What do Atheists believe?

Question

And please don't say nothing. Because if it was nothing then that would be because you wouldn't be capable of thinking. In other words, everyone believes something.

Also why do you believe what you believe?

Can't email cause I've reached my quota. But angerlhunter54 I have a question. How can you control your own destiny? You don't know when, where, or how you're going to die. You don't know the future.

You can say what you want but...
I am not holier than anyone in this forum. I've sinned when I've known better. I'm open for debate. I try to prove what I can of my beliefs with science. All I've done is asked you questions in the emails, you haven't answered one directly. Instead you've constantly called me a lier and said I was full of it. My mission is kinda the same as yours. And that's what I said to you I think 2 times in the emails about the Bible being null and void to the unbeliever. You kept asking me for proof from the Bible, I asked you what you wanted me to prove. You never did specify. I haven't tryed to force anything. And I haven't emailed you.

Absolute Truth
Quote by Matt from my question [Are there absolute truths?]

"There are absolute truths. Like you pointed out to say truth is relative is to make an absolute statement. Logically this doesn't work as the statement is self defeating."

Doesn't this prove there are absolute truths? If not, tell me how it doesn't.

Answer 1

Atheists believe in whatever can be proven to their satisfaction. You need hard evidence, logical arguments and reason to get an atheist to believe anything. Wouldn't you believe in something, if it was proven?

Answer 2

Atheists LACK a belief in god. Beyond that, there's a world of possibilities. The Raelians are atheists, but they believe that life was started on earth by alien visitors. Most atheists in this forum tend to have a more naturalistic approach to life, believing the universe can be explained most clearly via scientific research.

And in general that's where I stand. However, I do pay attention to the ability humans have for interpersonal connections and to make our lives somewhat more bearable. So for that element of my life, I'm a student of Buddhist meditation.

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Answer 3

Nothing.

Really, the question is loaded. In religious beliefs I believe nothing. None make a believeable claim. Nor do I need to believe any of them to be happy and healthy. Life goes on whether I believe in your magical sky pixie or not.

I believe I own a 2002 Chevy Tracker. I believe I have 3 dogs. I believe my children are incredibly intelligent. I believe the sun will come up in the morning.

Belief is a broad term, and asking what I believe would require years to answer completely.

Answer 4

I believe that I should love others as I do my family and myself; that I should treat others as part of my global family; we should care for our planet and leave it a better place for the next generation; that we should learn as much as we can about our universe because it will help us protect ourselves and because it is fun.
I believe that education is very important and that science has answers.
I believe that religion is very dangerous and that because of religious bigots, an atheist has less of a chance of being elected in the United States than a other group and that is really strange because atheists are a majority in the US and in the world.

Answer 5

Athiest don't believe God(s) exist. There are religions that don't require diesm. Some believe we are here by chance. It varies like any other belief. I'm Agnostic, I don't believe in God, but I can't prove he doesn't exist.

"Everybody has to believe in something, I believe I'll have another drink." W. C. Fields.

Answer 6

Atheist's simply don't believe in the existence of God. That's all. Very simple. I don't believe in God because it defies all the laws of science and physics. It also defies common sense and rational thought.

Answer 7

Atheists believe in the limitless power of the unrestrained human mind, common sense and reason. That, if you wrong another, you are responsible to the party that has been wronged and that excusing your behavior with claims that some spirit in the sky has "forgiven" you is cowardly and immoral. That a thinking person is in control of their own destiny, deserves full credit for their successes and ultimate responsibility for their failures. That others should be treated fairly, ethically, with respect and with compassion because those things are right, not because of the threat of punishment. And on, and on.

It is the theist who refuses to think for himself, who shirks his responsibilities, who rejects provable facts in favor of "faith" because it's easier or more comfortable than facing them and requires some book or fable to instruct them on what is right and what is wrong.

Bottom line, it is the Atheist who thinks. It is the theist who surrenders their mind to others, accepting whatever simple answers and excuses are fed to them.

RESPONSE TO QUESTION FROM ASKER:

"Destiny" is not an issue of life or death. It is a predetermined course of events. From a theological standpoint, that course of events is set and/or influenced by a "god" or other "higher power."

You are correct that one cannot devine the future. However, one can, through rational thought and a solid plan, reasonably assume the outcome of a course of action.

One controls their destiny through making themselves aware of the options available to them and choosing which of those options is most likely to produce a favorable outcome, based on research and thoughtful consideration, as opposed to sitting around waiting for prayers to be answered or guidance from a disembodied voice from the sky.

A simple demonstration would involve the desire to have the volume lowered on your stereo. The theist would sit and pray that god would lower the volume on the stereo or cause some phisical change that would make them comfortable with the present volume. An atheist will stand up, walk across the room and turn volume knob, accepting that they are ultimately responsible for their own comfort.

As to the time and manner of my death, it's not a major issue for me. I will do whatever I have to to prolong my life, but I accept death as an unavoidable inevitability, giving it no more importance in my life than the conditions I existed under for the 9 months before I was born.

Death is a normal, natural occurrence experienced by every organism in existence. I don't accept it as an extraordinary event or something to be afraid of as theists perceive it, generally because they have been so bound up with superstition and a desire to conform to the priorities of others during their lives that they have never been able to fully embrace life as it presents itself. Instead, they settle for what they feel has been "given" to them in return for promises of "pie in the sky, by and by, when you die."
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Answer 8

Atheists believe in reason and logic. They belong to no religion. I am an atheist because

1) A lot of people have tried to shove religion down my throat.
2) Because there is no evidence that God exists.

Answer 9

I don't think they believe in any gods, but different atheists believe in different beliefs for different reasons. I think they live their life only with tangible things, not with things they don't see. I believe in what I believe because it's a part of my faith, my upbringing and my decision on how I choose to live my life.

Answer 10

That the Christians are out to convert them and that has them really really worried! They think Christians are out to take over the world, and then there won't be any more peanut butter>