Anyone have any idea why atheism is frowned upon, even though 2.7 billion people worldwide are either atheistic, agnostic, or indifferent to religion? (source: a geography book, forget the title)
“Don’t take life too seriously: you’ll never get out alive”
frowned upon by whom?
what is essential is invisible to the eye -the fox
I foresee this thread ending up in Great Debates…
Frowned upon by mainstream Christians. People I tell my religion to immediately offer to “pray for me” since somehow I’m a terrible, terrible, misguided soul, and immediately try to convert me.
“Don’t take life too seriously: you’ll never get out alive”
there’s your answer. : )
what is essential is invisible to the eye -the fox
Atheism terrifies religious folks, because it opens the horrifying door to the thought that maybe there is no God. People can look upon those of other religions and think, “well, they may have chosen the wrong relgigion, but at least they share the belief that there is a God.” But atheists, by our very lack of belief, inadvertantly (or advertantly!) thumb our noses at the very existence of afterlife, gods, etc. That must be very scary to someone who bases their whole belief system on faith in the unknowable.
Interesting sidelight: I’ve been watching the reruns of “Moonlighting” on Bravo, and last night they ran the one where Maddie tells a horrified David that she’s an atheist (though they copped out a little at the end of the show). I remember being delighted with that when it first ran—I can’t think of another television character who ever admitted to being an atheist!
Why do Christians frown upon atheism?
Could it be Christians think atheists are wrong?
Nah, not possible. There must be some other reason…
Chaim Mattis Keller
ckeller@kozmo.com
“Sherlock Holmes once said that once you have eliminated the
impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be
the answer. I, however, do not like to eliminate the impossible.
The impossible often has a kind of integrity to it that the merely improbable lacks.”
– Douglas Adams’s Dirk Gently, Holistic Detective
Many people see morality as a synonym for “God’s Will”, and therefore look upon atheism as an amoral or immoral philosophy. Atheists also have a tendency to fight the entrenchment of religion (e.g. fighting against mandatory school prayer) so many people view atheists as a threat to their religion (they have a tendency to believe that all atheists are intent on removing all religion from the world – which some atheists actually do advocate, even though most atheists are content to let each person make up his or her own mind). Since most people tend to view their religion as an inherently good thing, this is more “evidence” to them that atheists are immoral and evil (i.e. “my religion in good, atheists want to get rid of my religion, therefore atheists want to get rid of something good, therefore atheists are evil”). Also, since most atheists are well educated, many religious people resent things that atheists say because it often sounds like they are patronizing the “ignorant religious masses”, so people often become defensive and confrontational. Many atheists, such as angry young people who are “outraged” at all of the “evil” that has been perpetrated in the world in the name of religion (as if people wouldn’t have found some other excuse to kill each other), do nothing to discourage this confrontational attitude (and frequently encourage it). Once a confrontational attitude is established, an “us vs. them” attitude is perfectly natural.
oh?
what is essential is invisible to the eye -the fox
Cmkeller: but why do they think it is wrong?
“Don’t take life too seriously: you’ll never get out alive”
“Don’t take life too seriously: you’ll never get out alive”
I have told several very Catholic friends that I am an Atheist.
But none of them have tried to convert me, or save my “soul”.
I guess they don’t think that my soul is worth saving.
Either that or they actually respect my opinions. Na it has to be something else.
Scoobysnax
Save water drink beer!
Scoobysnax: Lucky.
“Don’t take life too seriously: you’ll never get out alive”
***Topic: What’s wrong with atheism? ***
You can’t scream “Oh, God!” while having sex. 
When danger reared its ugly head,
He bravely turned his tail and fled
It goes beyond merely thinking that atheists are wrong. Christians seem to equate atheism with immorality.
For example, an openly atheistic candidate could never be elected President. Why? Because many voters will make the assumption that if the candidate is an atheist, s/he has no morals and cannot be trusted.
As opposed to that good Christian fellow that we have now? :rolleyes:
[aside]I am NOT suggesting all Christians have the same moral compass (or lack thereof) as Charming Billy. Please, don’t flame me for something I didn’t say![/aside]
Never attribute to malice anything that can be attributed to stupidity.
– Unknown
CatInHat-
You’re preaching to the choir here (so to speak). I didn’t say I agree with the assumption that atheists are immoral, I only stated that the assumption is made. (Heck, I myself am one of those evil, immoral, atheist-types.)
(On another note, Clinton’s sexual ethics, or lack thereof, have no bearing on his abilities as President, IMO. But,that’s for another thread…)
“Every time you think, you weaken the nation!” --M. Howard
I think there are many Christian sects that believe they are called upon to rescue those who are in mortal danger of burning in hell forever, in the same way that you might react to seeing a man trapped in a flaming car, or about to watch a Barry Manilow concert.
Being a devout christian myself I think I may be able to shed some light. I myself believe that everyone should believe in God. But if you don’t it’s no big deal to me. It’s just a difference in opinion.
For example when I watch a movie that I liked, and someone else didn’t like it, I would think, what?? how could you not like that…the same as I might say, what?? how can you not believe in God. It doesn’t instantly make you fall from grace or make me believe you have no morals. You simply wish to not believe in something I do. Much the same way believing that a movie was terrible when in fact I believed it was good does not strip you moral character.
Another thought. As a christian my job is to witness to non-believers…from there my job is done. It is now up to the individual to make a choice. Any christian who judges you for your belief or lack there of has sinned against you.
One more quick thought. It’s amazing how many people choose to believe only when death is on their doorstep.