I am a person who believes in God. I even talk to him fro time to time. I don't care for organized religion at all. Mainly because it seems to be driven more by greed and quest for power than it is supposed to be. And I don't care for someone trying to convert anyone against their will. If missionaries were sent to far off lands to help people without pushing their agenda, it would seem more genuine (IMHO).

I can understand why a person who truly believe God is the only way and they care enough to attempt to spread this word around. I understand the agenda there. To save a lost soul or to stop someone from eternal damnation. Right or wrong, I understand it.

What I don't understand is the motive for an atheist to try to convert people to their way of thinking. What is to be gained by this? By all means they have just as much right to do this as someone would to ring your doorbell and attempt to tell you all about God. But what will they gain other than a little company? I would appreciate any and all responses. I am not trying to convert any atheists, or condemn any Christians, just trying to understand this.

It's all about convincing themselves of what they say they believe, all the while knowing that God is. It's a hard thing to do and it needs to be done daily. One slip and the ability to resist the truth of God could overtake them and cause them to accept truth.

Originally posted by Fromabove
It's all about convincing themselves of what they say they believe, all the while knowing that God is. It's a hard thing to do and it needs to be done daily. One slip and the ability to resist the truth of God could overtake them and cause them to accept truth.

So are you trying to say that I believe in God, but I try to convince myself otherwise? Arrogant much? I am not tryign to convert anyone to my beliefs at all, I simply want regligious influence out of my life. For example, stem cell research is hindered because of religious groups, my gay friends can't marry because of religious groups, a young girl who is going trough one of the worst times in her life is hassled even more because she had an abortion by religious groups. They are stoping the advancement of our society and civilization as a whole. Believe what you want but leave it out of political, social and medical advancement!!

There's the idea that the more who believe what you believe the more "right" you are that's found in virtually all groups regardless of the reason for grouping.

There's also a self-righteousness about it. They would believe they are doing you a favor. Like on a holy crusade.

And there's some who just want to be annoying for kicks.

Each individual has his own reasons for grouping. The three I've mentioned are hardly the bulk of them but they are the reasons I see most often.

Oh, how could I forget the single greatest recruiting tool of all time? Chicks. If a guy thinks there's the slightest chance of getting laid by affiliating himself with some group he'll join up in a heartbeat. At least with high school and college aged groups.

[edit on 21-10-2009 by thisguyrighthere]

I almost think that is part of it. But that is me trying to understand their position from my point of view. I kind of get this with my daughter. She seems as if she wants to believe, but that she would be letting her fellow atheists down, of conforming to a lesser thought pattern. I just want to know why.

Originally posted by Fromabove
It's all about convincing themselves of what they say they believe, all the while knowing that God is. It's a hard thing to do and it needs to be done daily. One slip and the ability to resist the truth of God could overtake them and cause them to accept truth.

You know your post really bothered me for a minute, like to the point of anger, but then I just realized you were trolling, so now I dont feel as bad.

I think they're motive is that they want us all to be as hopeless and apathetic as they are. It's no fun being broody when everyone else is happy after all. And I'm tired of people blaming things are religion. "Religion is evil and makes people do bad things."

No, Religion isn't evil. Believe it or not Christianity actually teaches peace, and so does the Koran. So please, don't blame it all on God, or Jesus, or Mohamed. Doing so is just an ignorant thing to do because you've had a pissy day.

Atheists are not stupid people, they pride themselves on being intelligent and I'm absolutely sure that most of them are. The whole propaganda thing in New York is just fine, they have a right to do it as well as people have the right to ignore it.

You have the facts against God and you thoroughly believe that he doesn't exist, fine, by all means be an atheist. I however, will continue to believe in the word of Christ and spread love and friendship to ALL people regardless of their religion or belief.

In the end, being friendly and loving people is a greater solution to just telling people they're wrong, because they KNOW they're not.

Get over yourselves.

I'm an atheist and not once have i ever tried to convert people into my way of thinking.

The day you have atheists in white shirts knocking on your door is the day you can claim an agenda.

If you believe in God - fine. If you don't - fine!

please don't turn this into a we are right because we believe thread. My intent is to understand why atheists think the way they do. I have a dog in this fight, so it does matter to me. Thanks in advance.

Originally posted by mr-lizard
Get over yourselves.

I'm an atheist and not once have i ever tried to convert people into my way of thinking.

The day you have atheists in white shirts knocking on your door is the day you can claim an agenda.

If you believe in God - fine. If you don't - fine!

LOL can't you just see it now? *knock knock*, Hello ma'am how are you today? I'm just here to ask you if you have rejected Jesus as your lord and saviour?? You would be chased off the lawn with a gun hahaha

because they are the same,
they care and care makes mistakes,
mistakes allow regret, regret allows forgiveness,
which is another word for understanding.
it is the motor of this society, growth.
growth is based on reflection (repenting),
which means u-turns, lost sheeps.

People who care, make mistakes and take their cross for god,
atheists or relgions or others, they all do the same,
mistakes because of care.

ignorance is the devil that is in peace.



[edit on 21-10-2009 by pasttheclouds]

Atheists don't generally go out into the streets to proclaim that god and religion is a farce. The only time I or any other atheists I know have tried to convert a person to a different way of thinking is when there/our own beliefs were challenged by religious people.

I wont tell you what I think of your beliefs unless you start spouting on about mine. k?

You seem to think that when someone is converted into believing a whole heap of lies from a 3000 year old book written by a bunch of superstitous bigotted ignorant men its a good thing but when a person makes a self realisation to rid religion from their life and do some good deeds because they want to instead of out of fear of some sky nanny then some how its a bad thing. Many horrible and atrocious acts have been carried out and go unpunished because of a belief in god. I dont see how that type of thinking should be allowed to continue in this modern day.

The atheist "agenda" if there is one is to stop more disasters like this war on terror or all the problems going on in the middle east.


Usually though atheists just dont like the idea of religion and many have been physically and emotionally scarred for life and the perpetrators will not be brought to justice because of the power of religion and the things it gets away with.

Its not the Atheist agenda but the Religious agenda that you should be worried about.