The fear of Atheism

[lunamoth]

Atheists tempt innocent Christians to question God. Questioning God has its ramifications.

Question God about what?

 

[M O N S T E R]

Question God about what?

Sorry. I should have been more clearly stated.

Atheists tempt theists to question the concept of God. They tempt them to question the teachings of their holy book, the dogmas of their particular brand of theism and the logic of their worldview. When some theists are challenged to question their faith, they lose it. If losing faith is one thing a theist fears, it doesn't seem that it would be so far removed for atheists to be another.

 

[Sola'lor]

Call it Atheophobia- or the fear of atheism. It is the fear of no God, and (very possibly) reality itself.

Just as there's Islamiphobia, Atheophobia is centered around the idea that faith is everything, and without faith, you have nothing. That may be true, if you are a believer who goes to Church every day and believes that God brings you miracles through prayer. If you are a Christian, everything having to do with Christianity confirms your faith. But that's just a matter of perspective. So, what happens if something does not confirm your faith, but is, rather, opposing it?

If something opposes my faith I just let it be. I don't fear it or hate it.

You turn it into a scapegoat. That's right, I said it. You blame it for all of the world's problems, and if that wasn't enough, you demonize it, thus "filtering out" the opposition and bringing the "unsaved" (nice false dichotomy there, saved and unsaved) onto the bandwagon of fear, therefore making them "saved".

This didn't make any sense to me.

You feel "the Holy Spirit" surging through your body as you do it, but little do you know that it is only your heightened passion for what you believe in.

I've never felt the Holy Spirit "surging" through my body. In my experience feeling of "heightened passion" is WAY different than the feeling of the Holy Spirit.

It is not a supernatural entity communing with yourself at all.

So you know what my experiences really are and I don't? If you know this please tell me more about my self. Do I really enjoy 3D art and video making? Do I really love my fiancee? Do I really believe in the LDS church?

But you will not accept that. Why? Because you are afraid. You are afraid of the idea of there being no God, of atheism, because your Bible tells you it's true, and your Pastor tells you it's true, and your "heart" tells you it's true. You get it drilled into your mind every day at Church, thus confirming your own faith every single day.

Am I afraid of there not being a God? No. I'm secure in my beliefs. I have no fear that my beliefs are not true. I do question their validity occasionaly but that is not the same as being afraid. But as Katzpur pointed out Atheophobia is the fear of the belief in no God, aka Atheism. I'm not afraid of Atheism. I don't know the word for 'no God.' Would the word for the fear of no God, be Nogodophobia?

Because Church is the "House of God", right? Of course it is.

Well at least you agree that churchs are the House of god.

Have fun in your world of fear, Atheophobians.

This doesn't apply to me because I have no fear of atheism of atheists.

Atheists tempt theists to question the concept of God. They tempt them to question the teachings of their holy book, the dogmas of their particular brand of theism and the logic of their worldview.

So is this the atheist equivalent of missionary work? Atheists going around "tempting" people to question their views of God.

When some theists are challenged to question their faith, they lose it. If losing faith is one thing a theist fears, it doesn't seem that it would be so far removed for atheists to be another.

For me faith question is a way to reinforce faith not as a way to lose it. Questioning is a trial that helps strengthen faith. Without trials and faith questioning experiences (aka opposition) it would be impossible to have strong faith. So I guess I should thank you for helping strengthen my faith.

So basically I have no fear of atheism/atheists. Just because I don't agree with them and don't support them doesn't make me afraid of them. I don't have a problem letting them practice their beliefs. I don't agree with or support homosexuality but that doesn't make homophobic. I also don't have a problem letting them practice their life styles. The dissagreement with something doesn't equate to fear of that something.

 

[Rolling_Stone]

Atheists tempt innocent Christians to question God. Questioning God has its ramifications.

Yes, and Sri Aurobindo, Nicolas Berdyeav and myself are among many who thank them.

 

[sandandfoam]

Atheists tempt innocent Christians to question God. Questioning God has its ramifications.

A belief that won't stand up to scrutiny is one that is not worth holding. I like to have my beliefs challenged, it distills my thinking.

 

[Phasmid]

Atheists are still people, man.
You started this thread to mock.
Your the reason people are afraid of atheists.
I'm friends with a lot of Christians. it's a respect thing. I take off my hat in a church, and my shoes entering a mosque, and I don't see why we can't get along.

Frubals for you, good sir. I wish more people of all belief systems shared your views.

 

[s2a]

Hiya M O N S T E R,

You said:

Call it Atheophobia- or the fear of atheism. It is the fear of no God, and (very possibly) reality itself.

Careful MONSTER...you are constructing a flimsy strawman to bravely cast down...

Just as there's Islamiphobia, Atheophobia is centered around the idea that faith is everything, and without faith, you have nothing.

OK...so far...

That may be true, if you are a believer who goes to Church every day and believes that God brings you miracles through prayer.

Many theists do not attend "church", nor do they "pray". What of them?

If you are a Christian, everything having to do with Christianity confirms your faith.

A fair given...though not especially unique to Christians alone.

But that's just a matter of perspective. So, what happens if something does not confirm your faith, but is, rather, opposing it?

Theistic perspectives, beliefs, and faith-based claims vary widely. I'll grant you that Christians are particularly susceptible to "crises" of faith (it's a difficult theistic premise to substantively support)"...but let's not lump all theistic beliefs into one raised bonfire simply by theistically associative guilt alone.

You turn it into a scapegoat. That's right, I said it.

How courageous. ;-)

You blame it for all of the world's problems, and if that wasn't enough, you demonize it, thus "filtering out" the opposition and bringing the "unsaved" (nice false dichotomy there, saved and unsaved) onto the bandwagon of fear, therefore making them "saved".

Again, if you're looking to criticize only Christian beliefs, your observation/summary retains significant merit. There are numerous faith-based beliefs that can be deemed as "theistic" that proffer few or no concepts of "salvation" or "redemption", these concepts reside primarily within the established Abrahamic religions.

You feel "the Holy Spirit" surging through your body as you do it, but little do you know that it is only your heightened passion for what you believe in. It is not a supernatural entity communing with yourself at all.

I won't disagree with your broadest caricature of Christian "testimonies" of faith; but confining your criticisms to Christian dogma/claims alone does little to advance your presented notion that irrational fears of atheistic perspectives pervade all theistic outlooks or faith-based claims.

But you will not accept that. Why? Because you are afraid. You are afraid of the idea of there being no God, of atheism, because your Bible tells you it's true, and your Pastor tells you it's true, and your "heart" tells you it's true. You get it drilled into your mind every day at Church, thus confirming your own faith every single day. Because Church is the "House of God", right? Of course it is.

Again, your qualified indictment of Christianity as being a failing faith-based theology...does not therefore serve to fairly (or adequately) indict (or acquit) other/all theistic beliefs.

It might be fair to observe and opine that many Christians fear their own potentialities in realizing a personalized "crisis of faith", or that reasonable doubts regarding the validity of faith-based claims that their particular theistic claims/beliefs rely upon for validation/assurance, may ultimately fail them...to be sure (see: Mother Teresa).

As a self-professed atheist/skeptic throughout the entirety of my adult life, I would tender this observation as counter-point to your own, that...

...theists fear their own reasoned doubts (of faith-based claims/beliefs) far more than the confident sureties espoused by atheists that "religion is bunk".

Atheists might occasionally spark a "crisis of faith" amongst theists, but more often than not, such challenging doubts originate within the believer themselves, and not from any appeal to logic or presented/argued critical review of faith-based claims.

At best, atheists can only appeal to any given person's own inherent capacities of reason, intellectual integrity/honesty/inquiry, and acceptable aspects of burdened proofs.

But let's never lose sight of the fact that religions on whole, and theistic beliefs in particular, primarily appeal to human emotions/motivations (be they fear, jealousy, lust, greed, loneliness, hopelessness, personal loss, etc.); not reason, nor upon evidential proofs of any specified claims.

 

[crystalonyx]

I'm quite happy there are no beings that fit the god concepts created by man.

 

[wednesday]

Fear of atheism is a fear of accepting that önes perfect little world with a perfect God ain't quite so pretty so to speak.
To be honest i have a fear of theism, i cringe every time i see Chrtistians wandering the streets giving out pamphlets on why im going to burn in hell.
Would it be socially wrong to hand out pamphlets saying God is a lie and "religion is stupid", its practically the same as what they give us?

 

[John_672]

Atheists tempt innocent Christians to question God. Questioning God has its ramifications.

Really? I question the existence of God all the time, yet I always come to the same conclusion... Then again, I'm not Christian, so that might have something to do with it. Yet, I'm still not an Atheist. Hmm. Seems things aren't so black or white after all. :rainbow1:

 

[Storm]

Fear of atheism is a fear of accepting that önes perfect little world with a perfect God ain't quite so pretty so to speak.
To be honest i have a fear of theism, i cringe every time i see Chrtistians wandering the streets giving out pamphlets on why im going to burn in hell.
Would it be socially wrong to hand out pamphlets saying God is a lie and "religion is stupid", its practically the same as what they give us?

Do you really want to become just like them? Isn't it socially wrong when they do it?

 

[DallasApple]

Atheists tempt innocent Christians to question God. Questioning God has its ramifications.

I dont know many Christians that need an Athiest to question God.People question God right in the Bible..Including Christ Himself.Most if not all Christians have periods of doubt and uncertainty..even the well known poem titled Footsteps in the Sand is an example of someone questioning God and actually accused Him of leaving him when he needed Him most..

And also ...being a Christian doesnt make you "innocent"...I know Im not.

Blessings

Dallas

 

[ravenstrike]

If anything, (and i beg your indugence if I offend) I thought Christianity was the opposite? They view humans as fallen creatures. We could have been perfect, but screwed it up in the garden of eden. Atheism (and I am an atheist, don't doubt it) has no such restrictions or views, and are more prone to therefore consider humans as perfect.
but i'm just spitballing...

 

[turk179]

Call it Atheophobia- or the fear of atheism. It is the fear of no God, and (very possibly) reality itself.

Just as there's Islamiphobia, Atheophobia is centered around the idea that faith is everything, and without faith, you have nothing. That may be true, if you are a believer who goes to Church every day and believes that God brings you miracles through prayer. If you are a Christian, everything having to do with Christianity confirms your faith. But that's just a matter of perspective. So, what happens if something does not confirm your faith, but is, rather, opposing it?

You turn it into a scapegoat. That's right, I said it. You blame it for all of the world's problems, and if that wasn't enough, you demonize it, thus "filtering out" the opposition and bringing the "unsaved" (nice false dichotomy there, saved and unsaved) onto the bandwagon of fear, therefore making them "saved". You feel "the Holy Spirit" surging through your body as you do it, but little do you know that it is only your heightened passion for what you believe in. It is not a supernatural entity communing with yourself at all.

But you will not accept that. Why? Because you are afraid. You are afraid of the idea of there being no God, of atheism, because your Bible tells you it's true, and your Pastor tells you it's true, and your "heart" tells you it's true. You get it drilled into your mind every day at Church, thus confirming your own faith every single day. Because Church is the "House of God", right? Of course it is.

Have fun in your world of fear, Atheophobians.

I must say, in your little black and white world you live in, the only thing Christians do with atheists like you is pity them.
Thats right, I said it. Pity them. They pity them because of what they believe is going to happen to them in the afterlife. And like others before me have said, the finding of faith or the loss of it in most cases only comes from within. Not so black and white atheochristianopaganophobic after all.

 

[England my lionheart]

Call it Atheophobia- or the fear of atheism. It is the fear of no God, and (very possibly) reality itself.

Just as there's Islamiphobia, Atheophobia is centered around the idea that faith is everything, and without faith, you have nothing. That may be true, if you are a believer who goes to Church every day and believes that God brings you miracles through prayer. If you are a Christian, everything having to do with Christianity confirms your faith. But that's just a matter of perspective. So, what happens if something does not confirm your faith, but is, rather, opposing it?

You turn it into a scapegoat. That's right, I said it. You blame it for all of the world's problems, and if that wasn't enough, you demonize it, thus "filtering out" the opposition and bringing the "unsaved" (nice false dichotomy there, saved and unsaved) onto the bandwagon of fear, therefore making them "saved". You feel "the Holy Spirit" surging through your body as you do it, but little do you know that it is only your heightened passion for what you believe in. It is not a supernatural entity communing with yourself at all.

But you will not accept that. Why? Because you are afraid. You are afraid of the idea of there being no God, of atheism, because your Bible tells you it's true, and your Pastor tells you it's true, and your "heart" tells you it's true. You get it drilled into your mind every day at Church, thus confirming your own faith every single day. Because Church is the "House of God", right? Of course it is.

Have fun in your world of fear, Atheophobians.

I do not fear atheists but i do think they have more hang ups than people with beliefs and seem thnk that atheism is an amazing thing but its just atheism ho hum boring i suppose

 

[DallasApple]

You get it drilled into your mind every day at Church, thus confirming your own faith every single day. Because Church is the "House of God", right? Of course it is.

Nothing gets drilled in my mind everyday.

And the Church is not my house of God..The "church" is each and every individual.My body is my "church"..

And the only thing Im afraid of is certain people..People who seemingly hate me who dont even know me.Thats what is frightning..As well as to be real honest..Sometimes I frighten myself.

But you?...You dont scare me..you sadden me that you think you know me..You have no idea who I am..and you have the arrogance to tell me what Im afraid of.The gall to pretend you know my struggles...And that you would somehow have this knowledge of me that I live in a delusional state in my mind that my world is perfect is also an extremely arrogant assertion.

If you dont like the people walking around with the pamplets of which I am not one of tell them no thank you Im an atheist its as simple as that...And besides that there are more groups than Chirstians walking around with pamplets..

Blessings

Dallas

 

[England my lionheart]

Once upon a time being an atheist was quite a big thing like being gay was,now its just accepted,one thing does puzzle me a little, why would atheists join a religious forum?

 

[DallasApple]

Once upon a time being an atheist was quite a big thing like being gay was,now its just accepted,one thing does puzzle me a little, why would atheists join a religious forum?

Im not an athiest but I will answer that..Being an athiest is in fact a "belief"..There are others here who don't have a "religion" but they follow a belief..Even some who just consider themselves "spritual beings" not attached to any religion or any God.

Blessings

Dallas

 

[England my lionheart]

Im not an athiest but I will answer that..Being an athiest is in fact a "belief"..There are others here who don't have a "religion" but they follow a belief..Even some who just consider themselves "spritual beings" not attached to any religion or any God.

Blessings

Dallas

I said the same thing in a thread about evolution that atheism is a belief but the atheists in the thread disagreed somewhat lol

 

[DallasApple]

I said the same thing in a thread about evolution that atheism is a belief but the atheists in the thread disagreed somewhat lol

Ooops! :sorry1:

I guess I just went with logic..Not believing in something means that in itself is a belief..i.e..I "believe' there is no God..

Oh well..I should mind my own business..

Blessings

Dallas