What do you *REALLY* think of Atheists?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a few atheist friends that I love dearly. They're intelligent, have respectful debates and, with much in common, we have a mutual respect of each other's beliefs. Another friend/neighbor is very obnoxious about her beliefs and her personality, which also keeps her from succumbing to iphone peer pressure , will only change through divine intervention. I pray for them all when sick or going through trouble, I pray the Spirit comes to them, but regardless, I will continue to love them.

You "debate" religion with friends in real life?

[Anonymous]

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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.

PP here. This is a thread about how believers view atheists.

Forgive me for thinking you’re the dishonest interlocutor trying to derail. We’ve seen you guys try this on almost every thread in this forum, to the point where nobody is dumb enough to fall for this.

If you’re truly sincere and want to talk about belief and non-belief, start your own thread.

You made the point in this thread.

So, so, so very dishonest. I didn't start the question, an atheist did. I gave a really quick answer. I have zero interest in continuing the discussion on this thread with a troll like you.

And, yet, here you are.

[Anonymous]

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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).

Why do you think they are here 24/7/365? Are you monitoring this forum 24/7/365?

Anybody can see the time stamps even if they only check in for an hour a day. Yes, atheists are on here 24/7/365.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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).

Why do you think they are here 24/7/365? Are you monitoring this forum 24/7/365?

Anybody can see the time stamps even if they only check in for an hour a day. Yes, atheists are on here 24/7/365.

Some people may post early or late in the day. That doesn't mean they are on 24/7.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

PP here. This is a thread about how believers view atheists.

Forgive me for thinking you’re the dishonest interlocutor trying to derail. We’ve seen you guys try this on almost every thread in this forum, to the point where nobody is dumb enough to fall for this.

If you’re truly sincere and want to talk about belief and non-belief, start your own thread.

You made the point in this thread.

So, so, so very dishonest. I didn't start the question, an atheist did. I gave a really quick answer. I have zero interest in continuing the discussion on this thread with a troll like you.

It's dishonest to mention that I was responding to a post you made in this thread, and you told me to get that response in another thread?

I think you have it backwards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

The Bible discusses the Judeo-Christian God. Are you implying that other religions can/should be denied?

Can we not use "Judeo-Christian" please? It's not a thing.

Isn't it?

What do you call the god who is in the old and the new testament?

"Judeo-Christian" assumes a lot more shared theology than there really is between Judaism and Christianity. Christians deciding to base their religion on the Tanakh doesn't mean that Jewish and Christian interpretations of those texts align or could really be coherently joined together into a "Judeo-Christian" worldview.

[Anonymous]

The atheists won, guys. Between the hate trolling and the dishonesty, it's impossible to have a conversation. The thread has run its course, anyway, if everybody who intended to answer OP's question has already done so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The atheists won, guys. Between the hate trolling and the dishonesty, it's impossible to have a conversation. The thread has run its course, anyway, if everybody who intended to answer OP's question has already done so.

Can't handle a rational discussion so you throw a tantrum. Got it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

The Bible discusses the Judeo-Christian God. Are you implying that other religions can/should be denied?

Can we not use "Judeo-Christian" please? It's not a thing.

Isn't it?

What do you call the god who is in the old and the new testament?

"Judeo-Christian" assumes a lot more shared theology than there really is between Judaism and Christianity. Christians deciding to base their religion on the Tanakh doesn't mean that Jewish and Christian interpretations of those texts align or could really be coherently joined together into a "Judeo-Christian" worldview.

So what should we call the common god between the two different worldviews?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

The Bible discusses the Judeo-Christian God. Are you implying that other religions can/should be denied?

Can we not use "Judeo-Christian" please? It's not a thing.

The Christian Bible includes the Old Testament - all Jewish- and the New Testament, when Jesus, the prophesied son of the Jewish God arrives. Thus, the Jews and the Christians worship the same God. Christians also worship his son, Jesus. Jews do not acknowledge Jesus as the son of God.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

The Bible discusses the Judeo-Christian God. Are you implying that other religions can/should be denied?

Can we not use "Judeo-Christian" please? It's not a thing.

Isn't it?

What do you call the god who is in the old and the new testament?

"Judeo-Christian" assumes a lot more shared theology than there really is between Judaism and Christianity. Christians deciding to base their religion on the Tanakh doesn't mean that Jewish and Christian interpretations of those texts align or could really be coherently joined together into a "Judeo-Christian" worldview.

So what should we call the common god between the two different worldviews?

I don't know. The Christian God and the Jewish God? Even the interpretation of the same God is pretty different between the two religions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

The Bible discusses the Judeo-Christian God. Are you implying that other religions can/should be denied?

Can we not use "Judeo-Christian" please? It's not a thing.

The Christian Bible includes the Old Testament - all Jewish- and the New Testament, when Jesus, the prophesied son of the Jewish God arrives. Thus, the Jews and the Christians worship the same God. Christians also worship his son, Jesus. Jews do not acknowledge Jesus as the son of God.

First, the Old Testament is not the same as the Tanakh. There are books in the OT that are not part of Jewish scripture, and there are texts that inform Jewish theology that are not part of Christianity.

Second, Jesus is not "the prophesied son of the Jewish God" because Jews are waiting for a prophesied Messiah (or a Messianic age, depending on the Jew you ask), not a son of God.

But, sure, we worship the same God in whatever loose way that interpreting-God's-texts-and-covenants-and-laws-in-wildly-and-substantially-different-ways means.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The atheists won, guys. Between the hate trolling and the dishonesty, it's impossible to have a conversation. The thread has run its course, anyway, if everybody who intended to answer OP's question has already done so.

Can't handle a rational discussion so you throw a tantrum. Got it.

By my count 3 people of faith have thrown up their hands at this thread and said you're a dishonest troll and they're leaving the thread to you. You should be proud.

[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.

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.

🙏 🕊️❤️‍🩹

OP

I would not worry about the petty sniping … the main response of genuine posters seemed to be that most religious people do not have any problem with family members/ friends/ colleagues being atheist. Most People (except for fundamentalists) mainly care whether others are kind, pleasant, honest, fun and dependable.

Some care too much about money and fame rather than religious beliefs but that is for a different thread.

[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.

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.

🙏 🕊️❤️‍🩹

OP

I would not worry about the petty sniping … the main response of genuine posters seemed to be that most religious people do not have any problem with family members/ friends/ colleagues being atheist. Most People (except for fundamentalists) mainly care whether others are kind, pleasant, honest, fun and dependable.

Some care too much about money and fame rather than religious beliefs but that is for a different thread.

+1