why are there atheists in the religion & spirituality section? Just wondering...?

Answer 1

I personally have nothing against atheists sharing their views in this category and as theist let us just respect their right to answer our inquiries and views. But I also think Yahoo answers should consider adding Atheism and agnosticism as a category to expand the options.

Answer 2

For the same reasons that there are christians (and other religious types) in the gay and lesbian section. More often than not, they are here to "save" you from yourselves. They feel that you are perpetuating a fantasy and hiding from reality. Actually, that's the same attitude we get in the GLBT section! LOL. I'm sorry to laugh, but there is a strange sort of symmetry to that.

I am not an athiest, I am not a christian either. I have my own spiritual beliefs, and I come here to see what others have to say. I am, also, a lesbian...and I have to say that I don't think you are living in a fantasy, I think you are living your beliefs and what is good for you. Just like I am.

Answer 3

Spirituality runs farther than any religion could take a self. Atheism is found in these sections, probably because they are sick and tired of daily hearing from religious people and find they need to question methods in order to feel good about themselves. Sometimes this is not the case, and sometimes it is.

Answer 4

Because It's not a religious section, it's religion AND spirituality; one can be against religion, a disbeliever in a god(s), and still be a spiritual person.

Answer 5

Atheism is a religion complete with adherents and loose commandments. They have their own heirarchy of super beings, such as Marx and givers of the law, such as Darwin.

Too bad they don't realize Marxist "supreme" mind evoked Stalin, Lenin and the Gulag prison camp and Darwin's "law" is still just a theory and says nothing on the origin of species!

All kidding aside, atheists have a spiritual side. I remember having a conversation with an atheist in which she told me she hated God. In order to hate somethin, you must think it real.

Answer 6

1. This question is posted many times every day.

2. I realize that no one reads this when I just link to it, so here is my response 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 7

reliable thought! we ought to continually unsolicited mail that query on the Royalty section! What could the R&S section be like whilst all and sundry right that's asserting "we luv god."? Say somebody agnostic comes right here, hoping to 'discover his real direction' or something. Then all and sundry says "be a Christian, then you definately won't circulate to hell".

Answer 8

i guess it's cause there's no section named "Atheists Only" or "Christians Only". Atheism is a sort of religion.. except it's non-religion.

Answer 9

Because you can be spiritual without believing in God.....plus I think a lot of them are very intelligent people who are just curious about others views...that isn't a bad thing...

Answer 10

They may be seeking the light of brightly shining. Without religious fulfillment, they are like the bones of the dead. I say let them visit this area of Yahoo Answers; one of them could become the next Billy Graham. It’s a miracle.