RE: Atheists
July 23, 2010 at 6:02 pm
(This post was last modified: July 23, 2010 at 6:06 pm by Joe Bloe.)
Godhead's words in bold
The impression I get is that in general (and with exceptions), atheists seem to feel a number of things.
Generalizing - always be wary of doing that.
They seem to feel victimised for their nonbeliefs. Maybe some of you live in a country or part of a country where not believing in god is seen as a big deal. However it's obviously not like that everywhere.
You are right, it's not like that everywhere, but it is possible that those who "seem to feel victimised" are in fact victimised. In some countries (even today) atheists can be imprisoned or even executed!
Anger. I always sense a lot of anger among atheists on these forums, like a grudge.
If you check back on those "angry" atheists, you'll probably find that you gained that impression when they disagreed with something you hold dear - so maybe they weren't being angry, it was you being annoyed.
It's like there's a deep need to "get back" at all theists, for some imagined wrongdoing. I hve to say that it's not a particularly healthy attitue to have.
But not all wrongdoings are imaginary are they? Think of the thousands of children raped day after day by their religious leaders. They have good reason to "get back" at their tormentors - and it is a very healthy attitude to have; it eventually gets the pedophiles priests into the dock.
Assumptions. Many atheists assume that a theist would want to preach and convert atheists,
What did Jesus say? "Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations" Check out the Joshua Project which is dedicated to converting every single person on the planet.
or that they feel superior.
Every time a theist tells me I am going to hell, I get the impression that they feel superior. And why do they threaten me with eternal torture? Oh that's right, in Mark 16:16 (KJV) Jesus said it was a case of believe or be damned.
Ironically atheists take on those traits themselves quite often.
Name ten.
Also there's often an assumption that when someone introduces themselves as a theist, that they'e a christian.
It's not always an assumption because the introduction will often include statements that are easily identified as "christian". Also, where I live (Australia) 60% of the population is Christian and another 6% belong to other religions, and therefore, if somebody tells they are theistic, there is a 90% chance that they are, in fact, Christian.
I've read many posts addressed to me and others which mention "your bible" and other christian references, even before the person knows whether or not the theist is a christian. It's quite bizarre, and melodramatic.
See above - In some areas it is not a "bizarre and melodramatic" assumption, it's actually quite reasonable.
What you should realise is that not all theists hate you
Don't be so condescending. This will sound like an old joke, but it's quite true and there is no other way to say it: My best friend is a theist and I would trust him with my life.
and there's no need to be angry all the time and lash out
I am not angry all of the time. In fact one dear old lady once told me I was the nicest atheist she had ever met. (She probably hadn't met many, but you get my drift).
and that not all theists are christians
Yes, I knew that, and didn't need reminding.
or want to preach at you
There's a bloke named Matthew who would disagree with you:"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14)
and that having all that anger inside you will only harm you.
But I don't have "all that anger inside me". I am not angry with theists (but I do sometimes feel sorry for them).
The whole atheist V theist debate, when you look closely, is more often than not a disgruntled ex christain V christian debate, except that not everyone fits into either.
I have never been a christian. I was sent to Sunday School for eight years starting at age four, and not once did I come close to believing the stories they told me. I was an atheist before I even knew there was such a word.
The impression I get is that in general (and with exceptions), atheists seem to feel a number of things.
Generalizing - always be wary of doing that.
They seem to feel victimised for their nonbeliefs. Maybe some of you live in a country or part of a country where not believing in god is seen as a big deal. However it's obviously not like that everywhere.
You are right, it's not like that everywhere, but it is possible that those who "seem to feel victimised" are in fact victimised. In some countries (even today) atheists can be imprisoned or even executed!
Anger. I always sense a lot of anger among atheists on these forums, like a grudge.
If you check back on those "angry" atheists, you'll probably find that you gained that impression when they disagreed with something you hold dear - so maybe they weren't being angry, it was you being annoyed.
It's like there's a deep need to "get back" at all theists, for some imagined wrongdoing. I hve to say that it's not a particularly healthy attitue to have.
But not all wrongdoings are imaginary are they? Think of the thousands of children raped day after day by their religious leaders. They have good reason to "get back" at their tormentors - and it is a very healthy attitude to have; it eventually gets the pedophiles priests into the dock.
Assumptions. Many atheists assume that a theist would want to preach and convert atheists,
What did Jesus say? "Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations" Check out the Joshua Project which is dedicated to converting every single person on the planet.
or that they feel superior.
Every time a theist tells me I am going to hell, I get the impression that they feel superior. And why do they threaten me with eternal torture? Oh that's right, in Mark 16:16 (KJV) Jesus said it was a case of believe or be damned.
Ironically atheists take on those traits themselves quite often.
Name ten.
Also there's often an assumption that when someone introduces themselves as a theist, that they'e a christian.
It's not always an assumption because the introduction will often include statements that are easily identified as "christian". Also, where I live (Australia) 60% of the population is Christian and another 6% belong to other religions, and therefore, if somebody tells they are theistic, there is a 90% chance that they are, in fact, Christian.
I've read many posts addressed to me and others which mention "your bible" and other christian references, even before the person knows whether or not the theist is a christian. It's quite bizarre, and melodramatic.
See above - In some areas it is not a "bizarre and melodramatic" assumption, it's actually quite reasonable.
What you should realise is that not all theists hate you
Don't be so condescending. This will sound like an old joke, but it's quite true and there is no other way to say it: My best friend is a theist and I would trust him with my life.
and there's no need to be angry all the time and lash out
I am not angry all of the time. In fact one dear old lady once told me I was the nicest atheist she had ever met. (She probably hadn't met many, but you get my drift).
and that not all theists are christians
Yes, I knew that, and didn't need reminding.
or want to preach at you
There's a bloke named Matthew who would disagree with you:"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14)
and that having all that anger inside you will only harm you.
But I don't have "all that anger inside me". I am not angry with theists (but I do sometimes feel sorry for them).
The whole atheist V theist debate, when you look closely, is more often than not a disgruntled ex christain V christian debate, except that not everyone fits into either.
I have never been a christian. I was sent to Sunday School for eight years starting at age four, and not once did I come close to believing the stories they told me. I was an atheist before I even knew there was such a word.
