What do you *REALLY* think of Atheists?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a number of relatives on my side and in-laws on my husband's side, plus colleagues and friends who are religious (Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, mostly). Sometimes we talk about religion and I'm comfortable saying that I am Atheist, sometimes I'm not comfortable so I talk about them but don't share my view (I never share with work colleagues).

If you consider yourself religious, what do you think of Atheists? My father-in-law won't say it but I'm pretty sure he thinks I worship the Devil and I know he thinks I'm going to hell. There is more to this story but it sometimes gets me thinking that those who practice their faith openly may have some strong opinions they're not saying.

Hoping for some honest replies but if you feel inclined to tell me how wrong my choice is I promise you I've already heard it so I probably won't read more than the first few words of what you post. I respect others' choices and just want the same.

Honestly, some of the nicest people I know profess to be atheists. But I feel sorry for them, because the more that I get to know them, the more I see the God-sized hole in their lives.

That's some seriously patronizing stuff right there. Would you like it if they said they see the giant god delusion taking up too much space in your life? No, you would not.

But it doesn't bother me because I am pretty sure it is untrue. Why don't you describe how this "god-sized hole" manifests?

Sorry this makes you so defensive. That's a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Atheists are always seeking, even if they don't admit it to themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a number of relatives on my side and in-laws on my husband's side, plus colleagues and friends who are religious (Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, mostly). Sometimes we talk about religion and I'm comfortable saying that I am Atheist, sometimes I'm not comfortable so I talk about them but don't share my view (I never share with work colleagues).

If you consider yourself religious, what do you think of Atheists? My father-in-law won't say it but I'm pretty sure he thinks I worship the Devil and I know he thinks I'm going to hell. There is more to this story but it sometimes gets me thinking that those who practice their faith openly may have some strong opinions they're not saying.

Hoping for some honest replies but if you feel inclined to tell me how wrong my choice is I promise you I've already heard it so I probably won't read more than the first few words of what you post. I respect others' choices and just want the same.

Honestly, some of the nicest people I know profess to be atheists. But I feel sorry for them, because the more that I get to know them, the more I see the God-sized hole in their lives.

That's some seriously patronizing stuff right there. Would you like it if they said they see the giant god delusion taking up too much space in your life? No, you would not.

But it doesn't bother me because I am pretty sure it is untrue. Why don't you describe how this "god-sized hole" manifests?

Sorry this makes you so defensive. That's a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Atheists are always seeking, even if they don't admit it to themselves.

Your post makes no sense. My post is seeking nothing and mentions nothing about it. It is a strawman you made up. That's kinda shameful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a number of relatives on my side and in-laws on my husband's side, plus colleagues and friends who are religious (Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, mostly). Sometimes we talk about religion and I'm comfortable saying that I am Atheist, sometimes I'm not comfortable so I talk about them but don't share my view (I never share with work colleagues).

If you consider yourself religious, what do you think of Atheists? My father-in-law won't say it but I'm pretty sure he thinks I worship the Devil and I know he thinks I'm going to hell. There is more to this story but it sometimes gets me thinking that those who practice their faith openly may have some strong opinions they're not saying.

Hoping for some honest replies but if you feel inclined to tell me how wrong my choice is I promise you I've already heard it so I probably won't read more than the first few words of what you post. I respect others' choices and just want the same.

Honestly, some of the nicest people I know profess to be atheists. But I feel sorry for them, because the more that I get to know them, the more I see the God-sized hole in their lives.

That's some seriously patronizing stuff right there. Would you like it if they said they see the giant god delusion taking up too much space in your life? No, you would not.

But it doesn't bother me because I am pretty sure it is untrue. Why don't you describe how this "god-sized hole" manifests?

Sorry this makes you so defensive. That's a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Atheists are always seeking, even if they don't admit it to themselves.

Your post makes no sense. My post is seeking nothing and mentions nothing about it. It is a strawman you made up. That's kinda shameful.

What are you even talking about? Not sure if you're OP or just a troll who jumped into the conversation, but you are not making a lot of sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a number of relatives on my side and in-laws on my husband's side, plus colleagues and friends who are religious (Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, mostly). Sometimes we talk about religion and I'm comfortable saying that I am Atheist, sometimes I'm not comfortable so I talk about them but don't share my view (I never share with work colleagues).

If you consider yourself religious, what do you think of Atheists? My father-in-law won't say it but I'm pretty sure he thinks I worship the Devil and I know he thinks I'm going to hell. There is more to this story but it sometimes gets me thinking that those who practice their faith openly may have some strong opinions they're not saying.

Hoping for some honest replies but if you feel inclined to tell me how wrong my choice is I promise you I've already heard it so I probably won't read more than the first few words of what you post. I respect others' choices and just want the same.

Honestly, some of the nicest people I know profess to be atheists. But I feel sorry for them, because the more that I get to know them, the more I see the God-sized hole in their lives.

That's some seriously patronizing stuff right there. Would you like it if they said they see the giant god delusion taking up too much space in your life? No, you would not.

But it doesn't bother me because I am pretty sure it is untrue. Why don't you describe how this "god-sized hole" manifests?

Sorry this makes you so defensive. That's a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Atheists are always seeking, even if they don't admit it to themselves.

Your post makes no sense. My post is seeking nothing and mentions nothing about it. It is a strawman you made up. That's kinda shameful.

What are you even talking about? Not sure if you're OP or just a troll who jumped into the conversation, but you are not making a lot of sense.

More non-sequitur as you attempt to gish-gallop past the point. To be clear, you said:

Sorry this makes you so defensive. That's a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Atheists are always seeking, even if they don't admit it to themselves.

This makes no sense. My post gives no indication of "seeking" anything. Please point out where it does or admit your post is a strawman you invented.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a number of relatives on my side and in-laws on my husband's side, plus colleagues and friends who are religious (Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, mostly). Sometimes we talk about religion and I'm comfortable saying that I am Atheist, sometimes I'm not comfortable so I talk about them but don't share my view (I never share with work colleagues).

If you consider yourself religious, what do you think of Atheists? My father-in-law won't say it but I'm pretty sure he thinks I worship the Devil and I know he thinks I'm going to hell. There is more to this story but it sometimes gets me thinking that those who practice their faith openly may have some strong opinions they're not saying.

Hoping for some honest replies but if you feel inclined to tell me how wrong my choice is I promise you I've already heard it so I probably won't read more than the first few words of what you post. I respect others' choices and just want the same.

Honestly, some of the nicest people I know profess to be atheists. But I feel sorry for them, because the more that I get to know them, the more I see the God-sized hole in their lives.

That's some seriously patronizing stuff right there. Would you like it if they said they see the giant god delusion taking up too much space in your life? No, you would not.

But it doesn't bother me because I am pretty sure it is untrue. Why don't you describe how this "god-sized hole" manifests?

+1, but I don't think pp sees it that way. Such talk about atheists has been seen as acceptable -- even positive -- by the nicest believers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a number of relatives on my side and in-laws on my husband's side, plus colleagues and friends who are religious (Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, mostly). Sometimes we talk about religion and I'm comfortable saying that I am Atheist, sometimes I'm not comfortable so I talk about them but don't share my view (I never share with work colleagues).

If you consider yourself religious, what do you think of Atheists? My father-in-law won't say it but I'm pretty sure he thinks I worship the Devil and I know he thinks I'm going to hell. There is more to this story but it sometimes gets me thinking that those who practice their faith openly may have some strong opinions they're not saying.

Hoping for some honest replies but if you feel inclined to tell me how wrong my choice is I promise you I've already heard it so I probably won't read more than the first few words of what you post. I respect others' choices and just want the same.

I honestly don’t care as long as they are kind people.

I don’t know evangelical atheists in real life but the ones in this forum can be very off putting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a number of relatives on my side and in-laws on my husband's side, plus colleagues and friends who are religious (Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, mostly). Sometimes we talk about religion and I'm comfortable saying that I am Atheist, sometimes I'm not comfortable so I talk about them but don't share my view (I never share with work colleagues).

If you consider yourself religious, what do you think of Atheists? My father-in-law won't say it but I'm pretty sure he thinks I worship the Devil and I know he thinks I'm going to hell. There is more to this story but it sometimes gets me thinking that those who practice their faith openly may have some strong opinions they're not saying.

Hoping for some honest replies but if you feel inclined to tell me how wrong my choice is I promise you I've already heard it so I probably won't read more than the first few words of what you post. I respect others' choices and just want the same.

Honestly, some of the nicest people I know profess to be atheists. But I feel sorry for them, because the more that I get to know them, the more I see the God-sized hole in their lives.

That's some seriously patronizing stuff right there. Would you like it if they said they see the giant god delusion taking up too much space in your life? No, you would not.

But it doesn't bother me because I am pretty sure it is untrue. Why don't you describe how this "god-sized hole" manifests?

Why do you care what PP does with his god hole?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you asking about how people feel about atheists or anti-theists?

An atheist is a person who doesn’t believe in God.

Antitheism, also spelled anti-theism, is the philosophical position that theism should be opposed.

Antitheism has been adopted as a label by those who regard theism as dangerous, destructive, or encouraging of harmful behavior. Christopher Hitchens wrote:

"I'm not even an atheist so much as I am an antitheist; I not only maintain that all religions are versions of the same untruth, but I hold that the influence of churches, and the effect of religious belief, is positively harmful."

If you are an American, anti-theist philosophy is un-American. America was founded on freedom of speech and religion. The separation of church and state goes both ways; state is supposed to stay out of religion as well.

Anti-theists believe God is evil. What I can’t understand is how atheists don’t believe God exists, yet also believe God is evil?

Which means they aren’t really atheists; they are anti-theists.

Anti-theists pretend to be atheists and hide their hostility and opposition to religion. It’s comparable to the way Satanists hide behind Satan but really are anti-theist.

Why hide? Just say who you are? You are opposed to religion and believe God is evil and religion is harmful. But don’t say you are atheist, because if you believe God is evil, you aren’t an atheist.

Liar. No one has said this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a number of relatives on my side and in-laws on my husband's side, plus colleagues and friends who are religious (Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, mostly). Sometimes we talk about religion and I'm comfortable saying that I am Atheist, sometimes I'm not comfortable so I talk about them but don't share my view (I never share with work colleagues).

If you consider yourself religious, what do you think of Atheists? My father-in-law won't say it but I'm pretty sure he thinks I worship the Devil and I know he thinks I'm going to hell. There is more to this story but it sometimes gets me thinking that those who practice their faith openly may have some strong opinions they're not saying.

Hoping for some honest replies but if you feel inclined to tell me how wrong my choice is I promise you I've already heard it so I probably won't read more than the first few words of what you post. I respect others' choices and just want the same.

I honestly don’t care as long as they are kind people.

I don’t know evangelical atheists in real life but the ones in this forum can be very off putting.

What do you think about religious evangelicals?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a number of relatives on my side and in-laws on my husband's side, plus colleagues and friends who are religious (Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, mostly). Sometimes we talk about religion and I'm comfortable saying that I am Atheist, sometimes I'm not comfortable so I talk about them but don't share my view (I never share with work colleagues).

If you consider yourself religious, what do you think of Atheists? My father-in-law won't say it but I'm pretty sure he thinks I worship the Devil and I know he thinks I'm going to hell. There is more to this story but it sometimes gets me thinking that those who practice their faith openly may have some strong opinions they're not saying.

Hoping for some honest replies but if you feel inclined to tell me how wrong my choice is I promise you I've already heard it so I probably won't read more than the first few words of what you post. I respect others' choices and just want the same.

Why are you keeping your atheism secret?

You don’t know what your father in law thinks and the things you think he thinks may or may not be accurate or true. It is not fair to your fil, for you to speak for him and pretend you know what he thinks. That’s a toxic way to treat your family.

Why do you think you fil thinks you are “going to hell?”

People who practice their faith are allowed to do so and if you are leaving out the more to this story, nobody here can give you an accurate answer to your question.

You seem to be very invested in your atheism. You seem to worry about what others think of your atheism.

People probably aren’t all that concerned about your atheism and your life. They have their own lives. You probably have main character syndrome, and think you and your atheism are both cast in a starring role in everyone’s life. Recalibrate your thinking, because that is not true. Most if not all people do not care.

Your fil is probably annoyed with your main character syndrome, not your lack of belief in God.

It’s easy to suss out because you declare that you won’t listen to people who tell you your beliefs are wrong. I’ve never seen a single post in this forum telling an atheist their atheism is wrong. Your main character syndrome is strong

Wow! Okay.

I'm not "keeping it a secret". I just don't share this particular thing about me in every conversation I have. I am also a runner but I don't tell everyone about that, either.

And I do know that my FIL thinks I'm going to hell because he said so to my BIL who told my DH. So.... pretty clear. No assumptions made.

I am invested in my Atheism, I feel like it's the right choice for me. I'm not "worried" about what people think of it, but I'm curious so I raised the question in a discussion forum to.....discuss. But thanks for your effort to make it personal. I'm guessing I've struck a nerve with you in some way. You could benefit from reflecting on that. Your responses (2) to my post are not an effort to add to the discussion, but to attack the question (and me). So I guess this contributes to my understanding of the reactions people have....which is why I don't always share my view. Could you imagine this conversation going well if you and I were talking to each other in person and you said these things to me? But I'm guessing that sitting behind a keyboard makes you a little more brave.

The "more to the story" is that DH and I did not have a religious wedding ceremony and he also said to my BIL that "after that ceremony it's pretty hard for us (he and MIL) to consider them married". We have never gotten an anniversary card or text to acknowledge the date. BIL and wife get invited out to dinner every year. So that's pretty clear and hardly an erroneous assumption on my part regarding what my FIL thinks. Isn't there always "more to the story" for every post? It's a post, not a biography.

It's not that I won't listen to people who believe I'm wrong, it's that I've listened to enough people who have an issue with someone who doesn't believe what they believe so they feel the need to wage some sort of attack....as you have done. Maybe calm down a little.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't really have a general opinion of atheists beyond thinking they're wrong on some basic facts about the universe. Some are good people, some aren't, some have well developed intellectual underpinnings for their beliefs, some don't. All groups are like that though.

What basic facts about the universe do you think that atheists are wrong about?

Whether God exists. Whether God became man in the person of Jesus Christ. That kind of thing.

Again, these are not facts. They are beliefs. In fact they are set out in the creed as such: "I believe in God, etc..."

You're splitting hairs in the dumbest possible way. Atheists and I have different beliefs about the answers to certain questions, like does God exist, and I think their beliefs are untrue. That's what I was saying.

Atheists don't have a belief in a god. (The most common definition, anyway).

You think it is untrue that they don't believe in a god?

Why do they spend hours debating the bad things God has done in the Bible if they don’t believe God exists?

Do you really need this explained to you? You don't, right? You're just trolling? Tell me honestly.

Explain.

Because christian theocrats threaten to use that book to enact legislation in the US over people of all faiths every single day.

Exactly. Blowback from religious extremists trying to force their religious beliefs on the rest of the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a number of relatives on my side and in-laws on my husband's side, plus colleagues and friends who are religious (Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, mostly). Sometimes we talk about religion and I'm comfortable saying that I am Atheist, sometimes I'm not comfortable so I talk about them but don't share my view (I never share with work colleagues).

If you consider yourself religious, what do you think of Atheists? My father-in-law won't say it but I'm pretty sure he thinks I worship the Devil and I know he thinks I'm going to hell. There is more to this story but it sometimes gets me thinking that those who practice their faith openly may have some strong opinions they're not saying.

Hoping for some honest replies but if you feel inclined to tell me how wrong my choice is I promise you I've already heard it so I probably won't read more than the first few words of what you post. I respect others' choices and just want the same.

Why are you keeping your atheism secret?

You don’t know what your father in law thinks and the things you think he thinks may or may not be accurate or true. It is not fair to your fil, for you to speak for him and pretend you know what he thinks. That’s a toxic way to treat your family.

Why do you think you fil thinks you are “going to hell?”

People who practice their faith are allowed to do so and if you are leaving out the more to this story, nobody here can give you an accurate answer to your question.

You seem to be very invested in your atheism. You seem to worry about what others think of your atheism.

People probably aren’t all that concerned about your atheism and your life. They have their own lives. You probably have main character syndrome, and think you and your atheism are both cast in a starring role in everyone’s life. Recalibrate your thinking, because that is not true. Most if not all people do not care.

Your fil is probably annoyed with your main character syndrome, not your lack of belief in God.

It’s easy to suss out because you declare that you won’t listen to people who tell you your beliefs are wrong. I’ve never seen a single post in this forum telling an atheist their atheism is wrong. Your main character syndrome is strong

Wow! Okay.

I'm not "keeping it a secret". I just don't share this particular thing about me in every conversation I have. I am also a runner but I don't tell everyone about that, either.

And I do know that my FIL thinks I'm going to hell because he said so to my BIL who told my DH. So.... pretty clear. No assumptions made.

I am invested in my Atheism, I feel like it's the right choice for me. I'm not "worried" about what people think of it, but I'm curious so I raised the question in a discussion forum to.....discuss. But thanks for your effort to make it personal. I'm guessing I've struck a nerve with you in some way. You could benefit from reflecting on that. Your responses (2) to my post are not an effort to add to the discussion, but to attack the question (and me). So I guess this contributes to my understanding of the reactions people have....which is why I don't always share my view. Could you imagine this conversation going well if you and I were talking to each other in person and you said these things to me? But I'm guessing that sitting behind a keyboard makes you a little more brave.

The "more to the story" is that DH and I did not have a religious wedding ceremony and he also said to my BIL that "after that ceremony it's pretty hard for us (he and MIL) to consider them married". We have never gotten an anniversary card or text to acknowledge the date. BIL and wife get invited out to dinner every year. So that's pretty clear and hardly an erroneous assumption on my part regarding what my FIL thinks. Isn't there always "more to the story" for every post? It's a post, not a biography.

It's not that I won't listen to people who believe I'm wrong, it's that I've listened to enough people who have an issue with someone who doesn't believe what they believe so they feel the need to wage some sort of attack....as you have done. Maybe calm down a little.

Hello, OP. Thanks for posting this. Your above comments on how PP has come across, in my experience, is not typical of believers on this forum or IRL.

[Anonymous]

Why do you think you fil thinks you are “going to hell?”

DP, but when I was young I had an evangelical family member tell me to my face that I'm going to hell if I don't accept Jesus. Or some crap like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a number of relatives on my side and in-laws on my husband's side, plus colleagues and friends who are religious (Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, mostly). Sometimes we talk about religion and I'm comfortable saying that I am Atheist, sometimes I'm not comfortable so I talk about them but don't share my view (I never share with work colleagues).

If you consider yourself religious, what do you think of Atheists? My father-in-law won't say it but I'm pretty sure he thinks I worship the Devil and I know he thinks I'm going to hell. There is more to this story but it sometimes gets me thinking that those who practice their faith openly may have some strong opinions they're not saying.

Hoping for some honest replies but if you feel inclined to tell me how wrong my choice is I promise you I've already heard it so I probably won't read more than the first few words of what you post. I respect others' choices and just want the same.

Honestly, some of the nicest people I know profess to be atheists. But I feel sorry for them, because the more that I get to know them, the more I see the God-sized hole in their lives.

That's some seriously patronizing stuff right there. Would you like it if they said they see the giant god delusion taking up too much space in your life? No, you would not.

But it doesn't bother me because I am pretty sure it is untrue. Why don't you describe how this "god-sized hole" manifests?

Sorry this makes you so defensive. That's a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Atheists are always seeking, even if they don't admit it to themselves.

Your post makes no sense. My post is seeking nothing and mentions nothing about it. It is a strawman you made up. That's kinda shameful.

What are you even talking about? Not sure if you're OP or just a troll who jumped into the conversation, but you are not making a lot of sense.

That was not the OP. I am. Not my comment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a number of relatives on my side and in-laws on my husband's side, plus colleagues and friends who are religious (Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, mostly). Sometimes we talk about religion and I'm comfortable saying that I am Atheist, sometimes I'm not comfortable so I talk about them but don't share my view (I never share with work colleagues).

If you consider yourself religious, what do you think of Atheists? My father-in-law won't say it but I'm pretty sure he thinks I worship the Devil and I know he thinks I'm going to hell. There is more to this story but it sometimes gets me thinking that those who practice their faith openly may have some strong opinions they're not saying.

Hoping for some honest replies but if you feel inclined to tell me how wrong my choice is I promise you I've already heard it so I probably won't read more than the first few words of what you post. I respect others' choices and just want the same.

I honestly don’t care as long as they are kind people.

I don’t know evangelical atheists in real life but the ones in this forum can be very off putting.

What do you think about religious evangelicals?

OP here. That's a fair counter question. Two answers come to mind because you didn't say "religious people" but "religious evangelicals", which I realize may be splitting hairs a little.

For those who have a faith and a sense of conviction about it I think it's great. I think this about anyone who is living the life they want, being who they are, and not harming others, or expecting them to make the same choices and being judgmental about it.

For religious evangelicals.... I struggle with the evangelical part. Sharing what you believe and responding to questions you get about it in a way that shares your faith and invites others in, if they want that....still great. Sharing what you believe in a way that judges or condemns the choices of another person because they are different from your choices, or making someone feel that their beliefs/choices/life is "less than" because of it? Or further, forcing your choices on someone else? Not cool.