What makes me an atheist?

Question

From your point of view, what makes someone an atheist? I am not looking for a definition of atheism, I want to know why you think some people are theists, and some people are atheists? What creates the difference?

It really does crack me up that a girl with "christian" as part of her username gives me the definition of atheism rather than reading the actual question and realizing that I did not want the definition, but rather something else. Rather moronic yes?

No real answers yet. I'm actually rather disappointed. Is it hereditary? Purely choice? Predestination?

Answer 1

Atheists: I think that most atheists are more inquisitive than theists. They need answers and the problem with religion is that questions only lead to more questions. There are no logical answers supported by evidence to explain the bizzare claims of most religions.

Theists: I believe that geography and enviornment account for 99% their beliefs. For Example....In many middle eastern countries, Islam is the only legal religion. Generation after generation are indoctrinated and it is a crime to question the religion. The people have NO CHOICE in the matter...either accept allah or be tortured and die. In America, you have mostly christian denominations and most people follow these beliefs because their parents taught them from a young age and threaten them with "hell" instead of public beheading. To a small child who still believes in Santa Claus, The "devil" is a scary idea and being tortured with fire is even scarier. Again...no choice. In the child's mind it's follow this religion or be tortured in hell.

Answer 2

I think it's different for each atheist, but many of their experiences are probably similar.

I would say that some are that way because they were not raised in religious homes, their parents did not place a strong value on practicing a religion and subsequently, they just don't acknowledge any supreme being's existence.

Many atheists were once Christians, and became atheists because they somehow came to the conclusion that God could not exist. Maybe they saw too much corruption in the church, too many hypocritical Christians, or too much of this or that and decided that if all of that could take place, there must not be a God. I have never heard of anyone leaving another faith to become an atheist, but I'm sure there are some, and many of their experiences are probably comparable.

Many people are theists because they just do not see how everything could have come from nothing. Logically, they do not believe that the universe could have formed on its own without something guiding the process. Also, many theists claim to have experienced the presence of God in their lives. I have heard many people claim to be blessed, or state that God helped them through this or that, and they could have never gotten through had it not been for God.

I guess it all boils down to what type of lens you see the world through, and how you rationalize everything in the universe.

Answer 3

It's a choice. Simple as that. I wouldn't say it's hereditary, simply because sometimes children of atheists become Christians (or another form of theist), and vice versa.

Sometimes, though, some people become atheists because of bad experiences with religion. Too many atheists on here are extremely hateful of all theists, especially Christians. That's why I believe they had bad experiences. I can relate.

Answer 4

I was raised in a religious family. Around the time I was 12, I began to notice some inconsistencies in what was taught. I could tell that we were being told to believe something that seemed a little odd, and the only justification given was along the lines of "that's the way God did it" or "that's the way God wants us to be". Even at a young age, I was suspicious of arguments that are simply appeals to authority. I wanted a more rational justification.

I think this is one of the key things that distinguishes theists from atheists. Atheists are naturally suspicious to appeals to authority. Theists tend to accept without criticism the statements of people who are considered to be trusted authorities.

I know there are acceptions to this rule, but I think its true most of the time.

Answer 5

Im atheist. Having searched for the 'truth', i found that the answer was not in any religion or god for that matter. Being atheist gives me an appreciation of human life, nature and individualism. I've found that the belief in a god/s allow for human suffering and giving up self responsibilties ie god is in control of our lives in some way. You are poor because god wanted you to suffer... test you... etc etc

Why do people believe in god/s in the first place? I don't think it's about god as an entity. It's more to do with practising something that is common... makes people feel that they belong.

Marx once said that religion is the opiat of the people... how true he was!!

Continuing the concept of a god allows for control...rules and laws are put into place.....easier to say 'god says... and you will be punsihed for your sins...' etc

Religion goes hand in hand with the concept of a god... both religion and god/s, i believe, are a man made concept.

If there is anything to believe in, personally for me, it would have to be in a natural law that sets in motion all other laws such as gravity etc in this universe or multiverse of ours. But it most definately would not be in an entity which is so often depicted in religions.

I think nature would be the closest thing to any god. Its there, we can see it before our eyes, we evident it everyday through the changing seasons... birth.. death.. life itself...space. How powerful is that?

Hope this helps...

Just to add.... which might help your question.. think about free will and determinism.....which one is it?? There is a constant battle about these two theories.... as if by claiming one or the other you can finally say that god exists or not. If you think about it we are both. We do not choose to be born or to which status we are born into or the family we have. However given the knowledge we are capable of changing our futures. We as humans have that power.. we even have the ability to choose our own deaths.

Answer 6

Since you're not looking for a definition, I won't give you one. To answer your own question, speak with a theist. Once you do, you'll figure that an atheist is the opposite of that.

Answer 7

I think people get religion and God confused with each other. Most religions have little to do with God, and God has little to do with most religions.

As you age, the belief in a Creator makes a lot more sense than believing that all the universe is the result of random events. The fact that everything had to start some place still remains, and faith in God makes no littler sense than faith in "It just was there".

My personal belief is that the Creator is our parent and our friend if we allow it. We should act towards each other as any loving parent would want their children to treat one another.

Faith make you an atheist just as it means other people are not.

Answer 8

The difference is this: Theists believe in a god or gods, due to indoctrination. An atheist does not, due to critical thinking and skepticism. Pretty clear difference there.

Answer 9

Those x 2 beliefs are in the minds of man. The Bible is the only truth, God said it I believe it that settles it - by the way that 'Christian' that you so call her Loves Jesus - find out more about Him then talk

Answer 10

what creates the difference?!

atheists don't believe in the existence of god...theists do. End of explanation!