Wondering why Atheists lurk in the"religion and spirituality" category of Yahoo Answers?

Question

I was an atheist at one time. And like many atheists, the issue of people believing in God bothered me greatly. What is it about atheists that we would spend so much time, attention, and energy refuting something that we don't believe even exists?! What causes us to do that? When I was an atheist, I attributed my intentions as caring for those poor, delusional people...to help them realize their hope was completely ill-founded. To be honest, I also had another motive. As I challenged those who believed in God, I was deeply curious to see if they could convince me otherwise. Part of my quest was to become free from the question of God. If I could conclusively prove to believers that they were wrong, then the issue is off the table, and I would be free to go about my life.
 
I didn't realize that the reason the topic of God weighed so heavily on my mind, was because God was pressing the issue. I have come to find out that God wants to be known. He created us with the intention that we would know him. He has surrounded us with evidence of himself and he keeps the question of his existence squarely before us.
It was as if I couldn't escape thinking about the possibility of God. In fact, the day I chose to acknowledge God's existence, my prayer began with, "Ok, you win..." It might be that the underlying reason atheists are bothered by people believing in God is because God is actively pursuing them.
 
I am not the only one who has experienced this. Malcolm Muggeridge, socialist and philosophical author, wrote, "I had a notion that somehow, besides questing, I was being pursued." C.S. Lewis said he remembered, "...night after night, feeling whenever my mind lifted even for a second from my work, the steady, unrelenting approach of Him whom I so earnestly desired not to meet. I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all of England."
 
Lewis went on to write a book titled, "Surprised by Joy" as a result of knowing God. I too had no expectations other than rightfully admitting God's existence. Yet over the following several months, I became amazed by his love for me.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

To combat religious ignorance and stupidity.

? · Answer

I have been excited by religious beliefs, mythology and related concerns seeing that I was a youngster (i'm now 60). I put ahead my views on religious beliefs and i learn those of others. I do know that those with deeply held religious beliefs aren't going to alter, and it is not my intention to get them to change. Nonetheless, it does show that there are different views. I routinely provide an explanation for how I got here from being a devout Catholic to realising that faith was based upon nothing but itself, that science explained nature satisfactorily without needing supernatural beings, and that religious beliefs were no specific to these of historical beliefs in gods and goddesses. I attempt to answer situated on my expertise of scripture, theology, mythology and faith. And i oftentimes try to trace religious beliefs, and Bible stories, back to the previous myths from which they derive. I think I achieve this in a impartial manner more often than not, even though I could categorical an opinion involving actions of some religious men and women or firms that adversely impact freedom of option and civil and human rights, such because the notorious Proposition 8 in California.

ANDRE L · Answer

Do you also 'wonder' why humans lurk in the Pets Section ?

No one wants to read your pathetic tale of willful idiocy and narcissism.

“Rational arguments don’t usually work on religious people. Otherwise there would be no religious people.” - Gregory House, M.D. Season 4 Episode 2 The Right Stuff.

Awkward Nerd · Answer

Selection bias. I bet there is a lot more atheists who don't give a damn about religion that go on other sections instead. Most atheists don't care enough about religion to tell everyone their religion.

Angry Atheist · Answer

"Wondering why Atheists lurk in the"religion and spirituality" category of Yahoo Answers?" 

Because it is a public board, and I have things to say about religion. I don't believe in a god figure, that does not mean that I don't have an opinion on religion.

I really doubt that you were ever an atheist. I could be wrong but...

Le BigMac · Answer

"What is it about atheists that we would spend so much time, attention, and energy refuting something that we don't believe even exists?! What causes us to do that?"

Say we atheists actually believed & worshiped santa clause. You Christians would be freaking out and picketing in front of the Church of the Latter Day St. Nicks.

Not to mention all the same energy you already spend reminding us we're going to hell...

Lynn · Answer

Because it bothers them that people believe in God.  You answered your own question.  And where else would they go to express their opinons?  The automobile section?

Lewis · Answer

I lurk on this boar because all the questions directed at atheists are posted to this board. If they were posted on another board, I'd lurk there instead.

? · Answer

For me, it's to answer questions like yours, that are addressed to atheists.
If you haven't noticed, there's a lot of them.

No DOOOOM without Morbo · Answer

"I was an atheist at one time."

You're a lying little twit. Or ignorant as f*ck. Or both.

neil s · Answer

If theists stop trying to insert their delusion into public policy, I'll leave them alone. 

C.S. Lewis was as deluded as anyone.

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Wondering why Atheists lurk in the"religion and spirituality" category of Yahoo Answers?

12 Answers