tdekeyser

That sounds like HEAVEN to me......

I am surounded by self-rightous, all-knowing, arrogant, judgemental, prejudice, segregated, bias, loony, weird, hateful Christians.

I sat around one gathering and listened to them ATTACK all faiths other than thier own. Then they started in on scientist and evolution! It did not stop there, they attacked abortionist, jews, atheists, women, arabs and so on....

I think the only thing ATHEIST attack is Christians (because we are singled out by them), but CHRISTIANS attack everyone who is not like them. Big difference.

braces_for_impact

Many atheists enjoy discussing religion for many reasons. In the U.S. many talk about it because it's the dominant religion that they grew up with, and are surrounded by on a daily basis. As mentioned, Christianity in many forms does directly attack people. From making laws that enforce their religious views, to protestant/catholic problems in Ireland, to abortion clinic bombings, to Mother Theresa, Christianity is causing a large deluge of violence and social problems in the present. I won't bring up the long past atrocities of Christianity, as this is also well established and IMO, been beaten to death.
Many atheists feel that the typical explanation of "those aren't real Christians" doesn't cut the mustard.

If pressed, I would have to say that most Christians really don't give a lot of thought and effort into their religion. But many do, and for a goodly percentage, I would say they use it to define themselves. They are chained to the cross from which they cannot escape. Their minds are shackled and they are unable to think for themselves, and need instruction and guidance in how to live a moral life, because they are incapable of doing it on their own. In contrast, anyone who believes differently is a threat not just to their religion, but who they are because they have defined themselves so thoroughly using Christianity to give themselves some kind of identity. Proof that one has the conviction and strength to be a good person while still being able to think and feel for themselves is often taken as a threat to these types of people. Many (not all) of these types cruise atheist boards and chat rooms, I have found, in an attempt to convince themselves and others of the "superiority" of their position.

mike_decock

Because Christianity is the most popular religion and many atheists are ex-Christians. Christianity in this country is a major force and is a major source of the oppression, discrimination and intolerance of many different groups. It should be obvious why Christianity is the primary religion discussed in this forum.

Many atheists feel isolated and threatened because very few people speak up. Some people choose to devote their time and energy to improve the world for other atheists and future generations. The atheists who come to this forum are usually seeking like-minded people to discuss a variety of topics (including Christianity) without having to be concerned if Christians are going to harrass them (or worse) for expressing themselves.

They are putting their time and energy into a noble cause: to promote free thinking and making this country a freer place to live in. They are also a source of comfort to other atheists and nonreligious people who feel isolated in a sea of religious intolerance.

For the ex-Christian atheists, debating with Christians isn't a waste of time.

1) It's therapeutic to finally be able to openly express your thoughts on Christianity instead of having to suppress them.

2) It's an act of "redemption": Many ex-Christians converted other people in the past. They feel guilty about the damage they have done and they are making amends for the mistakes of the past.

3) It's spreading the "good news": You don't have to be bound to a degrading religion. There are others who think like you and they're not "evil Satan worshippers".

I'm sure there's plenty of other reasons but those were some of the big reasons I could think of off the top of my head.

-Mike...

Yellum Notnef

I'm an atheist and I don't give a flying fuck about religious a parody involving an invisible pink unicorn.
I really couldn't care less about it.


It's nice to see that you have at least a slight grasp of reality.

xian

i know of no group of people...that expresses tolerance.
The last thing atheists are....is tolerant of religion. You do not do yourself any favours crying out "woe is me i'm oppressed" in the name of tolerance. furthermore, you most likely do not even know what oppression is. If you want to know, go air drop yourself into North Korea. Theists (plus a deist- but no atheists) gave you this constitution that you continually make appeals to in order to cry "oppression" while under your breath, you hold the view that Religiosity is a disease that needs to be cured. I have pity on oppressed people....but you are not one of them.

lol! poor wittle atheists in the US are threatened? by whom? If some theist is persecuting you, take him to court. Oh....are you so tramautized by the pledge of allegiance? Do you suffer emotionally when you hear Bush say "God Bless America?" Good grief.

If you have legitimate persecution from a thiest, then take him to court. Esp if you are in California, the xian will be pounded by the anti-xian judges down there. The real truth is....you dont like those xians emotionally and you look forward to the day when Christianity is eradicated from the face of the earth.

What is this "oppression" you speak of, because I don't think you know the first thing about oppression.

Melkor

So, xian, you don't think that Atheists should be feeling the least bit uncomfortable or oppressed in a country like the U.S.?

Suppose something for just a moment. Suppose the majority of Congress, most of the sitting Supreme Court Justices, and the sitting President were all openly Satanists. Suppose they put "Under Satan" in the Pledge. Suppose they put "IN SATAN WE TRUST" on the money. Suppose they opened each session of Congress with a loud, hearty "Hail Satan!".

As a Christian, you are telling me that that wouldn't make you the least bit fearful of being treated differently for your beliefs, and that wouldn't make you the least bit oppressed or uncomfortable?

Mageth

What is this "oppression" you speak of, because I don't think you know the first thing about oppression.

And this on the same thread where you're ranting against atheists that speak out against Christianity, apparently thinking we would all be better off if we just kept our mouth shut?

BTW, mike said:

Christianity in this country is a major force and is a major source of the oppression, discrimination and intolerance of many different groups.

He's not just saying atheists. I would have to say that the gay/lesbian/bisexual/etc. group would fall in that category, as well as pro-choice and feminist groups, and even "evolutionists", among others. Turn on xian radio and listen to the ranting sometimes; they often include atheists in those rants, and occasionally even lump everyone they don't like under the atheist umbrella.

braces_for_impact

I noticed my points were not addressed.

xian

official satanists are simply atheists who have deliberate hostility towards Christianity. This is not unlike many in office today. Many people already in office hold this view by current scientist and Oxford professor Richard Dawkins:


"It is fashionable to wax apocalyptic about the threat to humanity posed by the AIDS virus, "mad cow" disease, and many others, but I think a case can be made that faith is one of the world's great evils, comparable to the smallpox virus but harder to eradicate."

IN my state government, there are a plethora of anti-christians holding positions of power. The entire teachers union for one....raising kids on anti-christian liberalized hate in the name of "education". So your scenario is not unlike what currently exists.

DOes it disgust me? Yes.

Do I cry "woe is me....I'm sooo oppressed"? absolutely not.

I know what oppression is....and the US is not it. ANyone who says they are oppressed in the US needs to wake up out of their ignorant slumber. You have it good here....are you so weak, you cannot withstand a few xians "attacking" you? lol. welcome to humanity. No one is going to unanimously accept you....neither in life, nor in government.

Mageth

IN my state government, there are a plethora of anti-christians holding positions of power. The entire teachers union for one....raising kids on anti-christian liberalized hate in the name of "education". So your scenario is not unlike what currently exists.

I don't know what state you live in (I suspect California), but are you really claiming that all of the teachers in the teacher's union are anti-christian?

What I've seen, at least some in educational circles, is an anti-intolerance stance (or pro-tolerance). E.g. promoting tolerance towards sexual preferences, ethnic groups, different religions, handicaps, etc. Apparently, when you see that pro-tolerance, you interpret it as anti-christian. What does that tell us about you and Christianity, I wonder?