Why do Atheists ........

[Clairwil]

What do Atheists believe?

Nothing.

Everyone believes in something.  What do Atheists believe in?

Actually, some people do try to avoid having beliefs of any sort.  Such people are called "rationalists" or "skeptics".  Holding a "belief", in this sense of the word, means "attributing more certainty to a statement than you can justify using objective evidence".  Skeptics tend not to hold beliefs in UFOs, ghosts, Elvis sightings, and many other things.

But you're right.  Not all atheists are skeptics about everything.  What the group of people referred to as "atheists" have in common is that they don't hold a belief in existence of supernatural deities.

Why is there even a name for that?

Because theologans came up with one.  If academics started studying Elvis sightings, one of them would probably come up with a specific name for people who didn't hold a belief in Elvis still being alive.

So, Atheists believe that the God doesn't exist? (EDITED)

Well, some do believe that, it seems.  But the more philosophically inclined don't because that would also be a belief.  There is no absolute objective proof that a supernatural deity of some form doesn't exist, just as there is no conclusive proof that nowhere in the Universe does there exist a thousand mile high statue of Mickey Mouse - nobody has searched every planet around every star to check for the absence of such a statue so, until they have, there is always a very very small remote possibility.

Does that mean Atheists are the same as Agnostics?

Technically an Agnostic might think there is some evidence suggesting the existence of a supernatural deity, just not be 100% convinced.  Though in practice, many think it is unknowable.  It is quite possible to be both atheist and agnostic, and some use the phrase "toothy-fairy agnostic" to indicate which end of the agnostic spectrum they are.

But what is the point of life, if you don't believe in God?

Religion is not the only source of morality or purpose.  Philosophers have advocated various ideas on how one should live, ever since Plato and the Ancient Greeks.  Without one authorative source telling you what to do, you have to make up your own mind about which sources make sense, just like in the rest of life.  That doesn't mean the truth is not out there and everything is relative - in fact there is a lot of agreement over basic morality.

Atheists think religion is useless, then?

Not necessarily.  Not all religions or branches within a religion require a belief in supernatural deities.  Some Atheists identify as being Secular Humanists, Unitarians or certain types of Buddhist, for example; and go along to meetings of their religion as a practical way to organise communal effort to do good in the world.

But if Atheists are not against religion, why do all Atheists attack religion?

They don't.  Some Atheists support particular (non theistic) religions, and most don't care one way or the other about their neighbour's religious beliefs.  It is just that you're more likely to notice the few who do.

Ok, but why do some Atheists attack believers?

They don't.  When was the last time you read about an Atheist strapping explosives to their chest, stepping into a Church, and shouting "Die in the name of Atheism" ?  Physical attacks are incredibly rare, and it is important to distinguish between physically attacking someone, and just mocking or disagreeing with their views verbally.  It is important to make this distinction because it is NOT rare for believers to commit acts of violence in the name of their religion.  Such acts fill the newspapers every day, and it is unfair to tar Atheists with that brush.

*sigh* Why do some Atheists verbally attack the religious beliefs of some believers?  We don't do any harm.  Why won't they just leave us alone? 

Of the small number of Atheists who do care about the issue enough to question the beliefs of others, different Atheists have different approaches and reasons.

Some Atheists used to be believers, before they wised up.  They have the zeal of the convert, and are convinced that their previous faith was manipulative and harmful to those who supported it.  They are out to free their bretheren from the chains of oppression, and see the pain of having a belief questioned as something the victims need to go through for their own good, like foul tasting medicine.  (Most commonly seen in ex-Catholics, ex-Fundamentalists and ex-Scientologists.)

Some Atheists see supernatural Religion, as a whole, as being one of humanity's biggest mis-steps.  They perceive the net effect of supernatural belief as having had a harmful effect upon history and society.  They don't deny that some good comes out of it, but when they look at the past and the effect of religion in other countries, they think the good is outweighed by evils like priests torturing small children in Africa because they think the children might be witches. They want to get rid of such supernatural nonsense; lock, stock and barrel.

And some Atheists oppose specific actions by specific believers or types of believer, that have caused harm to themselves or those they care about.  Examples include physical attacks by homophobes, early morning weekend door to door preaching, calling all Atheists pedophiles and satanists (of the rumoured 'eat your baby' sort), organising campaigns to alter the science curriculum in local schools, scaring children at Halloween with pamphlets threatening hellfire, and general rudeness.

Yes, but I didn't do any of that.  I don't torture children or even be rude to Atheists online so it is well out of order to question things that I hold sacred - that have as deep an emotional connection to me as my children.  Why can't Atheists just be polite?

Most of them are.  However, this is a discussion forum.  Why should your religious beliefs get a free pass, when no other sort of belief does?  If you really can't stand your beliefs being questioned, don't post here.

[Raintree]

Excellent! Thanks for posting!

[stormcris]

Not that I should but just for the sake of discussion I find the assertions completely mistaken. A person cannot live without believing. For instance if you get in a car you believe you will make it to your destination otherwise you would not get in the car. You have no proof before hand that your belief will occur yet you go anyway. If you take medicine you believe that it will help you otherwise you would not take it. So, to say that atheist have no beliefs is to say they live in a cave and never move.

[PsychMommie]

So, Atheists believe that the God doesn't exist?

No, that would also be a belief.  There is no absolute objective proof that a supernatural deity of some form doesn't exist, just as there is no conclusive proof that nowhere in the Universe does there exist a thousand mile high statue of Mickey Mouse - nobody has search every planet around every star to check for the absence of such a statue so, until they have, there is always a very very small remote possibility.

Not true I 100% believe there is no god!! I beleive a lot of things, being Atheist does not meant Not believeing it just means not believing in a diety that is a god.

Other than that I agree with most of the rest.

[PsychMommie]

Quoting stormcris:

Not that I should but just for the sake of discussion I find the assertions completely mistaken. A person cannot live without believing. For instance if you get in a car you believe you will make it to your destination otherwise you would not get in the car. You have no proof before hand that your belief will occur yet you go anyway. If you take medicine you believe that it will help you otherwise you would not take it. So, to say that atheist have no beliefs is to say they live in a cave and never move.

Um I do have proof of the car making it to the destination, such as the gas I put in it, the science behind all the mechanisms that make it move, and the fact of the multiple times it has rose to this challenge before. Just as when I owned a car that didn't always start I didn't believe it would always make it to the destination of choice so it was always a moment of hope it would start and go. The same thing with medicine they do tons of research to prove that the medicine will do what it is suppose to. Sometimes this ends up flawed but there is proof and that is why most people believe.

[stormcris]

You have no proof that you will not get a flat tire, that you will not be in accident, that multiple other things will not happen. You have no proof in the medicine as medicine acts differently per condition it is taken for and each time it is a crap shoot. Probability is not proof.

Quoting PsychMommie:

Quoting stormcris:

Not that I should but just for the sake of discussion I find the assertions completely mistaken. A person cannot live without believing. For instance if you get in a car you believe you will make it to your destination otherwise you would not get in the car. You have no proof before hand that your belief will occur yet you go anyway. If you take medicine you believe that it will help you otherwise you would not take it. So, to say that atheist have no beliefs is to say they live in a cave and never move.

Um I do have proof of the car making it to the destination, such as the gas I put in it, the science behind all the mechanisms that make it move, and the fact of the multiple times it has rose to this challenge before. Just as when I owned a car that didn't always start I didn't believe it would always make it to the destination of choice so it was always a moment of hope it would start and go. The same thing with medicine they do tons of research to prove that the medicine will do what it is suppose to. Sometimes this ends up flawed but there is proof and that is why most people believe.

[myboyzluvme]

Thanks for the info   In regards to Atheist attacking religion or Christianity,  I have often witnessed this.  However, it's with the atheists who are insecure about their beliefs and have doubt.  The ones who are secure in their beliefs in having no faith there is a God, an afterlife, etc., stand firm and do not.attack.      

[mommajen32]

Quoting myboyzluvme:

Thanks for the info   In regards to Atheist attacking religion or Christianity,  I have often witnessed this.  However, it's with the atheists who are insecure about their beliefs and have doubt.  The ones who are secure in their beliefs in having no faith there is a God, an afterlife, etc., stand firm and do not.attack.      

That is what I was thinking but couldn't bring myself to say in the other post or they may have had a really bad experience. In my mind, I'm equating it with megaphone street corner ministers. I think there are many Christians that do the same b/c they are following the motions and restricting themselves superficially, and have some angst about doing it. If you're comfortable you just do you.

[IhartU]

Quoting myboyzluvme:

Thanks for the info   In regards to Atheist attacking religion or Christianity,  I have often witnessed this.  However, it's with the atheists who are insecure about their beliefs and have doubt.  The ones who are secure in their beliefs in having no faith there is a God, an afterlife, etc., stand firm and do not.attack.      

You are absolutely wrong.  I attack religion in general because I WANT believers to see the truth as I see it. I research it, pick it apart and present facts in order to debunk it.

Everyone wants to be right and everyone wants validation, and during a debate where believers are using circular logic, excuses and borderline moronic responses that makes no sense and I cannot accept, I will get frustrated and lash out- it's not because I'm doubting myself, but because they piss me off.

 

 

[myboyzluvme]

 

Quoting IhartU:

Quoting myboyzluvme:

Thanks for the info   In regards to Atheist attacking religion or Christianity,  I have often witnessed this.  However, it's with the atheists who are insecure about their beliefs and have doubt.  The ones who are secure in their beliefs in having no faith there is a God, an afterlife, etc., stand firm and do not.attack.      

You are absolutely wrong.  I attack religion in general because I WANT believers to see the truth as I see it. I research it, pick it apart and present facts in order to debunk it.

Everyone wants to be right and everyone wants validation, and during a debate where believers are using circular logic, excuses and borderline moronic responses that makes no sense and I cannot accept, I will get frustrated and lash out- it's not because I'm doubting myself, but because they piss me off.

 

 

Really....okay, so enlighten *me*.  You want believers to see think as you do...why is this?  What do you have to gain from this?  To stand firm in what you believe, and share with others is one thing....but to get "pissed off"  simply because you think their response is "moronic" (as you put it), and "makes no sense to you",  is rather ridiculous and senseless imo.  Why get yourself all worked up over it?  I believe as I do with all my heart and soul,  but I'm not going to get pissed or upset if others don't believe the same.   Nor am I going to waste my time with people who truly do not want a response from me, but rather with intentions of attacking my beliefs due to their own insecurities.  Sorry, but that's the way I personally see it.   

[Imsupermom2]

Quoting stormcris:

Not that I should but just for the sake of discussion I find the assertions completely mistaken. A person cannot live without believing. For instance if you get in a car you believe you will make it to your destination otherwise you would not get in the car. You have no proof before hand that your belief will occur yet you go anyway. If you take medicine you believe that it will help you otherwise you would not take it. So, to say that atheist have no beliefs is to say they live in a cave and never move.

great perception--