If you hate religion and don't believe in God, why?

[Hmmm]

I don't understand why there seems to be so many atheists and people in general who don't like religion but seem to spend so much time talking about it.

As an example, if a person thinks working out is very bad and a waste of time would they go to a forum regularly to tell everyone who likes to work out how wrong they are? A dieting forum to discuss how stupid dieting is and espousing the benefits of FAT?

If I really did not like something the last thing I would do is occupy my mind with it ALL THE TIME.

[grammafreddy]

The subject of religion rarely occupies my mind. However, I do tend to notice religious headlines (Canadian bishop today was made a cardinal) (sex abuse by clerics) (religious zealots doing crimes against humanity) then I post or comment online about them.

[cliffy1]

You seem to think that to not believe in God (of the bible) equates with being an atheist. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Personally, I have been fascinated by religion and the religious most of my life. I have studied just about all religions and spiritual paths, philosophies and psychology. I don't have any use for religion and although I believe in the possibility of a creator, I doubt it has anything to do with such an insignificant being as humans living on an obscure speck of dust in an infinite Universe. None the less, I am a spiritual person and I have empathy with my fellow travelers on this rock. I am a student of life and trying to understand the religious is part of that interest.

Also, I think, the debate of religious beliefs has been taboo for far too long. As we evolve toward more freedom, taboo subjects tend to attract more attention. Through debate and even argument, we can learn about each other and eventually become more tolerant of each others' beliefs. There will always be those who just want to argue for arguments sake, but that should teach us patience and tolerance. Life is about learning and what better way to learn about each other than to discuss our beliefs?

[Hmmm]

You seem to think that to not believe in God (of the bible) equates with being an atheist. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Personally, I have been fascinated by religion and the religious most of my life. I have studied just about all religions and spiritual paths, philosophies and psychology. I don't have any use for religion and although I believe in the possibility of a creator, I doubt it has anything to do with such an insignificant being as humans living on an obscure speck of dust in an infinite Universe. None the less, I am a spiritual person and I have empathy with my fellow travelers on this rock. I am a student of life and trying to understand the religious is part of that interest.

Also, I think, the debate of religious beliefs has been taboo for far too long. As we evolve toward more freedom, taboo subjects tend to attract more attention. Through debate and even argument, we can learn about each other and eventually become more tolerant of each others' beliefs. There will always be those who just want to argue for arguments sake, but that should teach us patience and tolerance. Life is about learning and what better way to learn about each other than to discuss our beliefs?

I'm not equating anything, if someone is an atheist and hates religion I'm not singling out anyone. It does seem that there are those who do fit the bill for this thread.

[cliffy1]

The subject of religion rarely occupies my mind. However, I do tend to notice religious headlines (Canadian bishop today was made a cardinal) (sex abuse by clerics) (religious zealots doing crimes against humanity) then I post or comment online about them.

It truly is a curiosity why someone would publicly declare their belief in god and all that is good and then sneak around doing exactly the opposite. It si one of life's little mysteries that is endlessly fascinating and confounding at the same time.

[cliffy1]

I'm not equating anything, if someone is an atheist and hates religion I'm not singling out anyone. It does seem that there are those who do fit the bill for this thread.

You see, hate is a very nasty word and does not really fit in here. I know that many would condemn the actions of many of the religious as they seem to say one thing and do another. Pedophile priests comes to mind. But I see very little hate and even some very genuine curiosity on the part of some to try to figure out why some even need religion in the first place. Humanity is evolving and for some that means moving beyond religion. Some of those might be wondering why others have chosen to stay behind, perhaps.

[fluffy]

I don't understand why there seems to be so many atheists and people in general who don't like religion but seem to spend so much time talking about it.

Because they don't know anything about politics?

[Hmmm]

I'm not equating anything, if someone is an atheist and hates religion I'm not singling out anyone. It does seem that there are those who do fit the bill for this thread.

You see, hate is a very nasty word and does not really fit in here. I know that many would condemn the actions of many of the religious as they seem to say one thing and do another. Pedophile priests comes to mind. But I see very little hate and even some very genuine curiosity on the part of some to try to figure out why some even need religion in the first place. Humanity is evolving and for some that means moving beyond religion. Some of those might be wondering why others have chosen to stay behind, perhaps.

I do hate the bad things you mentioned that religions do too. Some that comment on this forum do state in general there hate for religion and disbelief in God, so I'm wondering why they would bother thinking about these things daily.

[Hmmm]

I don't understand why there seems to be so many atheists and people in general who don't like religion but seem to spend so much time talking about it.

Because they don't know anything about politics?

Makes sense.

[Nebula]

Hmmmm, I think you are trying to combine the words 'atheist' and 'hate for religion' too liberally. Perhaps there are atheists that hate religion but the two are not synonymous.

Why wouldn't an atheist talk about religion? Your comparison to weight loss/exercise was silly.

A better comparison would be countering a belief in fairies, believing in conspiracy theories or promoting a pyramid scheme.

[cliffy1]

I do hate the bad things you mentioned that religions do too. Some that comment on this forum do state in general there hate for religion and disbelief in God, so I'm wondering why they would bother thinking about these things daily.

I'm sure there are those who post just to get your goat. Some people have nothing better to do. And some just want to see you blow a gasket. My advise is, don't give it to them.

[cliffy1]

Hmmmm, I think you are trying to combine the words 'atheist' and 'hate for religion' too liberally. Perhaps there are atheists that hate religion but the two are not synonymous.

Why wouldn't an atheist talk about religion? Your comparison to weight loss/exercise was silly.

A better comparison would be countering a belief in fairies, believing in conspiracy theories or promoting a pyramid scheme.

Hey! Just cuz you don't believe in fairies doesn't mean they don't exist, eh! And pyramids were useful in their day.

[Hmmm]

I do hate the bad things you mentioned that religions do too. Some that comment on this forum do state in general there hate for religion and disbelief in God, so I'm wondering why they would bother thinking about these things daily.

I'm sure there are those who post just to get your goat. Some people have nothing better to do. And some just want to see you blow a gasket. My advise is, don't give it to them.

Don't worry, I'm well aware of the goat try to getters. My question was just a thought I've had recently and was curious.

[TyrianQuill]

 

Hey! Just cuz you don't believe in fairies doesn't mean they don't exist, eh! And pyramids were useful in their day.

“cliffy1” your comment about fairies brought a wide warm smile to my face this evening, thank you. You reminded me of a very special occurrence in my childhood when my grandfather was ringing the bell (it was a 2000 lb bell that he had made in England and had it shipped over here, had a (skeleton) bell tower built for it) During the public tours at the museum many times there were children in the crowd. Gramp, after pulling the bell rope for about 3 minutes to get the bell to ring-out, would finally lay down the thick twirled rope down on the ground and then look straight at the children and lower his booming voice to almost a whisper and say to them “hey, keep a look-out for the fairies, they are around you know” and he would beam his twinkling eyes at them and wink. And then he would go into the talk about how the fairies love the sound of the bell ringing, and they loved it so much that they would make themselves invisible and sneak up on the bell, and so when it stopped ringing they would all jump on it to make it ring again. And then Gramp would say now here … wait, they are around, you just wait and see, they will start-up this bell ringing again ... you just wait and see.
And as the bell’s swing slowed the clapper would become out of sync with the bell and of course the ringing would stop, and Gramp would say looking and whispering to the children can you see any of them? (referring to the fairies) And then all of a sudden (the clapper became in sync with the swing of the bell again) and a loud RRINGGGG would sing-out over the St Lawrence River, everyone would jump and the amazement and wonder on the children’s faces was a joy to wittness. Even the grown-ups loved it, it was magicical.

Pictures of the bell are at: http://elegancereclaimed.blogspot.com/s ... bey%20Dawn
The pictures of the bell are about ½ way down the page.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Because of my childhood and upbringing, I have rituals and things I do that are special and unique to me and my inner-world, and I have no problem with others doing the same with their private beliefs and rituals, if holding the beliefs and proforming the rituals work for them and make them happy, then great!
If others belief in a god and that makes them happy and safe, great; if they hold to and/or perform rituals that I do not understand, than that is none of my business.

Here I have been referring to private beliefs and/or rituals, religion (and imposing) are different kettles of fish all together, and I will say here also I don’t hate anything, imaginary or otherwise; hate is an emotion acid.

[Nebula]

Hey! Just cuz you don't believe in fairies doesn't mean they don't exist, eh!

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean everyone isn't out to get you. (One of my favorite sayings.)

Getting back to the original question, I guess I can't answer it, since I don't hate religion.