I find that to be the case with many (I won’t say a majority, but…) athiests.
It is understandable that a group based in and placing an emphasis on logic would feel superior to those who lack logic.
I think that’s pretty much down to the classic case of noticing the “bad” ones and not noticing the “good” ones.
if yall was my kids youd be gettin whipped with a leather belt for this kind of sass. sass back to a Preacher man, kids these days.
Really? I think its pretty much down to reading what people post on the topic:
he doesn’t need to be such a gigantic ass to make sense, though.
Probably because the more mellow ones are less noticed, as opposed to shitty remarks like that. Like is the case with just about everything.
There are a number of posts from atheists that don’t have that attitude at all in this thread.
Note how I said “many athiests have holier-than-thou attitudes” and not “all athiests?”
Note how I’m saying that it’s a minority that stands out more, as opposed to “many”?
Notice how you seem to come to the conclusion that you’ve met more than 50% of the athiests on earth and therefore can come to the reasonable conclusion that you’re right about your claim?
I will tentatively post an opinion here but please don’t beat me up for it.
Sometimes being a parent is hard. Wait a sec. Who am I kidding. Being a parent is the hardest thing you will ever do in your whole miserable and joyous life. Why? Cuz no matter what you do, no matter how hard you try, no matter how focused you are on ensuring your child has all the right information and guidance… you are still gonna screw something up. BIG TIME. I Guar-an-tee. And you will carry the guilt for the rest of your life knowing you cant undo it. (raises hand as a guilty party)
As a parent, I can understand the utmost desire to do all you can to ensure your child’s wellbeing. So on one hand I would say this man has the utmost of highest intentions. If we were to see he was attempting to teach his child to not play in the street, we might understand where he was going and we might have some sympathy in his clumsy attempt. But I implore you to understand that in his mind he is trying to ensure his child is on a path of redemption, salvation and forgiveness as well as a path to eternal peace.
Eternal Peace.
There is no greater love, than a man lays down his life (and in this case, his pride) for the sake of giving everything he believes in to his child.
However clumsy, awkward and insulting you see this… I ask you to take a moment and realize his intention of all of this. He wants to ensure he spends eternity with you by his side. Call it crazy and pompass all you want. But this is the only way he knows to make sure he never loses his son. That alone brings tears to my eyes.
Not all are called to the life of a Christian… but I beg you to think beyond the method he is using, and to instead appreciate what his intentions are.
Surely there is a way for the two of you to come to terms with your decisions.
I personally don’t think his way of forcing Christianity was reasonable or scripturally sound, but that is my opinion. From where I believe, this type of behavior is for our God to decide what is right or good.
Just take a moment and realize your dad is a human, with human faults. He is only trying his best as a parent.
Getting raped in the ass is still getting raped in the ass no matter if it’s for the good of all mankind, it’s still being raped in the ass. It’s a shit sandwich no matter how you chew it.
I don’t mean to be so blunt about it but it’s the way I see it.
Just tell Dad that his methods for his intentions are rather intrusive.
Yeah I know, I was just trying to point out that the dickheads usually stand out most.
And I agree with Catz, but if his dad keeps trying to push him, it’s going to get really annoying for him in the long run.
i was once told “you don’t believe in god? you’re lucky i don’t shoot you.”
Did you dad told you that?
As what one would call a “militant atheist” that actively looks for debate (you should see me on the USENET newsgroup alt.atheism; I’m an absolute terror!), I might as well throw my opinion into the ring:
I think this would be a good time to sit down with your father and have a heart-to-heart. Don’t be condescending. Don’t be holier-than-thou. Treat him with respect and if he treats you with disrespect, gently remind him that God commands His followers to “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” and that God’s greatest commandment is to love thy neighbor.
As as atheist, I’ve been bludgeoned like nobody’s business but I go looking for it. I don’t go looking for it from my friends and relatives and, if you’ve got a highly religious father, I suggest – no, I plead with you – read the Bible.
I did and I learned a lot about Christianity. I still don’t believe in God but at least I now have insight into that religion.
I’m always surprised at people being frowned upon for being atheist. Around here no one really cares, as far as I’ve seen. Devout Christians are more likely to be mocked than atheists I think.
It doesn’t sound that crazy. People don’t trust Athiests, because we don’t have an omniscient father figure to regulate our behavior.
I’m just jumping in this conversation without reading much, but, I’d suggest saying something along the lines of “If God is out there, and he truly is all-loving and all-forgiving, then when I die he should find it in his heart to forgive me and allow me into heaven as I am a good person; being atheist doesn’t make me evil. If God is out there, he will know and understand that I haven’t spurned him out of cruelness or laziness, but out of ignorance and misguidance.”