Why are atheists interested in religion?

[SkylarHunter]

Atheists don't believe in God but there are many who participate in this forum. I'm glad they do because their opinions and knowledge are very interesting but I don't understand their motivation.
If someone doesn't believe in a deity, why be interested in religion?

 

[Iti oj]

Atheists don't believe in God but there are many who participate in this forum. I'm glad they do because their opinions and knowledge are very interesting but I don't understand their motivation.
If someone doesn't believe in a deity, why be interested in religion?

Because religions exist, with or with out gods. because religions and their followers have real world affects and implication. To understand people, the world, and maybe find truth. Further more we are all in battle of memes, this is just venue we use as a battle field.
Why are you hear? You already have god and religion? Go to church or we/ ? see silly question.

 

[Quirkybird]

I am an agnostic who had my childhood spoilt by the crazy, 'you must be 'born again' or go to hell', garbage. I have no problem with moderate live and let live Christians, but will always challenge the extremists.

 

[NobodyYouKnow]

Atheists don't believe in God but there are many who participate in this forum. I'm glad they do because their opinions and knowledge are very interesting but I don't understand their motivation.
If someone doesn't believe in a deity, why be interested in religion?

Atheism is a religion within itself. A religion with the core tenet of 'God does not exist'.

Like any religion, Atheists do their fair share of proselytizing and preaching their philosophy to all and sundry.

They are just as passionate about their 'no God policy' as believers are about God.

Atheists all want to 'wake up deluded people' who still believe in an illogical, irrational deity, because they see it as being the downfall of society and also, others beliefs in a God are having a negative/detrimental effect on their personal lives and they wish to change that.

They cannot change another's beliefs, so they become officially 'Atheist' to cement their resolve.

Atheists shouldn't worry about what other people believe in if they don't, but like I said, Atheists are just as mad about proselytizing as Muslims and Christians are - if not moreso!

They want to see a world ruled by science and logic, where God has no part of that.

Little do they know, they actually have no say in it.

 

[Knight of Albion]

I've often wondered this myself. I think the manner of Orthodoxy, from its full on, in your face, 'our way is the only way' to threats of eternal damnation, turns people away from religion.

There is of course a big difference between organised religion and spirituality.

So people detached from Orthodoxy can still be looking for something. This may well be consciously or subconsciously, but I feel they are still looking.

I don't think any of us should ever stop looking. Always there is a better, higher way and we should strive to reach it.

 

[SkylarHunter]

Atheism is a religion within itself. A religion with the core tenet of 'God does not exist'.

Like any religion, Atheists do their fair share of proselytizing and preaching their philosophy to all and sundry.

They are just as passionate about their 'no God policy' as believers are about God.

Atheists all want to 'wake up deluded people' who still believe in an illogical, irrational deity, because they see it as being the downfall of society and also, others beliefs in a God are having a negative/detrimental effect on their personal lives and they wish to change that.

They cannot change another's beliefs, so they become officially 'Atheist' to cement their resolve.

Atheists shouldn't worry about what other people believe in if they don't, but like I said, Atheists are just as mad about proselytizing as Muslims and Christians are - if not moreso!

They want to see a world ruled by science and logic, where God has no part of that.

Little do they know, they actually have no say in it.

Thank you so much for a clear and logical answer.:clap

 

[sandandfoam]

I'm not an atheist. But I once was. As an atheist I was interested in religion because it was interesting. As a theist I am interested in atheism because I can learn from it.
I think that people who have different views to mine are far more interesting than people with whom I share views.

 

[Twilight Hue]

It's not so much the issue of religion as much as the bewilderment of why a number of people tend to gravitate towards accepting what are primarily instances of nonsense as somehow being an accurate truth regardless of what is factually established. Theists tend to bring up the subject intially whereas atheism really has nothing to do with religion whatsoever. It's just a default position.

 

[Iti oj]

Thank you so much for a clear and logical answer.:clap

its not a good answer. Nor is the answer from an atheist.

 

[NobodyYouKnow]

its not a good answer. Not is the answer from an atheist.

I used to be an Atheist, but I agree, my answer is far from perfect, but it will do for the purpose of this discussion. lol

 

[Sees]

Religiously associated or birthed philosophy, worldview, rituals, ancient texts and mythology, symbolism, historical development and political interaction, and on and on and on....are interesting to a huge amount of people, regardless of theological position or lean.

Spice of life is a world, room, or forum of people where one or more believe they are in fact God, let alone one or more Gods exist, and others who believe God can't possibly exist

 

[Iti oj]

I used to be an Atheist, but I agree, my answer is far from perfect, but it will do for the purpose of this discussion. lol

I disagree, if anything it only represent the more militant atheist anti theist group. I think My answer was a bit more holistic its scope.


How ever they you acknowledging my point.

 

[fantome profane]

I'll give three reasons.

Religion has had a major impact on how our culture and society has developed. Religion is very interesting.

Like it or not Religion continues to have a major impact on how our culture operates, and even has great impact on political decisions. Understanding religion is very important.

I am not here to challenge other people's beliefs as much as I am here to challenge my own. Understanding religion is useful.

 

[Revoltingest]

Atheists don't believe in God but there are many who participate in this forum. I'm glad they do because their opinions and knowledge are very interesting but I don't understand their motivation.
If someone doesn't believe in a deity, why be interested in religion?

For me, religion is much like politics. It's an environment which surrounds us & greatly influences our lives.
Just as we heathens don't believe in any gods, this Libertarian doesn't vote for the leaders. But it's interesting
& useful to us outsiders know how believers, Democrats & Republicans think.
And of course, there's great satisfaction in converting someone to the dark side. Booowahahahahhahaah, etc!

 

[LuisDantas]

Atheists don't believe in God but there are many who participate in this forum. I'm glad they do because their opinions and knowledge are very interesting but I don't understand their motivation.
If someone doesn't believe in a deity, why be interested in religion?

For one, because religion exists and greatly influences society, so we want to understand what it is all about.

For another, it turns out that religion has very little to do with God, and much to do with the belief in God.

And god is a very interesting concept due to its social role. Far more so than for its theological meaning, even. It is a catch-all substitute for actual answers, and much of its value comes from the very lack of a clear meaning and the false sense of agreement that it does bring.

Arguably, it is a disease to be excised from religion.

 

[LuisDantas]

Atheism is a religion within itself. A religion with the core tenet of 'God does not exist'.

Like any religion, Atheists do their fair share of proselytizing and preaching their philosophy to all and sundry.

They are just as passionate about their 'no God policy' as believers are about God.

Atheists all want to 'wake up deluded people' who still believe in an illogical, irrational deity, because they see it as being the downfall of society and also, others beliefs in a God are having a negative/detrimental effect on their personal lives and they wish to change that.

They cannot change another's beliefs, so they become officially 'Atheist' to cement their resolve.

Atheists shouldn't worry about what other people believe in if they don't, but like I said, Atheists are just as mad about proselytizing as Muslims and Christians are - if not moreso!

They want to see a world ruled by science and logic, where God has no part of that.

Little do they know, they actually have no say in it.

I suppose I should ask whether you are kidding.

 

[trius41]

It is now time to choose, religion or god. Religion is, many different sects who use god for his power and glory. Not once in religious history have they met to consult our god. They ignore his commandment 'thou shalt not kill' until they work together for god, there will be no peace on earth. Believe in god.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Atheists don't believe in God but there are many who participate in this forum. I'm glad they do because their opinions and knowledge are very interesting but I don't understand their motivation.
If someone doesn't believe in a deity, why be interested in religion?

I sure wouldn't want to live in ancient Rome, but I find Roman history fascinating. It's kinda like that... for me, anyhow.

Also, consider this: to a person who thinks that all gods were invented, just what sort of god a person invents can give an interesting glimpse into their mind: what they value, what they hope for, how they think the world should be. Since religion is so pervasive, if we examine enough of it, we might gain important insight into the human psyche in general.

... or maybe not. Regardless, just because someone decides that gods aren't real doesn't mean they have to think that there's nothing interesting going on in religion.

 

[idav]

Atheists don't believe in God but there are many who participate in this forum. I'm glad they do because their opinions and knowledge are very interesting but I don't understand their motivation.
If someone doesn't believe in a deity, why be interested in religion?

Some in this forum may not be religious but atheists are a minority that arent looked at to highly even in this US culture. Theists have the stranglehold on culture and they proselytize our kids telling them they need saving or are going to hell. Also it is good to know where theist family and friends are coming from. Hopefully atheism will be more accepted in the future, a lot of theists think atheists are evil or something, they definitely get a bad rap.

 

[Caladan]

Atheists don't believe in God but there are many who participate in this forum. I'm glad they do because their opinions and knowledge are very interesting but I don't understand their motivation.
If someone doesn't believe in a deity, why be interested in religion?

If you mean the 'new atheists' phenomenon, then I would tend to agree with what has been said that they pretty much have a dogma of their own and they propagate it just as all other religious members.
However for those of us who might think 'naturalist' when we say 'atheist' it's because religion is extremely interesting to study, in the demographic, anthropological, political, and historical levels. In addition it is also highly useful to be more informed about social issues in which religion is a major component in. The alternative is to remain ignorant.