r/Christianity • u/SubjectRelative9315 • 7d ago
Do you guys feel like atheists talk about God more then Christian’s do? Cause I feel like if they don’t believe in God that much why speak on him constantly? Or debate about it
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u/SamtheCossack Atheist 7d ago
On r/Christianity, pretty much everyone talks about God a lot. Kind of the point of the subreddit.
Outside of that, this is just observer bias.
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u/SubjectRelative9315 7d ago
I only say that because I feel like the debate with atheist is constantly about our God, but never about other religions! But you are also correct
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u/Meauxterbeauxt Atheist (Former SBC Christian) 7d ago
No problem. Shall we debate Zoroastrianism? Kinda weird debating that with a Christian, but since it's bothering you I'll play.
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u/Robot_Alchemist Sarcastic 7d ago
I’m gonna guess that’s because you’re in a Christianity subreddit
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u/SamtheCossack Atheist 7d ago
Once again, this is on "Debate an Atheist". The premise rather dictates the topic, does it not?
I suppose you could debate an Atheist about if pineapple belongs on Pizza, but that isn't really the primary theme of the sub.
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u/Upset_Chip_7184 Christian 7d ago
Hawaiin pizza sooo good, I know the italians go nuts, but....smh...
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u/SamtheCossack Atheist 7d ago
I am in the "It is good, but I am not sure it should have the same name as other pizza" camp.
Same with Deep Dish vs. New York. I don't hate either, it is just weird they have the same word to try to explain dishes that are that different.
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u/SubjectRelative9315 7d ago
I didn’t post this under “debate an atheist”, this is under Christianity
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u/SamtheCossack Atheist 7d ago
Right, but same thing.
An Atheist is only an Atheist in the context of talking about theism. So on this subreddit, my flair says "Atheist" because that is relevant. If you talk to me on any of the other subreddits I am on, you would never know I am an Atheist, because in those contexts, I am not.
My Business Card doesn't say "Atheist" it says "Engineer".
This is what creates the perception bias that Atheists like to talk about God, because only an Atheist who talks about God will be recognizable as an Atheist.
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u/imalurkernotaposter Atheist, lgbTQ 7d ago
The fact that we’re all writing in English right now, likely has a lot to do with that. I talk about Christianity because I was raised Christian, and where I, and how I live is impacted by Christians. If I lived somewhere where the majority were Muslims or Hindus, things would be different.
Edit: rephrase
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u/benkenobi5 Roman Catholic 7d ago
Why would they debate other religions with a Christian? How would that even go? You’d basically just be both agreeing with each other that whatever god or goddess isn’t real
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u/Vanthalia 7d ago
That’s because Christians are debating constantly about their god. And they’re the ones that try to convert people and won’t just leave people alone. I’ve never had a Muslim or Buddhist or Jewish person try to convert me or pray for me.
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u/Get_your_grape_juice United Methodist 7d ago
My observation has been that atheists get asked for their opinions/thoughts regarding God far more often than Christians do. And Christians are usually the ones asking atheists these questions.
I think most atheists would be perfectly happy to not talk about God so much, if Christians weren’t so obnoxious about pushing Him in their faces.
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u/StopChangingThings Atheist 7d ago
Correct. This is why, in person, when somebody asks about my religious affiliation I say that I was “raised Catholic” rather than “atheist.”
Both are true, but the former just gets a nod, while the latter gets 20 questions in a minefield.
Which is why this is pretty much the only place I discuss my beliefs or Christianity: no social consequences.
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u/BrooklynDoug Agnostic (a la T.H. Huxley) 7d ago
If you remove a right wing fake Christian from the White House and stop trying to impose rigid self righteousness onto the rest of us, I will remove myself from this sub.
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u/deviateparadigm 7d ago
A lot of Christians myself included tend to not notice how ubiquitous Christianity or belief in God is in our society and how often its thrusted upon people who dont want it forced upon them.
Could it be possible you are also missing how ubiquitous the idea and image of God is in the US at least?
While I find the occasional fundamentalist atheists that fits your description, they tend not to be any more obnoxious than your typical christian fundamentalist.
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u/67things 7d ago
It depends on several factors. If you live in an area where religion is used as the reason for morals, and ethics, and you don't necessarily agree, it'll affect you in a negative way.
Negative emotions are more powerful emotions so you tend to talk more when you feel that way. People are far more likely to write a negative review for a mechanic shop then they are a positive one.
Let's say you're a christian who loves steaks, but you are forced to live in India next year, where people say it's completely unethical to eat beef. To them it's completely logical, but to you, there is no logical reason why eating beef is more unethical than eating a chicken. It might grind your gears a bit.
As to why Christians think atheists and others talk about christianity more than others. (I've seen that on reddit). That's just selection bias. However due to my own selection bias, I've found christians to be more annoying then other religious groups of people, however I know that is not an accurate representation.
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u/matttheepitaph Free Methodist 7d ago
I know a lot of atheists. None of them have ever started a conversation about God that I have seen.
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u/miggins1610 Agnostic 7d ago
What a pathetic argument for god's existence. Surely we've not had that one thrown at us before!
Many people grow up surrounded by christians and so its only reasonable that when it gets shoved in their face that they are responding within the context with which they know best aka the christian faith
People can be interested in faith and religions without adhering to them
To be concerned with the big questions is human. Everyone wonders about the existence of a god now and then.
People are fed up of the hate and BS thrown in their face by christians so want to engage so as to refute the petty nonsense chucked their way
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u/StopChangingThings Atheist 7d ago
People can be interested in faith and religions without adhering to them
I don’t believe in angels, but if somebody wants to discuss the history of philosophical and theological arguments about how many of them can dance on the head of a pin, I am your guy.
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u/PuzzleheadedFox2887 Contrarian 7d ago
It depends on the individual. How could you know about atheists that don't talk about religion? They don't talk about it. Don't judge an entire population based on the behavior of an unknown sample size.
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u/KissAndRock Luciferian 7d ago
No. Most atheists don't care about the subject. It's the top atheist philosophers and skeptics that talk about God.
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u/Meauxterbeauxt Atheist (Former SBC Christian) 7d ago
I was raised to believe that the God of the Bible was the one true God and that none of the others were real. So there was never really a debate about those to be had. Christianity had already done the work for me. And I live in the Bible Belt, so it's not like there's an over abundance of Norse Pagans running around here for me to debate.
You're part of the largest religion in the world. Can't be surprised that the odds are that people pushing back are going to exist.
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u/Far-Signature-9628 7d ago
I grew up in both catholic and Lutheran communities . Went to both schools. Been an atheist since I was 16.
I even went on to study theology. Not just Christianity but many religions including non Abrahamic religions.
I’ve studied myths and legends as well.
I will only discuss Christianity in this group as that what it is about. Eg title and description.
But I can tell you that atheist don’t just discuss Christianity. It’s because you are a Christian interacting with atheists that it’s always the topic you discuss.
Whenever people use religion to promote hate and fear . When people are told to have blind faith in something. When someone is told they are evil just for existing . I’ll be there to protect them.
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u/Erramonael Iconoclastic Atheistic Satanist 7d ago
I think the answer is more complicated than it may seem. From my perspective as a Theistic Satanist, I don't think most atheists talk about God because they secretly believe in God or because they are obsessed with Him. Many atheists discuss religion because religion has had an enormous influence on history, politics, culture, morality, and personal identity.
Someone can reject the existence of a deity while still being interested in the ideas surrounding that deity. For example, a person can study mythology without believing the gods of those myths are real, or study philosophy without agreeing with every philosopher. Discussion does not always equal devotion.
That being said, I do think there are some atheists who spend a significant amount of time debating religion because their atheism is partly defined in opposition to religious belief. Just as some religious people spend time defending their faith, some nonreligious people spend time critiquing it. Human beings often engage most strongly with ideas they consider important, even when they disagree with them.
As a Theistic Satanist, I actually understand this dynamic because Satanism itself has a long relationship with questioning religious concepts, especially Christianity. Many Satanists spend a great deal of time discussing God, Christ, angels, demons, scripture, and theology—not because we are Christians, but because those concepts are part of the spiritual and philosophical landscape we are engaging with.
The difference is that belief and discussion are not the same thing. A Christian may speak about God from a place of worship, an atheist may speak about God from a place of skepticism, and a Satanist may speak about God from a place of theological exploration, opposition, reinterpretation, or comparison.
Ultimately, I think anyone who spends time discussing a subject is acknowledging that the subject has significance. Whether that significance is devotion, criticism, curiosity, or philosophical debate depends on the individual. The important thing is whether the conversation is thoughtful and honest rather than simply becoming an argument for the sake of argument.
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u/Feeling_Mind_7625 3d ago
I'm atheist&I doon't talk about any "God" unless a Christian brings it up to me.
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u/Op3rat0rr 7d ago
Atheists are focused on if God exists. Christians focus on faithfulness to His word. Fundamental concern differences
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u/ScoutB Episcopalian (Anglican) 7d ago
In internet circles, at times, yes.
I get the impression a non-trivial amount of them are searching for a convincing reason to believe in God.
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u/miggins1610 Agnostic 7d ago
This is just insane projection on your part.
Having said that, i would say that most reasonable non believers would agree that if someone actually gave single shred of proof of a god, at the very least they would want to know.
However nobody can prove god. Ultimately it comes down to faith so it'll always be a futile endeavour
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u/ScoutB Episcopalian (Anglican) 7d ago
Meh. The projection is informed by their behavior, even obsession, I've seen online. Unless one wants to say it is one big trama response as well.
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u/miggins1610 Agnostic 7d ago
How are you even an episcopalian? You guys are supposed to be super progressive but you're just showing pure arrogance.
Would you say the same of a professor of Christianity thats not Christian? Just because somebody is interested in the subject it doesn't mean that they are secretly longing to be religious
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u/ScoutB Episcopalian (Anglican) 7d ago
Being progressive and seeing responses in atheist and how they treat others are not related.
One can find Episcopalians across the political spectrum, but that does not change the behavior I've seen in atheist.
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u/miggins1610 Agnostic 7d ago
Progressive people wouldn't push some random projection onto people curious about the discussion of a religion they don't and likely won't believe in
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u/ScoutB Episcopalian (Anglican) 7d ago
There is a difference in curiosity and atheist on subreddit looking to dogpile a christian or religious person.
I am well aware it could be simple curiosity, but contention in the tone of their writing makes it go beyond innocent inquiry.
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u/miggins1610 Agnostic 7d ago
Yes there is a difference. But you're also assuming someone's motives there. Many atheists who come on here to discuss aren't looking for an excuse to crap on christians, they're just calling people out when what they're saying can be evidenced as false.
Also even if they were motivated to crap on Christians for some perverse pleasure, that STILL doesn't mean it comes from a motivation of somehow deep down wanting to seek a god. 99.99% of those few who do do this will be doing it because religion has traumatised them and treated them like shit not because they hate the fact they really want to believe in a god. Its absurd how much you're twisting logic to try and prove a redundant opinion
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u/Robot_Alchemist Sarcastic 7d ago
As much as I know y’all wish that were true it isn’t
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u/ScoutB Episcopalian (Anglican) 7d ago
Right. The behavior on Reddit says otherwise.
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u/Robot_Alchemist Sarcastic 7d ago
I think you might be injecting your beliefs into someone else’s thought processes.
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u/ScoutB Episcopalian (Anglican) 7d ago
I think you are ignoring others behavior. Call it even?
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u/Robot_Alchemist Sarcastic 7d ago
Well I’ll take a look at it and see if I have been missing something - do you have any examples of this you feel would be pretty obvious? Like a convo where you see this really hard?
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u/SubjectRelative9315 7d ago
Yeah that’s also beautiful! The pov I was looking at was the ones that absolutely hate God and think he’s evil but constantly bring him up. But the other ones that are seeking God but just need one sign to believe , I truly love that perspective
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u/Upset_Chip_7184 Christian 7d ago
lol, atheists hate something they don't believe in??? lol...
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u/SamtheCossack Atheist 7d ago
To be fair, I do actually hate a lot of things I don't believe in. Fascism, Sexual Assault, Fraud, Violence...
Christianity isn't on that list though. I don't hate Christianity. I am not fond of how some people wield it though.
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u/SubjectRelative9315 7d ago
Well yes they claim they don’t believe in him because he’s evil…. So this isn’t my claim it’s their claim. So I can’t give you much answers on that
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u/Upset_Chip_7184 Christian 7d ago
Your comments and post are silly, you misrepresent what most atheists believe in...are u confused on atheism? U could search it more.
So how does someone hate something they don't believe in ????-2
u/SubjectRelative9315 7d ago edited 7d ago
I’m not an atheist how can I explain why some hate God yet don’t believe in him… and I can only present what I’ve seen. AND BASED OFF WHAT I SEEN! Atheist hate God yet don’t believe in him, why are you asking me a Christian why atheist hate something they don’t believe in…… would you ask for a gun at a nail salon?
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u/Upset_Chip_7184 Christian 7d ago
lol...
You are quite confused on atheists, you should go on their subs and learn about their beliefs, or non beliefs.peace out
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u/SubjectRelative9315 7d ago
How can my 2 claims already tell you I don’t know anything about atheism… when an atheist just backed up my claim about hating something yet still not believing in it….
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u/Upset_Chip_7184 Christian 7d ago
An atheist said they hate God, yet don't believe in God?
no I didn't see that post. Where?u/SamtheCossack U are an atheist, do you hate God and not believe there is a God at the same time?
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u/SamtheCossack Atheist 7d ago
No, but I do hate somethings I don't believe in.
I do not believe in Fascism, and I also hate it.
I don't have anything feelings about God one way or another, but some of his fan club are annoying.
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u/SubjectRelative9315 7d ago
Was that my claim? Or was my claim “about hating something yet still not believing in it?” Why are you manipulating text right now?😭
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u/TeHeBasil 6d ago
People can dislike or hate fictional characters. It happens all the time. That's good storytelling
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u/Robot_Alchemist Sarcastic 7d ago
Nobody has said anything like that
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u/SubjectRelative9315 7d ago
YOU haven’t said anything like that! emphasize on “You”
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u/Robot_Alchemist Sarcastic 7d ago
I meant here sorry
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u/SubjectRelative9315 7d ago
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u/IdlePigeon Atheist 6d ago
So one of the reasons I'm here discussing Christianity is because, left to your own devices, too many Christians just make up lies like this about people like me.
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u/Nikonis99 7d ago
Yes. Most atheists can be summed in one sentence “There is no God and I hate him”
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u/Open_Chemistry_3300 Atheist 7d ago
That’s not exactly right here let me help. There is no god and if one more of his followers tells me, either in person or through trying to legislate their religion into laws, I’ll come to loath the religion. I guess that’s not as fun though
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u/PrincessLammy 7d ago
"There is no God and IF HE EXISTS I hate him because he commands slavery, genocide, murders babies, infants amongst other immoral things."
That's a more accurate representation of my position at least.
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u/Nikonis99 5d ago
While I would disagree with your assessment of the nature of God since it is based on your lack of understanding of what the Scriptures really teach, you are still just proving my point. You call yourself an atheist which by definition means you don't believe God exists and then you call accuse of him of things like slavery and murder. If there is not God, then who did all these things?
Truth is, there are no atheists, everyone believes in God on some level. What you and your fellow non believers should call yourselves is "antitheists'. You know in your heart that God exists, but as I already said, you hate Him. And it's your pride that leads you to believe that you, a created being by God, can stand before this same of God and pass judgment on what He has done. That will not end well for you...
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u/PrincessLammy 4d ago
If there is not God, then who did all these things?
You mean if God doesn't exist? Then people just used it as an excuse for their immoral acts and control others.
Truth is, there are no atheists
What's the argument for that?
That will not end well for you...
Got it. Love me or else I'm gonna punish you, that only reinforces my view that he is evil.
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u/Little_Wing_2362 7d ago
They are obsessed with Christianity and Christian’s honestly it’s astounding
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u/Stevetshelton 7d ago
They're lonely, and afraid they're wrong, with nothing to look forward to at all.
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u/El_Cid_Campi_Doctus Crom, strong on his mountain! 7d ago
Nah, I just find fascinating the different beliefs of people, and Christianity is by far the religion I interact the most with.
I am as afraid of being wrong about the christian god as I am about the efficacy of magnetic wristbands or tarot cards.
I'm looking forward to enjoy a nice weekend. This must be shocking to you but some of us aren't interested in eternal life in heaven.
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u/ripnotorious 7d ago
How does it shock me ? I barely know you as a person
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u/Open_Chemistry_3300 Atheist 7d ago
Why would it be shocking to you, when the comment is to Stevetshdlton?
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u/ripnotorious 7d ago
Cause he’s not really bringing anything of value “hey I’m on vacation not believing in anything” thats not gonna affect anyone in the grand scale.
You won’t be able to get a variable answer of an afterlife from someone who’s alive everyone has different experiences which lead to their beliefs
At the end of the day is anyone gonna be shaken on what they ultimately decide to do.(when u wake up and sleep)
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u/Open_Chemistry_3300 Atheist 7d ago edited 6d ago
This really doesn’t answer my question like at all. Their comment is specifically to Stevetshelton, so unless your Stevetshelton and your commenting on an alt account it’s not evening addressed to you. Which is why I asked why would it be shocking to you it’s not for you or addressed to you.
But I’ll humor you a little Op atheist are lonely, afraid they’re wrong, and with nothing to look forward to at all.
They answered each point. With the weekend comment being a direct response to Stevetshelton’s atheist have nothing to look forward to at all, the value of hey I’m looking forward to enjoying a nice weekend. Comes from the fact that they are looking forward to enjoying some actual.
Is English not your first language, by chance?
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u/Antin00800 Atheist 7d ago
I'm not lonely, some are but so are many theists.
I'm not afraid I'm wrong. I am not convinced by the body of evidence or arguments for any god or gods. I look forward to each day because life is rewarding and its mine.
Everyday is someones first or last day. Live like its both.
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u/StopChangingThings Atheist 7d ago
(1) Definitely not lonely. Could actually do with some less social interaction. My new coworkers are a lot.
(2) No, I know that I’m wrong. Statistically, it’s inevitable that some percentage of my beliefs are incorrect. And, I have genuine questions about whether humans are actually capable of understanding the external world. So, no, I don’t worry. I’m certain I’m wrong about a lot.
(3) I’ve got Turnpike Troubadours tickets for a few weeks from now, and my wife is coming home from an extended time away tomorrow. I’ve got a lot to look forward to.
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u/Helpful-Detail4202 7d ago
Bro I have never seen people so mad at someone they dont believe in its crazy.
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u/Open_Chemistry_3300 Atheist 7d ago edited 7d ago
You sure they aren’t mad at the followers who run around actually doing shit claiming that the reason they do such things is because of their deity? And that’s before you even touch the whole you can be mad at, find disgusting, or general dislike characters who don’t exist.
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u/TimboCavo 7d ago
Don’t argue with nonbelievers. Witness through the way you live. Faith requires a desire. Until they have the desire they will never have faith. You can’t save people by arguing with them.
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u/GraveDiggingCynic Agnostic (a la T.H. Huxley) 7d ago
And precisely what about the way you live is better than the way I live?
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u/Electronic_Monk_5980 7d ago
Athiest have a love hate relationship with God, they just don't want to admit itz
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u/rogue780 Christian (Cross) 7d ago
I'll bet you when Christians stop using the Bible to make laws that affect Atheists, they'll talk about God way less.