I think deep down on both sides of the 'God debate' most people just want to live in peace. Unfortunately that is superceeded by our strong feelings and opinions about the other side. Most of the time we do get along . It's only when we wear our opinions on our sleeves that we are reminded of our dislike and distrust of those who we disagree with.
Most Atheists want freedom of religion, but also believe that religion is a sham and a detrement to individual freedom. We also hold a great deal of anger towards religion's attempt to influence politics and science.
To a believer, a non-believer is someone who chooses to live a life without a greater purpose. We are foolish not to live by the word and rules of God and even more so to question them. They see Atheists as trying to re-interpret the laws as anti-religious and re-write our religious history and heritige.
Only in a secular society can both sides seem to cooperate and endure friendships. The more society sways towards one side or the other, whether promoting religion or being hostile towards it, our differences and strong opinions come to the forefront and our ability to get along diminishes.
"I am a christian who is in love with, and plan to marry an atheist. I think BOTH sides would do well to learn this very valuable word.. Respect. If both sides of the theism/atheism debate would learn to respect the other side's right to disagree and stop trying to force our opinions on one another, the world would be a much more peaceful place to inhabit for all who journey here.
Since when is it ok a crime to be a non-conformist? I believe we all have a right to our own opinions, ideas, thoughts, and yes, beliefs, or lack thereof.
There needs to be more tolerance and respect for differences and less hatred on all sides of this coin. That's a lesson both sides need to learn! "
- Wendy
An Atheist's prayer was answered by God
An Atheist and God
An atheist was taking a walk through the woods. He said to himself:
What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!"
As he was walking alongside the river he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him.
He turned to look.
He saw a 7 foot grizzly bear charge towards him.
He ran as fast as he could up the path.
He looked over his shoulder and saw that the bear was closing in on him.
He looked over his shoulder again, and the bear was even closer.
He tripped and fell on the ground.
He rolled over to pick himself up but saw the bear right on top of him,
reaching for him with his left paw and raising his right paw to strike him.
The Atheist cried out: "Oh, my God!..."
Time stopped. The bear froze.
The forest was silent.
As a bright light shone upon the man, a booming voice came out of the sky:
"You deny my existence for all of these years, teach others I don't exist,
and even credit creation to a cosmic accident.
Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament?
Am I to count you as a believer?"
The atheist looked directly into the light,
"It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask You to treat me as a Christian now,
but perhaps you could
make the BEAR a Christian?"
"Very well," said the voice.
The light went out.
The sounds of the forest resumed.
The bear dropped his right paw,
brought both paws together and lifted his head toward heaven and spoke:
"Lord, bless this food,
which I am about to receive from thy bounty
through Christ our Lord,
Amen."
"No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered as patriots. This is one nation under God."
- George H.W. Bush
"ATHEISTS, AGNOSTICS AND NON BELIEVERS ARE THE TRUE CRIMINALS OF THE WORLD COMMUNITY" - tencommandments.org
"How can there be peace when drunkards, drug dealers, communists, atheists, New Age worshipers of Satan, secular humanists ... and homosexuals are on top?"
- Pat Robertson
"... atheism is none other than raw depravity - the diabolical principle at work in people who dishonor their parents, murder, lie and commit every other moral crime." - tencommandments.org
"Not only does atheism prevent atheists from properly understanding... but it prevents their minds from being elevated enough to understand the simplest common sense facts." - tencommandments.org
"All you atheists are *******es. None of you have fought in any wars, or have done anything dangerous."
- testify
"Have you been burned before? If not, then you will experience it for eternity, unless you accept Christ into your heart."- guestbook
"THIS IS BS!!!! u guys have no right!! i know u are entitled to your own religion and ur own beliefs... but that is ALL BS!!! and u should be ashamed of urself!!! u inconsiderate a$$holes!!!!!!! TO HELL W/ ALL OF Y'ALL!!!!" - guestbook
"Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion that has ever infected the world."
- Voltaire
"The divinity of Jesus is made a convenient cover for absurdity."
- James Madison
"So far as religion of the day is concerned, it is a damned fake... Religion is all bunk."
- Thomas Edison
"Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people"
- Jesse 'the body' Ventura
"In Christianity neither morality nor religion come into contact with reality at any point."
- Friedrich Nietzsche
"I call Christianity the one great curse, the one great intrinsic depravity... I call it the one immortal blemish upon the human race."
- Friedrich Nietzsche
"Religion: Its a dogs life. SIT! SPEAK! ROLL-OVER! PLAY DEAD!"
guestbook
"From my experience every christian I have ever come across has just been a hypocrite."
guestbook
"Idiocy does not deserve respect"
guestbook
"Religion is just a BUSINESS to manipulate ignorant and closed minded ppl."
guestbook
"fuck your god, your lord, your christ"
- 'Judith' by A Perfect Circle