Why the Christian hate?
Now, I've been noticing this more and more recently. A lot of atheists seem to have such animosity toward Christians. For evample, on Scrubs today (still legitimate...lol), Dr Cox had a very Christian sister. She continued to try and help patients with prayer and God, but he constantly made it seem like she practiced witchcraft and that medicine was victorious over God. I don't have a problem with atheists at all. If they don't believe in God, that's fine by me. I mean, I'd love to help them understand God eventually, but if it doesn't happen it's okay. My problem is that there are a lot of atheists out there that regard religion in general, but specifically Christianity, as mumbo jumbo. Christians are put down by these people as being backwards and believing in faith only, but not science. They also think Christians cannot believe in science because it clearly opposes faith in God (which it doesn't- they can supplement each other).
This is not the case for all atheists, but it is for some.
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6
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Here are a couple of reasons. First of all many Christians try to impose their moral laws on everyone else. IE( Gay marriage, abortion )More than half of evangelical Christians believe the bible is a more important source for US law than the will of the people. http://people-press.org/report/ Also you have things like, embryonic stem cell research funding being eliminated under Bush. Then you've got things like that pope recently saying that condoms don't protect against aids which will directly lead to the deaths of thousands of people. In the twenty-first century in an era of science and tolerance, there is no place for religions that are detrimental to society and have no benefit. Side: Detrimental to society
I'm sorry, but out of the examples you laid down, only two of them are legitimately bad. (gay marriage, abortion, stem cell, pope condoms) Out of these, I am against abortion and limited stem cell research. Why? Because I believe they destroy life, that's all. But I can accept some stem cell research due to the fact that it may save lives. How did I come up with my positions on these four topics? Not through religion, but through my morals. Morality does not equal religion. I'm apathetic to gay marriage, but I tend to lean toward legalization and I completely disagree with the pope even though I am a Roman Catholic. And evangelical Christians have some logic there. The Bible, if you have ever read it, has a lot of moral code that we can all live by. Jesus taught nothing but love and parts of the Bible, like the Commandments, are the backbone to modern justice. Side: Detrimental to society
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"I'm sorry, but out of the examples you laid down, only two of them are legitimately bad. (gay marriage, abortion, stem cell, pope condoms)" Well bad or not is an opinion. I was answering why people tend to dislike Christianity and I was giving my reasons that I know are shared by many people I know personally. Regarding abortion you are arguing it from a religious standpoint. You believe that human life is sacred and that it begins at conception. Which is fine if you want to believe that, but don't say you do not oppose abortion for religious reasons. I can't argue that your moral beliefs are incorrect. I disagree, but no one is right or wrong. I appreciate that you do not blindly follow the pope as millions of people do, and can see the absurdity and ignorance of his dismissal of condoms. I have not read the entirety of the bible, but I have read a few books from the Old and New Testament, and if you want to talk about moral codes, take a look at Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Side: Detrimental to society
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Hi ledhead! I must tell you that I disagree with your argument in its totality. Let me tell you why! While many Christians try and impose their will on others it is not exactly true that gay marriage or abortion are mightily supported by Christians and other faiths. People who try and do this do us all a disservice! Evangelicals do not make up the majority of Christians! Remember that there are many religions that go under the banner of Christianity. The stem cell research that was being done has been renewed under our new President, Barack Obama...so that lives, once again. The Pope saying what he did about condoms not protecting against HIV/AIDS is something that anyone who has not been cloistered for a lifetime would disagree with. We know better than that now and anyone that would follow this statement must truly know nothing about the issue. We all know that the Bible has its effects on the law as we know it. That's nothing new. But to believe for an instant that it supersedes the law or the will of the people is a fallacy. Side: It's undeserved
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"While many Christians try and impose their will on others it is not exactly true that gay marriage or abortion are mightily supported by Christians and other faiths." The Roman Catholic Church officially condemns abortion under all circumstances. Almost all Protestant denominations teach that abortion is a sin. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints excommunicates anyone who seeks or aides abortions. I am aware that funding for stem cell research has been renewed due to Obama. But the fact still stands that the funding was banned under Bush for religious reasons. "The Pope saying what he did about condoms not protecting against HIV/AIDS is something that anyone who has not been cloistered for a lifetime would disagree with. We know better than that now and anyone that would follow this statement must truly know nothing about the issue." That is kind of elitist and totally incorrect. If you grow up in a family who tells you that birth control is a sin and it doesn't work, then you will follow that statement. Conversely if the pope said, condoms do work and are the best defense against the spread of aids, it would help many people. The real problem, however, is in undeveloped parts of the world such as Africa. Most people there do not have access to sexual education and will follow the pope's word completely. His statement was directly referring to the aids epidemic in Africa, and clearly thousands of people will not use condoms due to his statement because they don't know better and have no way of knowing better. "We all know that the Bible has its effects on the law as we know it. That's nothing new." No the bible does not have effects on laws and such an effect is in direct violation of the establishment clause of the first amendment. "But to believe for an instant that it supersedes the law or the will of the people is a fallacy." You must be confused, I never said that it should or does supersede the will of the people. I said that many Christians including more than half of evangelicals believe it should supersede the will of the people. I congratulate and commend you on your liberal view of religion and your acceptance of modern beliefs and science. If most religious people were like you, then there would not be "Christian hate." The problem, however, is that there a large number of Christians who take fundamental, conservative positions. Christianity neither implies fundamentalism nor does it imply liberalism, it is up to the interpretation of the person. I was merely explaining why so many people are hostile to Christianity, as well as other religions. Side: Detrimental to society
First, i agree that not all Christians are represented by the popular and recognized images of current American Christianity. those that hold a modest view of Christianity along with realism are undeserved of such hate. Obama revived the public funding for stem cell research but that doesn't mean the Christians didn't have an affect on it. By citing their religion they were able to delay it and thus they imposed their viewpoints on american society even though not all of american society agreed with them. Of course, most people with common sense or who are not clouded by religion would understand the fallacy of the pope's statement but that doesn't mean he didn't try to influence them. there are those who will believe him because of his position within Christianity. The majority of Americans know that the bible shouldn't supersede the will of the people but that doesn't mean that there are those that do believe it should. If the bible can influence the law so that a law is created that supports or carries out a "law" in the bible which some of the population doesn't believe in then in a sense the bible has superseded the will of the people. Side: Detrimental to society
Dont forget that Bush went to war using religion as a subtext and by amping xenophobisim through religious talk. Also. Religions (the Abraamic three at least) have all the hallmarks of being Cons - cons are hurtfull to people. It is also very frustrating when dealing with real world, measurable issues that someone would refuse to even consider the evidence because of a non-sensical book written compiled 1700 years ago. I dont dislike Christians - I dislike willingly uninformed people who still claim the right to be heard on issues ("teach the contraversy") they are not willing to research or understand (in short: willingly dumb people) It then just so happens that those people tend to be Christians (at least in my culture) Side: Detrimental to society
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Traditionally, Christians have a long-standing history of violence, animosity towards other religions, and the imposition of Christian beliefs on all other persons. Mohandas Ghandi once said, "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." It is true that within many Christian organizations, there is corruption, and it seems lately that many faiths are becoming more and more superficial, less about faith and more about a fear of going to "Hell" or a fear of not having a label. As an atheist, I understand the generalization, but I disapprove. While your argument does not hold true for all atheists, the atheist argument does not hold true for all Christians. As long as the members of any religion use their faith in a positive manner, and don't attempt to impose it upon others, live and let live, I say. It's when religion infiltrates government, peace, or a person's well-being that it becomes a problem. Side: It's undeserved
I accept that you can believe in Science. I'm glad that you all have been able to work that in. I don't appreciate having faith, any faith, pushed on me. And when faith is written into law, the law I have to live and abide by, then I have a problem with it. The only thing I want my doctor doing is reading up on the latest medicines to cure people. I don't want him spending 15 minutes praying for me. So pray in church, pray before bed. But don't make me. And PS: It ain't hate. I don't hate Christians, especially for all the good they do (which is limited, for the most part, to charity). Side: Have faith but plz don't push it on me
Atheists / Non-believers in the US and most of the rest of the world have it VERY hard. Its much harder than any Christian b/c we live in societies that pander and bow down to the wishes of the religious right. Non-believers are a minority in the US. They are discriminated against constantly b/c our society, again, is catered to the faithful. Myself and all of my non-believing friends feel as if we are condemned by society b/c we dont reach the moral high ground that Christians do. For example, so many believers preface their statements with "Well, as a Christian...." Many and probably most Christians feel that b/c of their belief system, they have this ethical superiority over others. OK, maybe saying ethical superiority might be exaggerating it a bit, but many Christians do feel as though b/c they follow the good book they are living life the correct way. All others have missed the mark. I cant tell how many times ive been told by avid believers that b/c im a non-believer, that I can just go out and rape women and steal if I feel like it. They say that I can do those things b/c I dont believe in God and his goodness. Thats asinine. I argue that most of the people that are locked up for crimes ARE God fearing individuals. Some of the most atrocious times in history have been by people that felt God is their co-pilot or they feel as if they are killing in the holy name of... Christians are VERY quick to judge as well. Many say, "Well, as a Christian, I am not supposed to judge, but the bible says that what you are doing... blah blah blah". To answer your question, yeah some non-believers might have gotten fed up w/Christians that constantly throw their faith in our faces. If they speak out, I am not going to endorse them rather I can sympathize w/their anger. A person in my family is a minister and I told him that if believing in Christ makes him happy, then go for it! I dont mind at all, just respect that we differ in beliefs and that is it. He responded that he is not happy with my choice and he will pray for me. That in a nutshell sums is up. Why cant Christians be more like Buddhists for example. They dont have to go and toss their beliefs in a patronizing manner to others. All in all, most non-believer/atheists want to be left the hell alone. The vast majority want to live and let be. We dont go around saying, hey we are godless and you should be to. On the other hand, Christians say they have a problem w/us and we should convert. They say that its their holy commission to spread the word. To me, the best Christian is the one that beliefs in his/her faith, lives a good live, and thru their actions in society, they are productive and kind to those around them. If they did that, they wouldnt have to even utter the word Jesus. Im sorry my friend, but it is the atheist that is the victim. Side: Detrimental to society
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I think you'll find most non-believers don't hate all Christians. I personally think that most people that declare themselves to be Christians are simply exercising their human need to be spiritual, but because they were only exposed to Christianity they have adopted those particular teachings to express it. Which is why the "average Christian" is not out in the streets preaching their faith, or even bringing it up in conversation. They simply pick and choose parts of the faith that satisfy their spiritual needs and keep it to a private level. You could say that religion to them is just one of the many "hobbies" that fill their life. It influences their decisions but only to a small minor degree. Overall though, they "keep it themselves". The ones that do get hate in response, are the ones that have read the book, have accepted all the teachings, have a need for there to a be a deity that will judge everyone, and their decisions are affected by religion to a much larger degree. They are also very vocal, and they want to instill that belief onto everybody else (because they "care" and because the deity wants them to). Now, its obvious that anybody that came into your life with whatever belief and started shouting or was intruding even subtly, would provoke an equal response from you. Its action and reaction. The more powerful the action, the more powerful the reaction. The problem nowadays is that the media is only interested in shocking and stirring news. Which is why every time you hear about Christians the camera is usually pointing to an evangelical Christian. Much like every time you hear about Muslims, the footage is usually of screaming and shouting extremists. It's hard to be a devout Christian and live with non-believers who don't want to listen to you. It's harder to be a non-believer and live in a country where Christians make the laws you have to live by. It's even harder to be an "average" Christian and have the vocal extremists represent you and make laws you have to live by, and then have the non-believers put you in the same bag and blame you with the extremists. In my opinion: You can choose to have a religion and believe in a God if you so wish, but you will always have your consciousness and fellow human beings to answer to. Side: Have faith but plz don't push it on me
I would not say this "hate" is reserved solely for christens but in the United States Christianity is the most widely represented religion and thus Americans see the effects of Christianity more than of other religions. That being said Christianity has a strong influence on american law and many don't want to be liable under laws which were created because of a populations' religious views which may not be unanimous among the whole citizen body. Obvious examples include the resistance/denial of gay rights, abortion rights, and stem cell research. Gay rights are resisted by several religions such as Christianity and Islam but Christianity is more prevalent in society so it has a stronger voice and becomes the image of anti-gay rights. abortion rights are also resisted by religions but Christianity again is more vocal about it and more strict about it. The polices regarding stem cell research have for the majority of cases only been opposed by Christians and yet their religion for a long time has prevented the advancement of important techniques. The hate is directed towards the Christians because they do not seek to change their attitudes towards certain issues that affect Christians and non-Christians alike. Also Christians often make the case that evolution can't be real because it disproves god. The fact is that evolution was never meant to disprove a theist's god. I think if another religion was more prominent in America that hate would be directed towards them if they acted in a similar way. Of course this distribution of hate is unequal in that the hate is in response to select high profile or evangelical Christians and not in response to moderate Christians yet the moderate Christians receive the majority of the fallout simply because they are a majority among their religion. Side: Have faith but plz don't push it on me
well, i personally dont hate christians, i am not one, i am wiccan. and, having studied tons of religion (about 30 books and 100's of sites) the reason i dont like the religion, is because christianity took alot of aspects from different religions that already existed and turned them into something for their religion. it is widely known that when christianity was spreading they changed the date of jesus's birthday to a holiday that already existed in european tribes. the word of the bible is respectable (except for all the womanizing) but somthing a lot of christians just dont understand is where all of the other stuff comes from. easter was from the celtic holiday "ostara" a celebration of fertility. that's why it has the easter bunny and eggs. another fact that isnt widely known is that in genisis when the bible says "on the 7th day 'he' rested" the hebrew word means SHE rested. in fact the whole bible in hebrew implies that G-D is half woman half man, two entities in one. so, this man-ruled christian society is based on ignorance. that's the only real problem with it. Side: Detrimental to society
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You're right it is much easier to be an atheist than it is to be a Christian. How to become an atheist 1) Look for evidence of a god 2) There is none 3) You are an atheist How to become a Christian 1) Listen to parents when they say it is true 2) Read the bible 3) Ignore all of the immorality, contradiction, and scientific error 4) Suspend all rational thought you use for all other areas in your life 5) Accept someone you have never met as your lord 6) You are a Christian Definitely much easier to be an atheist. The mental gymnastics and cognitive dissonance you guys manage is astounding. Side: Detrimental to society
It sounds like you're judging... and I don't think you've ever been an atheist, so you wouldn't know what that's like, right? I think that's a double whammy. Try to understand where the people you interact with are coming from. It will allow you to be a better Christian, by being a better person. Side: Detrimental to society
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