Do atheists more frequently do what people consider sinful activities than a believer would?

Question

Or do they sin equally much and the believer just has to repent their sins?

Answer 1

No, I would say not. A relative of mine is atheist and just because they don't believe in the big man upstairs doesn't mean they can't be really good people themselves.

Often the people who aren't religious aren't self-righteous and are most likely to give charity without restriction and are less selfish. Also have most time on their hands (I would expect) as they don't have any religious commitments to hold onto.

They aren't like a different species of animal or aliens from out of space because they are atheists. They just hold different beliefs from spiritual people just like Muslims believe different things from Jews and vice-versa and Christians believe different things from Hindus and vice-versa and Buddhists believe different things from Muslims and vice-versa. They will "sin" but won't make that much of a deal, unless it is a secular sin - ie. shoplifting or murder. With those two examples the only way that the atheist would be able to repent (I would expect) would be to say sorry to the victim of their crime and then if the victim forgave the atheist; to let the atheist come to some sort of peace. This is of course complete and utter hear'say. But you get where I'm going with this. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Actually, I would suppose that an atheist would sin LESS than a beleiver would....

See, as an atheist, sin doesnt exist, because God doesnt exist. Therefore, I NEVER sin....thats the logical arguement.

No, lets pretend that God does exist...who sins more now? Still the beleiver - because as an atheist, I attempt to live my life by a defined set of morals, while a beleiver simply prays on Sunday and sins on Monday, all the while beleiving that he is going to gain entrance into some mythical place based on the fact that he repented for his sins. Meantime, the atheist is living a good clean life.

Answer 3

an atheist doesn't sin at all since they don't believe in "sin". Atheists can however commit immoral acts as any human being does. The atheist repents for his or her immoral acts by making the situation right again or by suffering the logical consequences of their acts. Not by apologizing to some imaginary ghost-god and then pretending the "sin" never happened.

Answer 4

Well, as a believer, we all have to repent for our sins, it's just that some people don't recognize the authority that says that.

They only reason what you ask may be true is that an atheist has no "spiritual" guide or guidelines for he recognizes no moral authority above his own. Therefore, right and wrong, sin or no sin, is really up to his own making.

A "believer" who believes in an authority above that of his own, would be more apt to accept "rules" that he didn't particularly make up in his head. So, there may be more rules for him to break because he accepts the set of rules and doesn't change them to suit his needs!

That is in a "ideal" world of course and believers do interpret rules as they see fit, allowing them sometimes to "sin" while not accepting it as such.

So, generally it depends on whose definition we use as "sin". Atheists have no "sins" to speak of because they have no rules to follow regarding such things.

"What people consider" in your question, is the key for we don't know what "they" think of this, nor do we know who these people are.

Answer 5

To "sin" you first have to accept a religious belief that has such a concept in it.
If a person has no such belief, there is no "sin" regardless of how outsiders think.
Morality is not constrained to religious beliefs and while immoral behavior may be considered a "sin" by some, that doesn't make everything that is considered a "sin" to be immoral behavior.
For Example:
A sexual relationship between two unmarried, legally consenting adults may be considered a "sin" but it does not make it immoral.

Answer 6

Most likely the sins are pretty much the same. As you mentioned its the repenting that makes the difference. Just my opinion.

Answer 7

Oh, I'd have to have a better definition of "sin" to answer that. Some people think eating pork is a sin. My in-laws think watching an episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer is a sin.

And if you're going for what rational people think is a sin, then I still couldn't tell you, because I think anyone that gets their definition of sin from a "holy book" is irrational.

Answer 8

If the person is an atheist then technically the idea of 'sin' wouldn't exist for him/her. One would have to accept the idea of some structured 'faith' in order for sin to exists. IS guilt repentance? Or conscience?

Answer 9

atheists are often very moral people. it's just that they don't need a fear of hell or a confusing out-of-date text to make them do the right thing. so no, they probably don't sin any more than "believers." in fact, they might "sin" less, since they don't believe that some spirit in the sky will give them absolution if they ask for it all nice like. they have to live with the consequences of their actions.

Answer 10

According to most christian doctrine, we are all sinners and despite best intentions are constantly sinning. The yardstick 9 for lack of a better word) within christianity is not based on how much one sins but whether one accepts jesus as the answer to save you and achieve forgiveness regardless of actual amount of sin. The athiest could actually "sin less" but be held more accounatble for that sin because he/she has not repented and accepted jesus.