All important points have been made by other people here. Let me adopt a different approach:

1. "I would like to know what you guys think about people like myself who believe in Jesus Christ" is a non-question. "People who believe in Jesus Christ" defines, for us, nothing else than a person whose life is predominantly guided by fiction, which is not a morally bad thing. I don't think any of us can have an opinion about you. But "people like you" is too general. My grandmother, whom I loved dearly, was a catholic woman and also a musical genius, an extremely strong woman and, well, my grandma. If she asked what I though of her (and she wouldn't...), I'd say she was amazing. Not for believing any fictional character, but despite this fact. I didn't love her more or less for believing something that doesn't exist. You do understand that your question can't be answered, right? Logically.

2. " I would like to know why some Athiests seem to hate followers of Jesus". That is another illogical question. If you would like to know why "some" representatives of a certain group behave in this or that manner, but you don't describe what defines this sub-group, there is no way to answer the question. It doesn't qualify as a question. Who are "some"? Which "some"? Until you define this, we can't help you.

Well if christians would actually follow "the word" and quit forcing their beliefs on everyone else maybe I would respect them, but they don't so I don't.
Maybe if they applied the same type of scrutiny that they apply to science to their own belief I might take them seriously.
Maybe if they didn't teach hate and spew hate against people just because of those people's sexual orientation, their gender, their race, their nationality, their language, their nationality and or country of origin, their chosen belief or non-belief, I might be more forgiving to them.
Maybe if they were not such hypocrites I might care about them.
If they wouldn't deny science and profess pseudo-science, deny history and replace it with revisionist history, I might consider what they talk about.
If they didn't brainwash children instead of teaching critical thinking and free thought I might even learn to like a few.
Maybe if they would get the hell out of MY government, out of politics, out of schools, out of the courts, I might think about it.
But alas, that is NOT the case.

I very much think this is a wind up from you. "Asking for it..." - well, doesn't really set the tone for a reasoned debate, and does seem at odds with your professed Christianity.

Hi there,

I don't hate or even ridicule Christians for they're 'personal' beliefs. I have quite a few Christian friends who are really awesome. The only time I would ridicule a religious person is if they thought their religion gave them licence to dictate what I can and can't do. Perhaps the most well known instance of this is Christian opposition to the legalization of gay marriage. Christians are free to not marry the same sex but they don't have the right to deny that benefit to same sex couples. Especially when there's a secular government (like in the US). I'm not gay btw.

The main reason that I disagree with and admittedly sometimes mock your beliefs (not you) is because they are so inconsistent and honestly ridiculous. If you believe that the Bible is the word of God then shouldn't you believe everything in it? I can almost guarantee you don't because if you did, then you wouldnt be allowed to wear clothes made of two different fabrics (Deuteronomy 22:11). If you read Deuteronomy 22:21, what it says is that if a woman has sex out of wedlock, she has to be stoned to death. Deuteronomy 22:25-29 condones rape and brideprice. I could go on for a while.

If you actually believe these things, then I would recommend you get your head checked. If you don't (and I don't think you do) then you either believe that not everything in the Bible is true, or you believe that God can command an immoral thing. In either case, Christianity falls.

You have asked a broad question that has answers as diverse as the people who believe. Broadly speaking, however, I feel that people who believe in Jesus or any religious figure to be irrational on that subject. When honest research is conducted there are no facts that support any of the stories of Christ as told in four differing gospels. The earliest of these books is widely accepted to have been written at least 50-60 years after his purported death by no one who was actually there. There is simply no evidence of him as described. Was there an itinerant Jewish teacher who got crucified by the Romans? Probably. Did he raise the dead and perform miracles? No. He is the basis of the myth, not the substance. Let me put it this way. If I told you there was an invisible leprechaun living under a toadstool in my back yard and he would grant wishes if you asked him just right, you'd demand some kind of evidence. Some fact that would unambiguously support my position would be required before you even considered the possibility I was telling the truth, and I would expect that. Why don't you have the same level of critical thought when it comes to God or Jesus?

I don't hate the followers of religion, I hate religion for what is does to it's followers.

I think "follower of Jesus" is disingenuous language. It's a way of disassociating from Christians in general and their regressive effect on society. What it usually seems to mean is someone who wants to live by the example of a sanitised version of a possibly mythical "messiah" while ignoring the morally repugnant morality he actually represents.

A lot of atheists "hate" christians because they tend to be very judgemental and try to shove their beliefs doen our throats. Most athiests don't care what you believe as long as it doesn't hurt anyone and you keep it to yourself, which isn't the case for most christians. Note that I keep saying most because there are perfectly nice christians who just love god and don't hurt others and there are asshole atheists who make fun if christians. They like to mock your beliefs because it makes them feel intellectually superior when in reality they are just being bullies, but fortunately they are the minority of atheists.

I think that you are wrong. I think that you have no proof and no good evidence that god or gods exist. Do you --- do you have proof that your beliefs are true? Care to share that proof?

Beliefs, just like ideas, aren't real. They're abstract and they don't get hurt. Just like republicans make fun of democratic ideas, you make fun of flat-earthers or scientologists, it's fine as long as you're targeting the idea or belief rather than the person holding them. But why everyone except religious people accepts criticism of their beliefs ? I don't know the answer... Maybe because they feel insecure about them.

Well, I'll start by saying that the very idea of god offends me. I cannot concieve the idea of a omnipotent, omniscient god who instead of creating a place where there is no suffering, creates a place where almost every f*cking living thing has to feed on something alive or that was alive (even plants do that), when there are so many sources of energy in the Universe. My English is not perfect, so I'll use a fragment I have found on internet, of someone who is thinking in the same manner:
,,How demented is a being who creates a planet of living things who must survive by ripping other living things out of the ground, snatching them out of the sky, or hunting them and ripping the living flesh from their bones? With so many forms of energy available, what kind of sick mind creates a planet full of things dependent on metabolic energy? I can accept the existence of a food chain in evolution, but if you say that your God created this planet and all it's living things, then your god is a horrible, sinister, evil being who is watching every one of its children rip apart another just to survive. That God is not for me.
Chad Pearson"
So... the omnipotent, omniscient god could have done things in ANY way, but chosed this way. Hypothetical speaking, let's say that Adam and Eve have existed and made the mistake with the damn apple. Why were condemned all other lifeforms to eat each other, from the microscopical size to the large animals? Where's the logic in this? What is this to me? A god of blood, which I cannot accept.
There were very few times when Christians didn't made me feel awkward. Most of them, most of the time are illogical, try to force their beliefs and fears on others. Compared to atheists, religious people are more inclined to run from responsabilities derived from their actions. What I cannot stand when it comes about religious people is this... thing of doing wrong to someone, but asking forgiveness from god, more than that, getting an easy conscience with the idea of "talking to god" or a priest. I've never accepted the mechanics of this, because there's nothing to be accepted, it's a sick thing to do. If you hurt someone, go repair the damage you have done, don't ask for forgiveness in other place.
Believe something without evidence? Illogical, again.
The idea of baptizing an infant without his consent is disgusting, as he cannot choose/speak for himself. What Christians do? Force the child into that religion, force beliefs and fears on his throat, making sure the Church will have followers who will get caught in the web of the illogical traditions and will contribute to the wealth of it. Start injecting them with the idea of sin from the earlieast years of their lives, create the response of guilt, ask them to follow the traditions, grow weak, fearful people. Christians not only make their kids follow the religious traditions, they raised these traditions on a pedestal, giving people the fake ideas of worth,
A good example is the swearing with a hand on the bible. Yet, we see so many people who violate their own oaths, religious figures included (religious figures who raped kids, for example).
One thing religion does is to make the believer not use his brain. Once you start growing, as person, once you start asking questions and find answers, you also find that you don't need a god. All you need is to find your own way without hurting people around you.
Because things are that simple. Religious people are nothing but obedient fearful donors who live in hypocrisy, contradiction, with a shadow of a hope in a heavenly world... and the main thing they do is to donate money to the Church, buy religious stuff, make pilgrimages and kiss old bones.
Why do something, anything? Let's pray to god, he will provide everything you need. Right? That's another absurdity, considering your god is a omnipotent, omniscient being. So if your god have a plan for you, he, who made ALL things in this Universe (from the tiniest "creature" to whales), YOU try to change his mind by praying? Derail his paths? Haha... Excuse my laugh, but how dare you?
Many people think that religion = morals. Well, that's very wrong. To be a decent person doesn't require religion. It requires empathy and communication, education. Not religion.
More than that, when you say about yourself "I'm a Christian", you put yourself into the same awful pit with those who killed, tortured, stealed and forced their christian beliefs on others. You have undeniable evidence all around the world, can't miss that.

Christian religions came in an era when people were under bloody gods that demanded human sacrifices. Accepting Jesus was nothing but a comfortable thing to do.
I'll try to finish this. Gods and religions are made by man for weak minded grown ups and defensless children. A strong man/woman needs no god and no religion to have a direction in life.
Q: Considering this, what is god (any god), Jesus, religion?
A: Things for immature and irresponsible people.

If a person chooses a delusion that makes them feel happy and connected to something grand, and as long as it's not stepping on my toes, then I don't really care.

For example, my mother is a Christian (Pentecostal). I could debate with her and easily smash her faith, but in doing so I would essentially be smashing her identity. She would have to question everything and at her age, I'd rather protect her mind from the uncertainty she would have to then experience. What's the harm in letting her go on with what she believes if she's not hurting anyone?

As far as any kind of mockery, well, yes. I have a sense of humor and it's pretty difficult (if you're a rational person) to not find humor in some of the ridiculous things that Christians (and those of any other religions) believe.

To answer your original question - I feel a bit sorry for people who believe in jesus christ - I was raised a christian (Roman Catholic) and know the comfort it can bring when you believe. Indeed, growing up it wasn't a question of belief. I literally thought the stories of jesus I grew up with were all true, that god is in his heaven and that all's right with the world.

But all is not right with the world. And you grow up and you gradually realise it is actually not true at all. Christian priests sexually abuse young children in their care and their activities are covered up by their church. Supposedly christian nations let their own poor suffer, starve and die. Fundamentalist christians perform atrocities - murdering and committing acts of terror in the name of god - christian terrorists are every bit as bad as ISIS and every bit as active today.

So you question your religion and what do you find? You find the answer to the question "why is Jesus life only taught in Religious Ed class and not history?". Because there is no historical basis for the biblical Jesus. Outside of the new testament there are no records of the life of this person despite his monumental standing in christian history. None. The oft quoted Josephus who's histories seem to confirm that there was indeed a miracle worker named Jesus was itself not written until 90AD - 60 years after the death of christ, and his testimony is clearly hearsay - he does not claim to have seen Jesus nor any of his miracles first hand.

The gospels themselves were not written until at least 30 - 60 years after his alleged death and there is no strong evidence that any were written by Jesus' actual followers. The narratives are absolutely not first person narratives (apart from a few odd passages), and the four texts are clearly contradictory, and also quite clear examples of syncretism - amalgamating bits and pieces from earlier legendary figures like Horus, Mithras, Dionysus and others. If such a man genuinely lived and performed actual miracles of the number and type described there is no question that there would have been earlier records, and records corroborated in other historical documents in the region. The gospels are clearly mythic in nature and absolutely not to be taken as historical.

Then you take a closer look at the history of the christian church - and you see that christianity served a vital purpose as their empire spread - by syncretising older pagan myths under the banner of their new "universal roman" church (universal = catholic) there remained enough for the lay people that was familiar in order for them to accept the new religion without putting up a fight. The lessons of christianity? The meek will inherit the earth (after they die), turn the other cheek, It solved a major problem for the romans in helping control the local populace of the regions they conquered.

Now you look at the catholic church - the richest organisation in the world with enough money to end hunger globally - and they hoard wealth, trading on the stock markets like any corporation, making billions while millions starve. Of course - the catholic church has had it's ups and downs and many argue that the protestant reformation fixed all that but it's not hard to find cases of hypocrisy and corruption within other christian sects.

So you gradually realise you've been lied to your entire life, that you've been raised within a religion rife with hypocrisy, lies and corruption, built on ancient myths and passed off as historical fact.

Next you might ask the question - if my religion is false - maybe another one is true? Other religions have completely different conceptions of god, some religions no god at all (Buddhism). When you look at the major religions they are all very different - apart from of course those that are off-shoots of others like christianity and islam which are offshoots of judaism, and buddhism which bothers from hinduism. When you dig deeper and look at historical gods there are literally thousands, and all of them can be traced to the cultural roots of the tribe they originated from. They are as different as the culture they appeared from. Most other religions do not rely on the historical existence of their god or even the reliability of their scriptures which are often changed over time to suit the growth of their civilisation. That actually helps a lot as it allows their myths to grow with them rather than being shackled to truths relevant only in the ancient past. So in many ways christianity and judaism and islam are the worst of the religions. Their reliance on the reliability and historicity of their scriptures makes them ridiculously easy to disprove in light of our growing understanding of the world, and at the same time locks them into the past and renders them incapable of growing and changing unless they begin to "reinterpret" their ancient scriptures.

Ultimately - when you go on a journey looking for actual evidence that god or gods ever existed it is nowhere to be seen. Literally nowhere. In tens of thousands of years of searching, across many thousands of gods - not a single shred of proof. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

Then when you start to share what you've learned you hear all the mental gymnastics believers have to go through in order to kid themselves that their beliefs are true. I've had hundreds of conversations with theists of all kinds over the years and never heard a single argument that made any sense at all.

Ultimately people believe because they've been told to by people they trust, because it's the cultural norm, because it's comforting to believe. The fear that this is a godless universe which is fundamentally hostile to life and that our existence is incredibly precarious and temporary seems just too much to bear. Sadly, those raised theists just don't develop the same coping mechanisms that those raised as non believers do and so removing this "crutch" that they've been raised with instills a panic into them. But ultimately - comforting or not - it is a lie. And just like the lie about santa claus we have to grow up and accept that there isn't a man with a white beard in the clouds who will give us what we wish for. Or not. Of course remaining in that comforting lie is always an option.

I've compressed about 30 years worth of genuine exploration, reading, debating into a very small space but that sums up a lot of the key points of my personal journey.

So as I say - I feel mostly sorry for believers. It's pretty awful to be indoctrinated into a cult and lied to your whole life, and the fact that you've been lied to by the people you love and trust the most is a bitter pill to swallow. Of course they were all lied to as well, so I totally get the mental gymnastics I see many believers go through in order to keep the faith.

I have myself been a mocker of the afflicted - I mean the faithful. I was very angry at my faith and angry at those who still retained it, so many years ago I would take any opportunity to pick a fight (just arguing - not physically) with believers, I'd even join theist forums like this one and get into heated debates, to the point where I was banned. I'm not proud of it, but I've been there, done that, learned my lessons. If I'm honest a lot of that was anger that those people were still "safe" in that comforting blanket of lies and I wanted to drag them screaming out into the cold light of truth whether they liked it or not.

I'm much more at peace with my atheism having found new "comforting blankets" if you like. I recognise my mortality but I know that the human race will live on. That I am here because over literally millions of years my personal ancestors successfully survived despite everything this planet had to throw at it. My ancestors survived meteor strikes and tsunamis, earthquakes and hurricanes, and my genes made it here to me. And through evolution somehow I am here and can contemplate that fact. And I know that even though I won't survive my death, it will be no more painful than the billions of years that preceded my birth in which I was just nothing - or bits of stardust - waiting to be born. I will not survive but my genes will live on through members of my family.

Of course in the worst case - even if Trump manages to blow us all up, we are all one big family here. We all evolved from the same primordial soup so if humanity selects itself out of existence there will be a distant cousin who is better suited to the new world. Short of a catastrophic event that wipes all life on this planet on, life will go on.

It's a pretty amazing universe we live in - and we are lucky to be here and have the intelligence to contemplate it. But having seen both sides I feel very strongly that it's much better to contemplate it all free from unhelpful lies. I look back on myself and feel my childhood was in part stolen from me. That I missed out on having an authentic childhood and from learning to appreciate life fully. And for me every child raised in those religious lies is missing an opportunity for a fully authentic experience of life.

So I do still resent those who wish to hold us back from what is unquestionably our purpose - to evolve. To grow and change. Not to stay the same. Not to hark back to how things were 2,000 years ago. We are lucky to have the intelligence to learn from our mistakes but still we have the same groups of people intent on repeating them again and again, refusing to learn. The times when we were disparate disconnected tribes are gone. Technology has forever changed that. Borders mean literally nothing when you can fly above them. The only real borders now are the ones we have in our minds. "Us and them". "Good and evil". "Black and white. "Gay and straight". "Capitalist and communist". We are prisoners of our own thinking and nothing more.

And of course, on a daily basis, religion interferes with all of our lives. From the morons who flew two planes into the World Trade Centre, resulting in the death of my cousin who was a NYC firefighter to president Trump in the US and Theresa May here in the UK talking about their religious convictions while literally driving us towards a precipice from which there may be no return. We all have to deal with the consequence of their small minded prejudices, which stem from those beliefs.

For me personally religion is quite literally one of the largest evils in the world today - every religion - even the "harmless ones" like jainism and buddhism. So if you wonder why non believers might be angry at you and your beliefs, might mock you or even hate you, perhaps my story might help give you another perspective.