Is atheism parasitic to religion?

Question

In western history, the rising and declining of atheism has been commensurate with criticisms of the Roman Catholic Church. Similarly, the R&S section is a beehive of people ready to pounce on Christian questions. Could atheism sustain itself without actively rejecting beliefs and believers?

Answer 1

Atheism is, by definition, a rejection of religious concepts and beliefs. If these beliefs and concepts didn't exist, atheism - by definition - wouldn't exist. And, given that the catholic church was the dominant institution and source of western beliefs, focus on it is logical. Now, we get to the important part -- Karen Armstrong (religious writer) has remarked that religious fundamentalism (a negative religious response) grows in direct response to the threat of religion-bashing by 'secular fundamentalism'. Turning this around, we can pretty much say the same thing about religious fundamentalism - the response will be secular/atheist fundamentalism that seeks to bash religion. And so the cycle continues. The fundamentalism on all sides needs to go away. It's important to consider, though, that if we do the research on science and religion, it wasn't until the church became dogmatic and saw itself at odds with science did scientists start to move away from the church (read 'The New Story of Science' for some detail on this). Therefore, the church can be said to have 'thrown the first fundamentalist salvo' in this fundamentalist back-and-forth bashing. Finally, to characterize either side as parasitic misrepresents the mechanism; it's a response as opposed to a parasitic relationship.

Answer 2

Um...you have stated the obvious. Atheism rises at the same time that people question the church. That's okay, I stumble over explanations, too.

However, I think parasitic is the wrong word. I think that atheism and deism (the belief in a god) define each other: without some having a belief in god, there would be no need to define someone as atheist: It would simply be human nature.

Answer 3

Since atheism is a belief that there is no God, it is not an established organization. It is free thought, that could thrive very happily without organized religion beating it over the head and saying they will go the hell. This section is about debate...and the Christians just love baiting the non-believers. I believe they would be the ones to miss the action.

Answer 4

You were an atheist when you were born, as was everyone else. The fact that you've been bombarded with religious dogma every day since then is the only reason you believe in a god today.

Do you remember what life was like before you were told to believe in "god"? Probably not. So you don't understand. But there is plenty of stuff out here to occupy your time when you're not talking to an imaginary friend. We atheists do the same things you do, every day. We just do more of it, because we don't spend time imagining reality to be anything else.

Answer 5

We wouldn't need to speak out if the Christian right would get off their soap box and let others live their lives the way they choose. The people on this site that are non believers are just watching out for our collective liberties. I think most non believers do not have huge issues with mainstream Christian beliefs, most of us don't care what you believe, as long as you don't try to cram your beliefs down our collective throats. Christians might try a new approach, try asking if someone wants to hear about you beliefs, if they answer yes, go for it. I think you'll find what most people object to, is unsolicited proselytizing.

Answer 6

The only thing an atheist asks for is PROOF.

If a person walks up to me on the street and says "hey, i have an invisible pink duck. If you give me a dollar, he'll gurantee your salvation". I would do what any normal, rational adult would do.....ask for proof.

If religions would stop making wild claims that defy logic and the laws of physics, atheists would stop asking for proof.

....so I guess in that way atheism is parasitic to religion, but no more parasitc to religion than to the invisible pink duck society.

Answer 7

Of course it could. You obviously are refering to a specific atheism based on your own view of atheism.
Perhaps this will help. atheism does not recognize organized religion,any organized religion as anything other than low comedy.
Whether religion existed or not would be irrelevant to an atheist. You only encounter them responding to christians because they are to easy a target to resist.

Answer 8

I have been nontheist for 30 years, but I wasn't an activist atheist until I began to fear that the U.S. was on the road to becoming a theocracy. When the extremist Christians stop being political activists, I'll stop being an activist atheist.

Answer 9

No, Muslims are more of an parasite then unbelieving sinner. God doesn't believe in atheists nor do they exist. Sinners will always be here and they will have a warm and toasted home waiting for them when they die. No threat to others but only to themselves.
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Answer 10

whilst somebody says Atheism is a faith in spite of the only connecting contract with all Atheists being the non-existence of a God, remind them that it follows with the aid of that Theism is a faith in spite of their basically connecting point of view being that there is a God. If Atheism is a faith, all Theists are of an identical faith, which makes each Theist responsible of helping Suicide bombing and desirous to overthrow u . s . for the honour of Allah. whilst they inform you that's ridiculous because of the fact many Theists carry diverse perspectives, tell them an identical of Atheists. There extremely isn't any thank you to spin it that calls Atheism one mixed faith devoid of asserting an identical of Theism, condemning them to be responsible for helping all of the evil faith has executed.