For atheists/agnostics: who is better?

[Winner]

For me personally, the Catholics were always a synonym of fundamentalism, probably because I was raised in half-catholic family.

Until recently, I thought the protestants are better (you know, enemy of my enemy is my friend ), but now I am changing my opinion. I've seen some documents, read some books and posts here on CFC and I am starting to think, that the Catholics I know are in fact very liberal, compared with some (mainly US) protestants.

The question is, for you as an atheist/agnostic, which of these two christian groups is more acceptable? (aside from the orthodox and other christians)

 

[Grisu]

I really can't answer in this poll. I have no problem with either group. What I have a problem with is extremists of all kinds (this includes extreme atheists).

 

[RoddyVR]

i dont know the difference between the two, so both are the same as far as i'm concerned.
my dad is orthodox russian christian (whatever the russian verstion of christianity is called), but even in that religeon i'm starting to see the same crap in that drove me to repulsion when studying eropean history.

i see all organized religeon as basicaly evil (in whatever meaning you assign the word, including "anti-god").
i dont know enough about the eastern religeons (hinduism, islam and all that) but i suspect they're just as bad as the major christian churches.
power hungry, corrupted, greedy, hypocritical corporations who use the idea of a god to get sheep to give them money and power.

i have nothing against the christians/catholics themselves though, its the organization(s) that bugs me.

 

[Moss]

All people are different and have different beliefs...to group them together is like asking which is better, a Minnesotan or a Californian?

I have not met two Catholics who share the same exact beliefs, and I have not met two Protestants who share the same beliefs...

 

[SonicX]

They all ain't bad, even though I'm atheist.
Catholicism is just a conservative way of life, if people feel happy with that, let them have their way of life. I must say I kind of admire the level of organization in the catholic church though ... if only Islam had that, many misinterpretations and extremists might not have had a chance.
Protestantism lacks that, but makes up for it by having been the starting force behind capitalism.

 

[Aphex_Twin]

Protestants are not a homogenous group. Practically, they are composed of all the various denominations that have split from Catholicism. You will find Young-Earthians, Unitarians, Quakers along with Baptists and the likes - too diverse and too far-ranging to judge. Catholics are fine enough if they don't follow the word of the Vatican as sacrosant (i.e. like the backwards ideas of conception and contraceptives).

I am only annoyed when they (true for all religions) try to dictate the way I lead my life.

 

[blindside]

Catholics are better because they don't have as much power anymore.

 

[SonicX]

Catholics are fine enough if they don't follow the word of the Vatican as sacrosant (i.e. like the backwards ideas of conception and contraceptives)

Even though I disagree with those ideas as well, it's wrong to just label them as backwards. The Vatican today is actually not so bad ... it is ofcourse religious, which implies conservative and traditional values, but at least it is peaceful and above all, clear.

 

[farting bob]

I have no problem with either group, too me they are both the same. Catholics are more likely to be vocal about it than protestants, or at least where i live, most of the load-and-proud christians are catholic. So if forced, i would say protestants are less unbareable to me.

 

[Aphex_Twin]

Even though I disagree with those ideas as well, it's wrong to just label them as backwards. The Vatican today is actually not so bad ... it is ofcourse religious, which implies conservative and traditional values, but at least it is peaceful and above all, clear.

I call 'em like I see 'em

 

[Godwynn]

I was raised Catholic, and my family is Catholic, so I am biased.

 

[Winner]

Protestants are not a homogenous group. Practically, they are composed of all the various denominations that have split from Catholicism. You will find Young-Earthians, Unitarians, Quakers along with Baptists and the likes - too diverse and too far-ranging to judge. Catholics are fine enough if they don't follow the word of the Vatican as sacrosant (i.e. like the backwards ideas of conception and contraceptives).

I am only annoyed when they (true for all religions) try to dictate the way I lead my life.

Well, maybe the fact the Catholics are "organized" is in fact an advantage. Of course there are more and less fundamentalist groups among the Catholic church, but they all listen to the Pope.

 

[A'AbarachAmadan]

I have to say neither because there is such diversity among the protestant groups they can't be so simply compared. One protestant group that says alcohol consumption is wrong in any form and another recognizing gay love as legitimate. Big swings.

 

[Dida]

as a whole, catholics are better, there are less nutcases among them.

 

[Aphex_Twin]

as a whole, catholics are better, there are less nutcases among them.

A certain number of altar boys might disagree

Enforced celibacy among priests must not do wonders for mental health, but on average I think nuts are equally distribuited across the board...

 

[Masquerouge]

Catholic cons :
The Pope. Arrargh, get rid of him
The conservatism. Dropping latin in mass was a good thing, however I've heard priests can still not marry. That's stupid, Jesus never said anything about that.

Protestant cons :
So, Jesus said it's really hard for a rich person to enter Heaven, never talked about homosexuality or abortion, these are even not some of the seven major sins like gluttony, and yet apparently Protestantism is nothing but rich fat pro-life people fighting gay rights ???

Catholic and Protestant pros :
When they are liberal and not fundamentalists, they're quite allright

 

[King Alexander]

The question is, for you as an atheist/agnostic, which of these two christian groups is more acceptable? (aside from the orthodox and other christians)

More acceptable is none for me, as they're both religious! I would say, however, that as long as the people aren't fundamnetalists, I have no problem with them.

 

[Yom]

Probably Catholics. Protestants tend to be more fundamentalist. Plus, the Catholic church has at least accepted evolution. The only thing that makes me hesitate is all the molestations (which is a result of mandatory celibacy for Catholic Priests), but if you ignore that, then there's no question for me.

 

[amadeus]

All people are different and have different beliefs...to group them together is like asking which is better, a Minnesotan or a Californian?

The answer to that question should be quite obvious.

 

[BloodyPepperoni]

I am more appealed by Catholic values (but then again I was raised as a Catholic) : removing third world debt, fighting the inhuman, barbaric, un-christian practice of death penalty, acceptation of Evolution, staunch opposition to the pillaging of Iraq and so on.