What are your answers?

[The Grand Nudger]

So, a book that was most definitely not written in english, contains within it "prophetic code" that is intelligible....in english?

[Epimethean]

Did you not get your decoder ring, either? We need a new conspiracy theory thread. Someone in the business of chocolate milk is attempting to keep us away from the ultimate truth of the universe.

[Phaedra]

The more I read the posts on this website, the more I wonder about the real reason for the hatred a lot of Athiests have for Jesus, the Bible, God and religion.

These are my questions:

1. Are athiests just wounded people, upset that God hasn't shown himself to them in a way they deem acceptable? Meaning, if he suddenly appeared you would believe?

No, I am not wounded. I am not upset at God for not "showing me the way". I used to be a Christian, but then I started studying history, science, sociology, and anthropology. I learned about how Christianity came into being, along with how other religions came into being. Then I started questioning whether or not God existed at all. I got into Buddhism and quantum physics. I read philosophy and deeply examined my own outlook on life. I tried as hard as I could to justify a belief in a higher being, and found that I no longer could. If God "suddenly appeared" and made himself known in a way that is scientifically testable and provable, then yes, I'd believe.

2. Do athiests hate God or do they hate organized religion in general?

I do not hate God. How can you hate something you don't believe in? Do you hate the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus? I hate what people do in the name of God and organized religion.

3. Why does it seem like athiests hate Jesus more than anyone, what do you think of Jesus?

I don't hate Jesus. I'd say that he was, for the most part, an ok dude. He and I would definitely be on the same page concerning treatment of the poor and oppressed.

4. Do any of you know athiests that have converted to another religion, did you feel swayed by their conversion?

Nope. But I know a lot of religious folks who have "converted" to atheism. I'm one of them. I can't say that I would feel swayed by an atheist's decision to convert to a religion. I'm a very independent person who has no problem going against the grain and doing my own thing.

5. Are you an athiest based on your research of many of the top religions, or does your athiesm come from a personal experience where you feel that God didn't show up like he should have?

Neither. It was partly based on research into religions, but it was so much more than that. It's been a long process, and it's been quite painful at times. But once you know something, you can't "unknow" it. It definitely didn't come from the feeling of being let down by God. I've never felt that, since when I believed in God I didn't really think that he meddled in the affairs of humans.

6. Since athiests don't believe in God and dislike when people force God on them, why do they force their negative and hateful opinions on Christians (and other religions) through mockery and verbal assault?

I'm sorry, but this is very much a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Atheists are second most hated group in the United States. We take so much crap from religious people that it's hard to not get defensive. I've had "Christians" tell me that I'm a whore who is going to hell. How can I not laugh at that? That having been said, I don't go looking for fights with believers. But if you dish it out, you'd better be able to take it. I don't understand why you think that not believing in a higher being is negative and hateful. [/b]

I know I'm a little late responding, but I figured I'd add my two cents. I bolded my responses.

[salty]

You know what Phaedra, I recently realized how disliked atheists are, in my own community. I mentioned to someone that I was visiting an atheist forum and people look at me like I said, "I'm licking every hand rail that I walk by." It's shocking how much I've learned, and once in a while I can put myself in an atheists' shoes and to see that pity that some people have on their faces, it must be upsetting for someone to look at another person like that.... I've been working on my expressions and trying to turn the tables so I can be humbled. I hate when people are condescending to me, treating me like a child, speaking to me like I can't hear. I don't want to upset my atheist friends by giving them this pitiful look or a condescending speech, like they're less than human...that's why I stay connected, even if I'm not wanted. I stay because it's changing things in a positive way for me, sometimes in a negative way too. Thanks for answering the questions, they're pretty elementary, but I don't claim to know-it-all, so it's fine that I've made a fool of myself in more places than one.

[Zen Badger]

I haven't weighed in on this one yet....

1. Are athiests just wounded people, upset that God hasn't shown himself to them in a way they deem acceptable? Meaning, if he suddenly appeared you would believe?

Bit of a leading question here. But speaking for myself, I grew up without any religious background or indoctrination at all. Thusly I was able to examine the issues involved free of any prejudice. And I've come to the conclusion that there is no credible evidence for a god.
Simple as that, not "wounded", not upset, just unconvinced.
If god did appear I would change my opinion, how could I not???
Evidence has been presented.

2. Do athiests hate God or do they hate organized religion in general?

God is a fictional character, it would be like hating Darth Vader. Organised religion on the other hand, now that is another kettle of putrid, rotting, maggot infested fish all together.

3. Why does it seem like athiests hate Jesus more than anyone, what do you think of Jesus?

It might seem that way to you, but we just put jesus in the same category as all the other unfounded mythical inventions that humanity has created over the millenia.

4. Do any of you know athiests that have converted to another religion, did you feel swayed by their conversion?

No, and even if they did I would not be swayed. Unless they had compelling evidence for their change.

5. Are you an athiest based on your research of many of the top religions, or does your athiesm come from a personal experience where you feel that God didn't show up like he should have?

See point one.

6. Since athiests don't believe in God and dislike when people force God on them, why do they force their negative and hateful opinions on Christians (and other religions) through mockery and verbal assault?

Really? when does this happen?

[KichigaiNeko]

You know what Phaedra, I recently realized how disliked atheists are, in my own community. I mentioned to someone that I was visiting an atheist forum and people look at me like I said, "I'm licking every hand rail that I walk by." It's shocking how much I've learned, and once in a while I can put myself in an atheists' shoes and to see that pity that some people have on their faces, it must be upsetting for someone to look at another person like that.... I've been working on my expressions and trying to turn the tables so I can be humbled. I hate when people are condescending to me, treating me like a child, speaking to me like I can't hear. I don't want to upset my atheist friends by giving them this pitiful look or a condescending speech, like they're less than human...that's why I stay connected, even if I'm not wanted. I stay because it's changing things in a positive way for me, sometimes in a negative way too. Thanks for answering the questions, they're pretty elementary, but I don't claim to know-it-all, so it's fine that I've made a fool of myself in more places than one.

You know that "pitiful" and "condescending" look Christians give you?? Atheists get it all the time...and yes it is quite wearying.

Often the only recourse is to "mirror" the behaviour. It is seldom welcomed.

It is the observation of most on this forum that humans "need" and "delight" in striving to make themselves feel superior any way they can. If that entails genocide..so be it...religious wars??...no problem.

No one on here will lay claim to be "know it alls" and will happily defer to another whose study and effort have helped them attain more knowledge than the next atheist. Min and pad have the history area covered themselves...and why not?? They have studied hard to gain the knowledge they have. Do I worship them ?? No. But I will check their information and am always gratified to find that they are working with integrity and honesty on this forum. Have you seen the posts from lil'Phil and orogenicman?? Not too many on this forum can match their study and use of maths and astrophysics ...hopefully one day aleialoura might get there.

So really salty...your questions have no interest for me. They seem to come from one who has no idea outside their own tiny world of xtianity. But do stick around.... there is so much one can hear of to test later.

[Minimalist]

Did you not get your decoder ring, either? We need a new conspiracy theory thread. Someone in the business of chocolate milk is attempting to keep us away from the ultimate truth of the universe.

'God' bless my Moby Dick!

http://cs.anu.edu.au/~bdm/dilugim/moby.html

The following challenge was made by Michael Drosnin:

When my critics find a message about the assassination of a prime minister encrypted in Moby Dick, I'll believe them.
(Newsweek, Jun 9, 1997)

Note that English with the vowels included is far less flexible than Hebrew when it comes to making letters into words. Nevertheless, without further ado, we present our answer to Mr Drosnin's challenge.

[Phaedra]

You know what Phaedra, I recently realized how disliked atheists are, in my own community. I mentioned to someone that I was visiting an atheist forum and people look at me like I said, "I'm licking every hand rail that I walk by." It's shocking how much I've learned, and once in a while I can put myself in an atheists' shoes and to see that pity that some people have on their faces, it must be upsetting for someone to look at another person like that.... I've been working on my expressions and trying to turn the tables so I can be humbled. I hate when people are condescending to me, treating me like a child, speaking to me like I can't hear. I don't want to upset my atheist friends by giving them this pitiful look or a condescending speech, like they're less than human...that's why I stay connected, even if I'm not wanted. I stay because it's changing things in a positive way for me, sometimes in a negative way too. Thanks for answering the questions, they're pretty elementary, but I don't claim to know-it-all, so it's fine that I've made a fool of myself in more places than one.

Thank you for trying to better your reactions to atheists. It is appreciated. But please, don't pity us. If it turns out that you're right and I end up in Hell, I'll be happy that I'm not floating on a cloud with Rush Limbaugh

[kılıç_mehmet]

The more I read the posts on this website, the more I wonder about the real reason for the hatred a lot of Athiests have for Jesus, the Bible, God and religion.

These are my questions:

1. Are athiests just wounded people, upset that God hasn't shown himself to them in a way they deem acceptable? Meaning, if he suddenly appeared you would believe?

2. Do athiests hate God or do they hate organized religion in general?

3. Why does it seem like athiests hate Jesus more than anyone, what do you think of Jesus?

4. Do any of you know athiests that have converted to another religion, did you feel swayed by their conversion?

5. Are you an athiest based on your research of many of the top religions, or does your athiesm come from a personal experience where you feel that God didn't show up like he should have?

6. Since athiests don't believe in God and dislike when people force God on them, why do they force their negative and hateful opinions on Christians (and other religions) through mockery and verbal assault?

Thank you, in advance, for your responses! It would be great if you could respond to all the questions. I'm speaking to real athiests who respect my desire to understand the feelings behind athiesm. I do not intend to be disrespectful, if I am, please let me know what should be rephrased. Thanks again.

Salty

1.Well, they probably would consult a shrink first.

2.Well, it's really hard to hate something that you deem to be non-existent. But some anti-theist, who I generally deem to be atheists of younger ages, are very agressive towards religion in general. And if they are grown-ups, they are probably members of the Rational response squad.

3.I don't know, it's simply a mystery to me why a person would discuss something that he/she doesn't believe in. If a musulman and a christian would have a discussion about Jesus, it'd make sense, both do believe in this man, yet quite differently.

4.I don't know any on my own.

5.Well, most of the younger atheists do go to various sites which focus on violence and inconsistencies in the bible, and pick up certain verses. They do not bother to read the whole thing, however.

6.I'm sure the only place they can do that is on the internet.

[ElDinero]

Ok, here we go again. The reason it is an issue worth discussing is because religious belief dominates many of our societies and forces its beliefs down OUR throats in every single area (health, education, defence, law, politics), restricts societal development, is responsible for bigotry, tribalism, more than a few deaths and any number of barbaric and outdated beliefs. Are you saying that because we don't believe God exists, that we shouldn't weigh in with our thoughts when people that do believe use that belief to do things that are reprehensible? Do you really think our lack of belief means we have nothing to say on the matter? A bit like saying if I supported the Democratic party, it's pointless me discussing Republican policies. What an idiotic thing to say.

If you think it's so stupid, what are you doing here?