Why are there so many atheists here?

[wgreen]

I am curious as to why the atheists spend so much time here arguing with Christians?

Is it because you feel you are doing a service to society in combatting the "opiate of the masses?"

Is it because you feel anger or hatred toward Christians and their God (many atheist posts come across as hostile--not that the Christians are not often hostile as well)?

If not, why is it?

Thanks,

Bill Green

[Scrotum]

I can see that you are a Christian in your Question.


I guess i am ANGRY towards a GOD i dont believe in... (????!!!!)....

I usuallyu hear that from Christians, what are you talking about?


I suspect most are here because they like debating as it gives them a chance to EVOLVE and improve their rhetorical skills as well as a meeting point of people you rarely get a cahnce to talk to.

Debating amongst Christians is not very popular as you may know because of the implication of using logic and intelligence (despised by Christians), but the few Christians/Theist coming here probably have a similar way of thinking.

[theleftone]

I am curious as to why the atheists spend so much time here arguing with Christians?

While I am not an atheist, I would suggest they, like me, enjoy the exchange of ideas.

Is it because you feel anger or hatred toward Christians and their God (many atheist posts come across as hostile--not that the Christians are not often hostile as well)?

For those who do present themselves in an angry manner, I think it's less directed at God than Christians and/or Christianity in general. Though, there are few here that I would place in their category.

[McCulloch]

I am curious as to why the atheists spend so much time here arguing with Christians?

Is it because you feel you are doing a service to society in combatting the "opiate of the masses?"

Is it because you feel anger or hatred toward Christians and their God (many atheist posts come across as hostile--not that the Christians are not often hostile as well)?

You might look for some insight in the A Room:Why are we here?

[otseng]

Also check out Why, The Heck, Are YOU Here?

[Cephus]

I'm here because it's a good place to debate things and the place is excellently run (thanks osteng and the whole moderator crew!), far better than anywhere else I've ever been. I'm not mad at God, how could I be, I don't believe in God. That's like being mad at the Easter Bunny.

[upallnite]

I am not an Atheist but I am a non-theist. Perhaps I can help with answering though. I came here because I viewed a lot of the debates and noticed the theists put up a good argument. I also noticed they do not go straight to the "Your possed by the devil" argument.

The last place I tried to engage in a debate I was met with pure ignorance by both Atheists and theists. This place is a world better than there.

Perhaps this would be a decent Atheist reason...
http://atheism.about.com/od/atheismques ... debate.htm

Sorry for the link. But it is directly related to your question.

[kctheshootinfool]

Bill's post is VERY interesting. I say that because his question fits the stereotype of a Christian on the site, just as your response fits the stereotype of a typical atheist.

I can see that you are a Christian in your Question.
I guess i am ANGRY towards a GOD i dont believe in... (????!!!!)....
I usuallyu hear that from Christians, what are you talking about?

I am very familiar with the typical fire and brimstone argument from many Christians. I am a Christian as well, but not that kind, and I was an agnostic for most of my life. I understand both sides of the debate. Christians often come across as hostile as well.

Debating amongst Christians is not very popular as you may know because of the implication of using logic and intelligence (despised by Christians), but the few Christians/Theist coming here probably have a similar way of thinking.

There was no call for being insulting. Which, by the way, this comment itself is rather ignorant. Some of the most intelligent people in America, let alone the world, were (and are) religious people. Similarly, I've met atheists/agnostics with the IQ of a pencil. I know atheists dont like to acknowledge this, but this country was in fact discovered and founded by God-fearing people, and our Constitution and laws based on biblical principles.

In general, I agree with the other posts that atheists enjoy a debate as much as anyone else, and it gives everyone a chance to hear other points of view. In the end, however, what you atheists and Christians alike have to realize is that you are NOT convincing anyone of your beliefs, nor are you "evangeling" in a setting like this. No Christian really cares how an atheist doesnt believe in God, any more than an atheist cares about what Christians think of Jesus. Both of you, at the end of the day, think each other is an ignorant fool, so you get nowhere.

Bill, I think, was disappointed because he was looking for more debate between Christians about Christianity. "Christian debate" really should not involve atheists at all, so that Christians could argue amongst themselves about religious differences, interpretations, etc, without interruption.

[otseng]

"Christian debate" really should not involve atheists at all, so that Christians could argue amongst themselves about religious differences, interpretations, etc, without interruption.

This site was not set up with that purpose. There are plenty of other sites where debates are only among Christians. But, the purpose of this site is to debate Christianity among people of any belief system. Actually, I don't find it too interesting to debate other Christians about theological nuances. But, it's much more exciting to debate those who have a completely different viewpoint than I do.

[Marishiten]

I'm here because I like to debate and this is a debating forum, plain and simple. If this wasn't a place for Atheists to debate Christians, then i think it would have been made explicit.