Atheists: u mad, bro?

[SigurdReginson]

I'd be curious to know how many folks left their cultural religions before trying other religions or other kinds of theism. I notice a lot of former atheists from Christian countries become Dharmics.

Start a thread.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

What a ridiculous list of options. You forgot that not everybody "left," but were never "there." You also forgot that anger might have no part to play at all -- for example, ridicule at childish and unsubstantiated beliefs may be much more important.

A poll trying to establish ten strawmen at one time -- that must be a new record.

 

[Valjean]

Not mad. Never mad. No breakup with religion. My attitude toward God: meh... -- pretty much the same a my attitude toward unicorns. If one shows up, cool, till then I rarely give them a thought. They only come up on RF.

The poll's a presumptuous list of strawmen that applies to only a small percentage of atheists.

 

[NewGuyOnTheBlock]

This poll is a loaded with horse manure. There are no answers from which I can choose that does not include "anger"; so any answer given fits the presupposition that apostates are apostates because of anger.

I refuse to cast a vote in a poll rife with loaded language where the only available options fit preconceived notions.

For me, it was more of an issue of disappointment and confusion; in short, the promises given were not kept. I took to more reserved denominations until I discovered utter lies and nonsense taught in the bible. That started my journey towards atheism and ultimately, Materialism and Secular Humanism. I was quite entrenched and indoctrinated in the dogma; thus my deconversion was taken in steps. Face it: Abandoning the belief that you rest in the palm of the hand of an omnipotent deity and that you are the apple of that deity's eye is a heck of a lot to leave behind you So my deconversion consisted of aligning myself with less fanatical doctrines, then to deism, then to more philosophical religions such as Taoism and Buddhism, so on and so forth, until Oct 2012 when I sat back and decided that I finally and firmly believed in nothing beyond the natural. The shock that a perfect, loving god would not keep its promises was what started it; but there were many steps along the way. For a time, I was angry at the religious establishment that taught me false beliefs and utter lies, but in time, that anger subsided to pity: those who taught me to believe are as deceived a I once was. So there you have it: If you want to insist that we all leave because of anger, then so be it. I can't change your mind. But that is not my reasons; and one's belief of what my reasons are has no bearing on what my reasons were; only what one believes my reasons were.

 

[NewGuyOnTheBlock]

 

[Marcion]

As a universalist (former atheist), I'm still strongly opposed to the dogma, the intolerance, xenophobia, rigidness and conservatism of orthodox religious folk of whatever persuasion.
Not mad at them though they just give me indigestion.

 

[firedragon]

Atheist only poll, but everyone can partake in the discussion.

A lot of theists have ideas on why atheists leave their religions, but I don't often see them actually talking to atheists about their reasoning. Anger or rebellion tend to be a presumed, I've noticed. Is it true, though?

Here we can discuss our own personal reason, and how much of that was influenced by anger. The questions are in regard to, firstly, if anger was an initial motive, and secondly, if you are still angry. Mark all that apply!

I ran out of room to add more options (or at least, it no longer gives me the option to edit them), so if none of these apply to you, please describe your own experiences with anger vs. your previous religion. Thanks!

basically you have decided that every single reason for one to become an atheist leaving a theology is "anger".

Thats not how you do a study. First you should typically have a discussion with a few atheists and ask them what their reasons were. Then based on what you find in that discussion, you should develop a questionnaire. Thats what you should post and ask the necessary questions from that hypothesis.

Not all atheists are angry. In fact, if you speak to some of the most educated atheists, they have very sophisticated answers. So I believe this is unfair actually.

 

[Mock Turtle]

I would have answered Other too, as in never feeling any particular anger towards Christianity (my parents' apparent religious belief - at least my mother's, not sure about my father) or towards any other religion or towards any supposed God(s). Still feel the same way, such that feelings just don't make it on to the list of reasons as to why I tip one way or the other. It's mostly down to probabilities for me, as to all such being arrived at through human means (the religious beliefs and any perceived God(s)) and without the intervention of any non-humans - well such makes sense to me at least, even if I know it will not do so for so many others.

There are no doubt good reasons to be angry at various religions - even a cursory glance at history will show such - but when compared with much else (power structures, greed, and insecurity, for example) that did likewise, I'd put it down to mainly human fallibilities. I'm sure I dislike many beliefs more than some others but anger or hate aren't what I feel.

Never was truly absorbed into any faith (knowingly, that is) so consequently never left any.

 

[joelr]

Was never angry? As a child I was like "wow I'm lucky to be in the one correct religion unlike those others". Then I grew up and realized they were just cultural stories, lessons and parables using fictional characters.
Why is every choice an angry choice?

 

[HonestJoe]

A lot of theists have ideas on why atheists leave their religions, but I don't often see them actually talking to atheists about their reasoning.

Atheism doesn't mean "Having left a religion" it just means "Not believing in gods". People can leave a religion without becoming atheists and people can be atheist and join or remain in a religion (even a theistic one - humans are irrational creatures).

I'd argue that a shift in personal beliefs from theism to atheism is unlikely to be a singular sudden trigger for someone leaving a religion and for those who do move in that direction, it is generally a much slower and analogue process.

I have an issue with questions like this because it makes false assumptions of what atheism means and only serve to feed those assumptions. I think this is really two separate questions - "Why do people leave religions?" and "Why to people become atheists?" - and I don't think they should be merged together.

 

[Clara Tea]

In a court of law, this is called "leading the witness." It means that you are making someone say something that isn't true because that is the only response that you allowed.

For example: "Do you beat your wife only on Sundays?" If yes, you beat your wife. If no, you beat your wife.

You have assumed that anger motivates atheists.

Does anger motivate you not to believe in leprechauns?

 

[Samael_Khan]

Atheist only poll, but everyone can partake in the discussion.

A lot of theists have ideas on why atheists leave their religions, but I don't often see them actually talking to atheists about their reasoning. Anger or rebellion tend to be a presumed, I've noticed. Is it true, though?

Here we can discuss our own personal reason, and how much of that was influenced by anger. The questions are in regard to, firstly, if anger was an initial motive, and secondly, if you are still angry. Mark all that apply!

I ran out of room to add more options (or at least, it no longer gives me the option to edit them), so if none of these apply to you, please describe your own experiences with anger vs. your previous religion. Thanks!

So anger wasn't my initial reason for leaving, as it was the result of finding out facts and disagreeing with scriptural interpretation, but it did make me angry because of the dogma and establishment of the religion I left.

 

[Samael_Khan]

I am not an Atheist. So, I did not answer the poll

I am also curious what causes anger, if there is anger in people (in this context; being in a religious environment)

Because once you know what causes the anger then you can do something about it

For me the anger was towards my wilful ignorance, thus wasting my life for a group, and the fact that the group is out there messing with people's lives.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

Atheist only poll,

Every single one of your options is loaded with the false premise that as an atheist, one MUST be angry.
I shouldn't have to explain why that is dishonest.

So I can't vote in the poll, because none of the options accurately describe my position.
Instead, I'll just leave my answer here:

- no I'm not angry. I also never had to leave a religion, because I never entered one in the first place

A lot of theists have ideas on why atheists leave their religions, but I don't often see them actually talking to atheists about their reasoning. Anger or rebellion tend to be a presumed, I've noticed. Is it true, though?

Seeing as your poll options ALL assume that "anger or rebellion" was part of it, it seems you are (wrongly) assuming that it is.

Here we can discuss our own personal reason, and how much of that was influenced by anger. The questions are in regard to, firstly, if anger was an initial motive, and secondly, if you are still angry. Mark all that apply!

I ran out of room to add more options (or at least, it no longer gives me the option to edit them), so if none of these apply to you, please describe your own experiences with anger vs. your previous religion. Thanks!

It was too hard to remove one of the many loaded options and just add an extra option "no anger, there were other reasons"?

 

[SigurdReginson]

Hmmm... I was expecting a low amount of participation in the poll, and not really a lot of useful information at all (especially since I accidentally hit post before it was done and couldn't edit the poll itself after the fact), but the comments themselves have been very interesting!

The premise is definitely bogus. I was going to repost a thread with a similarly bogus premise, but with a slightly more useful poll, but i think I got the answers I needed. Thanks to everyone who took the time to offer their insight!

Edit: it's no surprise that no one marked "angry at god" as the answer for becoming atheists. Maybe I'll make a thread later about that, because what does it even mean to be "angry at god?" Seems like another phrase laden in assumption.

 

[SigurdReginson]

Every single one of your options is loaded with the false premise that as an atheist, one MUST be angry.
I shouldn't have to explain why that is dishonest.

So I can't vote in the poll, because none of the options accurately describe my position.
Instead, I'll just leave my answer here:

- no I'm not angry. I also never had to leave a religion, because I never entered one in the first place




Seeing as your poll options ALL assume that "anger or rebellion" was part of it, it seems you are (wrongly) assuming that it is.



It was too hard to remove one of the many loaded options and just add an extra option "no anger, there were other reasons"?

Unfortunately, I accidentally submitted my thread before it was ready, and I'm assuming after someone votes you are unable to edit it, because I was unable to edit it after that point.

As for the premise itself... It is pretty dumb. Interesting to see how folks have addressed such a poorly constructed straw man, and what people's answers tend to be vs. that straw man.

 

[viole]

Atheist only poll, but everyone can partake in the discussion.

A lot of theists have ideas on why atheists leave their religions, but I don't often see them actually talking to atheists about their reasoning. Anger or rebellion tend to be a presumed, I've noticed. Is it true, though?

Here we can discuss our own personal reason, and how much of that was influenced by anger. The questions are in regard to, firstly, if anger was an initial motive, and secondly, if you are still angry. Mark all that apply!

I ran out of room to add more options (or at least, it no longer gives me the option to edit them), so if none of these apply to you, please describe your own experiences with anger vs. your previous religion. Thanks!

In my case it was no anger at all. Obviously. It would be irrational to be angry at a God among whose qualities is to guarantee long term perfect justice. Or to be angry at an imaginary being. In either cases, anger would be irrational.

I just realized that the logical warrant I had to believe in the God of the Bible was the same to believe in the Blue Faity, or Mother Goose.

since I consider belief in the latter rather silly, I had no reason to consider the former more sensible, since they are logically and evidentially equivalent.

The obvious conclusion followed immediately. Without the slightest emotion.

ciao

- viole

 

[stvdv]

For me the anger was towards my wilful ignorance, thus wasting my life for a group

For me anger develops when I keep contact with people who disrespect (belittle, disparage) me/others, thereby disrespecting myself (go against my conscience/truth).

I learned this in a Baptist Church, in which all Christians behave this way. Valuable lesson, though it took me quite long to learn. Even knowing it in my mind, it took a few extra years to really feel it, and act on it

But I finally "got it", freed from such unhealthy company

and the fact that the group is out there messing with people's lives

Exactly, they mess with people's lives, their feelings, and trample their soul, beliefs = total lack of respect
@stvdvRF

 

[SalixIncendium]

Atheist only poll, but everyone can partake in the discussion.

A lot of theists have ideas on why atheists leave their religions, but I don't often see them actually talking to atheists about their reasoning. Anger or rebellion tend to be a presumed, I've noticed. Is it true, though?

Here we can discuss our own personal reason, and how much of that was influenced by anger. The questions are in regard to, firstly, if anger was an initial motive, and secondly, if you are still angry. Mark all that apply!

I ran out of room to add more options (or at least, it no longer gives me the option to edit them), so if none of these apply to you, please describe your own experiences with anger vs. your previous religion. Thanks!

I didn't vote in the poll because I don't identify as atheist, but when I left theism, there was no anger. I left because I simply had a different worldview.

 

[stvdv]

especially since I accidentally hit post before it was done and couldn't edit the poll itself after the fact

That happened to me also a few times

I do think, that it is always possible (within 24h) to add another item to the poll (I have to try it out once more). The moment someone answers the poll, you can't change that poll-item anymore (maybe none of the poll-items). And after 3 years I discovered that it's even possible to change the title of a new thread (or they added this option not so long ago)