Are Atheist more tolerant than Theist?

Though the title might sound odd, an article in Malayalam Mathrubhumi has compelled to think on these terms.

The rational thinking of a skeptic doesn't trouble those who are more lean towards religion. A critcism of their extreme attitude doesn't affect them. They are not perturbed by what others think about their phliosophy.Ask an atheist to contribue for a religious activity- You will be surprised to see him lending full financial support.

Ask a religious person- Being a staunch believer in a particular school of thought cannot bear views opposing their faith. THe level of intolerance and his religious fervour takes great heights culminating in massacre blodshed etc. Finer aspects of life, subtle feelings are lost. Then tell me who is the safe person-An atheist who proclaims to the world about his conviction or a theist who cannot bear to stand criticism of certain beliefs which he considers as the only right path.

I don't know. Pl. do give your views. kanaka

Dear Kanaka,

We cannot divide humanity into Atheists and Theists. God is omnipresent, omnipotent. Those who call themselves as Atheists cannot say that they don't LOVE their parents, children, brothers and sisters.

That LOVE is God.Though they oppose the idol worship and related rituals, they cannot throw the LOVE that is GOD in them. So they too LOVE God and God Loves them too.

That Love towards their fellow humans make them to give financial support. They do not consider it as a religious activity, they are more concerned about the people who perform it and thus express their love and affection.

People who call themselves Theists give more importance to idol worship and the related rituals than to God Himself. Their affection is more towards the religious activities than towards God. He develops hatred towards people who oppose their religious beliefs. Ultimately he loses his love towards people.

The so called Atheist do not realize that "Love is God".
The so called Theist do not realize that "God is Love".

Both are equal and safe too in their own way. We need not be afraid of anyone. The only thing we need to look - is our approach towards them. If we need love and affection from them, we need to approach them in their own way. Nothing wrong in it. Hope I am clear.

Dear Kanaka,

Nice topic and Vanaja I absolutely loved your reply!!

I believe that service to man is service to God so I feel in finding peace in the love that we should scatter around us will get us more close to God , after all according to me love is the greatest form of worship .

I cannot just say that believing in idol worship alone will get you close to God if you need to be close to him being a pious person then you need to follow his path of love and devotion to the basic human passions and the spread of it because time and again we have been told that only loving others and living a life where we have nothing to be worried of or nothing to be guilty about and never hurting anyone is the way straight to 'HIS arms.

Love,
Devika

A very good reply Vanaja and Devika.

I believe that humanity is the first trait to achieve closeness to god. We are all his children, and if we can't love them in the name of religion or whatever....then i am sure that he is not going to be happy.

The basic that all religions teach is love thy fellow beings. Do good and do not hurt others.

Theist or atheist but if we follow the above i am sure all can be tolerant and we need not be afraid of anyone.

Hi Kanaka,

Hope you are well.

The world is made of both good & bad which we find everywhere.

I do not feel that atheists are more tolerant than theists or vice versa.

Reason being, a theist may see God in all creatures big & small; thus practising tolerance. Or he/she could turn into one of those missionaries we encounter in market places etc.

A theist on the other hand may create tensions in society by ridiculing beliefs of his/her fellow humans.

A very interesting topic Kanaka. As usual you have got out a very thought provoking question.

Oh yes, that is what Albania thought when they closed their churches & Mosques and declared Albania world's first theist state. They would be in paradise by following communism. Now that communism has collapsed, it is now a free for all with various religions vying for a place in that country to convert people.

That my dear is the same case with the former USSR. Once communism collapsed, you could see even the ISCKON people there trying to create convert people. The result, some people have become radicals & Xenophobia is on the rise.

My conclusion, theist or atheist, please keep it within your house. Do not impose your views on society.

Regards,

Corallux

Originally Posted by kanaka

Though the title might sound odd, an article in Malayalam Mathrubhumi has compelled to think on these terms.

The rational thinking of a skeptic doesn't trouble those who are more lean towards religion. A critcism of their extreme attitude doesn't affect them. They are not perturbed by what others think about their phliosophy.Ask an atheist to contribue for a religious activity- You will be surprised to see him lending full financial support.

Ask a religious person- Being a staunch believer in a particular school of thought cannot bear views opposing their faith. THe level of intolerance and his religious fervour takes great heights culminating in massacre blodshed etc. Finer aspects of life, subtle feelings are lost. Then tell me who is the safe person-An atheist who proclaims to the world about his conviction or a theist who cannot bear to stand criticism of certain beliefs which he considers as the only right path.

I don't know. Pl. do give your views. kanaka

Originally Posted by kanaka

Though the title might sound odd, an article in Malayalam Mathrubhumi has compelled to think on these terms.

The rational thinking of a skeptic doesn't trouble those who are more lean towards religion. A critcism of their extreme attitude doesn't affect them. They are not perturbed by what others think about their phliosophy.Ask an atheist to contribue for a religious activity- You will be surprised to see him lending full financial support.

Ask a religious person- Being a staunch believer in a particular school of thought cannot bear views opposing their faith. THe level of intolerance and his religious fervour takes great heights culminating in massacre blodshed etc. Finer aspects of life, subtle feelings are lost. Then tell me who is the safe person-An atheist who proclaims to the world about his conviction or a theist who cannot bear to stand criticism of certain beliefs which he considers as the only right path.

I don't know. Pl. do give your views. kanaka

Dear Kanaka
You have the knack for bringing in interesting topics for discussion.
This is really good!
You are absolutely right on your analysis.
At any time when opinions spill out in the open ,if fuelled by religion.. a small spark is enough to ignite a wild raging fire.
At that point of time its really difficult to tell who is the safe person..
For ever these two groups have been in debates.. as if there was a point to prove.
I am reminded of an incident in Ramakrishna's life. A person who did not believe in the existence of God challenged Ramakrishna to a debate.. lot of public interest mounted on this high profile debate. A dias was prepared and the day came.. Ramakrishna sat back and listened to all the rants of the person who claimed in every possible way that God did not exist.
At the end, Ramakrishna got up and hugged this other person and thanked him and said with tears in his eyes he could speak all he did becuase of the love of Mother Kali. At that moment, the other guy fell at Ramakrishnas feet and accepted Mother as God too.
Sorry If i have rambled and deviated.. Your lead post is truly remarkable.. keep writing:)

Originally Posted by kanaka

Though the title might sound odd, an article in Malayalam Mathrubhumi has compelled to think on these terms.

The rational thinking of a skeptic doesn't trouble those who are more lean towards religion. A critcism of their extreme attitude doesn't affect them. They are not perturbed by what others think about their phliosophy.Ask an atheist to contribue for a religious activity- You will be surprised to see him lending full financial support.

Ask a religious person- Being a staunch believer in a particular school of thought cannot bear views opposing their faith. THe level of intolerance and his religious fervour takes great heights culminating in massacre blodshed etc. Finer aspects of life, subtle feelings are lost. Then tell me who is the safe person-An atheist who proclaims to the world about his conviction or a theist who cannot bear to stand criticism of certain beliefs which he considers as the only right path.

I don't know. Pl. do give your views. kanaka

Kanaka, both atheists and theists can be as tolrerant or intolerant as each other. For many atheism itself is a dogma with its own mantras as various theistic schools. Both are capable of behaving like members of an exclusive club who scorn at or persecute those whom they deem as non-members of their club or persuasion.

Kanaka,

I loved the reply given by Vanaja ma'm to your post. She has written every word beautifully. I wish to thank her through this post .

and to you too Kanaka ,it is a very nice post.

regards

meera

Dear Kanaka,

The Theist are those that believe in a religion, correct, say ISCON guys , right ?

Well I believe in God, but no particular living or dead ones.But I don’t criticize those who do believe.

I have seen people who follow a faith, to be very rigid and consider their guru or god to be the best, and all others lousy.They are very rigid in their outlook, and I just cant get along with such people.i stay miles away.

On TV I like many saints like Murari Bapu, but don’t go to their satsangs even when they are in town.And there are many others too I like, some I don’t, I pick and choose to listen what I want.

And I never argue with someone on who is good or bad.Each to their own really.

Regards.kamal

Dear Vanaja,

As I was writing this post I had the same conviction. To be devoted to something doesn't necessarily mean rituals before some Hindu icons. Worship can be of any way- in the form of work, a good thought. How can one contain devotion to images or rituals only. My intention was to just to clear my stand. Some years back I use to strike a deal with God-ie " You do like this then I shall may be visit the Lord on following days . As I grow old I prefer to stand infront of a lit lamp, pay my obeisance to God silently without asking for anything. Thanks for the FB. kanaka