Why are there so many atheists in the religious section?

Question

S'funny...don't you think, that Atheists are posting in the religious section. Almost as if they have to prove their point to every religious person around, why do you care? Maybe your conscience is bothering you...maybe not. I'm just curious. Seems like at least half the posts are from atheists.

Also, why should religious people care about the opinions of people who don't believe anything about God. Atheists have no authority to proclaim anything if they don't believe anything.

Answer 1

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 2

Everyone has an opinion no matter the belief system involved and in an open forum are welcome to give that opinion. I'm sure you don't believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny or the Tooth-fairy but I'm sure you have an opinion on them. At one time, many years ago, I was a christian by name only; even as a child I never believed in the theology of the religion. I believe everyone has the right to their own choice of belief and I respect that. I find the board interesting which is why I am here... this isn't the only board I answer questions in.

Answer 3

Truly, most atheists are not here to give edifying and constructive answers. They are here to ridicule and abuse that which they feel superior to. It is, in the end, a widespread psychological problem.

However, it must be noted that most atheists DO in fact have some sort of religion in that they usually worship something or someone other than God -whether it be their own desires, "Science", "Mother Earth", or this-or-that ideology.

Atheists AND theists should be reported for abuse if all they contribute is half-educated and completely useless trash like,"You can't prove that God exists from science" or "Because the Bible says". We need to all demand higher standards for this section if we have any respect for ourselves or the topic.

Answer 4

Some are probably honestly intellectually curious. Others like to feel smug by shouting at the children who ask religious questions. Outwitting a 12 year old, that takes intellectual superiority. Some just like to be inflamatory. Every once in a while, you'll come across an "athiest missionary", which seems to me to be a contradiction in terms. Much like joining the Nietzsche Club.

Answer 5

Let's see:

We protest the persecution of non-christians.
We protest the recruitment of children into faiths that persecute people.
We protest the yearning for WW III (aka Armageddon).
We protest the discouragement to find cures for currently incurable diseases.
We protest the encouragement of authoritarianism (bearing in mind Hitler made a deal with the German Christians which ended the last protestations against the Holocaust).
We care about our planet.
We care about those caught up in self-deception.

Oh yes, not believing in the Christian deity does not necessarily make us Atheists.

But don't let that stop you from choosing a self-serving answer ;-)

Answer 6

Funny, it reminds me of questions where people ask for Non-Christian opinions and you get a lot of christians preaching to you.

What is also kind of funny is that, on this forum anyway, the Christians and the Athiests seem very, very similar. They both are militant that their way is the only way and that the rest of the people are idiots or damned - period. They seem to feel it is their duty to state their opinion and convince others of it - constantly looking for converts (or wary of those who might convert them).

Truly these kinds of broad generalizations aren't helpful either, as there are all sorts of people in every group, but the similarities in the most vocal seems worth mentioning, here.

Peace!

Answer 7

Because atheists can be spiritual too. And some atheists even study the bible. Why are so many religous people in the science section? S'funny...don't you think.

Answer 8

Deep,deep down they know their missing somrthing.
But keep in mind that the very thing they are looking for is NOT in the churches that spread false dogmas,limit the essense of God, or hide the fact that all that's required is to love God.
Religion is the reason for war. To accept God is peace.

Answer 9

This is probably the most asked question in this section.

Many of the Atheists in this section are former religionists so obviously we know at least as much possibly more than the religionists in this section.

Plus this is the internet and people can go wherever the hell they want.

Answer 10

Hmmm.. What exactly is your definition of an athiest??

Religion is based on faith, faith is what you choose to believe.. Therefore it is your own. It's personal its what you make it to be.
Why do I need to go to a building to have faith? Believe everything in a book written by man?? Believe in someone who lived thousands of years ago?

How can i put my faith in something that kills?? murders?? rapes?? pedophiles?? greed?? plunder? etc etc then claims "God" said it was ok???

Sorry I choose to believe what works for ME.. Like man religion can't explain everything either.

Speaking of those constanly trying to "prove" their point, Bush, Hitler, Napoleon, Hazbullah, Saddam, Rome...and so on and so on.......

Funny how most of the replies are the so called Good people of God Bashing athiests... Again one has the right to choose what they believe. I'm not athiest nor a bible hugger.. I have my OWN belief.. And if ya dont like it i'll see ya in hell anyway.....Kinda funny how many bible huggers will end up in hell anyway...

Answer 11

Because you don't have to *be* religious to be interested in religion. You might as well ask why there aren't more plants posting in the biology section, or cartoon characters in the comics section.