What do you *REALLY* think of Atheists?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We agree on a lot of things here:

- We all believe Santa Claus is likely doesn't exist
- We all believe most gods likely don't exist
- Some believe all gods likely don't exist

Not exactly. Many of us believe there are many paths to God.

[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.

An atheist who tries to engage colleagues in religious conversations? I think I know you. Your coworkers also don't invite you to lunch, but it's not because you're an atheist.

dp- people don’t care for atheists, but it’s not because they are atheists.

It’s their personality.

People don’t avoid engaging other people because of their religious beliefs or because they are atheists or vegans or crossfitters or whatever…it’s that the person behind the belief is insufferable or hard to relate to on a level that’s needed to have actual connection.

It’s humorous to me that atheists stomp about this thread claiming they are silenced and the man (Christian) is keeping them down because they are atheists. Haha, no- you don’t have personal-people skills and are extremely off-putting. People as a whole don’t engage with you because your personality is insufferable.

I don’t worry about atheists or atheism because who with any choice would choose to hang out with people who don’t have degrees but claim to know more than scholars and academics, to talk about gish galloping and strawmen and Santa and God are twin flames and
the stuff repeated here 24/7/365? NOBODY.

Let the atheists “have” the dcum religion forum and enjoy it. It’s their life, so they better enjoy it.

I know insufferable religious people who are insular, sometimes a few friends or family members tolerate them- atheists can be the flip side of that coin.

Except the atheists misconstrue their social situation as “I am an atheist. I know the truth and these sheeple won’t listen! These ignorant idiots idiotically believe a Sky daddy gave them a book and if they are good they get to go to heaven, what a steaming load.”

I am shocked atheists can’t see 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.

An atheist who tries to engage colleagues in religious conversations? I think I know you. Your coworkers also don't invite you to lunch, but it's not because you're an atheist.

OP here. Please reread my original post. I did not seek a “religious conversation”. I asked believers what they think of Atheists. The conversation has gone in several other directions but don’t misunderstand the origin.

[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.

An atheist who tries to engage colleagues in religious conversations? I think I know you. Your coworkers also don't invite you to lunch, but it's not because you're an atheist.

OP here. Please reread my original post. I did not seek a “religious conversation”. I asked believers what they think of Atheists. The conversation has gone in several other directions but don’t misunderstand the origin.

some religious pps frequently misunderstand because they are on the defensive for religion.

[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.

An atheist who tries to engage colleagues in religious conversations? I think I know you. Your coworkers also don't invite you to lunch, but it's not because you're an atheist.

dp- people don’t care for atheists, but it’s not because they are atheists.

It’s their personality.

People don’t avoid engaging other people because of their religious beliefs or because they are atheists or vegans or crossfitters or whatever…it’s that the person behind the belief is insufferable or hard to relate to on a level that’s needed to have actual connection.

It’s humorous to me that atheists stomp about this thread claiming they are silenced and the man (Christian) is keeping them down because they are atheists. Haha, no- you don’t have personal-people skills and are extremely off-putting. People as a whole don’t engage with you because your personality is insufferable.

I don’t worry about atheists or atheism because who with any choice would choose to hang out with people who don’t have degrees but claim to know more than scholars and academics, to talk about gish galloping and strawmen and Santa and God are twin flames and
the stuff repeated here 24/7/365? NOBODY.

Let the atheists “have” the dcum religion forum and enjoy it. It’s their life, so they better enjoy it.

I know insufferable religious people who are insular, sometimes a few friends or family members tolerate them- atheists can be the flip side of that coin.

Except the atheists misconstrue their social situation as “I am an atheist. I know the truth and these sheeple won’t listen! These ignorant idiots idiotically believe a Sky daddy gave them a book and if they are good they get to go to heaven, what a steaming load.”

I am shocked atheists can’t see this.

To all religious people reading here -- if the above is considered unacceptable to you, please say so. I'm convinced, having been religious once myself, that such talk is simply rude - irrespective of the subject. Yet I don't recall ever seeing a religious person complain about such talk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We agree on a lot of things here:

- We all believe Santa Claus is likely doesn't exist
- We all believe most gods likely don't exist
- Some believe all gods likely don't exist

Not exactly. Many of us believe there are many paths to God.

"Many paths" is a different issue, not addressed above, that assumes there is one god.

It could be expressed as:
"Some believe there are many paths to one god while some believe there is no path to any gods because there are no gods."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We agree on a lot of things here:

- We all believe Santa Claus is likely doesn't exist
- We all believe most gods likely don't exist
- Some believe all gods likely don't exist

Not exactly. Many of us believe there are many paths to God.

I ask quite sincerely: can you explain this to me? Many paths to which God? Can you describe some examples of these paths?

[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.

An atheist who tries to engage colleagues in religious conversations? I think I know you. Your coworkers also don't invite you to lunch, but it's not because you're an atheist.

OP here. Please reread my original post. I did not seek a “religious conversation”. I asked believers what they think of Atheists. The conversation has gone in several other directions but don’t misunderstand the origin.

some religious pps frequently misunderstand because they are on the defensive for religion.

The problem is that OP's question has been answered multiple times, but for some strange reason, OP, is determined to keep this thread going.

Are you trying for a record in number of posts, OP?

[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.

An atheist who tries to engage colleagues in religious conversations? I think I know you. Your coworkers also don't invite you to lunch, but it's not because you're an atheist.

dp- people don’t care for atheists, but it’s not because they are atheists.

It’s their personality.

People don’t avoid engaging other people because of their religious beliefs or because they are atheists or vegans or crossfitters or whatever…it’s that the person behind the belief is insufferable or hard to relate to on a level that’s needed to have actual connection.

It’s humorous to me that atheists stomp about this thread claiming they are silenced and the man (Christian) is keeping them down because they are atheists. Haha, no- you don’t have personal-people skills and are extremely off-putting. People as a whole don’t engage with you because your personality is insufferable.

I don’t worry about atheists or atheism because who with any choice would choose to hang out with people who don’t have degrees but claim to know more than scholars and academics, to talk about gish galloping and strawmen and Santa and God are twin flames and
the stuff repeated here 24/7/365? NOBODY.

Let the atheists “have” the dcum religion forum and enjoy it. It’s their life, so they better enjoy it.

I know insufferable religious people who are insular, sometimes a few friends or family members tolerate them- atheists can be the flip side of that coin.

Except the atheists misconstrue their social situation as “I am an atheist. I know the truth and these sheeple won’t listen! These ignorant idiots idiotically believe a Sky daddy gave them a book and if they are good they get to go to heaven, what a steaming load.”

I am shocked atheists can’t see this.

To all religious people reading here -- if the above is considered unacceptable to you, please say so. I'm convinced, having been religious once myself, that such talk is simply rude - irrespective of the subject. Yet I don't recall ever seeing a religious person complain about such talk.

Yet no questions about the atheist poster who calls religious people pedos and all kind of awful things.

On the whole, vegans, cross fitters, tesla owners, are evangelical for their choices of food, exercise, and cars. They are annoying to everyone they talk with generally speaking. There are exceptions.

I don’t believe atheists are generally annoying at all. I believe anti-theists, who ACTIVELY OPPOSE ALL RELIGION are ultra annoying and as bad as fundamentalist evangelicals who actively try to convert people to their faith without fail. Fundamentalist evangelicals and anti- theists both believe they have a duty right and responsibility to get their message out in society and make people see they are wrong. Anti-theism believes religion is not a choice, but the greatest evil in our world.

The anti-theists here hiding behind atheism are disingenuous and they know it.

If you have to hide your true intention, you are wrong. The majority of people posting as atheists here are staunchly anti-theist.

It’s a charade of the highest order.

Atheists- living their lives without religious belief, religion or God/gods

Anti-theists- are not atheists. anti-theism is a different thing and they are hiding their true intentions, we can’t be authentic.

[Anonymous]

Yet no questions about the atheist poster who calls religious people pedos and all kind of awful things.

Because the only defense against obvious trolls is to ignore them. It is the only thing they hate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We agree on a lot of things here:

- We all believe Santa Claus is likely doesn't exist
- We all believe most gods likely don't exist
- Some believe all gods likely don't exist

Not exactly. Many of us believe there are many paths to God.

I ask quite sincerely: can you explain this to me? Many paths to which God? Can you describe some examples of these paths?

Pp here. There are plenty of sincere atheists, and OP may be one of them.

But on DCUM’s Religion forum, unless you identify yourself as OP (which you didn’t do), the odds are very high you’re one of the twin atheist trolls looking to derail and bait.

So, thanks. As pp said, the atheist trolls have made this forum useless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We agree on a lot of things here:

- We all believe Santa Claus is likely doesn't exist
- We all believe most gods likely don't exist
- Some believe all gods likely don't exist

Not exactly. Many of us believe there are many paths to God.

I ask quite sincerely: can you explain this to me? Many paths to which God? Can you describe some examples of these paths?

Pp here. There are plenty of sincere atheists, and OP may be one of them.

But on DCUM’s Religion forum, unless you identify yourself as OP (which you didn’t do), the odds are very high you’re one of the twin atheist trolls looking to derail and bait.

So, thanks. As pp said, the atheist trolls have made this forum useless.

So you won't explain the statement you made? And you think that is the behavior of an honest interlocutor?

I politely and sincerely ask you to reconsider and explain that statement, because I cannot reconcile it with religious beliefs as I have been taught to understand them.

[Anonymous]

With all the biblical stories for which they find evidence,wonder how they cannot deny the existence of God.

[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.

OP I commend you for asking questions that have the potential to increase understanding between people who superficially may seem quite different and for promoting tolerance tolerance for different belief systems .

I may be wrong but the most common responses I saw were that theists have no problems with atheists who are kind and respectful. I highly doubt any educated and reasonable theists assume that atheists worship the Devil or have nefarious intentions. I would assume the same would be true for atheists towards theists. We all need to respect each other’s shared humanity.

Regardless of religious beliefs, People with high EQ (emotional intelligence quota) are more comfortable to be around. Empathy and good humor create gentle ripples of connection and perspective.

There are many good reasons for all us to be humble. No one has a monopoly on truth. The more we know, the more we know we don’t know and can’t grasp. We all share human frailties and vulnerabilities. We all should aim to find ways to live together peacefully and constructively together in our messy broken world. We face many shared problems and need to find common ground rather than chinks in each other’s armor.

OP I hope you manage to forge healthy and rewarding Relationships with your family, friends and colleagues.

🙏 🕊️❤️‍🩹

[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.

An atheist who tries to engage colleagues in religious conversations? I think I know you. Your coworkers also don't invite you to lunch, but it's not because you're an atheist.

dp- people don’t care for atheists, but it’s not because they are atheists.

It’s their personality.

People don’t avoid engaging other people because of their religious beliefs or because they are atheists or vegans or crossfitters or whatever…it’s that the person behind the belief is insufferable or hard to relate to on a level that’s needed to have actual connection.

It’s humorous to me that atheists stomp about this thread claiming they are silenced and the man (Christian) is keeping them down because they are atheists. Haha, no- you don’t have personal-people skills and are extremely off-putting. People as a whole don’t engage with you because your personality is insufferable.

I don’t worry about atheists or atheism because who with any choice would choose to hang out with people who don’t have degrees but claim to know more than scholars and academics, to talk about gish galloping and strawmen and Santa and God are twin flames and
the stuff repeated here 24/7/365? NOBODY.

Let the atheists “have” the dcum religion forum and enjoy it. It’s their life, so they better enjoy it.

I know insufferable religious people who are insular, sometimes a few friends or family members tolerate them- atheists can be the flip side of that coin.

Except the atheists misconstrue their social situation as “I am an atheist. I know the truth and these sheeple won’t listen! These ignorant idiots idiotically believe a Sky daddy gave them a book and if they are good they get to go to heaven, what a steaming load.”

I am shocked atheists can’t see this.

To all religious people reading here -- if the above is considered unacceptable to you, please say so. I'm convinced, having been religious once myself, that such talk is simply rude - irrespective of the subject. Yet I don't recall ever seeing a religious person complain about such talk.

DP. I agree with most of this and I’m a person of faith.

Where I disagree with pp is with the implication that ALL atheists are insufferable and contribute nothing but hate trolling.

I do agree with pp that SOME atheists are off-putting, NOT because of their atheism per se, but because of their insufferable personalities, hate trolling, straw men, martyr complexes, and arguing in bad faith. OP, I don’t include you in this.

I agree that the insufferable atheists harm the reputation of thoughtful and respectful atheists. Which is one answer to OP’s question.

I agree with pp that the insufferable atheists have taken over the religion forum. There appear to be only two of them but they’re here 24/7/365. Look at any thread about any religious topic at all and pretty soon it’s been hijacked with “debate me: prove god exists” just like this thread. Pp is correct: Let’s let the insufferable atheists have this forum, it’s their entire lives so they might as well enjoy it.

I agree with pp that some evangelicals are insufferable in many of the same ways.

I’m not sure about the distinction somebody here is making between atheists and anti-theists. If only because “anti-theist” isn’t in the general lexicon (I could be wrong).