Hey Atheists answer this one.?

Question

I just can't see why, if you are really atheists what you are even doing here .Why ask or answer questions about something you don't believe in ? I'm refering to the ones who always says they don't believe.
I don't believe in the Easter bunny, so I don't ask or answer questions about it.
I have a feeling you really want to believe or you wouldn't be here. Right?

Answer 1

Copied from my blog as this question is very popular. :-)

I, as only one spiritual atheist, am here to learn about the various religions, philosophies and spiritualities of the world. I always held fascination with religions in general (not just christianity---ALL religions, old and new). I do not seek a "god" belief, but here to seek how people attain inner-peace, self-knowledge, inner-wisdom and how they attain peace in their lives in general---and that I might learn a thing or two. :-) I seek to find and improve on my own atheistic spirituality, to improve upon myself. Isn't that what spirituality is basically about? I believe so!

I also hang out here NOT to "defeat religion" but mainly to give the "other side" of the equation, to give information, and to let others know that there are more than one valid way to see, learn and experience the world. R/S section is not "just reserved for the theists". It is reserved for all.

Answer 2

- This is both the religion AND spirituality section. Some people come here to learn about spirituality, but, end up answering questions about religion also.

- Everyone, no matter what their beliefs (or lack of beliefs) are, want their view to be heard.

- Many atheists think religion is dangerous so they are going to let people know that.

- Many atheists think religion is doing the world a big disfavor and they are going to do what they can to change that.

"I have a feeling you really want to believe or you wouldn't be here. Right?"

Wrong.

There are many reasons why atheists, agnostics, and other types of non-believers ask and answer questions in this category. What about believers in god though, why are they here? If they really believed in god, then why wouldn't they ask it directly? It seems to me that they really don't believe in god, or, are severely disrespecting it.

Answer 3

Generally speaking, atheists are called out. Look at this site and many others. Theists want to make it much bigger than it is and create challenges. For the most part most atheists have a much better knowledge and understanding of theism than vice versa. The beauty is atheism does not require anyone to discount anything they don't like or don't want to abide by. Atheists are just like other people you know with the exception of a belief in a God or gods. Why is that different than meeting someone who plays golf and you don't? Or someone who fishes and you don't? People should not be defined by one characteristic alone (e.g. race, religion (or lack thereof), sexual orientation, etc.). People are complex beings and are more than a "label." You miss out on many potentially wonderful relationships when you discount people that way.

Answer 4

Interesting thought. Maybe.
I guess nobody believes in the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus. Some people just like to stir the pot.

Answer 5

I assume you asked this question for one of three reasons.

1. You're a cynical idiot who feels the need to justify his beliefs by bashing others on a website.
2. You're a cynical idiot who feels the need to irritate people for kicks.
3. You honestly want to help other individuals.

I will be charitable and say it's the third option. You think they've lost their way and need to hear the truth.

Guess what? They're thinking the exact same thing about you.

Answer 6

cause they are idiots and vain.they deny the god's blessings,they are really aggressive.who created them then if there is no god.really i think it's the end of the world all those prophet who guided people to the god were wrong and atheist is the right once.they really don't deserve all the things that god gives to them.i will be happy to see them burning IN hell in the day of judgment then they will truly believe that there is a god.I'm not extremes cause i don't ask them 2 join my religion,I'm just think they are vain

Answer 7

I realize that no one reads this when I just link to it, so here is my answer to a previous version of this question:


I believe that I have been nothing but courteous to the people of faith here. I openly deny their belief-system. They openly deny mine. That's fine. We have, however, engaged in some very respectful debate, much to the benefit (I hope) of both sides. I know that my beliefs have not changed, but my preconceptions about young-Earth Christians have been shattered by some of the people I have found here. I think that they are wrong, but I am thrilled to have the opportunity to debate with them without resorting to name-calling or rudeness.

Granted, this requires an openness on both our parts. I think that their faith is "wrong." They think that my lack of faith is "wrong." This is where most people get hung up and debate can go no further. If someone disagreeing with you is "offensive," you're stuck. Once you accept this disagreement, you are quite free to exchange ideas. This is what I have found here (for the most part.)

As for why I spend so much time in the religion and spirituality forum, I see faith as playing a huge role in the lives of everyone in the world, be they moderate Muslims, fundamentalist Christians, Pagans, or Atheists like myself.

In my supposedly free country I see gays discriminated against due to faith. People who would never think of using the N-word openly hate and criticize homosexuals for what they are, not who they are.

I see medical advances that could help millions of people stymied by arguments that have their basis in faith. Stem cell research could potentially ease the suffering of billions around the globe, but people of faith stand in the way.

We are currently involved in what may or may not be a holy war. This is an issue of faith.

Our current government supports "faith-based initiatives" in what may be a breach of The Constitution itself.

I know that faith helps people sleep at night. This doesn't undo the tremendous amount of suffering it has inflicted at every turn of history.

I see faith as a problem, and would like to encourage people to put aside their myths and embrace reason. However, I realize that this is futile. As Jonathan Swift said, "It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into."

That said, I think that Yahoo Answers provides a wonderful opportunity to try to see where other people are coming from. I disagree with the Christians (and Muslims and Pagans...), but I think it is very important for me to try to understand them. I would hope that they will try to understand me. Once we find some common ground and some mutual respect, we can truly start to talk about things.

I hate the name-calling. The largest problem I have with religion is that it is divisive. I feel that this is the most important aspect of faith that needs to be removed from the equation. Name-calling is also divisive and does not fit into my attempts to act reasonably.

I feel that I deny, but do not scoff. I embrace and enjoy open debate. I think that the things discussed here are important. I'd like to think that some of the things I have to say are pertinent.

If you want a place for only Christians (for example) to exchange ideas, there are plenty of places on the web for that. However, I think that this exclusion of other mindsets and worldviews does a disservice to those who would seek such a closed system.

That's why, as an atheist, I show up on the religion thread.

Answer 8

athiests are here for the same reason you are, to give others your opinion on religion. Not believing in religion is still an opinion on religion.

Answer 9

To answer questions like this one:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhuXObJ1s4R.j.wKO.QDOFbsy6IX?qid=20060609235458AAWw5XZ


Or, is his question supposed to be answered with the same, tired old answers bible thumper always give (and did give even though their answers weren't related to the question).

If God is the answer, why are bible thumpers asking or answering any questions?

Answer 10

Atheists want to know, why people believe in God.