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.

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?

I love them but we got into serious arguments during the pandemic over anti vax stuff and also about letting our religion be exploited by an utter scoundrel (Trump but there are others) for their own distinctly non Christian political agendas.

[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.

This idea (bold added above) has always struck me a little funny. As an Atheist I don't believe in God, therefore it's kind of impossible for me to believe that God is evil. I would have to believe in God to have an opinion about whether he is good or evil. How can I have an opinion about someone who doesn't exist? I don't have a neighbor named Bob so how can I say whether he's a good guy or a creep.

I also don't believe in the Devil, heaven, hell, all of it. I think it's a package deal.

I don't think I'm "hiding", but when I see that I'm talking to someone with strong religious beliefs, it feels that saying I'm an Atheist is "poking the bear". I can simply respect their choice without stating that my choice is so different from theirs and shining a bright light on that difference. If they ask me I will say my truth, but I'm not looking to get into a debate about which of us is right. It doesn't really matter. All that matters is that we are each free to make our choice and live the life we want.

[Anonymous]

What do I really think of atheists ?

I don't believe in them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do I really think of atheists ?

I don't believe in them.

LOL

[Anonymous]

What do I really think of atheists?

I don't believe in them because I know that they have just not suffered enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do I really think of atheists ?

I don't believe in them.

Despite the undisputable evidence that they exist?

[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.

“Atheists are always seeking, even if they don't admit it to themselves.”

What is wrong with always seeking the truth in lieu of settling for fairy tales?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do I really think of atheists ?

I don't believe in them.

Despite the undisputable evidence that they exist?

+1

I've seen them with my own eyes. No supernatural powers though which is disappointing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do I really think of atheists?

I don't believe in them because I know that they have just not suffered enough.

I am an Atheist. How have I not suffered enough?

I'm not seeing the connection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do I really think of atheists ?

I don't believe in them.

Despite the undisputable evidence that they exist?

They spend too much time thinking about God and a Higher Power to be true non-believers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do I really think of atheists?

I don't believe in them because I know that they have just not suffered enough.

I am an Atheist. How have I not suffered enough?

I'm not seeing the connection.

When you have suffered enough, you will believe because you will understand the absolute need for a Higher Power.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do I really think of atheists?

I don't believe in them because I know that they have just not suffered enough.

I am an Atheist. How have I not suffered enough?

I'm not seeing the connection.

When you have suffered enough, you will believe because you will understand the absolute need for a Higher Power.

Dp: No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do I really think of atheists?

I don't believe in them because I know that they have just not suffered enough.

I am an Atheist. How have I not suffered enough?

I'm not seeing the connection.

When you have suffered enough, you will believe because you will understand the absolute need for a Higher Power.

Because . . . you don't have healthy coping mechanisms for stress?

[Anonymous]

At least they aren’t Naga wing nuts

Perfectly fine humans with brains unlike religious right

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do I really think of atheists ?

I don't believe in them.

Despite the undisputable evidence that they exist?

They spend too much time thinking about God and a Higher Power to be true non-believers.

Wrong. Bad logic. By that logic, anyone who takes a side in a discussion can only be on the side of the alternative? That's nonsense.