Do Atheists believe we have souls??

Question

If they do what happens to it?? If they don't how do they live with the thought that we "Disappear" after death??

Agnostics can answer too!!
I would hate the thought of just disappearing but that is just me!!! It would scare me to death!!

Answer 1

I'm an atheist, and while this doesn't define all of us, I guess, I myself don't believe in a soul. And yep, it's downright scary at times. But I think it does help me in being motivated to take advantage of what this life has to offer. I have a list of the top ten things I want to do before I die...I have fallen in love, but I have yet to write the great american novel, visit the rainforest, see the Aurora Borealis in person, or become famous. That's just a sampling of my list. I live for what might seem to be "smaller" goals than a religious person, but they are certainly enough to keep me going and keep me happy. But I am able, I think, to more thouroughly live "in the moment." I don't have a paranoid, excessive fear of death, but rather I've learned to appreciate all that's around me, including future opportunities on this Earth. I'm sure it's easy to think you have to be crazy to believe that after we die we're NOTHING...but I'm a pretty normal, well-rounded person, and have from my beliefs learned that you don't need a so-called "ultimate" purpose to live happily day to day. I guess this is just from our hard-wired instincts to want to live. I completely understand your question, though, and it is a good one that reflects your curiousity about those that believe differently from yourself - I wish more people asked questions of this nature in this section! Take care =)

Answer 2

An atheist does not believe in God (Supreme Being). A human soul has absolutely nothing to do with God, regardless of what potentates of the Catholic Church, or anyone else, might say.

An atheist _can_ believe there is a soul for each person. An historical example: Plato. Read what he says about the soul. From what I have read and been taught about this great philosopher, Plato valued human attributes completely over anything remotely religious. From his writings, and thus an estimation of his considerable intelligence, I think Plato (probably) didn't believe in the multiple gods popular in ancient Greek culture. And, from the same sources, he didn't believe in One Supreme Being, either.

What happens to the soul at death? I must go a read Plato again to make sure, but didn't he think that it joins with other kindred souls in some other-worldly place?

Living with the thought we completely disappear after death? Yes, many people believe just that. I do. This may become a problem on my death bed, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it... Meanwhile, it really doesn't bother me! Honestly.

Answer 3

Atheists do no longer position self assurance in non secular souls. They do position self assurance in nominal souls. A nominal soul is merely life as all of us understand it. non secular souls are of supernatural beginning and has been the middle of discussion between the Believers and the nonbelievers. non secular souls are creations of absolutely the. There are 2 significant descriptions of a non secular soul. the classic view of the soul is that it really is a similar because the spirit on my own. The Biblical view defines it because the union of the spirit and the actual body. in worry-free words human beings have both spirit and body, accordingly we are non secular souls. A body and not using a spirit isn't a soul and accordingly lifeless. A spirit and not using a body continues to be no longer a soul and can't connect with the actual international. what's spirit? The spirit is the nonphysical portion of our body. It incorporates our recommendations, will, and life stress. The spirit interacts with the actual international with the help of the mind. because of this it really is perplexed as recommendations in early philosophies. i desire this enables a perplexed soul. Godspeed!

Answer 4

can agnostics answer or just atheists?

not trying to be sarcastic

In that case, I personally think that you have a soul but I wouldn't be sure what that constituted. Oblivion is kind of an illusion anyway, because at the least you would be re-circulated into the workings of the cosmos....who's to say that down the line another you-like thing might come again? And even if it doesn't, you're still part of the collective, so what's the worry? Doesn't god say that he will 'drink the chosen into him' or something? Isn't that the same thing?

Now hell, that's a scary concept.

Answer 5

You don't "live" with it if you don't worry about it. What the heck can you do if you believe that you just die and there is nothing more? You can't do anything about it, you are going to die regardless of what you believe and you won't come back to tell one person what is on the other side.
That's why it is still a 50/50 deal out there for all Christians and all Atheists. Neither one nor the other knows for SURE what happens when you die.
You only know what you Believe right here and now. And that is not a sure bet for anyone.

Answer 6

What is a soul other than a four letter word? When you tell me what one is, then maybe I can tell you if I believe in it.

Can I buy one at WalMart? I believe in WalMart.

On a serious note are you asking if some part of my consciousness might continue after my body dies. If so I would say It depends on how many bodies I have. I know it seems like we only have one body but I don't think anyone has done a complete inventory. If I have enough spares then my consciousness might continue. If not then I am probably toast.

I know this seems strange but read the links below before you click on the down arrow.

Answer 7

Atheists generally believe that there is no such thing as a soul and that consciousness is purely based on brain chemistry. When the brain stops functioning, the consciousness disappears.

The consolation for atheists is that what you do when you are alive still lives on. If you raise a family, create a piece of great art, build a house, or help your community, that is immortality of a sort. But heaven and hell are just mythical locations to a true Atheist.

Answer 8

I don not believe in a soul or spirit and know that when I die I will die like everything else that has ever died. Decompose and feed some animals.


Well it sorta scares me that I don't have a soul and that once I'm dead. Im gone forever. BUT I will live my life as best as I can and try to better humanity with some of my ideas and hopefully I won't be useless. but even if I die young or die having done nothing I won't care. I will just not even care about anything it will be heavenly. heh

Answer 9

Atheism is from two Greek words meaning "no gods". If an atheist doesn't believe in gods, he probably doesn't believe in souls either. What happens to it? Nothing happens to a soul, for it doesn't exist. If you mean consciousness, it goes the same place a candle flame goes when you blow it out. What is so unpleasant about the realization that death is the end for us? It's much better than the tedious fantasies about afterlifes that would bore a man of my intellect agonizingly. No one has the imagination to concoct an afterlife that's acceptable to geniuses. It is sad that people like you cannot accept what is true, rather than paying con men much money for years to tell them wild tales of "Pie in the Sky By & By". My sister gives her church $50 a month. If she saved it, she could buy a Cartier "Tank" watch like mine in 9.3 years...but maybe she bought a preacher one.

Answer 10

One of the most appealing things about atheism is that they can think things independently. They do not have to have specific predetermined dogma or morals, they can believe whatever makes sense to them.

You would have to ask individual atheists of their beliefs.

I am an atheist. My personal belief is that there is no soul, we are just bodies. We die, and we rot. The end.

My atheist friend believs in souls.