To atheists?

Question

Does knowing that a higher being of some sort does not exist effect your thoughts about theists?
I know that for some atheists...well they could care less about what other people think.But then again it truly bothers some of them that others would put faith in such a thing.

This is not meant to be offensive at all if some of you take it that way.

Answer 1

It does to an extent. It bothers me that people in this day and age, with the extent that we can educate ourselves and comprehend how the world works, would believe in such a thing.

Then again I know people are frightened, insecure creatures that feel they need the answers to everything and comfort that will alleviate all of their worries.

God provides all the answers (even if they make absolutely no sense or create more questions) and eases their troubled minds (religion isn't called the opiate of the masses for nothin').

Answer 2

PAscals Gamble seems what you are implying. That Atheist are somehow afraid they are wrong because theist would put such faith in the idea of a god, so you want us not to take the gamble b/c 1 side their is punishment, 1 side their is not.

The answer to the fear tactics of Pascal's Gamble:

It just isn't fair to accept Jesus with Zeus and the FSM watching. Think about how it would hurt their feelings.

Seriously: Basing a decision of what or what not to believe in shouldn't come from whether or not you are afraid you are wrong, but from what evidence you have to support that belief and I think there is sufficient evidence against god, and sufficient evidence for Atheism to conclude that the most logical decision is their is no god, and even if I by some chance am wrong...then I'm sure The FSM will go easy on me.

=P

So no...it doesn't bother me.

Answer 3

It depends.

Most of the time, I don't care. If a person believes there is a god and isn't trying to push it on me (to an extreme), or to enforce it through law or terror, then it doesn't affect me whether or not you believe in god. I've dated theists before and haven't had any issues with them. In fact, most of the time they're quite surprised to learn I'm an atheist because I'm extremely moral (which is an unfair assumption on their part that I wouldn't be) and because I have an incredibly large collection of religious texts that I spend a lot of time reading and thinking about.

However, I don't trust extremists/fundamentalists. Even if they aren't trying to change government policy, or introducing non-scientific ideas into a science class, or threatening physical harm, they still have an ulterior motive any time they speak. They are, to put it in Christian terms, always trying to "win others over to Christ." I find it naive at best and entirely disingenuous at worst. You can't have an honest dealing with anyone who is a true believer.

That being said, I do find myself agreeing more and more with Sam Harris and others. The moderate theists need to step up to bat in a more vocal way in disapproving of their fundamentalist brethern while proclaiming their faith (much as Dr. Ken Miller does), if, in fact, they do disapprove.

Answer 4

Actually, this is a very good question. Some atheists are bothered by it, you're right. I don't think I am, it could get annoying sometimes (especially when they talk about praising the lord, etc), but I don't let it bother me most of the time, I mean, it's none of my business. I don't want to force anyone not to believe in god if they already do, I'd think they'd be smart enough to figure it out themselves. But that's just my opinion.

Answer 5

Since their beliefs will never manifest into anything, and since they have no hope of ever proving what they believe in to me, I think their beliefs are essentially benign.

When they try to encourage me to adopt their beliefs, I look at them as I would a small child trying to invite me to have a tea party with their imaginary friend. If I really care about them, and don't want to hurt their feelings, I indulge them. Otherwise I just politely brush them off. I see theists as being tantamount to deluded children. They can't possibly hurt me, or affect my thinking in any way. Again, if I care about them, I may try and teach them how to find their way out of their delusion, but in most cases, it's not worth my time or effort. Overall people are happier being ignorant, and truth be told, it's better for the smart people in this world that the theists stay asleep. It's easier for us to control them.

Answer 6

Ditto ZERO COOL. Religion persists because people are fearful, willing to be controlled, unwilling to think for themselves.

My lack of belief in god is not what causes my contempt for certain theists. Rather, it's the claims they make and the actions they take in the name of their god or their faith -- especially the way they prey on people's fears and anxieties.

I have to stop before I go off on a rant. Good question.

Answer 7

Not my belief vs. thiers. I find the belief of the Deists I have talked to to be rational and well thought out.

What makes me think less of them is them clinging to things like creationism. There is overwhelming evidence and they want to debate it like they have any science at all on their side. It also really cracks me up when they bring up details that are currently being debated because the whole argument assumes that evolution is happening.

I can't see how it is in any way rational. They might as well tell me the Earth is flat and try to defend that.

Answer 8

As an atheist, I don't hold someone's faith against them arbitrarily. I take issue when faith overrides reason, or when it becomes a personal crusade to dictate and denegrate anyone whose beliefs differ.

Answer 9

I respect other people's right to believe in whatever makes them feel spiritually fulfilled. I figure, live and let live, so long as I am giving the same respect. I'm not exactly a "militant" atheist, though--I don't try to convince others of my position, but I will explain it in discussion.

Answer 10

It would not bother me much except for the fact that they are so damn dangerous. 42% of the US population wants to restore bible law without realizing that the bible would demand that their neighbours take them out and throw rocks at them until they are dead. And that is the penalty for over 90% of those who think they are righteous.