Deepbluediver wrote:Also, for a lot of people in certain religions (who don't all agree with each other, of course), the situation of seeing someone who claims to be atheist isn't "we'll all go our own way and be fine in the end", it's more like they are driving a car right at a cliff, pedal to the floor, while shouting "don't worry I know what I'm doing!"
Does this condone the actions that get taken in the name of religion? Very rarely. But I would hope that you can at least empathize a bit to understand the many people honestly believe they are saving others from a terrible fate. They don't do it to be proven right or to condemn others (not all of them anyway) they see themselves as being the "good Samaritan" in this situation.
*sigh* Yeah, I can empathize up to a point. It's easy to justify a lot of things when you believe in an immortal soul. Just in the history of my country, it's helped to justify the deaths of millions and the suppression of dozens of unique indigenous cultures. I'm not saying that religion is inherently destructive, just that the desire to save the poor, benighted heathen from an eternity of hellfire can and has been used to justify atrocities, and public policy arguments based on it should at least be examined closely. The same could be said for a desire to free the proletariat from the oppression of the capital-holding class or the belief in the inherent superiority of the Aryan race.
Frankly, anyone in this country that openly labels themselves as atheist, I can almost guarantee you are well aware of the destination many Christians predict for their souls. We are well aware of the risk, thank-you-very-much, now let me buy this six-pack on a Sunday. It's hot, and I'm thirsty.
In all the likelihood, the atheists see themselves in some other, similar, position that benefits others.
I don't expect everyone to lay down their bibles or logic-101-textbooks, but I do try to at least encourage empathy.
Really, I don't think we're special. We just don't believe in god, are aware of your opinions on the matter, and would like y'all to kindly leave it be. I know. Pie in the sky.
