Why be an atheist?

[Majikthise]

I find it to be very freeing in that i am really ,truely,honestly,I would not kid you about this,not afraid of my own death(just the pain).In a twisted way i am kind of looking forward to it.Don't get me wrong ,I LOVE being alive and will stay that way as long as i can.If i die and there is an after life many questions will be answered,if not it's ok too because i won't realize it.Right now i am happy (as you can be in this world)and like to make others feel good.I can let my children do as they please as far as religion goes,they are human beings and deserve thier own lives.No one tells me how to think .It's very hard to offend me.And i love sunday morning hugs and sitting around watching cartoons with the kids.

The main thing is my life is full enough wiyhout religion.though i do like discusing it.I can't explain that one.

 

[retrorich]

Is it really true that atheists are atheists because they can't stand the moral and lifestyle limitations that belief might impose upon them? Or is that an utter misunderstanding of the reasons why someone would be an atheist? If so, why is it popular to say that atheists are atheists because they don't want to be constrained by the moral and lifestyle standards of believers?

I am an atheist because I don't believe in God/gods/goddesses. It has nothing whatever to do with moral or lifestyle standards.

Many theists (especially Bu****e Christians) like to believe they have a monopoly on morality and enjoy bragging about their superior family values and exemplary lifestyles.

After all, we atheists are just a bunch of hedonistic, morally bankrupt sinners, right? :biglaugh:

 

[Faust]

I find it to be very freeing in that i am really ,truely,honestly,I would not kid you about this,not afraid of my own death

I love your user name!
I know what you mean. For me I look at it like this, I do not lament the time I was not before I was born, therefore, how could I lament not being after I die. It's the same thing! Live for the day!
Faust.

 

[Sunstone]

Does anyone know (or wish to speculate) where and why the notion that atheists are atheists merely because they can't stand to be constrained by a religious lifestyle and morals get started? It seems to me that is one of the sillest notions I've heard in a long time. But why is it so popular?

 

[Faust]

Does anyone know (or wish to speculate) where and why the notion that atheists are atheists merely because they can't stand to be constrained by a religious lifestyle and morals get started? It seems to me that is one of the sillest notions I've heard in a long time. But why is it so popular?

Sunstone, all I can tell you is that it is a classic example of deference.
By attacking the questioner, i.e. what proof is there of God, the necessity to answer the question is diverted.
It's used in politics quit often.
Faust.

 

[rivet]

The main thing is my life is full enough wiyhout religion.though i do like discusing it.I can't explain that one.

It is interesting that there are some many atheists on a religious forum. Or maybe ironic is a better word.

 

[Ceridwen018]

Does anyone know (or wish to speculate) where and why the notion that atheists are atheists merely because they can't stand to be constrained by a religious lifestyle and morals get started? It seems to me that is one of the sillest notions I've heard in a long time. But why is it so popular?

I would say that such a belief is popular because religion is popular. I would think it far more odd if religious people were to spread positive theories about atheists rather than degrading ones. They don't want people to know how amazing being an atheist actually is. Grumpy and angry at the world? I don't think so.

 

[rivet]

Does anyone know (or wish to speculate) where and why the notion that atheists are atheists merely because they can't stand to be constrained by a religious lifestyle and morals get started? It seems to me that is one of the sillest notions I've heard in a long time. But why is it so popular?

I don't know, but since most people inherit religious beliefs from their parents, maybe it's rooted in the notion that they are rebelling against their parent's beliefs.

Atheists often make similarly disparaging remarks of people who adhere to a religion - call them "weak" or "superstitious".

 

[Mr Spinkles]

I don't know, but since most people inherit religious beliefs from their parents, maybe it's rooted in the notion that they are rebelling against their parent's beliefs.

I don't like the word 'rebelling', I like to call it 'thinking for yourself'.

 

[Majikthise]

I don't know, but since most people inherit religious beliefs from their parents, maybe it's rooted in the notion that they are rebelling against their parent's beliefs.

Atheists often make similarly disparaging remarks of people who adhere to a religion - call them "weak" or "superstitious".

My dad is a closet atheist.He won't admit it because of my mother.Sprinkles is absolutely right, it is all about thinking on your own terms.The doctor can tell me I should take my lipitor and i will listenbecause my health is in danger.I have arteries and a heart.But i won't listen to clergymen who want to save my soul because I don't have one.Anyone want to buy a soul today? It's cheap!See? itdoesn't freak me out to say that because I am free.I t is my life and my business what i say about my soul(or lack of one)so it shouldn't matter to anyone else.AINT NOBODYS BUSINESS WHAT I DO!

 

[rivet]

Anyone want to buy a soul today? It's cheap!See?

I'll give 100 frubals for it.
:jiggy:

 

[Majikthise]

SOLD!!

Next we have this lovely Tiffany lamp . It was once owned by.......


:bonk:

 

[Majikthise]

Remember to wash it once a week ,and it likes to watch spongebob.

 

[rivet]

Cool.

I will love him and hug him and squeeze him and name him "George"

 

[Faust]

Does anyone know (or wish to speculate) where and why the notion that atheists are atheists merely because they can't stand to be constrained by a religious lifestyle and morals get started? It seems to me that is one of the sillest notions I've heard in a long time. But why is it so popular?

Sunstone, in addition to deference there is also the practice of "Demonization".
When you have two opposing forces,whether political,religious,cultural,ect...
one side will tend to demonize the other,i.e. dehumanize. If you make them something less than you are it justifies the use of tactics that are not acceptable under normal circumstances to defeat the forces you are apposed to.
Faust.

 

[cardero]

A person who becomes an atheist is a person who does not wish to enter or encourage a REALationship or a belief (or anyone else’s for that matter) with GOD.

Eucharist writes: It still comes down to faith...

GOD does not operate on faith. I wouldn’t consider GOD ignorant.

Rivet writes: It is interesting that there are some many atheists on a religious forum. Or maybe ironic is a better word.

I would also like to add the word, refreshing. As I have mentioned before, many atheists on this forum have come closer to realizing GOD without actually getting to K(NOW) GOD.

And what about those people who don't believe in you?



YOU K(NOW) what? That is their right and privilege. I do not need for anyone to LOVE ME or like ME or acknowledge ME. I AM LOVE, and I certainly have enough LOVE for the many who do not want to believe.



Hello It’s Me: An Interview With GOD

Chapter: Preferrences

Page: 26

 

[Faust]

I person who becomes an atheist is a person who does not wish to enter or encourage a REALationship or a belief (or anyone else’s for that matter) with GOD.

Dear carderro,I'm afraid I must disagree with you.
Although I started out as a theist I had many questions about religion and received answers that were unsatisfactory. I began my journey to discover the answers for myself.
You see, I wanted a relationship, but through years of research I could not sustain any logical belief.
I have a certain amount of guilt associated with passing on information that I have uncovered because it's almost like stealing someones soul if I contribute to their conversion to non theist. Do you understand what I mean in saying that?
This is only my personal opinion but I truly believe that if the human race does not evolve, if not beyond religion, at least into a different way of practicing religion, we will ultimately destroy ourselves.

You see, I simply can't stand by and do nothing while it becomes more and more acceptable to use God to justify actions that are really designed to further our own selfish desires.
I try to give respect to all opinions, but I'm caught in a conflict of conscience.
I would like to think that in my own small way, I might be able to turn the tide at least in the direction of taking personal responsibility for our own actions in this world.
I realize how grandiose this must sound to many people but I am not out to ruin the world as we know it, nor do I take any personal satisfaction in disillusioning anyone.
My intentions are, at their core, admirable and honest, if not by your standards, at least by my own.
Respectfully, Faust.

 

[Majikthise]

"In your pomp and all your glory,well you're a poorer man than me,
as you lick the boots of death born out of fear!"

Ian Anderson/Wind Up

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

I person who becomes an atheist is a person who does not wish to enter or encourage a REALationship or a belief (or anyone else’s for that matter) with GOD.

Nor with Leprechauns, wood sprites, and the ever popular Unicorn. We avoid this for much the same reason that we avoid sILLy spelling games ...

 

[robtex]

I person who becomes an atheist is a person who does not wish to enter or encourage a REALationship or a belief (or anyone else’s for that matter) with GOD.

GOD does not operate on faith. I wouldn’t consider GOD ignorant.

When you say relationship realize that many atheists (self included) did a lot of reading studying and soul searching to get where they are at this present time. For me I read thousands of pages on buddhims, hinduism, read the Bible twice, read most of the koran (too mundane to finish) studied the torah at a basic level, read all the theories both ways on the existance of God and came to the deduction that weighted the heaviest for me based on the information presented. As far as the relationship part God never butted in and persuaded me one way or the other-- just silence and abstinence. As a matter of fact if I had continued to believe in a higher power it would be a very one way relationship as he never does a thing or has ever in my lifetime done a single thing to show me he is there or commit to a bi-lateral relationship in any way.

Imagine if your wife or friend had the same idea of a relationship as God conceptually does. No proof, of relationship, no interaction, stays out of sight, touch, voice and smell. Does'nt acknowledge the partnership on any level. would you start looking for answers? I did and the result was accepting my atheism over time. Slowly methodically and extremely open-mindedly.

On your second statement: Wow Patrick very interesting. You say God does not operate on faith and he does not operate on evidence as to his form or being. ...how does he operate or communicate with mankind? I mean I can't think of a third option...faith or evidence.....if neither exist you might as well assert that God does not operate (with man) at all. By operate I am assuming you meant communicate or form a relationship with......

btw.....has your wife left the forums...haven't seen her post in a while.