Christians, Atheists, believers, nonbelievers, everybody. I'd like your opinion on a few occurrences. Answers?
926758
Here is what God said on the matter:\n\nJohn 15:13 - \n    Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.\n\nHe did what needed to be done.  He sacrificed himself so many could live.  Sound familiar?
996318
Excellent!!!!!!!!!!! I agree with you entirely. It is refreshing to find a Christian who is willing to accept that other people can have different beliefs. You have restored my faith in people. Thank You
756702
Why are you only addressing Atheists in this question?  Don't you think it might be more appropriate to ask everyone?
487069
For the same reason you appear to be so concerned with "what if there is no god at all?" To each his own. OF course, it would be nice if each were to keep his own to himself..but it ain't gonna happen.
516972
If I am not mistaken, I don't think this was a generalization made that all non-beilievers are mean spirited and cruel.  (At least I hope not)  I think that each religion gets misunderstood at one time by those not of that religion, and some people just don't know how to address what they don't understand. There are those that do.  They respect the fact that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs.  I am a Christian, I believe, but i do not force my beliefs on anyone. i may share something about God, but I cannot judge anyone if they do not believe--and I don't think we should judge and ridicule each other.
303933
Yes, I had more than one religious experience as a child, but I am now an atheist. I think that those experiences were cathartic realizations and that they did mean something, but they meant something because of my situation, my psychology, and my desire to believe in certain things beyond the physical world. I view them as experiences that were powerful and important, but I no longer think that they were truly supernatural. I interpreted them as supernatural experiences at the time because of the spiritual belief system that I accepted, rather than because there were reasons to interpret them in that way.
1112551
It does not bother me either way.   Some christians and other theists turn atheist, so it's only "fair" that some atheists turn theist.  :-)   It happens.\n\nPlus, it's their lives.  I don't want to judge them on their choices, even if I might disagree.  Only thing I ask is....will their choice(s) make them a better person than they were before?  If so, I am all for it.
981911
I think we've all pondered that.  Just remember to share love too !!  Sometimes we try to share our Christian beliefs the wrong way. Christians are people. People make mistakes.  Thank you and God Bless.
496767
I have realized that no one reads this when I just link to it, so here is my response to an earlier similar question:\n\n I believe that I have been nothing but courteous to the people of faith here. I openly deny their belief-system. They openly deny mine. That's fine. We have, however, engaged in some very respectful debate, much to the benefit (I hope) of both sides. I know that my beliefs have not changed, but my preconceptions about young-Earth Christians have been shattered by some of the people I have found here. I think that they are wrong, but I am thrilled to have the opportunity to debate with them without resorting to name-calling or rudeness.\n\nGranted, this requires an openness on both our parts. I think that their faith is "wrong." They think that my lack of faith is "wrong." This is where most people get hung up and debate can go no further. If someone disagreeing with you is "offensive," you're stuck. Once you accept this disagreement, you are quite free to exchange ideas. This is what I have found here (for the most part.)\n\nAs for why I spend so much time in the religion and spirituality forum, I see faith as playing a huge role in the lives of everyone in the world, be they moderate Muslims, fundamentalist Christians, Pagans, or Atheists like myself.\n\nIn my supposedly free country I see gays discriminated against due to faith. People who would never think of using the N-word openly hate and criticize homosexuals for what they are, not who they are. \n\nI see medical advances that could help millions of people stymied by arguments that have their basis in faith. Stem cell research could potentially ease the suffering of billions around the globe, but people of faith stand in the way.\n\nWe are currently involved in what may or may not be a holy war. This is an issue of faith.\n\nOur current government supports "faith-based initiatives" in what may be a breach of The Constitution itself.\n\nI know that faith helps people sleep at night. This doesn't undo the tremendous amount of suffering it has inflicted at every turn of history. \n\nI see faith as a problem, and would like to encourage people to put aside their myths and embrace reason. However, I realize that this is futile. As Jonathan Swift said, "It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into."\n\nThat said, I think that Yahoo Answers provides a wonderful opportunity to try to see where other people are coming from. I disagree with the Christians (and Muslims and Pagans...), but I think it is very important for me to try to understand them. I would hope that they will try to understand me. Once we find some common ground and some mutual respect, we can truly start to talk about things.\n\nI hate the name-calling. The largest problem I have with religion is that it is divisive. I feel that this is the most important aspect of faith that needs to be removed from the equation. Name-calling is also divisive and does not fit into my attempts to act reasonably.\n\nI feel that I deny, but do not scoff. I embrace and enjoy open debate. I think that the things discussed here are important. I'd like to think that some of the things I have to say are pertinent. \n\nIf you want a place for only Christians (for example) to exchange ideas, there are plenty of places on the web for that. However, I think that this exclusion of other mindsets and worldviews does a disservice to those who would seek such a closed system.\n\nThat's why, as an atheist, I show up on the religion thread.
1061402
Atheists are wonderful people. Most Christians seem to like me.( As far as I know.) Some Christians are real dickholes but I would put feelings aside and help anyone in need. Some Christians are very nonjudgmental. You will find good and bad in all people and races. I know Islamic people that are appalled with terrorism. I abuse everyone equally. People that know me  in person know I'm harmless.Sometimes people don't get my humor on answers. Thank you for the thoughtful question.
311272
Unfortunately, I don't believe in God anymore. I do believe that Jesus existed, but I don't believe he was the son of God. There are to many unanswered questions that people try to satisfy with faith and misleading stories passed down through the ages. As time goes on it is becoming harder and harder to believe in God as we learn more and more about our world and where we came from. Like may thousands of other things that puzzled humankind through the ages, the existence of God will one day be dispelled. I'm sorry if I offended anyone, that's just the conclusion I have come to after years of thought.
1080934
i dunno i've ran into some people on here like that but that's true how could you explain anything. science, no science is something people use i think to jump away from the fact that god does exsist whether they like it or not. i've tried to make people beleive in god but some don't. so all you can do is beleive pray for those people. HE IS OUR SAVIOR SO WORSHIP HIM! GOD BLESS.
136484
I'm not, but I do appreciate having people in this section besides all the christians.  they kind of dominate it.  i consider myself a pantheist - god is all of existence, and nothing more - no divine conscious.  "god is the universe"  Additionally I do zen meditation.  neither of these practices do i really consider to be religious.  Christians would probably call me an atheist, because i don't believe in what they call God or really in anything supernatural.
295047
people tend to criticize things that they dont understand, so understandably christianity and god will fall under this.  Everybody's going to have their own view and own ideas about whether or not god does exist, whether it be for or against.  While other's just like to cause trouble.
496414
You exaggerate a bit I think... People are very different, even the ones who are similar...how many different sects of Christianity are there right here in America? More than I can name for sure... If we were all alike this would be one boring planet so revel in the fact that everyone is different and stop worrying so much.
701060
I am very respectful toward people who are Believers.\n\nEveryone in my family believes in God, but even if they didn't I would still be respectful.\n\nI've come to being an atheist after years of searching and trying to believe but not being able to convince myself....so this did not just happen over night.\n\nPlease do not paint us with the same brush. All atheists are not the same nor to we want to be.
653852
You know that's what I asked all my preists at church coz I had enough of the church and they went silent for more than 3minutes and I was standing there looking at them like "God aint gonna bless ya if u keep on being silent m8" and then they're like."Things happen for and by the Lord and I and no other human being knows how things happen but ask the only God who knows" and Im like" what?..." but I always think.\nFrom the bible it says the re was nothing and then out of nowhere God appeared. that aint possible. I mean how could something appear in nothing when the something came out of nowhere. BUt if there was nothing, how could there be a something when there was nothing? And it totally didn't make sense that there was some tiny disease lyk thing hanging 'round but I guess something wouldve hapened ay?hope i find out l8er.