Is it impossible for a theist to understand atheists?

[EGarrett]

I can't help noticing that whenever a theist attempts to explain atheists or their point of view...it comes out absolutely horribly inaccurate.

It's obviously 'possible' for there to a theist who really understands atheists, but do they realistically exist?

I think most atheists were raised with a religion, and if required, could do an impersonation of a religious person that was indistinguishable from the real thing. But could an actual Hindu/Jew/Christian/Muslim do a similar impression that would fool atheists?

Does religion require that fundamental ignorance of the other side?

 

[slingblade]

Religion seems to require a committed, sustained suspension of disbelief, with a generous dollop of ignorance. This is, coincidentally, also what is required to enjoy a good work of fiction. (Provided your idea of fun is to learn something you didn't know before, hence the "ignorance" factor.)

As long as the majority believes that one's moral code comes only from a knowledge of god, one cannot believe that a godless person can have morals. Therein lies the problem between the two, or at least one of the major problems.

 

[CP489]

This is a great question, and one I just recently came to my own conclusion on.

The reason that debates between the theist and the atheist often end in confustion or frustration is that neither one can possibly grasp the others frame of mind.

I have no idea what goes on inside the mind of the theist, I can't fathom that they actually believe what they say because it all sounds so ridiculous to me, and I'm sure they can't grasp that someone simply doesn't believe in God, who is one of the largest parts of their being.

 

[Freethinker]

Religion seems to require a committed, sustained suspension of disbelief, with a generous dollop of ignorance.

I don't think anyone can ever understand an opposing position unless they fully understand their own position. I also believe that one's own beliefs are suspect until one understands the opposing position.
The logical contortions required to truly believe in a god are such that they would prevent any understanding or explanation of said faith beyond "I just do!". With that lack of understanding of one's own position, it isn't surprising that theists can't grasp the atheist point of view.
It seems that many Christians who post reasonable and well thought discussion here have at least some doubts about their faith, or at least parts of the doctrine of their particular branch.

 

[Beerina]

This is a great question, and one I just recently came to my own conclusion on.

The reason that debates between the theist and the atheist often end in confustion or frustration is that neither one can possibly grasp the others frame of mind.

I have no idea what goes on inside the mind of the theist, I can't fathom that they actually believe what they say because it all sounds so ridiculous to me, and I'm sure they can't grasp that someone simply doesn't believe in God, who is one of the largest parts of their being.

I used to be a theist in my (very) early 20's, basically my college years.

As a Catholic, I believed, for example, that women wouldn't be priests because God didn't want that, and thus would never give them a "calling". Hence any woman who thinks she is being "called" should truly search her feelings, and they will realize that they are not, in fact, being called.

I saw a small religious retreat house on the corner of a block. There was a partially worn trail cutting the corner of the grass. Actually cutting half that side of the front yard. "Cool", I thought. "Those Christians know that, were they to bitch at someone walking across their lawn, they would make someone feel bad, and, as Jesus' representatives witnessing, they would possibly drive someone from Jesus, resulting in that person's eternal damnation. Hence I predict they won't have a problem with me cutting the corner, either."*


It was all ferociously logical. And a bunch of crap.


* Of course, someone came out and noted I was a "big stong lad" and could walk around the corner on the sidewalk. I also note that soon thereafter I rejected Jesus.

 

[slingblade]

I don't think anyone can ever understand an opposing position unless they fully understand their own position.

Does having been a rabid Fundie for 30+ years count for me?

The logical contortions required to truly believe in a god are such that they would prevent any understanding or explanation of said faith beyond "I just do!" With that lack of understanding of one's own position, it isn't surprising that theists can't grasp the atheist point of view.
It seems that many Christians who post reasonable and well thought discussion here have at least some doubts about their faith, or at least parts of the doctrine of their particular branch.

Yeah. "God works in mysterious ways" always clashed, for me, with "God's your heavenly father and loves you in the same way a parent does." Oh? But see, when I talk to my mom, she speaks back. My mom doesn't hide from me, and make me rely on faith in her existence. My mom has always been there for me, and always will be, until the day she dies.

My dad, on the other hand, was an aloof, cold, distant bassturd, who promised a lot of things, but never delivered....

Wait.....

 

[senorpogo]

I think it's possible for one group to understand the other. Figuring out why people buy into theism or why atheists belive what they do isn't like figuring out Fermats Last Theorem. All you need is an open mind and ear which is, usually, the problem. Most religious types have been taught the sinfulness of atheism from the get go so they avoid listening to any explanations of why atheists believe what they do. Also, who likes being told that they're completely wrong? Who wants to get lectured to by an atheist explaining how everything one believe is a lie?

I also think some of the fault lies on atheists. Some atheists - not all - have very, very little patience for anyone who holds any type of religious belief. These types of atheists are often rude and abrupt with believers who may be seriously question their religious beliefs. So instead of getting an understanding of atheism, they instead become even more oppossed to it.

 

[slingblade]

Most religious types have been taught the sinfulness of atheism from the get go so they avoid listening to any explanations of why atheists believe what they do.

I caught holy heck from my family when I was in high school for wanting to take a class on world religions. They said it would destroy my faith.

I figured if learning about other religions was all it took to do that, then my religion might be too fragile for anyone's good. They turned out to eventually be right...

 

[ReFLeX]

Most atheists-turned-believers I know of were atheists for even weaker reasons than their reasons for becoming believers.