Why are atheist compelled to answer religious or spritual questions?

[Dat_1_Chiq]

Why are atheist compelled to answer religious or spritual questions?

When I don't belive in something or better yet don't understand I find it easy to let it be.

I think it should be easy to ignore God and the masses of people who worship him if you think that God doesn't exsist in the first place.

But I guess the truth is hard to ignore.

 

[HuntingMan]

Why are atheist compelled to answer religious or spritual questions?

When I don't belive in something or better yet don't understand I find it easy to let it be.

I think it should be easy to ignore God and the masses of people who worship him if you think that God doesn't exsist in the first place.

But I guess the truth is hard to ignore.

I dont believe in Santa and im not going to waste time arguing with someone about whether he exists or not.

But...that isnt the problem here.

With a couple billion profession christians on the planet trying to 'change the world' its easy enough to see that an atheist isnt going to be able to just ignore Christians and the influence they have on the world like I could ignore someone trying to convince me that a little man in a red suit delivers gifts to the whole world one December night.

We have a HUGE impact on this world as believers...atheists cant avoid us while we're trying to get laws changed and fighting for the ten commandments to be kept in public places.
Atheists CAN avoid some nutcase claiming that Santa is real, however, so they dont even have to bother with him.

I dont agree with Atheists...I do understand why they get so involved with christians directly...they have no real way of avoiding us.

 

[Bellicus]

I didn't quite understand the question. Could someone simplify it for me?

 

[HuntingMan]

I think it should be easy to ignore God and the masses of people who worship him if you think that God doesn't exsist in the first place.

i think that is the main point B

 

[The Lady Kate]

Why are atheist compelled to answer religious or spritual questions?

When I don't belive in something or better yet don't understand I find it easy to let it be.

But suppose that something isn't content to let you be?

I think it should be easy to ignore God and the masses of people who worship him if you think that God doesn't exsist in the first place.

But I guess the truth is hard to ignore.

The truth is that regardless of whether one believes God exists or not, Christians do exist... and some Christians have a vision of an ideal world which, let's be honest, isn't all that friendly to Atheists... or any non-Christians.

 

[Notedstrangeperson]

Meh. People get angry whenever their ideas - whatever they are - are challanged. Same thing with vegetarians, pro-life advocates, politics and other nonsense.

 

[Garyzenuf]

Why are atheist compelled to answer religious or spritual questions?

When I don't belive in something or better yet don't understand I find it easy to let it be.

I think it should be easy to ignore God and the masses of people who worship him if you think that God doesn't exsist in the first place.

But I guess the truth is hard to ignore.

Really, you let Islam be? Do you have no opinion on other religions, are they all fine and dandy, no need to discuss or think about them?

I question religion in all its forms whenever it comes up because a; I dont believe any of them, and see them as doing a great deal of harm to people daily, and harm to our species and others as a whole. and b; I don't want to return to the dark ages like they have in the middle east (did they ever leave the dark ages?), a crushing theocracy like Iran, Saudia Arabia, Eygpt, etc.

I will stand beside you Dat1Chiq, if anyone tries to ban, control, or limit your personal beliefs, and I stand totally opposed to you if you try to impose your TRUTHS on others. I care far more about separation of religion and goverment, than anything people may believe by their own choice, reasoning, and faith.

I believe Ghandi said, we all find God by our own light, perhaps one day we'll live in a world where that will be possible for all people without fear of persecution.

 

[wayseer]

I dont believe any of them, and see them as doing a great deal of harm to people daily, and harm to our species and others as a whole.

Allow me to educate you somewhat. Christianity has been responsible for such things as education, hospitals, social justice and indeed democracy. I know most atheists seem to concentrate on the negatives, and I accept the Church has many skeletons in its closet. But the Church does not have any policy to 'harm our species' - in fact the opposite.

I don't want to return to the dark ages like they have in the middle east (did they ever leave the dark ages?)

I know it is an inconvenient truth, but the so-called Dark Ages was an age of darkness for Western thought only - it was not so in the East. Eastern thought, through Islam, was alive and well. We, in the West, are inheritors of much of their learning - including numeracy and literacy. The convergence of Islam, Jewish culture, and Christianity in Spain from 700 AD was anything but a Dark Age. The collective thinking taking place then, I would argue, later fueled the Reformation.

I will stand beside you Dat1Chiq, if anyone tries to ban, control, or limit your personal beliefs,

... and thereby you fail to appreciate that such is exactly what you are doing - limiting people's beliefs in this post. No one is limiting anyone's beliefs - except perhaps you.

I believe Ghandi said, we all find God by our own light, perhaps one day we'll live in a world where that will be possible for all people without fear of persecution.

I don't know if Ghandi said as much or not, but your sentiments are no different to Christians.

 

[Garyzenuf]

Skeletons in the closet???

Yeah...those silly old christians.

Dark ages in the middle east.

I was talking of their ongoing RELIGOUS ignorance and hate, Not the beauty of their poetry, paintings, and arithmitic.

And how exactly did I try to ban, control, or limit Dat1Chiq beliefs by mereily disagreeing with them? That wasn't my intent, I thought I was just arguing, sorry if I was out of line, but I'm new to posting, typing, and Atheism.

Thank you for the education (I'm serious actually, you could fill many libraries with what I dont know), however I thought democracy came from the Romans, I thought religions were given tax free status for their building of schools, and hospitals (a benefit they still enjoy today, although where I live I see the goverment building them, not churchs), maybe you meant invented them, I'm not sure.

I'm proud to carry the same sentiments as some christians. I dont hate God, far from it, I just dont believe in christianity.

I'm trying not to be too confrontational, just looking for people on the other side of my beliefs (in some regards) that I can talk to.

P.S.-how do I do those little "Quote" things, line by line I mean, everytime I try it, I get the whole post?

 

[wayseer]

I was talking of their ongoing RELIGOUS ignorance and hate, Not the beauty of their poetry, paintings, and arithmitic.

Yes, I thought you were - but, sometime we generalise too far. There is 'some' religious intolerance - there is 'much' religious tolerance doing the rounds.

And how exactly did I try to ban, control, or limit Dat1Chiq beliefs by mereily disagreeing with them? That wasn't my intent, I thought I was just arguing, sorry if I was out of line, but I'm new to posting, typing, and Atheism.

No - you were no out of line for defending a friend. I was pointing out that you line of argument, (no one can limit you personal beliefs) while directed at others, could equally be applied to your own position (suggesting as much is having the effect of limiting what other can say/think). It's a mistake we often failed to acknowledge.

I thought democracy came from the Romans, I thought religions were given tax free status for their building of schools, and hospitals (a benefit they still enjoy today, although where I live I see the goverment building them, not churchs), maybe you meant invented them, I'm not sure.

Yes, you are correct - democracy goes back to Plato. What I was meaning was the advent of 'modern' democracy - democracy as we know it and practice it today. What I was alluding to was that although the 'theory' of institutions was raised in ancient Greece it was Christianity that provided the impetus, through the concept of social justice, that created the reason for starting them.

I'm proud to carry the same sentiments as some christians. I dont hate God, far from it, I just dont believe in christianity.

Hmmm ... believing in Christianity is different to believing in God. I don't believe much in 'Christianity' myself - but that's another issue.

I suspect many who label themselves atheist really do not understand atheism.

I'm trying not to be too confrontational, just looking for people on the other side of my beliefs (in some regards) that I can talk to.

Confront away. God can handle it - it's us sods down here that have the difficulty.

P.S.-how do I do those little "Quote" things, line by line I mean, everytime I try it, I get the whole post?

OK. Notice when you see the post you wish to quote in the 'message' box you also see words quote at the beginning and end in square brackets - that's 'computer language' - you're telling the computer to do something. Make sure you put [quote. (note - where I put a . should be a ] - other wise you would not see it) at the beginning of the piece you want to quote and [/quote. at the end. You can then cut up the big quote into little chunks.

The same applies with italics and bold font [i. [/i. will give you italics and [b. [/b. will give you bold. And don't leave any gaps. You can get real fancy and do all sorts of colours and font changes when you get the hang of it. BUT PLEASE DO NOT USE RED FONT. Red font interacts with the red irons at the back of the eyes - those bits that help you see in the dark - and can be harmful to the eyes.

 

[Garyzenuf]

Thanks for the feedback Wayseer, and the info. about posting.

If you met me in person you'd find me quite a pleasent fellow, but when I try and disagree with people on the internet, it all seems to come out like anger, which its not, I'm just trying to get some answers about Christianity. Somethings dont make sense to me ( actually quite a bit ), and I thought this would be the best place to find, if not the answers, at least a christian perspective on my questions.

Perhaps I'll practice my delivery some more before posting again, as I dont want to come across as an complete a**hole.

Thanks again,
Gary

 

[wayseer]

Thanks for the feedback Wayseer, and the info. about posting.

If you met me in person you'd find me quite a pleasent fellow, but when I try and disagree with people on the internet, it all seems to come out like anger, which its not

I'm quite sure you are. It's interesting - the internet seems to bring out our latent egotism. I assure you I am not immune either.

Perhaps I'll practice my delivery some more before posting again, as I dont want to come across as an complete a**hole.

You didn't. May good fortune go with you.

 

[tulc]

Why are atheist compelled to answer religious or spritual questions?

When I don't belive in something or better yet don't understand I find it easy to let it be.

I think it should be easy to ignore God and the masses of people who worship him if you think that God doesn't exsist in the first place.

But I guess the truth is hard to ignore.

Most (if not all) of the atheist on CF are former Christians, and the answers they give tend to be pretty right on.
tulc(for the most part anyway)

 

[Apocryphal]

Meh. People get angry whenever their ideas - whatever they are - are challanged. Same thing with vegetarians, pro-life advocates, politics and other nonsense.

I disagree. I think stupid people get angry when their ideas are challenged. Look at that Phelps lady, whenever she's on Fox and someone hints at the idea that she's a rabid you-know-what, she flies off the handle.

Now, an intelligent person takes the information provided them and considers it before replying, so that a mature, intellectual discussion might blossom and be enjoyed.

 

[Hammster]

I, personally, am thankful for atheists. I wish there weren't any, but since they are here, I am thankful for them. Being forced to come up with answers to defend my faith has actually bolstered my faith. Atheist do have some good points, at times, and it is nice to be able to do some research and find answers.

Christianity isn't a blind faith, as some think, but a faith built on facts, and atheists have forced me to find more facts.

 

[anonymous1515]

When I don't belive in something or better yet don't understand I find it easy to let it be.

That is what separates you from most atheists (and I'm sure quite a few religious folk too). Skepticism is at the heart of atheism, whereas faith is at the heart of religion. Can you see why a person with a worldview rooted in skepticism would not be content in saying "I don't understand it. Oh well...."

 

[Holy Roller]

Really, you let Islam be? Do you have no opinion on other religions, are they all fine and dandy, no need to discuss or think about them?

I question religion in all its forms whenever it comes up because a; I dont believe any of them, and see them as doing a great deal of harm to people daily, and harm to our species and others as a whole. and b; I don't want to return to the dark ages like they have in the middle east (did they ever leave the dark ages?), a crushing theocracy like Iran, Saudia Arabia, Eygpt, etc.

I will stand beside you Dat1Chiq, if anyone tries to ban, control, or limit your personal beliefs, and I stand totally opposed to you if you try to impose your TRUTHS on others. I care far more about separation of religion and goverment, than anything people may believe by their own choice, reasoning, and faith.

I believe Ghandi said, we all find God by our own light, perhaps one day we'll live in a world where that will be possible for all people without fear of persecution.

Here is the ongoing strategy among the Atheists: to mention the evils of Islam first, but going only to Christian forums.
The truth of the matter is is that the Atheist has a modest interest in the Muslim and a very persistent and strong interest in the Christian.
His using Islam as an example of poor religious judgment is nothing more than a trojan horse for him to come and vent to the Christian on a Christian forum.

What these individuals fail to mention is the overwhelming good Christans are doing in the world today. Atheists ignore the churches feeding the poor, the gospel missions housing them, the tens of billions of dollars spent annually towards feeding the world's poor and in general, the practice of sound Christian ethics. Instead, the Atheist, in all his myopy (blindness, closemindedness, narrowsightedness) brings up ancient history that happened during the Dark Ages.

Why do you suppose that is? Why do the Atheists habitually bring up brief periods of ancient, human history when we Messianics or Christians go out to help the less-fortunate? Does the Atheist on this message board have an answer for this peculiar cognitive characteristic?
Does his psychiatrist?

Can the Atheist (the letter 'A' capitalized to respect his religion) please explain that while Jewish people and Christians are willing entire estates over to causes that advance the Kingdom (helping the poor, sick and elderly here and globally), the Atheist wills his estate to the University endowment? To wealthy doctors involved in Cancer research or some other federally-funded mandate?
To his cosmetic surgeon?
Is there a necessary reason for the Atheist to give big money to big money after he dies? What compels him to perform this immoral and unethical act? After all, when was the last time you saw a group of Atheists feeding the poor/hungry/sick/less fortunate?

Just asking...

 

[Holy Roller]

That is what separates you from most atheists (and I'm sure quite a few religious folk too). Skepticism is at the heart of atheism, whereas faith is at the heart of religion. Can you see why a person with a worldview rooted in skepticism would not be content in saying "I don't understand it. Oh well...."

I disagree with this. It's intellectual pride that's at the heart of Atheism. And what's at the heart of pride? Yep! Inadequacy.
Since there's intellectual pride, and since there's inadequacy, then Atheism is the byproduct of their inadequate intellects.

We see this frequently when we visit Atheist-related forums, such as richard_dawkins forum. Just about every Atheist there is hot-buttoned to call religious people (Christians, in particular), 'stupid', 'gullible', and what their leader Richard Dawkins calls us, "intellectual cowards." The truth of the matter is, however, is I haven't found a larger gathering of simpletons on any forum than at the richard dawkins forum.

Rigorous fact-finding is not at the heart of Atheism, either. While I was there under the username The Bible Thumper (I was there a whole two days before being banned for preaching and prostelyzing), I proposed to debate the general Atheist populace on the irreconcileable differences between Atheistic beliefs and how they cannot be reconciled with quantum mechanics. Out of over 50 members, only one challenged me to this debate. I then accepted.

I was banned from the forum minutes after I submitted my acceptance.

You may visit that forum. My posting remains there still. But I warn you. Unless you're an Atheist, be prepared to be shocked. You will not find a more rousing group of boorish hillbillies slinging all kinds of swear words and general classless verbiage all over the forum, and some of the avatars used amounts to downright inappropriate contentography. You will then know that it's not open-minded people you're engaging dialogue with, it's immoral, classless vulgar and at times revolting dullards and simpletons you're engaging with.

It's then when you realise that Atheists are the farthest thing from being intelligent, or sensitive, for that matter (IMHO, sensitivity is a major requirement for a high-grade intellect, and I'm somewhat of a subject-matter expert on this). Their "open-mindedness", "objectivity", and "free-thinking" is nothing but a sham of the highest order.
Rant off.

 

[RyanLeeParis]

Because people have opinions, even if those opinions are probably uneducated.

 

[tulc]

I disagree with this. It's intellectual pride that's at the heart of Atheism. And what's at the heart of pride? Yep! Inadequacy.
Since there's intellectual pride, and since there's inadequacy, then Atheism is the byproduct of their inadequate intellects.

We see this frequently when we visit Atheist-related forums, such as richard_dawkins forum. Just about every Atheist there is hot-buttoned to call religious people (Christians, in particular), 'stupid', 'gullible', and what their leader Richard Dawkins calls us, "intellectual cowards." The truth of the matter is, however, is I haven't found a larger gathering of simpletons on any forum than at the richard dawkins forum.

Rigorous fact-finding is not at the heart of Atheism, either. While I was there under the username The Bible Thumper (I was there a whole two days before being banned for preaching and prostelyzing), I proposed to debate the general Atheist populace on the irreconcileable differences between Atheistic beliefs and how they cannot be reconciled with quantum mechanics. Out of over 50 members, only one challenged me to this debate. I then accepted.

I was banned from the forum minutes after I submitted my acceptance.

You may visit that forum. My posting remains there still. But I warn you. Unless you're an Atheist, be prepared to be shocked. You will not find a more rousing group of boorish hillbillies slinging all kinds of swear words and general classless verbiage all over the forum, and some of the avatars used amounts to downright inappropriate contentography. You will then know that it's not open-minded people you're engaging dialogue with, it's immoral, classless vulgar and at times revolting dullards and simpletons you're engaging with.

It's then when you realise that Atheists are the farthest thing from being intelligent, or sensitive, for that matter (IMHO, sensitivity is a major requirement for a high-grade intellect, and I'm somewhat of a subject-matter expert on this). Their "open-mindedness", "objectivity", and "free-thinking" is nothing but a sham of the highest order.
Rant off.

That sounds more like poor site mods then a reason to dismiss all atheists as having "inadequate intellects".
tulc(just a thought)