A question for Atheists

[squeekness]

What would be infinitely better is if people would treat each other that way year-round, instead of waiting for a holiday.

I don't think anyone is disagreeing with you at all on that particular point, but do you not see the value in having at least a handful of days per year that remind us that we need to be more consistent about treating others well throughout the year?

jag

I agree with both points. Yeah it would be nice if we did treat each other nicely without the reminders, but everyone needs a poke once in awhile.

 

[Spider-Fan]

What would be infinitely better is if people would treat each other that way year-round, instead of waiting for a holiday.

You do know that religion is one of the main reasons people don't get along well, right?

It creates an outgroup for your religion to pick on or try to switch sides (by any means needed).

 

[Karea07]

Christmas is Santa Claus day and Easter is for celebrating the comming of the Easter bunny, it has nothing to do with Jesus or Christians.

lol, pretty much though, these have become secular holidays. lots of people, from every religion, put up a christmas tree, exchange gifts, go easter egg hunting, etc.

 

[jaguarr]

I agree with both points. Yeah it would be nice if we did treat each other nicely without the reminders, but everyone needs a poke once in awhile.

If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to "redmarvel" up this thread a little bit.

jag

 

[Kebab gud]

I am sorry, but I have seen far more Christians attack Athiests than Athiests attack Christians.

It is the Christians who seem angry people are going away from God. Not the Athiests at God.

THIS DOES NOT GO FOR ALL CHRISTIANS BEFORE I GET FLAMED. I just know a lot of preachy people that are like that.

True.. I'm Atheist and i really don't care about what the rest of you believe.. Its not my problem.. but Christians seem to be almost offended by the very idea of people not sharing their beliefs..

 

[Kent]

All sarcasm aside, you've just made my point for me, Kent. Atheists in general claim to neither accept nor care about God, because they don't believe He exists. And yet, when faced with statements regarding Christ, God, repentance, or moral Truth, they actually take time from their day to try and discredit Christians. One of my favorite songs, which I've mentioned before, contains the following lyrics:

I've proven your point? The fact that I get upset by the fact that most Christians I come into contact with over the internet think that if I met them in the real world, I'd be just as likely to murder them, eat their children and rape their pets as I am to wish them a good day is somehow proving your point?

The fact that I find it frustrating to try to discuss something with someone whose already decided that I don't really believe what I believe is somehow proving your point?

Wow.

 

[Logan's Runt]

Then why don't Jewish and Muslim people celebrate them? Because they don't believe in them. It is simple if you don't believe it don't celebrate.

You're completely ignoring that Christmas and Easter have become secularized national holidays. Whether they came from religious origins/still have religious ties or not, they have secular 'mascots' and are days off work. As soon as we get a Ramadan Aardvark, the month off work and tons of decorations and stuff to buy, secular society will celebrate it.

As an agnostic, I believe in the days of Christmas and Easter as celebrations of good will (xmas) and the coming of spring (easter.) I don't celebrate them with any nod to Christianity, as far as I'm concerned, our holidays just happen to be called the same thing and on the same day, but are two very different celebrations.

You're using these 'questions' you came up with as an excuse to attack atheists and try to make them look like hypocrites and your thinly veiled attack is not appreciated. If you are really curious about some aspect of atheism or agnosticism, go ahead and ask, but do it respectfully.

 

[Moviefan2k4]

Let me get one thing straight for everyone who reads this thread. I'm a Christian, and I'm not offended by atheists; rather, I feel for them, because many of them have likely been hurt by those who professed to be Christians, and instead of mentioning God's grace, they focused solely on His vengeance. God is both, but He offers a way of escape for those who will trust Him. Christianity isn't about religion at all; that's man's department. God is about relationships. He loves us all, completely unconditional. Whether we choose him or not doesn't mean He stops loving us; He just wants to spare us from the wrath to come. but it must be our choice; He will not force us.

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

I am personally of the belief that the reason for this anger is because, deep down in their heart, they know that Christ is real, and they know God's Word is true.

This is certainly the case with some, but let me explain why you're wrong if you believe that's always the case.

I don't know if you remember, this "wack-O Nutjob Crackpot Conspiracy Theorist", a few years ago, he got in some astronaut's face trying to "confront" him to get him to admit that the moon landing was a hoax.

He kept hounding him with this malarky. "Yip Yip Yip Yip" like a yapping little dog, telling him that he'd never really been to the moon, asking him why he doesn't admit that it was all staged, etc.

So, the astronaut got pissed and punched the guy.



Now, do you believe that the astronaut punched the guy because the pressure of having his lie exposed was stressing him out....because he was so frustrated and wanted to lash out and shut the guy up because he was exposing the fact that the astronaut was full of s***?

That's a possibility. But it's also possible that the astronaut was fiercely proud of his amazing accomplishment, and sick of this idiot spreading false accusations about him, and just sick of hearing his bulls***, and disgusted with the guy's lack of a grasp on reality.


It's like, say 2 100% innocent guys might get falsely accused of child molestation.

One might remain totally calm, friendly, relaxed and secure in the knowledge that he's never done anything wrong, so there's nothing to worry about.

But the other guy might be totally pissed to see his name besmirched like that, when in reality he'd never harm a child, so he "goes off" and yells "This is BULLs***! WHO said I did this?! WHO WAS IT?!?!"



See, it's all about when thoughtless, arrogant people are completely wrong about something, AND totally smug about their "superior" grasp on "the truth", even though all evidence says that they are wrong.

If a guy says the world is flat, there are some who just go..." What an idiot. lol", and that's all the time it would merit for them.

BUT, you might have a scientist who gets totally appaulled and outraged to hear such stupidity, so he'll call the guy an idiot, and then post pages and pages of proofs that:
1) The Earth is round
and
2) If you don't believe that, you're an ignorant fool who doesn't know what he's talking about.







NEXT, because Christianity is all wrapped up in morality, and obedience to some supposed "higher authority", and a supposed Black+White knowledge of Right and Wrong, not just for you personally, but for ALL PEOPLE OF EARTH (because the standards are supposedly set down by the CREATOR of the Earth, And those people).....you're going to get extra anger, because these people take it upon themselves to condemn the things you enjoy, to cry on the mountain tops that you are wrong, or even evil....that you DESERVE to be tormented forEVER, because GOD can't make things right the first time...and have the brainless audacity to suggest that they are SO right that even simple rules of logic and common sense don't apply to them.


See?

 

[sinewave]

Excellent post, but I mourn for the lose of your "Caps" key.

says the man who won't capitalize his name.

my laziness knows no bounds.

 

[squeekness]

If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to "redmarvel" up this thread a little bit.

jag

LOL, it's better than a smack on the ass!

 

[Logan's Runt]

This discussion brings to mind another age-old question for professed atheists: "If you truly don't believe that God exists, then why become so angry when His name is mentioned?" You'd think they simply shrug it off, but all too often, it's the exact opposite. Atheists become angry, bitter, defensive, and procrastinating whenever someone dares to speak to them about Christ. If they didn't have any belief at all, then it wouldn't anger them.

If someone came up to you every other day trying to convince you that you had to believe in the Flying Spaghetti monster, not Jesus, and would not leave you the hell alone when you politely explained that you have your beliefs and would like to go about your day-- you'd get a little snippy after a while too, sparky. Its not that we're trying to deny something we "know is true" its that its very very annoying to have someone so desperate to convince us that these things are true. This street works both ways. Try this: if God is real as you say, and Jesus is real as you say, then why are you all so desperate to convince everyone that they are? If some of us don't believe, you should all be able to shrug it off and move on, sad perhaps that we're "going to hell" but confident that they exist nonetheless. The desperation of SOME Christians indicates a deep seated fear that these things may not actually exist and a need to be reinforced by a group mentality.

 

[jaguarr]

says the man who won't capitalize his name.

my laziness knows no bounds.

This isn't about me. At least you don't type like THWIP*.

jag

 

[Spider-Fan]

If someone came up to you every other day trying to convince you that you had to believe in the Flying Spaghetti monster, not Jesus, and would not leave you the hell alone when you politely explained that you have your beliefs and would like to go about your day-- you'd get a little snippy after a while too, sparky. Its not that we're trying to deny something we "know is true" its that its very very annoying to have someone so desperate to convince us that these things are true. This street works both ways. Try this: if God is real as you say, and Jesus is real as you say, then why are you all so desperate to convince everyone that they are? If some of us don't believe, you should all be able to shrug it off and move on, sad perhaps that we're "going to hell" but confident that they exist nonetheless. The desperation of SOME Christians indicates a deep seated fear that these things may not actually exist and a need to be reinforced by a group mentality.

100% agree

We believe what we believe...stop making excuses for it!

 

[jaguarr]

LOL, it's better than a smack on the ass!

Oh, I'm not so sure about that.

jag

 

[Moviefan2k4]

If someone came up to you every other day trying to convince you that you had to believe in the Flying Spaghetti monster, not Jesus, and would not leave you the hell alone when you politely explained that you have your beliefs and would like to go about your day-- you'd get a little snippy after a while too, sparky. Its not that we're trying to deny something we "know is true" its that its very very annoying to have someone so desperate to convince us that these things are true. This street works both ways. Try this: if God is real as you say, and Jesus is real as you say, then why are you all so desperate to convince everyone that they are? If some of us don't believe, you should all be able to shrug it off and move on, sad perhaps that we're "going to hell" but confident that they exist nonetheless. The desperation of SOME Christians indicates a deep seated fear that these things may not actually exist and a need to be reinforced by a group mentality.

The biggest reason for many Christians preaching salvation is that as His followers, we were given a Commandment before He ascended into Heaven.

"And then He told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." ~Mark: 16:15~

 

[sinewave]

This isn't about me. At least you don't type like THWIP*.

jag

...or celldog.

 

[Logan's Runt]

The biggest reason for many Christians preaching salvation is that as His followers, we were given a Commandment before He ascended into Heaven.

"And then He told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." ~Mark: 16:15~

There is quite a difference between making the message available and attacking people with the message. Even I can venture a guess as to which Jesus would subscribe.

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

Let me get one thing straight for everyone who reads this thread. I'm a Christian, and I'm not offended by atheists; rather, I feel for them,

That's understandable. I feel for the masses whose lives are crippled by these fear-based delusions of an angry, murderous God who loves everyone so much that he commits genocide, craves blood and tortures all of his creation.
It's sad to see people enslaved to this malarky just because they're afraid of life, paralyzed by fear of Death and the unknown, and their own personal responsibility.

God is about relationships.

You can not have a relationship with a person you've never seen who has never talked with you.
You may feel like you're having one (like people who go to their mother's grave and "talk" to her), but if they don't talk back, sorry...it's not a relationship.

He loves us all, completely unconditional.

And yet he won't forgive you of your sins once you're in Hell. If he really loved people unconditionally, he'd understand that, uh, since he's invisible, intangible and inaudible....and used to be a psycho killer who killed children, babies, and animals, left-and-right, some might have trouble believing he's real and should be given a chance to see that he's even REAL.
But no. He has a deadline. If you're not good enough to shut off your mind by that deadline, you are completely, ultimately screwed.


Please stop saying he unconditionally loves everyone. It's Bullfeathers.

Whether we choose him or not doesn't mean He stops loving us; He just wants to spare us from the wrath to come. but it must be our choice; He will not force us.

I can't believe you can't see how insanely wrong that is.

Wifebeater: "Honey, I'll ALWAYS love you, and I'd HATE to see you get hurt, so I'm pleading with you....HAVE MY DINNER READY AT 6PM SHARP SO I DON'T HAVE TO HIT YOU IN THE FACE! Please! I'd hate to see you have to face my wrath! Now I'd never FORCE you to have dinner ready by 6.....that's YOUR choice.....you can CHOOSE to either obey me, or face my wrath. But I HOPE you'll choose to obey, 'cause I love you and don't want to have to peel your skin off and stab your eyeballs and set you on fire. "

It's not a "wrath to come"
It's HIS wrath. HE made the rules, and those rules are barbaric and unfair.

 

[sinewave]

There is quite a difference between making the message available and attacking people with the message. Even I can venture a guess as to which Jesus would subscribe.

yeah, i'll never understand the rationale behind forcing religion on someone. shouldn't it be a personal choice?

 

[Superhobo]

"Moviefan came back?"
"Moviefan never left! And, I'm starting to think that his mind is in no longer mint condition."


(I don't want to use the quote button...)
"Let me get one thing straight for everyone who reads this thread. I'm a Christian, and I'm not offended by atheists You seem pretty offended; rather, I feel for them, because many of them have likely been hurt by those who professed to be Christians This is a generalization on your part. I'm sure there are some who have, but more than a few of us have just realized the silliness, to US, of the religious belief system, and how it causes wars and all sorts of bad jive. You said, "Don't judge Christianity by the Christians." Okay, let's go to the Bible. HERE's a site, and I've looked these verses up. They're there.(1), and instead of mentioning God's grace, they focused solely on His vengeanceThe god in your bible is a very, very petty one IMHO, a vain, conceited fellow, who very VERY rarely has anything good or nice to say.. God is both, but He offers a way of escape for those who will trust Him. Christianity isn't about religion at all "..."; that's man's department. God is about relationships But, we're talking about Christianity.. He loves us all, completely unconditional Even in the Bible where it says, stone those of other faiths, or something to that nature?. Whether we choose him or not doesn't mean He stops loving us; He just wants to spare us from the wrath to come Right.. but it must be our choice; He will not force us."

(1)http://home.teleport.com/~packham/bible.htm#HOMOSEXUALITY

So, if we don't judge Christianity by the people who claim to worship it, and we don't judge it BY THE BIBLE, what do we judge it by?

 

[squeekness]

yeah, i'll never understand the rationale behind forcing religion on someone. shouldn't it be a personal choice?

Because some folks don't get the fact that screaming and shouting accomplishes nothing. The idea is that Christians are supposed to live by example. When others see us being generous and helpful and kind, it should inspire others to live the same. That would be more effective than screaming at someone that they are going to hell. I have never responded to threats and it wasn't a threat that converted me. You will never hear me condemn any non-believer.

 

[Logan's Runt]

Its amazingly sad how so many Christians fail to understand that they turn more people away from the 'Word' with all their efforts to bring people to it. Personal beliefs are at the core of who a person is, and naturally people maintain a certain level of defensiveness about them. As soon as someone tries to tell a person what to believe, the walls go up and the message, good or not, automatically gets deflected. Not many die hard Christians seem to understand that hitting someone over the head with 'believe or burn' is going to temper most 'non believers' ever more steadfastly against what they have to say.

You have to understand many delicate things about the human psyche in order to talk to them about their beliefs. Surprisingly enough, the kinds of experiences that brought me from a starkly anti-Christian angry atheist to where I am today, were highly critical and intellectual discussion courses. They threw out all pretense of what was actually true and simply dissected Christianity from all aspects. Instead of making the faith system look like nothing, it allowed me to find areas where my own ideas about the Ultimate coincided and were more in line that I had ever imagined, and allowed me to see that there are ways that even the most varied belief systems can find common ground. I have great respect for Christianity (as well as other religions), but I get upset when I see it being used as a weapon or used with the idea that it is the ONLY way to whatever is ultimately in the role of God.

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

You know, I'm over at LSP going on and on to this delusional girl about how there is no magical power in Tarot cards. They're just little pieces of cardboard with weird drawings on them.

I'm going on and on to debunk Tarot cards because it sickens me to see people believing such bologna.

It isn't 'cause "secretly I know Tarot cards truly have power and I don't want to admit it."

It's 'cause it's all bulls***.

 

[sinewave]

You know, I'm over at LSP going on and on to this delusional girl about how there is no magical power in Tarot cards. They're just little pieces of cardboard with weird drawings on them.

I'm going on and on to debunk Tarot cards because it sickens me to see people believing such bologna.

It isn't 'cause "secretly I know Tarot cards truly have power and I don't want to admit it."

It's 'cause it's all bulls***.

what's LSP?