Generally, who do you think is more civil between Christians and atheists?

Question

Would the answers to these questions change your ideas of one or the other:

Christians, what is one thing admirable about Atheists in general?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AreBCsgKZZQ5V_HWnHdPivY8.Bd.;_ylv=3?qid=20091021123038AATcF0d


Atheists: What is one thing admirable about Christians in general?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ak356Cm9iKMK0bX9i0HRTFs8.Bd.;_ylv=3?qid=20091021121812AAqPNWD

Answer 1

More civil? I'd say that they're both equally civil.



Christianity = Everyone who doesn't believe goes to hell.



Atheism = Everyone who believes is irrational.



After all, only Sith deal in absolutes...

Answer 2

Very interesting question, pab. I like this because it is at least an attempt to look at this issue rationally and/or scientifically without regards to anecdotal stories or biased opinions. Before looking at the questions you referenced I would have said that Christians are by far more civil. And in fact, several of the atheist respondents listed this as a virtue of Christians! Since I liked your question so much, I decided to actually analyze the responses. I believe that I was unbiased by interpreting the answers the same way in both camps. I tallied all the "statements" made in all the responses (not just each response). For example, if a single person listed 2 admirable qualities, then that would count as 2 compliments. These are the results.



Atheists: What is admirable about Christians?

Compliments - 44%

Insults - 6%

Statements of opinion/fact - 35%

Attempt at Humor - 12%

Christian Compliments - 3%

Christian insults - 0%



Christians: What is admirable about Atheists?

Compliments - 48%

Insults - 5%

Statements of opinion/fact - 31%

Attempt at Humor - 12%

Atheist Compliments - 0%

Atheist insults - 5%



What surprises me is that the results are almost identical. That is, chalk it up to human nature, we're all the same regardless of our religious beliefs (Atheist or Christian). I think to a large extent that this is true as long as controversial subjects are avoided. I have looked at responses to the evolution/creation controversy, for example, and found a larger percentage of atheists had derogatory responses. However, after your question today, I'm having second thoughts and I think I am going to go back and perhaps do a more in-depth analysis to validate that.



The questions you reference may indicate the opinions people hold about the other side. However, it doesn't address which side is actually more deserving of praise. If, for example, Christians actually are more admirable than atheists (a proposition for which I suspect you disagree), it could account for why Christian compliments were not higher than they were. In addition, what happens in real life may be different on these forums since people seem more free to express their "evil" side. :)



In any case, well done. It's an interesting and thought provoking question.

Answer 3

Pab,



I saw your earlier question and didn't reply, because I truly don't admire anything from atheists as a general collective. That doesn't mean there aren't awesome people who are atheist, but rather the movement, the beliefs and the culture that goes with it has nothing to admire in my eyes. To avoid an atheist bashing exercise I simply didn't answer.



I find your experiment interesting however.



1. It shows the hostility we as Christians have towards athiests. It's important to remember our war is with principalities and the like, not with people. Too often we take things personally rather than look at the atheist problem holistically.



2. Christians seem to agree with my own sense, which is there really is nothing to admire from the atheist collective.



3. Atheists do however admire certain traits in the Christian collective. Isn't that telling? Is that why some are still here? Perhaps it's time for some critical self examination by some of these people.



Some further food for thought, unrelated to your experiment but on my mind.



1. Christians are right and atheists will go to Hell.

2. Christians are wrong. In which case we still strive for moral lives, as was said by atheists - typically are happy and do lots for charity, making the world a better place.



My point is, if we're right atheists - you're going to eternal damnation. ETERNAL. If you're right, and God is just make believe, we're _still_ helping the world. As atheists you're not just betting your life you're correct, you're betting your soul. Forever. Are you sure? I mean are you sure to the point of betting on your soul?



Please consider this. Please consider the ramifications of either group being wrong, and who ultimately loses in that error.



With much sadness,

C.

Answer 4

There are hypocritical Christians that give true Christians a bad rap. Any Christian who truly follows Jesus will be civil. I have met many uncivil Atheists. Look at Bill Mahr. Many Atheists are on a mission to bring down religion. Saying the aren't judgmental isn't true. Bill Mahr said anyone who believes in God is irrational. I think there are rude and uncivil persons in both religions and Atheism is a religion.

Answer 5

Atheists. https://answersrip.com/question/index?qid=20091017160726AASEdOF



Christians can be very distasteful.



However, as I'm sure you know, there are both ends of the spectrum in each belief system.

Answer 6

I agree with PATRICK. Because in the bible we have to follow alot of things that many other people like atheists don't but at the same time some christians miss interpret the bible because the bible aslo say love all god children no matter what the situation is. So many of us christians do have more hatred than atheists.

Answer 7

Generally, I do not think civility has much to do with ones view on religion (at least in the more basic sense of either Christian or atheist).



I have come across many civil people from both camps, and many uncivil people from both camps. It often has more to do with maturity and age than anything else.

Answer 8

I think atheists are generally more civil. Generally! I know many civil Christians, but on here, the worst of the worst are represented on both sides.

I hope no one sees my answer because they'll think I'm a complete b*tch, which I am. But I don't see anything admirable about Christians in general anyway, so whatever. It's all personal.



Okay, maybe Christians are more civil in general.... Lol. That's a joke.



I think Linz put it perfectly. She's a genius.

Answer 9

Honestly, it doesn't matter what you believe in, as long as your life is balanced. Of course there are going to be extremes. Atheists don't believe in any higher purpose. So that doesn't give meaning to life at all to them. Christian's sometimes go over the top with their beliefs.

Answer 10

I can be civil without admiring something about Christianity, thank you very much. If you ask me what do I admire about Joe The Christian, and Joe is someone I know personally, I might say, I admire his honesty, or his work ethic, or his integrity. But if you ask me what do I admire about Christians in general, you're going to get an honest answer, which is nothing. There is nothing to be admired about adhering to a bronze-age myth instead of dealing with reality.

Answer 11

Generally, atheists are less likely to be hypocrites, I would think.



One does not need to subscribe to any belief system involving a deity to follow the Golden Rule.

Answer 12

Generally (and I do mean VERY generally so don't get angry people) I think atheists are more civil because they hold less hatred towards those who believe differently where as Christians (which include Baptists and Catholics who seem to be very intent on "their way or the highway") seem to hold hostility against those who believe differently.



That's just my opinion.

Answer 13

Atheists are more civil.



Did you know that Christians were never persecuted in rome. There were multiple religions at the time.



it was only when Christians started telling everyone that their religion was bullshit and started pulling down statues that people got upset.

Answer 14

Christians. Atheists follow whatever rules they want to so that means they get violent when they want to.