2006-10-31 14:55:55 · 15 answers · asked by Shal 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Both are unshakable in their beliefs if they are strong and steadfast but weak atheists seem to be paranoid because all they talk about or dwell on is God and Christianity. Some theists can be obsessive too like Rev. Phelps for instance which is too extreme and he is stuck on one issue and that's Homosexuality and not attending to greater issues at hand in this world.
Shalom
2006-10-31 15:06:22 · answer #1 · answered by Pashur 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Since beliefs are the main difference between theists and atheists and beliefs are part of a person's psychological makeup, I have to assume you are asking about personal qualities like security, self-worth, acceptance of self and others, insightfulness, ability to make commitments and things of that nature. Those are all highly individual traits. You would have to ask particular people who have experienced both belief-systems which one made them feel more secure, more valuable as a person and so on.
But I'll give an opinion all the same. I see religious people as having more of a problem accepting that death is real and carrying an unresolved fear around, disguised and hidden by a personal myth.
I think a more productive investigation on your part would be to look at the differences in a more specific and down-to-earth way, like which belief system seems to be better at helping a person manage anger.
I've met angry people who were theists and other angry people who were atheists. I've never really met an angry Buddhist, though.
2006-10-31 23:28:05 · answer #2 · answered by anyone 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Both are convinced the other is wrong and they are right. Both are convinced the other is delusional. Both are convinced the world would be a better place if everyone believed just as they do. Both are convinced the other is responsible for a good portion of the ills in society today. Both are convinced the other has either a whacked out set of morals or no morals. Both are convinced if the other side would just look at the evidence, they would be convinced. Both have some members who believe their way who think the other side is evil. Both have some members who are pretty decent people. Both make up statistics to make their particular mindset look better.
Hmm.
Not much difference from my view.
2006-10-31 22:59:55 · answer #3 · answered by Laura D 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I double majored in Sociology and Psychology in college. I can tell you that the difference is not as huge as you think. Biologically speaking, Atheists tend to be a lot smarter and educated, but that is not to say that Theists are stupid. Socially speaking, Church (or mosque or synagogue) attending Theists tend to be happier than Atheists and Theists that do not participate in social events. Other than that, there are no other major differences. Studies in religion tend to be criticized because what is meant as "religion" changes from person to person and is really hard to objectively study.
2006-10-31 23:38:00 · answer #4 · answered by Alucard 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The letter "A" is about it. Reading the posts, there is no difference in the psychology, both are extreme religious flakes.
"Belief is the death of thought" Robert Anton Wilson
2006-10-31 23:21:08 · answer #5 · answered by Hatir Ba Loon 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
There are no mental differences.
Theists *tend* to be happier because of faith. That's not to say that athiests aren't happy. It's just that when theists are upset or if something bad happens, they turn to a higher power in beliefs that they will get help. Ya know?
2006-10-31 22:58:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
... athiest begins with an "a"? What's the difference between Christian and athiests, besides their beliefs? Beliefs are pretty much all that is the difference. They can be quite similar.
2006-10-31 22:59:39 · answer #7 · answered by spirenteh 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
To athiests, psychologically everything depends on them, to theists, psychologically everything depends on their God.
2006-10-31 23:16:57 · answer #8 · answered by Therapist King 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Atheists don't need to believe that a bearded omniscient hateful wrathful deity created them and the universe to understand their place in the universe. Atheists are comfortable with the concept of a universe with no god and are often more comfortable with the idea of there being nothing after death. Check out www.richarddawkins.net btw
2006-10-31 22:59:29 · answer #9 · answered by monkeymagic6966 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I do really wish to believe that neither of us is SO determined to have the same psychological profile...
2006-10-31 23:03:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋