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There are clearly a number of Christians at least in America and probably elsewhere who appear to feel quite alot of hostility towards atheists in general. It's been mentioned on this forum that Bush Sr. made some very harsh comments about atheists which doesn't seem like a dignified thing for an ex-President to say in a society that is supposed to be a place where people have the freedom of speech and to believe whatever they please. Even the rights of racists and members of hate groups are protected by our Constitution.
So let me ask this question. Do any of you who are Christians or members of any other faith feel personally threatened by atheists or that society as a whole is threatened? I'm not talking about being threatened with violence of course, I'm talking about the influence that atheists have as our numbers continue to rise and that many of us don't feel the need to hide our lack of belief from anyone. What this really comes down to is the fact that we're seeing a gradual change in attitudes regarding religious matters in society and there seem to be alot of people who don't like it.
Personally I don't want religious people to feel threatened by us and even though I'm an atheist I do believe in the freedom of thought which includes the right to be religious. I have always believed in pluralism and the idea of the melting pot in which people can all be Americans but still have the right to express their beliefs. Any thoughts?
I don't feel threatened by atheist,I wouldn't know one if I was walking down the street and passed by one. We all all come onto cyberspace and spill out who we are hidden only by a user name that people identify with over time. We as believers know about what the responses will be from atheists as well as atheists will know about the responses from believers. There are a lot of disagreements on the R\P Forum between believers and non-believers but most of the time it is kept civil. I find it somewhat interesting as to how people think whether it be Christian or atheist,I mean after all we are just people and God's people at that.
I find it somewhat interesting as to how people think whether it be Christian or atheist,I mean after all we are just people and God's people at that.
Do you realize at all how arrogant and patronizing that sounds? You're telling us we're all "god's people" when you know damned well we don't believe in god. And yet so many of you get upset when we say we don't believe in your god.
Originally Posted by noland123
I find it somewhat interesting as to how people think whether it be Christian or atheist,I mean after all we are just people and God's people at that.
Do you realize at all how arrogant and patronizing that sounds?
I know that you and I are in agreement about our lack of religious beliefs but I just wanted to point out that I've been here for such a long time that I recognize certain individuals such as noland123 as a sincere person who is just saying what he believes and I am certain that there's no hostility or arrogance directed at either one of us. You and I think very much the same but once you get a feel for how others who are religious think about life in general you'll find the occasional person like noland who has no ill will for us. I only wish there were more Christians who had similar feelings. I could name dozens of Christians who are openly hostile to people like you and me on this forum (of course I won't). I'm just saying that my perception of noland123 is that he's a pretty decent guy and not the type of person that my OP is really directed to.
I know that you and I are in agreement about our lack of religious beliefs but I just wanted to point out that I've been here for such a long time that I recognize certain individuals such as noland123 as a sincere person who is just saying what he believes and I am certain that there's no hostility or arrogance directed at either one of us. You and I think very much the same but once you get a feel for how others who are religious think about life in general you'll find the occasional person like noland who has no ill will for us. I only wish there were more Christians who had similar feelings. I could name dozens of Christians who are openly hostile to people like you and me on this forum (of course I won't). I'm just saying that my perception of noland123 is that he's a pretty decent guy and not the type of person that my OP is really directed to.
Thank you MontanaGuy and I consider you a decent person too.
I'm just saying that my perception of noland123 is that he's a pretty decent guy and not the type of person that my OP is really directed to.
In that case, I retract my statement until I know noland better. I would love to believe I'm wrong; it's just very difficult not to react that way when one hears it again and again in an accusatory manner.
Anyway...noland, my apologies and I look forward to seeing more from you.
In that case, I retract my statement until I know noland better. I would love to believe I'm wrong; it's just very difficult not to react that way when one hears it again and again in an accusatory manner.
Anyway...noland, my apologies and I look forward to seeing more from you.
Apology accepted Mercury Cougar and hope to hear from you.
I don't feel threatened at all. You're good people you atheist you
After all we Christians believe God is in control and you're no threat to us.
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). I'm just saying that my perception of noland123 is that he's a pretty decent guy and not the type of person that my OP is really directed to.
