Comment of the Week: Why Do Atheists Focus on Christianity?
Tuesday October 30, 2007
A common question from Christians is why atheists focus so much attention and criticism on Christianity as opposed to other religions. It is true that atheological arguments tend to be more about Christian conceptions of gods than ancient Greek or Norse gods. It is also true that religious critique is focused more on forms of Christianity than Taoism or Navajo beliefs. Perhaps Christians should look to themselves, however, for answers.
Christianity is the predominant religion in the West. Christians are always reminding us how many of them there are, and how their religion is the one, true religion—but when we address Christianity specifically, we are asked why we aren’t focusing as much on other religions. Well, if you’re going to brag about being the biggest, baddest dog on the block—then you’re going to take the most heat, certainly. Why wouldn’t you expect that?
Secondly, when is the last time a Buddhist apologist (even one who believes in god/s) tried to convert anyone? How about a Jew? How about a Hindu? There is nothing in Taoism that would stop anyone from believing in a god—but I’ve never had a Taoist try to tell me how I should live my life. Many religions that are theistic aren’t out there trying to convert people over to their point of view. If I try to convert you to my way of thinking, what I’m doing is demeaning your way of thinking. I’m not accepting that I view this one way, and someone else views it another. I’m claiming to have a superior view—and by default I’m saying your view is inferior. Now, I ask: If your religion is based on insulting everyone else’s worldview, while other religions, basically, are not…whose religion do you suppose is likely to get more negative backlash from people? It’s not a difficult equation.
Now, Islam is another story all together. Islam does take some heat after 9-11. And prior to 9-11, it also took a lot of heat for basic human rights violations in nations where, for example, Sharia Law was in effect. Now, you weren’t likely to see too many atheists address it for two big reasons: (1) Western atheists were busy contending with the “big dog” of Christianity. And (2) atheists in nations where Islam is heavily promoted aren’t likely to open their mouths—ala Salmon Rushdie. While some Christians do think it’s OK to send death threats to people, I don’t personally feel they generally carry the same weight at Moslem death threats do in some countries in the Middle East—where we see video online of people being beaten to death in the streets and beheaded or blown to bits daily. For a big dog, in modern times, I have to admit that Christianity’s bark is, for the most part, worse than its bite when compared to Islam’s real, modern potential.
At any rate, the two religions today that take heat are Christianity and Islam; both are based on a superiority perspective that most other religions either do not share—or, if they do, they are such minor religions as to not be a threat to most people’s rights or freedoms. Religions that don’t seek to control or demean are attacked far less—and not at all surprisingly.
Are all theistic beliefs equally as irrational? Yes. Should they all be called out as irrational on the same level? Yes. But are they all as potentially harmful and imposing as one another? Certainly not. And those that harm and impose more are criticized more—and rightly so.
Atheists normally counter apologetics. And it’s normally Christians who are, for the large part, putting out apologetic material. As I noted above about Smith’s book: If you’re going to express your view publicly, be ready for public criticism. Go into any book store, and browse the “religion” section. See how much of it is based on Christian authors versus atheist authors or authors outside of Christianity. It’s growing, but still a small percentage. What is there for me to respond to in Buddhism? I don’t believe in reincarnation. I’m happy to express that. Many Buddhists take it metaphorically themselves. But if they don’t, I think they’re deluded. But what am I to attack beyond that? Buddhists aren’t trying to make me accept reincarnation. In fact, they really don’t seem to care what I think about it. So, what exactly am I to “respond” to from a Buddhist perspective? Buddhist aren’t “coming after me.” Christians—most especially evangelicals—ARE.
Pretending that all religions are equal in the response they should receive from atheists is a bogus accusation. But it’s not an uncommon one. I very much recommend that any atheist confronted with this criticism be ready to address it fairly. I’ve seen atheists back down on this and say, “Yes, I suppose we do focus overly on Xianity…” and I don’t agree such apologies are necessary. Christianity gets more response because it provokes more response via its requirements to control, condemn, and demean absolutely everyone else’s worldview. No rational person could go around acting in such a way and not expect to catch flack everywhere he/she goes. It’s not a reasonable criticism—although it is accurate (Xians do take more heat—but fairly so).
[original post]
So long as criticism of Christian conceptions of god and Christian forms of religion are legitimate and fair, then it's perfectly reasonable for people in predominantly Christian cultures to focus more on the most common religion than on minority systems which lack influence, power, and relevance. Christians should worry more about what it is about their behavior and ideology which attracts criticism than the fact that they are being criticized at all.
Comments
Well said.
Christians should look to them Bible for the answer.
Christianity is the predominant religion.
“Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.”
Acts: 5:41 So they departed form the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
Christianity is the biggest and only true religion on the block
Isaiah 45:5-6 “I am the Lord, and there is no other; There is on God beside Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, that they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is none besides Me.
Christians are trying to convert people.
Acts 4:12 “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Ezekiel 13:3 Thus says the Lord God: “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!”
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching.
Western atheists are busy contending with “God” of Christianity.
1 Samuel 17: 45 David said to the Philistine (Goliath), “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
For a “big dog,” in modern times, you say that Christianity’s bark is, for the most part, worse than its bite.
1 Samuel 17: 47 “… For the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.”
Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, Says the Lord of hosts.
Are Christian’s beliefs irrational? Yes.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time will come when they(men and women) will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
It is not a reasonable criticism-although it is accurate (Xians do take more heat-but fairly so).
1 Samuel 8:7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in that they say to you ; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.”
Atheist feel like they are battling Christians but you should know who you are really fighting.
An authoritarian belief system that demands obiedience from all, even from those who see it for the laughable fantasy it is?
Alex, quoting bible verse is highly ineffective. All it really says is that you have no real counter to the arguements that have been presented. You’re going to have to work harder than that.
Christianity is the biggest and only true religion on the block
Isaiah 45:5-6 “I am the Lord, and there is no other; There is on God beside Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, that they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is none besides Me.
“My religion is the only true one because this book says it is.”
The dog seems to love chasing its own tail.
Reverend:
For the last few weeks, I’ve been taking a hiatus and just mulling some things over. In regard to your statement about “my book says it is,” it reminds me of something I thought:
“There are presents under my Xmas tree addressed from Santa. Ergo, Santa exists.”
This is the same argument that you are also observing, restated. Basically, “I have a book. People say the book is from god*. Therefore, god exists.”
*Just to note that as this “book” is actually an anthology–the “book,” itself makes no such claim. Rather, people make the claim. The book titled “Luke,” for example, does not indicate itself as inspired or from god in any way. The people who put it together in the Bible anthology have made that claim on behalf of the book of Luke, for reasons of their own.
Also, I should add, the argument works just as well even with books that do claim to be from god:
“I have a book addressed to me from god. Ergo god exists.”
1) In english speaking countries, Christianity is most popular.
2) Christianity is the most influential worldwide today.
3) Always aim for the biggest bully on the block.
Alex, quoting bible verse is highly ineffective. All it really says is that you have no real counter to the arguements that have been presented. You’re going to have to work harder than that.
Jeremy, you must have forgotten the Bible is the word of God. Therefore, why would I offer my “opinion” about what God said. He did not ask me or anyother Christian for there advice. So if you want a comment, I will tell what God wants you know. Now If you can’t understand what His words are saying, then I will translate by the Spirit what you need to know by the verses given.
Always aim for the biggest bully on the block.
Be not decieved God is not mocked. He is able to take on anyone who exalts himself.
“There are presents under my Xmas tree addressed from Santa. Ergo, Santa exists.”
Let me show you the difference, tracieh, since you fail to see the difference.
1. Santa takes credit for the gifts you buy with your own money.
2. Santa rewards wicked children along with good children. He only requires an empty pledge.
3. Santa requires no level of morality. He does not really define what is ‘good.’
4. Santa only shows up one day a year. He does not support parents till around Christmas with vain words.
Now if you don’t know the difference, Ask a Christian well versed in the scriptures.
Alex, you may have forgotten that atheists don’t believe this. If all you’re going to do is quote from the Bible and insist that the Bible answers the questions, then in effect all you’re doing is preaching. That isn’t a dialogue or conversation. Preaching won’t be tolerated here and continued preaching will ensure that your comments are removed.
Quoting the Bible also demonstrates that you believe one of the main myths about atheism: that atheists would be converted if they only knew about Christianity.
Trust me, you can quit spreading the word. We’ve heard it.
I was raised Catholic; that is why I am
now an atheist. Praise God!
The real reason people don’t criticize
religions like Islam more is because they’ll kill you if you do.
Taking the xtians trying to convert everyone one step further, I’m sick of constantly having xtianity crammed down my throat, not only on a personal level but a political one as well. Ten Commandments on the courthouse lawns, stifling stem cell research, eliminating safe and legal abortions, intolerance of homosexuality, even alcohol sales on Sunday…by xtians who know what’s best for all of us.
“There are presents under my Xmas tree addressed from Santa. Ergo, Santa exists.”
Tracie, are you single?
i’ve added that gem to my sig and quote collection.
“He is able to take on anyone who exalts himself.”
- Alex
*groan*
When? How? Why is your almighty invisible sky wizard going to respond here? Or does he, by any chance… speak through you?
“1. Santa takes credit for the gifts you buy with your own money.”
So, that is a bit of proof that Santa does not exist. If some of the presents credited to him are from me, maybe some of the others thus credited are from other real/non-imaginary people as well.
“2. Santa rewards wicked children along with good children. He only requires an empty pledge.”
Just like Jeebus! i see bad people rewarded all the time while good people suffer. How many Xians actually believe the stuff they cite on Sunday? How many are just going along with the crowd?
“3. Santa requires no level of morality. He does not really define what is ‘good.’”
He is supposed to, if you payed attention to the song. But since “he” is actually the child’s parents, they are supposed to define the good.
“4. Santa only shows up one day a year. He does not support parents till around Christmas with vain words.”
Jeebus only shows up once per lifetime.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town = The Bible for kids. Behave now, get reward later. Similarly, Fettucini Alfredo is Mac and Cheese for adults.
1. Santa takes credit for the gifts you buy with your own money.
2. Santa rewards wicked children along with good children. He only requires an empty pledge.
3. Santa requires no level of morality. He does not really define what is ‘good.’
4. Santa only shows up one day a year. He does not support parents till around Christmas with vain words. — Alex
Umm… you do realize that Santa is make-believe? Right?
The chances of Santa being more probable than God are obvious to me as I have received many presents from Santa and not one from God. Not only have I not received any presents from him, his self nominated representatives on earth insist that I must tithe God on a weekly basis. Santa is so less demanding.
Regards Marty
Similarly, Fettucini Alfredo is Mac and Cheese for adults.
Major props for the Mitch Hedberg reference.
I suppose being raised as a Christian I know more about Christianity than I do any other religion, therefore I am comfortable addressing problems I see in Christianity.
Being an Atheist and a scientist one thing I never want to do is comment on something I know nothing or very little about. I am learning more about other religions but the one that concerns me the most is the one that surrounds me.
75% of the people in this country are Christian and in recent polls Atheist came in dead last as the group most people would never vote into political office. By that poll it seems that Christians have a bigger problem with Atheists than they do radical Islam. So perhaps the question should be, why do Christians focus on us? If your an Atheist in America you biggest critic is Christianity.
Atheists make up 10 to 15% of the population. But only about 1-2% if the prision population. Christianity on the other hand is 75% both in population of the country and prisons. Atheists have the lowest divorce rate of any group. Baptists have the highest.
Austin,
As usual your comments are right on the money. Keep up the good work!
So, what have we learned from Alex?… as imaginary friends go… Jesus beats Santa Claus…
… now I think this could start a really great debate since I think there’s more evidence of an historical Santa than an historical Jesus…
… as I see it… Santa is historical & evidential… demonstrating omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence… how he knows who’s been naughty or nice, how he delivers all those gifts in just one night is beyond comprehension…
… there are books, letters & songs written about him & to him… there are ceremonies & rites observed…
… He’s kind, just, giving & jovial…
… He is married, punctual, hard working, a man of simple means (works for cookies & milk), all in all, a great role model…
… how can you deny the evidence… the feelings he generates, the joy he brings, the hope he inspires…
… Sure, you can show that some presents are purchased & delivered by mere humans… but, they are inspired to do so by his great example…
… his justice is demonstated by the leaving of coal in lieu of presents for those “bad” children…
… We are his disciples and the world would be a better place if only everyone would follow him….
… all Santa asks is “don’t be naughty, be nice”…
… Fact is, I don’t even have to believe in him to get presents… cool!!!
Odd though, that the presents he gives seem to be limited in number and price by the income of the child’s parents. Does Santa know to not give expensive toys to poor kids? Is that to help the children “keep it real”? But if the presents are a reward for good behavior, then maybe it is just that rich kids are better behaved.
Ok… so Jesus gives nothing (except promises) to anyone… that is more fair…
… but, then again… can we discern the mind of Santa… his ways are not our ways…
You lost me on the book store thing. First you rail against the popularity of Christianity, and then you are suprised that a business would have more material suitable to the majority?