Why do atheists care about a Christian forum?

[mpok1519]

Another interesting question is: Why do Christians come to a Christian forum?
Personally, about the last thing I´d do would be to go to an atheist forum.

personally i wouldnt go to an atheist forum bc i have nothing to offer there.

 

[brinny]

Actually i have gone to an atheist forum after they invaded a forum i was on with some nonsense,,,at the time my username was fireofgod

 

[Steezie]

I don't care about dogs or the people who like them so I don't go to such forums. I don't feel the need to tell dog lovers that I don't share their zeal. Why do atheists feel like they have to come to a Christian forum and debate?

Im not an atheist but I do get asked this question frequently.

I come here for a couple reasons.

First, I like to test myself. I enjoy putting my faith and beliefs into completely contrary environments to see how well they stand up against opposition and challenge. They help me see the holes in my views and change them. It also helps me understand other people's points of view and broaden my own experiences with other people

Second, I disseminate information and help dispel rumors and myths. Many people ask why I often continue in pointless debates with people who, lets face it, wouldn't budge if I hit them with a truck. The other person is not my intent. Im not trying to convert them or anyone else. But for other people reading the discussion, maybe they get something out of it that crystallizes something for them one way or the other. I've gotten about ten or fifteen messages from people saying "Thank you for talking about _____ I really didnt know that before and Im glad you brought it up." And that makes me feel really good.

 

[katautumn]

I was a Christian when I joined CF the first time. After I de-converted, I just sort of stuck around until two mods (who are no longer members of this site, let alone moderating here) decided that my "heresy" for de-converting was deplorable and nitpicked silly reasons to not only ban me, but harass me on other forums I was a member of and flood my email inbox with nasty messages. Such a pity. After they were basically "fired" from the position of moderator, Erwin granted me amnesty and I came back with the screen name I have now.

Sometimes I get tired of being made to feel unwelcome here. I get tired of my beliefs and opinions being undermined because I'm not a Christian. I'm tired of being made to feel as if I'm hurting the "spirit of CF". I'm tired of constantly being reminded that it's because of people like me (non-christians, and even some of the liberal Christians) that "true soldiers for God" have left CF for good. I'm tired of constantly reading posts where people are trying to claim that non-christian mods are only trying to spread some sort of hidden agenda from within CF's infrastructure so that the Christian fellowship will be ruined here. I'm tired of every time a non-christian disagrees with a fundy they cry "persecution!" And I'm tired of the way Christians will beat down their own brothers and sisters in Christ on here.

I just wonder what it must be like to go through life claiming you own the monopoly on true "love", "happiness" and "compassion" and yet be filled with such hate and disgust for people who don't conform to a very narrow scope of beliefs and rules (that isn't directed at the OP, rather the more mean-spirited members I've encountered on this site, even very recently).

 

[Exhausted]

Well I believe if you look at my title and you look at my sig and just generally pay attention to me (please i am so alone) it is not hard to figure out my reasons for being here.

 

[SaintInChicago]

So you come to fight atheists. That's interesting in light of what your leader has said.

Matt 5:44, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"
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And

In Matt 5:39, "But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."
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But I guess the Bible allows one to pick and choose which parts to obey.

He was using a metaphor. He does not literally fight with them.

 

[quatona]

He was using a metaphor. He does not literally fight with them.

And what is "fighting" supposed to be a metaphore for?

 

[jwp]

Atheists like Christian forums because they can "supercede" any knowledge in their own minds. Arguments they hold to them are higher in their own minds than any faith. So for them it's a mental exercise of superiority. It validates them. And of course one would need validation in a belief system that has no after life or possibility for anything beyond this life.

For me, it's just a lot easier to believe in Jesus Christ. It explains the unexplainable and is proved through the teachings in the bible (if you have faith in the writings of the bible). There are many mysteries, riddles, and events in the Bible that would very easily challenge any atheist if they were open to the idea. The problem is that they've already decided what is right for them and cannot percieve any of the mysteries in the bible as holding any sway. To them Jesus is nothing more than they are and had no better knowledge than they do. They like to think of themselves as being very smart, reasonable and the only logical people around. Yet they deny proofs like many other religions do with respect to Christianity merely for the fact it's Chrisitianity. You can always spot the true religion because it's at the very heart of controversy. Christianity is that religion because it has always been and always will be persecuted. The difference between true Christianity and other religions is that we were taught to be silent before our accusers rather than to fight back. I mean what are we to loose our earthly bodies? Not a big deal when your faith brings you to the other side ahead of your arrival.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Evil is having no standards, my friend. Never forget that.

Who here has no standards? Liberals, including those that are moral relativists (which isn't all of them), strike me as having standards of ethics.

Anyway, to answer the OP, I'm here to challenge stigmas that atheists have among Christans, though it seems that liberals may need that support as well.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[quatona]

Atheists like Christian forums because they can "supercede" any knowledge in their own minds. Arguments they hold to them are higher in their own minds than any faith. So for them it's a mental exercise of superiority. It validates them. And of course one would need validation in a belief system that has no after life or possibility for anything beyond this life.

Thanks for telling me what I think. I wouldn´t know what to do without your help.

 

[Beanieboy]

I'm not atheist, but Buddhist. I have my own belief of "God." In asking others what they believe, I challenge my own beliefs, and sometimes form a different map of reality, and a different, deeper understanding of the world.

What I find curious is why the OP has such a angry tone. If one is a Christian, isn't it better that an atheist come to a Christian forum, rather than not come, or be apathetic?
Do you believe that Christ is only for the saved?

 

[Beanieboy]

I was told by an atheist the other day that he was here to get me and people like me banned and that he had made that clear with his first post here. So, while I know there are some here for honest discussion (and I do appreciate those, because I really enjoy it and them) many are here just to be a thorn in the sides of other people.

I agree that there are people here to push people's buttons. I also have seen a quite a few "christians" who seem to only hide behind the religion to excuse their equally questionable behavior. When called on it, they will say, "Hey, it's God's Word, not mine."

The latter I can understand, while not condone. The person isn't happy, so they strike out at others. I suppose that is human nature.

However, the second has me puzzled. The person claims to go to Church, to have asked Jesus into their heart, but then demonstrate some behavior that is often outshined by nonChristians. One would think that Christ would change the person, but sometimes, it seems the person takes their lessons for the Pharisees, and acts like them instead. I can't think of a lot of Buddhists I've encountered that seem to delight in the non-enlightenment of others, but I'm sure everyone has encountered the person that says, "Fine! Have a nice time IN HELL!" Yikes!