GeoTheo

I'm serious. With apologies to the atheists that respect others beliefs, why should Christians like atheists when you are so haughty?
I hear people expressing the desire that they wish Christians would understand them and not think they are immoral or a bad person just because they don't believe in God. I admit I have encountered some very thoughtful atheists here and I would agree that they are decent thougtful people that shouldn't be pre-judged. But then I see posts like "How do you explain intelligent Christians?" People really seem to assume they are way smarter than Christians, just for the simple fact that We Christians believe in God.
Am I missing somthing? Have atheists discovered the meaning of life and just haven't told anyone?
If not it seems that they are wrestling with the same big issues like death, purpose, finding happiness...that we are. Since this can't be put into a test tube. I don't see how seeking meaning in life causes one to reject critical thinking.
So If you are an atheist that has the impression that you atheism makes you a mental giant I wouldn't cry to loudly if you get persecuted by theists. They probably don't like arrogant haughty people that go around thinking they are way smarter than everyone else.

Mageth

They probably don't like arrogant haughty people that go around thinking they are way smarter than everyone else.

This knife cuts both ways. There have been plenty of xians posting on this forum that appear arrogant and haughty and "go around thinking they are way smarter than everyone else" because they believe they know the Truth and we atheists are "fools" (even quoting from scripture to prove this last point).

It's hard to make a blanket judgment about people IRL from their input on an online Forum. I know lots of believers IRL, and I can't recall one that comes across personally the way some of the posters on this board do.

Eudaimonist

Atheists don't care if theists don't like them. Christians don't have to like atheists.

Atheists just want to be accepted as human beings with the same rights as everyone else, and as "wrestling with the same big issues like death, purpose, finding happiness...that [Christians] are."

If Christians could only manage this, even the more disagreeable atheists would calm down.

Goliath

GeoTheo,

When you find the post where I say that I "think that I am way smarter than everyone else," please let me know.

Until then, please stop putting words in my mouth, and in the mouth of every atheist on this planet.

Sincerely,

Goliath

(edited to fix quote)

[ November 07, 2002: Message edited by: Goliath ]</p>

Walter_Mitty

My 2 cents...

Geo, I would not take ANY online discussion board, atheistic or otherwise, as a representative sample of that particular population. Also, Mageth pointed out that the knife cuts both ways which is true.

In the real world, I am still friends with some stellar Christians. I also know some Christians (and a pastor or two) that are grade A jack asses. Every "group" is going to have inflammatory members.

Another thing you have to remember is that most of these boards that discuss the "God issue" seem to attract people who like to debate. Naturally, among the debaters there's going to be certain individuals that take a more aggressive approach than others.

In addition, some people get truly offended when you question their beliefs and it doesn't matter how tactful you are. The problem is, many times people have their identities closely linked to their belief systems. Also, many more have political or personal motivations that go hand in hand with their beliefs. This means that by applying criticism to these beliefs may be seen by some, as an attack on the person, their politics, or their agendas.

Finally, for many, discussion boards are an escape from the mundane world. I suspect that many people enjoy creating a "cyber character" that "may" have elements of the real person, but also "may" have elements that are all part of the show.

Just a suggestion, but if you get too agitated you might do well in avoiding the forums that usually have controversial issues/posters. Or, you might avoid the secular boards period. I know I have taken my own advice in regards to x-tian boards. Some things just aren't worth the mental cramp!

cydonia

Seems kind of childish to use religion as a basis of "liking" people. I like plenty of christians i know online, i just think they are wrong. Debating is fun, it's like chess or something. I "like" my family, even though they're all fundies. I still love them though, why shouldn't i?

Bible Humper

Hello Geotheo,

You have to forgive them their mistake, many people don't realise that religious belief has absolutely nothing to do with reason, so they wonder if this is because theists lack the ability to reason.

I know you are already shaking your head, but bear with me here. We'll talk about the other religions of the world, and for the sake of argument we'll both assume that yours is true. Everything I say still applies because of the free will argument, your deity(real) made it so that his religion was indistinguishable from the religions of the other deities(not real) so that we could have the freedom to believe in him or not. It's part of the plan!

Now look at the Hindu, we both know that Vishnu isn't real, but he is convinced that he is real anyway. If we ask him about his beliefs, challenge them even, it becomes apparent that they are not based on a logical conclusion reached by following where the evidence leads.

What's the matter? He doesn't seem to be able to understand no matter how many times we show him. It doesn't seem unlikely that some of us might wonder if he is perhaps a tad deficient upstairs, otnay ootay rightbay, if you know what I mean.

Further study, however, suggests that his beliefs are emotionally based rather than logically based, and so he can be both extremely intelligent and still believe in a magic Vishnu!

Note that your beliefs are indistinguishable from his in this regard. Don't shake your head, your theology demands that they are. Your deity(real) had to make his religion indistinguishable from the others so that we wouldn't realise that his is real, based on mere evidence rather than faith, because it would ruin our ability to choose to believe freely.

Now you understand, hopefully, why some people make that mistake. Religions all appear to be nothing more than phenomena of social-psych, yours because your deity(real) actually wanted his religion to look like that, the others because their deities(not real) had no ability to make their religions any other way because.... well, because they don't exist.

The next time an atheist accuses you of lacking intelligence, tell him that religions(but not yours) are not based on intelligent conclusions reached by following the trail of evidence, but rather on emotion. Tell him that yours indeed looks like that too, but that it is because the deity wanted it to look the same.

[ November 08, 2002: Message edited by: Bible Humper ]</p>

cydonia

You know, that seems like a pretty fair assessment of God's plan by most Christians i've talked to online. They would probably agree with every word.

Why would anyone want to worship such a deceitful god?

Also, isn't there a difference between "smart" and "reasonable" "educated" "intellectually honest"?

[ November 07, 2002: Message edited by: cydonia ]</p>

Starboy

GeoTheo,

Look at your early posts. You are the pot calling the kettle black. Ask yourself why you originally came onto this board as you did and ask yourself if it is not uncommon for a great many Christians to feel and act as you did. Then think what it must be like to be an atheist living under those conditions in a country filled with people who thought and behaved as you did. You mistake haughty for pissed off. If Christians really practiced what they preach we would not be having this discussion. Christianity SUCKS because it is full of SH*T! It can't deliver on the most important need of our time, the ability to get people to live in harmony with one another! I do not go to theists boards trying to convince people that they are wrong. Why are you here GeoTheo?

Starboy

NOGO

GeoTheo
I have encountered some very thoughtful atheists here and I would agree that they are decent thougtful people that shouldn't be pre-judged.

Oh thank you soooo much.
What you state here is exactly the problem. Christians tend to be so ... self righteous. You start from the position that being an atheist is wrong and evil. In the future please just abstain from the words "that shouldn't be pre-judged" and place your period after "thoughful people".

But then I see posts like "How do you explain intelligent Christians?" People really seem to assume they are way smarter than Christians, just for the simple fact that We Christians believe in God.

Belief in God is not the problem with Christians. The problem is Christianity.

Am I missing somthing? Have atheists discovered the meaning of life and just haven't told anyone?

No we have not. On the other hand we do not swallow what ancient ignorant people have made up as an answer.

If not it seems that they are wrestling with the same big issues like death, purpose, finding happiness...that we are. Since this can't be put into a test tube. I don't see how seeking meaning in life causes one to reject critical thinking.

Rejecting critical thinking is not a consequence of seeking the meaning of life. The problem is where and how you seek. Ancient myths will give us some insight on what people thought at the time but taking any of it seriously is not rational.

So If you are an atheist that has the impression that you atheism makes you a mental giant I wouldn't cry to loudly if you get persecuted by theists. They probably don't like arrogant haughty people that go around thinking they are way smarter than everyone else.

Atheism does make me or anybody a mental giant but taking myth as reality make you a self-made mental dwarf. I am sure that you agree with me when it comes to other faiths. You just can't see it when it comes to yours.

[ November 07, 2002: Message edited by: NOGO ]</p>