some research for them selves. I have nothing against any religion or faith or lack thereof.
But just as people who believe in a certain religion read scriptures of that religion to find out about God, aren't atheists supposed to do their homework too?
Or do atheists simply believe what another atheist tells them because it fits in with their belief? If you are an atheist today, just how much did you research or experience to deserve that title?
And what primary works of literature would you ask people to read before they started calling themselves really atheists? What use is a physicist that doesn't know Newton's laws?
I met a 13 yr old atheist here on Yahoo. like, isn't 13 too young?
2006-08-06 22:26:14 · 10 answers · asked by shrek 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Like, A christian is supposeds to know about them 10 commandments thing, they have usually knowledge about jesus being what he was, how he died, resurrected, etc,.
A muslim is supposed to follow Mohammad's teachings, offer Namaz.
To believe in something, or to not believe in something, you should know what you are/are not believing in.
If you say you are a physicist, I would expect you to know Newton's laws, and their limitations in certain scenarios.
If you are an art-historian(sic), you'd be supposed to know about reniassance period, and the principal painters, sculpters of that time.
Religion is something that so many people fight for/against. Surely, you need to know where you stand, and to know means to have justifiable belief in something.
2006-08-06 23:01:03 · update #1
I like your way of thinking. I think people should do research, I research anything I'm interested in, I tried religion and didn't like it, but I'm not an atheist, I suppose I'm a realist, which is quite ironic to anyone who knows me. I think kids should be taught a bit of everything just to make their own minds up, my mates kid's got his own ideas, she's a creationist and his Dad's an evolutionist, I think it's cool that they allowed their kid to develop his own ideas.
2006-08-07 07:04:21 · answer #1 · answered by jessiferjonespretend 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Technically an atheist is simply an individual who does not believe in a higher power. There are no books to read, etc. Now, there are those who have studied religion in depth and those who only have a "gut feeling" that no God exists, but then, you have the same sort of thing with any religion, don't you? How many followers have read their religion's holy books? Not nearly as many, I'd wager, as the number of people who just take what their pastor/guru/whatever says on faith.
I could be wrong, but I doubt there are any single books that all or even most atheists would recommend. Some of them would actually recommend that you read about all of the religions, because they'd say you can't call yourself an atheist unless you know what it is you're not believing in.
As for age...what does age matter? Anyway, they can change their minds if they want to, just like those who believe in God.
2006-08-07 05:40:29 · answer #2 · answered by rabid_scientist 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course it does, that's the definition of an atheist -- someone who doesn't believe in a God. Other than that, religions were established to teach good morals and to a certain extent, enforce laws. You don't have to be religious to have either of those things, and to be religious also doesn't automatically mean that you are those things either.
Thirteen isn't too young, I don't ever remember believing in a God, and I sussed out the Father Christmas scam when I was five.
2006-08-07 05:48:42 · answer #3 · answered by anonymous_dave 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's only because some people cling to the cosmic comfort blanket their brand of Sky Pixie gives them that the word atheist is needed. It's a lack of belief in a man-made construct.
Can you prove that the world isn't the plaything of an invisible gigantic custard-eating purple octopus? Go on, do some research and get back to us.
2006-08-07 05:52:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't say your an atheist, there are to many believers out there, they will persecute and ridicule you.
Maybe you could try telling the "Believers", the Universe created you/us, then the Universe becomes God (God in the Context of Creator) - irrelevant of any religion, and as far as we know this answer is Scientifically Correct...
As said in Arther C Clarkes 2010 - "My God ITS Full of Stars"...
(My God IS Full of Stars also then Works)...
2006-08-07 05:38:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's just it most don't research atheism at all. They are too prideful and arrogant to look at it rationally.They just think anyone that doesn't think the same way as they do is stupid.If you ever find a true open minded atheist that will discus their doctrine they wont stay atheist for very long
2006-08-07 05:33:39 · answer #6 · answered by Mr Toooo Sexy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As you said it's far early to make a decision .. build up your brain by gathering facts and information from everywhere .. you don't have to have a religion but when you have one the best is to be so confident that it's the right one .. as religion is like gumbling on the winning horse .. who will lead you to better life and after life .. so be careful if you assume GOD is not there . then the first ting you find after death is GOD .. ?!!
It worth then to make up your mind again ..
2006-08-07 09:24:58 · answer #7 · answered by ohwaw 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
athiest dont believe in anything.they dont have to study anything.and no 13 years old is not to young to be an athiest.im a 13 year old athiest.wtf do u mean if i do research i wont be an athiest?
2006-08-07 05:33:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Denying God does not make the one who denys an athiest. The devil continually denys God. He is definately not an athiest. The bible tells us "he believes and trembles" - he knows what the result of his denial will be.
2006-08-07 05:40:12 · answer #9 · answered by jemhasb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Isn't 13 too young to start scaring the crap out of them with fear of god mythology?
2006-08-07 05:31:58 · answer #10 · answered by GJ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋