Differences between atheists...

[Skaloop]

Within these forums, I see many many atheists. The majority seem to be atheists who discarded their Christian beliefs after years or even decades of personal reflection on their religious upbringing. A few others seem to be like me. I myself am a lifelong atheist; I have never had religious faith, and have never been involved with any church or religion.

I see a little bit of a difference between those who converted from Christianity to atheism and those who have simply been atheist all along. Those who converted seem to harbour much more of an attitude that they are rebelling against their old beliefs. As such, they seem quite confrontational. I try not to be as such. It seems like if one person broke up with his girlfriend, and now makes sure that people know he broke up with her. Whereas I never knew the girl at all, so it's just not a big deal. Of course, it could also be that the converted atheists have a much better image of the thought processes of the religious, and are more aware of the threat such thinking can pose.

Now, I obviously don't mean all atheists of different origins behave in these specific ways at all times. It just seems to be a trend I've been noticing. And I was wondering whether, from a Christian viewpoint, you folks are seeing the same differences. Or if you see other differences between recently converted atheists and those who have been atheist all along. Is there any difference? Do you consider one to be "worse" than the other? If so, in what ways?

Thanks!

 

[jasper123]

Within these forums, I see many many atheists. The majority seem to be atheists who discarded their Christian beliefs after years or even decades of personal reflection on their religious upbringing. A few others seem to be like me. I myself am a lifelong atheist; I have never had religious faith, and have never been involved with any church or religion.

I see a little bit of a difference between those who converted from Christianity to atheism and those who have simply been atheist all along. Those who converted seem to harbour much more of an attitude that they are rebelling against their old beliefs. As such, they seem quite confrontational. I try not to be as such. It seems like if one person broke up with his girlfriend, and now makes sure that people know he broke up with her. Whereas I never knew the girl at all, so it's just not a big deal. Of course, it could also be that the converted atheists have a much better image of the thought processes of the religious, and are more aware of the threat such thinking can pose.

Now, I obviously don't mean all atheists of different origins behave in these specific ways at all times. It just seems to be a trend I've been noticing. And I was wondering whether, from a Christian viewpoint, you folks are seeing the same differences. Or if you see other differences between ercently converted atheists and those who have been atheist all along.

Thanks!

No I do not see a differenc
Ron

 

[heron]

I see it.
I think there is reason for their rebellion, too. Whether they hung on to resentment too long or not, they were usually treated unjustly with no apology -- just an arrogant "you must be in rebellion" attitude.

I've been a Christian for many many years, and have seen a lot of offenses. Christians need to apologize more often. They need to exercise normal business-like courtesy more often.

Now that makes it seem like you dyed-in-the-wool atheist folks get left out of my sympathy! Naw.

I heard a generalization last week, that more scientists are atheists. That bothered me, because I know a lot of people with science backgrounds, and I don't consider them anti-religion. There's a personality type that tends toward the scientific...

--

Now that I've made some brash stereotypical comments, you can counter them, because I'm just rambling off the top of my head.
(-:

 

[Skaloop]

I see it.
I think there is reason for their rebellion, too. Whether they hung on to resentment too long or not, they were usually treated unjustly with no apology -- just an arrogant "you must be in rebellion" attitude.

I've been a Christian for many many years, and have seen a lot of offenses. Christians need to apologize more often. They need to exercise normal business-like courtesy more often.

Now that makes it seem like you dyed-in-the-wool atheist folks get left out of my sympathy! Naw.

I heard a generalization last week, that more scientists are atheists. That bothered me, because I know a lot of people with science backgrounds, and I don't consider them anti-religion. There's a personality type that tends toward the scientific, that also leans less on the emotional in their private life.

I think that some atheists are that way. They are content with what they know, and do not feel an emotional need to be tied to an organization, attend extra meetings, have spiritual guidance or teaching. They might be less community-oriented, less social.

I am certainly not saying that atheists are all one personality type... that came out wrong. Some will explore religions with curiosity and analysis, but in a detached way.

Now that I've made some brash stereotypical comments, you can counter them, because I'm just rambling off the top of my head.
(-:

I have only two points of contention. First, your assertion that being atheist means that one is anti-religion. While that may be a trait of some atheists, it is by no means a requirement. Many atheists respect the value religion can hold, even if they don't subscribe to it themselves.

The other is that atheists are less community-oriented. I have no idea why you come to that conclusion, but atheists are just as generous as anybody else. Also, while scientists may be stereotypically less social, not all atheists are scientists. I myself am not. Any sort of less-than-social attribute would belong to the personality type that becomes scientists, not to their atheism.

 

[Adstar]

Within these forums, I see many many atheists. The majority seem to be atheists who discarded their Christian beliefs after years or even decades of personal reflection on their religious upbringing. A few others seem to be like me. I myself am a lifelong atheist; I have never had religious faith, and have never been involved with any church or religion.

I see a little bit of a difference between those who converted from Christianity to atheism and those who have simply been atheist all along. Those who converted seem to harbour much more of an attitude that they are rebelling against their old beliefs. As such, they seem quite confrontational. I try not to be as such. It seems like if one person broke up with his girlfriend, and now makes sure that people know he broke up with her. Whereas I never knew the girl at all, so it's just not a big deal. Of course, it could also be that the converted atheists have a much better image of the thought processes of the religious, and are more aware of the threat such thinking can pose.

Now, I obviously don't mean all atheists of different origins behave in these specific ways at all times. It just seems to be a trend I've been noticing. And I was wondering whether, from a Christian viewpoint, you folks are seeing the same differences. Or if you see other differences between recently converted atheists and those who have been atheist all along. Is there any difference? Do you consider one to be "worse" than the other? If so, in what ways?

Thanks!

Yes you are right. X Christians are the most anti-christ of athiests in general. You see people have a deep need to justify their decisions. And one who has rejected the Messiah Jesus as their Redeemer has made a very serious decision indeed. So they go out to justify that decision by attacking Christianity. They feel the need "defeat" Christians in an argument to make themselves feel more assured about their decision.

To use an analogy, (And no analogy is ever perfect) The most radical and dedicated anti smoking people are nearly always X smokers.


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[seajoy]

Yes you are right. X Christians are the most anti-christ of athiests in general. You see people have a deep need to justify their decisions. And one who has rejected the Messiah Jesus as their Redeemer has made a very serious decision indeed. So they go out to justify that decision by attacking Christianity. They feel the need "defeat" Christians in an argument to make themselves feel more assured about their decision.

To use an analogy, (And no analogy is ever perfect) The most radical and dedicated anti smoking people are nearly always X smokers.


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

You are so right. They are really still trying to convince themselves that they aren't bound for Hell. How sad, and frightening is their line of thinking.

There was once a fellow over in General Apologetics (X Christian), that went on and on, paragraph after paragraph trying to convince others there is no God. The thing is, it seemed to me, he was really trying to reassure himself. Why doesn't he just go about his life and forget all this stuff. It's because deep down, he knows where his decision will lead him.

 

[ebia]

I don't think I've noticed any difference.

 

[Key]

Within these forums, I see many many atheists. The majority seem to be atheists who discarded their Christian beliefs after years or even decades of personal reflection on their religious upbringing. A few others seem to be like me. I myself am a lifelong atheist; I have never had religious faith, and have never been involved with any church or religion.

I see a little bit of a difference between those who converted from Christianity to atheism and those who have simply been atheist all along. Those who converted seem to harbour much more of an attitude that they are rebelling against their old beliefs. As such, they seem quite confrontational. I try not to be as such. It seems like if one person broke up with his girlfriend, and now makes sure that people know he broke up with her. Whereas I never knew the girl at all, so it's just not a big deal. Of course, it could also be that the converted atheists have a much better image of the thought processes of the religious, and are more aware of the threat such thinking can pose.

Now, I obviously don't mean all atheists of different origins behave in these specific ways at all times. It just seems to be a trend I've been noticing. And I was wondering whether, from a Christian viewpoint, you folks are seeing the same differences. Or if you see other differences between recently converted atheists and those who have been atheist all along. Is there any difference? Do you consider one to be "worse" than the other? If so, in what ways?

Thanks!

Well I would have to say that there are many differences between Atheist, because, generally speaking, there are a lot of different types of "Atheist", with varying opinions, and reasons for their belief, and what type of environment they come from.

They can range from true seekers, to just people filled with rage.

Adstar, really hit home with his post regarding this and what he said.

But also, I believe, there is a level of contentment in ones own faith, does it complete you, does it fill you. There is sometimes rage that a Christian can say they are filled with Love, or joy or something, and the person that may be an atheist is resentful of that, because they themselves do not have the same completeness, so as opposed to approaching consideration of Christianity, they attack and seek to demean and destroy the seeming joy that the Christian possess.

Others as Adstar said, do so, to justify their choice and their decision.

While others, because of their environment, they feel a need to lash out at the world, that their belief in "Atheism" is not really a belief but a rebellion against the "religion" of their parents. To rage against the "Machine", but failing to realize that we Christians are humans, people with feelings and emotions, but they only see our "religion" and look at like a thing, part of the evil empire, a mindless drone to be raged against.

Then there are the Trolls.... what can be said about them.. really.... They are sometimes called "Message Board Atheist", by the Civil Atheist Community, they just come here looking for a fight, any fight really.

There are many breeds of Atheist, and here at QBNC, not only do we have to answer some difficult questions, we also need to weed out by the poster, what we are dealing with. Are we dealing with a seeker, or just someone that wants to fight us.

Some days we make a bad judgment call, others days, we are on target. But we need to do this, because, when we do have a seeker, we need to focus on them, to help them, even if they do not convert, they have our attention, not only because they are deserving of it, but also because they seek and want to learn what we have to say.

So better for us to brush aside someone blindly raging against the "religion", even if we are a bit rude about it, then to wrapped up with them in a pointless debate to gratify their hate against some ideal, and thus not be there for a true seeker.

Christianity is not about forcing you to believe as we believe, it is to give you the gift to choose to believe as you believe. Accent or reject the Gospel, that choice is yours, our desire is to just give you that choice.

I hope I have explained this Well.

God Bless

Key

 

[heron]

I have only two points of contention. First, your assertion that being atheist means that one is anti-religion. While that may be a trait of some atheists, it is by no means a requirement. Many atheists respect the value religion can hold, even if they don't subscribe to it themselves.

Actually, I don't see that -- I mentioned "they study other religions..." and maybe it came out wrong, but I know many atheists who read about religions in their spare time.

The other is that atheists are less community-oriented. I have no idea why you come to that conclusion, but atheists are just as generous as anybody else. Also, while scientists may be stereotypically less social, not all atheists are scientists. I myself am not. Any sort of less-than-social attribute would belong to the personality type that becomes scientists, not to their atheism.

I used sloppy wording, and I edited that comment. When I said "might," that was a sort of disclaimer to generalizing, but it didn't work. I was spouting off about someone else's comment that scientific = too logical to consider religion.... another thread, another day.
My reference to community-oriented... some people just don't want a church. They want to believe freely without imposition on their beliefs and activities and expectations. This is not just about atheists,or even agnostics, but people who choose not to attend churches. Generosity wasn't in the picture at all -- I was speaking more of dependency on social interaction. And I suppose I shouldn't have said anything at all. It was just a musing, not a conviction.

 

[heron]

Thanks, Key -- a better expression of my stance.

While others, because of their environment, they feel a need to lash out at the world, that their belief in "Atheism" is not really a belief but a rebellion against the "religion" of their parents.

I think that some of this could be resolved if kids were given more respect and allowed more responsibility within the church. Some churches are great with this, but others take on a "you don't know how yet" attitude.

 

[Key]

Thanks, Key -- a better expression of my stance.
I think that some of this could be resolved if kids were given more respect and allowed more responsibility within the church. Some churches are great with this, but others take on a "you don't know how yet" attitude.

I think it is far more then that, it is social influence, home influence, and a bunch of other things, it's not just the church. However, I do believe that the Church, does play a very important role in the whole process.

God Bless

Key

 

[Umaro]

What kind of atheist does this board view me as?

 

[seajoy]

What kind of atheist does this board view me as?

Remember, you asked .

I think there is a stirring in your heart to ask questions about God, but you are fighting it so hard, that you make statements, instead of asking questions.

Your goal is to make your point, not find out information.

I think you would make a great Christian because of your firm convictions on what you believe to be right. You'd be a great warrior for Jesus.

 

[Key]

What kind of atheist does this board view me as?

I would advise you Umaro, that you should not ask questions that you really do not want the answer to.

God Bless

Key

 

[heron]

What kind of atheist does this board view me as?

Such a pleasant one. (-:

 

[Umaro]

I would advise you Umaro, that you should not ask questions that you really do not want the answer to.

God Bless

Key

I'm a realist, I welcome answers regardless

 

[Key]

I'm a realist, I welcome answers regardless

See, I knew you were going to say something like that.. I wonder.. then.. did I influence your choice to say that.. or did you do it of your own free will.

Humm.. such good examples.. to answer other thread issues.. and it's on the wrong thread.... :: Sigh :: I guess such is life....



God Bless

Key