Atheists & agnositcs: How do you view religious people?

[Skidder]

..............A couple of friends who are mega-athiest and very verbal about how stupid religeous people are got married in the church 'for the nice pictures and because I've always wanted to walk down the church aisle' so did all the 'kneeling in front of god' etc.

That's a bit low if you ask me ..

I am an agnostic atheist but was married in church. I wanted to be married, my wife wanted to be married and specifically in church. Given my position on the subject I was totally indifferent as to where and what was said, the important thing to me was making the commitment. It mattered to her that it was in church so would have been obstructive of me to insist upon a different venue. I was honest with the vicar who understood my point of view.

As to the question at hand I have softened a lot as I have grown older. I used to want to argue on the matter but don't feel the need (to the same degree) anymore. If I am completely honest I probably do assume religious people are less intellectually rigorous and / or more inclined to pull the wool over their own eyes. People for the most part are not comfortable with the grey areas and like to plug the gaps - good luck to them I suppose.

 

[apatia77]

I respect other people's beliefs as long as they don't try to brain wash me with their b.....

 

[ChrisJSY]

My view?
I don't care or give it any thought except in instances like these.

Let them do their own thing, I'll do mine.
Just hate when any party, religious or not tries to preach.

 

[izzy eckerslike]

They will be tampered with, they will be redistributed and checked in the exact same way, security will check them again and whatever bumpf they wish to add will be. You are naive if you think they will not.

Also Romania and places like it are very religious, who are you to decide what they can and cannot believe just because you are an adherrent to the latest fashionable religion that is atheism.

And likewise why should they church be be given a free hand to force their influence on young children who are too young to make their own decisions?

Children get told all about homosexuality being normal in some people but there's not an option in UK schools to tell children that there might not be a god and that they can decide for themselves later in life is there ? Oh no, far from it and they get religious instruction and prayers right from nursery school.
Lets face it , it's the only way Christianity spread in the first place and the only way it will survive

 

[RDM]

And likewise why should they church be be given a free hand to force their influence on young children who are too young to make their own decisions?

They aren't. It generally requires the parent's permission.

Children get told all about homosexuality being normal in some people but there's not an option in UK schools to tell children that there might not be a god and that they can decide for themselves later in life is there ? Oh no, far from it and they get religious instruction and prayers right from nursery school.

Only if you, as the parent, decide to send your child to a church aided school. State schools with no church funding do not normally have religious instruction or prayers. Not to mention there is nothing at all stopping parents from telling their kids there might not be a god.

 

[MookJong]

Define your view of ' done a lot of good for the world' because there's an awful lot of bad stuff been done by devout Christians either in the name of Christianity or not.
Are Christians automatically kind generous helpful people and atheists incapable of being friendly, helpful and doing charity work etc?

Well done on missing the second half of my point....

 

[kedge]

If anything I envy religious people, as they believe that when they die they go to a better place. Whereas I believe when I die nothing will happen, I'll just cease to exist for eternity. Feels bad man .

Religious people can't in any way prove that they will go to a better place. Nothing to feel bad about at all mate. The holy scriptures teach that for dust you are and to dust you will return.

 

[torchxit]

relgious people, how do you view atheists and agnostics?

don't care what they believe or don't believe as long as they put their thoughts and believe far away when they deal with me i don't care it's their life

 

[izzy eckerslike]

Well done on missing the second half of my point....

You said you were a big fan of Christian values, I merely pointed out that that being a Christian means naff all as regards to the type of person you may be as regards to helping others etc so the second part of your post was irrelevant.

The very assumption that being a Christian makes you a better person is laughable

 

[Mucky_Pup]

Don't care, as long as their not all up in my grill, and pushing their agenda to the nth degree. I also don't agree with the way lots will force it upon their children and not let their children decide what they want.

 

[izzy eckerslike]

They aren't. It generally requires the parent's permission

Does that apply to the children in Romania I referred to?

 

[Vonhelmet]

Does that apply to the children in Romania I referred to?

Who's talking about kids in Romania? Certainly not you:

Children get told all about homosexuality being normal in some people but there's not an option in UK schools to tell children that there might not be a god and that they can decide for themselves later in life is there ? Oh no, far from it and they get religious instruction and prayers right from nursery school.

Although as RDM has pointed out, that's balls, which is probably why you moved over to talking about Romania, the school system whereof I'm sure you know sweet Fanny Adams about.

Also...

Lets face it , it's the only way Christianity spread in the first place and the only way it will survive

...I'll give you very long odds on that bet.

 

[Inquisitor]

Each to their own, but I think anyone who follows religion is retarded. That doesn't mean I don't/won't like someone for being religious, I just think they're idiots for blindly following religion as if it's the answer to all their problems.

Protip: not everyone who follows religion does so "blindly as if it's the answer to all their problems".

 

[Naffa]

The question may as well be one word shorter. I view 'religious people' as people, some I like, some I don't, some I love and some I hate. If the question was asking what I thought of religion itself, then that's a different matter all together...

 

[Castiel]

The question may as well be one word shorter. I view 'religious people' as people, some I like, some I don't, some I love and some I hate. If the question was asking what I thought of religion itself, then that's a different matter all together...

I'd agree with that.

It's a shame that people cannot separate people from their beliefs, the same as people cannot seem discuss belief without assuming religious involvement.

 

[Castiel]

"Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it.

Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held.

Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books.

Believe nothing just because it is said to be of divine origin.

Believe nothing just because someone else believes it.

Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true."

Budda.

 

[Inquisitor]

"Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it.

Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held.

Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books.

Believe nothing just because it is said to be of divine origin.

Believe nothing just because someone else believes it.

Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true."

Budda.

This concisely and accurately represents my opinion on belief and faith. If it makes sense and is consistent at a personal level by your own (objective) analysis, then follow it. What other people think is unimportant.

 

[Gilly]

I'm not bothering to read all responses, my opinions as follows:

The vast majority are good people and lead good lives. They believe what they believe without wanting or needing to force their beliefs on anyone else. Some might be brainwashed, some just brought up with it and know nothing else or don't want to disappoint their families, some will come to their beliefs on their own...

The tiny minority are extremist tossers.

 

[Lysander]

I'm not bothering to read all responses, my opinions as follows:

The vast majority are good people and lead good lives. They believe what they believe without wanting or needing to force their beliefs on anyone else. Some might be brainwashed, some just brought up with it and know nothing else or don't want to disappoint their families, some will come to their beliefs on their own...

The tiny minority are extremist tossers.

Are you an atheist or agnostic?

 

["andy"]

like Gilly above i am not too narrow minded to ignore that religion does good things for many people and i am happy for it to carry on doing so aslong as i myself am not forced to be a part of it.


when i was growing up we had religion pushed on us at early primary school , even simple things like the ten commandments where a good start to becoming a good person. i have no place for religion now but back then the bible stories taught me the importance of friendship and morals. i cant knock that.