Is there really such a thing as an atheist, or are they just rebelling against God or their parents?

Question

I think that the ones who insist that they don't believe in God are just rebelling against God. If they truly did not believe, they wouldn't feel the need to be so hostile against people who believe, and they would not feel the need to constantly fight against a god which they supposedly don't believe in.

Answer 1

Good point. depends on where you are.
On the battlefield in a foxhole there are no atheists.

Answer 2

I am neither rebelling against my parents nor a "god" that I do not even think exists. The reason that a lot of atheists become hostile towards believers is usually because that person has done something to make them made. It's that simple. When someone tries to control my life by using something that I don't think exists to back it up, it makes me mad. Whether you would like to acknowledge it or not, atheists have to put up with a lot of crap because of religion. What if I told you that Zeus is real and if you don't believe me than you will be tortured forever? What if you were told this constantly? I think that it would get to you too. How about you just leave atheists alone and then maybe we'll leave you alone.

Answer 3

I think that is probably true for many atheists, but not all. I became atheist because when it comes right down to it, god just does not make sense to me as a being/creator/etc. I am actually envious of many people who do believe in God because it is a much more comforting state of mind in many ways. So many get so much out of their religion in terms of self happiness, need to do service for others, and brings a sense of family and community to churches. It makes some strive to be better people. In hard times they can be comforted by praying and believing that god has a master plan for them.
I wish I could do this too, I didn't want to be a non-believer, I just am one based on my view of the world and universe as I know it.

Answer 4

Yawn. First, I never knew a god so there is nothing for me to rebel against. My parents left the church around the time when I was born and I never have been baptized. I did rebel against my parents sometimes, but on the question of atheism I completely agreed with them.
I don't fight any god. I only argue against intolerance and closed-mindedness. God itself is a non-entity for me. However, the people acting in its name are very real.

Answer 5

What you've done here is to identify YOURSELF with God. That, from your point of view, should be pretty sinful. But it's the only explanation for your view of atheists who, of course, do not rebel against god (because we do not believe that any such being exists in any form) and we are not hostile towards god either (same reason). What we are hostile towards is ignorant, idiotic fools who come up with rubbish like "if we evolved from apes, why are there still apes?" or "atheists are just rebelling against God". When we respond against this nonsense, directing our frustration towards YOU or the likes of you, what you hear is "Oh no! He's attacking my God!". But we're not. Because you're not God. You're a foolish, ignorant mortal who will die and become fertilizer like the rest of us. Your fear must be a terrible burden, and I'm sorry for you.

Answer 6

Most of the athiests are rebelling against God and I believe any kind of authority figure that they might have to answer to. They are live and let live people who don't want to hear believers tell them about how to get saved. Mostly because they don't want to think or believe that they can't come up with the answers on their own. They don't want to think that some uncool God and Jesus worsiper could possibly have all the answers. They are mostly arrogant people and lets face it we're not cool. This is all a part of the plan for the world from the ruler of the world. It is said that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess it is just a shame that they have no faith and will have to resolve to the sight of Jesus to say okay I get it now .... and have no rewards in heaven. Lots of them just need to be acknowledged and need extra attention that is why they try to rile us believers up and get us aggravated. Don't fall into the trap and try not to give them too much attention. Thats what they're preying on. :) Preying on us believers like sharks that haven't been fed their daily dose of truth. It's a frantic search for most of them which is sad because no matter how hard they try to be right and know all the answers, they just never will... because it takes faith to explain alot of our history as well as understand our future. I don't think obedience is one of their strong suites. I think they're too smart for that.

Answer 7

No. Think about it some are raised as Atheist. They do not think like people who have excepted God's Grace. Their minds have not been changed. It is more likely the lie about doing bad things in God's name and they believe He approves. God's ways are always the loving way. We cannot force change beliefs but we can help them by allowing God's love to lead our own lives and becoming examples of love and tolerance. They don't even realize the Joy they have foresaken. They are unaware of the treasures of the spirit we receive to be better equipped in this life as everyone is spouting God's rage and that is not the message He sent us to those ignorant of His love with.

Answer 8

It's not necessary to fight against a God you don't believe in, only against zealous believers who won't take "Thanks, but no thanks" for an answer. As for the hostility you speak of, I've witnessed many a christian on this site lash out against a dissenter whose beliefs ran contrary to their own. Why is it necessary to fight with people you claim to know are wrong? Could it be that you feel your intelligence has been insulted? Your beliefs rudely questioned? Your point of view completely disregarded?

Now imagine that, rather than living in a country where the vast majority of people have beliefs similar to your own, you find yourself ridiculously outnumbered by people who not only disagree with you, but who insist that you will suffer some form of eternal punishment for holding your own views. You would be a might bit testy, too.

That is not to excuse the rude atheists who hang around only to belittle the opinions of believers and bait them with infuriating remarks. We're all accountable for our actions--which makes me question the countless users here who seem to pose questions only searching for agreement and justification for their (rigidly held) opinions, rather than legitimate discussion and a greater understanding of ideas they're unfamiliar with. There seems to be people of all degrees of belief/non-belief who fall into that category.

Answer 9

The only thing I am "rebelling" against is the efforts of christian fundamentalists to erode the U.S. Constition and to move the U.S. towards becoming a christian theocracy. When I am satisifed that trend has been reversed I will lose interest in debating theists.

Answer 10

I believe that there are very few true atheists.Most, on their deathbed ,would see things differently. I believe most professing "atheists" are in rebellion as well and are seeking truth deep inside. Most of the ramblings on this religeous forum by so called atheists are in reality,a cry for help-however not all atheists fit into this category- and for them I would submit for their consideraton: Romans 1:20

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse".

Answer 11

First, they are not all hostile. Come on, and cordial.

Anyway, it is impossible to say why each is atheist, but I assume that each case is different.

You think they rebel against God, but they don't even believe in Him, they give Him no mind in their lives, why do you think that they are actually actively rebelling? Isn't that a silly assertion?