"religion" and "atheists"

I'm not cutting any party down here. I'm not talking about beliefs, and I hope you don't either. I posted a thread long ago about Religion, Some of you may know it. I was getting so many comments on how Christians are bad or Atheists just want to...

destroy Religion it wasn't even funny. My question would be: Why do both parties (Religion, and Atheists) cut each other down so badly? I've never forced my beliefs on people. Which is why I'm so dumbfounded on this.

hear me out:
SOME (not all) Christians, Muslims, Buddhists...Etc.Etc.. Force their beliefs on people who don't believe, haven't understood Religion, people like that. Telling them You're going to hell because you don't believe Which forcing their beliefs down their throat causes tension to occur?

Other side:
SOME (not all) Atheists force their beliefs on people too. They believe there is no god and you just live to die (or something like that, sorry I haven't really put much thought into this message.) And they want to prove that god does not exist. And call Christians Etc... ignorant for believing.

Your turn:
Discuss why you think people who believe and Atheists are at war with each other.

I think there are several answers to this question.

First, there is a very low level of trust between religious believers and atheists. Many Christians associate atheism with immorality, and many atheists associate religion with immorality. You could actually say it's a matter of prejudice.

Second, many people loathe the idea of giving up ground during a discussion or admit a change of beliefs, especially on matters like religion that touch nerves and stir emotion. It's VERY unlikely that most Christians and atheists discuss things with each other and think, wow that person really brought up a good point. I'm going to re-examine my own views and beliefs in light of this new information. What's funny is, we sometimes actually expect the other side to say this, but would never consider saying it ourselves.

Finally, there seems to be an unwillingness to understand why another person might have the views they do. Many atheists simply do not see how a person's personal experiences could lead them to a belief in God. Many religious believers don't understand how an atheist could study so much about science and nature and still not believe in God. That lack of understanding results in a lack of common ground, making it virtually impossible to have an honest discussion if that makes any sense.

Because many people of both atheist and Christian beliefs are thick-headed jerks who think people who don't agree with them are idiots. Making them the idiots.

spartan512 - I agree, I think the 'other-person-bashing' that goes on sometimes is horrifying. In my opinion, the most educated and open-minded people on either side of the argument can get along. Therefore education and tolerance are essential! I don't mean tolerance in terms of 'anything goes', but in terms of 'you are a human just like me, and deserve the same respect I would hope for'.

I suppose that there will always be a tension, between a believer and a non believer.

The very nature of two different belief systems, make it so.

exactly, If everyone was like that it would be a much better place.

Semi1900, You made very very good points. I'm assuming that it's just like racism between the color of skin, but in another way.

To judge someone is to feel that you are better than someone. I am worse than most of the other people I know. Just because I've been forgiven doesn't mean I need to turn around and say I'm better than you. I am still the same. I feel personally, as a christian, that I have no basis on which to judge athiests, especially considering my sister is one. She is the most wonderful person I've ever met on this earth. However, that does not mean I'm going to stop telling her over and over that I've found Jesus and that she can be saved too. It's not judgement, it's love. I love my sister. Wouldn't it be great if I could see her every day for eternity. It is so hard, even here on earth to know that she is not with me every second. I wish she was, because I love her.
I love my father, and so I do the same for him. I love the man on the street who is always walking with the limp, and can't stand strait because of his old bones. I love how he always sings under his breath when he thinks no one can hear him. I want to see him get relief for his old bones one day in heaven. I don't want him to perish forever.
As a Christian I fully believe EVERYTHING the bible tells us. How can I not tell others if I have an answer they haven't found yet. If you found the cure for HIV, would you tell someone? If someone said it wasn't the cure, wouldn't you try to prove it? Wouldn't you go back through your research and find evidence? Wouldn't you want to tell people who only have a very short time left that there is a cure?
As I said, this is my belief. I won't force others to accept my beliefs, but my love for my family, my friends, and even strangers makes me want to shout the answer.

As for athiests, I don't know the answers. It depends on their perspective and personality I guess.

a lot of it seems like an I'm smarter than you contest for both Christians and Athiests, and neither side will win any toi their cause that way. Maybe each side should slow down, think it through and go back to their notes.

I think fear and mistrust are the biggest factors. No one wants to be told that they are wrong and no one wants to be told they are evil/stupid/insane. I think the most important challenge for us here is to learn to disagree kindly with one another and be willing to admit we might be wrong.

Well, I don't force my beliefs on anyone, not even my own children. To the extent I engage in discussion of religion, it's merely a reaction to the fact it's being discussed. It's true that I believe there are no gods, and that death is the final permanent end of life, but I don't force the issue.

I will provide reasoning and evidence to support my position, since I consider that to be due diligence, but I will not threaten or otherwise coerce anyone to accept it, nor belittle them if they don't.

While some people do not force their beliefs. Some do.

If you are a true Christian, like I believe myself to be, you do not judge others. I am not going to bash an atheist. They have there own ideas and I have mine. And as far as the forcing of beliefs I don't think that is what most Christians are trying to do. Some are! But a lot believe that if you are not saved then you will go to hell. So for them it is trying to help people not force them. I would never try to force my way of thinking on someone else but if you ask I would be more than happy to answer. And as a Christian I love all of Gods people. I may not agree with your way of life but I won't put you down or be mean to you because of it! I hope I helped some! God Bless!