Why are some atheists so pushy? (page 4)

kurtbethel

Nobody commanded them to go forth and preach to all the nations the good news of Nothing.

Doom.
There have only been... a few atheistic regimes in all of history. Personally, I can only think of 2. I'm not sure what you count as atheistic. Was Mao's regime atheist, though Buddhist? I don't know. But to say that the two or three atheistic regimes in all of history make the thousands of theist regimes look like pacifists doesn't really match with the facts now does it?

Hitchens had a great response to this argument though, in his book God is not Great. Here's his reasoning:
What constitutes religious belief? It has something to do with the intensity or the totalism behind the belief I think you'll agree. In other words, you can believe in God, or you can REALLY believe in God to the point that you want to harm those who do not believe. Such a sentiment is religious on two fronts: 1) because it has to d o with God and 2) because of the intensity or totalism of the belief. It is very hard to believe in God without being judgemental because God is judge and those who claim to know god also claim to know how god judges (usually in one's favor and against one's enemies.

In the case of Stalin, atheism literally became a religious belief, a totalistic or totalitarian belief. Someone in that government was not a very good atheist or scientist, because atheists realize that they can not disprove God, Stalin and his administration thought they were god in essence.

But was Stalin's army atheist? The fact is that Russia had its churches, Russian Orthodox church and many others that have always been prominent and functional in Russian society. religion was never banned on the whole in Russia. most of stalin's army believed in God. The majority of Russians as today, and as with everywhere else in the world believe in God. The state's official stance may be atheistic, they may be tought in schools that god does not exist, but god has prevailed there as in eberywhere else in the world. There has never been a truly atheistic army in all of history. At least though, Russians did not try to blame their sins on an invisible man in the sky like other nations have done.. They deserve some credit for owning their behavior.

Another reason why your argument does not stand is that evn if these atheistic regimes made everyone else look like pacifists, still, it does not change the fact that religious people over the milleniums have committed horrid atrocities all on their own without any help from atheists, though they claimed divine approval. (Of course remember that history shows in abyndance that theist societies have committed millions of times more atrocities than atheists.) Borrom line, religious people, though not as evil as atheists are still very evil. That's about as much as one could say, but even that ignores actual history.

DoomVoyager

Hi shawn!

You've got the wrong person.

I completely agree with everything there, especially with that about communist dictatorships REPLACING religion rather than ABOLISHING it. They wanted to become god; to become the sole focal point of worship and obedience.

I believe you meant to address your post to TopHat.

Shawn10538

Sorry doom, yes that was a misplaced post. by the way top, how dare you insult my god the cybermonkey? I am extremely offended. I just might have to mount up a military action against you for not believing in cybermonkey. I'm seeing shock and awe in your future. Do you have proof that cybermonkey does not exist?
.................
I didn't think so. Stand still and see the salvation of cybermonkey!

Robdar

Are we discussing religious beliefs or a belief in God? Because the two are not the same.

Are we talking about God, the creator or God, the sky daddy? Again, the two are not the same. Although it seems the atheists are confused by this notion.

journey-on

Exactly, Robdar! You took the words right out of my mouth. I've tried and tried to point this out

but it just goes z-o-o-o-m right past the gray matter and they are right back arguing as if this wasn't an issue!

Religion does not = God

God does not = Sky Daddy

Nathan Natas

KurtBethel observed,

Nobody commanded them to go forth and preach to all the nations the good news of Nothing.

That's right, and atheists always do what Nobody tells them to do!

Robdar

Are we discussing religious beliefs or a belief in God? Because the two are not the same.
Are we talking about God, the creator or God, the sky daddy? Again, the two are not the same. Although it seems the atheists are confused by this notion.

I am still waiting on an answer to the above questions.

daniel-p

Interesting. Despite their "pushiness," though, I have never heard of athiests orchestrating crusades and murdering people who didn't believe like them. I respect any faith that doesn't fall back on violence to control others.

startingover

Are we discussing religious beliefs or a belief in God? Because the two are not the same.

What is your definition of God? Seems to me that most people's definition of God is directly connected to the belief system of the country where they were raised.

Why are some atheists so pushy?

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