[Ryantheatheist]

Hi folks, this is more of a topic than a direct question;

However I would like to understand why atheism in general offends people.

I don't believe in God as there is no evidence to suggest there is, atop of the fact that there are much better ways to explain the world nowadays which does not require a God.

However, I am still a kind and generous person when I can be. I do believe that I have a good moral compass as do most people too. Furthermore; I find that even though most of us are moral people, it appears only organised religion finds an excuse to condone murder, torture and even child abuse.
So I simply ask; why can atheism, which is simply the will to question unjustifiable and unverifiable claims be considered offensive to those who believe?

Thanks

Ryan.

[JudyKayTee]

Hi folks, this is more of a topic than a direct question;

However I would like to understand why atheism in general offends people.

I don't believe in God as there is no evidence to suggest there is, atop of the fact that there are much better ways to explain the world nowadays which does not require a God.

However, I am still a kind and generous person when I can be. I do believe that I have a good moral compass as do most people too. Furthermore; I find that even though most of us are moral people, it appears only organised religion finds an excuse to condone murder, torture and even child abuse.
So I simply ask; why can atheism, which is simply the will to question unjustifiable and unverifiable claims be considered offensive to those who believe?

Thanks

Ryan.

My specific "take" on this is that I would never make a blanket statement like this about atheists if our positions were reversed - "it appears only organised religion finds an excuse to condone murder, torture and even child abuse."

Otherwise I stay off the religion boards.

[Ryantheatheist]

My specific "take" on this is that I would never make a blanket statement like this about athiests if our positions were reversed - "it appears only organised religion finds an excuse to condone murder, torture and even child abuse."

.

Well I'm sorry, but organised religion does condone those things, I can find the passages if you like (But surely you would know if you had read the bible/Q'uran yourself). There has never been a man to kill in the name of atheism, perhaps anti-theism but never atheism.

My question is how can it offend people when I express my disbelief for God, yet it is all right for a religious man/lady to come to my door and attempt to convince me that I am wrong.

[ScottGem]

The answer here is that there are religious zealots who feel they have to convert everyone to their way of thinking. There are other people so deeply into their religion that for anyone to challenge their belief in their religion is an affront to them. Such people will take offense when their beliefs are challenged.

[Wondergirl]

You are tarring all Christians with the same brush. I am a life-long Christian and have no problem with atheists. In fact, I read books by famous ones to learn how they think and why--and then reexamine my own beliefs. And I am not the only Christian who does this.

[Ryantheatheist]

You are tarring all Christians with the same brush. I am a life-long Christian and have no problem with atheists. In fact, I read books by famous ones to learn how they think and why--and then reexamine my own beliefs. And I am not the only Christian who does this.

Well actually I am talking to the religious people in general, and although I appreciate what you've said, I would still like to know what makes the people who do get offended tick.

Also in addition, it has to be said. If you read science books, and books on atheism then I would be very interested in your belief system, as I used to be a believer when I was young, then took Philosophy and Ethics at A level and I have been atheist since then, once I read more about science and atheism it seemed a no brainer to me.

No offense intended, Just expressing my opinion.

Thanks

[JudyKayTee]

Well i'm sorry, but organised religion does condone those things, I can find the passages if you like (But surely you would know if you had read the bible/Q'uran yourself). There has never been a man to kill in the name of atheism, perhaps anti-theism but never atheism.

My question is how can it offend people when i express my disbelief for God, yet it is all right for a religious man/lady to come to my door and attempt to convince me that I am wrong.

You don't have to be an atheist to NOT want people preaching at you at your door, on the street, on AMHD.

As far as there has never been a murder by an atheist I haven't researched and so I don't know - I'm not aware that's a question that is asked at the murder scene but, again, I don't know.

I don't know that people are offended by other people's religious beliefs. I can only address myself, and I'm not. What does offend me is people who preach, and that includes Christians, Jews and everyone else. If I want to hear what they have to say, I'll ask them. Same with atheists.

I have a relative who is a fanatical born again Christian. If I say it's raining, she quotes the Bible. That's offensive.

There are zealots everywhere in the name of just about anything.

You seem to have a need to defend atheists - why?

[JudyKayTee]

Too late for me to edit my answer BUT I notice you spend a lot of time on the "Islam" boards.

Why?

[Wondergirl]

Also in addition, it has to be said. If you read science books, and books on atheism then I would be very interested in your belief system

My belief is that God is so much bigger than humans can ever imagine. They tend to put Him in a small corral and build a high fence around Him. And out of fear of what they think He will do to them if they are "incorrect" in their beliefs, they also erect a high fence around themselves.

FEAR is the operative word.

[Ryantheatheist]

You don't have to be an atheist to NOT want people preaching at you at your door, on the street, on AMHD.

As far as there has never been a murder by an atheist I haven't researched and so I don't know - I'm not aware that's a question that is asked at the murder scene but, again, I don't know.

I don't know that people are offended by other people's religious beliefs. I can only address myself, and I'm not. What does offend me is people who preach, and that includes Christians, Jews and everyone else. If I want to hear what they have to say, I'll ask them. Same with atheists.

I have a relative who is a fanatical born again Christian. If I say it's raining, she quotes the Bible. That's offensive.

There are zealots everywhere in the name of just about anything.

You seem to have a need to defend atheists - why?

I agree with pretty much everything you've said, preaching is quite annoying and that is partly why I've asked this question in perticular, as I was expressing my disbelief in all things supernatural, including God and I was told by my manager to keep a lid on it.
I am in no-way defending atheism, the evidence (or lack of evidence on the religious part) Is more than enough to defend my view-point.
This is all about how atheists tend to be ushered around, and people try to silence us.

Ryan.

[Ryantheatheist]

My belief is that God is so much bigger than humans can ever imagine. .

If that is true, then how can you even contemplate his existence, and furthermore; how can you possibly have the knowledge to believe in such a thing?

Oh also, FEAR is the operative word. The fear of there being no after-life causes people to believe in irrational beings.

[excon]

in perticular, as I was expressing my disbelief in all things supernatural, including God and I was told by my manager to keep a lid on it.

Hello Ryan:

You sound like you were trying to convert people... That turns people off. Maybe it's YOU that's offensive, and not atheism.

excon

[Wondergirl]

If that is true, then how can you even contemplate his existence, and furthermore; how can you possibly have the knowledge to believe in such a thing?

I do my best with His help. :)

[Ryantheatheist]

Hello Ryan:

You sound like you were trying to convert people... That turns people off. Maybe it's YOU that's offensive, and not atheism.

excon

Well no,
1) You don't convert to atheism
2) I was as calm as a cucumber, and used the words "Each to their own, this is just my opinion"
3) They tried to convert me.

So, no.

Thanks.

[Ryantheatheist]

I do my best with His help. :)

How does he help you, what properties does this help have?

Is it mental? If it is then the odds are you are helping yourself.

Ryan.

[Wondergirl]

I was told by my manager to keep a lid on it.

The work site is no place for religious discussions.

Years ago, our atheist teen library page (book shelver) challenged me to prove there is a God. I met and talked with him outside the library during lunch and break times. We got the library homeless guy (former altar boy) involved. It was one of the best times of my life!

[Wondergirl]

How does he help you, what properties does this help have?

Is it mental? If it is then the odds are you are helping yourself.

Ryan.

He and I have constant, ongoing conversations.

[excon]

You don't convert to atheism..

Hello again, R:

It's semantics.. In fact, it's your justification to continue to tell people that they're WRONG... That offends people.

excon

[Ryantheatheist]

The work site is no place for religious discussions.

Well, they instigated the convosation... I was asked what I believed.

And furthermore, How does he communicate... is it a voice in your head?

Ryan

[Wondergirl]

And furthermore, How does he communicate...is it a voice in your head?

Hahahahahahaha!!