Question for atheists, agnostics, and other non-believers. What is the true reason of why you are here?

Question

With much respect I ask this question. Everyone has the right to be here, but this question goes to the people who come here regularly who don't believe in any Higher Power nor have a religion. Why are you really here? What do you seek here?

Are you here simply because you are curious and you find it a little mysterious that there are people in your society who believe in a higher being and have a religion, and you are curious to know how that works, or how religious people are, or how they think?

It is hard for you to find that kind of information where you live, or are you ashamed of asking and find this forum the perfect place to learn, even though you don't agree with it?

Tell me mature answers please, also tell me something I don't know. I have been using this forum for months and I am a little tired of the reasons people give me of why are there here.

There is a better reason behind that.

Answer 1

To ask questions about things I don't know about religions, to ask questions that encourage thought, and to ask why people believe what they do.

I answer so I can ask more.

Answer 2

People may not be going to the Religion & Spirituality section because they're curious, can't find information, or are ashamed.

New questions are posted on the Answers home page, and when people see one that looks provocative they can click on it, regardless of which category it's in. That's how I reached this question.

I admit, though, I was somewhat intrigued about others' answers to this question, since I thought it was somewhat existential in nature rather than a concern about people using an open forum. Would people mention the Big Bang, that famous naked singularity? Would they mention being the result of affection between their parents? Would their answers reflect angst or deep thought? Whether or not one agrees with them, people and their reasons for things can be interesting.

I'm sure there are many, both religious and not, who feel compelled to post because they think those on the other side of the fence are missing the boat and they genuinely want them to have a better life.

There are also people who enjoy yanking others' chains, and posting or responding to questions on religion or politics is a good way to do that. Those probably comprise a good many of the posts that annoy you, and are the price of conducting business (so to speak) in a public forum rather than in a private arena.

Addendum: Everyone has a different personal style and different needs, to some extent. If the spirited discussions on this forum really annoy or offend you, you might be more content using a private group. Yahoo Groups may have some discussion groups that are closely moderated or are carefully monitored to have a high Christian-to-other ratio.

Answer 3

"With much respect"? I don't believe you. If you'd stopped after that first paragraph this would be an adult, respectful question, but look at what you wrote in the next two paragraphs. They completely belie your attempt to paint this as a respectful question.

So why did you write this "question"? The obvious answer is that you are frustrated at having seen the non-believers act so much more maturely and intelligently here than the believers (in general: of course there are exceptions in both camps), and you're hoping to come up with some kind of blanket condemnation of believers that gets around that fact.

Or perhaps it's that you're feeling uncertain in your beliefs for the first time, and you're finding that uncertainty too uncomfortable to deal with, so you're hoping to distract those whose posts have raised the uncertainty.

Or it could be that you're ashamed of your beliefs, and you're hoping that you can persuade nonbelievers to go away so that you can work out your shame with only other believers as witnesses.

Now, obviously I don't believe any of that. I just wrote it to show you what's wrong with your "question". I suggest that if you have some serious question about nonbelievers' motivations, you delete this question, rewrite it without the silly insults, and accept the answers that you get. If you're "tired of" the truth, that's your own problem.

Answer 4

I come because I enjoy the conversations. Some I find funny, some I find infuriating, some I find just down right stupid. Some things just inspire me to be a retard, like commenting that god gives me gas so I don't think about god much, some things, like some of Debra M's recent questions, are sincere and respectful, and inspire me to respond in kind, in a sincere and respectful manner.

I do believe, as a rationalist, that I am morally obligated to assist in educating those 'consumed' by their faith to the point they forget how to think. This place occasionally affords me the opportunity to do so.

Answer 5

There doesn't have to be a reason for everything. I'm here because my parents did something 38 years ago that biologically created me.

If I do have to find a reason for living, I'll say to help the human race progress. Nothing else.

Answer 6

faith obviously. reason is purely me and my ideas and different opiniated ideas determining a answer. That answer may not also be achievable through reason. reason is constrained to the slant of the truth seeker. faith is on a more effective plane. It transends the actual and enters the religious. through religion you could replace the international and do the not available. you could create, you could trust, you could wrestle. If I had a terminal disease i'd not favor to be recommended through reason... i'd imagine wish, faith and love will be a lot extra convenience.

Answer 7

If missionaries have got the right to spread the truth about God in a Godless society, then why shouldn't non believers come to this forum to spread their non belief.

Answer 8

I remind you of the fact that this section is not only dedicated to "religion".

It is called "religion AND SPIRITUALITY".

Whether non-believers accept this or not, religion more or less influences our everyday life.

So, it is absolutely normal that "non-believers" need to ask/answer questions about religion AND SPIRITUALITY.

And if you need a better answer, just directly ask your higher power :-)

Answer 9

I am non-Christian, that doesn't mean I am a non-believer. I visit here to learn about the beliefs of others.
I enjoy perspectives different from my own. To hear what others think assists me in my spiritual growth.

Blessings )O(

Answer 10

probably the same reason you are here, to answer questions and learn new things. This place has absolutley nothing to do with religion.