Christians only - Did you also get insulted by some atheists when you started on yaho answers?

Question

I just dont know how to phrase my questions anymore. Whatever I say always sound offensive to them.

Did you also get insulted no matter what you say?

Answer 1

No, it's an internet site. I take what I read with a grain of salt.  

Answer 2

You insult us by trying to make us feel inadequate just because we aren't gullable enough to believe theres a big man living in the clouds who loves us all!

Answer 3

You insult us in your questions. Two that come instantly to mind are when you claimed we were pushing the g*y agenda (which believe it or not homophobic) and another when you claimed that only Republicans have morals.

Answer 4

I think some atheists - like some christians, like to be the most atheist atheist there is which is why they staunchly defend their beleifs at the detriment to others. I beleive that some Christians also do this. I think people who are insecure or angry in themselves have a great outlet to argue against religion as it is a powerful force in many peoples lives and in the world as a whole so if you are in a bad mood or frame of mind then slandering anything that is huge and will always bite back and cause reactions will always be their target. Religion and politics are perfect candidates for angry and frustrated people. People who truely deeply are comfortable with themsevles and their own beliefs dont feel the need to go disrespecting anyone eles' nor do they feel the need to convert or preach or explain and justify who they are, what they believe, why they believe it and how they practice or dont practice their belief. The people who insult or push their beleifs from any religion or non religion are all part of the same group really they are expressing misguided anger at easy targets with responses guranteed - very rewarding for them all :)

Answer 5

Oh, now i feel left out

It is soooo hurtful

it might be your nick..some people take it as necrophilia

Answer 6

bride of jesus? that name is insulting

Answer 7

I'm sure they think they're insulting me, but I don't let it.  Our beliefs are offensive to them--we're telling them that if they don't accept Christ they're going to spend an eternity in h**l.  

Answer 8

"christians only"???

i feel excluded. am offended now.

Answer 9

I don't ask questions on Yahoo Answers because you never get sincere answers.  But it's lots of fun to give answers to others!

Answer 10

as i christian and an American people are entitled to say whatever they are gonna say some people are always gonna find something someone says offensive. In I personal life life i offend atheists all the time and its never intentional they just don't like what I have to say a lot of the time.But I also tend to offend Catholics, Muslims wannabe thugs and generaly some different branch of humanity on a daily basis.  

Answer 11

No.  I did pretty good.

I won't insult anyone of either persuasion.  Only thing that upsets me is the high content of argument questions posted here that are non-sequitir, question begging, or just outright inappropriate.

I had a friend who made a sharp run for mayor about 10 years ago.  She once explained to me that anytime you have a significant opinion and air it out, someone's likely to get mad.  A simple concept, but very true indeed.

Answer 12

Yes. Best to stay out of this section if you don't like drama.

Answer 13

Christians are always trying to eat me for dinner.

Answer 14

It is "the safety of anonymity".  And ESPECIALLY when you are dealing with those who see little success and reinforcement in their daily lives, being able to belittle others and "role play" from an imagined position of superiority is an ego trip for many. (And this can be a tendency for people on all extremes of the various spectrums, not just the atheists. But atheists tend to be self-conscious over being a small minority of the population -- and so it is not surprising that there is a desire to shout louder [sometimes with asterisk-veiled profanity] in hopes of being heard.) Of course, claiming to be offended is one of the more interesting "debating tactics" of our time because it brings with it the inference that we must all cease and desist because somehow allowing someone to be offended might lead to some unspoken danger. (Perhaps their brain risks imploding or something.) When someone resorts to the "I'm offended!" tactic in a live debate, however, the person resorting to it is often surprised at how ineffective it can be.

I also find it interesting that virtually anything said about homosexuality which is anything but a rousing endorsement is immediately labeled with one of the favorite cliches of our time: homophobe.  I've always found the term interesting because it is reminiscent of how little children taunt one another by saying "You're just scared!" or "Scare-dy-cat!"  and "You call me that because you are one too!" So rather than have an intelligent discussion, the motivation is to silence it by calling someone "afraid."   Of course, adults rarely use that tactic with any other behavior considered immoral/unethical.  Someone opposed to adultery is never called a "adultery-phobe" nor is someone opposed to drug abuse called a "drug-abuse-phobe." But with homosexuality, the very people CLAIMING to be fighting alleged discrimination against homosexuality themselves can't resist the chance to use the label as a taunt by suggesting that their opponent is a "closet homosexual."  Fascinating....the more you think about it.

I used to live in a state that was having a voter referendum related to marriage rights for homosexuals. A newspaper editorial blasted one of the more outspoken opponents of the resolution by calling him a "homophobe" -- but the comedy of the situation was that the opponent of the resolution was a very outspoken (and very "out of the closet") homosexual who happened to be opposed to homosexual marriage rights for reasons long declared on his website. But the newspaper editor was so uniformed that he nevertheless fell into the knee-jerk habit of calling ANYONE who opposed anything he considered "pro-homosexual agenda" as "homophobe."  That led to some interesting local discussions as to the meaninglessness of resorting to that particular name calling habit instead of reasoned debate.  And, indeed, that is the norm on Yahoo Answers: the safety of anonymity and the bigotry that comes with it replaces most intelligent debate through meaningful answers. And rather than posting one at a time the various "Bible errors" or "Bible contradictions" as QUESTIONS on this forum, they make the sweeping generalizations in their answers instead so there is little likelihood of seeing them addressed and actually learning something.

As a result, many of us resign ourselves to making an occasional point -- like this answer -- and then enjoying the stream of foaming-at-the-mouth which follows.  And it gets especially interesting when they realize that people like me are former atheists who have the history of academic tenure and CV credentials which they lack. (And once again, I thank my detractors for the fact that their generous taxes nevertheless fund my monthly pension check -- and they help fund my foundation projects which further my public education agenda in Bible literacy and assistance to other reformed atheists.) And with that, I take my bows from this forum and move on to other things. I thank everyone -- especially the loudest and most clueless detractors who unwittingly provided prime material for a series of articles I'm publishing. (We couldn't have done it without you. But keep reading and you might accidentally learn something some day despite your resistance and closed minds.) Yahoo Answers proved an excellent source of prime fodder for this project even if the R&S forum is not particularly educational on its own. And to the many Christians who wrote me off-list (as well as onlist), I appreciated your comments and thanks, and I hope the private answers I sent out were helpful in some way. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to communicate with you. You have my great respect.

Answer 15

I'm with the sad atheist. :(

Answer 16

Yes, there is a lot of insulting done around here.  Most people seem to lack the ability to consider all angles of a question, and give a person the 'benefit of the doubt', that they might have meant things in a different way than is first perceived.

Answer 17

Oh yes.  The Atheists are trying to push us all out of here.  Don't pay any attention to them.  Just listen to Christians who seriously care about you.  

Answer 18

I get many insults, but insults don't bother me, I am not that easilerly insulted. So the make believers & the athsiest have failed that test with me.

Answer 19

Insulted, no.  We each have our opinion and our right to share it.

True, some atheists can be touchy on here, but so can some Christians.  Note:  There are lots of "kids" on here.  One guy here publically attacked and insulted me.....turns out he was 11.  He apologized for losing his temper.  Good kid, great heart, short temper.

Answer 20

Atheists are an angry lot. They're offended by the fact that Christians even exist, and they like what we have to say even less ~ no matter how we phrase it.

You should look at dealing with atheists the same as you would with any highly reactive element in the world.

If someone told you to pour gasoline on a flame, you probably wouldn't do it because you know what to expect. You most likely don't take electrical appliances into the bath tub with you for the same reason ~ you have a pretty good idea of what would happen.

Similarly, a Christian who attempts to interact with an atheist or anyone else who opposes his faith, should have a pretty good idea of what to expect.

Jesus told us in Matt. 10:22 that we would be hated by all because of his name's sake. He said again in John 15:18 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you."

Take comfort in the fact that the atheists you've been dealing with have had a strong negative reaction to you ~ they're proving the Scriptures to be true ~ consider it a small confirmation that you belong to Christ.

Answer 21

Yes, I did. I would get very mad but that didn't help because the atheist on here have one tract minds and were probably only taught atheism by their communist college professors or parents who had been taught by those professors. Just ignore them. Also you can give their answer a thumbs down rating when you get to level two.

Answer 22

it happens...when I get bored I leave or go to the toilet....going back to bed soon..

Answer 23

I did. I still get insulted here, although since I have changed my belief system, it is by different people. But here's the thing - nobody here has the right not to be offended. Direct insults are bad, and not allowed in this forum. But if you say something that offends me by simply stating your belief, that is my problem, not yours.

I was Christian when I started, and was offended by atheists. Now, very few people on this site follow the same, or even a similar path to mine. I frequently find myself in a position 'between' Christians and Atheists. I don't take it personally when someone says something that offends me, I simply state my position and move on. This is not a place for the thin-skinned, or for those who are on shaky spiritual ground as far as what they believe. It is a place of open discussion, and some people get offended.

Blessings,

Kate

Answer 24

If you have no facts to support your beliefs then you are bound to feel vulnerable and appear stupid.

Answer 25

You think you're the bride of Jesus, of course you're gonna be insulted. Email me and if you're cool, you won't have to pretend to be married to a dead guy anymore, you can hook up with me.

Answer 26

No, not specifically.  Some insult Christians or Catholics generally or call religious people mentally ill, but whatever it is the internet.  If someone goes of on people they hardly even know your question's wording is the least of the problems.

Answer 27

I know I'm not invited but I am an atheist. I happen to like and admire the vast majority of Christians. Unfortunately there are a small number of people calling themselves Christians that should better study the teachings of Jesus that teaches love, tolerance and forgiveness.

And as an atheist, it is not so much what you believe. I observe how a believer lives their life. And that could possible make me and others like me believers.

Just want to help out. Some professing to be Christians are creating a bad image and repelling potential new Christians.

Someone indicated atheists might be created by communist college professors. Not in my case. I attended a Bible Baptist Church where Billy Graham preached about 4 times yearly. And it was that church that made me an atheist at the age of 7 when they said Negroes weren't really humans. And they also said the Bible was without error and I found one. Not bad at the age of 7?  Well, I will soon turn 61 and have learned much more. And yes the Bible could actually still work for me. But, I cannot accept it flawless, not take it too literally. And sure don't need anyone to interpret the meaning. My thought with Christians is cut out the middle man. It's you God and Jesus., not Pastor Billy Bob.  Want to pick on atheists? Fine! I can handle it. Know what's really bad though?  The way you nit pick between your own denominations. You harm the entire religion doing that. So knock it off!

Sorry on the Negroes term. But that was the way the hate monger church worded it. And you know as well as I that had I not been age 7 the word would have been even more offensive. I wouldn't be the least surprised if they had weekly meetings with the sheets and pillowcases and a cross burning in the parking lot either. And no it was not Mississippi. It was Chicago circa 1954. Actual minister was one of Billy Graham's earliest sponsors named Torrey Johnson.  Funny thing was they said all divorced women were whores and going to h**l. Made me wonder why my mother went as she was divorced. Good reason too. Her previous husband (not my father) had caught syphilis from a w***e while in the Army in California.

Do I sound like an angry atheist? Granted there must be some. But I have no desire to change beliefs other than tolerance, understanding and maybe considering some sources other than the Bible and a church library.

What is really scary is the person that seems to believe God is going to send someone to h**l for eternity and appears to relish that thought. I may be an atheist, but if it turns out I'm wrong, I think I can face judgment better. Because I wish harm to no one here or then.  Actually most Christians believe and muslims also believe that everyone will eventually go to heaven, including Satan. Because they believe God always wins. And sending any to h**l for eternity would be losing. Though the mention is no one would care to spend even a second in h**l.