It seems to me that many of the atheists on here are just here because they hate Christianity.

[Parchment]

I'm neither an Atheist nor a Christian but I did like the idea of "trick or trunk", that is children that wanted to go trick or treating could get their goodies in a safe, friendly environment with no fear of weirdos because had there been one I'm sure that the responsible adults there would have called them out early.

 

[A Vestigial Mote]

While I generally find much of the sentiment surrounding Christian-based beliefs and their practices to be mawkish, maudlin mewling over pretty much "not much", I'm certainly not on this forum because of that.

To the point: I get on here as part of a personal investigation aimed at making sure that I maintain the feeling that no one else has got all this stuff figured out any better than I have (Christian or otherwise). And so far... I've made good on that.

But yeah, I have to admit - Christianity? Not at all a fan. "Hate" is way too strong a term. It's certainly not even worth "hating". I'd say it's more on the side of very strongly annoying - and only when I am presented with it, full strength. The inanity one can see in particular activities Christians undertake when viewed from certain perspectives is astounding.

And as for there being "good" in Christianity? Well, it's members sure do raise A LOT of money. And they appropriate at least some of it to worthy causes. It also provides a lot of people with a form of reality that is palatable for their consumption, whereas without it, I could see those same people reeling off into despair and possibly mental illness.

 

[Kirran]

I'm actually rather fond of Hinduism, to the point that I have recently found myself wondering if I would not become a Shakti if I happened upon a good Guru.

Compliment received and accepted sir. That's interesting! They tend to be faces onto the same thing, Shaktism and Shaivism and Smartism etc. Some people get a little exclusivist about things but hey. Shaktas don't as much I don't think.

If you're ever in this neck of the woods, you are welcome to have a visit of "my" ashram - there's a great Shakti temple there. We can find a Buddhist temple too to keep it all even.

 

[Augustus]

Sure. I think what happens when you have an overwhelmingly Christian society is that Christianity can become a driving force in many things, both good and bad. It's a common theme when examining early science, for example, or even art (although I know bugger all about art). I try not to throw every bad thing that happened at the foot of Christianity, and probably don't give it due credit where it should get it either. Much of the time, things (rightly and wrongly) were done by Christians. Christianity was in their world view. Was it that which drove their actions? How much?

Dunno. Beyond me. I suspect it influences much and controls little.

It was a significant driving factor. Quakers were disproportionately involved in abolitionist movements and were among the first to begin organised opposition to slavery. Evangelical Anglicans were also prominent in the movement and motivated by a religious conviction based on the idea that all humans have inherent dignity and shared humanity by virtue of being God's children.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Am I wrong? Can any of you atheists say anything good about Christianity at all?

I like the smell of the candles.

 

[Skwim]

As a former atheist who hated, just HATED Christians because they had such a neat holiday in December and I didn't, I switched to being an agnostic so I could at least feel better about myself when I joined in reindeer games.
To be serious, I find it interesting that anyone would seem to think that many atheists are here because they hate Christianity. In light of a lack of any such avowed hate I can only conclude the impression must come from the fact that atheists, along with agnostics and others, take exception to a lot of what Christians declare as truth and fact. Kind of a "If you disagree with me too much or too vociferously you must hate Christianity" sort of reaction. While it's no doubt true that some atheists actually hate Christianity, that it seems true of many atheists smacks as either a thin skin unable to tolerate solid criticism or the OP is simply an attempt to rile an atheist response. Personally, I think it's the former, in main because there's the very odd request of atheists to say something good about Christianity. As if one's regard for their religion hangs on the fact that others like it: "Please don't attack my religion because I need you to like it." If it helps at all, coming from a lapsed atheist I think the Christian religion, as well as many other religions, serves a vital role in the mental health of its followers. It does do good. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .as well as doing not so good at times.


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[Reggie Miller]

Aren't you the dude that claimed someone was on LSD or had smoked some dope because of their thread? Your response was rightly removed fool.

You call me a fool and complain that I broke a rule.

 

[columbus]

Am I wrong?

I am not sure I am atheist enough to meet your high standards. I consider religion in general, and particularly revealed religion, to be fiction based on primitive beliefs. Does that count?

Can any of you atheists say anything good about Christianity at all?

I was born and raised in the Roman Catholic Church. I consider Jesus rather like Santa Claus for grownups, but I find myself commonly sticking up for Mother Church. Usually defending her against Christians, who are commonly ignorant. Does that count as saying anything good about Christianity, or do you think that us Catholics aren't Christians?
Tom

 

[Reggie Miller]

As a former atheist who hated, just HATED Christians because they had such a neat holiday in December and I didn't, I switched to being an agnostic so I could at least feel better about myself when I joined in reindeer games.
To be serious, I find it interesting that anyone would seem to think that many atheists are here because they hate Christianity. In light of a lack of any such avowed hate I can only conclude the impression must come from the fact that atheists, along with agnostics and others, take exception to a lot of what Christians declare as truth and fact. Kind of a "If you disagree with me too much or too vociferously you must hate Christianity" sort of reaction. While it's no doubt true that some atheists actually hate Christianity, that it seems true of many atheists smacks as either a thin skin unable to tolerate solid criticism or the OP is simply an attempt to rile an atheist response. Personally, I think it's the former, in main because there's the very odd request of atheists to say something good about Christianity. As if one's regard for their religion hangs on the fact that others like it: "Please don't attack my religion because I need you to like it." If it helps at all, coming from a lapsed atheist I think the Christian religion, as well as many other religions, serves a vital role in the mental health of its followers. It does do good. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .as well as some not so good at times.


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From your posts that I've read I gather that you do not like Christianity at all. Is this correct?

 

[Reggie Miller]

I am not sure I am atheist enough to meet your high standards. I consider religion in general, and particularly revealed religion, to be fiction based on primitive beliefs. Does that count?

I was born and raised in the Roman Catholic Church. I consider Jesus rather like Santa Claus for grownups, but I find myself commonly sticking up for Mother Church. Usually defending her against Christians, who are commonly ignorant. Does that count as saying anything good about Christianity, or do you think that us Catholics aren't Christians?
Tom

I tend toward Catholicism a lot more than Protestantism.

Your profile says "None" for religion. Yet you're Catholic?

 

[Kirran]

I think people brush under the rug a lot the degree to which very deep religiosity and spirituality drove much of the civil rights movements of the 20th Century. The easiest example to make is the American civil rights movement which aimed to bring de-segregation, the right to vote etc to African-Americans. This was spearheaded by the leadership of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. A huge proportion of the leaders were clergy. Martin Luther King Jr. was a reverend, and listen to his speeches - the entire fight for civil rights was for him was the expression of God's will. This kind of conviction is what drove the civil rights movement.

This is similarly true for characters such as Gandhi, for whom the movement towards equality was a spiritual or religious act. I've seen similar reports for Nelson Mandela as well, although such driving forces weren't so visible in his case.

This isn't really something that's at the core of modern civil rights efforts, at least in the West, and this may well be why they tend to not quite have the fire and fuel they once did.

While I don't suppose this is in support of Christianity per se, in many of these cases that was the lens through which they were approaching spirituality.

 

[Skwim]

From your posts that I've read I gather that you do not like Christianity at all. Is this correct?

As I said above, "I think the Christian religion, as well as many other religions, serves a vital role in the mental health of its followers. It does do good," And for this reason I can say I like Christianity. However, I don't find this particular to the religion. Other religions are just as likeable for the very same reason. And, of course, just because I like Christianity for providing this service, I also dislike it for other things. Your question is kind of like asking me if I find anything likable about turnips. While I don't like to eat them, I can say I like them for the nutrition they provide those who do. In main then, I find Christianity's value as a service to its followers does outweigh its negatives. However, this certainly doesn't mean its unique in this respect or that its faults are off limits. Want to claim X, Y, and Z for Christianity, then be prepared to defend your claim.


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[Shad]

Am I wrong? Can any of you atheists say anything good about Christianity at all?

Christianity as in the religion itself rather than it's followers or what they have done?

 

[Reggie Miller]

As I said above, "I think the Christian religion, as well as many other religions, serves a vital role in the mental health of its followers. It does do good," And for this reason I can say I like Christianity. However, I don't find this particular to the religion. Other religions are just as likeable for the very same reason. And, of course, just because I like Christianity for providing this service, I also dislike it for other things. Your question is kind of like asking me if I find anything likable about turnips. While I don't like to eat them, I can say I like them for the nutrition they provide those who do. In main then, I find Christianity's value as a service to its followers does outweigh its negatives. However, this certainly doesn't mean its unique in this respect or that its faults are off limits. Want to claim X, Y, and Z for Christianity, then be prepared to defend your claim.


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Very informative and honest. Thank you.

 

[Reggie Miller]

Christianity as in the religion itself rather than it's followers or what they have done?

Yes. Christianity, the way you perceive it.

 

[Reggie Miller]

I think people brush under the rug a lot the degree to which very deep religiosity and spirituality drove much of the civil rights movements of the 20th Century. The easiest example to make is the American civil rights movement which aimed to bring de-segregation, the right to vote etc to African-Americans. This was spearheaded by the leadership of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. A huge proportion of the leaders were clergy. Martin Luther King Jr. was a reverend, and listen to his speeches - the entire fight for civil rights was for him was the expression of God's will. This kind of conviction is what drove the civil rights movement.

This is similarly true for characters such as Gandhi, for whom the movement towards equality was a spiritual or religious act. I've seen similar reports for Nelson Mandela as well, although such driving forces weren't so visible in his case.

This isn't really something that's at the core of modern civil rights efforts, at least in the West, and this may well be why they tend to not quite have the fire and fuel they once did.

While I don't suppose this is in support of Christianity per se, in many of these cases that was the lens through which they were approaching spirituality.

That's a good post. I particularly admire Dr. King for his work in moving the civil rights issues along without resorting to violence. Truly great man.

 

[Kirran]

That's a good post. I particularly admire Dr. King for his work in moving the civil rights issues along without resorting to violence. Truly great man.

Yes, I have a lot of admiration for him, as well as for his teachers Gandhi and Tolstoy.

 

[Reggie Miller]

We could sure use a few million Dr. Kings around today.

 

[columbus]

I tend toward Catholicism a lot more than Protestantism.

Because it's the best Western religion.
It's rather like the western version of the other best religion, Hinduism. (@Kirran ) What they have in common is a combination of the ancient and the modern. And the tolerance of diversity to keep it together.
My next two favorites are Bahai and UU. They are modern efforts to combine the diversity of human experience and modern understanding with ancient lore and tradition and scripture.
Quite excellent really, but not the world I grew up in.

Your profile says "None" for religion. Yet you're Catholic?

Correct. It's a long story.
I don't believe in religion, but I do believe in the local RCC parish. I'll criticize the church with the sort of insider knowledge I have, but I also give props when they're due.
Tom

 

[Iti oj]

Am I wrong? Can any of you atheists say anything good about Christianity at all?

Humanism came from Christianity and many of the best people I know are Christian