Why do some Atheists get so infuriated at believers who express their gratitude for God? Why do they think it is so necessary to try and shake someones faith?
It works both ways for those that can't tolerate free thinking. You are either going to hell for not believing, or you're an idiot for believing in something that can't be seen. I can live with people believing what they want as long as they don't infringe on my freedom to do the same.
The "evil Christian cult" is always located in a time-warped town separated from the rest of the world. In that isolation the cult has become some twisted form of Christian fundamentalism that worships an old testament type of god. It's all about sin and vengeance. They hate and fear outsiders.
In "Children Of The Corn" the "evil Christian cult" is led by a zealot named Isaac. The cult sacrifices people in a corn field.
In "Silent Hill" the "evil Christian cult" is led by a zealot named Christabella. The cult burns witches.
Both zealots justify human sacrifice with fire and brim stone sermons. They are not killing people, they are following God's law and sending immoral sinners to Hell.
The imagery representing each cult is based on Christianity, but it's become distorted, twisted and evil.
In "Children Of The Corn" they sacrifice people on crosses made of corn stalks. In their church the walls are painted with verses like "He who walks between the rows." The wooden pews and the altar are decorated with corn stalks.
In "Silent Hill" they burn people in a old church with a bell tower. Out side stone steps lead up to large, carved wooden double doors. Inside the wooden pews surround a central altar. The altar is the same shape and design as the device used to burn people. There is a choir loft above, the windows have Gothic arches.
I have never heard it stated like that before, but that happens to be true in my personal case. I was brainwashed during my childhood with the Bible, spent my teenage years being exposed to Torah indoctrinated propaganda, then I deliberately got a copy of the Koran (Quran) and read it out of curiosity. Then, after processing all of that in my mind, I decided it was most coherently logical to be an atheist.
To some atheists, believers appear delusional. Hence the distain. Other atheists have a more tolerant and accepting perspective. The comfort and courage that believers get from their faith is largely unknown or unappreciated by atheists.
Each to his own is a good perspective when it comes to religion.
So if I understand you correctly, Atheist's demand evidence to something they have already made up their mind about. It's interesting because believers don't have to look anywhere to find evidence because it is all around them in creation, evolution, science, looking into the eyes of the child you just gave birth to....etc... That is just like me asking an atheist to show me evidence that there is no God.
I can't speak for all believers, but I have never judged anyone if they don't believe in God. I just don't understand like an atheist doesn't understand why others believe in God.
I also did have an experience years ago that makes it impossible for me not to believe. But it is something that a person would have to experience for their self because something of that magnitude would never be understood without experiencing it.
I have noticed a lot of comments stating that being raised with the bible or other religious beliefs was just "brain washing" .
I was brought up with the Bible but I had the opportunity to either believe it or not. Not for one second do I ever feel like I have been "brain washed".
When I was younger I wouldn't just read the bible, I would read many other insightful books from many different spiritual leaders from many different religions. And I also loved reading books on science. I read all of these things on my own without any parent or anyone else trying to "brainwash" me. I personally think God and science go hand in hand and I also believe that no one will ever have all the answers so it is ridiculous to argue about it weather you are an Atheist or a believer in God.
Nobody likes it nobody ever has on line or in person. If someone asks to be told about your religion by all means, but religion is all over the place and we can find it ourselves.
Which atheists are you referring to? I'm an atheist, and I don't get infuriated at believers who express such gratitude. In fact, I am grateful every day for the relatively good life which I have been able to live, in spite of having a few physical handicaps. But, I also understand how believers may express gratitude for some kind of god, because I was brainwashed that way from childhood and was able to deprogram myself by doing arduous research for proofs of the existence of any god and was never successful in finding any which were logically coherent.
Thank you for your reply. I never said all Atheists get infuriated...I am referring to many things I have come across; but the one that comes to mind the most are photos of nature that people have shared saying they are a beautiful creation of God.
Then I see comments from Atheists calling the Christians idiots for not just recognizing it for just being a natural part of science and they are stupid to keep giving all of the credit to a fictitious idea. More than just one person, and they all were pretty much saying the same thing Just because someone said "praise God" or "God is great" Then the opinion bomb explodes. What I don't understand is why can't some atheists just ignore the posts instead of harassing something innocent.
I understand not all Atheists do this, but I am curious to why some do and why they choose to inflict negativity when something like this is obviously supposed to be positive.
I am also not implying that all believers are perfect either, because if they are really trying to stand up for what they believe in, they don't need to show negativity even if they are defending themselves.
I always want to say "God Bless You" to people when I hear them sneeze, out of force of an old habit, but since I became an atheist, I will say "Gesundheit" instead, which is a godless exclamation, but I'm never sure if the person I say it to will understand me because it is German language.
i think everyone is trying to change the world into a place that they feel is best for everyone. some people think religion is the root of many problems and that its cons out weigh its pros. perhaps their rage against the machine is their way of saving you much in the same way people of faith wish to save atheists or people of other faiths.
Well, just this week a pair of Jehovah's Witnesses showed up at my door to read Bible quotes to me. I then told them that before they go any further, that I am an atheist and they are wasting their time because there is no such thing as god. They started arguing back with more Bible readings, which I promptly countered with logical refutations. Finally the older woman said she would come back again another day with her husband who she said was much better at this type of discussion than she was. I'm still waiting eagerly for their return to my doorstep for more lively conversation!
Oh I wish I knew the answer to that question. I was raised in a Christian home where I was taught to be understanding of others beliefs. I have a lot of friend that are atheists who don't act that way. Oh I actually have a lot of friends with different religious backgrounds that again don't act that way. We all get along fine without anyone trying to shake anyone's faith.
I do find it rather sad & pathetic that people do try to do this to others. I really don't see the point of hate filled words & even comments that people make towards those that express their gratitude for God. I always tend to wonder "Is their life that miserable that they have to make others around them miserable too?" or "Is it some type of pay attention to me ploy". Sorry but I will never understand some people no matter how hard I try. If your life is that bad change it. I refuse to tell someone they are wrong for believing just as much as I refuse to tell someone they are wrong for not believing. If we were all the same the world would be a pretty lame place.
When it comes to your religious beliefs, I can agree with you on the point of what you believe. However when you are stating what others believe and it is completely false, I will correct you.
You said "There anger is really an outward expression of a deepseated fear and anger. Fear that they may be wrong and anger at the perception that God is telling them how to live their lives through his children."
So who's telling who, what they believe? Your statement about it being a "deepseated fear" is 100% incorrect. You MAY be describing an "anti-theist" but not an atheist. But how can I fear, as an atheist, something that does not exist?
I have to agree with Glispix, the reason you don't hear it, is because it's in your norm. I hear it all the time, and say little to nothing, the occasional "Have a blessed day" is not the issue. The issues are the state of Missouri wanting to institute creationsim as science, posting the 10 commandments on government property, instituting prayer at government functions. Passing laws based on christian beliefs, the list could go on. Did you know it is still against the law, in 4 states, to hold office unless you believe in God? This is currently being overturned... FINALLY! The United States is not made up of just Christians, there are Muslims, Jews, Hindus. Buddhists, Zoroastrians, Atheists, Satanists, Pagans, and many others. None of which seem to try to get their beliefs pushed into government or schools (you may say atheists push to have their beliefs pushed in schools, but that is not quite true. They push to keep religion out of schools).
Briani, there are those, especially young adults, that have turned their backs on religion, this is not just in christianity, but other religions as well. I call them "anti-theists". They may call themselves "atheists" but to have anger towards a God makes no sense.
As an atheist, to me God does not exist, so why should I fear or be angry at him/her/it. That'd be like saying I'm angry at the tooth-fairy because she/he didn't leave me a dollar for my tooth. That's not meant as an insult, just an example of the logic saying, that a person can be angry at something, that to them, does not exist.
Your beliefs are your's, their beliefs are their's and tossing all atheists in the same boat is wrong, that'd be like saying Catholics are like Mormons (being both are christians), and that is not right either.
The difference here is nearly every atheist is different, some believe in a spiritual world, some do not, some believe in an afterlife some do not, there is no set "dogma". Where-as in a religion, there is a set dogma, and that dogma, would depend on what religion we would talk about.
Bozette, it actually troubles me when Protestants state that this sect or that sect is not christian. All 44,000 denominations pretty much have the right to claim to be christian. I am not Christian, and you understand that, but it is unfortunate that some christians cannot accept the rest of Christianity.
Atheists are indoctrinated into the harebrained idea that something came from nothing at a very early age. Most likely their parents were substance abusers who came up with the idea of magic sky monkeys who evolved into humans while they were tripping on acid in the 60's
Where did you get this piece of prize information "Atheists are indoctrinated into the harebrained idea that something came from nothing at a very early age."? I'm an atheist and my parents were bible thumping christians, went to church multiple times a week. I, as most atheists, became atheist long after leaving the indoctrination of religion.
Oh also Atheists do not believe everything came from "nothing". If you think the Big Bang, is something from nothing, then you obviously do not understand the BB. The term "ex Nihilo" is a christian term meaning 'something from nothing' and that is what christians state God created the universe from, nothing.
Your allegation regarding atheist indoctrination at a very early age is wrong in my personal case. My parents brainwashed me into
Christianity from childhood (gave me a King James Bible with my name engraved on the front cover and forced me to go to church with them every Sunday). I became an atheist as an adult after I researched diligently for proofs of the existence of any god and was unsuccessful in finding any arguments which were logically coherent. And actually, the substance which my parents abused the most was brand name cigarettes (Kents for my dad, Viceroys for my mother). Neither of them even knew what acid was. I was offered it during my college days in the '60s, but declined to try it and just stuck to alcohol.
And exactly how are 'most atheists a burden on society'? Most people that depend on the government and society are christian. You seem to have some grudge against atheists.
Not true. Atheists spend all of there time whining about Christians that they can't hold down a job. Atheists are also very stupid people so if they do have a job it's something like sorting recyclables or busing tables.
Oh give me a break. I'm sure Bill Gates loves it when he gets his welfare check. The majority of welfare recipients live in the poorest parts of towns where there is a church on every corner. They go to church faithfully and hope God will pull them out of the poverty slump.
Well, actually I was not a burden on society. I actually contributed a great deal to society because I was very successful as an engineer and paid the maximum amount to the federal government every year into the FICA (Social Security taxes) fund during my career. I was also in a high income tax bracket for the government to take away more of my earnings to give to other people in society whom they thought deserved it more than I did.
It works both ways for those that can't tolerate free thinking. You are either going to hell for not believing, or you're an idiot for believing in something that can't be seen. I can live with people believing what they want as long as they don't infringe on my freedom to do the same.
I get truly amazed myself on some of the arguments I see on here. The futility of trying to open a closed mind just seems wasteful.
Love them. Best part of the movie.
Totally agree. It's the same evil Christian cult we've seen many times before. ("Children Of The Corn" for example.) Yawn...
Sure.
The "evil Christian cult" is always located in a time-warped town separated from the rest of the world. In that isolation the cult has become some twisted form of Christian fundamentalism that worships an old testament type of god. It's all about sin and vengeance. They hate and fear outsiders.
In "Children Of The Corn" the "evil Christian cult" is led by a zealot named Isaac. The cult sacrifices people in a corn field.
In "Silent Hill" the "evil Christian cult" is led by a zealot named Christabella. The cult burns witches.
Both zealots justify human sacrifice with fire and brim stone sermons. They are not killing people, they are following God's law and sending immoral sinners to Hell.
The imagery representing each cult is based on Christianity, but it's become distorted, twisted and evil.
In "Children Of The Corn" they sacrifice people on crosses made of corn stalks. In their church the walls are painted with verses like "He who walks between the rows." The wooden pews and the altar are decorated with corn stalks.
In "Silent Hill" they burn people in a old church with a bell tower. Out side stone steps lead up to large, carved wooden double doors. Inside the wooden pews surround a central altar. The altar is the same shape and design as the device used to burn people. There is a choir loft above, the windows have Gothic arches.
You may have nodded off by the time that was explained. lol...
Carlin could not be more right.
One of the best.
Crap! I only have a Jack Reacher book on my shelf.
I have never heard it stated like that before, but that happens to be true in my personal case. I was brainwashed during my childhood with the Bible, spent my teenage years being exposed to Torah indoctrinated propaganda, then I deliberately got a copy of the Koran (Quran) and read it out of curiosity. Then, after processing all of that in my mind, I decided it was most coherently logical to be an atheist.
I am never offended by Bacon! :)
This is how I call my bacon to dinner:
Well said.
To some atheists, believers appear delusional. Hence the distain. Other atheists have a more tolerant and accepting perspective. The comfort and courage that believers get from their faith is largely unknown or unappreciated by atheists.
Each to his own is a good perspective when it comes to religion.
That is quite a generalization, but it's yours to own.
I don't know why anyone feels compelled to prove someone else is wrong about anything unless the statement is directed at him/her.
So if I understand you correctly, Atheist's demand evidence to something they have already made up their mind about. It's interesting because believers don't have to look anywhere to find evidence because it is all around them in creation, evolution, science, looking into the eyes of the child you just gave birth to....etc... That is just like me asking an atheist to show me evidence that there is no God.
I can't speak for all believers, but I have never judged anyone if they don't believe in God. I just don't understand like an atheist doesn't understand why others believe in God.
I also did have an experience years ago that makes it impossible for me not to believe. But it is something that a person would have to experience for their self because something of that magnitude would never be understood without experiencing it.
Agree.
Well said!
I have noticed a lot of comments stating that being raised with the bible or other religious beliefs was just "brain washing" .
I was brought up with the Bible but I had the opportunity to either believe it or not. Not for one second do I ever feel like I have been "brain washed".
When I was younger I wouldn't just read the bible, I would read many other insightful books from many different spiritual leaders from many different religions. And I also loved reading books on science. I read all of these things on my own without any parent or anyone else trying to "brainwash" me. I personally think God and science go hand in hand and I also believe that no one will ever have all the answers so it is ridiculous to argue about it weather you are an Atheist or a believer in God.
im happy you grew up in such an open family and with the resources to look at spirituality and religion in a holistic perspective.
Nobody likes it nobody ever has on line or in person. If someone asks to be told about your religion by all means, but religion is all over the place and we can find it ourselves.
I'm not sure. I am not a believer but I've never tried to ruin someone else's faith
I feel as though they are insecure in their nonbelief and so they try to trash other's views on the subject.
I'm a believer, Christian, and I don't push my beliefs on anyone. We all have to make our decisions, whatever they may be.
Well said.
Which atheists are you referring to? I'm an atheist, and I don't get infuriated at believers who express such gratitude. In fact, I am grateful every day for the relatively good life which I have been able to live, in spite of having a few physical handicaps. But, I also understand how believers may express gratitude for some kind of god, because I was brainwashed that way from childhood and was able to deprogram myself by doing arduous research for proofs of the existence of any god and was never successful in finding any which were logically coherent.
Thank you for your reply. I never said all Atheists get infuriated...I am referring to many things I have come across; but the one that comes to mind the most are photos of nature that people have shared saying they are a beautiful creation of God.
Then I see comments from Atheists calling the Christians idiots for not just recognizing it for just being a natural part of science and they are stupid to keep giving all of the credit to a fictitious idea. More than just one person, and they all were pretty much saying the same thing Just because someone said "praise God" or "God is great" Then the opinion bomb explodes. What I don't understand is why can't some atheists just ignore the posts instead of harassing something innocent.
I understand not all Atheists do this, but I am curious to why some do and why they choose to inflict negativity when something like this is obviously supposed to be positive.
I am also not implying that all believers are perfect either, because if they are really trying to stand up for what they believe in, they don't need to show negativity even if they are defending themselves.
I have many friends that are atheists & I haven't seen them act that way either. Everyone is entitled to believe how they wish.
I always want to say "God Bless You" to people when I hear them sneeze, out of force of an old habit, but since I became an atheist, I will say "Gesundheit" instead, which is a godless exclamation, but I'm never sure if the person I say it to will understand me because it is German language.
Ha!
I just shorten it to "Bless You". I let them figure out who is doing the blessing. :)
lol
I always find myself saying both lol
i think everyone is trying to change the world into a place that they feel is best for everyone. some people think religion is the root of many problems and that its cons out weigh its pros. perhaps their rage against the machine is their way of saving you much in the same way people of faith wish to save atheists or people of other faiths.
I think some people just like to be obstinate for the sake of attention.
All Atheist I know are narcissistic.
Well, just this week a pair of Jehovah's Witnesses showed up at my door to read Bible quotes to me. I then told them that before they go any further, that I am an atheist and they are wasting their time because there is no such thing as god. They started arguing back with more Bible readings, which I promptly countered with logical refutations. Finally the older woman said she would come back again another day with her husband who she said was much better at this type of discussion than she was. I'm still waiting eagerly for their return to my doorstep for more lively conversation!
Oh I wish I knew the answer to that question. I was raised in a Christian home where I was taught to be understanding of others beliefs. I have a lot of friend that are atheists who don't act that way. Oh I actually have a lot of friends with different religious backgrounds that again don't act that way. We all get along fine without anyone trying to shake anyone's faith.
I do find it rather sad & pathetic that people do try to do this to others. I really don't see the point of hate filled words & even comments that people make towards those that express their gratitude for God. I always tend to wonder "Is their life that miserable that they have to make others around them miserable too?" or "Is it some type of pay attention to me ploy". Sorry but I will never understand some people no matter how hard I try. If your life is that bad change it. I refuse to tell someone they are wrong for believing just as much as I refuse to tell someone they are wrong for not believing. If we were all the same the world would be a pretty lame place.
Beautiful! I couldn't have said it better myself! Thank you!
You go ahead and believe that. Pascal's wager is what you'd have us atheists accept.
When it comes to your religious beliefs, I can agree with you on the point of what you believe. However when you are stating what others believe and it is completely false, I will correct you.
You said "There anger is really an outward expression of a deepseated fear and anger. Fear that they may be wrong and anger at the perception that God is telling them how to live their lives through his children."
So who's telling who, what they believe? Your statement about it being a "deepseated fear" is 100% incorrect. You MAY be describing an "anti-theist" but not an atheist. But how can I fear, as an atheist, something that does not exist?
Very well put Glispix
I have to agree with Glispix, the reason you don't hear it, is because it's in your norm. I hear it all the time, and say little to nothing, the occasional "Have a blessed day" is not the issue. The issues are the state of Missouri wanting to institute creationsim as science, posting the 10 commandments on government property, instituting prayer at government functions. Passing laws based on christian beliefs, the list could go on. Did you know it is still against the law, in 4 states, to hold office unless you believe in God? This is currently being overturned... FINALLY! The United States is not made up of just Christians, there are Muslims, Jews, Hindus. Buddhists, Zoroastrians, Atheists, Satanists, Pagans, and many others. None of which seem to try to get their beliefs pushed into government or schools (you may say atheists push to have their beliefs pushed in schools, but that is not quite true. They push to keep religion out of schools).
Very true Glispix
Briani, there are those, especially young adults, that have turned their backs on religion, this is not just in christianity, but other religions as well. I call them "anti-theists". They may call themselves "atheists" but to have anger towards a God makes no sense.
As an atheist, to me God does not exist, so why should I fear or be angry at him/her/it. That'd be like saying I'm angry at the tooth-fairy because she/he didn't leave me a dollar for my tooth. That's not meant as an insult, just an example of the logic saying, that a person can be angry at something, that to them, does not exist.
Your beliefs are your's, their beliefs are their's and tossing all atheists in the same boat is wrong, that'd be like saying Catholics are like Mormons (being both are christians), and that is not right either.
The difference here is nearly every atheist is different, some believe in a spiritual world, some do not, some believe in an afterlife some do not, there is no set "dogma". Where-as in a religion, there is a set dogma, and that dogma, would depend on what religion we would talk about.
Bozette, it actually troubles me when Protestants state that this sect or that sect is not christian. All 44,000 denominations pretty much have the right to claim to be christian. I am not Christian, and you understand that, but it is unfortunate that some christians cannot accept the rest of Christianity.
LOL Bozette, you and I actually agree about something.
The most hated woman in America.
She did ruffle a few feathers. Ha!
Didn't she end up going missing?
She was assassinated in 1995.
Atheists are indoctrinated into the harebrained idea that something came from nothing at a very early age. Most likely their parents were substance abusers who came up with the idea of magic sky monkeys who evolved into humans while they were tripping on acid in the 60's
ha ha KristenGuruLynn's you are funny..
Where did you get this piece of prize information "Atheists are indoctrinated into the harebrained idea that something came from nothing at a very early age."? I'm an atheist and my parents were bible thumping christians, went to church multiple times a week. I, as most atheists, became atheist long after leaving the indoctrination of religion.
Oh also Atheists do not believe everything came from "nothing". If you think the Big Bang, is something from nothing, then you obviously do not understand the BB. The term "ex Nihilo" is a christian term meaning 'something from nothing' and that is what christians state God created the universe from, nothing.
Your allegation regarding atheist indoctrination at a very early age is wrong in my personal case. My parents brainwashed me into
Christianity from childhood (gave me a King James Bible with my name engraved on the front cover and forced me to go to church with them every Sunday). I became an atheist as an adult after I researched diligently for proofs of the existence of any god and was unsuccessful in finding any arguments which were logically coherent. And actually, the substance which my parents abused the most was brand name cigarettes (Kents for my dad, Viceroys for my mother). Neither of them even knew what acid was. I was offered it during my college days in the '60s, but declined to try it and just stuck to alcohol.
Sounds like you let your parents down. I hope you weren't a burden on society as most atheists are.
And exactly how are 'most atheists a burden on society'? Most people that depend on the government and society are christian. You seem to have some grudge against atheists.
Not true. Atheists spend all of there time whining about Christians that they can't hold down a job. Atheists are also very stupid people so if they do have a job it's something like sorting recyclables or busing tables.
Oh give me a break. I'm sure Bill Gates loves it when he gets his welfare check. The majority of welfare recipients live in the poorest parts of towns where there is a church on every corner. They go to church faithfully and hope God will pull them out of the poverty slump.
Well, actually I was not a burden on society. I actually contributed a great deal to society because I was very successful as an engineer and paid the maximum amount to the federal government every year into the FICA (Social Security taxes) fund during my career. I was also in a high income tax bracket for the government to take away more of my earnings to give to other people in society whom they thought deserved it more than I did.