Why do non believers talk about religion, God etc.?

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   days leaperposted 12 years ago

   Why do non believers talk about religion, God etc.?
   
   And some of the ideas people come out with are bordering on gross, and beyond!

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   JMcFarlandposted 12 years ago

   Why shouldn't we?  DO you have to believe in something to discuss it?  Beliefs should be questioned, criticized and examined.  What makes believers think that their personal religion should be safe from examination from those who do not share it?  What makes them so opposed to questions, to criticisms or even humor?  Why should religion get a free pass from criticism or question?  Nothing else does.  Personally, since I have a background in theology and the mission field and then became an atheist, I discuss it because it interests me.  As long as believers insist on talking about their religion or spreading it, people who disagree are going to comment on it and question it.  It's the way things are - and the way things should be.

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      days leaperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      very apt.  And concise, exactly what I sought.  Thank You.

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   Brenda Durhamposted 12 years ago

   Some of them like the shock and awe they're able to create.
   Others are simply confused but too stubborn to receive the Truth.

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      JMcFarlandposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That seems like an unfair and biased assessment based on nothing.  I had your version of "truth".  There's nothing true about it - not veritably anyway.

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      jlparkposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Brenda - are you speaking as a once 'non-believer."? Because if not, you cannot speak for the reasons of others. You do not, and cannot know, why. You can only assume...and really, that just makes an ass out of U and Me.

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   jlparkposted 12 years ago

   Please provide such ideas - we are all adults, we can make our own decision on what is gross.
   
   Why do we talk about religion? Because whilst we may not believe, we are interested in the ideas and theories of other religions, perhaps? Don't assume that because we don't believe, we don't KNOW anything.  Sometimes, we may even know a little more about the verse you speak of, or the idea in the bible, or the idea of a religion you know NOTHING about. 
   
   I like to learn.  I love to learn about the different religions, and what makes them all special.
   
   As an agnostic 'non-beleiver' (and do you realise just how DIVISIVE that word is? You're putting us all into boxes...we're human, not canned goods) (NOTE - I am not atheist, I do not speak for their views), I don't have the 'veil' of my own faith over my eyes, so I can see and look at different religions for what they are, not what my own religion would tell me they are - for example, it is known in the Christian Bible that it is frowned upon to 'worship false idols" - so any other God bar yours.  So you will see any other religions God/s as 'false idols' and judge them for same.  Yet, people like myself do not - we see each God as a God, or hero, in their own right, unencumbered by the threat of being smote.
   
   HOWEVER, I will get into it when it is used AGAINST me in ignorance and hatred.  Because unfortunately, not all followers of all religions are providing their God/s with good examples of Godly or God-fearing behaviour.  And on occasion, we actually know MORE about the context of the verse people have taken OUT of context to promote hatred, than the user themselves. It is often a case of "this one works for my arguement, I'll use it." - Never mind that the context of the original verse tells a COMPLETELY different story.
   
   Is it not your (your being people of religion..not you personally) quest to convert everyone to your religion? Therefore is it not a GOOD thing we are talking about? Hell, if we talk about it long enough, you may even convince us.
   
   If no-one disagreed, we would never learn anything. And, that, my friend, is the saddest thing of all

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      days leaperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Again Jlpark I Thank You for another good answer.  And I would suspect that many of the so called "Christians", or other religions tend to convert or try for money rather than any genuine interest in soul saving, or the after life etc.

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   ajwrites57posted 12 years ago

   Thanks for the thought provoking question, days leaper!
   
   My thoughts are that many non-believers talk about religion and God, as jpark says, to be convinced. He also points out non-believers often have a great interest in knowing about religions.
   
   As JMcFarland has stated, non-believers have a right in public discourse to express their views and point out errors, inconsistencies, and flaws in believers' thinking. This should be profitable for the believers, since they can evaluate their positions and strengthen their faith through study. Often, however, the non-believers don't participate in the discussions in a compassionate manner. That being said, many believers at times lack charity and empathy in their responses to the non-believers.
   
   Other non-believers would rather argue and belittle people of faith. Many times, they try to bully believers and get them to state ideas or doctrines just so they can prove a point. Sometimes, believers don't have all the answers and live by faith. albeit sometimes blindly. This maddens some non-believers and results in insults, anger and even hatred.
   
   One other reason non-believers talk about God and religion is that they hate God and people that say they believe in God and feel that it is their mission to attack God and His followers.
   
   Unfortunately, these "discussions" are often not discussions but filled with baiting, bullying and belittling by both sides. This is why I usually refuse to participate since one or both sides will not be charitable or open minded.
   
   Thanks again days leaper! )

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      days leaperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank You AJwrites.  You've given me an idea for another question!

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   JimTxMillerposted 12 years ago

   For the same reasons believers discuss religions, gods, etc.

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   taburkettposted 12 years ago

   Because there are more believers than non-believers.  It would be a very boring environment for them if they did not discuss what most individuals believe.

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   Dan Barfieldposted 12 years ago

   I wrote a hub on this subject not long ago in response to another hubbers question along the same lines. I myself have come from faith gone through nihilism and come out into an interesting space on the other side. The reasons atheists talk about God and religion usually have something to do with how the beliefs of those who do believe in those things have or are impacting on their lives. I go into my views on this in depth in my hub so rather than retype it all...
   
   http://danbarfield.hubpages.com/hub/Why … s-question

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