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Why are Atheists So Disliked

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Dave Ellis

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Atheists lack the huge body of spiritual knowledge that believers have, thus making them unqualified to 'provide for the general welfare' as elected officials.


That's not stereotyping an entire demographic of people at all.....

Do you have any evidence to back up your claim? Keep in mind, most Buddhists are atheists. Would you say a guy like the Dalai Lama wouldn't have enough spiritual knowledge to "provide for the general welfare" of people?
 
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dysert

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Article says that Americans would rather have a pot-smoking, admitted philanderer as President than an atheist president. Why are atheists so disliked in America? I have spent quite a bit of time in Europe, and atheists are viewed as ordinary, responsible, trustworthy citizens. In general, why do you think people (or you) dislike or distrust atheists? I am not a bad guy, I promise.:blush:
I think there are at least a couple of different things going on here. One is about politics. Personally, I don't trust politicians as a general rule. It seems to me that most politicians are more interested in keeping their jobs (by whatever means) than in properly representing the people who elected them. I think this is true whether the politician is an atheist or not.

The other issue is one of personal relationships. I still have fond memories of my two best friends that I made after graduating from college. These were both atheists, and we got along great. They were patient with me as I occasionally tried to evangelize to them, and I was patient with them as they told me why they weren't interested. We really had great friendships.

Really, the only problems I have with atheists are the militant ones. Ones who want to push an ungodly agenda on society. The same is true for non-atheists (even self-proclaimed Christians) who want to push an ungodly agenda on society. I've met a few atheists in CF who I have a problem with because they come across as smug, arrogant, insulting, and condescending. But again, I'd have a problem with anyone who comes across that way - atheist or not.
 
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OldWiseGuy

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Do you have any evidence to back up your claim? Keep in mind, most Buddhists are atheists. Would you say a guy like the Dalai Lama wouldn't have enough spiritual knowledge to "provide for the general welfare" of people?

That's a red herring.
 
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Arcangl86

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Yikes! I'm sorry. I must have read more into it than I should have.

Looking back at your comment, you're right. You did make that clear. My apologies. :sorry:
Apologies accepted brother. I could never hold that view myself since some of the most Christ-like people I have ever met have been professing atheists.
 
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dogs4thewin

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I would never trust anyone who didn't admit that there is a God. Personally I rank atheists right next to pagans and satanists.
Not trying to flame you, but do you only trust Christians then or Christians, Muslims and Jews. or what.

I am a believer that I do not care what religion you do or do not believe if you are honest with me, respect people's rights obey the law I will treat you the way you treat me.
 
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OldWiseGuy

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Christians have yet to demonstrate that they have said spiritual knowledge, thus making them no more or less qualified than atheists.

Christians won't be governing the country any time soon (the church/state thing).

My point is that in order to rightly govern one must have spiritual knowledge. Even George Washington knew this. He said, "It is impossible to rightly govern (this people) without God and the bible". Many of our forefathers believed this as well.

They recognized that spiritual values must be incorporated into governance if the nation was to succeed. It is evident that our current problems are the result of the abandonment of many of these values.
 
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alien444

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Take away your faith? Are you being forced to abandon your faith? Are you told you can no longer pray or congregate? No. All that is established is that religious tribalism has no place in state judicial buildings nor formal proceedings. The absence of these commandments simply creates a neutral space and remove an inappropriate promotion of a religion. Also recognize that many theists, including many Christians who do not share you specific view, also see the inappropriateness of placing religious content in those contexts too. These infusions of religion in our coinage and anthems were actually added as recently as the 1940s by religious groups who used fear of communism to garner support.

Like egocentric infants who've grabbed all the toys, then throw a tantrum when some are taken away to be distributed fairly, some people behave as though it's unbearable if their religion isn't given prominence or even dominance regardless of setting. Taking away religious privilege for one group isn't "taking away [your] faith." Perhaps you've been catered to for so long that taking away said privilege is perceived by you as an assault. Such characterization is a shameless misrepresentation of what is really going on.


Bravo:clap:
 
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DiligentlySeekingGod

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Okay, I think that it is totally unfair and unmerited to compare atheists today to atheists in the past, like Stalin and Hitler. Jesus told us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40; Mark 12:30-31), and guess what... even atheists are our neighbors. We cannot hate another person either (Matthew 5:22). The Bible says whoever hates his brother is a murderer (1 John 3:15) and whoever says, "I love God," but hates his brother is a liar (1 John 4:20). In complete contrast, Jesus commands us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-36). I don't believe any person is void of God's grace as long as they still have breath in their lungs. I believe our God is able to lead any person, no matter who they are or what they might profess, to salvation in His Son, Jesus Christ. So with that said, I'm not willing to throw any non-Christian to the lions, so to speak. Okay, rant over. Deep breath. :sigh:
 
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alien444

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Atheists lack the huge body of spiritual knowledge that believers have, thus making them unqualified to 'provide for the general welfare' as elected officials.


Christians (or the religious for that matter) do not "own" what can be gained from contemplation on things larger than humanity, nor transcendence of the self. They certainly do not "own" empathy or compassion.
 
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bhsmte

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Article says that Americans would rather have a pot-smoking, admitted philanderer as President than an atheist president. Why are atheists so disliked in America? I have spent quite a bit of time in Europe, and atheists are viewed as ordinary, responsible, trustworthy citizens. In general, why do you think people (or you) dislike or distrust atheists? I am not a bad guy, I promise.:blush:

Americans Exaggerate How Much They Go To Religious Services, According To Study

Believers see non-believers as a threat to their belief system, plain and simple. What is a good way to feel better as a believer? Paint non-believers as bad people.
 
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alien444

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Christians won't be governing the country any time soon (the church/state thing).

Really? Do you think all previous presidents have been lying about their religiosity. Bush practically stated that he was on a mission from God.

My point is that in order to rightly govern one must have spiritual knowledge. Even George Washington knew this. He said, "It is impossible to rightly govern (this people) without God and the bible". Many of our forefathers believed this as well.

What is spiritual knowledge first of all? That is a phrase begging to be defined.

They recognized that spiritual values must be incorporated into governance if the nation was to succeed. It is evident that our current problems are the result of the abandonment of many of these values.

Again, what are "spiritual values"? How do they differ from secular values? How exactly are they essential in providing for general welfare and for compassionate governance?
 
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epluribus36

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Article says that Americans would rather have a pot-smoking, admitted philanderer as President than an atheist president. Why are atheists so disliked in America? I have spent quite a bit of time in Europe, and atheists are viewed as ordinary, responsible, trustworthy citizens. In general, why do you think people (or you) dislike or distrust atheists? I am not a bad guy, I promise.:blush:

Americans Exaggerate How Much They Go To Religious Services, According To Study

I dunno. I don't dislike anyone. I get mad sometimes, but I get over it. I see lots of hatred, though.

Some people seem to hate homosexuals, too. I must confess I used to not be crazy about them, but then I met some, and opened my mind when I got sober, and now I've got some great lesbian friends.

I guess most people just don't want to open their minds. I was that way for many years.
 
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bhsmte

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Again, what are "spiritual values"? How do they differ from secular values? How exactly are they essential in providing for general welfare and for compassionate governance?

If I had to guess, I would say a lot of high level politicians lie about their religious beliefs, in order to be more electable.
 
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OldWiseGuy

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Christians (or the religious for that matter) do not "own" what can be gained from contemplation on things larger than humanity, nor transcendence of the self. They certainly do not "own" empathy or compassion.

We're not talking about earth-shattering differences here, but perhaps small, and maybe infrequent, decisions that have large impacts down the road.
 
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OldWiseGuy

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Again, what are "spiritual values"? How do they differ from secular values? How exactly are they essential in providing for general welfare and for compassionate governance?

Spiritual values follow certain principles. Secular decisions tend to be more expedient than principled. For example a government office that has a poorly defined mission but is still fully funded, while more important community needs go unfilled. Or programs that can wait are funded by borrowing, thus placing an unnecessary financial burden on the community. A more prudent (principled) approach would be better. Principles are the practical application of spiritual values. The secular approach often suspends the very principles that protect it. For example, the banking system suspending the traditional 20 percent down payment for home mortgages. What followed was an economic disaster.
 
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SaphireOwl

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Probably because atheism by its definition purports to be something the immoral ascribe to. Because character, integrity, scruples, and a moral base is not something that atheism imparts as part of its philosophy.

While there are atheists who will argue there is no such thing as a atheist philosophy, and that false proclamation simply adds to the impression that integrity is lacking in the atheist that affords that defensive proclamation.

What I think speaks poorly also of atheism is the history atheists have carved out in the world. While Christianity nor any religious belief can argue their history is as pure as the driven snow, atheism, for all that it encompasses as "no" belief in no such thing as a higher power, god, creator, impresses upon history a deeper negative impression when atheism flavors a dark brutal murderous history that was carved out in the name of humanist values. Rather than religious.

Communism in Russia for instance. While atheism is not a political ideology it was the lack-of-belief system that was proclaimed by Stalin. And from that point of disbelief he committed atrocities that pushed forth a political ideology that did not have deity at its center. Rather, he pushed forth a communist manifesto that if anything can say it argues that this life is in the hands of the psyche of humanity!
Which means that man and his cohorts trumpeted an oppressive communist regime that credited the human intellect for its tenets.

And while atheism and atheists may not ever be something that arrives to the attention of Christians in their every day, I think what also helps to impress a strong aversion to the atheist philosophy is when atheists purposefully join religious communities so as to mock, ridicule, publish sarcastic remarks and condemn the Christian faith and philosophy, that that minority who elect to engage in that behavior demonstrate as members of those communities.

And that while they argue there is no such thing as God , they are unable or unwilling to spend their lives elsewhere. Rather than spending hours upon hours and year after year committing their attention to what their atheist label identifies as, nothing!

Thereby indicating by their presence in those religious communities that their intent and agenda is to mock, ridicule, publish sarcastic remarks and condemn people! Whom their atheist humanist ideology among their own purportedly espouses a strong interest in or concern for human welfare, values, and dignity.

Something that is revoked by those who behave in such ways in religious communities. And that then demonstrates through the abdication of that humanist example, by definition, as well as having no faith in any religious deity, a personality that is bad natured and malevolent.

History precedes the atheist that would think to be elected to lead a Democratic Republic, when Communist Russia, and other countries that were led by atheists afford a history that broadcasts the potential inherent in an atheist candidate.

And most certainly among the electorate in a democratic republic when atheists enter into a community that boasts the most populace body of citizens in America, Christians, and demonstrate what the atheism is when the atheist interacts with people whom any atheist candidate would purport to lead and represent if elected to have the chance.




Article says that Americans would rather have a pot-smoking, admitted philanderer as President than an atheist president. Why are atheists so disliked in America? I have spent quite a bit of time in Europe, and atheists are viewed as ordinary, responsible, trustworthy citizens. In general, why do you think people (or you) dislike or distrust atheists? I am not a bad guy, I promise.:blush:

Americans Exaggerate How Much They Go To Religious Services, According To Study
 
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High Fidelity

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Article says that Americans would rather have a pot-smoking, admitted philanderer as President than an atheist president. Why are atheists so disliked in America? I have spent quite a bit of time in Europe, and atheists are viewed as ordinary, responsible, trustworthy citizens. In general, why do you think people (or you) dislike or distrust atheists? I am not a bad guy, I promise.:blush:

Americans Exaggerate How Much They Go To Religious Services, According To Study

Europe is largely atheist, so that'll be why.

I don't get the hate for atheists though. I'm just as put of by an atheist trying to ram his opinions down my throat than a creationist.
 
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Gadarene

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Probably because atheism by its definition purports to be something the immoral ascribe to. Because character, integrity, scruples, and a moral base is not something that atheism imparts as part of its philosophy.

Because it's simply a statement on the matter of the existence of gods. You may as well criticise it for not making a breakfast recommendation - that's not what it's for.

This does not mean that its adherents necessarily lack any of the things you listed - and I have to laugh at someone who makes such a ridiculously false inference feigning concern over integrity.

You could judge atheism on what it doesn't directly address I suppose, but I don't think Christians will want that standard brought into play.

While there are atheists who will argue there is no such thing as a atheist philosophy, and that false proclamation simply adds to the impression that integrity is lacking in the atheist that affords that defensive proclamation.
Or perhaps you're simply consistently incorrect here ^_^

There are philosophies that are atheist, certainly. There is no definitive atheist standpoint except on the matter of the existence of deities.

Not much point replying to the rest of this whiffle which displays spectacular ignorance of the differences between atheism, humanism and communism as well as containing several wholesale generalisations.

Perhaps some atheists respond to people like South Bound and yourself the way they do because of your thoughtless stereotypes :wave: - again, spot the other common denominator ^_^
 
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