The act of offering thanks inherently implies that it is an act directed toward someone. Let us assume that atheists offer thanks on this day for their food, freedom and health. To whom do they offer thanks for these good things in life?
2006-11-23 03:29:29 · 20 answers · asked by sokrates 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
G,
It may be possible to be thankful without having a personal object of one's attitude of thankfulness. But notice that I specifically referred to the offering of thanks. One has to offer thanks to someone or something, right?
2006-11-23 03:59:38 · update #1
Voodoid,
How could you possibly know my reason for asking this question? Have you become the reader of hearts? Maybe I am curious and simply want to know why atheists celebrate thanksgiving or offer thanks for their health or happiness. After all, friends or relatives are not the reason one is healthy (if he/she is healthy). Nor are they necessarily the reason one is happy (if he/she is happy).
2006-11-23 04:05:53 · update #2
Dear it's me
I don't hate atheists. nor am i intolerant of them; nor am i trying to irritate atheists. you guys are jumping to way too many conclusions.
2006-11-23 04:07:13 · update #3
tempo,
Christians don't thank an imaginary person. Rather, they thank God each and every day for his abundant blessings. The assertion that God is "imaginary" is just that, my friend. Just because you cannot see God does not mean God is nonexistent. We know the first cause through his effects. I would much rather believe in a personal cause of the universe than put credence in chance or blind unintelligent forces of nature. Blind forces do not create (bring it about that X begins) anything.
2006-11-23 04:12:05 · update #4
katina,
they will thanks anything and everything, BUT God. Is that it?
2006-11-23 04:15:46 · update #5
noob,
I have yet to see anyone disprove God's existence. If you want to be stuck with a universe that lacks meaning or a cosmos that depends on you or me to give it meaning, then have at it. But I will continue trusting in God until some more viable alternative comes along. I am not trying to sound arrogant, but it is still difficult for me to understand how anyone can believe that the universe, the human body or the earth and all therein originated apart from a personal or intelligent cause.
2006-11-23 06:10:03 · update #6
I am atheist with a lot of atheist friends. Some of them don't celebrate Thanksgiving at all. Some of them celebrate for family time. Thanksgiving isn't all about God, but about the things you have now, and it is a day to remember and celebrate how our ansestors worked to help get us here. It is a day to look at all the people who aren't so lucky as ourselves, and it is a day to be thankful for what we have,
2006-11-23 04:48:49 · answer #1 · answered by Greek 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1). My family
2). that I'm happy
3). everyone that I care about cares about me in return
4). and we're all safe and healthy
5). That I go to a great school and get a great education
6). That I have a home, unlike some people in New Orleans...still (and other places all around the country/world)
7). That I have food to eat this day and everyday
8). ...That Bush only has a couple more years left (hehe, sorry...I had to say it)
9). That I will get into college, and will be able to attend it ($$$).
I dunno, the list could go on and on, and I'm only 17...
2006-11-23 11:35:43 · answer #2 · answered by sk8rgrl02631 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
they thank the society and luck that they live in a capitalist, free world, which has given them an abundence of wealth and food, and the right to trade ideas and beliefs. You dont always have to thank an imaginary person.
Thankful that they are not in a corrupt country who stifle their people, eg Sudan, and by the way, where is their god?
2006-11-23 11:34:24 · answer #3 · answered by Tempo 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I believe they would thank anything and everything that has given them the choice of living, of where to live, of how to live, or whom to live with. I believe they would thank anything and everything for all they have, all they have had, and all they will have. They will thank anything and everything for everything that has come into their lives, both negative and positive.
There are so many things one can thank and be thankful for this day...it cannot be one true thing. But it is anything and everything that has brought the good things into their life.
2006-11-23 12:13:26 · answer #4 · answered by Katina 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To all Rationalists, who think ratinally and shun the blind faiths ! They thank the mother nature's woderful eco system !
2006-11-23 11:33:19 · answer #5 · answered by Tickler 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll answer this even though I know you're only asking to prove your self-riteousness.
Atheists thank the people that are responsible: family, friends, even bosses.
2006-11-23 11:33:35 · answer #6 · answered by Voodoid 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
'Christians don't thank an imaginary person. Rather, they thank God each and every day for his abundant blessings'
painful...PAINFUL!
2006-11-23 13:48:55 · answer #7 · answered by Spiderpig 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
To the friends and family that have come together and that have made our lives wonderful and happy.
2006-11-23 11:42:00 · answer #8 · answered by Vanguard 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Anybody can say thank you. One may not believe in the Almighty, but he/she can still be thankful for what he/she has.
2006-11-23 11:38:44 · answer #9 · answered by fourwheeln05 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is entirely possible to be thankful without actually thanking anyone or anything in particular
2006-11-23 11:31:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋