It seems to me.....

[OldWiseGuy]

...that atheists are more distressed about the belief of Christians than Christians are about the disbelief of atheists (on these boards). Thoughts, from either side?

 

[SkyWriting]

...that atheists are more distressed about the belief of Christians than Christians are about the disbelief of atheists (on these boards). Thoughts?

Living a life with Faith in God is less annoying than not.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Living a life with Faith in God is less annoying than not.

It seems to annoy atheists no end. Strange.

 

[pitabread]

...that atheists are more distressed about the belief of Christians than Christians are about the disbelief of atheists (on these boards). Thoughts?

It's hard to gauge specific "distress" from either group, but in my experience it's probably about equal. I've seen plenty of Christians complain about atheism/atheists here.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

It's hard to gauge specific "distress" from either group, but in my experience it's probably about equal. I've seen plenty of Christians complain about atheism/atheists here.

I hearken back to my late sister, who was very distraught that I wasn't going to college. The first thing that she learned as a freshmen is that those who didn't go would remain 'ignorant'. As she loved me very much she didn't want me to go through life 'ignorant'. The final blow came when I joined the church. She became so distraught that she told me not to ever mention religion to her. However neither her going to college or becoming an atheist (Unitarian) bothered me much. My choices have been a blessing to me, hers a curse to her (my observation) as she lived a miserable life and died a miserable death.

 

[bhsmte]

...that atheists are more distressed about the belief of Christians than Christians are about the disbelief of atheists (on these boards). Thoughts, from either side?

Depends what someone is distressed about. Some folks, get a tad thrown off, when others have to misrepresent science, to uphold and protect a personal faith belief. This just bothers them as they have a thing about accuracy.

In regards to some Christians though, it is really entertaining, to watch the defense mechanisms and scramble mode ensue, when they are presented with verifiable evidence and facts, that may contradict a personal faith belief.

One real good measure though, of intellectual honesty is; is someone willing to admit they could be wrong, or are capable of learning new things that could change their position. From my experience on this site, Christians are far less likely to admit there is even a one percent chance their specific faith beliefs are wrong, or they may learn something in the future, that would alter them.

When one fails to acknowledge there is any chance they are wrong, this is a big clue, they have some deep insecurities about the belief.

 

[lamb7]

I feel that God is still working on or with them, a true atheist would not care about anything related to God or us Christians. A true Apostate would hate God and not even desire to look into the things of God... IMHO

 

[pitabread]

I feel that God is still working on or with them, a true atheist would not care about anything related to God or us Christians.

Christians make up a significant portion of the population in Western society (particularly in the USA) with associated ramifications of that. Faith-based policy making has an impact on larger society: e.g. abstinence-only education, attempts to remove evolution from school curricula, attempts to ban homosexual marriages, legality of abortion, and so on. You don't need to invoke the supernatural to understand why atheists might care about Christians and their influence on society.

Even a sub-forum like this (Creation/Evolution) largely exists since conservative Christians attempt to influence science education based on their religious beliefs.

 

[cloudyday2]

As an ex-Christian, I am still a little angry that I believed Christianity for so long, and the continued existence of Christian faith in others reawakens this anger.

In real life my family are all Christians and most of my coworkers are Christians too. I'm a meek and non-confrontational person, so I don't debate with them. Forums are an outlet for the frustration I feel by watching people around me in real life continue to sleepwalk and being unable to help them.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Depends what someone is distressed about. Some folks, get a tad thrown off, when others have to misrepresent science, to uphold and protect a personal faith belief. This just bothers them as they have a thing about accuracy.

In regards to some Christians though, it is really entertaining, to watch the defense mechanisms and scramble mode ensue, when they are presented with verifiable evidence and facts, that may contradict a personal faith belief.

One real good measure though, of intellectual honesty is; is someone willing to admit they could be wrong, or are capable of learning new things that could change their position. From my experience on this site, Christians are far less likely to admit there is even a one percent chance their specific faith beliefs are wrong, or they may learn something in the future, that would alter them.

When one fails to acknowledge there is any chance they are wrong, this is a big clue, they have some deep insecurities about the belief.

Christian conversion is always a work in progress, and a full lifetime is needed to really get it. Conversely atheism can be fully embraced and understood immediately at just about any age. No effort needed.

That said and speaking for myself only what I say on these boards bears only some resemblance to what I do in real life. For the most part my involvement here is an interesting diversion. In fact some arguments here, if held face to face, would certainly escalate to......fisticuffs.

 

[pitabread]

Christian conversion is always a work in progress, and a full lifetime is needed to really get it. Conversely atheism can be fully embraced and understood immediately at just about any age. No effort needed.

Based on testimony of atheists (particularly those who de-converted from a prior religious belief) you appear to be dramatically underestimating the amount of thought that can go into developing a worldview around atheism.

Just the philosophical thought that can go into coming to terms with basic existence, life, death, and so on, can equally require a life-time of study and contemplation.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Based on testimony of atheists (particularly those who de-converted from a prior religious belief) you appear to be dramatically underestimating the amount of thought that can go into developing a worldview around atheism.

Just the philosophical thought that can go into coming to terms with basic existence, life, death, and so on, can equally require a life-time of study and contemplation.

I agree that 'deprogramming' might be more difficult than programming either position.

 

[Albion]

...that atheists are more distressed about the belief of Christians than Christians are about the disbelief of atheists (on these boards). Thoughts, from either side?

It seems to me that you are right about this, although I am reluctant to guess at why that is. Maybe it is only because there are more believers than atheists in our society and that fact irks the latter group.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

It seems to me that you are right about this, although I am reluctant to guess at why that is. Maybe it is only because there are more believers than atheists in our society and that fact irks the latter group.

They may also be frustrated that they have been quite unsuccessful in separating Christians from our beliefs here, despite their best arguments.

 

[pitabread]

They may also be frustrated that they have been quite unsuccessful in separating Christians from our beliefs here, despite their best arguments.

Given those who evangelize Christian beliefs here, I would say that cuts both ways.

Just the fact there is an entire subforum for evangelizing speaks volumes: Missions, Evangelism & Witnessing

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Given those who evangelize Christian beliefs here, I would say that cuts both ways.

Just the fact there is an entire subforum for evangelizing speaks volumes: Missions, Evangelism & Witnessing

Well, this is a Christian forum.

 

[pitabread]

Well, this is a Christian forum.

Not the point.

The point is that certain Christians also go out and try to separate others from their beliefs. And judging by that sub-forum, they engage in strategizing on how to accomplish that as (surprise!) apparently trying to convert people to Christianity is also not the easiest of tasks at times.

Heck, I've lost count of the number of times I've been preached at on this forum and even threatened with judgement and/or eternal damnation on this forum.

If you guys want to experience "the other side" try pretending to be a non-believer on this forum for awhile and see how it goes. You might be surprised.

 

[Apologetic_Warrior]

...that atheists are more distressed about the belief of Christians than Christians are about the disbelief of atheists (on these boards). Thoughts, from either side?

I'm only distressed by mean, nasty, hateful, spiteful people, regardless of whatever they profess. There are nice, thoughtful, kind, and considerate people from pretty much any and every profession of thought and belief. In theology it's described in the concept of "common grace", in allegory it's like the rain that falls on everyone. That sums it up as I see it when it comes to dealing with others, while looking in the mirror.

 

[RDKirk]

Not the point.

The point is that certain Christians also go out and try to separate others from their beliefs. And judging by that sub-forum, they engage in strategizing on how to accomplish that as (surprise!) apparently trying to convert people to Christianity is also not the easiest of tasks at times.

Heck, I've lost count of the number of times I've been preached at on this forum and even threatened with judgement and/or eternal damnation on this forum.

If you guys want to experience "the other side" try pretending to be a non-believer on this forum for awhile and see how it goes.

Actually it is the point.

If I go to a Star Wars forum, I'd expect them to be fans of Star Wars. Some might also be fans of Star Trek, some might be tolerant of Star Trek fans, but it would be foolish for me to think I could argue against Star Wars on a Star Wars forum and find a friendly reception.

I'm a black Christian male. I don't go on Stormfront, atheist forums, or feminist forums.

And if I went on any of them, I would expect neither comfort nor a warm welcome for my views.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Not the point.

The point is that certain Christians also go out and try to separate others from their beliefs. And judging by that sub-forum, they engage in strategizing on how to accomplish that as (surprise!) apparently trying to convert people to Christianity is also not the easiest of tasks at times.

Heck, I've lost count of the number of times I've been preached at on this forum and even threatened with judgement and/or eternal damnation on this forum.

If you guys want to experience "the other side" try pretending to be a non-believer on this forum for awhile and see how it goes.

Nonbelievers come here to argue, so we argue back.