What does atheist mean to atheists?

Question

I am not trying to start a debate here, but I saw this same question posted the other night, and many atheists replied that it meant "lack of religion or belief in God" or "outright denying God's existance". I am just curious to know, then, why so many atheists spend so much time in the religious section of Y/A, and many (not all) of them are constantly mocking believers (of any faith, but generally Christian) and, essentially, trying to convert others to atheism, (by trying to make others believe they are right). This makes me think; maybe an atheist wants to believe, or maybe they want reason to believe that God does care for them, or maybe they don't have the Joy of knowing any god, therefore they want to bring down those who do, etc... something similar. I have always believed that, deep down, everyone feels both the existance of God and his presence (or lack thereof). Tell me what y'all think, and please keep it civil.

fieryhair: You are half right. I don't want a debate (right now), and I do want to hear your opinions, even the blatently arrogant ones.

And by the way, all, I only expected angry answers; after all, I did invite atheists to a Christian post. As many of you yourselves stated, you are here to "share your opinion on religion". Ok, people go to the pregnancy forums to talk about their pregnancies, not their lack thereof, (unless, of course, they WANT to become pregnant). I could keep going with this comparison, but I know it'll just seem "flawed" to you all.

libralove: Spellcheck next time. While I could just barely strain my eyes to read your post, I will answer your question. Because you guys are constantly doing the same. I witness everywhere else, I come here to learn about different people and their opinions, and yes, to debate. Now are you gonna answer my original question?

I noticed something. The atheists who responded offensively were given many a thumbs up by their fellow atheists, yet the ones who responded civily, and who did not stray from the point recieved no votes whatsoever. It's almost like, atheists only like the other atheists who are arrogant and spiteful...

Answer 1

To me it's nothing but a label that I respond to out here. It represents a group of people who have similiar ideas to mine.

In person it doesn't come up unless someone asks me about my religion.

Other than that it's meaningless.

Edit: Oh dear, note to self. Read the FULL question before responding. I'm sad to say I gave you a thumb's up, although I don't regret it too much since at least you appear to be sincere. But now I need to bang my head on the desk in honor of the number of times this question has been posted and the implication that we secretly hunger after god has been made.

I'm not hungry.

Answer 2

Atheist is used in some slightly different ways -not right or wrong. All uses generally mean that the person does not believe in gods or a particular god. The main difference is that some believe this more strongly than others. I am 99.9% confident that gods don't exist. Some atheists will say they are 100% confident, others perhaps 90%.

Some atheists might wish that they could believe in god(s), but many (most?) of us do not wish for that. Most atheists have struggled considerably with their belief systems, and have arrived at this place: atheism. In the process, most of us have become theologists or experts in religious belief and even epistemology. Our belief systems are usually very well thought out, so there is little chance that any of us visit places like Y!A in hopes of becoming theists. We just don't think that way. Our belief systems are based on evidence and sound arguments, so unless we experience some kind of direct revelation or discover a new powerful argument, we are not likely to change our beliefs. We can gain understanding, though, and enjoy ourselves, and possibly help others.

We belong here. This is not your church. This is an open forum re spirituality and religion. We have some strong opinions on these topics. I want people to learn that atheists are all around you everyday, we are good moral citizens who care for others. I would also like to help some religious people and doubters to realize that atheism or at least a-religion, is a viable choice. I realize that this may appear to be abhorent to you. I can assure you that it is not evil and that my intentions are to help people. I have proven successful in this regard on at least a few occasions, even here on Y!A.

I wish everyone was more civil in the discussions as well. You just have to ignore that crap when you are on a loosley-monitored online forum like this. People don't behave this way when they are in person.

I hope this helps you, my friend.

Answer 3

I believe atheists fall into two camps, the scientists and the "believers of non-believers". The scientists don't believe in a supreme being(s) because there is no proof to support it. They see religious participation as a waist of time. They don't' care what you do, just give them the same respect.

The "believers of non-believers" on the other hand take atheism to an almost religious level. They fight just as hard to convince you that whatever supreme being(s) you believe in doesn't exist, as the bible-thumpers do to convince you of the opposite. This camp I think aren't made of of true atheists. I think these people are mostly people who believe they have been "wronged" by God or dislike organized religion.

Either way everyone on all sides should keep and open mind. A thousand years ago magnetism was thought to be magic. It took a "non-believer" to prove otherwise. An atheist might some day prove the existence of God. Einstein said, "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."

Answer 4

I broadly agree with the definition "lack of religion or belief in God", though I would prefer to expand the definition of God into something like an intelligent creator. It is, therefore, a worldview that does not depend on the existence of an intelligent supernatural (/omnipotent/whatever word you wish to use - I'm sure you get the picture) being.

Personally, I frequent this section of Y/A to try to understand more about religious people. While I hope that a glance through my question/answer history would satisfy anyone that I don't set out to mock others, I cannot categorically claim that I do not try to persuade them of the validity of my point of view. This is primarily because I enjoy engaging in debate with people, not because I think it is likely I will ever "convert" anyone.

The point about wanting to believe is interesting. I accept that it would be extremely comforting to believe in a Utopian afterlife. Furthermore, you claim that "knowing" a god is a joyous experience. Sounds nice. Unfortunately, I see no evidence for existence of either. No matter how much I would love these things to be true, I simply do not find it appropriate to accept such fundamental theories about the Universe as being true without supporting, falsifiable evidence.

Answer 5

There are no atheists in the bible. Look for yourself. Bible readers have a loving God. EX 12:29 The Lord kills all the first-born in the land of Egypt. EX 17:13 With the Lord's approval, Joshua mows down Amalek and his people. EX 21:20-21 With the Lord's approval, a slave may be beaten to death with no punishment for the perpetrator as long as the slave doesn't die too quickly. EX 32:27 "Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor. EX 32:27-29 With the Lord's approval, the Israelites slay 3000 men. LE 26:7-8 The Lord promises the Israelites that, if they are obedient, their enemies will "fall before your sword." LE 26:22 "I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children." LE 26:29, DT 28:53, JE 19:9, EZ 5:8-10 As a punishment, the Lord will cause people to eat the flesh of their own sons and daughters and fathers and friends. LE 27:29 Human sacrifice is condoned. (Note: An example is given in JG 11:30-39) NU 11:33 The Lord smites the people with a great plague. NU 12:1-10 God makes Miriam a leper for seven days because she and Aaron had spoken against Moses. NU 15:32-36 A Sabbath breaker (who had gathered sticks for a fire) is stoned to death at the Lord's command. NU 16:27-33 The Lord causes the earth to open and swallow up the men and their households (including wives and children) because the men had been rebellious. NU 16:35 A fire from the Lord consumes 250 men. NU 16:49 A plague from the Lord kills 14,700 people. Much, much more...good reading, but not for the meek-hearted.

Answer 6

I am just curious to know, then, why so many Christians spend so much time in the religious section of Y/A, and many (not all) of them are constantly mocking non-believers(of any caliber, but generally atheist) and, essentially, trying to convert others to Christianity, (by trying to make others believe they are right). This makes me think; maybe a Christian wants to believe, or maybe they want reason to believe that God does not care for them, or maybe they don't have the Joy of knowing that there is no god, therefore they want to bring down those who do, etc... something similar. I have always believed that, deep down, everyone feels that God really doesn't exist.

Answer 7

Atheism is just a lack of god belief.

You ask why I am here. I see way too many people suffering. They are swindled into giving money they can't afford to rich TV televangelists and other swindlers. They abandon their gay children because they are taught they must. Relationships are broken because of religious differences. Women are taught they must be subservient and be beaten by their spouses because the bible says they must. One thing that really breaks ones heart is I have seen elderly people crying because they fear they will burn in hell because either they can't afford to give money to rich churches or they no longer have the means to go to church consistently.

I am just trying to help people see that none of this needs to be that way. We can live lives without religious hatred and mind control if we only realize that these religions which cause so much misery in the world are not based on fact but on fear and , and that there is nothing we need to fear, the threats which religions use to control people are nothing but empty threats.

If my arguments can save one person from a life of fear and suffering it will have been more than worth it, and if not, well at least I can say I have tried to do my part.

Answer 8

I've found that a lot of the "atheists" on here are actually agnostic, like myself. This means we do believe in God, just we either have our own defenition, or haven't found a defenition, but can feel a greater presence out there.

For me I've always viewed religions, including my own (Judiasm) as ignorant. To assume you're religion (most likely based on soem old man written and revised book) is the only true religion seems to good to be true. But i was not educated, so who was I do debate religion. So I started with the bible since most of the religious people go by that. After reading most of the bible, I started to think, have Jews/Christians even read this thing? Murder, incest, slavery, horrible acts by a jealous God, it's not exactly the book I want to live my life on. I've read about the teachings of Buddha, and it's a little closer. I mean telling me ignorance, and desire lead to suffering is better advice than prematial sex will send you to hell unless you ask my son for forgiveness.

Answer 9

Almost all non believers belonged to a religion at one time and found it lacking. Most atheist posters here seem to know more about the bible than many Christians. If they wanted to join a religion, they would, but atheists and agnostics as a rule value truth above mythology.

I might ask you, why are so many Christians posting criticisms in the Gay/ Transgendered category? By your logic they are envious and want to 'come out'. Ditto for questions about spirituality and/or other religions that don't relate to Christianity: why do they post critiques about what other people believe?

Isn't it just about free speech and discussion?

Answer 10

Well, I don’t believe an atheist described atheism as “outright denying God's existence”. Maybe a Christian (with an agenda) said it, but not an atheist. -- An atheist is someone who doesn't believe in god.

I think you believe that we believe in god deep down because you are not only unable to think empathetically on this issue, but it is more pleasing to believe it that way. Your thinking that I “feel both the existence of God and his presence” is rather self indulgent on your part.

As for converting people to atheism . . . why not? Why shouldn’t I want to convince others of my convictions? I think I’m right, so yes, I would like you to be convinced of it too.

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Don't tell me that you don't want a debate. You wouldn't be here if you didn't want to hear other people's opinions and give your own in the process.