I would like for athiests to answer my question here...and this is not just a mindless attack?

Question

I think atheism to the atheist is a reason for that person to do whatever they want without consequence. I also think that not many support atheism because athiesm offers no hope. I have met many many many athiests...I am friends with several...but I have yet to meet one optomistic athiest. Every one I've met is mad at the world (or mainly at Christians). They have no positive thing to say...and well...that can be a drag. No one likes a negative person. No one wants to fellowship with a negative person. People as a general whole are searching not necessarily for God (although I believe Him to be the answer) but for hope...something positive...something to bring light to their already dark and dull day of work or sickness or pain. Atheism has nothing to offer except for a life of anything you can conceive of doing with no immediate consequences for your actions. And although that's initially appealing, I don't think too many are fooled. What do you have to offer and are you truly happy?

Actually...I wasn't just told that...that's kind of my observation after many conversations with many people...

Also...I would like to reply to each of you individually either in thanks or with further questions. I promise, I am not trying to bash anyone here and I don't appreciate the bashing back. I am trying to understand. Thank you.

Answer 1

I have plenty of friends...and it's because I am an upbeat person.

I am truly happy, and have a lot to offer. I have a great job as a science teacher & a great relationship with my friends and boyfriend.

I am enjoying life, and treat people with the same respect I would like to be treated with.

And I do this even though I don't believe in god. I don't need a false belief in an invisible man who lives in the clouds to make me happy.

Answer 2

Why does atheism have to offer something? It's typical of a theist to assume that something must be offered. What hope does a book based on 2000 year old mythology offer in reality except spurious arguments and the potential of something for which there is absolutely no proof? Simply because something is written down and declared to be the words of a god doesn't actually make it so. There have been book after book (or equivalent) after book claiming the same for eons and multiple societies before the christians claimed that THEY have the real, one true god. Interestingly, they usually all claimed the same truths and benefits of some after life of luxury.

And why does being an atheist mean we can do whatever we want without consequences? Jails are filled with theists and atheists alike. I don't remember there being different laws for us and the theists. If you want to argue honesty, morality or any other character trait you view positively, I suspect most atheist possess them just as much as the god fearers and I would also suspect that as many negative attributes of atheists are just as much displayed by theists.

Maybe atheists are only depressed when they are talking to you? Have you ever considered why?

Answer 3

Wow u need to find some happier atheists to hang out with. I am not an atheist because i am a horrible person that likes to do what ever i please (that is why there are more religious ppl in prison than there are atheists in prison) i was raised well by my parents and taught right from wrong and given the space to choose my own path which led me to atheism, i cannot force myself into believing religion or god no matter how much u object to it. As for the hope, ur right we all want hope, but i hope for different things, like having a family and living a good long life, watching my gran-kids grow up and teaching them about life and the many experiences we have, that is what i hope for and it makes me happy, the love i will give and receive in my limited life time. Being an atheist gives me the knowledge that everyday counts, there is nothing for me after this life so i have an urgency to achieve all i wish for myself as soon as possible because i am aware of how short my time actually is. I am happy and i do not think my beliefs foolish, nor do i think urs are either. We have to find a way to be happy in this life because we do not know for sure if there is a next one or what it will bring.

Answer 4

I am a truly happy person and yes I am an atheist. I appreciate the beautiful world and people around me.

I do not agree with your assessment that we can do whatever we please without consequence. If I steal I will be arrested and I will go to jail I know that stealing is wrong, I know that murder is wrong along with a great many other things. Actually fear of jail is not what keeps me from committing crime; it is because I know that not committing those types of heinous acts is the right thing to do.

Do I think there are a lot of social ills with the world.. yes I do I'd have to be blind not to see that. However, I know with hard work and patience those can be corrected. I do not take that as a negative outlook but more as a positive one.

You have the freedom of choice to think what you will about atheism; it is not my place to change your mind. I find much happiness and fulfillment in my life. I have a husband who loves me very much, a great family, wonderful friends, a career which I love and I don't do just to make ends meet, I give my time to ARC and the Special Olympics among other charities and I enjoy meeting new people regardless of their belief system.

Answer 5

I think that just by mere acceptance of god, you accept miracles. Hope creates an aura of positiveness, no doubt. You are right, in that people who believe in god, or are religious may have a positive approach to life.

However that is not to say that all Atheists are negative people. Perhaps the ones that you know might be. But there are others out there, a lot of them who are very positive and forward moving folks.

So the determining factor is not being an atheist or not being one.

Answer 6

I can think of nothing so positive as to live a life free of fear that some vengeful god. Atheists/agnostics live in the knowledge that our lives matter because of the communities we build, the children we raise, and the planet we leave behind after we die. That is why we want to leave it a better place.

I don't think you understand. Atheists/agnostics take total responsibility for their actions. We recognize that there are consequences--here and now. We don't look to a deity to forgive some shameful acts; instead, we have to fix them as best we can. Consequences that wait until death are meaningless.

And as for never seeing an optimistic atheist, did it occur to you that your proselytizing could be so annoying that when you approach, atheists immediately become negative? Let go of some of the judgment.

Answer 7

I'm pretty happy as long as there are no Christians around.

I find it pretty disturbing that the only thing that keeps you from killing and raping is the threat of eternal damnation.

"I think atheism to the atheist is a reason for that person to do whatever they want without consequence."

No, it means NO GOD. Hard to understand, isn't it?
Go ask all the Christians in prison about consequences.

your search for hope is the fear of death by the way.

Answer 8

What do you have to offer. I mean just because you believe in something that makes you a better person. I find you not the kind of person I would want to fellowship with

I know people like you self rightous and better than anyone and you make me sick. It is that holyier than thou attitude that pushed me away from Chrisianity.

You believe a book that was written approx 1800 years ago about someone who may or may not have exsisted and someone who created the earth in 6 days and told people to kill in his name and wiped out the earth with a flood and wiped out towns because of sin and more people have been killed and torured in his name than killed in wars. You sir are the one that has a problem you believe in a God that if you don't obey you go to hell so much for his free will. It is not free if you have to do what he says or suffer.

Now if I choose to believe in a God it would be a nicer one I'll tell you that.

Answer 9

I am an atheist because I believe there is no god, not because I want to do whatever I want. I am an extremely moral person just because I want to do my part to better society. I am full of positive things to say because I believe this is my one and only life so I want to make it the best one I can. My family, friends/good times, and goals keep me chugging on. The fact that I believe things usually work out well keeps me from freaking out in times of stress.

Answer 10

Warren Buffett is an atheist and he doesn't seem to be very negative about anything.

Bill Gates claims agnostic, but he doesn't believe in God, so that makes him an atheist.

Maybe it's the kind of people you associate with rather than their beliefs or non-beliefs.