A
female
age
36-40,
anonymous
writes:This is no doubt going to be a controversial topic but here goes:I am an atheist and quite happy with my beliefs. However I quite happily respect and accept everyone else's beliefs nor do I ever disrespect anyone else's beliefs / religions etc by forcing my atheist views on them. However, why is it nearly most christians are constantly trying to force their views on me which of course is quite disrespectful to my own beliefs and scientific view points? I never do that to them (as I am sure majority of athiest dont either!) yet they are always trying to force their religions onto us. Let's face it - a Christian telling an atheist "Jesus loves you and died for your sins" is perfectly acceptable. Yet an athesit saying to a Christian "I don't believe in God and no Jesus didnt die for me" is considered disrespectful.I just read a question on here by someone who said they were dying and wanted advise on how to deal it. They stressed continuously and continuously that they were Atheist and even though they respected people's religion they would appreciate no Christians trying to leave them God-like commments and trying to convert them. esp at this stage in their life and that wasnt what they were looking for. And the same way he respected their beliefs he hopes they will also respect his in the same way. That he was only looking for replies on how to deal with their last days - and again stressed didnt want christian-type answers.Of course despite this poor man's pleading people responded talking about finding God, that Jesus loves you, died for your sins, will go to hell otherwise etc etc etc.No doubt there will be responses telling me that I am blasphemous and God loves me, Jesus died for me etc etc. But that is not the point - the point is: Why is it acceptable for Christians (or ANY religious groups for that matter! I say Christians more often as I find it happens much much more with Christianity than any other doctrine) to disrespect and condemn any other person's belief? I dont disrespect you so why do you constantly disrespect me? Why always trying to self impose your own beliefs onto another - irrespective of what that person says when they are clearly not wanting it? To me it is a form of bullying.
View related questions:
atheist, christian Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
reader, anonymous, writes (1 November 2008): Fade Please do keep going.We may never get questions like this again.*laughs*
A
reader, anonymous, writes (1 November 2008): The Pickles are having their say....
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (31 October 2008): Oops.sorry for interrupting.am very hungry too.Having a glass of milk and cookies.Cripes!sounds very childish for a 29 yr old.
To the Poster:
I have never preached anytime in life.Once when I said I am going to the church.An atheist friend of mine said "Oh! I don't believe in Jesus".I took it in the right spirit.He was just sharing one of his views.In no way did I consider that he was bullying me.The cardinal rule most of us Christians forget is "Do not judge and ye shall not be judged".Its much easier said than done.When someone comes and talks about their belief system doesn't mean they are imposing it on you.People being social beings share their beliefs,faiths with out meaning any harm at all.When I say I like the color blue doesn't mean I want everyone else to like the color blue.Next time this happens you can state your views.A true christian won't pounce on you and damn you to hell.We will definitely pray silently for your soul.*smiles*
...............................
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (31 October 2008): Here you go Fade
And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (31 October 2008): OK, we'll put of the loving caring things until after the USA elections and after Fade has had her snack... lol
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (31 October 2008): Damn, Mr anonymous, you caught me out. I'll admitt I'm a fool, and bloody proud to be one too, cause it means I've still got space to learn... lol
"I'm more a why can't they both be true and why can't they go hand in hand type of person?" Fade
Yep that's me too, and I've found since I've been here more things unite us, than the things that keep us apart..
"For is it not true we all Christian Muslim Jew or Atheist etc strive for the same things Love, Peace and a life free from fear." Latin Dove...
Yep, that's about it, religion or non-religious, on a site about relationships, we should all aim to spread more love between people.
...............................
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (31 October 2008): Only a fool would wage war on something they believed didn't exist LOL
...............................
A
female
reader, birdynumnums  +, writes (31 October 2008):
 I love that quote Diovan!
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (31 October 2008): It is strange that there has not been one reply on this post from even moderate Christians is that censorship or fear
It means that my 3 month old child is down with a cough and cold.I haven't slept at all.let alone eaten anything.When you are in such a discussion you need to phrase your answers carefully so that you don't hurt anyone.Anonymous please don't make rash judgements
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (31 October 2008): I came on this site simply to look at relationships not to preach. The only piece of scripture I quote from is the the chapter on Love in Pauls Letter to the church at Corinth.
Love is Patient Love is kind etc irrespective of what you belief structure you have, the treatise in that chapter is what we all strive for in our relationships it is a treatise on the Greek word Agapay for even if you don't believe the bible as the word of God you have to accept that chapters like 1 Corinthians 13 are scholarly and learned, to dismiss the book as worthless shows ones own ignorance of the wealth of wisdom in the proverbs, psalms and ecclesiastes.
You have the choice to believe what you want to believe and accept or reject what you want to reject as you do with politicians If you don't want the leaflet don't take it throw it away.
You can stop people questioning you, there is a general right to question that is the essence of free speeech, there is only a right to silence.
We all have our own views, I am allowed to think you're wrong just as you can think I am wrong that doesn't mean we should look at one another down the barrel of a gun.
For is it not true we all Christian Muslim Jew or Atheist etc strive for the same things Love, Peace and a life free from fear.
Where we differ is our approach to acheiving those.
Finally never presuppose what is in the minds of others as it leads to the suppression of Justice by tarring all Christians with the same brush you are condemning them before you meet them and may dismiss people who can enrich your life.
...............................
A
female
reader, eyeswideopen  +, writes (31 October 2008):
 Tuesday means elections all over USA, DiovanLestat.
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (31 October 2008): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionDiovanLestat I am registered here, when you kept saying Ms Anonymous I did't realise you were speaking to me unless you later on mentioned getting registered only to look at my post and see it was marked as Anonymous, so that box may have been somehow either ticked or unticked whichever the case may be when I did put this post. So no fear, I am here registered :D
Anyway your posts do make me laugh! But I feel glad someone can see or empathise with what I feel towards some of those people I mentioned like the sufferers from suicide. I posted this as I said because I felt so infuriated by these poor vulnerable people being chastised when at their lowest points by Christian fundamentalists. I find this behaviour to these poor vulnerable people is simple cruel and heartless.
Fade, I respect you and your views. I have an admiration for your attitude and your outlook as a practising Christian. You are not going to chastise or bombard or bullu others who may not agree with your views if / when you have stated them - they can take it or leave it. The choice is theirs. Your sort of attitude as a christian I applaud and repect deeply. I wish more were like this.
It is freedom of speech of course. But within that freedom there should be certain boundaries about when it becomes merely stating ones thoughts, beliefs or even giving sensible advice to when it becomes bullying and chastising and somewhat reprimanding if the person doesnt go along with what you say.
For instance, I know of many Christians who still believe in the Adam/Even principle. Of course being an athiest I believe in Darwin and evolution etc. Now I could do two things.
Category A. Firstly, state my belief differs, explain what I believe a little and just say I feel more inclined to believe people evolved because of scientfic proof I have seen. And then leave it there (which is what I normally would do as I respect them and their beliefs enough to not chastise the matter further)
or Category B
I can be obnoxious further go on and on about every single fossil that has been found, interrogate them why they dont believe this after such unsurmountable evidence, tell them bout everything Darwin discovered, go on about the evolution of man, survival of the fittest and those with stronger sexual prowesses & capacity to reproduce surviving, and keep going on and on with more and more scientific facts, and when they do not agree still, chastise them for not believing in science and facts living in this day and age. This is a category I have never and will never fall into yet many christians fall into this category B (in terms of tactics) Category A people (whether different religions, cultures, beliefs, politics, whatever) I am fine with. I do not force my views on anyone or condemn or chastise them if they do not share my views. And I feel people should have the same respect to act in the same manner also. Category B people are just ruthless and bullies!
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (31 October 2008): Reader anonymous, you need to read the answers more carefully. Many moderate Christians have indeed responded and put forward their views. It's the fundamentalist Christians that I am looking forward to hearing from, but something tells me, that they won't come along and share their views in a place where many atheists are ready to answer back...
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (31 October 2008): What is happening on Tuesday or Wednesday, is the world gonna end again... What have I missed... I'll be there, no matter what it is... The great thing about Christianity is that they have tons of holidays, what would we do with out them.. :^)
...............................
A
female
reader, eyeswideopen +, writes (31 October 2008):
Religion and politics...nothing winds people up faster. And I can tell you guys that I am sooooooo looking forward to next Tuesday or should I say Wednesday morning...Sheesh
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (31 October 2008): It is strange that there has not been one reply on this post from even moderate Christians is that censorship or fear
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (31 October 2008): PS: We also lost another aunt, a gentle Christian soul, who managed to show the beauty of the religion, by offering love, kindness and understanding rather than preaching and hate. Again, she was often under attack by people who claimed to believe in the same God she did. I don't think it's a case of religion. These people are bullies and fundamentalist, the religion is just a cloak, because they definitely DO NOT have "Christ like" ways....
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (31 October 2008): "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." Mahatma Gandhi
Mr anonymous, you have just shown why this young lady has a problem with the things some of you "so called Christians" say on Dear Cupid.
WARNING: I am not Ms anonymous, although some of you are aware that I strongly share her views...
Yes Ms anonymous, I have read such posts where common decency and kindness from some "Christians" is sadly lacking. For me it becomes an argument, because I can't resist answering them back and telling them to knock it off. Yes the suicide one's are the worst, where people start talking about God and hell, I've seen them too. As Fade has said, although she is a Christian, she has never acted like that, and even though me and her share different views, we both argue against Christians who try to bully people with their views.
For me it is a very difficult subject on Dear Cupid. I have responded strongly to one aunt who had Christian beliefs and she became very upset and claimed that I was bullying her. Because of this, she has decided not to stay on Dear Cupid. This is unfortunate, because if you ignored the God stuff, she gave a lot of good advice.
Fundamentalist Christians, cause that is what they are, believe they can quote the bible and offend. But when I challenge their views, when I point to the bible and the history of religion, they start crying, say I'm a bully and run off because they don't like what I say....
Go figure, they can insult and preach, but when I do it, they get upset....lol
Please register on Dear Cupid and become one of the aunts. I could do with some help in putting some of these ill behaved Christians in their place.... Don't worry babes, if you are going to this imaginary place called "hell", I'll be right beside you, with tons of other interesting and fun people who also share our views...lol
...............................
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (31 October 2008): 'Atheism is rather in the lip than in the heart of man'. Francis Bacon
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (31 October 2008): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionREPLACEMENT:
Yes you are right in that many christians try to further convert you by quoting Bible verses, yet fail to comprehend the logistics of that not being plausible seeing as you dont believe the Bible (i.e. being Athiest) yet they continuously persist with verse after verse.
DEEJULIET:
'..they see themselves as compassionate and loving individuals when they try to convince you to take on their belief system..'
Agreed: it is a contradiction within itself: how can one be loving and compassionate by using bully tactics! Also I find there exists an element of emotional blackmail; in that if you do not believe as I do and in Christianity then you will not get into "Heaven" and repent in "Hell" for eternity. I love you and Jesus loves you so I am jusy trying to save your soul from eternal damnation (Call me a cynic but that sounds like bully/fear/tactics to me!)
To the ANONYMOUS poster who said:
". Further more, humans often feel the need to have an individuality, and that as an individual you are special and are somehow immortal. A notion of self, or ego that is really just a mask of ones own fear of being alone, or being nothing at all."
I like your views; I belief part of the reason for religion is because of people's own self ego and the fear of death. Therefore religions give people assurance that they will go on living forever somehow. It is true most people are scared of dying-so religion has come along and given some sort of solace to that fear. Religions started since ancient times when people prayed to the sun etc and invented beliefs on how things worked and occured before the advent of science; and somehow this has existed/been recycled for many many years. I mean most religions are evolved/adapted and have the similar stories/principles if you think about it! For example how the world was created: most religions speak of somehow there being some sort of powerful "deity" or "omnipresence" who created the world-the only thing that varies is how/what he used to create the world; but it is always pretty much the same principle.
DiovanLestat:
You are very much correct. A big amount of Christians havent even read the whole Bible - which let's face it - is the fundamental golden rule book of Christianity yet they feel adequately equipped to preach. Alot of the Bible ontradicts itself and so believe me I can talk back/argue to them in their own "language" as you said if the need be!
Anyway like I said and will reiterate. I have no problem with anyone or their beliefs. But I do have a problem with people being disrespectful and overbearing and overimposing in their own beliefs to others who are not receptive to such or too vulnerable.
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (31 October 2008): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThanks for all the responses.
Firstly I want to clear up why I posted this. For me, I am quite strong, intelligent and capable enough to stick to my beliefs despite whatever. However I am rather annoyed at being on this site with people preaching to people here who are upset and vulnerable. People come on here looking for help/advise/support; yet I see people constantly being preached to.
For arguments sake, forget Athiests, the person could come here looking for advice on something in their life yet be happily Buddhist, Hindu, Pagans etc....why assume they want to / need to be preached about Jesus? If anything that is a rather arrogant assumption!
As I said about the guy whose posted wanting advice about his upcoming death, repeated pleading to not be "preached to" about God as he is athiest and happily so, yet his wishes still were disrespected and disregarded and of course, the poor guy was preached to about Christianity. To me that was the last straw and after reading far too many similar posts over a long period and I had to post this. Another example, I have read so many posts on here also about people who had someone close commit suicide, and the preaching comes out and even insinuations of the possibility of their deceased loved one going to "hell" (in so many words). I mean, how on earth is any of the above helpful or so-called "loving" advice?? I have seen the God-preaching mentioned in the majority of suicide posts on here; which can be extremely insensitive and cruel for someone suffering from such a loss to now on top of it all be thinking their loved one is now burning in fire for all eternity as suicide is "wrong" in the eyes the Christian faith.
I have no problems with people's different beliefs, religions etc. I respect all cultures and religions out there. I have no problem with Christians or Christianity. What I do have a problem with is bully tactics or people trying to overly continuously force/impose these belief onto people who are clearly not interested or people who are vulnerable like so many on this site.
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (30 October 2008): PPS: The original scientists were all Theist's and believed in God, and many, many scientists examine the world, and because it is so complicated find that they start believing in God too. Classical Philosophy, Economics and Scientific laws, actually have their laws built on a belief in god... Good luck to the Christians, they believe what they believe. People that try to insult you or thrust God down your throat are wrong. Surely this great being God has no need of supporters, surely he can look after himself and if he wants you to believe he will show you miracles, because belief in God should need no help.... Relax, don't let badly behaved Christians threaten you, Christians are some of the nicest people I know....
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (30 October 2008): PS: Theology and Philosophy answer the same great questions in life. But Theology answers always point to God, with Philosophy and free thinking you have a choice. Good luck to Christians, they have their strong beliefs and it gives them comfort and understanding in life. Philosophical people, Scientists, and Free Thinkers need no such comfort, and we shouldn't be upset with people who want to help us out....
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (30 October 2008): Sorry babes, I'm also an atheist (since 12years old) and I know how you feel. I think I may have offended many Christians on this board by some of my views, however, they don't take on account of the fact that they are also offensive to me. All my friends and family are Christians, I also used to be a Christian when I was young. My family and friends have learned to stop their nonsense, because they get very offended when I point out their talking to an alien, or talking to some thing that is invisible. Try not to get offended. They have their beliefs and you have yours. I recommend Christians to actually read their bible, and they will realise that forcing people to believe, or insulting their views is actually against the teachings that Jesus tried to make widely known. "Render unto Cesar what belongs to Cesar and render unto god what belongs to god".. There are also passages that recommend that worship be private and personal, or treating your enemy (the atheist) like a friend. A lot of Christians have never read the bible properly, so don't actually know that they are behaving badly. You know better, so forgive them, because "they know not what they do"...
Read the bible and understand scripture and you will be able to talk to them in their language and they will learn to behave. That is what I have done.....
PS: Atheism is a belief system, like not collecting stamps, or not watching football is a hobby.... The only thing that Atheist have in common, is that we all deny that there is some great being watching over us, or having effect on our lives. We don't believe in God, but that is all. Some atheist like me, believe in astrology, or supernatural forces. Some believe only in science and deny there is anything that cannot be explained. Some atheists are Hindu's who believe in kindness and compassion but not invisible beings, some are Buddhist who believe in Karma and Atman, but don't believe there are Deity's. Christians don't believe such things, they can't understand a life built without such thing as a God. "Forgive them, they do not know what they do wrong"... Freethinkers have their views, and Christians have their theology and imagination. I believe that it is up to Freethinkers and Atheist to compromise, because we know what we know, and there is no point fighting with people who are illogical, creative, and have supernatural beliefs. Ignore them, or educate them, but please don't get angry with them, they have their beliefs and their prejudices, you have clear thinking, it is pointless to fight about such things..
...............................
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (30 October 2008): Its wrong and yes its bullying, don't take it. Tell others that their religions doesn't allow them to do that, so stop being God. Its sinful in their own beliefs. I am into religion 'Islam' and it says there is a basic conditions to be a Muslim: Your heart must give evidence that you feel God is one and on...Now they are certainly not making your heart feel something, they are telling you what to do. You cant force others hearts for God sake. I am sure that there is noting as such 'telling' in Christianity either. They have no right to push you for anything.
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (30 October 2008): This might seem morbid, but I am pretty much sure that when you die, you just die. You dont transcend into heaven, or into another creature, you simply stop functioning. Further more, humans often feel the need to have an individuality, and that as an individual you are special and are somehow immortal. A notion of self, or ego that is really just a mask of ones own fear of being alone, or being nothing at all.
But, when you stop and realize that we are not individuals, and that we are all one, from the beginning, to this moment, and to the end, you can find solace in your heart. Once you separate your individuality from reality, you can start to piece together what it is to truly exist and to what extent your existence means. Its true that I will die, but in the same sense it is also true that I will never not exist, and is also true that I have always exist and will continue to always exist until existence no longer exists (if that is even possible).
So, the point I am trying to make is that once you can grasp what is existence, what it means to exist within existence, and why it is that people feel the need to label their existence, you can realize that labels have absolutely no meaning.
It may be strange what I am saying, but really this "self" or "individuality" that we all feel is really a single feeling, a common bond or a connection that we all digress. Our individuality is actually our collective whole. Some people are afraid to die because they fear that once they die they will cease to function, or live. Some people fear to die because they fear they will punished for eternity. Some people fear to die because they don't understand what it is to live.
But, when you die, you "self" or "individuality", is not gone. Merely a physical body. That idea of self, that feeling of ones own being, and that mentality of individuality is a commonly shared perspective by every person. So, when you die, you simply release one physical body, but your existence as a common is infinite.
Hey just ideas.
...............................
A
female
reader, deejuliet +, writes (30 October 2008):
 Christians, unlike many other religeons, believe that the ONLY way to heaven is to believe as they do. So they see themselves as compassionate and loving individuals when they try to convince you to take on their belief system. They have been taught that to NOT proselytise you would be cruel and uncaring. The poor recipiants of their attentions dont necessarily see it the same way. They may be confident and happy in their belief system that many religeons go to heaven or that heaven does not exist at all. They will see proselytising as rude and disrespectful. Christians just cannot seem to understand that! Since they love you they want you to go to heaven and to get you to heaven they have to convert you! This will just aggrevate the non Christian further who will view this continued onslaught as the opposite of loving and will more likely move further from the belief system that the Christian is trying to present. Personally I could no more believe in the divinity of Jesus than in the existance of the Easter Bunny and get pretty aggrevated at the judgemental, shove it down your throat attitudes of many Christians. I believe in G-d very strongly. But the
G-d I believe in does not send people to hell to be tortured for all eternity just because they are of a differant religeon than I am.
...............................
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (30 October 2008): Freedom of speech my friend !
...............................
A
male
reader, Replacement +, writes (30 October 2008):
 Fade- "And the whole rolling the eyes.
It's dismissive and okay for an Atheist to do it, but amazing how those same atheist jump on a Christian for rolling their eyes and walking away. I don't think it's fair or justifiable of a Atheist using a Christian's belief system to condemn them either. I have a problem with inconsistancies regardless of beliefs.
Double standard? Hypocrisy?"
I'm not sure if you read what I said correctly. I believe that if someone is persistently and unflinchingly harassing you about your beliefs in an attempt to convert you, and they don't listen to your more polite assertions, then they leave you no choice but to BE dismissive. Either you continue to engage with them, and waste both of your energy, or you give up and just leave. I've had a few christians who have been willing to stop once they realized I wasn't interested in being converted back to christianity. But there are also those who will just NEVER leave me alone. Who literally follow me down the street, almost going blue in the face from trying to find an angle that will work on me. They are assholes, pure and simple, who have no respect for my personal space, my right to have my own beliefs, and who don't deserve anything more than an eye roll. Of course it's dismissive. That's the point. Why wouldn't I be dismissive of someone like that?
As for double standards- last I checked atheists don't go door to door trying to save souls? Never had one knock on my door anyway. If an atheist was ever persistent in trying to get you to change your mind, and wouldn't listen to you saying "Thanks but I have my own beliefs and am fine the way I am" then I'd have no problem with you rolling your eyes and walking away. I don't have an agenda to convert people to atheism. I couldn't care less what other people believe so long as they understand that I'm not interested in converting to their religion. Live and let live.
...............................
A
female
reader, birdynumnums +, writes (30 October 2008):
I think that is a question of intent. I lost two family members this year, and we are a mixed bag of nuts when it comes to our beliefs. But I wouldn't go so far as to assume that a persons intentions were wrong if they said that they will pray for my brother, who wasn't religious, because they meant well. And if a person is searching and ASKS for help, then most people will offer what brings them comfort, not as a conversion, but as a hope that it might comfort them as well, at least, that's what I would assume. 99.9% of the people that I have met are well-intentioned, good people. That's another choice, to disregard the worst and choose to believe the best in others. Most of the time, those people that you are speaking about aren't truly representing the tenets of the faith by how they are acting, either! I wouldn't apprise any faith by it's worst members! It's all in the intent and for the most part, people are well-intended.
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (30 October 2008): yes fade is correct. All people are the same, but when it comes to a question of religion people get so easily offended. If your neighbour bought a new car and claimed it was better than yours, you would probably either be jealous or ignore him. I think people's views on religion can be similar, but less of the jealousy. People who have something really good which they are excited about want to show it off to everyone, whether people are interested or not- think about when people want to show you their baby photos or holiday snaps! They don't mean any harm. However, when people condemn others based on the fact that they have differing beliefs is where it goes wrong. I do however rememeber being at the Vatican before one of the Wednesday morning audiences. I was there for something else and didn't stay as I was cold and completely uninterested, HOWEVER it was packed, and I do recall thinking that these people were really lucky to be so passionate and positive about something, and many had travelled across the world simply for their beliefs. I couldn't understand it but thought that it must be nice to be able to feel that sort of community spirit or however you like to call it.
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (30 October 2008): Although an atheist myself, I do find certain aspects of religion interesting from a historical, or in the case of the bible, philological point of view. Look at the Reformation and Counter-Reformation in England, for example. I know quite a few Christians, who vary from those who feel the need to try to convert me, to those who do not mention their beliefs unless asked. I have to say that those people I know who are not the militant type appear to have a far more intelligent and profound concept of their beliefs and are quite prepared to defend their faith when we have our usual "but surely god doesn't exist?" debates. Although my views have not changed I enjoy the discussion, as to do they, and we agree to believe our separate things. These friends also actively go out and help and volunteer, being Christians in what I would consider a fuller sense of the word rather than simply going to church on a Sunday. What I have found is that those who are most militant about their beliefs appear to have a rudimentary and extremely unsophisticated concept of Christianity, seem unable to answer any philosophical queries, and turn to their usual recourse of "but the Bible says.....". I once had a long discussion with some Jehovah's Witnesses who I think regretted knocking on my door. Their knowledge of Christianity was shocking. They seemed to me to be no more than sheep (no pun intended) blindly following without a thought as to what they really believed. I tried to ask them about their views on the creation of the Bible, the history of manuscripts, the translations, etc., which I would believe, as a manuscript scholar, could have a profound effect on what people believe if they are prepared to simply take what they read as literally the word of God (as historical examples demonstrate). Yet all I was told was that the end of the world is night and my soul needs to be saved. I think you would find that if you speak to intelligent and intellectually curious Christians who are capable of thinking for themselves and seeing things from another point of view then they are not that bad!
...............................
A
male
reader, Replacement +, writes (30 October 2008):
Many christians cannot comprehend atheism. Most of them truly believe that you do, deep deep down inside, believe in god and are fearful of 'his' wrath, or that you're just too afraid to admit that you believe in him, etc, etc. They can't conceive of a mind that is free from belief altogether. Because their own faith is so strong. So they try to get you to change your mind.
Some of them might think that you have some soul that needs saving or whatever. What most of them don't see is their circular reasoning; in order to give their words any authority, you'd have to already believe in the bible. But you don't. So they waste their breath with bible verses and they might as well be reading you a recipe for chocolate chip cookies because it's just as meaningful to you.
Unfortunately these people will never stop. I'm an atheist, and I have been since I was 15 and realized that I never really believed any of it (My parents were very devout, and I went to church every week, Sunday school, the whole lot of it). I have been preached at endlessly by various people who seem to want to save my soul, not really ever trying to see it from my point of view, just trying to recruit another for their proselytizing army. The best way to deal with them is to just say "Yes I have heard all of this before, but I am confident and secure in my own beliefs". Say it with a smile. Usually they back off. Sometimes they don't.
If they don't, they are an asshole, and you should just roll your eyes and walk away.
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (30 October 2008): Some christians have a deep compassion for people's souls... and feel 'saying nothing' is not caring.Please don't take offence. God says, "If you seek Me, you will find Me."Take care on your journey of life.
...............................
A
female
reader, Gemini1506 +, writes (30 October 2008):
Can i just say most christians don't force their belief's on anyone. Sorry to say the C word but i am one (soz). I completly understand that everyone has their own beliefs, and i knw the type of people you speak of. But if you try an understand that these people do it out of the goodess of their hearts. They don't wish to be forceful.. and those who intentionally are, are going the wrong way about it.
Everyone has a right to free speech that you have just demonstrated. I don't see how you find it disrespectful cause that clearly is not their intention. For you to think that they are forcing religion upon you.. It shows you have the problem not them.
And when christians feel as though they need to preach it is not about religion is about the faith they have within them, and as you may know faith and religion is very differnt.
Why don't you try and preach your views to christians and see how they react. They'd probably respect your views. Don't judge a few people and generalise that we all act this way when we don't
...............................
|
