Are there any benefits to being an atheist?

Question

That make life worth living more and are unique to atheism.


This site doesn't really give atheism much credit to being content, so it seems. Maybe it's just a few people here that desire badly to be accepted by other atheists to tell them they are right. Not all act this way, but seen alot of it today. What's up?
Pros?Cons?
I did say unique, you better know your stuff. ;)

Answer 1

i like the fact that there isn't someone, some beings, some object, that has to be worshiped ad nausaum. there is no higher law other than the ones we have here on earth. there is no wonder of an afterlife; no wondering if what you just did is another ticket to hell; no wondering about who you will meet in heaven. to be an atheist, means you are only concerned with the here and the now and you can go about your life not be significantly worried about anything but your own fellow beings and what you can do to help them. thanks for asking this question.

Answer 2

the question could also be asked: does ANY religious system give benefits? if so, what? Christianity since the end of the 4th century has largely been distorted into an "it'll all be okay when you are dead" kind of thing.... that is certainly not the original nor main "benefit" of Christianity. Atheism is a religion. In the sense that it makes sense of the universe and tries to supply meaning. which is what all religions do. In the religion of Atheism, sense and understanding are made apart from the idea of an infinite god. this does not mean that Atheist are necessarily devoid of spirituality.

so yes, there can be benefits to being atheist, as being an atheist CAN help someone find meaning and understand the universe... (I myself do not have the courage to be an atheist)

jmk

Answer 3

On the "worth living" front it's easy. You savor the cup of life deeply because you don't foster illusions about about Nirvanas or heavens. Thus, in a funny way, every real minute of your life, and the lives of those around you is "sacred."

You do good for its own sake, and not because some cruel deity will punish or reward you.

You approach knowledge with a fearless joy. It can only contradict less developed notions; and there's elation in developing coherent solutions, or merely understanding them.

For me there's also the conviction that I've come to understand my fellow human: his fears, his delusions, his culture. I am no better, but there is this veil I do not wear.

Answer 4

When you are an atheist and see the absurdity of religion, that alone gives you a unique freedom. I spend 0 time thinking about god, and how I am living up to his stadards.

When you are an atheist you do not have a god to fall back on. Your decisions are your own, your actions are truly from within and not without. You live for yourself and humanity, not a god. Ethics are driven by the self, not a god, therefore are more genuine.

When youa re an atheist, you can accept science in its entirety and better understand the world around you.

The problem with atheism (just like religion) is you get fanatics. People who feel they have to push it on people who just don't want to hear it.

Answer 5

Well, if you are completely convinced that there is no God that will reward you or punish you after you die, then I would think that you might have a more relaxed view of life as opposed to someone that believes he or she will be rewarded with Heaven or punished with Hell. A lot of Christians live their lives seemingly in constant fear that they will do something wrong and be denied entrance into Heaven. If you are an Atheist, and are 100% sure that you are right, then you wouldn't have to worry about that. But, you would have to worry about making the most out of this life, because after that, it's all over--you're worm food.

Answer 6

Perspective. An atheist is a unique position to look at all the religions in the world in an unbiased way. If you believe in a religion, you cannot study others without prejudice, since you "know" that they are false, and yours isn't.

There is also great intellectual freedom in being an atheist. You do not have to restrict yourself in order to avoid things that contradict your fatih. Evolution is a good example of this.

Answer 7

I would think that someone that does not believe in an after life would try to live life to it's fullest. A Christian can always tell him or her self that if life stinks then they will be rewarded in heaven. An Atheist I guess would take responsibility for his or her own life and make good things happen for them here on Earth.

Answer 8

Yes!

1. Atheists give Christians ministry opportunity.
2. A converted Atheist (such as St. Paul) usually ends up being MORE convicted and MORE celebratory than someone who came into the body with no belief.
3. Atheists' representation shows others who have a heart for Christ what they DON'T want to look like.
4. Atheism is another reason for a Christian to be thankful as well as more people to pray for.
5. If there were no unrighteous, there would also be no righteous.
6. A Christian gains a deeper strength in ministering to an atheist. It's much more difficult to love on someone who hates that whom you love than it is to love on anyone else.
7. Romans 8:28
And we know that ALL THINGS work together for GOOD to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Peace.

Answer 9

Tough one. I can say truth is a pro. Not wasting my time in church every sunday or worrying about what a non-existent spirit is thinking or if he is mad at me.

Answer 10

We believe in doing good deeds and not just praying for miracles to happen.