Personal atheist philosophy?

Question

Hello fellow atheists! Fundies often think we are no better than animals (or at least they talk to us like we are freaks), so lets prove the wrong. What inspires you? How do you define right and wrong? Just looking for personal statements of belief, maybe things you have done to act on those beliefs. Just want to prove a confused muslim friend of mine wrong. Most moving and eloquent speech will get best answer.

Good answers so far, but what's with the fundies? We don't care. We don't believe in hell so you can't threaten us with it. Threats aren't particularly persuasive either.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, a lot of people use the word "God" to describe things that are entirely natural, and then assume that when the atheist says "I don't believe," he is including all these things. Let's clear that up...

I believe in hope, honesty and trust. I believe in the goodness of mankind, the promise of a better tomorrow, and the continual progression towards something greater than we are now. I believe in love and compassion. I believe in taking responsibility for one's actions and acting with integrity 100% of the time. I believe we've come a long way, but I believe we have a long ways yet to go. I believe in Justice and Truth that is binding and eternal, but is enforced by us alone. I believe in morality, in treating people with respect and expecting that respect in return. I believe in certain inalienable rights, and I believe in protecting those rights. Above all else, I believe the Sun will rise, the rainclouds will fade, and the cancer will remit...

I believe all these things without believing in God.


If you're confused, it's your prejudices showing. Explore atheism some more...it is more than meets the eye.

Answer 2

I don't think that I could explain mine in a short piece, though it'd be a good exercise. Here are just a few thoughts...

What inspires me is nature - the "what really is" all around us. It's absolutely remarkable.

I don't believe that I have a good grip yet on what is right and what is wrong (though I believe my understanding of right and wrong is far better than the typical fundamentalist's). I do believe that there are moral absolutes, but that they cannot be stated simply. They're like the physical laws of the universe, and we'd better get down to work at discovering them.

If I had to make it a short statement, I'd say that I think that atheist morality begins with honesty. It's clear just from the responses that you got here that basic honesty is where the atheist has the huge edge over the typical believer.

Answer 3

I have my own beliefs. I do not believe that you can only learn from faith the difference between right and wrong, your own set of morality and opinion. I am a good person, better than a lot of people I know. I am an atheist also.

I believe everyone has a right to believe (or not believe) what they want, as long as their beliefs promote peace and respect for others with a different opinion than yours. I, personally, am tired of personal slurs that I am evil and going to hell. It's ridiculous.

Answer 4

What inspires me is empathy. And respect for the inherent worth and goodness of all people.

There's an Indian meditation technique called metta (loving-kindness) which teaches that everyone is just trying to be happy, even if they go about it in some less than effective ways.

So fundamentalists, of all stripes, are just trying to be happy. Unfortunately that includes the conviction that their way is absolutely true and correct and doesn't leave room for other paths. From my point of view, which includes a serious religious background and much decades of study, it severely constrained my own personal growth and now I see how it is also a hindrance to a much-needed healthy society.

My ideal is to treat people with respect, kindness and genuine compassion. I see the problems that we all create for ourselves as being the result of a series of small decisions, many of which made sense in the moment. Sometimes I'm able to help people untangle some of those decisions and get themselves back on track. I try to stay open to those opportunities as much as I can. What it really comes down to is seeing people as fantastic in and of themselves and finding ways to help them see that in themselves and in each other.

Answer 5

the place the universe got here from? i think of it has consistently existed in some type or yet another. at latest earlier the vast Bang each and every thing grew to become into compressed right into a singularity - yet according to risk earlier that it took up area returned. i understand the present concept says the universe won't bypass via cycles of boost and contraction, yet we understand so little approximately it, we actually can't wager what it has carried out earlier. Why people prefer faith? I for one do no longer prefer faith. i think of that folk who do prefer it ought to sense that they are particular and guarded. The universe is a frightening place. some hours from now, an asteroid that we purely now observed is going to return interior of a few thousand miles of Earth. while issues like that take place, faith tells those that each and every thing would be ok. Why we exist? In faith words the question "why" often skill "what's the objective?". i do no longer have confidence that we've been placed right here for a objective. From a scientific perspective, "why" purely seems backwards. I exist with the aid of fact my mum and dad desperate to have a baby. people exist with the aid of fact a random set of mutations proved effective. The earth exists with the aid of fact a close-by supernova blew heavy aspects into the cloud of dirt that ought to grow to be our photograph voltaic gadget.

Answer 6

My personal 'motto' is simply to 'do no harm'. I listen, validate feeling, but do not agree with the content of religious people. I assert my beliefs without alienating or intending to hurt people.

I am an open, honest communicator and I enjoy fostering relationships of trust where everyone is heard.

Religious devotion serves a purpose. It gives people hope. While I don't believe in God, who am I to destroy the sense of comfort religious people get in believing in a Creator?

Answer 7

I feel that because I don't have religion as a crutch, I value my fellow man a lot more. I believe that not believing in a god makes me more of a solid person. I don't throw a rock and hide my hand. I have a realistic view of life and I feel liberated, not having to be offended by everything or living in a bubble. I feel that makes me less hypocritical.

Answer 8

This may not be eloquent, but I believe everyone should just chill. If they're not hurting you, then don't hurt them. I've done nothing, provided noone has done anything to me. Helping others is good. In the hopes that the less fortuneate might also be able to chill one day.

Answer 9

I don't know how to explain what defines to me what is right or wrong. It is really part of our innate common sense. Why would anyone in their right mind feel driven to kill, steal, or do other horrible acts against humanity? And honestly, if the only reason Theists keep themselves from killing people and looting houses, they need to visit a psychiatrist.

Answer 10

After reading some of the answers, I have concluded that neither of the athiests could make clear their concept or said something that touches heart...
My Athiest friend, I invite u to embrace Islam where you can have very very logical & to the point answers which make a lot of sense...
Any muslim can give u answers of ur questions or atleast reffer u to a good well-educated muslim...