Question for all Atheists --- Request for all Christians?

Thank you.

I would never say that I don't think people should be free to worship as they see fit, and I think that they should have education in their religion available to them if they desire it. We just want religious education/beliefs kept SEPERATE from the rest of our education, and individual religious beliefs out of our laws.

Again, thank you for understanding that.

I didn't read the whole article - just skimmed it, but I don't feel you need give a deep apology, though I will accept it.

The people that force beliefs on their loved ones and others do this because 1) that is what was done to them 2) they feel strongly about it. Not to disagree, but its' the same thing with all our social norms. You are not getting mad at anyone who forces the belief that 'stealing is wrong' on society - so why do it in regards to religion?

I don't think it's right to baptize someone without them choosing to have it done. I do think the students should have to take a theology class and get taught about the Bible and the 1000 other religions out there. They don't need to be taught that this is the core truth, but the concept should be introduced to them. Being a high achiever in school, I found it very difficult to compete and engage in conversations when it came to a lot of literature, because the language would be the same as that found in the Bible, and/or references would reflect biblical times and stuff - I had no knowledge of this stuff and often felt left out or dumb.

Having some time on my hands this morning, I've just read it too. Yes, it is sad, and I've heard this many times in my Christian life, and many times this has happened to kids who had to go to a Catholic school. Who made him go? My guess would be his parents. These schools are out there, and parents are the ones who choose to put their kids in them. God didn't choose it, the parents did...This was not a church or a pastor-this was a school and I've heard this many times....especially the Catholic students......

I've been a Christian for 24 years and love the Lord. As a Christian I know that being a atheist and believing in evolution is not the way of Jesus. Knowing this and having a "attitude" about it are different.

Be careful that you don't throw what you believe away, because of your understanding on how people arrive to where they are spiritually. Sometimes this can be just heartbreaking, I hear it alot because my husband is a Preacher.

You can be understanding of someone else's way, but stand your ground with what you believe and don't be swayed away from it. If you can be easily persuaded to change your mind about creation, then a closer look to what you believe may be necessary. Understanding is fine, but keep your beliefs at the same time, I hope this makes sense.......

I read what was at that website and I sympathize with your attitude, and that's your choice. I have been a Christian for many years, and I was never forced or browbeaten into it. I must honestly point out that "Christians" who try and force or browbeat people into accepting Jesus are, in my experience, very much in the minority. In my dealings with non-Christians I have always used the freedom of choice approach - even Jesus used that approach. What happens to anyone in the line of receiving a reward of eternal life or second death is based entirely on freedom of choice - it's all a matter of "take it or leave it." If you took the time to read my answer, I thank you most humbly.

'faith shoved down their throats' very true. Being an intelligent person i have realised all of this anti atheist stuff before. The Church 'forces' people to believe in God and Jesus because they have the right to. I'm not saying that the church is above the law, I mean the church is historically above the law and it is quite powerful. The church is used to everyone being Christian and if they aren't then they are used to converting them.

Forcing faith and belifs on someone is wrong but in the eyes of the church it appears not to be (to an extent). Oh and don't blame the church members for driving people away, Atheists chose (by themselves) to not participate in religious affairs. lack in intelligence could also be blamed for the rise in Atheism... you see everyone seems to think that these crazy christians believe that this magical supreme being created the world in 7 days. Smart Christians know that the bible is a bunch of stories put together (most fake, some historical preachings) to create rules and regulations of which people can live by, It determines what is right and wrong. Alot of the Western world's culture revolves around this religion (dates, laws etc.) sure the bible is chinese whispers (translated from aramaic to greek to roman to english quite poorly) but it controlls our lives now. You don't have to believe in God to follow the guidelines of Christianity, in fact it's better to do what I do take an apathetic point of view to it. Just don't talk about it/ don't make a big deal about it. And for me being christian is also easier because it avoids critisism, if someone asks your religion say christian and they will shut up :P. oh by the way Baptists believe every word of the bible is true (be wary).

heres something else to think about, its from a book about agnosticism (thats atheist but you will believe in a God if it presents itself to you). If a person knows (somehow) that a teapot is floating around pluto but sadly no sattelites or giant telescopes can see it, that person would be critisised and forced to see a shrink. But if it were taught in churches, if western culture was based around a teapot floating around pluto it would be acceptable (freaky aye?). Now in a Christian finale I would say to that statement (because we are extremely defensive apparently) that agnostic people worship a teapot :P. enjoy life, for as long as you can.

The article refers to a man who attended Catholic school and did not like the dogmatic nature of the Theology classes. I am a Christian, and I don't like the dogmatic nature of Theology classes, either. Denominational theology is often fairly rigid in the interpretation of scripture, without allowing for real questions.

That being said, nobody can "force" belief on anyone. A forced belief is not a genuine belief. I think people are just trying to convince atheists to believe, simply because they don't want them to go to hell. Atheists must make their own choice, just like everybody else, and if they don't wish to discuss it, they should just say so.

Well, I am glad to say that in the UK, most people are not quite so obsessive and evangelistic about religion as they appear to be in the States, which IMO is a good thing.

I get on well with my Christian friends; I leave them to their belief and they leave me to my heathen ways, and we are all happy.

But I do think organised religion is dangerous - it has certainly caused more pain and suffering to people all over the globe than anything except military conquest.

To an outsider, the evolution thing looks very weird. It seems as though certain sections of the religious community are embracing irrationality, and trying to take us back to the middle ages.

Please understand that 'Christians' for the most part don't shove cram or force their faith on people.... it is like any group that there is...

some are overzealots... they scream, they shove, they push, they act like they are better than others, they think that they are not sinners

I've done the reading.... I've read the Word, and I have made a decision to follow Jesus Christ... not because someone shoved it down my throat... but because God called me to Him by opening the door of my hardened heart and changing me to understand more than this world can offer.

'church members' are not all christians.. you do know that don't you? there are nonchristian catholics (even my motherinlaw has told me she isnt a christian, she is catholic? what the heck???) there are nonchristian methodists, there are nonchristian lutheran.... etc... etc I have even met nonchristian pastors... who 'do the job they got hired to do' but do not follow Jesus any other day of the week... putting on a show is not Christianity... neither is belonging to any given 'church'

I'm a Catholic!

Okay, I read it. I don't get your point. This person was attending a Catholic school. I attended a public high school in my freshman year and was taught nothing on religion, I attended a Baptist school in my sophomore year and was taught about the Baptist faith, I attended a Seventh Day Adventist school in my junior and senior year...and you guessed it...they taught about the SDA beliefs.

So? It didn't ruin me. I got good grades in all my religion classes even though I didn't agree with all the teachings.

Sounds like a lot of whining to me. If you go to a religious school, you can expect to be taught that religion and that religion's understanding of faith and salvation.

When I went to public school...I was taught nothing of faith and salvation, but I was sexually attacked by a very big girl in the girl's bathroom and the administration did nothing about it, I saw kids making out daily, I heard every cuss word known to mankind, there was a huge racial fight in the lunch room, I was subjected to sexual advances by teachers, and I was quiet and shy and therefore...pretty much over looked by everyone else.

That was my freshman year in 1974, so in s sense I had the beliefs of the world shoved down my throat.

If my kids were to attend a Catholic school I would expect them to be taught the faith.

I totally agree with Steve b, I just fail to see in this country where atheists are being so terribly oppressed by Christians. For Christians to offer to athiests salvation by faith in Jesus Christ is not the terrible thing that you make it out to be. We live in a free country if they don't want that they don't have to accept it. I get far more harassment from telemarketers then Christians and I just brush it off.