If someone genuinely believes that you burn if you don't believe, how much would they have to hate you in order to just walk by? Honestly, would you be mad if someone tried to warn you about a truck they saw barreling toward you?

A truck is a very real threat that can be observed by both parties. It presents a legitimate health risk whether you believe the truck is there or not. Hell is a percieved threat by only one of the parties. It presents a figurative risk only to the party that believes in it. Being two completely different things, they aren't really comparable in that way. I get what you're trying to say, but it doesn't quite work out. It's more like someone pointing out a truck passing by, perfectly withing the boundaries of the road. Sure, there's a chance that it can swerve off the road and hit you, but it isn't a concerning possibility unless you make it one.

[quote]A truck is a very real threat that can be observed by both parties. It presents a legitimate health risk whether you believe the truck is there or not.[/quote]I like the idea of the truck also because it moves toward you [quote]Hell is a perceived threat by only one of the parties. It presents a figurative risk only to the party that believes in it.[/quote] Hell is real and you can see it. Have you ever seen a homeless person, one of those that you don't want to make eye contact with because you know they will get angry at you? That person is in a very real hell. They are in agony, but the interesting thing is there are few situations in life that can't be made worse. And whether you believe in Hell as a fiery place with imps and pitchforks, you can still visit hell on this earth. [quote]Being two completely different things, they aren't really comparable in that way. I get what you're trying to say, but it doesn't quite work out.[/quote] The way I think they are comparable is not necessarily in the urgency, but the possibility of danger if a person doesn't take action. There are some actions and behaviors that can lead to a person being in Hell, the one that comes to mind most for me is drug abuse. I've seen heroin addicts battling hell. Can religion save them? Maybe. It might have kept them out of hell to begin with, but there are no guarantees. I'm rambling at this point, but I imagine you ca understand what I'm getting at.

Thiest dont really have an issue with your lack of faith. Its more that its part of there religion to spread their faith. Therefore, they approach people (atheists) and talk with them about their faith and how they should also have faith. Some just are really aggressive and shove it down your throat while others dont do it so harshly. Depends on the person. But i hate when it get stereotyped so often. Just because one person is aggressive/disrespectful in sharing there faith somehow classifies all other people of that faith as aggressive and disrespectful. Thats the part that gets me upset.

You're right. I've done it myself. Been antagonized into defending Christianity in a very unchristian way. I have great respect for different beliefs because I have held many different beliefs, myself. There are people, on both sides of the issue, that argue with such condescension and arrogance it can be hard to stay calm. That's usually what gets to me. Because my beliefs have been all over the place, I don't understand how anyone can be so dismissive and condescending about the question. It isn't simple and it isn't clear. People who want to act like it is have to either be very ignorant or intentionally antagonistic. That gets to me sometimes.

If only more Christians were like Christ...

Ooh, I'll have to remember that one.