Why are internet Atheists so hostile and mean towards Christians ?

[Rebecca Jo]

I think the approach that can be used is to pray plenty before contact, then be a support while not condoning any sinful activities. Our gratitude and cheerfulness could provide a contrast to their anger and frustration with the world, and it may open the door to a conversation about why we can be so positive. Yes, talk about Jesus may set these people off, but we can shake the dust off if necessary and know that we did our part to witness. God will use what little we gave to make a lot!

 

[MassimoTheChristian]

I think the approach that can be used is to pray plenty before contact, then be a support while not condoning any sinful activities. Our gratitude and cheerfulness could provide a contrast to their anger and frustration with the world, and it may open the door to a conversation about why we can be so positive. Yes, talk about Jesus may set these people off, but we can shake the dust off if necessary and know that we did our part to witness. God will use what little we gave to make a lot!

I like your suggestion a lot it would sure be a nice counter to someone who is angry and hateful.

 

[Michie]

They probably knew there's nothing Christian about Christmas or "Xmas"

The 'X' comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Christós (Greek: Χριστός, translit. Khristós, lit. "anointed, covered in oil"), which became Christ in English. The suffix -mas is from the Latin-derived Old English word for Mass.

 

[Lucian Hodoboc]

And is it possible to reach these people because I keep seeing them and all the time they are incredibly angry and hateful on the internet and it hurts.

It's not one single reason for all, as atheists are not a monolith. It's generally because they perceive religion to be harmful to society, but the reasons for why that is are quite varied.

Some (like me) are annoyed because they've dedicated a large part of their time to seeking God only to be met with silence, unanswered prayers and a worsening of one's life circumstances while Christians gaslight them with platitudes about how God works in mysterious ways and how the Bible never promises us a good life on this Earth (which is simply false because it does, I've read it numerous times).

 

[timewerx]

I'm glad you used the word "probably", because otherwise, would be to conclude that all atheist have the same understanding and view. Which isn't the case.
What about Easter... Valentine's Day... Thanksgiving... Halloween...?

I used to believe in these things but ever since I took up studying the Bible seriously, I realized these events are nothing but pagan traditions re-branded as Christian.

The Bible didn't say it's okay to do pagan stuff as long as we dedicate it to the Lord.

Deuteronomy 12:4
You must not worship the LORD your God in their way.

I doubt the Atheists knew these teachings but if Atheists keep seeing Christians who keeps claiming they believe in God but act like everybody else who doesn't believe in God then Christians will appear to Atheists as liars and hypocrites. Someone you can't count on as telling the truth.

 

[CoreyD]

It's not one single reason for all, as atheists are not a monolith. It's generally because they perceive religion to be harmful to society, but the reasons for why that is are quite varied.

This is true. Not all atheist are the same, or have had the same experiences.

Some (like me) are annoyed because they've dedicated a large part of their time to seeking God only to be met with silence, unanswered prayers and a worsening of one's life circumstances while Christians gaslight them with platitudes about how God works in mysterious ways and how the Bible never promises us a good life on this Earth (which is simply false because it does, I've read it numerous times).

False religion has certainly been a major player in the deplorable state of the world. Revelation 17:2
However, this is only one of the reasons for people being like unreasoning animals. Jesus said, "And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil." John 3:19
Regardless of what light some men see, they will shut their eyes to that light, because they do not want it to illuminate their dark world, which they love.

We cannot ignore that fact, because the reality is, giving in to our sinful nature is easier than fighting against it, and people will make excuses to do what feels more pleasurable, even if that pleasure is short-lived. 1 Corinthians 15:32; 2 Timothy 3:4; Romans 1:18-32

 

[CoreyD]

I used to believe in these things but ever since I took up studying the Bible seriously, I realized these events are nothing but pagan traditions re-branded as Christian.

The Bible didn't say it's okay to do pagan stuff as long as we dedicate it to the Lord.

Deuteronomy 12:4
You must not worship the LORD your God in their way.

This is true, but not all celebrations that atheists take part in, are rooted in paganism.
Take thanksgiving for example.

How Do Atheists Observe Thanksgiving? — Jaquelle Crowe

This is a really excellent piece by Dr. Albert Mohler on Thanksgiving and atheism. The only problem is, in Canada, it's not Thanksgiving. But for all my American friends, this is worth sharing. Thanksgiving is a deeply theological act, rightly understood. As a matter of fact, thankfulness i

www.jaquellecrowe.com

I doubt the Atheists knew these teachings but if Atheists keep seeing Christians who keeps claiming they believe in God but act like everybody else who doesn't believe in God then Christians will appear to Atheists as liars and hypocrites. Someone you can't count on as telling the truth.

Not only atheists observe hypocrisy.
Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians observe hypocrisy in those professing to be Christian.
That does not make them want to become atheists.
False religion affects everyone negatively.
It's not an excuse to deny God.

It might be a reason to be angry, annoyed, hostile... However, that can be said of even people who claim to be Christian. I find that there are some people on here who are very hostile, for no good reason... other than ego, and there are not atheists.

 

[timewerx]

We cannot ignore that fact, because the reality is, giving in to our sinful nature is easier than fighting against it, and people will make excuses to do what feels more pleasurable, even if that pleasure is short-lived. 1 Corinthians 15:32; 2 Timothy 3:4; Romans 1:18-32

"Entitlement" makes it easier to sin, indulge, because we think we're entitled to do so.

Self denial is easier with a broken spirit. Someone with broken spirit is someone who have nothing to be proud of.

God loves a broken spirit.

Many Christians strive to be the opposite of broken in spirit. They want to have something in this world to be proud of. A career, their children. there's nothing extraordinary wanting the same things everybody else does.

If Christians don't conform to the "shape of the Lord" then God will remain invisible to everybody else.

 

[Lucian Hodoboc]

False religion has certainly been a major player in the deplorable state of the world. Revelation 17:2
However, this is only one of the reasons for people being like unreasoning animals. Jesus said, "And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil." John 3:19
Regardless of what light some men see, they will shut their eyes to that light, because they do not want it to illuminate their dark world, which they love.

We cannot ignore that fact, because the reality is, giving in to our sinful nature is easier than fighting against it, and people will make excuses to do what feels more pleasurable, even if that pleasure is short-lived. 1 Corinthians 15:32; 2 Timothy 3:4; Romans 1:18-32

What does any of that have to do with God not answering prayers? And yes, I'm aware that even "no" can be an answer, but I want to hear it. I want a clear "no" answer from God when He doesn't want to grant a prayer request. Silence is not a "no". Silence is simply ignoring the person. A father who doesn't answer his children when they ask him for things is ignoring them. He's not teaching them that the answer is "no".

 

[Apple Sky]

The 'X' comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Christós (Greek: Χριστός, translit. Khristós, lit. "anointed, covered in oil"), which became Christ in English.

This is interesting as we also use X's to symbolize Kisses.

 

[CoreyD]

What does any of that have to do with God not answering prayers? And yes, I'm aware that even "no" can be an answer, but I want to hear it. I want a clear "no" answer from God when He doesn't want to grant a prayer request. Silence is not a "no". Silence is simply ignoring the person. A father who doesn't answer his children when they ask him for things is ignoring them. He's not teaching them that the answer is "no".

I'm sorry, I overlooked this concern.
Yes, many persons have said this. However, this provides the reason why there is silence. It does not provide evidence that God does not hear prayers.
I, as well as millions of people can give tangible evidence that God does answer prayers in a very clear way.

Let me first explain how your conclusion provides the reason why there is silence.
Consider first of all, James 1:5-8, which reads...

5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.​

6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.​

7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.​

8 An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways.​

The scripture says, "God gives to all generously". However, there is a condition. "But let him ask in faith without doubting."
That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, because he, or she is an indecisive person, unstable in all their ways.

Your statements "I want to hear it. I want a clear "no" answer from God when He doesn't want to grant a prayer request. Silence is not a "no".", says that there is doubt, indecisiveness, and lack of faith.
The result is not to expect to receive anything.

That's only one aspect, however.
1 John 5:14, 15, reads...

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.​

This is a case of asking in faith, but again, there is a condition - "if we ask anything... according to his will."

So, not everything we ask for, may be according to God's will.
For example, a person may pray that a terminally ill person not die. Or they may pray that no war takes place.
While these prayers are for the good of men, they may not be in harmony with God's will who sees far ahead, and understands the hidden things.
The time for God to end all wars is approaching quickly. It calls for patience on our part, to wait on God, to work out his will.

This is another area - patience.
I have prayed to God about a matter more than once, and did not receive what I asked for, but I did not give up. I persevered. Romans 12:12
In time, my request was granted. At other times, I came to realize that my prayer was a bit selfish... and so on.

There are many factors involved, in why our requests may not be answered in the way we want. That, however, is not evidence that God does not hear prayers.
I know that God has blessed me at all times when I am obedient, and really faithful. When I am disobedient, I see the difference.
This is clear evidence... undeniable.

Doing things as God outlines in his word, will surely result in his ongoing support. When we wane, we invite trouble. God will not shield us from trouble we invite into our life. James 1:13-15
Because we beg God to remove those troubles, does not mean he has to. We don't want to treat God like a genie in a bottle. Not saying this is the case with you, but some people do this.

It isn't the case that God has to grant everything we ask for either.
We don't give our children everything they ask for, and sometimes we tell them "no".

Does God tell us "no" in a clear way?
Yes he does, but oftentimes we do not want to listen. Proverbs 28:9

God also refuses to hear some people.
Some make the mistake of thinking that all people are God's children. However, the Bible tells us otherwise Deuteronomy 32:5; 1 John 3:10, and tells us specifically whom God listens to, and answers. Proverbs 15:29; Psalm 34:15, 16; Psalm 138:6; Psalm 145:19; Psalm 34:8-10; Isaiah 1:15; John 9:31

Here is an example of how God answers the prayer of someone seeking him. Acts 16:9, 10

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.​

God will hear individuals asking for help, and he sends his servants to these ones. In some cases, the person gladly accepts the messengers, and benefit. at other times, they turn the messengers away.
In either case, God has answered the prayer... perhaps not in the way the person was hoping. 2 Kings 5:11, 12

There are many other examples like this. Cornelius. Acts 10:1-8 The Ethiopian Eunuch. Act 8:26-40

God definitely answers prayers, and he definitely does not answer all prayers.
There are conditions involved. Sometimes, our response and actions, affect the results.

Thanks for drawing this to my attention.

 

[o_mlly]

And is it possible to reach these people because I keep seeing them and all the time they are incredibly angry and hateful on the internet and it hurts.

And not just at theists. Visit a few atheists' websites. They hate each other as well. There is no love in hell literally, or in hell-on-earth. “Hell is—other people!” (No Exit", Sartre)

I suspect that misery loves company explains why some atheists come here to vent. Others, want for themselves, or for intimate others to live a debauched lifestyle. In order to rationalize that which is immoral, one must first jettison the Moral Prescriber, and make themselves their god.

 

[Sunflower39]

And they all seem to automatically assume that we will start preaching to them and want to convert them. Unless someone takes an interest and has an open mind, I won’t waste my time talking to them about it. It’s pointless.

 

[Joseph G]

I wasn't an atheist before I was saved, but relate to the hostility. I viewed Christians as Bible-thumping, holier-than-thou, self-righteous prudes, Jesus freaks, fanatical hypocrites in carefully ironed shirts, pleated pants, immaculate hair styling, polished shoes, toting 8-lb Bibles with names of successful converts written on the inside flap like notches on a gun.

Love me? Bah! I'm just another potential trophy to show off to their buds.

Strangely, though, whenever I was around one I wouldn't cuss, or whip out a cigarette, would shuffle my beer behind my back, and stand a little straighter - because I simultaneously loathed/feared their judgement. Being in their orbit made me aware of my sinfulness which I was working around the clock to dismiss from my mind or justify according to MY superior definition of right and wrong, enabling freedom from any requirement to answer to a moral God.

In that, I'm sure that athiests shared my sentiments but ventured all the way to denying God's existence (whereas I sought to reinvent Him into a cosmic teddy bear), so as to block the need to answer to His Word at all - or even think about it.

The problem with some atheists, though, is that their consciences just won't leave them alone when they are by themselves, so some feel the need to aggressively go out to battle against Christians, Deists, ect. in a vain attempt to exorcize their theology from their minds so as to have peace with whatever they themselves say or do. This struggle continues year after year with increasing agitation. And the debates are regurgitated without resolution on into eternity.

Ever notice, when engaging most of them, that they glom onto endlessly debating over Genesis 1 for dear life, and won't be moved to other Scripture, for fear of being drawn out of fantasy and into what challenges their own comfortable sense of right and wrong - which coddles and rationalizes sin? It is the bane of all humankind since Eden.

All unbelievers wish to cling tenaciously to their own throne over their lives. And over others. I know this, because my old throne is gathering dust in the attic.

We believers don't condemn them in their state (if we're behaving according to God's Biblical mandate to share in gentleness and respect), because as stated, we've all been there. I'm really thankful that those who led me to Christ behaved exactly that way, and that I was blessed to have roomied with one who broke all my prejudices and stereotypes for a year before I finally broached the subject with him.

So anywho, I think it takes a certain gifted believer to endure the hostility, dishonesty, diversionary tactics and sometime mocking to get anywhere with 'em. Strangely enough, though I once walked their shore, I'm not one of those gifted believers. I fare much better with genuine seekers. But who knows, maybe I'll run into one and the Holy Spirit will gift me as well and surprise me.

Good OP. God bless!

p.s. What do *I* look like now? Just like one of those Fools for Christ like I used to disdain, though I think my Bible is only about 3 lbs. *wink*

 

[o_mlly]

Ever notice, when engaging most of them, that they glom onto endlessly debating over Genesis 1 for dear life, and won't be moved

Yes, I have noticed.

As materialist, they usually lurch to science as if science proves their points. Never admitting that science has ever proved anything as true. And, more basically, that the scientific method does not even prove that the validity of the scientific method.

 

[peter2]

And is it possible to reach these people because I keep seeing them and all the time they are incredibly angry and hateful on the internet and it hurts.

To answer the question of the title, i wonder wether it's not through envy that atheists display something agressive. Thus alas, the only thing to do is to suffer

 

[Aaron112]

And is it possible to reach these people because I keep seeing them and all the time they are incredibly angry and hateful on the internet and it hurts.

Avoid Angry Associations​

Based on biblical wisdom, it is advised to not associate with an angry man. Proverbs 22:24-25 explicitly warns against befriending or keeping company with individuals prone to anger,

 

[Aaron112]

The question is why are they hostile and mean toward Christians.
We just want the answer to that question.

They may be quite friendly, even pals, with some who are 'christian' in name only and who are not immersed in Jesus' Name.
If someone is immersed in Jesus' Name, the world hates them because the world hates Jesus, just as Jesus Says Clearly in the Bible.

 

[Simonides]

"Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?"
Proverbs

 

[Aaron112]

"Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?"
Proverbs

Scourging is painful at the moment, but it is necessary for anyone who is a son.
If someone is without scourging, they are not a son.