Would you agree that you and I are Atheists because there is no God, that God and religions are inventions of (wo)men, that all humans are born Atheist, and that it is in fact Theists who make a choice wether voluntary or involuntary to be "religious believers".
Do you agree that it is not a decision to be an Atheist, it is just a state of reality, and that the religious person is in fact that person who "made a decision".
2006-10-01 03:48:58 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Actually, I disagree.
It's entirely true that all babies are born atheist - without belief.
However, what happens from there depends. Most theists did not make a choice to become religious. It was literally the default. Children learn belief systems and social mores from the world and people around them, particularly their parents. The vast majority of theists have not made any choice whatsoever, they've simply been indoctrinated and have failed to fight that indoctrination. A small MINORITY of theists have made a positive decision to believe. A choice HAS to be voluntary for it to be a choice.
The situation is reversed for atheists. Many of us, including myself, have been brought up as theists and indoctrinated. It was VERY MUCH an active decision and a fight to become an atheist for me, and for a great many others.
A great many other atheists have been brought up without indoctrination, and in their case it is a default situation - and not a decision.
Therefore it's dependent on the individual, but in the majority of cases the theists DIDN'T make a choice, and didn't think about their indoctrination and simply accepted it or tried to find ways to justify it in adulthood (religious apologism), and conversely the majority of atheists DID make a positive choice to actively reject this indoctrination.
2006-10-01 06:51:01 · answer #1 · answered by the last ninja 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes. If I were born on an island where religion did not exist but the level of science was equivalent to the western world then I don't think there's even a possibility that the idea of a higher power or 'creator' would even cross my mind.
Indeed, if God does exist then he truly is the most sadistic being known to religious people. Surely he would see all the religious fighting going on and just pop down to say: "Hey guys, relax! I'm here, worship me etc and stop killing each other for no reason".
People that kill other people for religious reasons are also not doing themselves favours, what would god think of them destroying his creations? If I were god, I'd be pis**d.
Unfortunately religion is a delusion that is all too easy to fall into if you have no care to learn about the mysteries of the universe. I believe it's adult gullibility in the same way that kids believe in Santa Claus.
2006-10-01 04:02:24 · answer #2 · answered by WizPip 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on what is planted into your mind as a young child. As in you reap what you sow, so people just keep planting the wrong seeds, because change is to painful, that is why they remain Christians, they know the truth but how will they fill that empty spot of their society. What will give people with no hope; hope, what will do that, society could if our system would allow it, but in our so call modern society we have no tolerance for those that fell between the crack, except "put these people where they will not be seen and remain quite" instead of solving the problem.
2006-10-01 04:00:52 · answer #3 · answered by man of ape 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We agree.
Becoming an atheist is more of a conclusion that it is a decision.
Do adults have a choice when asked if Santa exists? How much thought or faith is required to admit Santa does not exist?
Same with "Supreme Beings" who refuse or are unable to make their presence known. People make a choice to believe in "Gods" and that decision is not based on credible evidence.
2006-10-01 04:00:20 · answer #4 · answered by Left the building 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To a large degree, yes, you are correct. I could not choose to believe in God. It's not a part of who I am.
I believe that there are some theists who have been taught to believe from such an early age, that they could not force themselves to feel any differently. Again, their beliefs are simply a part of who they are. Their choice, therefore has been taken away from them by their parents, church and teachers.
2006-10-01 03:51:15 · answer #5 · answered by Kathryn™ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let me get this directly,you are asking questions of atheists and complaining once we reply? Would a while no longer be higher spent complaining approximately the devout no longer answering while you ask questions of them? Religion is backwards. I believe eighteen is your lot kind of
2016-08-29 09:44:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well given that we are so surrounded by delusions, I think it's still a decision to seek the truth. That truth happens to be that there is no god. But the semantic game that ours isn't a decision is a false one.
2006-10-01 03:51:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
What is more stupid, a person who worships a God they can't see or a person who is offended by a God they don't believe exists?"
I think the answer is obvious to anyone with intelligence.
2006-10-01 03:50:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. Precisely.
2006-10-01 03:57:15 · answer #9 · answered by Spookshow Baby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nice come back Jim lol
i just want to say that for me personally it wasnt an easy decision to make
but i have had my own personal evidence that suggests a higher power that outweighs my evidence for none
2006-10-01 03:50:59 · answer #10 · answered by Peace 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋