Why Do Atheists Criticize People's Beliefs?

[vorlon13]

Well, that is their problem.

Jesus getting crucified twice is another biggee.

[Catholic_Lady]

I think criticizing the beliefs of religious people is exactly the same as religious people criticizing atheists or members of other religions.

Agreed. Personally I don't understand why anyone would mock or start criticising what others do/don't believe, religiously. If someone from a different religion or from no religion wants to discuss it, I'll talk to them about it and share my views of why I disagree with them. But other than that, I see no reason to just start criticising/making fun of/mocking other people's beliefs or lack thereof. Its entirely lost on me.

[vorlon13]

and if they believe that stuff hard enough, god guarantees they can swill poison and play with deadly serpents to show the pagans how powerful god is.

[Rhondazvous]

and if they believe that stuff hard enough, god guarantees they can swill poison and play with deadly serpents to show the pagans how powerful god is.

Criticism a belief system in which parents allow their 12 year old daughter to die of diabetes by praying over her instead of taking her to the doctor is not the same as criticizing people who don't believe in god because there's no evidence that one exists. No where near the same.

[Jackalope]

I don't really care what others believe, except insofar as they affect public policy, cause harm particular to minors, or lead to mala in se criminal acts.

Also, those who open themselves up to criticism, such as by posting here. You can't very well expect to have the right to speak your mind, and expect that others won't do the same in response.

[vorlon13]

I don't really care what others believe, except insofar as they affect public policy, cause harm particular to minors, or lead to mala in se criminal acts.  

Also, those who open themselves up to criticism, such as by posting here.  You can't very well expect to have the right to speak your mind, and expect that others won't do the same in response.

Even a notable such as Dr. Laura is unclear on that concept.

[ErikB]

Every religious follower disbelieves in and criticizes every religion besides the one he worships. That's why we have so many religions today. Entrepreneurial people throughout history who broke out of their religions because they disagreed with them, or just thought they could do better for themselves, founded their own religious systems for various reasons, and then continued criticizing everybody else. "Hey, have a drink in my bar, buddy, it's much bigger and better than the one next door. And we even have virgins for the patrons who die! No? Well, then go to hell!"

In a sense, if you believe in something different than the next guy (if he's truly religious), you are an atheist to him. You believe in something that - according to him - doesn't exist.

I'm entrepreneurial myself, but I'd feel bad about establishing my own church/bar just to gain tax exemptions and profit from people who don't know better, or who are just plain alcoholics. That's not criticism, it's common sense and decency. Anyone who feels offended at this probably believes in one god or another. Atheists follow the evidence. It's an effective and pretty nice way of doing things.

[Rhondazvous]

I think criticizing the beliefs of religious people is exactly the same as religious people criticizing atheists or members of other religions.

Agreed. Personally I don't understand why anyone would mock or start criticising what others do/don't believe, religiously. If someone from a different religion or from no religion wants to discuss it, I'll talk to them about it and share my views of why I disagree with them. But other than that, I see no reason to just start criticising/making fun of/mocking other people's beliefs or lack thereof. Its entirely lost on me.

I should have been clearer. When I say "criticize," I don't mean mock. I use the word in a more rhetorical way. To point out the flaws in a proposition. When you make a proposition in an open forum that proposition is open to criticism. If the logic behind the proposition is way over the top, it may even be open to ridicule.

I speak as one who has been the subject of such criticism right here on AF, and you may have read my responses to it. If someone proves to me that I am wrong, I concede. If the criticism is flawed, I say why I think it is. criticism is flawed, I say exactly why I think it is so.

[Cyberman]

I think criticizing the beliefs of religious people is exactly the same as religious people criticizing atheists or members of other religions.

Is it, though? Look at your own sentence construction - one is criticising a set of beliefs; the other is criticising individuals and groups.

If you don't like your beliefs being criticised, either keep them to yourself wrapped up in cotton wool, or get better - ie non-ridiculous - beliefs.

[Minimalist]

I think criticizing the beliefs of religious people is exactly the same as religious people criticizing atheists or members of other religions.

Agreed. Personally I don't understand why anyone would mock or start criticising what others do/don't believe, religiously. If someone from a different religion or from no religion wants to discuss it, I'll talk to them about it and share my views of why I disagree with them. But other than that, I see no reason to just start criticising/making fun of/mocking other people's beliefs or lack thereof. Its entirely lost on me.

Okay, so, do you see the big banner at the top of this page?  When they show up HERE, spouting their bullshit about whichever variant of the angry desert god or some other silliness they believe, they are looking for a fight.