God?: Atheist-Theist Interactions

This video will be on the subject of atheism and my opinion on the Christian reaction to atheists and the atheistic movement in general. This video will not be discussing reasons or evidence for or against theism, religion, or God. Instead, this video will pertain to my opinion on atheism and atheist-theist interactions in general.

Atheism literally means 'without God'. Atheism is defined as a lack of belief in a deity or deities. Many Christians and other theists tend to misrepresent what it means to be an atheist, especially fundamentalists and creationists. Atheism is quite different from theism. Theists hold their common beliefs and faith with other theists. They tend to be quite interconnected and thus hold many different things in common with other theists.

Atheists, on the other hand, only share a lack of belief in any deities. Thus, the atheist 'community' is only connected by that common lack of belief. Even atheist positions on religion can differ. For example, some atheists hold more anti-religion stances than others. The 'community' of atheists share a lot less in common than many theists believe.

A common fallacy among theists is the thought that atheism is synonymous with immoral behavior. This is patently false as many atheists are good people who simply remain unconvinced of the existence of a deity or deities. Christians and other theists who bash atheists and claim that they will 'rot in hell' and are 'immoral' are I believe one of the main reasons why some atheists show such hated of religion.

Christians and other theists claim that atheists worship science or evolution. This is false as well. Atheism does not extend past the lack of belief in a deity or deities. Some atheists deny evolutionary theory and many theists accept it. Atheists, as well as many non-atheists, use science as their measure for determining truth from non-truth. Naturalistic atheists don't hold a 'religion' or 'faith' any more than health is a disease. Christians and other theists must stop claiming that atheists hold a 'religion' or 'faith', as this simply makes you not look credible.

Hypocrisy and denying evidence I believe is a major reasons why some atheists are closed-minded when it comes to discussing religion or the existence of Gods. Many theists proclaim that they are people of God and are righteous, but yet act completely opposite of that, even in a condescending manner. How do you think that looks to someone who disagrees with you from the get-go? Creationism also makes atheists close their mind to theisms because it relies on denying evidence and reality as a whole. If creationists are intent on saving souls, they would be concerned about this as well.

While I disagree with atheism, I respect their position and do not think less of them like others may. Theist's bigotry I believe is a major reason why some atheists ridicule theists and why there is so much tension between these two groups. I disapprove of either group of ridiculing the other or make broad generalizations about the other group. If theists want to convert atheists, they will first need to stop making such ridiculous statements like 'atheists are evil, atheism is a religion, etc', and if atheists wish to deconvert theists, they need to stop showing such condescending and ridiculing behavior towards theists.

I do realize that some 'Christians' may attempt to call me an atheist for not holding that view that all atheists are immoral and that they are all evil, but all this will show is their own hypocrisy and hatred. I will once again for the record state that I am a dedicated Christian, but it never hurts to respect the other side and see their side of things.

I wish to thank all who have subscribed to me and I thank all who are watching. Peace.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• theist
• atheist
• god
• deity
• belief
• religion
• interaction
• hypocricy
• bigotry

[pdxmsbhvn]

Thank you for offering insight into another culture many only make assumptions about ... it was helpful for me.

[rockandrock44]

@pdxmsbhvn

What?

[saxmanchiro]

Theists and Atheists have much in common. They all share a lack of belief in thousands of deities. Unfortunately, many theists in positions of power tend to want everyone to 'see' their way as the truth. Add herd mentality to the equation and you have organized religions, containing and controlling their 'sheep'. I wish we could just get with the 21st century and drop all delusional thought. It hinders progress and understanding of our plight, the plight of the planet and the 6th mass extinction

[rockandrock44]

//It hinders progress and understanding of our plight, the plight of the planet and the 6th mass extinction//

What exactly is this 'plight of the planet'?

You mean as in climate change? If so, I don't see how that relates to anything about religion.

[MikeOfKorea]

If a person came up to me and told me about his invisible, incorporeal pet baby huffelump, I'd think he was nuts and might ridicule him for it. What difference is that from believing in the gods? It is insincere to pretend to respect people who believe in nonsense, who foist it upon innocent children, who use it to insist on special social privileges for themselves, and who try and succeed in making their religious doctrines public law.

[rockandrock44]

//If a person came up to me and told me about his invisible, incorporeal pet baby huffelump//

Strawman. I'm not going further until you actually represent my position.

// is insincere to pretend to respect people who believe in nonsense//

You don't have to respect the belief...no one is making you. I don't respect atheism. However, you should at least respect people's right to believe and respect people as fellow human beings.

[saxmanchiro]

It has a lot to do with religion. Christians are taught to distrust science, especially when it comes to biology. If biologists ring the alarm bell, fundies don't take it seriously or they relate it to the end of times. In general, science is hindered by theocrats, especially clergy.

[Tuber77]

Wow a open minded video. To tell you i think Youtube Atheist are the most annoying. They are close minded to anyone point of view other then there own. They insult any person of religion. These are people who call themselves smart. But i find them to be Hateful and intolerance. I dont like Intolerance. No matter if its Atheist or a Theist. I dont believe where going to get to the point where there's no religion. Most people of faith are not fundamentalist. And a lot of them LIKE Science.

[pdxmsbhvn]

@rockandrock44 I said thank you for sharin your insiht about this alternate culture. I appreciate facts because I had no relevent information on the subject and was biased based on assumptions ... which is dangerous.

[hdregmore]

Master of the obvious.

[plonkahccc]

I'm a christian and i love this video, completely two sided, showing the flaws in either side. bravo

[saxmanchiro]

@DauntlessNullifidian

Yep, it was he. As a young boy, many moons ago, I was taught Greek mythology. It struck me as odd that this Abrahamic god fellow was not included in the lessons. I learned before the age of ten that adults lie to their kids to keep them under control. I figured god was a lie, along with Tooth Fairies, Easter Bunnies, Mother Goose, Father Time. It was that easy for me. When scientific explanations came along a bit later, it was easy to accept the truth.

[DauntlessNullifidian]

@saxmanchiro Was it not Dawkins that argued that we are all atheists, he just goes one god further?

[A1z1u1L]

well yeah it is true that atheist have more room for diversity by definition but theist are pretty different too because how many different religions are out there and yes if we compare i'm sure atheists are more different

[TheStevenBrown]

Great video. It's so rare to see people on either side of what is really a pointless debate speak with any kind of respect.