Do the religious hate athiests in America?

[WelshBloke]

The dude has been debunked? He doesn't exist?

Nah, they just took his bed away.

 

[bradly1101]

Another good quote from this guy Sam Harris:

“In fact, "atheism" is a term that should not even exist. No one ever needs to identify himself as a "non-astrologer" or a "non-alchemist." We do not have words for people who doubt that Elvis is still alive or that aliens have traversed the galaxy only to molest ranchers and their cattle. Atheism is nothing more than the noises reasonable people make in the presence of unjustified religious beliefs.”

I never though about it that way. The norm was theism. Atheism is obviously growing. There are things that I think cause people to break from the church, like wondering how a God could allow all this suffering, or if God punishes me for sin, are all those suffering being punished? And why do some of the worst sinners seem to only get rewarded? And if pride, gluttony, lust, sloth and greed are sins, why do they feel so good? Why do we also seem built for the sins of envy and anger? Even the very religious often commit these sins. Is the only difference (besides the belief differences) between them and atheists who commit them the fact that they receive absolution? I think some of those unanswered questions (and others) drive people from theism.

 

[theeedude]

Why would that bother an athiest?

"I damn you to a place you dont believe exists."

It doesn't bother me if there is no action associated with it. But religious people have used their belief that someone is a sinner as a basis for discrimination and worse.

 

[WelshBloke]

I never though about it that way. The norm was theism. Atheism is obviously growing. There are things that I think cause people to break from the church, like wondering how a God could allow all this suffering, or if God punishes me for sin, are all those suffering being punished? And why do some of the worst sinners seem to only get rewarded? And if pride, gluttony, lust, sloth and greed are sins, why do they feel so good? Why do we also seem built for the sins of envy and anger? Even the very religious often commit these sins. Is the only difference (besides the belief differences) between them and atheists who commit them the fact that they receive absolution? I think some of those unanswered questions (and others) drive people from theism.

Sin doesn't exist for atheists, sin is a thing saved for believers.

Why is it a bad thing for me to feel lust for my wife? Or to go for a bit of sloth on a Sunday morning?

I can't always get my head around people's paths when they give up religion and say they are Atheists. If you're mad at god for something then that suggests that you believe in its existence which makes you not an Atheist. I'm not sure what it makes you, maybe a follower of your own private religion. Which I guess is a good thing.

 

[OverVolt]

Reading too much news is bad for you mmkay.

 

[WelshBloke]

Reading too much news is bad for you mmkay.

Wrong thread?

 

[rudeguy]

Wrong thread?

Solid advice for any thread.

 

[WelshBloke]

Solid advice for any thread.

 

[pcgeek11]

I don't hate them. I feel sorry for them.

 

[WelshBloke]

I don't hate them. I feel sorry for them.

Why? There's nothing wrong with religion. Yes some people are bone headed and will believe the stupidest things against all evidence but there's plenty of non religious people who fall into that category as well.

I think the problem comes when people think religion and science are interchangeable.

 

[pcgeek11]

The thread title is : Do the religious hate athiests in America?

I think you misunderstood my post.

I don't hate them. I feel sorry for them.

Why? There's nothing wrong with religion. Yes some people are bone headed and will believe the stupidest things against all evidence but there's plenty of non religious people who fall into that category as well.

I think the problem comes when people think religion and science are interchangeable.

I'll rephrase that.

I feel sorry for the ones ( many examples in ATOT ) that feel the need to verbally beat on people that do believe in God and are religious. Those that are constantly trying to rip down religion in the name of separation of church and state ... If you don't want to believe, fine. But don't push your views on those that do.

 

[WelshBloke]

The thread title is : Do the religious hate athiests in America?

I think you misunderstood my post.

Probably.

I stand by my post anyway.

I'll rephrase that.

I feel sorry for the ones ( many examples in ATOT ) that feel the need to verbally beat on people that do believe in God and are religious. Those that are constantly trying to rip down religion in the name of separation of church and state ... If you don't want to believe, fine. But don't push your views on those that do.

Separation of church and state is a fantastic thing, I wish we had more of it over here. You have to remember that it's the separation of the church from the state that actually gives you the freedom to choose your religion. If you have an official state religion you're a bit buggered if you believe in a different one.

 

[Retro Rob]

Agnostic. Don't hate religious people. Don't like unsolicited preaching. Hate organized religion of any type.

Unsolicited preaching serves a much larger purpose than what you only care to see about it. It allows a subset of the community to get to know others whom they otherwise, wouldn't know exists. Neighbors can get well-acquainted with one another which helps eliminates suspicion and prejudice, and you'd get to know people outside of your "box", making for a more close-knit community where everyone can know everyone.

You're more likely to practically assist those you know, and the closer people are, the less likely anyone else inside that community will commit crimes against you.

Preaching is also a selfless work and a form of community service. Maybe if you changed they way you see it, you may see how there's a net benefit aside from the only thing you're choosing to focus on...and that's clearly the religious literature.

Open your mind a bit

 

[ch33zw1z]

Unsolicited preaching serves a much larger purpose than what you only care to see about it. It allows a subset of the community to get to know others whom they otherwise, wouldn't know exists. Neighbors can get well-acquainted with one another which helps eliminates suspicion and prejudice, and you'd get to know people outside of your "box", making for a more close-knit community where everyone can know everyone.

You're more likely to practically assist those you know, and the closer people are, the less likely anyone else inside that community will commit crimes against you.

Preaching is also a selfless work and a form of community service. Maybe if you changed they way you see it, you may see how there's a net benefit aside from the only thing you're choosing to focus on...and that's clearly the religious literature.

Open your mind a bit

 

[ch33zw1z]

Original Question: Do the religious hate atheists in America?

I submit that this kind of blanket statement doesn't work. Too many variables such as geographical location, upbringing, life experiences, etc...

 

[dank69]

Unsolicited preaching serves a much larger purpose than what you only care to see about it. It allows a subset of the community to get to know others whom they otherwise, wouldn't know exists. Neighbors can get well-acquainted with one another which helps eliminates suspicion and prejudice, and you'd get to know people outside of your "box", making for a more close-knit community where everyone can know everyone.

You're more likely to practically assist those you know, and the closer people are, the less likely anyone else inside that community will commit crimes against you.

Preaching is also a selfless work and a form of community service. Maybe if you changed they way you see it, you may see how there's a net benefit aside from the only thing you're choosing to focus on...and that's clearly the religious literature.

Open your mind a bit

You open your mind. You don't need religion for any of that. You CAN go talk to and become friends with your atheist neighbors. You can help them even if they worship Satan. You are allowed to go to a picnic even if the organizers believe in evolution.

Preaching is self-righteous bullshit. You may think it is selfless, you may think you are helping people but you are not. If someone asks you for your views on religion, by all means, preach away. Nobody else wants to hear about it.

 

[Retro Rob]

Just sayin', there's more than one way to look at things. I didn't always like unsolicited "preaching" myself, but I was willing to change my narrow-minded, bigoted viewpoints if I can see the practical value in something I didn't like.

Change is hard. We hate what we don't understand, and fear what we don't know.

 

[Retro Rob]

You open your mind. You don't need religion for any of that.

Excuse me, where did I say you did. Need more straw?

You CAN go talk to and become friends with your atheist neighbors.

This is not about atheism. Secondly, no one hardly does what you're alleging CAN be done anyway, so you have no point here.

You can help them even if they worship Satan. You are allowed to go to a picnic even if the organizers believe in evolution.

Sure you can, and sure people do. But I didn't say that you can't do any of this. I simply wanted to give you another angle to look at "unsolicited preaching", but close-minded people are beyond help, I see.

Preaching is self-righteous bullshit. You may think it is selfless, you may think you are helping people but you are not. If someone asks you for your views on religion, by all means, preach away. Nobody else wants to hear about it.

It's not about religion. If you think you have information that can help someone, you should share it with them. In fact, it would be wrong not to.

Everyone preaches anyway...you do it here, atheists write books preaching and they even engage in written arguments with critics...there are various forms of it.

 

[MagickMan]

They don't hate me, but they sure come by my house a lot, trying to "sell" their religion. It's a barrel of laughs too, because I know more about their scriptures than they do.

Interestingly, the local Greek Orthodox church came by and invited us to a food festival in a couple weeks, and we're definitely going to that. Mmmm... Greek food. :awe:

 

[ch33zw1z]

Just sayin', there's more than one way to look at things. I didn't always like unsolicited "preaching" myself, but I was willing to change my narrow-minded, bigoted viewpoints if I can see the practical value in something I didn't like.

I would say that most non believers I know are far more open minded than the believers I know. Just sayin.

Change is hard. We hate what we don't understand, and fear what we don't know.

Spoken like a true Christian. But, often it seems that what Christians say, what they do, and what they're open to doesn't always match up.

Second part to this: It's my belief that religion and beliefs in a higher power stem directly from our fear of the unknown (death). I mean, who isn't afraid to die? Most people are, belief in a higher power and reglion specifically try to capitalize on that.

What you're saying right now won't match up with what you're doing when you're out there pressuring others to convert.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Everyone preaches anyway...you do it here, atheists write books preaching and they even engage in written arguments with critics...there are various forms of it.

You love to say this, but no atheist has ever come to my door, stopped me on the street with the sole purpose of expressing their personal beliefs to me, try to fear monger me into believing, told me I would burn in a firey inferno for all eternity for my sins, etc...

It just doesn't happen. Atheists I know only discuss it when it's brought up...by believers.

 

[Mursilis]

Correction: Hateful people hate. It's what they do. Religious hateful people may use their religion to justify hate. Non-religious hateful people will find a different excuse. The problem is the person, not the religion or lack thereof.

This. Heck, people kill over sports.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soccer_riot

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heysel_Stadium_disaster

The human is still a (potentially) violent beast, and doesn't need much justification sometimes.

 

[Retro Rob]

You love to say this, but no atheist has ever come to my door, stopped me on the street with the sole purpose of expressing their personal beliefs to me, try to fear monger me into believing, told me I would burn in a firey inferno for all eternity for my sins, etc...

It just doesn't happen. Atheists I know only discuss it when it's brought up...by believers.

Who has done this, exactly?

The reason why I am asking because these claims often go unsubstantiated and aften broad-brushes everyone.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Who has done this, exactly?

The reason why I am asking because these claims often go unsubstantiated and aften broad-brushes everyone.

You think I engage them? lol...

It's happened to me more than once, and I'm not trying to paint a broad brush. These people interpret their role in religion as coverting others.

Shit man, when i was a teenager my church would take us out to poor neighborhoods, going door to door, and try to "save" people. I've done it myself, stopping people on the street to try and convert them..

 

[Retro Rob]

I would say that most non believers I know are far more open minded than the believers I know. Just sayin.

I cannot agree with you more here.

Spoken like a true Christian. But, often it seems that what Christians say, what they do, and what they're open to doesn't always match up.

Yep, exactly. That's the sad part of it, imo. In reality, the only real measuring stick we have are mainly political figures who represent their religion, since they are few, but the loudest.

Second part to this: It's my belief that religion and beliefs in a higher power stem directly from our fear of the unknown (death).

I don't know about that. But I won't outright disagree. I'd posit that its mostly a natrual belief, and we're somehow "wired" that way, for lack of a better term.

What you're saying right now won't match up with what you're doing when you're out there pressuring others to convert.

How does one "pressure others to convert"?