Do Atheists Hate Religion?

by Mopeder Posted 2012/08/08 16:02:58

Related Topics: Religion, Atheists, God, Atheist

234 votes
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	Yes	51 votes	22%
	No	108 votes	46%
	Undecided / Other Opinion	75 votes	32%

I'm asking about religion, not God. So stick to the subject of the question, if you don't mind. Oh and thank you very much.

+23

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Drebi 2012/08/08 16:06:05

No

+10
Most of us (atheists) actually study religion and many are religious themselves. (Not all theists are religious and not all atheists are non-religious.)
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unaff to politic... 2012/08/08 21:27:28

I'm not trying to twist it, just trying to take the lid off the proverbial teapot. I tend to think that the religious have been forcing many more beliefs over the years. How long did you spend thinking about the CFA issue before deciding to just go with 'that's not what I said..'? Nice on adding the government officials bit in afterwards, too (they didn't actually do anything either)

I served and fought for this country and the only way I can 'officially' state my pledge of allegiance to said country is to say 'under god', something that I don't believe in. Twist that.

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politic... to unaff 2012/08/08 21:56:53 (edited)

I didn't have to think about the CFA issue. Um ... it did just happened last week, so it kind of popped in my head.

"Nice on adding the government officials bit in afterwards, too (they didn't actually do anything either)" Well, once again, I said "they WANT to". They would, but that pesky constitution, that thing much of the left despises, keeps getting in the way.

I don't stick up for religious people that force their views on others either. They may politely tell a person about their religion and hope to sway them and pray for them, but if they try to force their views, harass, attack or attempt to besmirch a nonbeliever, I am not for that. I am a Christian, but I believe in free-will and personal liberty. I believe in the freedom of religion including the freedom to have no religion.

The word "God", is just a word if you do not believe. Why are you so offended by a word? The fact that it is on our money or was added to or pledge, and the fact that things such as the 10-comandmants are posted on public buildings is part of our nations history and culture as much as it is religious. A person can choose to feel a religious connection to those things or choose to see them as only historical elements. The key word here is "choose".

Let me ask you this, what rights are taken away ...

I didn't have to think about the CFA issue. Um ... it did just happened last week, so it kind of popped in my head.

"Nice on adding the government officials bit in afterwards, too (they didn't actually do anything either)" Well, once again, I said "they WANT to". They would, but that pesky constitution, that thing much of the left despises, keeps getting in the way.

I don't stick up for religious people that force their views on others either. They may politely tell a person about their religion and hope to sway them and pray for them, but if they try to force their views, harass, attack or attempt to besmirch a nonbeliever, I am not for that. I am a Christian, but I believe in free-will and personal liberty. I believe in the freedom of religion including the freedom to have no religion.

The word "God", is just a word if you do not believe. Why are you so offended by a word? The fact that it is on our money or was added to or pledge, and the fact that things such as the 10-comandmants are posted on public buildings is part of our nations history and culture as much as it is religious. A person can choose to feel a religious connection to those things or choose to see them as only historical elements. The key word here is "choose".

Let me ask you this, what rights are taken away from you for the country having that word in the pledge or anything else? What punishments or persecution would you have to endure if you just respectfully refrain from saying that word when it comes up, or ignoring any religious elements? The answer ... none. It is your right. And I respect that right and would fight for you to have that right.

Though only 46% of Americans believe in the exact, strict Biblical interpretation of "creationism" for the creation of man, Gallup did a poll in June, 2011 that showed 90% of U.S. citizens believe in God. So let me ask you this. Why should 10% of the population decide the discourse of religious words and symbology in the public square of a nation where 90% of the populace holds importance to those elements. It seems to me that minority rule over the majority like that is part of the definition of tyranny.
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Muskoka to politic... 2012/08/08 21:50:33

Where are your stats to prove your point on who was involved???

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politic... to Muskoka 2012/08/09 03:43:20

Stats? LOL! Just watch the news, you idiot.

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Muskoka to politic... 2012/08/08 21:48:14

Any individual lwho is perpetually assaulted verbally by religious zealots will retaliate in some manner. That is what has happened to Atheists for centuries. That is NOT hate, that is serl preservation.

It has been the christians that have forced their beliefs onto everyone in their path for centuries and that continues to this day. There has been more violence in N. America alone in the name of christianity than any other cause.

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politic... to Muskoka 2012/08/09 03:42:22

LOL! Okay, give some examples of violence in North America caused by Christianity. I can't wait to see this list.

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Moose 2012/08/08 17:25:44

Yes

+4
This is supposition based on rational thought and some discussion with atheists. They do not hate God. How could they hate something that, to them, does not exist? They hate being told, in spite of all evidence to the contrary, that they are wrong. They hate being told that, when they die, they will be punished, often in gruesome ways, for all eternity. Arguably, it's not really religion they hate so much as the people who insist on forcing their own philosophies on them.

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BigFig#9 2012/08/08 17:25:42

No

+3
Some do, some don't - it's kind of amusing to me and I'll even confess that MOST religious people are good people too - just not necessarily wrapped up in using that old logic muscle. I think Atheists who make Atheism their own kind of religion might be just as bad as the holier than though types - you're just not going to win a war of logic with people who's very belief in religion is based on 'faith', a voluntary suspension of logic.

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Moose to BigFig#9 2012/08/08 17:38:29

+2
Agreed. Whether or not logic is involved often depends on the topic of discussion. Often it is a personal choice to apply logic. I have met people who can be logical about nearly anything but the subject of their family. Then, passion suspends logic rather than faith. I do not claim to logical all the time but, I can be if I so choose. I was once presented with a rational and logical (more the former than the latter) reason for choosing a faith (though which one is still up to the chooser). Sadly, it never goes over well with either side.

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POWERSHAKER 2012/08/08 17:20:37 (edited)

No

+1
I would say atheists think religion is unreasonable. I wouldn't say atheists hate religion. They just don't want to be a part of it. I'm a Deist, and I don't want to be a part of it either. It's all based on fear and superstition if you ask me. :)

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L1Z2 2012/08/08 17:20:00

Undecided / Other Opinion

+2
It depends on the atheist; plenty are accepting of religion without partaking of any of it's beliefs. I'm not an atheist and I can't stand organized religion.

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shenendoah 2012/08/08 17:18:34

No

+1
No, I don't think they hate all religion, just Christianity. They fear Christianity because they don't want to believe there will be an accounting for how they've lived their lives.

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politic... to shenendoah 2012/08/08 17:32:38

+1
They seem to despise Judaism, too. Though they seem to gravitate toward and even openly defend Islam, especially the more radical and dangerous elements of Islam. Yet in the end, if they were both successful of purging the world of Judaism and Christianity, and therefore God, they would want to turn and destroy each other. Interesting don't you think? I think in that odd and twisted relationship, each group's own philosophies tells a lot about the others.

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Grandbr... to politic... 2012/08/08 18:14:35

+2
I don't think most of us "despise" any religion, nor do we "gravitate toward...Islam". If atheists "gravitate toward" any religion, it would be Buddhism hands down. Buddhism is based on nature, not deities, which is appealing to many atheists.

Regarding defending Islam, that has nothing to do with Islamic doctrine. Speaking for myself at least, it has to do with the fact that I value the freedom this country affords us all in regards to religions and life philosophies, and I find the current trend in this country of Islamophobia troublesome in that it threatens to violate that freedom. If it were Buddhism, or Judaism, or Hindi, or Christianity that were being similarly targetted, I would be equally likely to defend them.

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politic... to Grandbr... 2012/08/08 18:25:58 (edited)

True. Maybe I shouldn't have just said "atheists". I guess I was thinking more of the very far-left, politically speaking, I guess many of whom are atheist. I've noticed a tendency for many in that demographic to come out and defend Islam, yet vilify Judaism and Christianity. I find those to be odd bedfellows since their core beliefs are diametrically opposed.

I have friends that are atheist, but they are fine with public displays of religious beliefs and symbology, and they respect the beliefs of believers and don't try to besmirch or discredit them.

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Muskoka to politic... 2012/08/08 21:57:14

Perhaps if people of faith stopped ridiculing Atheists and Aghnostis and learned some tolerance everyone could live in piece. Unfortunately that has not happened yet.

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politic... to Muskoka 2012/08/09 03:50:24

I don't know where you live and where you experience this. But I have not seen that.

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Muskoka to politic... 2012/08/08 21:55:33

What a fool, why would they defend any religion?You cannot 'purge' the planet of gods that do not exist. Why is it that people of faith simply have never been capable of using any logic at all?

Many Atheistic countries and cultures have faired very well, while other religious ones have slaughtered each other in the name of their gods.

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politic... to Muskoka 2012/08/09 03:53:02

You realize you're just proving the point of this entire post of atheist hate religion don't you. Your not so much an atheist as your are a ignorant, hateful bigot. And that pretty much sums it up.

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shenendoah to politic... 2012/08/08 21:56:26

Good comment. I agree with everything you said.

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Grandbr... to shenendoah 2012/08/08 18:05:43

+1
That's not true at all.

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Muskoka to shenendoah 2012/08/08 21:52:56

+1
Very poor logic. Every one is accounable for the actions regardless of whether they belief in gods or not.

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shenendoah to Muskoka 2012/08/08 22:09:20 (edited)

+1
Easy to say liberal but that is not the way liberals feel and you know it. Liberals will not take responsibility for their own actions. Their screw ups are always someone else's fault.

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Grandbrother 2012/08/08 17:18:16

Undecided / Other Opinion

+2
Generally speaking, I think we atheists are ambivalent towards religion and take a live and let live approach to whoever wants to believe whatever. But some certainly do hate religion thanks to the frequent pain and conflict it creates, as well as the ignorance it often fosters.

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lil crazy 2012/08/08 17:17:10

No

+2
I don't think Atheists hate religion. Some aspects of some religions are very interesting concepts that can bring about a good debate and philosophical pondering.
I know many Atheists dislike the religious people that are intolerant of them and try to convince them of the "truth", tell them they are going to hell, and other things of this sort.

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tom 2012/08/08 17:11:19

Undecided / Other Opinion

+3
I would say it depends on the Atheist. I don't hate religion myself but I do feel that it is bad for society.

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ehrhornp 2012/08/08 17:10:33

No

+3
Atheists just don't believe in a God. They may or may not hate particular religions but there is nothing in the Atheist handbook to say they must hate religions.

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unaff to ehrhornp 2012/08/08 17:17:40

+1
I'm going to fact-check this statement against my atheist handbook!

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ehrhornp to unaff 2012/08/08 17:25:18

+1
Let me know what you find. I have long ago misplaced my copy. lol

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unaff to ehrhornp 2012/08/08 17:47:35

Funny, I can't seem to find it. I put it with all the others... Bible, check, Torah, check, Koran, check, Book of Mormon, check, Night Before Christmas, check.

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ehrhornp to unaff 2012/08/08 17:52:04

I think it was probably stolen. Maybe you gave it to good will by mistake? :-)

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twocrows 2012/08/08 17:10:30

Undecided / Other Opinion

+1
What a broad-brush question. Just as if atheists [like everybody else] weren't individuals. fact is, some hold it in disdain - others recognize that it gives comfort to people and respect their need for comfort.

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voice_matters 2012/08/08 17:08:47

Yes

notice how libs just copy and repost the same threads? guess the libs need to prove they are nothing more then little sheep unable to think for themselves

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JDreDaCookieMonster 2012/08/08 17:05:41

Undecided / Other Opinion

+1
Most atheist I know hate Christians.

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Muskoka to JDreDaC... 2012/08/08 21:59:27

I guess you are in the midst of christians and have misnamed them Atheists. Christians are great haters.

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JDreDaC... to Muskoka 2012/08/09 11:53:10

Some Christians are great haters, but it is pretty naive to say they are the only haters. Atheists are just as guilty of hating others with another set of beliefs. To be honest even claiming to be Atheist is a contradicting act in itself, because you are still labeling yourself with a group of people who share the same belief.

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Torchmanner ~PWCM~JLA 2012/08/08 17:04:53

Yes

+3
Of course they do. It gives them a guilty conscience every time they hear about God.

Decades ago there were two old atheist men, that I knew of, who were dying. BOTH of them cried out to God on their death beds. One kept screaming about being on fire.

I would laugh at atheism, but just look what happens when it takes control of whole countries. Communism is strictly opposed to Christianity as is National Socialism. Millions have been murdered because of these socioeconomic systems.

Hitler is probably the most notorious atheist. He murdered hundreds of thousands of Polish Jews and Christians. He was a DEVOUT evolutionist.

""National Socialism and religion cannot exist together.... The heaviest blow that ever struck humanity was the coming of Christianity. Bolshevism is Christianity's illegitimate child. Both are inventions of the Jew. The deliberate lie in the matter of religion was introduced into the world by Christianity.... Let it not be said that Christianity brought man the life of the soul, for that evolution was in the natural order of things." (p 6 & 7)"---Adolf Hitler

Atheists like to point at the Crusades. They need to realize that the Crusades were fought to drive out the murdering muslim invaders out of Israel.

Notice that it is the anti-God,...

Of course they do. It gives them a guilty conscience every time they hear about God.

Decades ago there were two old atheist men, that I knew of, who were dying. BOTH of them cried out to God on their death beds. One kept screaming about being on fire.

I would laugh at atheism, but just look what happens when it takes control of whole countries. Communism is strictly opposed to Christianity as is National Socialism. Millions have been murdered because of these socioeconomic systems.

Hitler is probably the most notorious atheist. He murdered hundreds of thousands of Polish Jews and Christians. He was a DEVOUT evolutionist.

""National Socialism and religion cannot exist together.... The heaviest blow that ever struck humanity was the coming of Christianity. Bolshevism is Christianity's illegitimate child. Both are inventions of the Jew. The deliberate lie in the matter of religion was introduced into the world by Christianity.... Let it not be said that Christianity brought man the life of the soul, for that evolution was in the natural order of things." (p 6 & 7)"---Adolf Hitler

Atheists like to point at the Crusades. They need to realize that the Crusades were fought to drive out the murdering muslim invaders out of Israel.

Notice that it is the anti-God, or anti-religion (same thing), or pagan earth worshippers that has done all the murdering. In this country they sacrifice children (abortion). It is most uncivilized.
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unaff to Torchma... 2012/08/08 17:20:58

+2
"What we have to fight for is the necessary security for the existence and increase of our race and people, the subsistence of its children and the maintenance of our racial stock unmixed, the freedom and independence of the Fatherland; so that our people may be enabled to fulfill the mission assigned to it by the Creator. " - Adolph Hitler

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Muskoka to unaff 2012/08/08 22:07:31

Yup, another Hitler reference to the god he believed in.

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Grandbr... to Torchma... 2012/08/08 17:29:50

+3
"It gives them a guilty conscience every time they hear about God."

I've seen this kind of comment quite frequently in regards to atheists here on Sodahead. What exactly makes you reach this conclusion? Why would I, as an unapologetic, confident atheist feel any guilt whatsoever at the mention of a mythical being that, to me, is no more real than Zeus, Vishnu, unicorns or goblins?

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