Christians, Atheists: Is there not enough suffering in this world to learn to work together?

Question

You aren't going to change each others religious beliefs. It isn't possible, and besides, it is immoral. We live in a secular country. Christians choose to believe in God, and Jesus. Atheists choose not to.
Both have the right to express their spirituality in any way they see fit, and both have the responsibility to respect each others rights. The is one of the cornerstones of our nation, the United States of America.

Instead of continually focusing on our differences, why not focus on the values that we share? Why not form meaningful relationships with each other, and work together to make the world a better place, according to our shared values?

Sure, we may not agree on the end result, or what is the absolute best for people; but we are talking about absolute ideals here. You don't need to accomplish the absolute "perfect" state in order to create positive change in people's lives. You don't need to make a perfect utopia in order to feed a starving child. There is plenty we can work on together, and we can do more together than we could ever hope to accomplish alone.

So I ask you, is there not enough suffering in this world to put aside our differences, and work together in making a difference in people's lives?

Answer 1

He who is convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.

Answer 2

I absolutely believe in working together. The only thing is, we do not have a common ground, for your group definitely believes that we atheists are totally wrong, yet all WE atheists are trying to do is helping your group to think logically and to use that logic to realize that "God" is probably not real, and even if He/She/It was real, there is no way to prove it with 100% reliability. Even if it might APPEAR someday that we have proved the existence of God, anything less than perfect proof is not good enough for me or ANY logical person.

Answer 3

I agree with you, if a person wants to believe in a ''flying holy cockroach'' then he's free (personal choice). I tend more for a secular democrat world than an atheist world. People have the right to believe in what they want as long as they are not forcing their beliefs on everything.

Answer 4

My feeling is people tend to work together when they need to work together. Seriously, when people make donations they don't say "we will only accept non-perishable food items from Christians only" or "only clothing donations can come from Atheists".



I think questions like yours tend to segregate people more. Get over your discrimination.

Answer 5

I think you'll find that in the real world, people get along fine, and that many atheists in fact contribute generously to charities, including religiously based ones.

Answer 6

and just how would that work?Feed the hungry ,but not in Jesus' name,pray for healing ,but not in front of an atheist lest we be cramming religion down their throat. I think atheist should stay on their side of the street and send out that great message of there is No God, No one infinitely loves you or cares about you.Which is totally contradictory to who a Christian is.Its not just a belief , its Life and the way we live our lives.

Answer 7

Looking around this site and others, I wish more Christians would see it that way.



"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." -Romans 12:18

Answer 8

I agree and the world would be a better place if we did focus on our sames rather than our differences.

Answer 9

Christians are told to alleviate the sufferings of others. That's why there are such organizations as World Vision, etc.



Remember, if you aren't part of the solution (i.e. obeying Jesus to help those who are suffering), then you're part of the problem.



I know of not a single organization that operates under the authority of atheism. (That is not to say that non-Christians aren't helping; but they aren't doing it in the NAME of atheism.)



So, how CAN two opposing views work together when one is pulling in ONE direction, while the other is pushing in the opposite direction?



But please, I extend my hand to anybody who wants to help, because that is the Christian's goal.

Answer 10

We get mediators all the time. 'Can't we all just get along' is something I hope to achieve but when two groups of people live in completely different ways, of course people are going to clash. I want nothing more than to get along with them but if they don't hold much respect for the ways I choose to live my life then I don't hold much respect for them.



End of.

Answer 11

Christ has no part in what you say. We oftentimes fundamentally fabricate the true meaning of love.



Christ said : "do not think that i came to bring peace"



Yet no one loved like him. You have to understand the ultimate love is love for God. If you love him the bible says you will hate with a passion what he hates. God hates sin, unbelief perversion and wickedness.

Answer 12

Why step away now when we are so close to winning this War

Answer 13

Sounds warm and fuzzy but in reality it will never work. Good and evil cannot live together and be happy.

Answer 14

In real life, we do. This is the internet, not real life.

Answer 15

Maybe I fight with christians because they try to use their "faith" to oppress people. Ever think of that.

Answer 16

well I have nto problem working with a religous person but the problem is religous people have a problem working with us. They want to force there religion on us even tho we don't want to.

Answer 17

We keep our beliefs to our self. maybe you should do the same.