What do you *REALLY* think of Atheists?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think anything of them unless they're pushy about it or mocking people of faith, Proselytizing is obnoxious behavior no matter what the person believes or doesn't believe.

My BIL was like this for a while; he'd bait DH and other family members into theological arguments, and DH unfortunately felt the need to respond rather than ignore it or change the subject. He's gotten much better about not bringing up religion or lack thereof at family gatherings.

Exactly. More evidence of searching. They simply cannot leave it alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Believers that just claim they are without any thought or research? They're a joke.

Believers that have done research and spent time investigating a higher power. Much more respect.

Believers who are just going a long with what the right tells them to. No respect.

Believers who are Believers because they parents were and have never looked into anything else? Disappointing.

OP here. Lots of comments about this one already so I'll go a different direction.

Richard Dawkins asserts that children are not Methodist or <insert whatever parents are>. A child is "a child of Methodist parents" because that child is someone who should get to make their own choice. They should have time to explore, consider options, see what resonates with what they think or feels right to believe and children simply haven't yet had time to do this. When they're ready, they can declare what they are and choose to believe and we would all do well to give them that space. They might choose the same as their parents; they might choose something else.

I like this idea. It feels very respectful.

Yes, exactly. But sadly most parents take the attitude that their children will believe as they do on matters of faith and all other kinds of views as well. It is unfortunately the rare parent who truly allows for, and embraces, independent thinking in their offspring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think anything of them unless they're pushy about it or mocking people of faith, Proselytizing is obnoxious behavior no matter what the person believes or doesn't believe.

My BIL was like this for a while; he'd bait DH and other family members into theological arguments, and DH unfortunately felt the need to respond rather than ignore it or change the subject. He's gotten much better about not bringing up religion or lack thereof at family gatherings.

Is discussing religion "proselytizing"? Asking for evidence?

[Anonymous]

I like atheists. I like religious people too. Just don't talk to me about your belief system, or lack of belief. It bores me. I'd rather hear about the weather, politics, your commute, the local sports team, even your colonoscopy. Literally anything but religion/belief/lack of belief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Believers that just claim they are without any thought or research? They're a joke.

Believers that have done research and spent time investigating a higher power. Much more respect.

Believers who are just going a long with what the right tells them to. No respect.

Believers who are Believers because they parents were and have never looked into anything else? Disappointing.

OP here. Lots of comments about this one already so I'll go a different direction.

Richard Dawkins asserts that children are not Methodist or <insert whatever parents are>. A child is "a child of Methodist parents" because that child is someone who should get to make their own choice. They should have time to explore, consider options, see what resonates with what they think or feels right to believe and children simply haven't yet had time to do this. When they're ready, they can declare what they are and choose to believe and we would all do well to give them that space. They might choose the same as their parents; they might choose something else.

I like this idea. It feels very respectful.

Yes, exactly. But sadly most parents take the attitude that their children will believe as they do on matters of faith and all other kinds of views as well. It is unfortunately the rare parent who truly allows for, and embraces, independent thinking in their offspring.

I wasn't raised in any religion but was loosely exposed via friends of various faiths. We've done similar with our kids. We also read books on world religions when they were younger. As they've gotten older and busier with sports, etc. we haven't really discussed other religions/cultures at all. They do have diverse set of friends though from all over the world and have been to a few different services. They don't seem interested at the moment but we would support them exploring what works best for them.

[Anonymous]

I'm an atheist, but I never use that word. I just say I'm not religious. I feel like the word atheist almost sounds like it's own belief system, and my whole point is that I don't engage with any of that on any level, so I'm just not religious. Not any kind of ist. So when someone tells me they are an atheist, I'm relieved that I'm at least dealing with someone who isn't evangelical or "conservative" or whatever, but I'm also a little put off by the label they are proudly embracing.

[Anonymous]

Maybe they aren’t embracing it, maybe they are just being descriptive, and you were not, because you have your own interpretation of the word, which is not theirs

[Anonymous]

This thread isn't talking about the merits of religion and God this is mostly non-believers trying to change the mind of believers or just calling them dumb for believing in any higher power. This is just sick and evil.

God is not on this thread the devil is though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread isn't talking about the merits of religion and God this is mostly non-believers trying to change the mind of believers or just calling them dumb for believing in any higher power. This is just sick and evil.

God is not on this thread the devil is though.

Evidence of that?

[Anonymous]

I don't believe in atheists. Atheists spend too much time thinking about and discussing the existence or non-existence of God or a Higher Power to be taken seriously as true non-believers.

If you want to convince others that you are truly an atheist, then prove it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't believe in atheists. Atheists spend too much time thinking about and discussing the existence or non-existence of God or a Higher Power to be taken seriously as true non-believers.

If you want to convince others that you are truly an atheist, then prove it.

And, yes, I do have a foolproof test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think anything of them unless they're pushy about it or mocking people of faith, Proselytizing is obnoxious behavior no matter what the person believes or doesn't believe.

My BIL was like this for a while; he'd bait DH and other family members into theological arguments, and DH unfortunately felt the need to respond rather than ignore it or change the subject. He's gotten much better about not bringing up religion or lack thereof at family gatherings.

Exactly. More evidence of searching. They simply cannot leave it alone.

Did you ever think that maybe it is the opposite - that his search is done and he'd like YOU to do some?

Because I bet that's what it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't believe in atheists. Atheists spend too much time thinking about and discussing the existence or non-existence of God or a Higher Power to be taken seriously as true non-believers.

If you want to convince others that you are truly an atheist, then prove it.

And, yes, I do have a foolproof test.

Which is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like atheists. I like religious people too. Just don't talk to me about your belief system, or lack of belief. It bores me. I'd rather hear about the weather, politics, your commute, the local sports team, even your colonoscopy. Literally anything but religion/belief/lack of belief.

And yet here you are, posting in a religion forum. That seems really odd.

[Anonymous]

There is this thing called Recent Topics.