22 Mar 13
I asked this question in another thread and thought I would post in a new thread so as to not get off topic.
Atheists, why the burn for Christianity and Faith. Are you one of those people that watches CNN all day and lets them do the thinking for you; tell you what Christians are, what people of faith are. I have read a lot about what 'atheists' think and feel about Christians, some were even Christians... in this forum. I don't get the rub, what is it? Can you not have respect for how somebody else chooses to live their life and what do believe. After all that is what you are doing with less friction. No?
Any thoughts?
22 Mar 13
Originally posted by kd2aczI first came to this forum many years ago when there was a move in the US to start teaching intelligent design as science in schools. I brought up the topic in debates and was told to take it here. There are various reasons why I stuck around, including the fact that some of the discussions were interesting and educational, though some of the best posters have either left since then or become less frequent visitors.
I asked this question in another thread and thought I would post in a new thread so as to not get off topic.
Atheists, why the burn for Christianity and Faith. Are you one of those people that watches CNN all day and lets them do the thinking for you; tell you what Christians are, what people of faith are. I have read a lot about what 'atheists' think and ...[text shortened]... at do believe. After all that is what you are doing with less friction. No?
Any thoughts?
On advice from people in this forum, I read 'The God Delusion' by Richard Dawkins, and that, and discussions on this forum, helped to convince me to change my stance from 'religion is largely neutral' to 'religion has a net effect that is, bad'.
But even if I didn't think that religion was a bad thing for society I would still want you poor delusional people to learn the truth.
22 Mar 13
Originally posted by twhiteheadWhat Christian or otherwise, materials have you investigated so as to not be swayed by some others beliefs?
I first came to this forum many years ago when there was a move in the US to start teaching intelligent design as science in schools. I brought up the topic in debates and was told to take it here. There are various reasons why I stuck around, including the fact that some of the discussions were interesting and educational, though some of the best posters ...[text shortened]... a bad thing for society I would still want you poor delusional people to learn the truth.
22 Mar 13
Originally posted by kd2aczCan you not have respect for how somebody else chooses to live their life and what do believe. After all that is what you are doing with less friction. No?
I asked this question in another thread and thought I would post in a new thread so as to not get off topic.
Atheists, why the burn for Christianity and Faith. Are you one of those people that watches CNN all day and lets them do the thinking for you; tell you what Christians are, what people of faith are. I have read a lot about what 'atheists' think and ...[text shortened]... at do believe. After all that is what you are doing with less friction. No?
Any thoughts?
You can respect someone without respecting their beliefs. I do respect christians and their right to believe whatever they wish to believe.
My problem is the attempts by many Christians in American society to have their religious beliefs be pushed as essentially making this country into a theocracy.
I want the government to be secular. That is NOT the same as saying atheist. Secular and atheist are NOT the same thing.
The vast majority of atheists (and any that I would support) do not want to have the government ban Christianity or any religion. I don't know of any atheist that I would consider a leader of the movement who would support that.
In a lot of cases perception of atheism in the US sees it as being more aggressive than frankly, I think it even is. For example, I have seen many people refer to people like Richard Dawkins as being a "militant atheist" .. but why? Because he speaks his mind and actually voices his views? Pat Robertson has expressed views that are more vile than any that Dawkins ever has and I rarely hear him called a "militant christian"... why is that?
I haven't really seen any atheist groups trying to force our government to push atheism on the nation (remember - secular isn't the same as atheist), I regularly see christian groups try to push christianity on the government.
22 Mar 13
1 edit
Originally posted by PsychoPawnDude, I think you need to open your eyes. There are many, many, many people, news stories, articles than have nothing good to say about Pat Robertson. I have heard many myself, even the antichrist!
Can you not h...[text shortened]... I have seen many people refer to people like Richard Dawkins as being a "militant atheist" .. but why? Because he speaks his mind and actually voices his views? Pat Robertson has expressed views that are more vile than any that Dawkins ever has and I rarely hear him called a "militant christian"... why is that?
22 Mar 13
1 edit
Originally posted by kd2aczYou're responding to something I didn't say. I never said no one says anything bad about Pat Robertson.
Dude, I think you need to open your eyes. There are many, many, many people, news stories, articles than have nothing good to say about Pat Robertson. I have heard many myself, even the antichrist!
I said that I have rarely, if ever, heard anyone call him a Militant christian.
22 Mar 13
Originally posted by twhiteheadYou indicated you were helped in changing your stance (swayed). You said you read a book by Dawkins and listened to some on these forums, have you read any books by Christian authors about God, the Bible, etc... of any other religion? Has God (the God of the Bible) been thoroughly investigated by you, I guess this is the question?
I don't understand the question. How would investigating Christian material prevent me from being swayed by it?
22 Mar 13
Originally posted by PsychoPawnWell I guess it is splitting hairs over the meaning of a word. I took militant to mean 'negative', and I am sure he has been called militant, matters not. Sorry for the confusion.
You're responding to something I didn't say. I never said no one says anything bad about Pat Robertson.
I said that I have rarely, if ever, heard anyone call him a [b]Militant christian.[/b]
22 Mar 13
Originally posted by kd2aczOdd. Never thought the word militant was even close to being a synonym of the word negative.
Well I guess it is splitting hairs over the meaning of a word. I took militant to mean 'negative', and I am sure he has been called militant, matters not. Sorry for the confusion.
I'm sure he has been called militant and many other words, but I hope you realize that is completely beyond the actual point.
22 Mar 13
Originally posted by kd2aczNo, I have not recently ready much in the way of religious material other than what is on these forums.
You indicated you were helped in changing your stance (swayed). You said you read a book by Dawkins and listened to some on these forums, have you read any books by Christian authors about God, the Bible, etc... of any other religion? Has God (the God of the Bible) been thoroughly investigated by you, I guess this is the question?
But yes, the God of the Bible has been thoroughly investigated by me to the extent that I have no doubt that he does not exist. I came to that conclusion when I was about 12 or 13 and have not been convinced otherwise since then despite considering the question seriously and discussing it with many people. I find it improbable that any book would make a difference.