Why is there so much backlash when I say I don't believe in God?
395801
You can believe--or not believe--in anything you choose. It's nobody's business but your own. However, there are some people in the world who are profoundly insecure in their faith, and are simultaneously laboring under the delusion that they have all the answers. How lucky for them; it must make one's life easy to have all the answers all the time. And since they feel they have the answers, they feel threatened by questions that challenge their pre-fabricated worldview. These types of people are unable to see shades of grey, so their world is a very two-dimensional black-and-white place. Arguing with them is an exercise in futility, so the best that you can do is wish them peace and carry on with your life.
533470
For a self-descrivbed atheist, you seem to have a lot of questions about God and religion...even so far as to use the expression, 'honest to god'.  \n\nI wonder, if you do not believe in god, of what difference can it make to your life if others do?   Just think what you can do with the time you spend questioning how others live their lives.  \n\nIf you learn to be gracious, and realize that god-based comments from others are not meant with any evil intent (except the occasional directions to a certain perceived, very hot location), everyone will be happier, especially you.\n\nGood luck.
916368
atheism is not a religion. Yes, atheists receive negative comments and attitudes because we do not follow any religion. I don't want to change anyone's mind, I feel comfortable knowing what I know.
1165462
I know exactly how you feel!  I get the same thing when I say I am an Atheist!!!  People are surprised when I tell them because I guess most of them assume that I am a Christian.\n\nI have already gone down the religion road and the older I get, I realize organized religion is suited for those who don't think for themselves!\n\nIt is prejudism!  But it happens to other religions also, like to the Islams and Buddhist and so on and so on!\n\nThis country was supposedly built for religious freedom, but people seem to think that they have a right to "Change your mind".\n\nI'm happy the way I am!!  Believe it or not, but I have a peaceful life with a loving husband and kids!!!!!  I try to teach my kids that it is OK not to believe in a supernatural being!!!  I am not hurting anyone by my beliefs!  So, please except my friendship or leave me a lone!\n\nGreat Question and I hope you get good responses!
848400
I disbelieve on the grounds of lack of evidence so short of proof being forthcoming I couldn't say I believed God existed. Convictions or subjective opinions don't come into it-it's purely down to a lack of valid evidence.
276730
I don't believe in God, and I feel absolutely OK. I don't buy the blackmail that if I don't believe, I'll be damned. Live a life of freedom and don't believe in anything they cannot prove you.
503041
"Think about it, you have to acknowledge that there is a god (higher power) for you not to believe in, right? In that case, wouldn't you be agnostic?"\nTHAT MAKES NO SENSE, SHOULD I SAY: I DON'T BELIEVE THAT GOD EXISTS, IS THAT BETTER?
573357
buddy, same happens with me.yes, its a total lack of respect. If people who believe are proud of it, i am equally proud of the fact that i am a non-believer and a rational person who puts rationality above faith; believes in doing things, not in miracles.
697186
I know a lot of people are moral without believing in God. \n\nBut for me, for most of my life I didn't have much of a backbone, and I'm fairly certain I would have fell into some vices because of peer pressure if it hadn't of been for that last thread of 'no, this is against my religion' keeping me away from it.\n\nThanks
888172
If you didn't believe in God you wouldn't spend time thinking about Him or debating whether He exists, you see, you are defeited even in your question.  God Bless you for your question.
1060483
No I don't. I believe in God, but I also think you can't force people to conform to what you as a person want them to believe. It's not fair. At the same time, people should noot look down on people who believe in God thinking they are stupid for believing in a higher power. I personally can embrace anyone no matter what they believe. You just have to be open minded about everything, even if you don't want to.
740879
i believe in god but not in the bible
945934
Atheists have heard your opinions, jelly_bab, many times, but your opinions are not based on facts, just a book which you think is true because it says it's true!  Therefore we reject your views.\n\nChristians get offended because they are typically arrogant, such as JJ.  You don't KNOW anything, or you would be able to PROVE the existence of your God and there could be no argument from the rest of us.  You believe in creation, flying in the face of all scientific evidence which proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that life evolved over a very long period of time. You can't prove anything.  If you BELIEVE that there is a God, it is up to you to prove it.  Atheism has nothing to prove; it is just the noises reasonable people make in the presence of unjustified, unprovable religious BELIEFS, not facts.
901843
I'm not an Athiest, I'm Agnostic. And I won't tell you that there is no God, because I do believe there is one. It sounds like what you have is Faith, not religion. Which is good, it's something I never had. \n\nAnd, as a side note, it's not a religion, it's a relationship. So it matters not that you don't follow the practices. You pray and you have faith and a walk with God, then that is all you need. Well, that and the Bible. It does have some really good things that it has to say if you dig deep.
824956
Wow, I am amazed at the responses you've gotten so far.\nWe keep hearing about how people who don't believe in God are supposed to be so much more intelligent than those of us who do, and yet, all we here from these educated people is that you should go to school, or read a book...in other words, they can't answer your questions.\nGee, and even when they admit that they can't answer your questions, they throw in an insult, just for good measure....\n\nLooks as if you've hit a nerve, my friend!!
796800
When you base your religion on how non believers feel about it you might as well not have religion.  Stand true to God and God will stand true to you.
1150922
I have no problem with non-believers here.  I am not insulted by your presence; in fact, this may be the perfect setting for you.  I pray that God would speak to you in some way that you would believe in Him.  True Christians do not condemn others, however, love them and avoid saying hurtful things. However, I will not refrain from expressing how I feel about my personal relationship with God and how He has carried me through many difficult times.