Why do people say there are no atheists?

Question

I see Christians say atheist believe in god even if they don't know it. In the back of their minds. Well I say there are no theists, because they always doubt there is a god, even if they do not know it. So they are all atheists. If you are a theist, now you know how ridiculous this is. I will give ten points to the person that responds to the question. Not gives an opinion of atheists etc. Saying they believe even if they do not admit it, goes both ways, and is the same as a little kid saying their imaginary friend is real, and you know it even if you do not say it.

Answer 1

These are the same people who say that we never landed on the moon, aliens built the pyramids since humans were too dumb, and that Jesus actually walked on water. Oh, and That by ignoring someting it will just go away. The people who say atheists don't exist are creating a lazy Evangelical's cop-out. If there's no atheists, then they won't have to convert them.... because they know they can't.

Answer 2

It is true that in the Ancient Greek, the word "atheistos" tends to mean "one forsaken by the Gods" rather than simply one who doesn't believe in them, so it may have been an unfortunate label choice to express non-belief. In the ancient world there was much less stigma for non-belief, as people would have found it silly to think that the Gods somehow "needed" belief from everyone or anyone.

Certainly it is a valid position, particularly from a scientific point of view, that there is no solid evidence for the existence of God, nor even universal agreement on the definition of "God". One can always say "No, I don't believe in *your* God."

Yet, many who do not understand science make the mistake of assuming that atheists "worship" science or anything else. It's nonsense, because science is a methodology for investigating testable claims. It's a "parsimonious" viewpoint that simply aims not to make unwarranted assumptions about inherently untestable ideas. That should be respected. Faith is anything else, and I respect that as well. The problem occurs when person try to mix religion with science or religion with government ... it's corruptive on both sides of the issue, and that *has* been demonstated well enough in history. :)

Answer 3

Hmmmm.... I see your point.

Some believers do have some moments of doubt, I suppose.

So, you reason that they do not believe because they do not believe 100% of the time?

I've never heard anybody say there are no atheists. But I think it is true that an atheist could have moments of doubt as well. Why not?

It is only human, in fact it is Very human, to re-think our beliefs occasionally.

I think the problem here is that we shouldn't be so quick to label ourselves and one another. Keep an open mind that we just MIGHT be wrong.... !!!!

If I'm wrong that God exists, I've still accomplished a lot by living as though God does exist.

If you are wrong... and God DOES exist... then you may be in trouble by living as though God does NOT exist.

At least that's the way I see it. It's more important how we live...
than how we profess to believe.

Answer 4

I happen to agree with you AND the theists at the same time. They are coming from the point of "every atheist will say a prayer to a god when their lives are threatened...just to cover their bases." And, every theist, at times, curses their god and throws their god away over un-answered prayers...Comical, isn't it? It would seem that mankind is still a little weak in the head. The theists need more than they can find within themselves to blame for their failures, and they seem to be unable to accept consequences for their actions. Atheists seem to be stronger in the brain department, but probably are better gamblers, in that often, not always, but often, will utter that prayer...just in case! I truely believe the world would be an infinently better place if each of us accepted responsibility for our actions, for in that acceptence, we would find peace. The old golden rule, "Do unto others as you would have done unto you" seems to say it all. And, it does not include a god to fall back on. Good luck

Answer 5

To the people who say this about atheists....is this some form of mind reading? Is that not against your religion? Is that of the devil as you like to say?

I am an atheist/agnostic. I do not believe there is a god because there is no proof. BUT, there is also no proof to substantiate the other either.

The fact is, I do not need a fairy tale to teach me how to live. I have my own values that I live by. And I do not need some vindictive murderous "god" to justify it.

Religion is opium or the masses, to keep control. Religion, to some, explains things that their mind cannot or refuses to comprehend.

Answer 6

It's not that athiests believe in God, it's that they have made "gods" in their lives by the way they live their lives. If they place all their trust in themselves, then they are their own god, if they think it's all natural, then their god is nature, if their whole focus is sports, or t.v. or relationships or whatever it might be, that entity has become their god. Whatever they invest their "energy" into that encompasses their passions and hope, that has become their god.
Theists and even christians have been found to fall into this same pattern without even realizing it.

Answer 7

To a point they're right on this, though it doesn't always pan out to outright believing in a god. Scientific studies show that the human brain is predisposed to believing in something bigger than oneself, chemicals in the brain move the person toward a "spiritual" side or awakening (or whatever word you want to use, basically I'm saying humans are naturally spiritual). But this doesn't always pan out to belief in god. Sometimes it pans out into wanting to make society better, but not necessarily because one believes god wants it that way. Sometimes it just feels like a higher connection with nature, but not always that god made nature. Spirituality shows up even in atheists, but again I say it doesn't always show up in belief in a diety.

Answer 8

Even Christians occasionally doubt things. That's just human. However it's foolish to assume that a person can know what someone else believes or doesn't believe. You make a good point.

Answer 9

it made sense to me, what are you saying, and the reason been why I begin this answer to your question in this way, its simply because I will like to expand a little within the same subject, simply because I think that every Christian (I'm Catholic), we feel a bit threaten by the conditions that atheists, or theist, are around, thou we can quit understand their way's, specially went they open their mouth, and everything becomes confusion to our ears., personally to my knowledge and understanding, this is true, also I can add, that their tactics which I perceived to be negative for all Christian, we should expose to the light, and to the light of others, like you and me, and many others who need to clear the doubts we perceived anytime we talk, listen, a/o read an atheist question, I hope this is clear to all, because I can even think in my own mind that for Christians to talk to atheists, can become dangerous for our health, as well that for our own cause. simply because they have which to look their mind, and understanding of the divinity and sublimity of our Lord Jesus Christ, as well the respect we all catholic and Christians as well deserved to have for Jesus Holly Mother. God bless everyone in Jesus name<<<< stay safe, don't talk to atheists.>>> .

Answer 10

First of all quit generalizing ... not ALL people say this or anything else for that matter.

Secondly, I personally believe in a power greater than myself, but NOT the Christian god or any other god.

In my opinion it's pretty damn arrogant of anyone claiming to know or have the answers to everything regarding our origin, purpose or destiny.