Why God Believers and Atheists Spend Time Debating Each Other

Throughout history, when atheism was not met with complete silence, it faced severe persecution and discrimination. When atheists attempted to remain undetected, the religious not only hunted them down but also subjected them to an array of inhumane treatments. Scores of years of religious intolerance and oppression left a lasting impact on the relationship between believers and non-believers.

Atheists vs Religions: A Longstanding Tension

Historical Persecution and Oppression

Dr. Madalyn Murray O'Hair, a prominent atheist activist, shed light on the historical treatment of atheists:

" I'll tell you what you did with atheists for about 1500 years. You outlawed them from the universities, nor any teaching careers; you besmirched their reputations; you banned or burned their books, or any writings of any kind; you drove them into exile, humiliated them, seized their properties, arrested them for blasphemy. You dehumanized them with beatings and exquisite torture, gouged out their eyes, slit their tongues, stretched, crushed or broke their limbs, tore off their breasts if they were women, crushed their scrotums if they were men. You imprisoned them, stabbed them, disembowelled them, hanged them, burnt them alive..."

Such gross human rights violations are inevitable when religion exerts control over a population. That is why fanaticism, ignorance, and bigotry associated with religion are universally opposed.

Why Do Believers and Atheists Engage in Debates?

The clashes between believers and atheists are frequent because the former refuse to leave well enough alone and continue to make laws based on their unproven assumptions. They also demand that their beliefs be given preference over empirical evidence and rational discourse.

The Attitude of Religious Leaders

Often, religious leaders instruct their adherents to "lead" non-believers to God, as it is deemed a moral obligation. Atheists, on the other hand, typically aim to stop such proselytizing due to the continuous harassment and lack of respect shown towards non-believers.

Atheists and Religion: A Selective Engagement

Atheists generally avoid direct interaction with most religious groups, particularly Christians. The last time an atheist knocked on a door to distribute literature or discuss atheism was likely a rare occurrence. Instead, atheists usually invest their time and energy in efforts to counteract religious influence on society and government.

For instance, the claim that the United States was founded on Christian principles is often challenged by those who cite the U.S. Constitution. The First Amendment unequivocally grants everyone the right to practice any religion or no religion at all, a principle in direct conflict with the Christian mandate that one must believe in only one god under penalty of death.

"And the day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus by the supreme being as his father in the womb of a virgin will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter. But we may hope that the dawn of reason and freedom of thought in these United States will do away all this artificial scaffolding..."

Thomas Jefferson, one of the main founders of the Constitution, made it clear that he did not believe in the supernatural Jesus. This and similar statements highlight the incompatibility of religious mandates with the principles of reason and freedom that the Constitution was meant to uphold.

Conclusion: Understanding and Coexistence

The interactions between believers and atheists are part of a larger discourse on religious freedom and the separation of church and state. By understanding the historical and modern contexts, we can promote a more inclusive and respectful society where diverse beliefs can coexist.