Believers, do you despise Zeus or just religions aside from yours?

1. 71

   JMcFarlandposted 10 years ago

   Believers,  do you despise Zeus or just religions aside from yours?
   
   This question is meant to demonstrate a point.  As an atheist,  I am often asked if I hate God or Jesus or Christians,  etc.   No matter how many times I try to explain that it's nearly impossible to hate something that you don't believe exists,  the question still comes up in one form or another,  and it's minorly insulting to assume that I believe in something enough to despise or hate it but then turn around and claim non beliefs.   What are your thoughts?

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2. 77

   aliasisposted 10 years ago

   +1.
   
   Yes, I do despise Zeus and all of those false Greek gods. Everyone knows (or should know) that the Norse gods are the almighty ones. Hail, Odin Allfather and Great Mother Frigga!
   
   (In reality, though, I really do think the Greek gods are the best, even though they are totally mainstream. There are just the best records of them, and they have the best personalities, drama, and variety of myths. Wonder what the world would've been like if Christianity hadn't grown in popularity and Constantine hadn't given it such a popularity boom.)

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3. 0

   christiananrkistposted 10 years ago

   This is a great question, and i think definitely does prove your point. I think the reason you may get the question so much is because of other fellow atheist, some Christians come in contact with. I have personally had discussions with the Christopher Hitchens type. Hitchens says " I dont believe in God, and I hate him". This attitude definitely comes through in discussions at time, although i haven't noticed it from you.

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      JMcFarlandposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      There are plenty of things done in the name of religion that I do despise.  I don't know the context of the Hitchens quote, so I can't comment on it - but I haven't run across many atheists that display anger at god - possibly his followers, however

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      christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      listen to his debate with frank turek to get the context. im not really tryin to get in to a who's more moral debate. its easy to find bad behavior in any walk of life. im just pointing out, some atheist are this way, even if U or others U know arent

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   3. 93

      Cre8torposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Sadly bad examples draw good attention thus many assumptions/stereotypes are made. For atheists this is bad because so much is already being assumed about what an atheist is beyond the word itself.

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      christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      @cre8tor
      very true. its the bad examples of any religion that make the headlines and/or get on tv.  i think the same happens with the non-religions or atheists .the bad examples seem to stand out more and paint the picture.

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      Beverly Stevensposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      What have you read by Hitchens?  I'd be very surprised to read the quote "I hate him (god)" in anything Hitchens has written.  I think you don't know what you are talking about, christiananrkist.

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      christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      beverly
      why do all your comments seem so angry? you probably didnt bother reading any of the comments, i dont sometimes either. but listen to his debate with frank turek to see what im talking about. if anything it was a very entertaining debate.

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      Beverly Stevensposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Angry? I laugh when I read your comments. Watched this debate again, and no where did he state "I hate god." Maybe you misunderstood what he said. Is it that you think I'm angry because I take issue with your comment? Or, is it because I'm a woman?

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      christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      i think your angry because you have hateful and unnecessary things like " I laugh when I read your comments" . You're not the 1st to take issue with my comments. i couldnt also care less if youre a woman.  which debate did you watch? they had 3.

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   9. 64

      Beverly Stevensposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I watched the first debate.  P. S. I'm not angry at all.  I don't even get how you think I'm angry.

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       christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       ok. i apologize. i guess i can be overly sensitive. i'll look for the other debate i was speaking of. i think i heard it on unbelievable, which you can find on podcast or premier.org.uk. i will look for it on youtube if i can though.

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4. 84

   bethperryposted 10 years ago

   I am a priestess of Freyja, and as such do not hate any god nor any religion. I may hate certain actions and behavior from the followers of other gods, and I may hate intolerance from wherever it stems. But all Gods are but faces of the eternal Creator. For me to hate other gods, or just those revered as a god, or even universal truths as the Creator deems to reveal to open-minded atheists would be arrogance. An arrogant individual is an unhappy and isolated one. And I choose not to be either of these things.

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5. 60

   jstfishinmanposted 10 years ago

   As a Christian, I strive to love everyone.. I may not agree with their beliefs, but  that doesn't' keep them from being my friends. I have friends that range in beliefs in many different religions and many different lifestyles.
   I love these people and pray  for them daily.  Sometimes you have to agree to disagree, that's what friends do.
   I don't understand this new philosophy that if you don't agree with me, then you hate me. People have always been able to move past our differences, why  is today so different?

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      Cre8torposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      U seem to b what I feel is a good example of your faith so let me ask, have your experiences w atheists been full of anger and hatred toward you or God? Most, few, none?

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      swordsbaneposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Because faith is losing its membership and some people feel threatened by that, like Atheists (or other religions) are trying to destroy them.  Then there's the rise of the Muslim boogeyman since 9/11 and everyone is hypersensitive to religion.

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   3. 60

      jstfishinmanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Cre8tor, in my conversations with atheists, it totally depends on the subject matter. I have had heated debates about creation and evolution, because both of our opinions rest on what we believe. A majority of conversations are just conversation.

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      Cre8torposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I think b/c you seem 2 b "conversable". Based on my experience, unlike other Christians. I should clarify that I speak of the firm believer. I make a distinction between Christians & "Christians". Anyway, the talk will go as the people in it.

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      Beverly Stevensposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Some of my best friends are Christians.  Even though I don't strive to love everyone, I do strive to understand them.  I disagree that we should try to love the sociopath.  Some people are just broken and fall outside my ability to feel compassion.

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      bipolartistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Jstfish, I think it's so different today because there is much more access to diversity. Perhaps this misplaced anger everyone has would have been present had the internet been around? I wish it still just "made the world go 'round."

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6. 64

   Beverly Stevensposted 10 years ago

   Yes, most believers think their own brand of religious belief makes them special, so why don't the rest of us see that?  I like the point you're trying to make but don't think it will leave much of an impression on the "true believer" of whatever it is he/she believes.  Obviously, you must hate their invisible deity, or you would be as smitten as they are.

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7. 0

   sheilamyersposted 10 years ago

   As a Christian, I don't despise other religions. I don't believe they contain the truth, but that doesn't mean I hate them or anyone who follows those religions. I like the way you explained your question. I can't speak for all Christians and, in fact, will probably be saying quite the opposite of what many of them would. I understand exactly what you're saying. You can't hate something you don't believe in. If there's anything to despise, it would be the concept and not an actual being. I've spoken to many atheists and most, if not all, of them don't even despise the concept. They simply don't believe. Thanks for asking this question. It's nice to meet you.

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   M. T. Dremerposted 10 years ago

   I asked a similar question in the past about the Flying Spaghetti Monster. I believe my question was deemed offensive. Certain fanatical Christians (usually the most vocal) are incapable of answering a hypothetical question. For example, asking the question, would you still be a moral person if you discovered there was no god? Rather than ponder an answer, they will return with a bible quote. Because, if they ever did give an honest answer, it would start a domino effect that couldn't be reversed. Faith and indoctrination has taught them to avoid such pitfalls on an unconscious level.

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   1. 71

      JMcFarlandposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I kind of agree.  A lot of believers see no problem with assuming that atheists hate God or asking if we do,  but if you reverse it or bring up the fsm or santa, they get offended at the comparison.   Makes no sense to me.

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      christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      do you think the creators of south park ever dreamed the FSM thing woudl get so big? there is an FSM church and i saw an FSM car decal the other day.

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      JMcFarlandposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I have an FSM decal actually - and I have a knit FSM that a friend of mine made.  I like it because it's cute - and it makes me feel like a part of something that relatively few people (in my area) know about.  I'm surrounded by Jesus fish.

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      christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      they are kinda cool looking actually. that's an interesting comment about feeling like a part of something. do you think that why we are seeing atheist churches poppin up? I read there are a few mega churches in California, I guess joel osteen size?

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   5. 71

      JMcFarlandposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I think atheists are human beings that enjoy a sense of community in a world where they often feel outnumbered and ostracized.  I'm wary of the idea of "church" because it can give the religious credence to their claim that atheism is a religion.

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      christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      that was actually my thought when i read about the mega churches. seems like it could just be, or at least turn into another religion.

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   7. 71

      JMcFarlandposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      How can a lack of belief with no tenets or dogma be a religion?   Is bald a hair color or not playing soccer a sport?  Is every group or meeting thereby a religious gathering?

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      christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      no. but referring to it as a church is a good start to being a religion. also everyone there would have 1 essential belief. the belief that there in fact is not God. this must be a core topic of conversation and/or teaching there.

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   9. 71

      JMcFarlandposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Calling something a "church" makes something a religion now?   Church is term that means many different things.  Social gatherings,  community.   Additionally,  most atheists do not say that there are no Gods.  You know better than this nonsense.

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       M. T. Dremerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       I thought the FSM was invented by a school teacher who opposed creationism being taught in science classrooms?

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       christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       MT
       you could be right. I first saw it on south park. great show.
       JM
       just curious, what made you make this statement?
       " I'm wary of the idea of "church" because it can give the religious credence to their claim that atheism is a religion"

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   12. 71

       JMcFarlandposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       What I meant to say is that it SEEMS to give credence to the claim, but the claim is absurd.  Religions are not based on a lack of something.   Bald is not a hair color.   Saying atheism is a religion just attempts to level the field by believers

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       Beverly Stevensposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Most 'true believers' don't want to have to think for themselves.  In the area of religion it's foreign to them.  They are told how to think--thus, the bible quote.

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       Mklow1posted 10 years agoin reply to this

       " Bald is not a hair color."
       I heard a new one the other day. Atheism is a religion like not collecting stamps is a hobby. lol u can use that later by the way

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   15. 71

       JMcFarlandposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       MK - already heard that one, sorry :-)

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       christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       beverly
       which bible verse?
       JM
       i was originally agreeing with you, it can be perceived that way.  i do think these mega-churches could also turn into an organized religion. already at lest 1 major shared belief, add few rules/regulations.

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   17. 71

       JMcFarlandposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       would you categorize the lack of a belief in a deity as a belief?  It is like saying that not collecting butterflies is a hobby.  It's a contradiction in terms.  How do you define religion?

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       christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       a set of beliefs held, and practiced by a group of people. i understand atheism is a lack of belief in God. but thats all its a lack of. atheist do hold many views. i could even argue certain sects

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   19. 71

       JMcFarlandposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       So anything that holds a set of beliefs and adheres to them is a religion?  The pta?  Unions and union workers?   Boards of directors?   The only thing that all atheists have in common is the fact that they have no belief in a god.  It's one thing.

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       christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       i wouldnt say that. humanist have a set standard of beliefs. so do materialists. i would even call Buddhism an atheistic or non-theistic belief system. thats accepted as a religion. what difference does it make if some atheists did make a religion?

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   21. 71

       JMcFarlandposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       do you call a group of people to get together to talk about how much they hate Magic the Gathering a religion?  Not all atheists are humanists, materialists or nihilists.  The only thing we agree on is a lack of a belief in a god.

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       christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       i understand the point youre trying to get across, but i think its apples and oranges. not all christians are baptists, evangelists, or methodists. couldn't you be naming different sects? what is your definition of religion?

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   23. 71

       JMcFarlandposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       a. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
       b. A personal or institutionalized system based on such belief or worship.  What do atheists believe or worship?

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       christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       science comes to mind for some. atheists must have beliefs. evolution, aliens, gravity. i have my lack of beliefs as well. the only thing that really separates atheist and theist is a belief or unbelief in a god/gods

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   25. 71

       JMcFarlandposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       You don't have to believe in something that can be proven,  and I don't know any atheist skeptics that believe in aliens

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   26. 0

       christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       alien believers come in all walks of life. i even seen one atheist here on hubpages that believes all kinds of spiritual things, just not God. is it more logical then to believe in something that cant be proven?

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   27. 77

       bipolartistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       JMc, I am going to quote Judge Judy here...
       "If something doesn't make sense, it isn't true."
       I say that because I believe, as you believe, that the offense taken by simple comparisons is nonsense. Therefore, I surmise that it is pseudo offense.

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9. 0

   Motown2Chitownposted 10 years ago

   As a Christian, I can't honestly say that I even have feelings about the gods of other religions.  If I experience feelings about them, I find it's more often confusion than anything else.  Complicated faith and spiritual practices confuse me because the relationship of love that we are designed to have with our creator just seems very simple to me...like the love that I have for my husband, child, and framily (you know, that hybrid mix of family and friends who may just as well BE family).  It may not always be easy, but it is simple.  The more complex a system of belief appears to me, the less godly I believe it to be.  But that's just me.
   
   I don't hate anything I don't believe in.  Don't spend much time thinking about it.  The problem that I sometimes observe (and the reason that the question is so often raised) is that many who don't believe appear very angry with those who do.  I have to qualify this by saying that in many instances, it's because these "loving" Christians are often cruel to each other and to those who aren't a part of their "fellowship."  People get angry when you treat them like crap. Go figure.  Anyway, the believer wouldn't dare acknowledge their poor behavior, so they get defensive on behalf of their God.  Atheists unwittingly begin then to argue against God, because the believer is using their faith in God to excuse their bad behavior.
   
   At the end of the day, the accusation of hatred is their conviction that you DO actually believe (so, they've done their job and notched your soul onto their belt), you're just really rebelling. 
   
   Make sense?

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10. 73

    lone77starposted 10 years ago

    Great question, JM. Your question and your experience merely points out the narrow understanding of some on both sides of the belief camp. It's refreshing to have an intelligent discussion with those who can see beyond stereotypes and simplistic world views.
    
    I have learned from all of the religions I have embraced. I have also learned a great deal from science, mathematics and logic. I despise nothing of learning. The only thing I despise is ego, and since I have too much of my own, that keeps me plenty busy.
    
    I believe in Jesus, because I now understand what he was talking about and because I've experienced similar miracles. I understand his mission.
    
    I believe in Gautama Siddhartha Buddha, because I see how his mission was similar to that of all great religious leaders.
    
    Zeus, like so many deities of ancient civilizations, was likely a powerful group, very possibly a technology-wielding tribe of the children of Atlantis. Poseidon may have been patriarchal Atlantis long before collapse. Metis (mother of Athena) was likely matriarchal Atlantis just before and during collapse (swallowed whole). And Athena was likely the Children of Atlantis after the collapse. Now, all of this presupposes that Atlantis really existed. We have no direct proof of Atlantis, but there's tons of indirect evidence, including 3 pieces of scientific evidence, each from a different discipline that show an Atlantis-like event occurred right when Plato said the legendary island subsided -- 9600 BC.
    
    Isis (Asett), in her battle with Seth (Sett) in Egyptian mythology, was likely Athena (Children of Atlantis) fighting against patriarchal children of Atlantis over the domination of Kemet (Egypt). Horus (Heru), her son, cut off her head and hid it from her in the mountains. Later, Ra restored that head. Could it be that merely the leader (head) was kidnapped?
    
    It's a fascinating universe when you don't become fixated on old ideas that conflict with reality.

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