I am trying to think what atheists are like. They could just answer that they are atheists and that is it. Some have said that they are opposed to God and so have no fear in anything. But I may be wrong, because if they live anywhere except in no-man's land, they would be subject to the laws of the country they live in. Because in my perspective, anyone who is fearless of God has no limit or restricition for him to do anything. Well, I suppose only those who are learned will ascribe to the atheism. Even the illiterates, they somehow are afraid of spirit beings. So what is the definition of an atheist. Are they only godless but not civil-less? Anyone can help to clarify an atheist. Thanks.
2006-12-15 15:35:51 · 14 answers · asked by Ptuan 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Everyone has a sense of ethics, and one that is not based on religion.
How is it that people who are religious choose to obey certain rules and not others? For example, the dietary and slavery rules of the Bible are described as every bit as important as the10 commandments. However, people have determined that they are not important, and in the case of slavery, actually immoral.
The way people have done this is that it is only reasonable, to function in society, to have certain ethical principles, many of which can be summarized in the Golden Rule: "Don't do to anyone else what you wouldn't want done to you in similar circumstances."
This rule is found throughout the world, primarily because it is based on reason, not on faith. In order for people to live together, we have to trust that we are not going to destroy one another.
As for your statement, "Even the illiterates, they somehow are afraid of spirit beings," it goes to show you that theists use fear of god's retribution to keep people in line rather than teaching them to think for themselves.
2006-12-15 15:40:11 · answer #1 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
belief in god has nothing to do with one's sense of morality....at least for atheists it doesn't.
I'm an atheist and becoming one was recognizing two important things about the world around me:
1)I see no evidence of god(s)
2)I do not need religion to tell me how to live a life that can contribute positively to all of humanity.
I still feel guilt when I do something wrong, I still feel a drive to accomplish goals and learn new things. I just attribute these forces to the people who raised me and the society that accepts me, not God. Just because I do not believe in God does not mean that I am going to run around murdering people and raping children. I feel that since this life is all I have, then I need to do what I can for the benefit of life in general. Therefore my motivation for being a good person is for the betterment of the world, not so that I can impress god and get into heaven. Hence I have a rational belief that my motivation is BETTER OFF than that of a "believer".
There are actually two types of atheists, and most atheists do not even know this. There are:
Weak atheists: (doubt the existence of God(s)
Strong Atheists: (claim there is no God)
and before anyone asks the difference between weak atheists and agnostics I will tell you that the answer is the DOUBT. Agnostics don't lean one way or the other.
2006-12-15 15:36:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'm not an atheist but have a humanist background before becoming a believer and I do want to make a comment. Why assume that because someone doesn't believe in God they are civil-less. They have an intellect and many choose to abide by laws and not be harmful or hurtful to their fellow man. You can be a morally good person and not believe in God. Just as an atheist shouldn't assume all Christians are ignorant so we shouldn't be assuming things about them.
2006-12-15 15:43:25 · answer #3 · answered by neptune 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An atheist is a person who does not believe in gods.
A lack of belief in gods does not indicate a lack of belief in moral norms. A moral atheist would do what s/he thought was right because it was right, not because a supernatural being threatened him/her with punishment for disobedience, or offered a reward for obedience.
If anything, this sounds to me like a purer morality than that of traditional theism.
2006-12-15 15:39:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. We are not a faith.
2. If all atheists were as you seem to think... wouldn't the jails be full of them?
2006-12-15 15:39:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry, but are you seriously implying that the only reason to not break laws is beacuse of fear of god?
wow.
2006-12-15 15:40:01 · answer #6 · answered by Eldritch 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He had better be. In his opinion this life is all he gets.
It's tantamount to you being told you only had 30 days to live. You would try to be as purposeful as you could.
2006-12-15 15:41:49 · answer #7 · answered by MrsOcultyThomas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atheism is not a faith, but a lack thereof. Relying upon only their 22 senses, they are a brave bunch...and I would venture to say pragmatic
2006-12-15 15:39:19 · answer #8 · answered by Shinigami 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Honestly, being an athiest or not doesn't affect the way you live much (unless you live in some oppressive place).
2006-12-15 15:38:03 · answer #9 · answered by Roman Soldier 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One can be a good, moral person without religion in the equasion.
2006-12-15 15:38:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋