Why do atheists hang out in the Religion & Spirituality forum?

Question

Obviously atheists are not "religious" or "spiritual". Do they just want to dispute and try to belittle religious questions? If they don't believe in any kind of religion, why do they even care what is discussed here? Are they looking for more answers than atheism provides?

I don't see how atheists can be spiritual when by definition they do not believe in a higher power.

I don't mean to imply that atheists shouldn't be welcome here. I'm just curious as to why atheists are interested in something they adamantly claim to not believe in.

And sorry, to me, "religious atheist" is a contradiction in terms.

Answer 1

Atheism starts with lack of self understanding which leeds to low self esteem and a confusion and they try to blame God for that by denying that He exists. Yes you are right, they are looking for answers because they do not know. I pray that they hang out with us more in this forum and believe that we could bring them to the Light.

Answer 2

So you think all of us Atheists are evil, rotten people? Well you are wrong. Have you read some of the questions that the religious people ask. I mean really, don't you have the book and the man to go get your answers? Why are you hanging out asking all the Atheists these foolish questions? Just because you go to a religious center, or church if you desire, does not mean that you have all the brains. Some of the worlds leading men, and women in the centuries past were Atheists. Us Atheists have the answers, it's you religious church going people who need the constant reassuring that your life will go on after you die. And we do care what is discussed here. We Atheists keep hoping your religious people will finally open your minds and THINK instead of just follow the guy around who has the Koolaid.

Answer 3

Actually, I'm an atheist and I find very interesting what people can say in "our back". We are human beings too...

I hang out here just to read what others have to say. Some contradictions on some opinions are very revealing. Some say the Bible says that, others this... That's not really important what the Bible says or any book. Do what feels right, help others and don't do harm. Anyone can get that, atheists as well as religious people.

You know, there are actually good atheist people with respect for religion of others.

Answer 4

Like Duck Phup said, it's about self-realization, something which all people are concerned with. Perhaps the atheists wish to sway people away from religion toward what they feel is a better philosophy of life. Perhaps they want to prevent people from some of the things they have been through themselves. Perhaps they feel as stongly about this as you do about your own faith. Would you deny that atheism is obviously a religious topic that is concerned with God and religion? Should Christians and other religious people be barred from the scientific categories here? There's an awful lot of contention over science lately by religious folks who discredit science, but know nothing serious of it, and have no interest in it except to mock it. Nothing of value is ever learned without hearing differing opposing voices and debate. Some of the charachters around here are definitely annoying and deliberately insulting, but there are inappropriate remarks coming from both sides on this forum. Comments from the Christian community, such as those about a$$ whoopings and stereotyping assumptions about the evil intentions of all atheists can only serve to give everyone the impression that this is not a place for anyone or anything to be taken too seriously. Yahoo is a place where every dingdong on the planet gathers, the Grand Central Station of the Internet, and the general level of manners and conduct reminds me a bit of what it must have been like in the New Orleans Super Dome during Hurricane Katrina.

If you want a strictly religious website with only Christian participants, you should possibly contact Yahoo with your interests or find another website altogether suited more to your tastes. There are many fine sites for that purpose, if that's what you seek. To expect anything here other than what is already here seems a bit unrealistic, so my suggestion would be to take this place for what it is, take it in stride or find another site. But the brouhaha here however may be actually helpful to everyone in learning about the real world and all the people in it and how to deal with others with whom you seriously disagree. You could actually grow in your own faith from it.

I am not an atheist myself, nor am I more than 'marginally' Christian, whatever that is, but I firmly believe in the cherished old American tradition of free thinking and free speech for all.

If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

Answer 5

Atheists are very confused individuals. Some the atheists on here have built there lives around this forum. They have even made a forum connected to this site which is very sad. I agree with you there is no such thing as a spiritual or religious atheist. Atheism is means no belief system. I have encounter some true atheists in other forums and they are not like the ones on here that are dogmatic and perverters of the truth. Atheism is a man made joke and a excuse to continue in sin. God bless the unbelievers.

+j+

Answer 6

Your ignorance shows in the first line. There are plenty of religious and spiritual atheists. In case you didn't know this, Buddhism is an atheist philosophy. Just because a person doesn't believe in any gods doesn't mean they aren't spiritual or religious. More importantly, there are plenty of atheists (like myself) who don't believe in any religions, but who are quite interested in religion and the art and culture that arises from it. Another thing about many atheists is that we like to become enlightened. Unlike people like yourself, who don't know anything about atheism, a lot of atheist like to learn about religion because it plays such a major role in society, whether we like it or not. Just because a person doesn't believe in something doesn't mean that they aren't interested in it. Atheism doesn't provide any answers, maybe if you were more learned you would understand that. Atheism is simply the lack of belief in any gods.

There's a difference between spirits and deities. A spirit is simply a supernatural being. There can be spirits without a deity, no gods must exist for spirits or ghosts to exist.

Just because an atheist is religious doesn't mean they believe in religion. Stop the ignorance and open an book about atheism, one that's written by atheists, not some Pat Robertson bullshit.

Answer 7

They are a relgion. A religion of nothing. One of them recently wanted to start doing marriage ceremonies. Atheist weddings!

Plus, we'd probably have nothing to talk about without them!

Do you know how boring this place would be if a person asked a question and all the answers where just Bible passages.

In one question asked about the Rapture someone cited the so-called "origin" of the Rapture movement. Now, that's generating thinking, that's challenging, now we can debate and use scriptures for and against. But that's rare here.

The best questions come from the feebly religious or non relgious.

After all, we are supposed to have all the answers!

Answer 8

This is the SOCIETY AND CULTURE forum..
why do religious people answer questions in the gay, lesbian and transgendered forum? Same reason.. because when you click on society and culture all questions are viewable so me as an atheist may see one about religion and want to give my opinion on same with religious ppl in the gay forum..

Answer 9

There are many here that belittle and demean atheists, and that is no way to have dialogue. Some atheists are interested in why some people here have faith in a god.

Answer 10

Because your Religion and Spirituality questions pop up on Society and Culture.

Answer 11

> Obviously atheists are not "religious" or "spiritual".

No, there are definitely religious and spiritual atheists. Even if there weren't, there are many reasons why atheists "hang out" in this category.