For Atheists?

Question

Why do you spend so much time debating something you do not believe exists? I do not believe in Buddha so I do not spend my time talking about him. Are you completely convinced that God does not exist? Another question I is have do you usually tell people that you are an Atheist? Do you do it only if the subject of religion comes up in a conversation or is it something you say right off the bat?

alimagel it is people like you who make me wonder. If you were so secure in your beliefs you would have no reason to be hostile when people question you respectfully. Maybe you aren't fully convinced that God doesn't exist

Dinner- I think you meant to write *hear* from us not *here*. And no one is twisting your arm to answer this or any other question.

Answer 1

I'm not an atheist, but some people just like to debate for the sport of it. They like the conversational and intellectual stimulation that comes from taking part in a spirited debate. These people often unintentionally offend people who don't understand the whole idea of debating as a art and a sport.

Now, there are some atheists who are just arrogant and disrespectful. But then again, there are also some Christians who are like that, some Pagans like that, etc.

Answer 2

My atheism is usually not important in most conversations. So, I rarely bring it up.

Sometimes it's necessary to bring it up. For example, if the topic goes to the capital punishment, someone may bring in theology. At that point, it's important that I state my views, so the other person knows where I'm coming from.

Why do I debate something that doesn't exist? It keeps the mind sharp. I do not believe that education ended once I got my nifty little degree. That nifty degree helped me get my job. I still learn.

And I am a bit intrigued by believers. I did believe once, but I was young and naive. Due to my experiences, I no longer believe, but I see that many people believe in spite of those experiences. So, it is academic curiosity.

Why do astronomers worry about what's going on in distant galaxies? Their findings aren't really relevant to day-to-day lives, but they are curious. Same basic concept.

Although, religion *does* impact me, even if their gods don't. I hate the fact that my gay friends can't enjoy the same rights I do. And to tackle this problem, I have to understand those who do believe in God, since that is their reason for oppressing my gay friends.

Answer 3

This question has always puzzled me, though I hear people ask it all the time.
If you are in America, the majority of people claim to believe in some sort of deity, and ostensibly believe that humans should live their lives according to rules prescribed by that deity.
How could someone not be interested in that? It affects every aspect of our lives, even the laws we vote on.
Also, not every atheist does discuss this, just like not every christian does. However, those that do tend to find boards and discussion groups and discuss it.
So, I guess it depends on your reason for being here. If you are a religious person who is here only to share with other religious people, and therefore don't like alternative thoughts, this is probably not the place. There are many good boards on the internet like that.
If you are a person who likes to discuss, challenge, explore, or just goof around, this is a good place.
That shouldn't be so hard to understand.
I hope that helps.

Answer 4

Do people who believe in Buddha try to turn the US into a theocracy? I don't think so. Christians and other religious people are doing much harm. That's why I'm here.

This is a forum for discussing religion, so we do it here. I usually don't talk about it in conversation, unless the topic comes up. I don't shy away from saying I'm an atheist, though.

Answer 5

I don't debate it. Ever. No point in it. And I very, very rarely reveal my beliefs to anyone, mostly because they are too weird. (Not standard atheism here.) Aside from the few likeminded people I know...one person I know knows about my beliefs.

I'm a folklore and mythology major, and therefore find religion to be endlessly interesting. All ideas play into what I believe at some point.

Answer 6

"Why do you spend so much time debating something you do not believe exists?"

Because we're constantly forced to by people like you that can't wrap their minds around the fact that *shock* some people don't believe in a god.

"Are you completely convinced that God does not exist?"

Um, well, that's generally what Atheism means. Buy a dictionary.

Answer 7

I haven't brought up my atheism with anyone except briefly. It is not much of a conversation topic since I don't really know anyone who isn't an atheist.

Buddha certainly isn't a god, but he never aspired to be one. He wanted personal enlightment, and I suspect he'd have been quite leery of becoming a figurehead of a religion.

As for a god, whether it be any god of the official faiths/sects or the god of the agnostics are certainly false.

Answer 8

well i'm agnostic and i bring it up to let people know in this forum or if religion is brought up and as an agnostic i don't argue about anything in particular i answer questions that people ask and i throw different ideas out there in my answers because as an agnostic that's what we do we examine everything in terms of religion and if there's a higher being or if there isn't but we take everything into consideration

Answer 9

I never mention it unless someone asks.

I have a friend that feels it is her duty to tell everyone she knows that I am an atheist though.

Answer 10

Because you people are always down OUR throats trying to defend your beliefs...not really defending...but trying to force them upon us. Leave us the **** alone and you won't here from us.