Atheism and religion?

Question

I don't understand why people would refuse to believe in some form of a higher power. Yes we all know the Bible is full of contradictions and shouldn't be taken literally (I say this first because that seems to be the number one defense used by Atheists, why follow the Bible) Not all of us follow the thing word for word, only crazy Fundamentalist Christians do that and we're not all crazy like that.

But, putting the only religion they seem to question aside, what about all the others? Religions have been around throughout human history, majority of civilizations, tribes, communities, what have you, have all believed in some form of god, goddess, saints, ect. I'm not just talking about God and Jesus, I'm talking about even the remotest tribes practing rituals and praying to gods...that's a form of religion as well.

Nobody can deny how old the concept of religion is and how influential it has been in the history of humans. It didn't begin with the Bible, religion is just a part of people. Some crazy guy didn't just invent it, history has shown that it has evolved. Different socities came up with different beliefs, and so on. Religion, in general, was created and molded by society as a whole. Some took part parts in shaping the history of religion and some didn't...like the Shakers, who died off because of their belief of celibacy, that made Catholics change their idea on the subject. There are many, many different religions out there, and there'd probably be more if some weren't so overpowering and started wars in an attempt to convert people yes, but don't blame that the concept as a whole.

I've already asked this on another question, but do you Athiests study all the religions, then decide to not believe in any form of gods, or is it just rebellion from growing up in a certain religious backgrounds? I just want to hear one good arguement other than "There's no concrete proof" The point I'm making is how you deny something that has been apart of human history since the beginning of time? Wouldn't that be kind of a waste of life in general...the fact that billions of people throughout time and many civilizations, ethnicities, governments, so on and so on are all wrong, and a small group of unbeleivers are right?

Answer 1

You have to remember that in the old days, God was the best explanation for everything because she was the only explanation.

I've studied most of the major religions, and I haven't seen any good reason to accept any of them. They all read like folklore and myth and, generally, just good stories. I can appreciate them as stories, but I can't get around how the same people who wrote these stories believed lightning was the gods getting angry, offering sacrifices to the fertility goddesses made crops grow, and the planets were actually humanoid beings walking around in a sphere of the heavens.

The rest all seems to be wishful thinking about death and happiness in life, with a bunch of metaphysical garbage thrown in.

Now, we know it's possible for there to be a universe without gods. That's a recent development, and it's based on the accumulation of observations and careful thinking by smart people. Religion was always about making things up to explain difficult subjects in such a way that illiterate nomads and farmers and (most endearingly) Vikings could understand them.

Modern science has taught us how to demonstrate when an idea is false. Pruning away bad ideas has given us insight into the workings of the universe. That's pretty darned cool. But the more we pull back the curtain hiding the mysteries of the universe behind it, the less surprised we are to find that there is no little man behind it, working the levers; instead, we see natural laws.

Answer 2

As I have studied and learned about religion I have found that I cannot honestly say I believe in any of them. I study and visit this sight because so many people are so "into" it. Especially, personal acquaintences. My wife for example, is a devout Catholic. I have never felt comfortable in any religious gathering and have yet to figure out what it is that they are talking about. It is like their personalities change when they walk through the doors of their gathering place. Are they all crazy...Is it all a bunch of poppy cock....I can't say. I can concede that there may be a higher power. Even though I am not religious, I still find the need to know for sure and understand my fellow man. The Christian Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven lies within all of us. In the course of human development spiritual enlightenment is a stage of the cycle for most of us. This is a good forum to learn from because it can be done without arguing. I resent the fact that Christians feel I will go to hell because I cannot honestly say I believe in Christianity. I can't come to terms with this because we are all created in Gods image. This means that my ability to think, reason and question things come from what he supposedly created. If he gave me the ability contemplate it all in the first place and I am his creation and I can't honestly believe it, why am I bound for hell? At this stage in my life and taking into consideration everything that I have learned, I would have to choose Zen Bhuddism as the best "religious" option for me. Maybe this will change with time and experience. The atheists on this site are searching for the same answers about their fellow man. It's too bad we have to do it in a negative manner.

Answer 3

The concept of a god was created by these religions that we have studied and seen as false. Why then believe in a god, if you don't believe in the religion that created it? And, if religion is wrong, but a god does exist, why should we be concerned about believing in him? The punishments meted out for unbelievers were another fantasy created by religion. So other than to have a fantasy belief that makes you feel good, what reason is there to believe in a god?

I prefer to seek the truth, not accept easy answers. There very well may be a god, but I see no reason why there needs to be. Until I do, I will continue to explore other avenues.

Answer 4

Atheists don't refuse to believe, they just don't. Most take the information they have and their mind processes that and comes to the conclusion that Gods don't exist. You say well people have always believed in Gods, yes but that doesn't argue there are Gods. I can use that to argue that society has always used Gods to keep people civilized, to give them rules to live by. It is the same thought process as someone who is religious with a different outcome. How did you choose your religion? Did you study every religion in the world first? That would take an awful long time.

Answer 5

If you check my Q&A you'll see that I've used some of those same points in defense of Atheists. 14% of the world (and even more of the educated world) is not some small group. Why would anyone want to believe in something that didn't have concrete proof. If you think with your brain not with your heart and free your mind from the shackles of doctrine and tradition, you'll see it just makes sense. That's it. Nothing personal. No evil underlying reason. Just logic.

Answer 6

No one is going to know who's right and who's "wrong" until the day we die.

I know that it's difficult to believe in something that you cannot see, but some people find it easier to believe than others. That's pretty much the point of "faith".

I'll tell you this much, though: To each his own. If he doesn't believe, I hope that he's right. If he does believe, again, I hope that he's right.

I, personally, would rather live my life like there IS a God, and find out that there isn't than to live my life like there isn't one, and find out there is.

Answer 7

Is there a question buried in here somewhere, or are you simply using this forum as a means of verbal vomit?

Answer 8

its called a god gene....some of us have it...some dont