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Why is it that if you're not religious in this country almost all religious people will refer to you as an atheist When in fact atheists make up less than a third of self identified non religious people in most surveys?
I actually know the answer to this one. It's because they truly believe there is only one God, that it specifically is Biblegod and that therefore, if anyone believes in anything else, they're actually not believing in anything. Yes, there IS that degree of arrogance.
There is also the fact that so many people at least claim to be Christian (in the U.S., anyway -- I can't vouch for elsewhere in the world) that they can't even imagine anyone choosing something that isn't Christianity, but still encompasses a belief in a higher being (two exceptions being the Jews, who "were wrong" -- again, the gall!!!) and Islam (which everybody KNOWS is purely Satanic and all about blowing things and people up, duh).
Most people think in black and white. If you're not Christian (or [insert religion]) you're atheist. One or the other. There's no in between, gray area. It's either or and that's it. Us vs. them.
Assuming this country is the United States we're talking about here, it's because many believers in America are incapable of thinking outside their Bibles.
"But the Bible says" is all they need.
People just can't accept a religion or belief system that isn't bookish. Words from a bunch of semi-literate people who've been dead for a few thousand years mean a lot. It's God himself talking, by golly
Besides, didn't you know: any teaching that doesn't proclaim Jesus is the only way is from Satan? People who believe in "false teachings" are just as bad as atheist, if not worse. At least us damn heathens aren't trying to pollute impressionable minds with false teachings, leading them to an afterlife of hellfire and endless torment.
It could be that most, if not all, religions see the world as good or evil (black or white). You're either good (religious) or evil (non-religious) and since Agnostics do not believe in a particular "GOD" we fall on the evil side on the line as non-believers. And, as Atheist know, non believers are dammed to a place they don't believe in.
I'd rather suppose that, if you don't actually 'deny' God (as they call it) it is taken that you are actually bolstering the numbers of the faithful.
But then, the theists are always good at twisting the figures to prove whatever they want to prove. Such as while Christianity is ever on the increase things are getting worse because of the increase of godlessness.
It could be that most, if not all, religions see the world as good or evil (black or white). You're either good (religious) or evil (non-religious) and since Agnostics do not believe in a particular "GOD" we fall on the evil side on the line as non-believers. And, as Atheist know, non believers are dammed to a place they don't believe in.
Most religions do not have the concept of a "Good" deity and an "Evil" deity. Their gods are what they are and evil actually comes from man. This is almost exclusively a Christian/Jewish/Muslim concept.
Most religions do not have the concept of a "Good" deity and an "Evil" deity. Their gods are what they are and evil actually comes from man. This is almost exclusively a Christian/Jewish/Muslim concept.
I must plead guilty of stereotyping all religions . Indeed you are right, I guess the devil made me do it!
Why is it that if you're not religious in this country almost all religious people will refer to you as an atheist When in fact atheists make up less than a third of self identified non religious people in most surveys?
I've noticed this particularly on this forum.
That's interesting. The only people who've tried to label me as an atheist on CD are atheists. The religious ones here don't seem to care. IRL, though, I've known atheists for years before ever knowing they considered themselves as such - and not one has tried to label me. However, IRL, only christians have ever 'accused' me of being an atheist. And yes, in that context it was an accusation. Overall, I have less trouble with someone labeling me as something other than themselves than I do with people trying to claim me as one of their own (when I don't make that claim myself).
In the end the only person who can decide is you, but I rather suspect that the atheists have the better logical argument for what a self - proclaimed 'agnostic' really believes, or doesn't.
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. Indeed you are right, I guess the devil made me do it!
