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I don't have a problem with them, But I think they have a problem with me. I mean, my uncle is a atheist and he seems to cut me down every day about believing in god. Now I'm not saying that ALL atheists are like this but almost every one I have met has something to say about Christianity or Religion. I mean I don't have a problem with them being against Religion or Christianity. But It just feels like a slap in the face when they degrade someone for believing in god. I'm not those kind of Christians who like say "your going to hell because you don't believe in god" It's pretty much your life, you do what you want with it. But I guess my question is... Why do some Atheists degrade people for believing?
(I Can already smell the hate mail coming)
Eph 6:10 ΒΆ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
I frequent a forum that has quite a number of Atheists that seldom miss the opportunity to voice their disdain for those who believe. They differ from your uncle only by small degrees.
Have you noticed your uncle's arguments eventually arrive at the conclusion that "there is no God--and He's bad"? There's usually do.
Or how 'bout this one: "If there was a God why would he permit evil?" Def.: "If I was God, I'd be a tyrant, and no one wouldn't be allowed free choice. " (That's a good reason to thank God for being God if there ever was one.)
My Qs for Atheists are:
"if you believe there is no God, wouldn't the debate of His existence is irrelevant to you?
If you believe there is no God, just why spend so much time talking about this "nothing"?
Why do Atheists sound the same as Jehovah's Witnesses when talking about their belief/unbelief? (At least the Jehovah's admit to trying to convert you to their religion--which is more than any Atheist I've known would do. )
Bottom line: Your beliefs--like your income--are YOUR business, not HIS. Maybe you need to remind him of that.
Yes, we atheists DO often take a lot of crap from believers. Look at the posts above. Go on, look. Scriptures stating that we are "evil" and say evil things. Comments that encourage you to call your uncle a fool and devalue him even further. This is stuff that makes our blood boil
However, this gives no atheist the right to attack another person. I will attack silly beliefs and statements every day of the week. However, I must respect each person and their RIGHT to believe as they choose. When your uncle harrasses you like this, he's being cruel and not doing the atheist community any favors. He may genuinely care about you but he's doing it the wrong way and that's not a good enough excuse.
Rather than act like a jerk by quoting scripture, why not remind him that actions speak louder than words and you'd like to see a positive example of atheism instead of all this negativity. Perhaps that will get him thinking about his morality.
I hope you can resolve this situation. We need more positive dialog between believers and non-believers and it starts in places like this.
I think most of you are missing something big. Go back and reread these posts. Often times you'll find atheists criticizing beliefs and statements. Just as often you find believers criticizing atheists.
Don't you see the difference? It's right and necessary that we challenge beliefs and opinions. It's the only way we grow. What's wrong is to cut down people and that's what I continually see: atheists are evil, atheists are stupid, atheists are mean. No matter how you dress it up, that's what most people seem to be saying.
Consider this example:
1) "Believers are stupid." This is immoral and false. No one should never use a statement like this.
2) "Some people's beliefs are stupid." This is true. Each one of you knows someone who has goofy ideas that they can't justify.
I hope you can all see the difference in these statements and identify how people on both sides are using them. There are guilty parties on each side. Let's all focus on the arguments and stop tearing people apart.
"The bible is really as reliable as a fishing-story heard from an alcoholic at 3:00 am at the local pub...[I] Think it was Ernest Hemingway who put it wonderfully: 'All thinking men are atheists.'
Funny that you'd choose Earnest Hemingway to quote. His drinking was well known to be excessive. in his twenties, Hemingway was scarred for life when--in an alcoholic blackout--he yanked on the cord of an overhead skylight imagining he was flushing the toilet; and such an avid deep-sea fisherman he almost single-handedly put the tiny island of Bimini, in The Bahamas 'on the map' with his adventures in the Gulf Stream and in the bars. His infidelities were legendary; as were his institutional 'stays'. Hemingway was a manic-depressive--a diagnosis not uncommon among the alcoholics of that day whose doctors were unaware of the enormity of their patient's alcohol consumption.
I think the quote is more apropos as "All opinionated me are Atheists".
Maybe true. But it takes more faith to believe that there is no God rather than there being a God. Besides what does it hurt you what anyone else believes? Does it affect you personally? Yeah I know the standard answers... "There was this guy or whatever and he thumped me with his bible. etc, etc, etc,". However, we Christians are not all like that, just like all people of other faiths, or not, are not the same. As I've said in other questions, there HAS to be a mutual RESPECT of others and their convictions and whether or not we live according to them. Trying to prove either way is like two trains on the same track heading towards each other. Both, at some point will get nowhere. I choose to live as an example of Christianty, in love, to others not berating or bashing, but bold and truthful. I really feel bad for people who yell, scream and carry on about things to the point of nausea.
People, regardless of their beliefs, tend to tear down and berate others that are different from themselves. Sort of like a kid in a playground gets picked on and made fun of because they wear glasses or are over weight. We, speaking as a Christian, must at all times make every effort to share the gospel of Christ, not ram it down people's throats, as some do. Christians have the priviledge of sharing Christ but also a great responsibility as well. Be bold, but sensitive. Be strong, not overbearing. Be firm, but loving. Above all be truthful, without being accusitory or judgmental. We as Christians are most likely the only bible or Jesus that some will ever see. The question we have to ask then is, "Do people like the Jesus they see in me?" Hope it helps.
Some Christians degrade non-Christians and some Atheists degrade Theists(anyone who believes in something supernatural). The key part to your question is some not all.
It's just like any other category of human beings. Why do adults degrade children? Why does one gender degrade the other gender? Why do some races degrade other races? Why does one team degrade a rival team?
I guess it's just human nature to show disdain towards another grouping of people and try to compete over which is better. Going back to my answer on ""Is religion like fighting over who has the better imaginary friend?"" - ""My club is better than your club"" (essentially isn't that the whole argument?)
xox Sika
There is a term for the sort of atheist who is an intellectual bully and constantly picks on believers. Many call this sort of guy "the village atheist." Of course this is a somewhat offensive term drawing the obvious parallel to the village idiot but even some atheists use this term.
Atheists themselves get picked on a lot. It is easy to become bitter and want to get a little revenge on believers; this is just human nature.
If you really don't want to talk cosmology with your uncle tell him that on this topic you will just have to agree to disagree and move on. Change the subject to something you have some common ground.
Next Time you uncle cuts you down quote a Scripture for him. . . To the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good. Psa 14:1 Keep the Faith spartan, A strong Christian will face persecution in life for their faith. . . . Remember to Pray and Pray for your uncle ( not about him but for him.) . As a Christian you are to pray for those that persecution you and bless them. . . .Remember Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Rom 12:20
Okay, let me put my two cents in:
Believers dis non-believers for not believing in god.
Non-believers dis Believers for believing in god.
I guess what I'm trying to say here is both sides of the fence argue over their beliefs. I will admit There are Ignorant Christians, Religious people, and Atheists. But theres a few hand full of people who don't let it effect them (me!). But, I guess my uncle is one of those ignorant people. And I know a few of my Friends that are Christian are ignorant too. I guess what I'm trying to say is: Theres always someone who will tell you your wrong no matter what.
I am atheist. I think more atheist our treated worse than christians so when we see a christain we want to fight back.Because lots of people judge us. I know its not all christians but yea lots of them I think are dumb. For example some christians think sense your gay you go to hell. Or sense I dont believe in god I wil go to hell. Or gay is your choice and its a sin.haha in social studies I had to write what each commandment I thought ment. Haha one was super stupid. It was tho shall not envy your neighbors things! lol so many people have broken that sin...thats like saying we all will go to hell haha
Look for instance, at all those who post continually on this board. The title is religion, and you would expect it to be postive, but, multitudes of comments made here are against, not for. So, what was the point of making this category to begin with, to denigrad... faith?
Faith is a matter of the heart, and is a precious commodity indeed... one that has to be nurtured, and fed, life in general takes its toll on people of faith, so, what happens to a new believer when he/she comes to a board such as this, and most everything he/she reads is mocking the faith that she holds so dear?
I generally like talking with people who don't believe the same as me. Maybe your uncle is degrading you beliefs (I know that's quite possible) but maybe he's just one of those people who likes a good argument. I don't mean argument as in 'row', but as in 'debate'. I often feel more comfortable in discussion and debate with people who question my beliefs. I'm slightly allergic to the sense of cosy self-congratulation that we get into whenever people of the same belief (whatever that may be) get together.
You should not care what people think about you love and god.. they dont know what he had to be in to save us.. you should tell thim sopmething caz loven God is not something you hide from just caz people get mad about it.. maby you should try to get them saved.. you love god dont let people talk about him and if some one say s it to u .. try to tell them what he did 4 us and why we are here today..
It's kinda like when you reach that age and some kids know Santa isn't real but the other ones still believe. Then the older kids make fun of the younger ones for believing in Santa. Similar... but on a different scale of course.
I'm sorry that the majority of the atheists you've known haven't been too tolerable of Christianity. I think everyone should be respectful regardless of religion.
xox Sika
look,dear brother in christ, never give up, but keep it up, excuse me to say this: 'all is about persecution'just remember the promise of jesus and continue with the good working that you are doing, every thing shall pass away but the word of god lives for ever.they will one day know the truth and the truth set them free.pray for your UNCLE and I will pray for him too, to be saved
everyone thinks that he is right,and that his belief is the only way, so in someway they try to convince you with it,sometimes in abad way,tell your uncle that you are convinced with your belief and that you don't want to hear negative thoughts about it ,as he doesn't want someone to tell him that he should believe in god,everyone is free to choose his way.
That last answers are wonderful Examples of what Spartan was talking about. . *** Why do some atheists degrade people for believing? *** I'd rather live my life believing there is a God and live it according to what I believe He would have me to and find I was wrong at death, than to live as God did not exist and find I was Wrong. .
Such is the nature of an unsaved person:
Mat 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Neo is a perfect example of someone who doesn't respect people like me. Also you are off-topic on this subject... I'm sorry that some Christians called you that but I'm not wanting an answer about "being gay" or "commandments" But yet you where Some-what on topic when you started but then veered way left.
Thanks for that, eleni. If I read something here that upsets me, I'm trying to get into the habit of taking a break from the computer while I think about it, before I reply. That way, I can give a measured response rather than an angry, personalised reaction.
Okay, someone can lock this thread now. I'm starting to get pissed off at the fact how people can't hold down their anger. Stop acting like Children and at least TRY to act like you have a bit of sense. (I'm not singling anyone out)
I've clearly stated in my question "why do some atheists degrade people for believing?" But I do see your point sika, many generations people have degraded people for things. I guess I want to know why people are so angry.
That's true, some Christians can be very harsh and rude. But you won't have to worry about me forcing my beliefs on you :)
But I do agree with you, it really does depend on the person.
Or maybe its just fun...lol I know it sounds mean but yea...and sorry for getting off topic I tend to do that a lot. Its just when I dont like something I make it clear when I dont
I've actually found some of the "Christians" on here to be more disrespectful, rude and aggressive than the non-believers...
but I guess it all really does depend on the person.
I thank you for your advice. It's very inspiring.
But I would like to know from some atheists why some are so degrading to Christianity and religion.
*** Let's all focus on the arguments and stop tearing people apart.***
...let's call it 'discussions' ...that way it sounds less conflictive.
Because Atheists are trying to point out all of the flaws and convince you to stop believing. Atleast that's what my friend does.
The title is religion, and you would expect it to be postive
YOU expect it to be positive.
Thank you for your advice.
I forgot to add. I do respect atheists, and other religions. :)
Not All who call themselves Christian understand their claim or duty. . . .
Quite militarywifexoxo.
But you have no answered my question.
The same way that believers will degrade non-believers
Rnealw, Thank you so much for your advice. :)
:) Wow, rnealw your wisdom is outstanding :)
Yeah... talk about 'Ford vs. Chevy' instead.
Good conclusion spartan512 :)
xox Sika
Locked by request.
Good point Eleni.
