Christ offers eternal salvation, Muhammad offers virgins in heaven, the Asian religions offer continual cycles of life until you reach perfection......... For what reasons should someone become an Atheist? And saying, "Well its the truth!" is not anymore an advantage than saying the Flying Spaghetti Monster is the truth. So what does Atheism offer?
2007-01-04 15:43:26 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
So you are window shopping for belief systems? It doesn't matter if they make sense, you just want to know which will benefit you most? Sigh...
The only reason that you should become an atheist, or a wiccan, or a christian, or a martian... is because it is what you believe.
A belief system is not about benefits. If that's the way you look at it, then you're really just talking about a kind of insincere behavior, not belief. Beliefs, by definition, are about what you think is true, not what you think will benefit you most. If you don't really believe in god/christ, but worship god/christ just in case you miht miss some reward or you might be punished, then you are not really a christian, you just pretend to be one, like Pascal.
Atheists are obviously not atheists because there are great benefits to being an atheist. Most people don't prefer to be an out-of-power minority in society, constantly having to swim upstream against the steady current. Rather, we are atheists because it is the only system of belief that makes sense to us, based upon what we know about the world. While some are born athiests, many of us were very reluctant, or even depressed, to become athiests. It's not a choice.
Nevertheless, there happen to be several strong benefits to being atheist vis a vis christian:
1) Freedom from superstition and false authority.
Unlike christianity, which promises (falsely) child-like rewards and punishment for people AFTER they die, atheism offers clarity and freedom from superstitious confusion in this life. Life is much better this way. Are you brave enough to really open your mind and consider the possibilities?
2) Flexibility. Unlike theists, who are too often closed-minded and non-thinking, atheists are open-minded critical thinkers. We tolerate differences and listen to new ideas. We change our minds. We learn.
3) Focus on real things that matter. Earlier today, a christian on this website was properly bemoaning some racist discrimination, but then she strongly urged everyone to pray that this will stop. Prayer doesn't work. Atheists know this and tend to be more action-oriented because we know that the condition of our world is largely up to us, not some disinterested old man in the sky. Discrimination is illegal and needs to be prosecuted, not prayed at.
I could go on and on.
2007-01-04 16:24:58 · answer #1 · answered by HarryTikos 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Atheism offers the satisfaction that one is operating without a belief in some superstition. They see religion as something unprovable and therefore not worthy of intellectual effort. Therefore, an atheist expends his efforts on things believed to truly matter... the truth.
2007-01-04 15:47:32 · answer #2 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Atheism gives you freedom from the ridiculous rules and restrictions of false religion. It lets you make the right decisions for the right reasons, and not reasons based on ancient dogma.
Why would the truth need any other benefits to convince you?
2007-01-04 15:46:52 · answer #3 · answered by Michael 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
So if you don't like truth used like that, how about being true to oneself? Beliefs are not like insurance. You can't obtain genuine beliefs by shopping around to check out the salvation policy offered. We don't offer any post-mortem benefits or security in life. But we don't whore ourselves out to something we don't believe in. Seriously, if all you're looking for is salvation or virgins, you're not giving your soul to God as you profess; you're selling your soul to him. I guess in that sense, atheists look at their essence as more than a commodity.
If you're just shopping around, feel free to continue on. I'm sure we're not offering anything you'd be interested in.
2007-01-04 18:32:53 · answer #4 · answered by Phil 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am not an atheist, but some of us want peace of mind and logic in our lives more than empty promises. Living every day a certain way because of what other people tell you about God isn't comforting or comfortable for a lot of people.
2007-01-04 15:46:18 · answer #5 · answered by Maggie 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well, the truth honestly has nothing to do with whether there are advantages, truth is truth.
Focusing on science, allowing ALL adults to have equal rights, guilt over real infractions instead of false ones, etc...
(And free Sundays)
2007-01-04 15:45:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
So what is the point then of living in reality? You are the type of person who would want to be highly medicated for your whole life, because it makes reality look better. Some of us enjoy reality and can think for ourselves, for the rest there is religion.
2007-01-04 15:48:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
You can save 3 hours each Sunday multiplied time 52 weeks times 75 years. My calculations show over 11,000 hours for skiing, fishing, snowmobiling, skindiving - not to mention SEX time.
2007-01-04 15:48:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
You can do as you like because you don't believe there is anything or anyone to answer to. There is you and you count the most, otherwise you have created a diety that is above you.
2007-01-04 16:39:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
couple more hours of sleep on sunday, less reading, an extra 10% to spend every week, and no need to argue over religion, playing the devils advocate here, didn't realize it would look so good in print :))
2007-01-04 15:46:51 · answer #10 · answered by Thomas A 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋