I am an atheist, and I have always been an atheist. I wonder, can those who do believe in a god accept that I am incapable of belief in a higher power, a god? Can any of you honestly accept that atheism wasn't my choice?
2006-09-29 16:12:50 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Why does natural atheism make me as bad as a bible-thumper? I don't believe that I have free will on the matter at all. I cannot force myself to believe something untrue, no?
2006-09-29 16:17:37 · update #1
Sure, I remember when God told me to be an atheist.
In other words, my mind rejected the idea of God.
A-theism is the lack of theism. It isn't a belief in no god, it is the lack of a belief in god. It just means you are pragmatic and don't believe things that have no real basis for believing them.
Good for you.
2006-09-29 16:16:10 · answer #1 · answered by auntiegrav 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, I wouldn't say that you are incapable by any means. You kind of make yourself sound weak and unsure. You are just a logical person who chooses to lead his life in a rational way. The only beliefs I have come straight from my heart. I am not incapable of feeling otherwise, I just know that it's not for me.
2006-09-29 23:25:17 · answer #2 · answered by munkees81 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i can accept that you are an atheist if you base your statement of that fact on experience and research. if you tell me you didn't have a choice in the matter, sorry bud, i can't accept that. we're human beings. we all have choice. if you want to say you're an atheist because you truly do not believe that God exists, after doing your OWN research, then sure, whatever, you've made your choice. just don't hide behind something to shield yourself from the ramefications of your DECISION. your faith, or lack thereof, IS YOUR CHOICE. nobody can be forced to do what they don't really want to do, for whatever reason. atheism IS your choice. YOU choose it. it is not forced upon you...you will see how many theists will try to convince you of the presence of God, pointing out His many miracles, etc., and you will wreak their vengeance for your statement. just know this: CHOICE is a fundamental element in life...it's what separates us from the animals. NEVER GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO CHOOSE. thanks for the soapbox...and the points!
2006-09-29 23:21:02 · answer #3 · answered by vrandolph62 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It seems dubious that one is devoid of the ability to have faith in God. This would support predestination and nullify freewill.
But it is certainly plausible that you feel incapable, and I believe that you can believe you are.
What you should keep in mind is that you aren't dead yet. While you may feel incapable today, tomorrow may be a whole other matter.
2006-09-29 23:15:41 · answer #4 · answered by Gestalt 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree, I am the same way. Born and raised and there is no way that I could force myself to believe in something that I don't. That would be like forcing yourself to believe in your little sister's imaginary friend...and if possible then someone has a mental illness.
Like munkees81 just said...from the heart and I can't be who I am not.
2006-09-29 23:31:52 · answer #5 · answered by Indigo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm an agnostic and I don't accept that for one second. If you claim to have no control over what you believe, then you are as mindless as the self-righteous Bible-thumpers.
If you want to believe in God, then do it. If you don't, then don't. But at least accept responsibility for what you choose to believe, because it IS a choice.
2006-09-29 23:14:43 · answer #6 · answered by I Know Nuttin 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not really, because your beliefs aren't genetic. You may have had no other belief, but continuing in that belief is always a choice.
2006-09-29 23:19:45 · answer #7 · answered by BABY 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a theory that religious experience is influenced by genetics. Here's a link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_gene
2006-09-29 23:25:02 · answer #8 · answered by RabidBunyip 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
2006-09-29 23:13:58 · answer #9 · answered by Frodo the space bard 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course. I am the same way.
2006-09-29 23:15:53 · answer #10 · answered by Linda 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋