Why Atheists Don’t Really Exist

[Soandso]

It's always fascinating how some theists (especially abrahamic thesits) try to assume what atheists are thinking without just asking them their opinions on things

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

It's always fascinating how some theists (especially abrahamic thesits) try to assume what atheists are thinking without just asking them their opinions on things

Well, yes or that some atheists treat all religion like it is Abrahamic theism.
Since I am neither I can see it in both cases.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I suppose it depends a lot on how rational an individual is; whether s/he's more influenced by reason and logic, or emotion and tradition.

Or how odd it would feel for most people regardless of whatever to wish harm on their parents.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

No Christians in foxholes.

As if ANYONE ever, said upon
seeing the tanks coming:

Glory be, I'm about to get eternal life!

We tend to call those sorts extremists and radicals. We just tend to forget Christians can be that way amd focus on those who scream "Allahu akbar" before killing themselves and many others.

 

[RestlessSoul]

It's always fascinating how some theists (especially abrahamic thesits) try to assume what atheists are thinking without just asking them their opinions on things

The reverse, of course, is also true. Many atheists make all sorts of assumptions about what they expect religious people to believe, as if there weren’t room in any given religion, for a wide spectrum of personal beliefs.

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

It's always fascinating how some theists (especially abrahamic thesits) try to assume what atheists are thinking without just asking them their opinions on things

Take 2:
According to some scholars even atheists can be religious and that can include the standard non-religious one.

 

[Soandso]

The reverse, of course, is also true. Many atheists make all sorts of assumptions about what they expect religious people to believe, as if there weren’t room in any given religion, for a wide spectrum of personal beliefs.

This is true. I think this is most prevalently seen in western atheists - especially american atheists. We are so saturated with christianity everywhere that we often times copy/paste what we see from them onto ALL religious folks, and that's not good or fair to do, imo

 

[Soandso]

Take 2:
According to some scholars even atheists can be religious and that can include the standard non-religious one.

I'm aware of atheists that are religious, like atheo pagans or some kinds of buddhists, but are you talking about spiritual atheists? I don't really consider spirituality the same thing as practicing a religion

 

[Heyo]

The reverse, of course, is also true. Many atheists make all sorts of assumptions about what they expect religious people to believe, as if there weren’t room in any given religion, for a wide spectrum of personal beliefs.

True when we talk about specific persons. But when we talk about theists in general, I can't and don't have to ask, I can simply watch the news.

 

[RestlessSoul]

True when we talk about specific persons. But when we talk about theists in general, I can't and don't have to ask, I can simply watch the news.

Isn’t that generalising about a whole class of people, based on a label? I try not to do that.

 

[Twilight Hue]

It's always fascinating how some theists (especially abrahamic thesits) try to assume what atheists are thinking without just asking them their opinions on things

They should know. Everyone was born an atheist.

 

[It Aint Necessarily So]

It's always fascinating how some theists (especially abrahamic thesits) try to assume what atheists are thinking without just asking them their opinions on things

They don't need to. Their Bibles tell them. Have you seen the bigotry and hate speech there?

[1] "The fool says in his heart,'There is no God.' They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good" - Psalm 14:1

[2] "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, and all and the enemy of a good god." - Revelation 21:8

[3]"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"- 2 Corinthians 6:14

[4] Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ." - 1 John 2:22

[5] "Whoever is not with me is against me" - Luke 11:23

Altogether, this "holiness" manages to describe unbelievers as corrupt, vile, wicked, abominable, godless vessels of darkness in the service of evil, not one of whom does any good, to be shunned, and all of whom are fit to be burned alive forever as enemies of a good god and the moral equivalent of murderers and whoremongers. They don't need to ask you about yourself. They have God's word. Besides, who would listen to people like that?

Do you agree that that qualifies as hate speech? If it you're accustomed to hearing that kind of thing and don't see a problem, substitute gay, black, or Jew for unbeliever and see how it reads to you then.

Presumably you have noticed that there is a subset of atheists on this forum, outside in the real world, and in public life, whose interest in matters of religion borders on obsession?

What I've noticed is a plethora of bigoted theists who uncharitably assign the basest possible explanation to thinking they don't understand.

Do you have some observation to make about what drives a person who does not believe in God, to invest considerable time and energy in repeatedly expressing belligerent public denial?

My interest is more in the theist who feels compelled to frame atheistic dissent so uncharitably. It smacks of resentment. This is the asymmetry of these discussions - critical thinkers arguing dispassionately with theists experiencing it asan affront and framing it inlanguage like you do.

Although having the same circuitous conversations time and time again does smack of obsession, yes. Especially when, as far as I can see, both sides become increasingly entrenched in their positions the longer the conversations go on for. What can anyone possibly get out of that?

You've been told, but it makes no impact when you are. It's apparently not for you to know.

What do you think the function of theology is?

To discuss unfalsifiable claims, things that depend on believing in gods.

mention belligerent atheists, and three turn up at once Which is a joke btw. I know how sensitive some of you are

It's you that wears his heart on his sleeve. *You* are having the emotional reaction, and it is you that is belligerent. You're attacking now.

I can assure you I am not your enemy. But even if I was, prejudice is a pretty effective barrier to learning anything about anyone.

Oh the irony.

I'm not really convinced that political activism is the real motive for arguing incessantly with believers on internet forums. There has to be something else going on, at the level of the subconscious.

As I said, it seems that it's not for you to know. You've been told, but it has no impact. Let me waste more time writing words that might as well be in Chinese: Thinking critically is pure pleasure for many. They like it the way they enjoy chess or bridge or even Wordle. They enjoy reasoning, analyzing. Can you understand those words? If so, now you know.

I’m pretty sure Europe’s history would be littered with just as many atrocities, without the occasional participation of religious institutions.

You are saying that there would have been just as much war without religion as with, which is incorrect, but even if we stipulate to that, do you understand the implications for a religion like Christianity that positions itself as a peacemaker and force for moral good?

 

[Audie]

This is true. I think this is most prevalently seen in western atheists - especially american atheists. We are so saturated with christianity everywhere that we often times copy/paste what we see from them onto ALL religious folks, and that's not good or fair to do, imo

True. There may be nothing that some religionist
won't believe.

 

[Revoltingest]

Presumably you have noticed that there is a subset of atheists on this forum, outside in the real world, and in public life, whose interest in matters of religion borders on obsession?

There is a saying in some religious circles that God loves atheists because they talk about Him far more often than believers do. I do not consider you to fall in this category btw., but maybe you will recognise the type I am referring to. Do you have some observation to make about what drives a person who does not believe in God, to invest considerable time and energy in repeatedly expressing belligerent public denial?

Perhaps a Christian living in an environment of Christianity
infused government wouldn't notice their theism being
thrust upon others. It's not imposed upon the willing.
But for us heathens, we see a different picture, eg, public
school teachers leading us in prayer, telling Bible stories.
And when testifying in court, the default is to swear to God
to be truthful. One must openly request a secular oath, &
run the risk of enduring religious prejudice from judge & jury.
Look at SCOTUS....6 of 9 justices are Catholic. No wonder
that they repealed the right to abortions. The list goes on.

So if you wonder why we're so obsessed with Christianity,
it's because Christian Nationalists are so obsessed with
imposing their religion upon us.

 

[Heyo]

Isn’t that generalising about a whole class of people, based on a label? I try not to do that.

Good luck.

Many atheists

Oops, you just failed.

 

[Heyo]

They should know. Everyone was born an atheist.

They don't remember. If you get indoctrinated from before the age of reason you can't even imagine ever having not believed.

 

[RestlessSoul]

Good luck.

Oops, you just failed.

I qualified the word atheist with the word many. So clearly not all, not even most.

You may note that when I draw attention to the atheist attack squads who frequent this forum, I am always at pains to point out that it’s a small subset of the atheist population.

The more vociferous atheist crusaders do seem less numerous of late, perhaps that’s why some of the more moderate atheists claim not to even notice their existence.

 

[RestlessSoul]

Perhaps a Christian living in an environment of Christianity
infused government wouldn't notice their theism being
thrust upon others. It's not imposed upon the willing.
But for us heathens, we see a different picture, eg, public
school teachers leading us in prayer, telling Bible stories.
And when testifying in court, the default is to swear to God
to be truthful. One must openly request a secular oath, &
run the risk of enduring religious prejudice from judge & jury.
Look at SCOTUS....6 of 9 justices are Catholic. No wonder
that they repealed the right to abortions. The list goes on.

So if you wonder why we're so obsessed with Christianity,
it's because Christian Nationalists are so obsessed with
imposing their religion upon us.

Maybe you should consider moving to the developed world.

 

[lukethethird]

Maybe you should consider moving to the developed world.

Christianity is the single greatest influence on western culture, so it's not easy for atheists having to live within a culture that is immersed in superstitions about invisible gods and such.

 

[Heyo]

I qualified the word atheist with the word many. So clearly not all, not even most.

I referred to "theists in general" - so, also not all.

You may note that when I draw attention to the atheist attack squads who frequent this forum, I am always at pains to point out that it’s a small subset of the atheist population.

The more vociferous atheist crusaders do seem less numerous of late, perhaps that’s why some of the more moderate atheists claim not to even notice their existence.

I noticed that the atheists who were very aggressive in the past have mellowed down.
And I have noticed that recently de-converted atheists are usually more angry, probably angry about themselves how they they could have been so mislead.