Quote Originally Posted by ISAtlanta300
Most of the time it is not to put you down or to scare you with fire and brimstone stories. Most of the time it is just curiosity on why you do not believe.

I would have asked you the same questions. Maybe you will give me plenty of good points. Maybe you could learn plenty of good points too.

I don't think you should take offense when people ask you why you do not believe. At least not until they try to "push" you to convert or something. You are free to make your own choices.

I think both sides have extremists, and both sides should be a bit more tolerant about each other's opinions. It is possible to co-exist.

I hear ya and I'm just generalizing with most of what I have said. I don't really get offended. I'm pretty good at making my point. I understand the curiosity. I just don;t understand the judgement that comes with it most of the time.

my guess(for some) pesemestic, anti-establishment/churches person. who has had something so terriable happen to them that they can't believe in a God/Budda/whatever letting it happen. after all why would a "loving God" let bad things happen to good people
This kind of speculation is wierd to me...but I guess I understand the logic. I just want people to know that bad things happen to every single person. They did happen to me. That's not why I don't believe the same way "you" believe. I believe in something that I made up. Something that makes sense for me. I don't even know that you could label me as athiest....I don't think I am.