Why do some Atheists say Christianity is harmful?

[LuisDantas]

Why do some Atheists say Christianity is harmful?

Because it is. Most of the reasons why derive in some way from its self-given right to presume what other people ought to value and believe in.

Obviously not all Atheists claim this, most atheists dont really care about ones faith. However there are some atheists who claim Christianity is harmful as a religion. They tend to be more on the antitheist side.

True enough.

My question is why? And how? How is christianity in any way form or shape harmful? Some say its because of the strict rules, but how is that bad? How are rules who lead to a better society bad?

Yes, that is one of the causes of harm. The promotion of theocentric deontology as if a source of morality it were; worse still, as if it were the one and only.

In truth, deontology is at best a poor substitute for ethics.

And how is sexual purity exactly a bad thing? I dont see how Christianity can be harmful at all. So why do they claim it?

Branding denial of carnal desires "purity" is presuming to know what is best for people in general. That is just wrong.

 

[Trailblazer]

So i guess we can all agree gay marriage etc. is unecessary?

That is a matter of personal opinion. Some people feel it is necessary, some people don't.
Just like some people feel heterosexual marriage is necessary and some don't.

 

[The Hammer]

Yeah i love that guy, it is love, not just lust. Thats the problem, if i would only be sexually attracted to him i would be easily able to overcome it.

Then by ignoring it, you are denying your God given personality and desires. You are denying yourself.

 

[Trailblazer]

Different strokes for different folks. Most people want sex when they are young or even middle-aged, but the desire drops when people get older, especially for women. I might want a partner for companionship but all men can think about is sex, no matter how old they get, so I am resigned to being alone, unless I get married again, because I would never have sex out of wedlock.

@The Hammer

I am not sad at all, not because I don't have sex. I am only sad if something happens to one of my cats.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

Your inability to find meaning in life without a deity is a you problem.
One I do not share.

To quote Penn Jillette: "The question I get asked by religious people all the time is, without God, what’s to stop me from raping all I want?" And my answer is: I rape all I want. And the amount I want is zero. And I do murder all I want, and the amount I want is zero. The fact that these people think that if they didn’t have this person watching over them, they would go on killing and raping rampages is the most self-damning thing I can imagine." I believe that he was spot-on.

 

[F1fan]

Ive been an atheist before my conversion, i was way more miserable, i would not be alive today without faith.

I doubt it. You were likely just not religious, which isn't being an atheist. I have encountered many fervent believers who claim to have been atheists, but just weren't religious. It was part of the naive basis thyt led yhem to become believers.

Being an atheist is miserable because you have no meaning in life.

False. I am an atheist and find meaning in goals I set for bike racing and music.

And what meaning is there in adopting the meaning of some religious dogma thayt others dreamed up? Talk about empty.

 

[Subduction Zone]

@The Hammer

I am not sad at all, not because I don't have sex. I am only sad if something happens to one of my cats.

I am into ducks myself. Don't worry, it is perfectly kosher and okay with God. Afterall, everyone has heard the phrase "Lord love a duck".

 

[The Hammer]

@The Hammer

I am not sad at all, not because I don't have sex. I am only sad if something happens to one of my cats.

More the attitude that all men want is sex. While it's important it's not a main driver.

Physical intimacy is necessary for a man to fall in love though.

 

[McBell]

I am into ducks myself. Don't worry, it is perfectly kosher and okay with God. Afterall, everyone has heard the phrase "Lord love a duck".

Lord Love a Duck (1966) ⭐ 6.3 | Comedy, Drama, Romance

1h 45m | Not Rated

www.imdb.com

 

[Melchizedek99]

More the attitude that all men want is sex. While it's important it's not a main driver.

Physical intimacy is necessary for a man to fall in love though.

and lifelong celibacy is extremely hard for men i think? Its possible, but very hard. Unless youre asexual.

 

[The Hammer]

and lifelong celibacy is extremely hard for men i think?

For some. For others not so much. I think celibacy goes against Life imo. And verges on the worship of Death.

 

[Melchizedek99]

For some. For others not so much. I think celibacy goes against Life imo. And verges on the worship of Death.

to be fair i find no sex not necessarily the biggest problem, the biggest problem for me is basically not being allowed to have a partner

 

[F1fan]

I cant see how. Christianity is only good, there are no downsides, its pure goodness.

Yet the KKK is a Christian organization. The Nazis that committed the Holocaust were Catholic and Lutheran. I suspect you don't have a complete understanding of Christianity.

 

[The Hammer]

to be fair i find no sex not necessarily the biggest problem, the biggest problem for me is basically not being allowed to have a partner

I don't see why you would allow that for yourself if you feel you want it.

But if you like suffering. No one is going to stop you.

 

[Melchizedek99]

I don't see why you would allow that for yourself if you feel you want it.

But if you like suffering. No one is going to stop you.

No one likes suffering ,its just sometimes we believe suffering for the greater good makes sense i guess.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

Well, for one thing any non-believer is spiritually blind. I was before I came to know Jesus Christ.
Besides that though, there are wolves in sheep’s clothing who claim to be Christians, yet have truly abused others and caused a lot of harm and damage to people’s lives. In doing so, they have trashed the name of Jesus and Christianity

In your opinion, of course. I, on the other hand, don't believe in the No True Scotsman fallacy and believe that Christianity once spiritually blinded me.

 

[The Hammer]

No one likes suffering ,its just sometimes we believe suffering for the greater good makes sense i guess.

Suffering never makes sense, much easier to just let it go. And be free.

 

[InChrist]

In your opinion, of course. I, on the other hand, don't believe in the No True Scotsman fallacy and believe that Christianity once spiritually blinded me.

I won’t argue with your own experience or perspective. But I personally know real Christians who love Jesus and put Him first, while caring for and loving others, believers and non-believers. On the other hand, I have also personally known those who claim to be Christians, they can quote the scriptures inside and out, and appear to live such a “godly” life impressing everyone, teaching Sunday school, Bible studies…but it’s not authentic. Some have been domestic abusers, some use the scriptures to manipulate and control their families, one man we knew turned out to be immersed in child porn. In all of these situations the person gave the outward appearance of being a Christian, but they were certainly not putting Jesus first or honoring Him. Instead, they were exalted themselves over Christ and others while indulging in…

…the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life —is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:16

 

[Jimmy]

Either they don’t understand it or someone they don’t like is Christian. Haha There’s probably a million people they wouldn’t like who haven’t even heard of Christianity. Hahaha

 

[danieldemol]

No one likes suffering ,its just sometimes we believe suffering for the greater good makes sense i guess.

Who told you that suffering celibacy is for the greater good, did your God tell you that directly or did a man in a papal hat tell you that?

Funny hats, suits ties etc none of them grant special insight into the afterlife in my opinion.