attack someone is only known to the attacker.
 
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Halbhh

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Why does an Atheist online feel the need to attack a Christian who is comforting and encouraging other fellow Christians? This has happened to me on a different online site on two separate occasions months apart with the same person. I didn’t seek the Atheist out and I’ve never had a conversation with them. I’ve never said anything about Atheism or talked about any of the Atheist on the site. The two Christians who individually started the threads I responded to, never said anything about Atheism.

With one Christian I briefly mentioned “the Peace of God” which the Atheist decided to zero in on and attack God and then me for. With the second Christian, I sent them a word of encouragement that also included a song about God hearing us when we pray, which the Atheist attacked me for.

So why would an Atheist do this? What does it matter to them that I’m comforting and encouraging fellow Christians? What is this really about? I have my thoughts but I’d like to hear from others…


* I didn’t know where else to put this...
Having seen many tens of thousands of posts, I will point out there is more than what has been said just above by the wonderful people just above. They are correct that all humans do wrongs, and sometimes Christians can stumble and be in the wrong just as much as those without Christ. That's a correct thing they point out, but it's not all we need on this.

Sooner or later if we do follow Christ then we will experience what Christ Himself said would happen to us because we follow Him -- John chapter 15, verses 18-25:
John 15 NIV

So, that might be the case for your experience, but it will certainly happen some day for each of us that speak openly of Christ.
 
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grasping the after wind

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Having seen many tens of thousands of posts, I will point out there is more than what has been said just above by the wonderful people just above. They are correct that all humans do wrongs, and sometimes Christians can stumble and be in the wrong just as much as those without Christ. That's a correct thing they point out, but it's not all we need on this.

Sooner or later if we do follow Christ then we will experience what Christ Himself said would happen to us because we follow Him -- John chapter 15, verses 18-25:
John 15 NIV

So, that might be the case for your experience, but it will certainly happen some day for each of us that speak openly of Christ.

It is true that there are some among the atheist community that are a zealous in theirr disbeleif as the most ardent Christians are in their faith in Christ. Those type of atheists engage in a sort of evangelistic crusade trying to divest as many as possible of their religious beliefs. Acting very like a fire and brimstone preacher in their vehemence against religion.
 
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DragonFox91

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A lot of atheists have been hurt by Christians. 'God' is a trigger word to them that re-opens their wounds.

Some atheists are militant about their 'faith'; they think that humanity needs to move past God & religion & the world would be better off w/out any religious people. They think it's superstition that holds society back & anyone practicing should be openly mocked & ridiculed for it b/c they are keeping the world in the 'dark ages' pretty much. They don't think it's any different then if you were to tease an adult for still believing in Santa Claus. Most of these people subscribe to Richard Dawkins, a famous atheist.
 
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dqhall

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Why does an Atheist online feel the need to attack a Christian who is comforting and encouraging other fellow Christians? This has happened to me on a different online site on two separate occasions months apart with the same person. I didn’t seek the Atheist out and I’ve never had a conversation with them. I’ve never said anything about Atheism or talked about any of the Atheist on the site. The two Christians who individually started the threads I responded to, never said anything about Atheism.

With one Christian I briefly mentioned “the Peace of God” which the Atheist decided to zero in on and attack God and then me for. With the second Christian, I sent them a word of encouragement that also included a song about God hearing us when we pray, which the Atheist attacked me for.

So why would an Atheist do this? What does it matter to them that I’m comforting and encouraging fellow Christians? What is this really about? I have my thoughts but I’d like to hear from others…


* I didn’t know where else to put this...
The communist movement published propaganda stating religion is a problem. In communist China religion is discouraged. A megachurch was demolished with explosives. House church leaders were arrested. Muslims were sent to reeducation camps. Atheist communism is based on the writings of Karl Marx and his followers. Russia was communist during the reign of Stalin. Since the break up of the USSR in the early 90’s, some reforms occurred in Russia. China tolerates some religion and capitalism, am not sure how much as I do not speak Chinese and have not been there. Large Chinese businesses are state owned enterprises and are controlled by the CCP.
 
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pescador

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Because it's human nature. It's not just atheists who do it, but non-Christians of other religions, and even Christians when you're not talking about God in the exact way that they believe.

That is a bit of an exaggeration IMHO. Atheists feel passionately about their denial of God's existence, which means that God affects them on a real level. Non-Christians of other religions also feel passionately about their beliefs.

Some Christians get angry when you're not talking about God in the exact way that they believe, which shows their preference for their own (imperfect) doctrine rather than loving their neighbors.
 
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eleos1954

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Why does an Atheist online feel the need to attack a Christian who is comforting and encouraging other fellow Christians? This has happened to me on a different online site on two separate occasions months apart with the same person. I didn’t seek the Atheist out and I’ve never had a conversation with them. I’ve never said anything about Atheism or talked about any of the Atheist on the site. The two Christians who individually started the threads I responded to, never said anything about Atheism.

With one Christian I briefly mentioned “the Peace of God” which the Atheist decided to zero in on and attack God and then me for. With the second Christian, I sent them a word of encouragement that also included a song about God hearing us when we pray, which the Atheist attacked me for.

So why would an Atheist do this? What does it matter to them that I’m comforting and encouraging fellow Christians? What is this really about? I have my thoughts but I’d like to hear from others…


* I didn’t know where else to put this...

They sin just like we do ... difference is .... we know where it comes from (satan) .... they don't.

What does it matter to them (you) that I’m comforting and encouraging fellow Christians?

Perhaps a good question to ask them.
 
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jacks

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Why does an Atheist online
I think "online" is the key word here, the anonymity seems to bring out the worst in some people. In face to face interactions, it is rare to find someone who is truly rude, but online it is common.
 
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angelsaroundme

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The atheist may have a bad experience with another Christian so by attacking you they feel like they are getting their revenge. Or they may just be mad and feel that Christians are acceptable targets since some people in the media blame Christians for this or that. This kind of behavior or rationalizing can happen with anyone though, it's not exclusive to atheists.
 
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Sketcher

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Why does an Atheist online feel the need to attack a Christian who is comforting and encouraging other fellow Christians? This has happened to me on a different online site on two separate occasions months apart with the same person. I didn’t seek the Atheist out and I’ve never had a conversation with them. I’ve never said anything about Atheism or talked about any of the Atheist on the site. The two Christians who individually started the threads I responded to, never said anything about Atheism.

With one Christian I briefly mentioned “the Peace of God” which the Atheist decided to zero in on and attack God and then me for. With the second Christian, I sent them a word of encouragement that also included a song about God hearing us when we pray, which the Atheist attacked me for.

So why would an Atheist do this? What does it matter to them that I’m comforting and encouraging fellow Christians? What is this really about? I have my thoughts but I’d like to hear from others…
Immaturity and hatred come to mind as likely motivations.

I work with a lot of non-religious people. Only a couple come to mind that actively harassed believers for their faith. Both of them have horrible reputations, and neither of them work for us anymore.
 
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quietpraiyze

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Having seen many tens of thousands of posts, I will point out there is more than what has been said just above by the wonderful people just above. They are correct that all humans do wrongs, and sometimes Christians can stumble and be in the wrong just as much as those without Christ. That's a correct thing they point out, but it's not all we need on this.

Sooner or later if we do follow Christ then we will experience what Christ Himself said would happen to us because we follow Him -- John chapter 15, verses 18-25:
John 15 NIV

So, that might be the case for your experience, but it will certainly happen some day for each of us that speak openly of Christ.

Thank you for the Scripture
 
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quietpraiyze

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It is true that there are some among the atheist community that are a zealous in theirr disbeleif as the most ardent Christians are in their faith in Christ. Those type of atheists engage in a sort of evangelistic crusade trying to divest as many as possible of their religious beliefs. Acting very like a fire and brimstone preacher in their vehemence against religion.

I do think this person has some of this going on
 
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Halbhh

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Immaturity and hatred come to mind as likely motivations.

I work with a lot of non-religious people. Only a couple come to mind that actively harassed believers for their faith. Both of them have horrible reputations, and neither of them work for us anymore.
Yes, in person it's not been common to be attacked very strongly for being Christian. Less intense things like snubs, sure.

But with the internet, where it is more common to have a very direct and harsh attack very specifically for being Christian (and only for that alone), I think we may be seeing an indicator of what is possible, that what happens on the internet could become more common, though there are also strong currents in the other direction. It's a struggle in American between civility and vilification, in general. Whether Americans will vilify their neighbors or respect them. If vilification becomes more commonplace, then the attacks that are strictly done only because someone is a Christian will not feel so much social pressure for restraint, and come out of the shadows into the open more than they have.
 
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2PhiloVoid

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Why does an Atheist online feel the need to attack a Christian who is comforting and encouraging other fellow Christians? This has happened to me on a different online site on two separate occasions months apart with the same person. I didn’t seek the Atheist out and I’ve never had a conversation with them. I’ve never said anything about Atheism or talked about any of the Atheist on the site. The two Christians who individually started the threads I responded to, never said anything about Atheism.

With one Christian I briefly mentioned “the Peace of God” which the Atheist decided to zero in on and attack God and then me for. With the second Christian, I sent them a word of encouragement that also included a song about God hearing us when we pray, which the Atheist attacked me for.

So why would an Atheist do this? What does it matter to them that I’m comforting and encouraging fellow Christians? What is this really about? I have my thoughts but I’d like to hear from others…


* I didn’t know where else to put this...

Probably because he/she is an 'angry atheist.' Or worse yet, an 'angry Ex-Christian.'

Try not to let it get to you. :cool:
 
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quietpraiyze

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A lot of atheists have been hurt by Christians. 'God' is a trigger word to them that re-opens their wounds.

Some atheists are militant about their 'faith'; they think that humanity needs to move past God & religion & the world would be better off w/out any religious people. They think it's superstition that holds society back & anyone practicing should be openly mocked & ridiculed for it b/c they are keeping the world in the 'dark ages' pretty much. They don't think it's any different then if you were to tease an adult for still believing in Santa Claus. Most of these people subscribe to Richard Dawkins, a famous atheist.

I don't know if this person has been hurt by Christians but they seem to foam at the mouth when I mentioned "The Peace of God" and "Prayer". Part of their rage is that prayer is useless and where is the Peace of God when a child is being abused?

I was ready to respond but the Holy Spirit stopped me. He explained that the person is a "Scoffer", nothing I said would be good enough and I'm not to engage. I checked the Word and sure enough it speaks about not engaging "Scoffers"...
 
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