Why does my disbelief bother Christians?

[Zzyzx]

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Many Christians appear to be upset because I and others do not share their belief in things supernatural. Some become angry when we refuse to believe their literature, dogma and preachings. Many threaten us with "eternal damnation" if we reject their gods.

Can anyone give a coherent answer to:

Why does my disbelief bother Christians?

[MikeH]

When people disagree, people get bothered. This is nothing new. It comes down to a personality thing most of the time.

[Chimp]

Many Christians appear to be upset because I and others do not share their beliefs[strike]in things supernatural[/strike]. Some become angry when we refuse to believe their literature, dogma and preachings. Many threaten us with "eternal damnation" if we reject their gods.

Forgive my editing...but I think that hits closer to what is really going on.

You may have heard the quote...

...He who is not with me is against me...

This is a popular saying for those who are facing the rejection of their ideas, as
though disagreement is equivalent to heresy or direct opposition. It may be
that it is harder to recruit if you have a message of kindness and understanding.

What I find telling is the existence of another version of that quote...

...for whoever is not against us is for us...

I'm more inclined to favour the second version.

[PC1]

Because you have a clue, and they don't.

Perhaps they don't like the thought that they've been wasting their lives on a stupid fairytale, and that if absolutely EVERYONE believes, it'll make their religion magically become true.

Wow. Maybe your the one who doesn't have a clue?

[Negachrist]

Because you have a clue, and they don't.

Perhaps they don't like the thought that they've been wasting their lives on a stupid fairytale, and that if absolutely EVERYONE believes, it'll make their religion magically become true.

Wow. Maybe your the one who doesn't have a clue?

About what, reality?[/i]

[Cephus]

When people disagree, people get bothered. This is nothing new. It comes down to a personality thing most of the time.

But that's not really the way that it works. It doesn't bother me in the least when people believe something that I don't, it's no skin off my backside. I don't go hunting people down to debate them, I don't particularly care if I ever change anyone's mind, I'm certainly willing to talk to people if they approach me or post publically, but otherwise, I never bring the subject up.

However, when you look at Christians, not only do they get personally offended when I say I don't believe in their God, they look at it as their personal mission to push their religious beliefs on me and to do whatever they can to get me to adopt their beliefs. That's not a personality thing, in fact I'd say it's a psychological illness brought on by irrational beliefs in the supernatural.

[Cathar1950]

When people disagree, people get bothered. This is nothing new. It comes down to a personality thing most of the time.

But that's not really the way that it works. It doesn't bother me in the least when people believe something that I don't, it's no skin off my backside. I don't go hunting people down to debate them, I don't particularly care if I ever change anyone's mind, I'm certainly willing to talk to people if they approach me or post publically, but otherwise, I never bring the subject up.

However, when you look at Christians, not only do they get personally offended when I say I don't believe in their God, they look at it as their personal mission to push their religious beliefs on me and to do whatever they can to get me to adopt their beliefs. That's not a personality thing, in fact I'd say it's a psychological illness brought on by irrational beliefs in the supernatural.

It is complicated and there seems to be not simple answer that will fit on a bumper sticker.
MikeH has a small point where personalities do seem to carry over into their attitudes as it relates to their religions and there are also many social factors.
Many do act as if any criticism is some how a slur against their pets views of God when it often is a critic of their notions and not necessarily God, imaginary or otherwise. Some make more sense then others and some make no sense at all. In fact sense or reason seems like it is almost an insult to them or some trick of Satan.

[PC1]

Because you have a clue, and they don't.

Perhaps they don't like the thought that they've been wasting their lives on a stupid fairytale, and that if absolutely EVERYONE believes, it'll make their religion magically become true.

Wow. Maybe your the one who doesn't have a clue?

About what, reality?[/i]

Oh, thats right. Atheists are right about everything and if I disagree, it is me who must be wrong. Not just wrong, but also stupid and an idiot who isn't capable of seeing their belief because my stupidity.

[PC1]

.
Many Christians appear to be upset because I and others do not share their belief in things supernatural. Some become angry when we refuse to believe their literature, dogma and preachings. Many threaten us with "eternal damnation" if we reject their gods.

Can anyone give a coherent answer to:

Why does my disbelief bother Christians?

Your disbelief doesn't bother me.

[MikeH]

But that's not really the way that it works. It doesn't bother me in the least when people believe something that I don't, it's no skin off my backside. I don't go hunting people down to debate them, I don't particularly care if I ever change anyone's mind, I'm certainly willing to talk to people if they approach me or post publically, but otherwise, I never bring the subject up.

However, when you look at Christians, not only do they get personally offended when I say I don't believe in their God, they look at it as their personal mission to push their religious beliefs on me and to do whatever they can to get me to adopt their beliefs. That's not a personality thing, in fact I'd say it's a psychological illness brought on by irrational beliefs in the supernatural.

I understand that you do not get offended or try to convince others to believe your way, but people do this all of the time with any point of view, not just religious. I have people who get personally offended that I don't share their political beliefs, and make it their mission that I vote the way they do. Others try to convince me that rap is a legitimate form of music, and are offended that I just "don't get it."

The simplest answer is that some people are also this way with their religious views. This makes much more sense than saying that believing in a God causes a psychological illness that forces people to try to convince you of their beliefs.

[MikeH]

Oh, thats right. Atheists are right about everything and if I disagree, it is me who must be wrong. Not just wrong, but also stupid and an idiot who isn't capable of seeing their belief because my stupidity.

Yes, how dare you question the fundamental, unchanging principles of strict naturalism. You obviously need to watch more Carl Sagan videos on YouTube.