Why would Christians respond these ways to atheists proclaiming their atheism?

Question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvT_fJttRt05k51Vu4UJXwTd7BR.;_ylv=3?qid=20080831093041AAwaZif

--"Oh you do believe in god, you're just confused...."--

--I've had someone tell me that they were "astonished, because you're so nice!"--

--It's a look of shock, followed by hate. The old saying "If looks could kill..." applies.--

--They spouted off with some insults... Maybe they were afraid our evil would rub off on them.--

--Of course, I received "The Look." ... she was very cold and distant. ...we were no longer welcome ...--

--You should have seen the look I received. UP, it was as if the devil himself was standing on my porch --his entire demeanor changed. His eyes became hate-filled, he clenched his jaw, his body became rigid. Honestly, I thought he was going to hit me, I'm not kidding. --

Why would people respond like any of the above simply because someone says "I'm atheist/don't believe"?

Answer 1

Just like anything in the world, they fear what they do not know or understand.

Answer 2

most christians are too stuck up to realize that not everyone is like them

Answer 3

It's much the same from atheists too.

----You are deluded

----You must not be very educated

----You must be an intolerant bigot

  etc.

Answer 4

Bad manners and lack of intelligence.

It is no coincidence that the lowest average IQ is in the Southern States where the Fundamentalist christians live mostly

Answer 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZTdyLsCK...

this is what they act like to me.

lol

"UNBELIEVER!!!"

Answer 6

The Mount of Olives is in Jerusalem, Israel.

The prophesy concerning the return of Christ is that he will return at the Mount of Olives, which, as I said, is in Israel.

So, bear with me, when Christ returns, He'll be in Israel.

And boy, oh, boy it's a long way away from America.

In much the same way that American Christians seem to be a long, long way away from Christ.

The tyranny of distance, that's what it is.

Otherwise, I couldn't begin to explain why anyone would have so much hate in their hearts, considering their Religion teaches them love, compassion and brotherhood.

Answer 7

It's the mentality.

Answer 8

Maybe it scares them? I don't get mean looks a lot, I seem to just get the pity looks, followed by an invitation to church. They get so wrapped up in the christian world they forget there is anything else, and was long before them.

Answer 9

They're in denial that people can possibly pass up belief in their invisible sky fairy.

Answer 10

Because their idiots.

If they respond like that, i declare that i eat babbys.

Answer 11

Not all Christians act like this, i know i dont. I have plenty of freinds who are atheists. These people are clearly mad. However, you do get atheists who get very angry when they meet someone who believs in God.

L the Detective(Atheati): you know, i think you took that quite well.

Answer 12

I think they do that because they have never taken the time to actually get to know an atheist.

I can almost relate to them because 2 years ago before I came here I had never met or spoken to an atheist.  I was just uninformed.

The difference is, I sought out the atheists and tried to get to know them.  I knew Christians all too well.

Answer 13

At one time or another, I have had most of those responses.

Oddly enough, never from the clergy.

Mostly from fanatics.

Or some version of --"Oh you do believe in god, you're just confused...."--, from the little old Ladies from the Church Women's Guild, who have just blagged me into supplying and erecting a bloody marquee, FOC, of course. for the village fete, and "can I do the Tombola, because I've got a big voice?".

I think that to the fanatic, everybody who does not agree with them, 100%, is a monster.

.

Answer 14

why do you respond the way you do to people because of what they believe?

Answer 15

Because they're idiots. They're people who blindly follow scripture, and have no means to think for themselves. Therefore, when they meet someone with opposing beliefs, their first instinct is to act hostile, because they think that somehow we as non-believers are going to threaten them. Which is complete rubbish, anyway, because I make it a point not to discuss my views with people unless they specifically ask me.

Answer 16

Because it is not the norm of many cultures including theirs.  I am learning to be tolerant of everyone, because that's the way my God is.  And I am also humbled by the fact that had it not been for my acceptance of the Grace of God through faith, it could have been me sayng I am an atheist.  

Answer 17

It's not all people, just some. We, Christians, shouldn't judge less we be judged. We should act in love to everyone. We just preach the gospel. Most atheist don't believe because they don't want to. They want to see proof, but as for Christians, we don't need to see the proof because GOd has placed it in our hearts. It is our faith that we live by. Faith is believing in those things that we can't see. We don't try to question everything of God. We just believe.  

Answer 18

Either bad teachers, or bad students.

Answer 19

your right , Someone who says they are a Christian should not treat someone that way . They could kindly witness to them about what The Lord has done for them and pray for them when they go home , and let them know that the God they believe in loves them .. but they should never be judging and walk away . thats not the right thing to do .  If they read the bible and know it well enough to call themselves a christian they would have been kind , and friendly .. sometimes kidness wins peoples hearts to get a different view , or to sometimes study the bible to see if it is something they understand or not ,    

I am a christian , and i do believe in God    ,  I have met nonbelievers before , My friends brother is a nonbeliever  , i am kind to him and nice to him still . i can not change someones views or opinion . all i can do is be a friend as set it aside and hope they find what they are looking for if they have not yet

Answer 20

because of propaganda

they are taught in and by their religion and its teachers and authorites that we atheists are not nice people, are less moral, less kind, less polite , etc etc

(no kidding there are web sites with how much % less all of these and more we are than christians)

Answer 21

They have been brain-washed into their religion, and this is the first time that they realize that not everyone shares their beliefs.