There is a point to my question.
2006-08-16 13:30:29 · 23 answers · asked by LittleMermaid 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Ii reminds me a famous dialog from a Russian movie:
Detochkin (main character): "Father, how can you believe in God?"
Priest: "Everybody believes, my son. Some people believe that He exists, other believe that He does not, but both are unprovable."
Obviously, atheists are the second ones. They BELIEVE that there is NO god. Surprizingly, some of them can still believe that there is an afterlife.
The priest in this dialog didn't mention the existence of agnostics (I think he was one of them himself!)
To look deeper into your question, I am thinking that maybe you're asking a more philosophical question about idealism vs. religion. Was Plato's Demiurge equivalent to God?
2006-08-16 13:41:42 · answer #1 · answered by hec 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Misread, let me clarify.
An atheist might hold some of those beliefs, except for the higher power one. Once you start believing in a higher power, you are no longer an atheist. An atheist might have a religion that doesn't include gods, but atheism itself is NOT a religion. Not anymore than saying that you don't want a coke is saying that you do want a pepsi.
2006-08-16 20:36:59 · answer #2 · answered by The Resurrectionist 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Higher power = a god
Atheism = a (without) + theism (belief in a god(s))
Therefore, Atheism = no higher powers
However, many Atheists (including myself) are Buddhists, and so may believe in reincarnation. Atheists can still be spiritual.
2006-08-16 20:36:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No atheism is not a religion; atheism means not believing in deities of any kind. Each atheist is different and will act different. Not all carry the same beliefs. And yes we do believe in ourselves to a certain extent but a lot of us believe in humanity also.
2006-08-16 20:50:20 · answer #4 · answered by genaddt 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, i am atheist and my religions is Buddhist. We Know,there is a powerfull deva(goddess), as Brahma that common people identify Him as God, but we don't worship Him. He is not eternal even his life is so long until you think He is eternal, one day He will die and reincarnate. afterlife? there is many choice realms that we could become when we die depends of our good or bad actions.There are animals, humans, devils and more than 10 hells, 26 heavens (Brahma live at one of the hight class heaven, so everyone could become a God too, but so many good actions needed).
The last but not the least, You don't have to become a Buddhis to go to Heaven, it's depends on your good action at your life. Even a Buddhist that have many bad actions will go to hell. Buddhist priorities is Nibbana (the ultimate happines condition and the stop of reincarnation cycle, that could be archieved even you haven't die).
Thats my humble Opinion.
2006-08-16 20:55:53 · answer #5 · answered by NoBody 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atheism means lacking belief in any god or gods, therefore no religion. Also no higher power, no heaven, no afterlife.
Put it another way: Atheism is a religion like bald is a hair color.
2006-08-16 20:50:09 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some believe in an afterlife but none believe in a god if that's what you mean by higher power.
2006-08-16 20:36:14 · answer #7 · answered by 1337 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. Atheists believe that there is no higher power. That we are it. No afterlife.
2006-08-16 20:35:52 · answer #8 · answered by Camille 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't beleive in a higher power or an afterlife.
2006-08-16 20:49:09 · answer #9 · answered by Bree 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be an atheist is to not believe in anything. The whole meaning of being atheist is to have the absence of belief .. no God, no heaven, no hell ... just the absence of belief.
2006-08-16 20:38:17 · answer #10 · answered by jessi7teen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋