Why do Atheist hate God?

[Gene2memE]

Diverse group but by definition and by practice I think it's apparent that Atheist do tend to lean more towards being closed on the subject and it's obvious that some of them are closed entirely, unless to their surprise something slapped them in the face.

Perhaps that's because many - definitely not all, but many - atheists have thoroughly investigated religions and belief in god(s) and found them evidentially wanting and/or insufficiently compelling.

Personally, I spent 12 years in Catholic school, studied and even taught comparative religion, and it took me until my early 30s for me to crystalise around a position of non-belief - mostly as an outgrowth of investigation into philosophy and skepticism.

There are people that are atheists for bad reasons, but I don't see any evidence that atheists are more closed to ANY idea that theists, including questions of belief.

I saw one Atheist joking around that he'll believe in God if God comes down and shakes his hand, God or god isn't going to do that if it hasn't been done yet, so that about wraps that one up if that's the kind of evidence they need.

And?

So what?

That's one standard of evidence devised by one atheist.

If there is indeed an omniscient, omnipotent creator deity out there, and it cares about me and believes that my 'salvation' requires belief in it, then failure too provide such evidence as to overcome my skepticism it this deity's fault, not mine.

The overall point is that many Atheist are near certain or certain and I believe it holds up just fine. How many are like this? Well that's up in the air but like I said, "no doubt" is terminology I've heard Atheist use a great deal.

https://www.quora.com/How-sure-are-you-that-there-is-or-isnt-a-God

Funny, not a single atheist states that there is "no doubt". Most in that Quora response all gave provisional answers.

The majority gave the same answer that I would give - all of the mankind's quantifiable God concepts have been falsified, but I cannot rule out all God concepts so I have no absolute certainty, just a reasonable one.

There is always room for doubt.

 

[mikenet2006]

Perhaps that's because many - definitely not all, but many - atheists have thoroughly investigated religions and belief in god(s) and found them evidentially wanting and/or insufficiently compelling.

Personally, I spent 12 years in Catholic school, studied and even taught comparative religion, and it took me until my early 30s for me to crystalise around a position of non-belief - mostly as an outgrowth of investigation into philosophy and skepticism.

There are people that are atheists for bad reasons, but I don't see any evidence that atheists are more closed to ANY idea that theists, including questions of belief.



And?

So what?

That's one standard of evidence devised by one atheist.

If there is indeed an omniscient, omnipotent creator deity out there, and it cares about me and believes that my 'salvation' requires belief in it, then failure too provide such evidence as to overcome my skepticism it this deity's fault, not mine.



Funny, not a single atheist states that there is "no doubt". Most in that Quora response all gave provisional answers.

The majority gave the same answer that I would give - all of the mankind's quantifiable God concepts have been falsified, but I cannot rule out all God concepts so I have no absolute certainty, just a reasonable one.

There is always room for doubt.

I don't have much time here, but you're really really splitting hairs with terminology if you're suggesting there's a difference between "no doubt" God isn't real, and 100% certain God isn't real.

 

[Moral Orel]

I think in part what prompted me to do this thread is that I believe nationally we're looking at a situation where the Religious are already well exposed for some of their wrongs and hypocrisies. I consider it very probable that the progressive movement is doing a better job of sticking it to the opposition. Progressive doesn't mean Atheist, but I'd say there's a strong anti-religious element within that's winning the battle.

The question I ask is, is this movement as tolerant and open minded as many within the movement claim? From my experience I don't see it, I think they're very similar in terms of temperament and level of acceptance for others, the difference is that their lack of acceptance is directed at another group, mainly the conservative movement and its ties to religion and traditional values. It's a two-way street with cars flying in each direction, who's more aggressive right now? Well I have my ideas, you may feel differently and that's the way it goes I suppose.

Let's focus down on this now. You're saying it's atheists vs all Christians, but I don't see that either. Like I said a long time ago, in a post far far away, it's the fundamentalists and militant Christians that people have a problem with, and I don't know that those are losing. How many people do you really see out there attacking Christians, their churches, or their faith in general, really?

There is plenty of attacking when it comes to pro-lifers, teaching evolution in school, separation of church and state, and rights for LGBTs, sure, but that isn't attacking all Christians, it isn't even attacking most Christians. Do you think these things define the beliefs of most Christians? That most Christians don't believe in evolution, that most Christians aren't in favor of equal rights for LGBTs, that most Christians want mandatory prayer in school and 10 commandment replicas in public courthouses, that most Christians want abortion to be illegal? Is there any reason to think that most atheists don't see the distinction between believers in these things and Christians in general?

You're equating conservative with Christian, and that isn't fair to Christians. So I guess I can say now that you're equally misrepresenting both sides.

 

[SteveB28]

I'm not sure where you get your stats,but the last stats I saw arhiests were not a majority in a,lot of those countries you mentioned. Including the UK which only had about 15%. China and Japan have very high atheist population.

As far as who's persecuting who these days it's the atheistic countries and Muslim countries who are doing the persecuting. China and North Korea are the two major atheistic countries persecuting Christians. The rest of the counties persecuting Christians are Muslim. The countries persecuting atheists these days are Muslim. Your ire ought to be directed where it belongs. Towards Muslims where the real persecution is.

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

Not a great number of people favour the 'atheist' label, but I can assure you that in Australia being 'non-religious' is a very common descriptor.

 

[SteveB28]

I don't have much time here, but you're really really splitting hairs with terminology if you're suggesting there's a difference between "no doubt" God isn't real, and 100% certain God isn't real.

And atheists are saying NEITHER of those things! We are saying that we do not believe your claims that a god, any god, does exist.....because none of you have ever been able to produce any credible evidence.

 

[mikenet2006]

And atheists are saying NEITHER of those things! We are saying that we do not believe your claims that a god, any god, does exist.....because none of you have ever been able to produce any credible evidence.

Ohh dear, well man if you didn't see what I saw in the multiple sources I presented I don't know what to say. Also I'm not here to provide evidence for Gods existence, so you're talking to the wrong person.

"I am 100% convinced there is no God as much as I am 100% convinced there is no Buddha, Allah, Juok, Inti or Baal."
"I'm 100% sure that there isn't any deity whatsoever."
"100% sure that there aren't any of the gods worshiped by mankind in the past, present and future."

That just barely touches the surface of what I'm reading, what you as an Atheist believes isn't necessarily what others believe. I'll get to another reply sometime later.

 

[quatona]

Ohh dear, well man if you didn't see what I saw in the multiple sources I presented I don't know what to say. Also I'm not here to provide evidence for Gods existence, so you're talking to the wrong person.

"I am 100% convinced there is no God as much as I am 100% convinced there is no Buddha, Allah, Juok, Inti or Baal."
"I'm 100% sure that there isn't any deity whatsoever."
"100% sure that there aren't any of the gods worshiped by mankind in the past, present and future."

That just barely touches the surface of what I'm reading, what you as an Atheist believes isn't necessarily what others believe. I'll get to another reply sometime later.

For the third time: Why don´t you go and ask those "100% sure" believers your questions?

 

[Moral Orel]

I don't have much time here, but you're really really splitting hairs with terminology if you're suggesting there's a difference between "no doubt" God isn't real, and 100% certain God isn't real.

Ohh dear, well man if you didn't see what I saw in the multiple sources I presented I don't know what to say. Also I'm not here to provide evidence for Gods existence, so you're talking to the wrong person.

"I am 100% convinced there is no God as much as I am 100% convinced there is no Buddha, Allah, Juok, Inti or Baal."
"I'm 100% sure that there isn't any deity whatsoever."
"100% sure that there aren't any of the gods worshiped by mankind in the past, present and future."

That just barely touches the surface of what I'm reading, what you as an Atheist believes isn't necessarily what others believe. I'll get to another reply sometime later.

See? Other people don't buy your source either. I got really bored and decided to go through your source to see just how many actually claim 100% certainty in the non-existence of any deity.

Atheists that aren't sure 100%
I'm not really sure about a deistic god. That could exist. But any theistic god, monothesist or polytheistic? Pretty much 100% sure none of those exist.
Agnostic atheist here...I am not sure that no such God exists.
I'm not sure that there isn't a God. My view is that I don't believe there is.
I don't know if there's a God or not...I am 100% certain that there is no theological system in human existence that accurately describes that being, or even come close.
100% sure that there aren't any of the gods worshiped by mankind in the past, present and future...Unknown unworshiped gods? I don't know, they are unknown!
There is no way to know with any assigned confidence level of certainty whether there is or isn't...I can not be compelled to believe there is a god.
A god? Nobody knows...A God that matches the simplistic, logically inconsistent conception of many faiths? Well, that would be as likely as an omnipotent being capable of creating a burrito so big that he/she couldn't eat it.
I am not sure in either direction...So I am perfectly content to not believe in a god.
You can't be sure either way...There could be a God. There could equally not be. I'm inclined to think the latter.
All the ones that are popular now are pretty clearly falsifiable (the religious texts are, at least). There will be new ones in the future, but I doubt I'll believe in those, either.
Such a thing as a deistic god could exist...I feel quite comfortable in saying that I don't believe in any god, gods, goddesses, spirits, ghosts, or otherworldly entities.
I'm 100% sure that the God we know doesn't exist...If anything divine exists, it's not going to be the one people pray to.
I find no grounds to believe such absolute truths.
Will convert for evidence...Certain enough there isn't to call myself an atheist.
I am 100% sure there isn't. Just because the premise of the question is wrong.
I'm very sure that there is no God. I risk burning in hell for it, so yeah pretty sure.
Atheist until and unless proven wrong.
Pretty sure.

Theists
I am very sure there is a God.
Religion is about faith, but he know when there is little to now facts.
Seen a few people say "100% sure" yet whether they're theist or atheists, they're lying.
Completely sure the God of scripture, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, exists.
I am as certain that there is a God...
This [blessanddonotcurse] don't happen on its own.

Rude Atheists (most are probably just trying to be funny, but I'll give you points for them not being completely civil)
As certain as I am that there aren't any fairies, and for the same reason.
As sure as knowing that I'm not gonna die in the next five seconds. 5. 4. 3. 2. Oh [blessanddonotcurse]...arggghh...I think I'm having a heart attack...call...1. Nope, still alive.
If Pascal's wager actually had some cash behind it, I'd take that bet any time and laugh on my way to the bank.
I'm 100% sure that there isn't any deity whatsoever. Why? Elementary school education and basics of logical reasoning.

Agnostics
What is God if not the balance of definition and ambiguity?
I entertain of more abstract notion of God for which I have no evidence.
Each soul is potentially divine.
Agnostic & Seeker...See this and ask yourself.
I'm not sure at all.
I believe in all gods equally.

So of the 37 respondents to the survey, 6 were theists, 6 were agnostic, and there were 19 atheists who confessed they can't know for certain. Of the 5 rude atheists only 1 can be said for certain as to claiming no doubt whatsoever (the one with the elementary school education). And 1 was a link to a different unrelated conversation with no content whatsoever.

So statistically, by the data you have provided, your "100% certain" claim does not have a leg to stand on.

Rudeness though? Maybe. This question wasn't posed in the context of a theist having a conversation with an atheist about the existence of God to see how each side would treat each other though, so we can't determine such a thing from this survey.

Man I'm bored...

 

[mikenet2006]

See? Other people don't buy your source either. I got really bored and decided to go through your source to see just how many actually claim 100% certainty in the non-existence of any deity.

Of course some don't buy the source, I'm being critical of Atheism and telling them things they don't want to hear, it's counter argument 101 stuff. Sometimes people adapt or learn a new fact, other times it takes time, especially when it goes to the core of what they believe, understandably so. It was two sources actually, another similar forum was shared with you a couple pages back. These are sources which were easily found, and the internet is littered with this stuff. I'd say you're right though, Atheist are varied. However, even with your counter argument and the replies you showed under atheist who supposedly aren't 100% sure, many of them are saying 100% in reference to some portion of a belief in God, which further verifies Atheist are okay with being closed on these types of topics, and that's my point. I also consider that some of those who aren't 100% would need a kind of evidence that's likely never to happen given our limited understanding of the universe, particularly in regards to what caused the big bang. As I said, with individual exceptions, the ones with the most bragging rights that they are open minded are neither Atheist or Religious, I'd point to the Agnostics as far as that goes. Man I'm bored

Now if the source isn't bought, we'll have to disagree on that matter then. Not that I want to get into another long trade off on whether or not you think I'm credible, but I do have experience speaking with Atheist and held most of the same beliefs, or in this case (disbeliefs), still do to some extent. I didn't find that evolution video I mentioned in the opening post because I was researching the Christian perspective on that, I found it because I believe in evolution. My avatar is some confirmation I'm a science geek, that's the hourglass nebula, though astronomy is not tied with Atheism.

Probably the better evidence I had ties with Atheism is the old CF link I shared, which is one of many. I'm not wrapped around Christian ideologies, not only have I talked with Atheist online a great deal, I've spoken with them in my life a great deal throughout my adulthood, some of whom have been friends, others who I just know, I'm not pulling these ideas out of thin air. On the issue of whether or not Atheist say or believe they are certain or near certain, I'll agree to disagree on it, I don't see that argument going anywhere.

I don't have much time to get to these other replies or even keep up with your replies really, you have something to say on most of what I have to say, including what I have to say to others. Being the loudest one in the room doesn't make you arguments valid. You have some good feedback but if you don't slow it down a bit I'm going to have to have to start leaving some of your replies to just accumulate. Actually, I may be leaving here before long, I have my debate site to work on. Think what you will, I'm not here to change what you believe, only to offer another perspective.

I'll go to this one though...

"Let's focus down on this now. You're saying it's atheists vs all Christians, but I don't see that either. Like I said a long time ago, in a post far far away, it's the fundamentalists and militant Christians that people have a problem with, and I don't know that those are losing. How many people do you really see out there attacking Christians, their churches, or their faith in general, really?

There is plenty of attacking when it comes to pro-lifers, teaching evolution in school, separation of church and state, and rights for LGBTs, sure, but that isn't attacking all Christians, it isn't even attacking most Christians. Do you think these things define the beliefs of most Christians? That most Christians don't believe in evolution, that most Christians aren't in favor of equal rights for LGBTs, that most Christians want mandatory prayer in school and 10 commandment replicas in public courthouses, that most Christians want abortion to be illegal? Is there any reason to think that most atheists don't see the distinction between believers in these things and Christians in general?

You're equating conservative with Christian, and that isn't fair to Christians. So I guess I can say now that you're equally misrepresenting both sides."

(First bold part)..... On this website (as an example) I see a lot of that. It's a Christian website with an Atheist following, and I see snarky comments quite often. Admittingly I do see some good and civil arguments, critical but civil.

(Second bold part)..... Well no actually, that's how you're phrasing what I said. Recap.. "Progressive doesn't mean Atheist, but I'd say there's a strong anti-religious element within that's winning the battle." The numbers clearly show that there are more Conservative Christians than Liberal Christians, but do I see it as the same thing? No. Do I respect that there are Liberal Christians with solid beliefs that are important to them? Yes. Do I know that not all conservatives are Christians? Yes, well obviously because I'm one of them, moderate conservative to be accurate.

My point is that there is indeed a strong anti-religious element within the progressive movement, that's pretty much common knowledge.

 

[StanJ]

I don't think atheists, if indeed they are atheist, hate God. I think the people they hate are those that can believe in God and have a walk of faith. It's probably very evident why they hate people of faith but to be clear it is because they themselves refuse to let themselves walk by faith. What type of self-centeredness and superciliousness just pretty much interpreted as hatred but technically is not. One only has to listen to Richard Dawkins for 2 minutes to confirm my opinion.

 

[SteveB28]

I don't think atheists, if indeed they are atheist, hate God. I think the people they hate are those that can believe in God and have a walk of faith. It's probably very evident why they hate people of faith but to be clear it is because they themselves refuse to let themselves walk by faith. What type of self-centeredness and superciliousness just pretty much interpreted as hatred but technically is not. One only has to listen to Richard Dawkins for 2 minutes to confirm my opinion.

Let's suppose you are right about Dawkins. Is he emblematic of ALL atheists? I have been an atheist for 87 years. I don't hate anyone. When do you think my hatred will 'kick in' please?

 

[bhsmte]

I don't think atheists, if indeed they are atheist, hate God. I think the people they hate are those that can believe in God and have a walk of faith. It's probably very evident why they hate people of faith but to be clear it is because they themselves refuse to let themselves walk by faith. What type of self-centeredness and superciliousness just pretty much interpreted as hatred but technically is not. One only has to listen to Richard Dawkins for 2 minutes to confirm my opinion.

Not me.

I was a Christian for 40 years and came to realize, I was wrong in my faith.

I don't hate a God I don't believe exists and I don't hate Christians. What I do dislike, are religious people who negatively judge others, because they disagree with their faith and simply can't accept, other people may not believe as they do.

I also dislike people of faith, who try to impose their faith beliefs on others.

 

[The Cadet]

I don't think atheists, if indeed they are atheist, hate God. I think the people they hate are those that can believe in God and have a walk of faith. It's probably very evident why they hate people of faith but to be clear it is because they themselves refuse to let themselves walk by faith. What type of self-centeredness and superciliousness just pretty much interpreted as hatred but technically is not. One only has to listen to Richard Dawkins for 2 minutes to confirm my opinion.

Most of my friends and acquaintances are Christians. I don't hate them, so long as they aren't judgmental bigots. So long as they don't use their religious beliefs as a cudgel against anyone who disagrees with them.

 

[StanJ]

Most of my friends and acquaintances are Christians. I don't hate them, so long as they aren't judgmental bigots. So long as they don't use their religious beliefs as a cudgel against anyone who disagrees with them.

Well I can't stand judgemental bigots either but I'm rather surprised, given the veracity of your statement here, that this would be a fact and you haven't been influenced at all?

 

[StanJ]

Not me.

I was a Christian for 40 years and came to realize, I was wrong in my faith.

I don't hate a God I don't believe exists and I don't hate Christians. What I do dislike, are religious people who negatively judge others, because they disagree with their faith and simply can't accept, other people may not believe as they do.

I also dislike people of faith, who try to impose their faith beliefs on others.

That's called apostasy and is usually the result of not dealing with your cognitive dissonance.

 

[StanJ]

Let's suppose you are right about Dawkins. Is he emblematic of ALL atheists? I have been an atheist for 87 years. I don't hate anyone. When do you think my hatred will 'kick in' please?

Life teaches us that there is always exceptions to every rule.

 

[SteveB28]

Life teaches us that there is always exceptions to every rule.

So, assuming you are right about Dawkins (and it's a rather tenuous assumption), why could he not be the exception?

 

[StanJ]

So, assuming you are right about Dawkins (and it's a rather tenuous assumption), why could he not be the exception?

Well I was actually saying or inferring that you would be the exception if what you said was true but as far as Dawkins is concerned I've hurt him and I've debated with countless atheists. All conform to the norm but I've already indicated.

 

[GoldenBoy89]

And atheists are saying NEITHER of those things! We are saying that we do not believe your claims that a god, any god, does exist.....because none of you have ever been able to produce any credible evidence.

Theists please, take note of this^

This is why most atheists exist.

 

[SteveB28]

Well I was actually saying or inferring that you would be the exception if what you said was true but as far as Dawkins is concerned I've hurt him and I've debated with countless atheists. All conform to the norm but I've already indicated.

I know what you were inferring. But, apart from "I just think so", you don't have any evidence to support your charge, do you? I could just as easily counter it by stating that most of the atheists I know do not 'hate' Christians.