Do believers actually hate the idea that we don't believe in a God?

1. 80

   jlparkposted 9 years ago

   Do believers actually hate the idea that we don't believe in a God?
   
   And can still be perfectly happy, reasonable, moral, good people? Not angry or immoral as we are often made out to be.
   Seeing as it was asked of us non-believers if we hated the idea of a God, it's time for believers to be asked..

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   Snøwmanposted 9 years ago

   I agree with you that there are good happy moral people that don't believe in God. It's a common misconception that Christians get their morals from The Bible. Morals come from just being human. The Bible only defines morals you already have.
   
   I also have a good analogy that explains most atheists quite well.
   A man planted a fern and bamboo. He watered them both and took good care of them. The fern grew quickly, but the bamboo showed no signs of growth. He took care of both plants, but he couldn't understand why the bamboo wouldn't grow. After a long time the bamboo started to grow. If fact it grew very quickly and very tall. He then realized that the bamboo was growing it's roots before it grew the bamboo.
   
   Atheists are like bamboo. They want deep roots. They won't grow with shallow roots like the fern. They want a reason to believe in God. I see that as a good thing.

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      sheilamyersposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I love your analogy and I think your conclusion is correct in regards to at least some atheists.

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      jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your answer, Snowman. The analogy is certainly an interesting one!

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   sheilamyersposted 9 years ago

   I can only speak for myself and say I don't hate that idea at all. I've known many atheists and people from other religions who don't believe the same things I do who were some of the "happiest, reasonable, moral, and good people" I've ever met and I'm very happy for them. My guess is the believers who hate the idea that can happen without a belief in God are simply jealous that other people have a better life than they do. One of these days, those same people will learn that things such as hating our "enemies" (as they view atheists), envy, jealousy, and the other things motivating their hatred of the idea are all sins the same as the "Big 10" - the ten commandments. Am I perfect enough to always avoid these things? No. But I think we believers need to clean our own house before we worry about what everyone else is doing and believing.

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      jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for yr answer Sheila. I like the thought of 'cleaning house' first.

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   RTalloniposted 9 years ago

   Believers who have taken the time to prayerfully consider what God says in His Word would not.

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      jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Let's hope most feel that way, RT.

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   connorjposted 9 years ago

   I certainly do not; however, when society excludes God from places and the general public that once embraced God then we feel that our world is caving in and we begin to become like the underground if you will and some may go on the offensive/fight back...

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      jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your answer.

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   celafoeposted 9 years ago

   a real Christian will feel bad for you that you do not have the peace and joy of God,  that will not keep him from praying for you    Once you have made your choice clear he will not bother you but will always be available for you if you change your mind of have questions.

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      Robert the Bruceposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Actually, celafoe, for some people it is different. The more I learn about the origins of the Bible and Christianity, the more I'm glad that I left it. If you were honest in historical research, you would find the same. Knowledge can bring peace.

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      celafoeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      that is your opinion, along with $2.00 may get you a cup of coffee    In over 40 YRs I have seen and been involved in so many moves by God that I cant remember all.   but I will not waste my time telling you
      HE IS REAL.== but HE IS.

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   3. 59

      Robert the Bruceposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That's fine, celafoe. You're entitled to your opinion as well. The fact that you try to add the authority of an ancient Jewish deity to your opinion doesn't make it more valid. I challenge you to study more sources than simply Christian apologetics.

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      celafoeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      as usual you open your  mouth and out comes your unfounded opinions.   How do you know why I have studied  , just because I dont believe your doctrines does not mean I have not  looked at/rejected them.   Faith is the key to see God not knowledge

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      Robert the Bruceposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I don't have "doctrines." Doctrines are the creations of men used to control others. Faith is the opposite of using your God-given reasoning. God would not have created men with reasoning minds and then have them throw it to the wind to have "faith."

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      jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Surely God would rather a person increase their knowledge of their religion, and therefore their faith? Than just going on faith alone?  Not saying any1is right or wrong, just a comment to the 'faith rather than knowledge' comment

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   lone77starposted 9 years ago

   Hate is a function of Ego -- self-concern. Ego is the enemy of all.
   
   Believers in God who hate are cutting of their own noses to spite their faces. Not very bright, but Ego is an equal-opportunity blinder.
   
   Christ described ego as the desire to be "First," but that such egoists will end up being last. Those who are "Last" (humble) shall be first.
   
   When we truly love others as ourselves, without any feeling or thought of self-concern, then we are approximating the likeness of God.
   
   No one knows what God is exactly like, so not believing in such an unknowable is easy to understand.
   
   Some non-believers have been the gentlest and kindest, most compassionate people I've ever met. They are following that force which is source of all reality without really thinking about it. And that's a good thing. Thinking about it is ego getting in the way and making greater separation (less love).
   
   So, those who beat their chests and proclaim that they believe in God are frequently insulting God, because they are not full of Love, but really full of self (ego).
   
   JLPark, thanks for asking.

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      Deborah Sextonposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      God created every part of us. It is the Id that acts on animal instincts not the Ego
      Ego is a person's sense of self-esteem, and needed to love ourselves which we are supposed to do, so we can love others LOL

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      Norine Williamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Lone Star:  If God hates iniquity, why shouldn't we?  Psalms 5:5

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   calynbanaposted 9 years ago

   I don't think it is hate in most cases. I think often it is the mistaken belief that a person can change the way another person thinks by providing what they consider proof, or evidence. When the discussions do not go where people hope frustration can create rash and angry responses but it isn't hate.
   
   People who truly believe in God want to share their beliefs because they believe in something that inspires hope, and love and salvation. Taking the time to talk to a non-believer is their way of sharing that joy in hopes of people seeing God for what He is.
   
   However people are easily swayed by ego, pride and emotion. Too often these discussions that are supposed to be loving and educational for both parties becomes a contest. The aim becomes winning, or being right instead of discussing different beliefs for the sake of understanding one another.
   
   Lately it seems that the ugly sides of atheists, and believers of many faiths are coming out on Hubpages in the questions, comments and forums. I think that has a lot to do with this being an online community, miscommunication and misunderstanding is so easy when all you have in front of you is a little box of text. So I think sometimes it may look like hate, but I think it is more complex than that. It is a combination of confusion, frustration, love, misinformation and maybe dislike in some cases.
   
   I think hate is too strong an emotion to attribute to anybody on hubpages who is taking the time to discuss what they believe. If it was hate, they wouldn't even bother. I think there is love on both sides of the belief chasm or nobody would waste their time.

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      jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your answer Calybana. I used the term hate, as this was a follow up question to one asked by another using that term. But I agreed it may be too strong a term, much as i did with the other question!

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9. 71

   SAQIB6608posted 9 years ago

   True Believer never "hate" in fact.
   Since hatred is ego, selfishness and a bad trait.
   
   They always with their actions, morality, school of thought and character personify themselves. The believers having strong charisma will always want the ideas of belief being induced in fact but would never inflict their concepts or act aggressively.
   
   My Personal Concepts

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      jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your answer Saqib.

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      celafoeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      not true.   True believers HATE EVERYTHING that God hates , sin, evil etc,  but not people that disagree with them as do the musslimes

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      jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Celafoe - I'm hoping that's a misspelling, rather than an insult. You are entitled to yr opinion but there is no need for name calling.

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    M. T. Dremerposted 9 years ago

    I think they have trouble wrapping their minds around it. To them god is a foregone conclusion, like 'the sky is blue'. If someone walked up to us and suggested the sky isn't blue, we would have a hard time understanding why they thought this way (assuming they weren't color blind).
    
    Similarly, most theists regard god in a positive light, so even if they have doubts about their own deity, they can't understand why someone would choose not to believe in something they perceive as 'good' or 'harmless'. Which I think is why many of them think atheists 'hate' god. Because, to suggest he doesn't exist is to suggest that ultimate good doesn't exist. In their eyes, we're siding with evil, simply because we're not siding with god.
    
    So, I don't think they hate the idea that we don't believe in god, but I do think they struggle to fit it into their worldview. Rather than seeing us as people who simply don't believe, they must pigeon-hole us into an anti-god category with satan and the anti-christ. Obviously this isn't true of all theists, but it is why I believe atheists are justified in fearing powerful religions. Because, if we're classified with their ultimate enemy, then we're a living, breathing target.

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       jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Interesting way to think on it MT, thanks for sharing your answer!

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       cash kumarposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Hi,
       What 's not told to god by people? even told god is small things by Arudhanti Roy,after all the believers of god are millions times than non believers of god.

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       jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Cash - a million times what than non believers?

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       Santino Saltzposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       The apostle Paul said in Romans 1:29-30 "They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, undiscerning, untrustworthy." This makes sense, because who gives them morals? There's no higher power to answer to...

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       jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       If you are only moral because God will smite you otherwise, are you really moral? Or just afraid?

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    Dano Gilletteposted 9 years ago

    It is interesting how both "believers" and "non-believers" both want to share what they believe and yet come across by the other side as "hating" the ideas of the other. It is like the story of the widow's broom that comes to life and ends up getting burned because it is different.
    
    If I find happiness through some way, how you could find happiness through any other means?
    
    I feel like that is what many people think to themselves, which is great cause it shows that we are caring for the other person. We should all just learn more understanding of others. Just like how I think bacon is the most delicious thing on the face of the planet, someone else might find it disgusting(although that person wouldn't have a soul... that's a joke). Happiness can be found through different means.

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       jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Dano - I agree - more understanding - which comes through knowledge. I realise that people share their faith, because it makes them happy, and who wouldn't want to make another happy - but it's that we non-believers ARE happy...just the way we are.

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12. 0

    Deborah Sextonposted 9 years ago

    Absolutely not. I would like for everyone to not only believe in God, but I would also like them to live for Him and obey His word, and laws.
    If everyone did, the world would be more peaceful.
    I am Jewish, and not Christian, but unlike the Christians think,  I do live for God
    I do not lose sleep over anyone who chooses not to

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       jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks for your answer Deborah. I'm glad you don't lose sleep - me neither (but vice versa). It's more that people assume hatred/dislike, because they don't understand how one can be happy with or without God...but it's possible both ways

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       Deborah Sextonposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       jlpark thank you
       I didn't mean anything by saying I don't lose sleep over it.
       I just feel that everyone should be allowed to live their own lives and be happy. I also don't believe in judging people, and ramming my belief down their throats

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       jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Deborah - I knew that - I meant the same!. I'm the same as you, but don't believe.I have unfortunately experienced that which we both try not 2 do - judge or ram belief - but due 2 sexual orientation than my beliefs. I'm just curious with this questn

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       Deborah Sextonposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       You might be interested in reading my hub
       http://deborah-sexton.hubpages.com/hub/ … -Condition

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       jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Interesting link - I can't read it all right now (using ph to look at HP) but the comments re Leviticus I'd particularly like to re look at - to read with my own biblical homosexuality hub. Thanks for sharing.

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       Deborah Sextonposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Read the second part of my hub first, before reading anything else on my hub

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    iviskeiposted 9 years ago

    I think it depends on the believer. There are extremists and then there are those who are tolerate. That applies to both sides.
    
    As a kid I was shunned by my peers and teachers at a Catholic school because I went to a Christian church, and visa versa. A person's faith is a strong thing to mess with and everybody thinks they are right. I personally think live and let live is the best policy, but there are those that would disagree. There are those that truly believe that there is no happiness without a religion.

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       jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks for your comment. I do believe it depends on the person - on either side of the God arguement.

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    ILoveLegosTooposted 9 years ago

    Do I hate?  No.  Believe what you want to believe, there is no hate.  I find everyone needs to make their own conclusions and there's no use trying to change someone's resolve as there is no right or wrong answer to these type of questions:
    
    Do you believe in God?
    Do you believe in ghosts?
    Do you believe in UFOs?
    Do you believe in traveling at the speed of light?
    Do you believe the universe is endless?
    Do you believe in the lost city of Atlantis?

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       jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks. This was in response to a question about 'do atheists hate that there is a God" ....

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    Lybrahposted 9 years ago

    I don't hate the idea that you don't believe, but it does make me sad that you don't, and you definitely come off angry whether you realize it or not.

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       jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       So do some believers, Lybrah, whether they realise it or not but we don't generalise all believers as angry.
       Why sad? We are happy, well adjusted people. Why feel sad 4 some1 who is happy? It wld b like me feeling sad 4 u bcus yr faith makes u happy

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       jjackson786posted 9 years agoin reply to this

       I don't think so, Lybrah. In fact, I perceive believers to be angrier than non-believers, especially when someone says "happy holidays".

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       JThomp42posted 9 years agoin reply to this

       I definitely have to agree with Lybrah. When debating about God why do atheists become so defensive over something you do not believe in? My question is who are you trying to convince? A Christian or yourself?

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       jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       JT - and you don't get defensive when someone tries to tell you Islam is te best religion? Maybe we do come across occasionally as angry, but believe me, you guys seem just as angry if not more at times.

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       JThomp42posted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Agree to disagree jl.

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       jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Of course. And that's fine - because u don't see yrself as angry, nor do we see ourselves as angry when in the same position. It doesn't mean you or I aren't coming across that way, it just means it isn't realised by us at the time....on either side.

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    ForLoveofCupcakesposted 9 years ago

    As a believer, I'd like to offer my insight.  Its not that I hate the idea because I hate atheists or what they stand for.  I'm someone who believes in God, heaven and hell.  I love everyone and want everyone to go to heaven when they die; there is not a single person upon which I would wish hell.  So the idea of others not believing in God mainly just causes me to worry.  I'm not saying that I think atheists will all go to hell, just that I worry that they might (I worry about the state of everyone's soul - atheists, believers, and my own.).  I am completely unable to judge others or decide who goes to heaven and who goes to hell, but I do worry.  I know many atheists who are very good and moral people and I by no means hate them for their beliefs; I hope you don't misunderstand what I'm trying to say in this comment.

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       jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       For the Love of Cupcakes - I do understand what you are saying. Thanks for your answer

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    crazymom3posted 9 years ago

    I don't believe "believers" hate the Idea that  "non-believers" don't believe in God.  In my case, at least, I just don't understand how it is possible not to believe in God. We believers, as you call us, or at least I, would simply like to share those things that have brought me peace, goodness and happiness and I believe it is only because I was created in the image of God that I am who I am and blessed with the life I have through a loving father called God.  I don't think non-believers are hated either just not understood.

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       jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks for yr answer.

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