So, riddle me this...

[geniph]

why in the hell do theists CARE whether or not I believe what they believe? I have yet to meet an atheist or agnostic who really cared whether other people believed or disbelieved, but theists drive around with bumper stickers that say things like: "Don't believe in God? You'd better be RIGHT!" In other words, "you're going to hell and I get to watch neener neener neener!" What the hell do they care whether or not I'm right? If I'm wrong, so I go to hell. What's it to them. If I'm right, then we're dead and it's kind of a moot point!

It's like the old saying about the difference between a person who has tattooes versus a person who does not - the tattooed person doesn't CARE that you don't have any, but the un-tattooed are forever making judgements about people with tattoos.

Why can't people just MTOFB?

[FM Arouet666]

1. Constant reinforcement is necessary to believe....

I think that faith requires constant reinforcement. Faith requires that you believe something without any evidence. There has to be, in the back of every religious persons mind, a voice of doubt. This voice is amplified when confronted with ideas which are contrary to one's faith.

Proselytizing is an effective means to maintain the belief. If you can convince an unbeliever, that little voice of doubt grows more silent.

Atheists simply do not have this problem. I believe what I do based on science, which requires sound rational thinking and evidence. You don't believe in evolution, yes I am annoyed, but it does not alter my perception of the theory. Not true, with believers in a mystical god.

[geniph]

2. I think you probably hit the nail on the head there

You're right - I don't require the affirmation of others to believe or not believe what I do, because it's based on observable, empirical data. On the other hand, if I believed in the Flying Puppy Who Created Us All, I'd want to know that others had heard its plaintive yelps too.

[Az]

3. Our society is a constant blast to their faith

Science and moral relativism are doing incredible damage to their claims of authority. Their children are being hit square in the face with this on a daily basis. Without the constant reinforcement of the faith it would be eroded away and leave soft christians open to anything including dispensing of their belief in god.

[NMMNG]

4. Perfect response

There has to be, in the back of every religious persons mind, a voice of doubt.

That voice of doubt, which grew until it could be ignored no longer, is the very reason I eventually became an atheist.


You don't believe in evolution, yes I am annoyed, but it does not alter my perception of the theory.

I myself don't get annoyed if others don't believe in evolution. If they wan't to believe in God or the FSM that is their right as autonomous beings. I do get annoyed, however, when they want their fairytales taught in public schools--in science classes no less.

[melv]

5. it is part of the requirement of being Christian

per the bible, they are "called" to "save" as many people as they can. To them, it is their duty. I once discussed this with my preacher father-in-law. I asked "why can't you just let me make my own decisions?" To which he replied "people cannot be trusted to do that when it comes to faith, because there is too much at stake - their eternal souls."

how do you even begin to talk to someone like that!

[progressoid]

6. There-in lies one of the big problems with xianity

It has to win. There isn't much room for compromise.

That even becomes a problem here in DU (understatement of the day). While liberal xians may want to adopt a "live and let live" attitude, they are also supposed to spread the gospel and save some souls. Kinda hard to do both.

[soleft]

7. If they could handle doubt and not knowing they's be atheists

[enki23]

8. i want other people to give up the god myth

in that way, i suppose i'm a bit different. i really do care, and ridicule them for it constantly. maybe there's a little bit of a difference. my beliefs aren't threatened by theres. however, i really think my well-being *is*

.

[Lars39]

9. I've had limited success with muttering "stumbling block"

when faced with this attitude. Only works if they actually know scripture, though.