Atheists, I have a question...?

Question

I don't understand the logic of atheism and would like for someone to help me. When I think of atheism, the bottom line adds up to this in my mind: I could die at anytime, all of us could. It happens everyday, all day from sickness to accidents to suicides - you name it - at all ages. Knowing that this life is the only time I will ever have, why would I continue spending another minute paying bills, working at a job I hate, etc.? This also makes me think there aren't really any true atheists, because if this is the actual bottom line, I don't see any people doing things differently.

Again, just trying to get a different perspective. Thanks in advance for all your comments. God bless.

Answer 1

UUUUUUUUUUGH.

The existence or nonexistence of a deity ISN'T what gives my life meaning. I know you can't conceive of "meaning" outside of your theistic bubble, but that doesn't mean the rest of us are miserable bastards living in a bleak work of despair because we don't subscribe to the same bizarre view as YOU!!!!!!!!!!

*growling and panting*

Sorry.... there have just been a lot of silly questions directed towards atheists in the last few minutes. Look... if anything, this life is MORE meaningful to atheists than it is to theists. Believers in god and an afterlife figure this is just a test, this is just an "in between time". Why value this bit when it's just a drop in the bucket compared to eternity?

Conversely atheists know that this is all we have. We better cherish it while we've got it. Generally that's exactly what we do.

Answer 2

Maybe this question explains why theists are so complacent. They work jobs they hate; they hate paying their bills; their lives suck; so they need some justification for not ending it all. Maybe atheists were just lucky to have better lives than that? They don't need to create some self-justification for living a life they hate... Or maybe they had the willpower to say "no thank you" when the opportunity to embrace a life they would hate came along?

It seems to me there must be an interesting story behind how people come to atheism or theism through life experience. Sure, there are always those boors that did it just because that's what their parents did and thinking is too hard, but it really would be fascinating to read life stories of people to learn how a truely sucky life brought someone to "god" and a really lucky fun life brings someone to atheism...

Answer 3

I don't really get what your saying unless you are implying that atheists might as well run around penniless and bored until they commit suicide because their life must be miserable without the 'promise' of an afterlife.

You've left out all the great things about being alive and why it's worth something. I don't pay my bills because I'm waiting to die and go to heaven. I pay my bills because I have to or else I will be homeless and that's no fun. I like having a nice place to live, friends, family, pets. I like spending time enjoying nature. I have hobbies I love like reading and painting. I need to work and pay bills so that I can do these things. I don't always settle for a job I hate. I don't hate my life. I'm having fun. That's all that is important to me at this time. If there's an afterlife, it's just a bonus to me. I'm not going to throw this life away just because I think I may be getting something better after I die either. It's a gift.

*Why are believers working hard at jobs they hate? Why don't believers just go sleep in a cardboard box on the sidewalk and wait for death to take them to a better place?

Answer 4

As an Atheist, speaking for myself, I believe religion is only still in existance because two major mysteries have not been solved. Most of the gods of the world have been explained out of existance by science. We know why the sun does what it does. We know why the moon does what it does. We know the moon controls the tides. We know how fire works, and on and on and on.

Right now, the only things we don't know, and never will is, what happens after you die, and how did this planet come to be.

I am very comfortable with the fact I will someday die. After that, there will be nothing of me, except my remains. I don't need the vision of possible immortality to make me feel better. I will be immortal through my children and the people who's lives I touched.

I will live a good life. I will follow the rules. I will pay my bills, taxes, etc. because it is the right thing to do.

Personally, if you are a christian, does whether or not you pay your bills, and live up to your responsibilities, effect you chances of getting into heaven?

Atheists beleive we were born, we live, we die. After that, we are gone, and there is nothing more.

Answer 5

Because a rational person comes to learn that actions have consquences. If I quit my job today, how will I pay for food and shelter when my money runs out? I understand that I need to work and live on less than I make today so that someday I can not work and live on the excess that I've built up. Work also gives me something meaningful to do with my mind, my time, my talents, etc. I enjoy the challenge of solving problems, of creating things. The logical thing to me seems to be to plan my time so that I maximize the satisfaction I get from life in the log term, not that i maximize my satisfaction in the short-term at the expense of the long-term.

I'll ask you the opposite question. If all the people who say they believe the Bible is the "word of god" really believe that why don't they quit their jobs and do volunteer work, why do they vote against programs to help the poor, why do they spend most of their income on things they could do without so that they can help those less fortunate? Why a they not willing to live a barebones existence for a short 80 years or so in exchange for a greater chance at eternal life in paradise? Why would they ever for a second risk all that by breaking even one teeny tiny rule?

I believe I know the answer to that question.

Answer 6

And the other side of that argument is that since religious believers think that it is better after you die since you get to spend it in heaven, then why are you not all jumping out of planes or finding dangerous things to play around doing? It is kind of tough living a life without money, which requires a job, hence no real choice. But maybe Christians should give all atheists money, remember that Jesus said to care for your fellow man, and since we are not believers we need more care.

Just a different perspective, God is not real. Oh, and "Beautiful Mind" is on crack and does not understand that logic and science indicate your childish version of a God is impossible, oh as love the bible for childish minds.

Answer 7

No no no no no. Being an atheist means you don't believe in god- Having a work ethic and needing money in this life have nothing to do with that. I enjoy my job- always have at every job I've had because I make the best of what I'm given because I do not believe I'm going to have a second chance at this. I have no fear of dying- I don't look forward to it and I don't spend my whole life preparing for it like christians but I know it will happen and I will just be gone. What I do here in my life is what will matter.

Answer 8

Your question makes an unfounded assumption that a belief in a supernatural being is required for life to have any meaning. I'm not at all sure that I can classify myself as an atheist, but after having gone from fundamentalist Christianity, to Quakerism to Buddhism (which I still find a beautiful philosophy), I am leaning more and more toward a position that not only does a God not exist, but that the belief in God that is so prevalent in our world is actually one of the more damaging, negative factors creating or at the root of many of our major world problems, including war and terrorism.

I believe if you read some of the more prominent atheists (Richard Dawkins "The God Delusion" comes to mind) you may discover that even our moral behavior is genetically encoded and belief in a god is not really required to behave morally. But more to your question...

Why on earth would anyone stop doing anything just because they don't believe in God. I believe in life. I believe in providing the best life to myself, my family and my community and the world that I possibly can. I find great meaning in contributing to society and to a better future for those who live their lives on earth. Whether there is a god or not does not concern me. I am concerned about life here on earth and making that life the most meaningful, best, amazing experience for me and those I can affect. Why would you assume otherwise.

I guess, I should ask you a question too..... without referring to "inerrant texts" or "faith", what evidence do you have that a God exists? I think the belief in God is a primitive supertstitious hand me down from a time that should have long ago passed. I find plenty of meaning in life without believing...

Answer 9

We work, pay bills, etc etc, because life may not end any second, I may end up living a long time, and recklessness would probably end it sooner and/or make it miserable (without any apt, money, etc).

The flaw in this "bottom line" of yours is the assumption that without a "god" or an "afterlife" to dream about, focus on this world/life somehow turns to chaos/anarchy and selfishness. However, as part of a global society, one that depends on other people, the environment, etc, an atheist takes more care to preserve our self-interest in the context of others and this planet.

Leaving it all up to god and the dream of a second, eternal life, is the logic I can't understand.

Answer 10

You would continue working so you can enjoy the luxuries money bring you. If you realize that this is your only life and that you are not likely to exist after it then it is of utmost importance to enjoy your time here.

I have a hard time understanding how anyone could believe in a God, especially the Jehovah. Most religions will point to some ultra powerful entity that is very animalistic, this includes the behaviors that Jehovah display. How could such a all knowing, all powerful entity be capable of such useless behavior. These behaviors are specific for survival.

Answer 11

Good question. If it is any consolation, I cant understand how you can plod through your life hating your job and living paycheck to paycheck.... As an Atheist, I would know that life is too short to spend it doing mundane jobs and I would seek another path...

True, I could die at any time...but why would I hasten that by not paying bills, then lodsing my home, not having food to eat and thus hastening my death?? At the same token, you beleive that God will provide for you a paradise after your death - why arent you hastening your death then? Why arent you giving up your earthly possessions as Jesus told you to??

You are right about one thing - I dont see people doing anything differently either. So, I guess that means there are no true Christians out there either...