Trying to understand disbelief

[Reverend Rick]

I believe the more I study religion the more I find problems or inconsistencies with any certain faith.

Not singling out any faith but the abuse of interpretation to support personal ideals.

Paul tells Christians not to seek the gift of speaking in tongues but to pray for the gift of prophecy.

Christians worship Paul but not prophets say Jesus was the first and last discounting Mohammad (PBUH) or Joseph Smith.

The more I study religion the less respect I have for it.

Why on earth would Atheists have such an interest in a religious forum?

I don't think they are here to troll or p-tize but I really don't understand the intense interest in religion either.

Honestly many Atheists are more informed about religion than believers are.

 

[Revoltingest]

I can't speak for others, but I'm here to troll.
But religion is also interesting as one of the emergent properties
of humans, as is art, music, government, cured meats & literature.

Btw, I'm not one of those who is informed about religion.
What people think & do is more interesting than dogma.
(Also, I read at only a 2nd grade level.)

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Religion just fascinates some people. For me learning about a cultures religion is crucial to learning about that culture. Because religion is a reflection of the culture that created it and that it dwells in, the religious beliefs of a culture can reveal much about, such as topography, climate, economic structure, what type of society they have/had and many other things that are interwoven into a culture and reflected through religion. Learning about a cultures religion is also usually critical before you can even attempt to explain that cultures world views, as a cultures religion usually holds their sacred beliefs and ideas that shape the lens through which the world is seen.

 

[George-ananda]

I believe the more I study religion the more I find problems or inconsistencies with any certain faith.

Not singling out any faith but the abuse of interpretation to support personal ideals.

Paul tells Christians not to seek the gift of speaking in tongues but to pray for the gift of prophecy.

Christians worship Paul but not prophets say Jesus was the first and last discounting Mohammad (PBUH) or Joseph Smith.

The more I study religion the less respect I have for it.

Why on earth would Atheists have such an interest in a religious forum?

I don't think they are here to troll or p-tize but I really don't understand the intense interest in religion either.

Honestly many Atheists are more informed about religion than believers are.

I think here you are just cherry-picking the problems of certain (particularly conservative) beliefs. Not a hard thing to do.

Theism can be more sophisticated than conservative religion. And it's a lot more challenging to debate.

 

[Reverend Rick]

Let me simplify my question then.

Why would a disbeliever study religion?

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

Atheism doesn't always equal non-religious. I'm an atheist Buddhist. But other than that, I have several reasons for being here: 1. trying to clarify and sharpen my own beliefs, 2. asking questions about others' beliefs I don't understand, and 3. talking with people of my religion. There is a fourth reason, but that has more to do with my Autism.

 

[Revoltingest]

Let me simplify my question then.
Why would a disbeliever study religion?

For the same reasons a....
- Socialist would study capitalism
- Capitalist would study socialism
- Democrats would study Republicans, & vice versa
It's all useful & interesting.

And of course there's WC Fields, who simply looked for loopholes (on his deathbed).

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Let me simplify my question then.

Why would a disbeliever study religion?

For me, it's the poetry of the mythic narrative that calls me to contemplate intuitively about my own journey. For example, a believer and I can agree on the principles and integrity of the character study in Lord of the Rings without ever seeing that the balrogs, elves, dwarves, hobbits, and Middle Earth ever existed. But a believer and I will seem to part ways when it comes to reading doctrine literally as a history book, and not as a fascinating work of literature. I prefer the allegory.

 

[sandandfoam]

Let me simplify my question then.

Why would a disbeliever study religion?

I considered myself a disbeliever at one time. As a disbeliever, I was interested in religion because I wanted to find one.

 

[outhouse]

Honestly many Atheists are more informed about religion than believers are.

While not religious.


I have a deeper passion for the books then most.



Whether god or no god, you cannot discount the value and positive aspects within the text.

For those with nothing but despair, it gives a light at the end of the tunnel. Hope for a better future.



It is a rich source for history as well despite not always being accurate.

 

[LuisDantas]

I believe the more I study religion the more I find problems or inconsistencies with any certain faith.

Not singling out any faith but the abuse of interpretation to support personal ideals.

So you see that as a problem?

I will readily grant that it opens the door for a multitude of problems, but ultimately it is a good thing. Religion can't thrive unless people learn to develop personal ideals and take responsibility for them. That means basically refusing to let scripture answer for our choices and behavior, and instead choosing to lend our support to specific interpretations and scriptures - or not - as we see fit.

It is often a difficult, troublesome process for sure. But far as I know there is no other way to attain actual religious relevancy and wisdom.

Not trying to be funny, but a paraphrase is in order: "religions don't mislead people; people mislead people".

Just like everything else, a religion or belief is only so good or safe as we take the proper care and responsibility to allow it to be.

Paul tells Christians not to seek the gift of speaking in tongues but to pray for the gift of prophecy.

Christians worship Paul but not prophets say Jesus was the first and last discounting Mohammad (PBUH) or Joseph Smith.

Yes, there are so many mutually exclusive interpretations. No amount of good will can change the fact that ultimately we must choose some and reject others.

That is a fact, but it does not have to be a problem.

The more I study religion the less respect I have for it.

Why on earth would Atheists have such an interest in a religious forum?

I see it as a natural happening, almost an inevitability.

We disbelieve in the existence of God, but we can hardly pretend not to notice the existence and influence of religion.

For good or worse, we can't very well have the goal of finding the right one and trusting that God led us to it and we no longer have to wonder if we could have chosen wrong.

At the same time, we have little choice but to deal with all sorts of demands and pressures from believers of one kind or another, often enough complemented by political matters of real significance.

In this world, we must learn to deal with people who disagree with us. For atheists, that involves making an active effort to understand how the head of a believer works, so that we can deal with his language, expectations and needs in the best possible way.

And of course, soon enough that leads us to realize that there is quite a variety of beliefs and faiths out there, and it is to our advantage to learn at least a bit of most of them.

I don't think they are here to troll or p-tize but I really don't understand the intense interest in religion either.

To an extent it is a perception of personal duty. We do not believe that God will protect us, be it believers or disbelievers. Therefore it falls on humans to care for and protect fellow humans - at least so far as an atheist can tell.

Honestly many Atheists are more informed about religion than believers are.

That is not particularly surprising. Those who expect to be questioned and challenged have that much more reason to be well-prepared.

 

[LuisDantas]

Let me simplify my question then.

Why would a disbeliever study religion?

The alternative would be to neglect the opportunity to understand something that is important to believers.

That, of course, assuming that you meant Theistic religion.

Non-theistic religion is not particularly different for us than for anyone else. I suppose some extreme skeptics might disagree, but they are not really that many.



Then again, everyone is a disbeliever unless he somehow manages to believe in every faith that is presented to him. Which is neither possible nor advisable anyway.

Ultimately, the difference between belief and disbelief is mainly one of being confortable with uncertainty and deciding what to do with it.

 

[LuisDantas]

Oh, and it seems that I personally have half-decided that it is my mission in life to spread the news that belief in God is harming our religious potential for good.

I'm undecided about the mission part, I mean. I do sincerely believe that belief in God is harmful to religious practice even in purely theistic faiths. It is not fully avoidable, but it should not be encouraged nor relied on.

 

[johnhanks]

Let me simplify my question then.

Why would a disbeliever study religion?

I spent a good many years studying fungi. Didn't mean I wanted to be one.

Some phenomena are just interesting in their own right.

 

[Ouroboros]

Why on earth would Atheists have such an interest in a religious forum?

Here's the thing.

I've met some people who don't care for religion, faith, belief, God, or any of the questions of existence or purpose. They would never go on this forum and never discuss the topics.

I was Christian for 30 years. There's a reason for it. That's the kind of person I am. When I lost my faith, I didn't lose my interest in it. I can't shake my curiosity for understanding faith, religion, belief, God, and all those questions. I was hardcore atheist for 10 years, now, I'm more of a mixed spiritual but consider myself somewhat an atheist still (depending on definition and view of God used). I participated in other forums discussion religion and science for years. And the interest is always there.

There's been times when I discussed movies, books, and TV shows with family, friend, or other people. I've discussed Game of Thrones... but.. it's not a real story. It never happened. Yet it's interesting to discuss!

I don't think they are here to troll or p-tize but I really don't understand the intense interest in religion either.

Is your interest in something only relating to that it must be true? What about it not begin true being an interesting topic in itself?

Have you ever discussed a fiction story with someone? Did you refuse because it wasn't a true story? Do you ever watch any movie? Do you do without interest? They're all boring and uninteresting?

The reality is that we can find meaning in discussing opposing views and topics that we don't believe to be true but still have some use.

Honestly many Atheists are more informed about religion than believers are.

But not all of them. Only those who have a deep interest in the questions surrounding it.

Also, these questions are important to understand and try to find answers to because they answer questions about who we are as humans.

Know thyself.

 

[nazz]

As a Christian I share the atheist disdain of religion. It may do some good but it has inspired far more evil than good.

 

[bobhikes]

I can't speak for others, but I'm here to troll.
But religion is also interesting as one of the emergent properties
of humans, as is art, music, government, cured meats & literature.

Btw, I'm not one of those who is informed about religion.
What people think & do is more interesting than dogma.
(Also, I read at only a 2nd grade level.)

I'll add that religion stories are some of the best I have read. The mythologies where my first love in reading.

Now that I am older it is an interesting read in how people saw things during the time period and even today how its being interpreted.

Basically its because of my interest in my fellow human's and religion is where they show their true selves with out fear.

The internet today is a much louder and over showing of humans true selves but I always have the feeling a lot of it is faked and it isn't a great read.

 

[thau]

Let me simplify my question then.

Why would a disbeliever study religion?

Maybe because a disbeliever knows he will one day die and he is enormously curious what might happen to him after he dies?

That is reason enough, end of story.

Beyond that, most disbelievers hear about this God so many are saying exists and about heaven and hell. Maybe that would or should perk most people’s interest? IOW, why in the world would it not???!!!

So now you are taking this cynical approach by making note of evils because of religious element clashing or attacking. What of it? If you studied the Christian faith well enough and the Catholic faith in particular, none of that would come as a surprise. I mean, no more than it should surprise one that even Jesus had a devil amongst his closest twelve. Who can explain that?

And if anyone says “religion is bad because of this or that” they had better become far more specific, else they are just excuse makers. Christianity is no more accountable or to blame for what Islam has done than atheists are to blame for what some other “unchurched” faction has exacted upon this earth. And vice versa.

But you may be right about a large segment of this world. A good portion are too hung up on trying to survive they will never have time for God. And another good portion are so interested in their pursuit of pleasure and comfort they do not care to know about what lies ahead. Those people I pity most of all.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Let me simplify my question then.

Why would a disbeliever study religion?

Because people's foibles and vagaries fascinate me, and nothing encapsulates this fascination quite like religious practice and belief.

 

[thau]

As a Christian I share the atheist disdain of religion. It may do some good but it has inspired far more evil than good.

This is total nonsense. IMO