Why ARE so many religionists CONCERNED about Atheists?

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   gmwilliamsposted 9 years ago

   Why ARE so many religionists CONCERNED about Atheists?
   
   

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   ValKarasposted 9 years ago

   Grace, you are likely to see a counter-question, not from me but from them: "Why are so many atheists concerned about religionists?"  Here we have two camps kicking the crap back and forth and neither side particularly willing to see the other side's point.
   
   Religionists don't want to see how they got it made in this world so they are not really the "threatened" ones. Man, they even got God Almighty on their side. And yet, with all that power and thousands of years of practice, they somehow don't like the word "atheism". Atheists can't do anything to them and their mighty establishment, but they still think "how dare you" when you shut the door in front of their nose to continue watching your football game.
   
   Now, to be fair, we should make a distinction here between those who just worship their God, not pushing it on anyone. I can't use big enough font here to say how I have a respect for them. I am not "against" religion as a system of ideas,  but I don't like religionists who call people "sinners", "hypocrites", and try to convince non-believers that they SHOULD believe. To me it's a violation of my own right. In a fair discussion I will let a religious person tell me why they believe in God  -  and I will tell them why I don't, at least the one advertised in organized religions and their holy books. People should have a right to express themselves.
   
   I get pissed off when so called believers act out their egos and make a  battlefield out of a discussion, where any epithets are allowed. When someone tells me that their God means "love", and then shows no loving attitude, then something is wrong.
   
   I have had some wonderful discussions with people of faith, and they showed no defensiveness whatsoever. One of my English teachers here in Canada was also a theologian, and he surprised me by saying that he saw more spirituality in me than he had seen in many church-goers.
   
   Believers of that kind didn't feel "attacked" by my questions, didn't "defend" their faith, they even admitted how they saw my logic behind those questions. We found a friendly ground of two reasonable human beings curious about each others' convictions.
   
   I don't call such folks "religionists" but only those who fit this name ending with "........ism", meaning that they are faith-pushers, and in opposition with those who dare to think differently.

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      jonnycomelatelyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Well said!  I don't say this because I feel vindicated with my own atheistic opinions.....only because I see it as a very big reason for anyone who has a Faith to open his/her mind to the opinions of others....with nothing to fear for being open.

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3. 88

   Austinstarposted 9 years ago

   I really don't understand why so many people of religion are so concerned with:
   atheists
   sex
   murder
   lies
   indoctrinating their children (not letting them decide on whether to worship a god, or not)
   a woman's reproductive organs and right to bear or not bear children
   ordinary gossip and judging (constant)
   and about 10,000 other things that don't affect them.
   Don't want to talk to atheists? Then don't!
   Don't like thinking about gay sex? Then turn your attention to your own sex life.
   Don't want capitol punishment? Then don't assess death penalties.
   Don't want people to think you are a liar? Then don't tell lies.
   Don't want your children to be healed by modern medical science? Then get on your knees and pray for faith healing. No one is forcing you to consult an atheist doctor.
   Don't want an abortion? Don't have one.
   Don't want to be judged? Then don't judge others.
   It's just that simple folks!
   Keep your religion to yourself. Keep it in your homes and your "houses of worship".
   You are free to do so.

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   1. 0

      ValKarasposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Austinstar: I am not so aware of all these aspects of Christians' interfering with the legally accepted ways of life  -  but I see your point and I agree.

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      jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Some are still trying to interfere with the legal marriages of gay people - blocking them (Kim Davis and a new guy), threatening death, introducing bills 2 criminalise anal sex (tho, it's not just gays who do that...). We're aware even if u arent.

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      Commonsensethinkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Very well made points. One curiosity is the fact that this issue is principally an American situation. In much of Europe what you suggest applies already in most cases, maybe because there is a considerably higher percentage of religious sceptics.

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      cobrienposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I am a Christian and my church and religion believes that it is our responsibility to save souls by informing them of the grace of God. We do not force our religion on anyone or judge.

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      Austinstarposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      cobrien - please inform your church that the grace of god is free for the asking and god doesn't need you to take responsibility for it. If someone wants to go to church, simply invite them, don't preach to them.

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   Besarienposted 9 years ago

   As a Christian I love everyone. Of course I'm concerned about atheists. They are people. I find people who have different points of view interesting. Most of the time I find atheists I meet really aren't all that different from me in other ways. Nice when you can find common ground and have polite debate. That doesn't mean I want to convert them or force them to submit to Biblical law. I do not want America to become a Christian theocracy. Other Christians feel differently of course. I am sure that having people push their religion on you definitely gets old for atheists and anybody else. But discussing our differences and finding out where we can agree, that can only be a good thing, right?

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      ValKarasposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Besarien :You are absolutely right. The problem is the one of communication, not what people privately choose to believe. I don't understand the logic behind religion, if there is any, but I can accept people believing, logic or not.

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   cobrienposted 9 years ago

   God created man and woman to be sexually pure until marriage, to leave family homes and build a home and family together. To us, anything else is unnatural.
   All human life is sacred and should not be terminated for purposes of convenience.
   This country was founded on Christianity and the fewer people who practice religion, the worse the morals in this country become. We feel God wants us to spread the word and save others.

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      Austinstarposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You are wrong on both points. Read your bible. God himself has the worst morals of any of the deities. And this country was founded on the freedom to worship or not worship as you prefer. NOT on Christianity. That is a false rumor. Re: Constitution

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