Why do Christians believe that Atheists have no spirituality or beliefs?

Question

There seems to be a major misconception amongst Christians that Atheists are people that have no belief in anything. Does it make them feel superior in some way to delude themselves that only Christians can be spiritual?

OK, I should have asked why do so many Christians ... As for what I believe, I have never referred to myself as an Atheist until I joined this forum. I am a Pagan.

Answer 1

Not sure why that is...but I can tell you that I have many friends who are Atheist/Agnostic and they have more spirituality than many Christians I know. I think there's a big misconception of what spirituality is. My belief is that it is character as shown in thought, life, deeds, how you treat one another.

Peace, Tigger

Answer 2

Confusion really, and it's not just Christians. An atheist is a person who does not believe in the existence of a supreme being(s). Spiritual belief systems are all based upon some degree of faith, which is a belief not based on proof. It's common to assume that religion and spirituality are the same.

An atheist takes it on faith that a supreme being does not exist as a Christian accepts that God, Jesus do.

Many people confuse atheists with agnostics, who essentially believe that the answer can never really be known and thus find a third answer to whether or not a supreme being exists.

However, it's very difficult for anyone to not be spiritual to some degree. Being spiritual has to do with a sense of spirit or soul, even one's own. The thought that there is something to you that is not simply the biological functioning of cells is spirituality. Do simple cells feel grief when others die? If not, then why do people when they grieve the death of another?

All of these words are used very loosely in common conversation and doing so leads to a lot of confusion and misconception. How can people understand each other if they don't agree on the meanings of the words they use?

Answer 3

I don't know why anyone should believe anything.

What do Atheists believe? By the way I dont think just Christians are spiritual. I also think that Jews, Muslims, and Hindus are spiritual as well.

Those that believe such are simply misinformed, and have never taken the time to try to understand where Atheists stand. ("Walk a mile in my shoes?)

Why do people make blanket statements against whole groups of other people? This question is as pre-judgmental as a racist blanket statement. Do you really have a question about something that's bugging you? If so, be clearer. Otherwise, this one goes down in the books as troll-racist.

Not sure why that is...but I can tell you that I have many friends who are Atheist/Agnostic and they have more spirituality than many Christians I know. I think there's a big misconception of what spirituality is. My belief is that it is character as shown in thought, life, deeds, how you treat one another.

Maybe because they don't run into many of us that arn't the pissed off young Atheists who troll around boards telling Christians they are retarded.

Also, I don't know about others, but, I don't go around telling people I am an Atheist. So, when I do talk about what I DO believe in it's not equated with my atheism.

Yes, it makes them feel superior. Anything will make them feel superior. They are the ones who know "the truth", right? The ones who are heaven-bound. We are just hell-bound, materialistic heathens as far as they're concerned.

Gotta love that religion, it sure does seem to do a lot for them.

That's not true... Atheism is when yourself is your own God.

I, however, happen to worship rugs. There are many different types, and I have found through many experiences that they do actually answer prayer. I had to sacrifice my blade of grass, though. *cries*

Uhh, because they read your 'questions' and 'answers' and see no coherent spirituality? No depth. No kindness. No real intellect.

Answer 4

Remark
The Atheists have a belief. Their belief is that they believe in nothing. (To believe that you have no belief is a belief too, sorry) The problem is what is that NOTHING
The answer.
There are many misconceptions between Christians' beliefs like between other religions too (Muslims, Hindus) But these misconceptions make these beliefs more interesting. Other way, a perfect belief becomes boring. In addition, about what is more spiritual than others are, this is the most common misconception between all religions not only between C and A.

Answer 5

Why do people make blanket statements against whole groups of other people? This question is as pre-judgmental as a racist blanket statement. Do you really have a question about something that's bugging you? If so, be clearer. Otherwise, this one goes down in the books as troll-racist.

RE: ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
It's not just the "so many" Christians who think that way, it's "so many" people in general.
I haven't noticed that people think atheists have no beliefs or spirituality. And where Christians are concerned, I've noticed the opposite of your concern. The ones I know, myself included, make no judgment on whether you have beliefs or spirituality. In fact, the name "atheist" (connoting a disbelief in God) is actually somewhat contradictory to what many atheists have to say about themselves. The prefix "a" means away from, or not... and the root, "theist" means one who believes in God (or a god). Therefore, atheist means "away from a belief in God or a god." But, for not believing in God or a god, many atheists spend a lot of time believing in something about God or a god... because they consume a lot of their time trying to disprove an existence of God or a god.

Example... I don't believe in unicorns (the fantasy horse kind), but I don't call myself "aunicornist" and I don't consume any of my own time trying to disprove the existence of them.

Anyway, to try to answer your question, I'd say that the literal meaning of the prefix and root of the word "atheist" might be what leads some people to think that atheists do not believe anything or have any spirituality whatsoever.

Answer 6

Maybe because they don't run into many of us that arn't the pissed off young Atheists who troll around boards telling Christians they are retarded.

Also, I don't know about others, but, I don't go around telling people I am an Atheist. So, when I do talk about what I DO believe in it's not equated with my atheism.

Answer 7

What do Atheists believe? By the way I dont think just Christians are spiritual. I also think that Jews, Muslims, and Hindus are spiritual as well.

Answer 8

I really don't think that is the case, but answer this question: What do Atheists believe in? Are you maybe confusing Atheist with Agnostic? If you are spiritual then you believe in some kind of spirit, Right? If so, do you still think you are an atheist?

Answer 9

sure. in case you're an atheist, it only skill which you the two have confidence that there's no god, or which you notice no reason to think of that there are any gods. "Spirituality" covers loads of issues, no longer in basic terms ghosts and visits from the different edge, and regardless of the undeniable fact that i could wager that no longer many atheists have confidence in those issues with the aid of fact of loss of information, many do have confidence that there is a few style of religious adventure to be made in this life, despite if no longer in an afterlife, yet, in truth you could have confidence in something you like, see you later because it somewhat isn't any longer a god. there's no reason of an atheist to be buried in a churchyard, except it somewhat is what their kin needs:)

Answer 10

I'm a Christian and I've never felt that. I believe that everyone has some sort of belief system. As far as spirituality, I believe it's inherent in all of us.

Take care.