Okay, atheists, another question?

Question

My last question spurred another question

Are you being approached by Christians and other religious groups a lot or is it 'that one time' that really set you off. I understand that a lot of you feel the bible is illogical. If you are being approached by a lot of religious people do you feel you are attracting them in some way towards you? Also, could you explain what you believe in (if you believe in anything)?

The reason I'm asking is because I somehow ended up in an acedemic debate/ roundtable (trust me, I DIDN'T ask for this) and I really don't understand the thought process of atheists. I have been very spiritual for as long as I have been able to create an intelligent thought and sentence and have been a devout Christian for many years now. Before I respond and present myself I want to understand the atheist individual. I have read literature but, to me, that only gives a general classification.

Again, let's try to keep it an intelligent discussion by not bashing.

When I say the thought process I mean do you feel science is the answer for the mysteries of the earth or is there some type of mysticism envolved. I understand that can be considered agnostic but there's a guy in this debate that doesn't believe in God but believe in aliens.

WOW!!! I never thought I would get so many answers!!! Thank you all for your insight.

Someone asked what do I believe. I believe in God, Jesus & His resurrection, and I believe wholeheartedly that He died to save my soul (not trying to convert anyone... just answering the question). I do not discredit science because it gives explainations and gives me knowledge of the innerworkings of things. I don't judge others beliefs because I havn't been a Christian all of my life, I converted (on my own accord) from Taoism; not saying ALL Christians judge.

My reason for not understanding the non-belief is because I have always believed in something and couldn't imagine not having a belief.

Also, I want to stress, I don't think atheists are Satan worshippers, I realize and know that is a separate belief on it's own. Someone mentioned "if you don't believe in God then by default you don't believe in Satan", I agree.

I like the fact that I'm not receiving generalizations...

Answer 1

Im a new atheist I have been keeping it to myself just because I feel out numbered in this world I my in laws are all born agains and I just keep my mouth shut, its hard but I know its hard to open a closed mind by the way spritual is ok with me

Answer 2

What atheists believe is simple. They believe in what can be logically and scientifically proved. If it's untenable logically and scientifically, it's rejected.

As far as Christians approaching atheists, I'd say it's similar to what I experience as a Pagan. If Christians know my viewpoint, they try to "help me" to "see the truth" of christianity. I've met them on street corners, parking lots and other places. Perhaps I'm a bit more visible, wearing my own emblem of faith as proudly as do Christians. Still, even when I didn't, I was aproached.

I also see Christians on soap-boxes at city fairs, subways and other places shouting loudly the perils of unbelief. I find this distasteful, and have never seen an atheist or Pagan doing so.

EDIT

Why is it that Christians think that atheists believe "science" is the reason for mysteries, or that "science" "replaces" religion. That's not the case.

Science doesn't cause, but explains. It's attempts to provide an answer to the question "why". It doesn't cause mysteries, but attempts to remove mystery.

Knowledge is an answer, not an underlying power behind nature.

Earthquakes used to be attributed to the anger of some God, as were tidal waves and eclipses. Science finds the reason behind these things and removes the mystery.

Science isn't an object of faith, replacing religion, but a tool for understanding nature that may make some sorts of religion unnecessary or outdated.

Evolution contradicts Genesis, but religion doesn't replace Christianity. Atheists would say that the Bible isn't necessary because science can better answer the questions of origins.

Still, Science doesn't answer questions of spirituality. It doesn't answer "Where do we go when we die". Atheism says that because there is no data, they either have no answer, or they reject an afterlife out-of-hand. Most would choose the latter.

Answer 3

I have been asked "Why?" by a lot of believers many times. My answer is pretty much, just because. I grew up not truly believing in God and now that I am older I definitely don't believe. I just don't see how it is possible. I've been told that a lot of believing is just faith, but I can't have that. I am a science student, so that can be part of it when I say that I need proof, real evidence for the existence of a god. The bible doesn't cut it. I also believe that (don't take offense, I am not trying to bash) that living your life the way someone you don't know wants you to, and then to praise them and to accept Jesus as your "saviour", is a bit selfish. I live my life the way I want to. I don't need someone else to tell me how to live my life, and I don't need to look up to someone I don't believe exists.

Answer 4

i might want to anticipate that God had put in position a fashion better qc equipment than he's making use of now. ok, severe answer... i might want to probable evaluate this as information that prayer is doing something... that it is accomplishing an entity of a few type who (which?) is paying interest. This entity would not inevitably be a deity although - an alien species with telepathic skill makes better sense. there's a Wizard of oz..esque "is that somewhat a deity behind the curtain?" vibe happening right here. Why might want to or not it is granting my needs...? likely recruiting followers for some reason... The mysterious stranger might want to be their emmisary, i guess. I sense an alien invasion drawing near...

Answer 5

Hmm, the Atheist thought process. See thousands of pieces of evidence for macro-evolution. Researeach Macro-evolution. See that 97 % of scientists are evolutionists. No offense to your religion, but in terms of logic, I'd be quite a few religions before a Christian, due to its own complexity it has the largest case against its authenticity.

Macro evolution doesn't disprove any kind of creator is possible, just that of organized religions. I'm an Agnostic.

Well, that's about it right there.

Answer 6

I literally believe in nothing. Belief and faith are not used in my mental processes. People say, "Oh, but you have faith your car is still where you parked it." I don't. I'm fully cognizent of the fact my car may in fact be in the river right now, or being used in a high speed chase. The statistical likelihood of it not being where I left it is simply low enough that it doesn't bother me.

I do, however, hold three axioms as true. The nature of an 'axiom' is that it is not provable. Axioms define the rules of the game. If you don't like the particular logical game, you are free to add or remove axioms. For example, Euclidean geometry (geometry of flat surfaces) is built on five basic axioms. If you remove one, the parallel line axiom, you now have Hyperbolic geometry. Both systems are internally consistent. So the axiom is not true or false, it is just accepted or rejected, and the game flows from the axioms you accept.

My three axioms are:

1. Mathematics and logic are valid. Truth is an inherantly logical proposition. Without logic, the truth-value of any fact could never be known, there would be no way to distinguish between a true fact and a false fact. Without logic, knowledge would be unattainable.

2. Observations, unaided and aided, are valid. However, aided observations must be supported by prior observations and mathematics. For example, before the theory of optics was discovered, a microscope would have been invalid; but through study of unaided observations of lenses and beams of light, the theory of optics was mathematically formulated, so the microscope is valid. A crystal gazing ball is still invalid, but if a way to define the effect mathematically and in a way that could be verified with unaided observations was found, it would become valid as well. Without being able to trust our observations, we could aquire no data on which to operate, and thus knowledge would be unattainable.

3. The supernatural, if it exists (note: no statement is made of its existence or non-existence, just a conditional), does not in any way interact with the natural world. If a supernatural involvement can be had, then nothing can be assured as true. If the deity that oversees gravity decides to change the universal gravitational constant, for example, all things we know will suddenly be invalid, and thus knowledge could not be attained.

It is important to recognize that none of these things is considered true; they are axioms. An axiom is a statement that must be accepted or not accepted on its own merits. However, as each of them can be shown to be necessary for knowledge, one must either accept these three things, or, one must accept that nothing at all can be known, let alone known to be true or false. So these axioms must be 'accepted' or 'held' to attain knowledge, even though their axiomic nature means they themselves cannot be proven.

Answer 7

As a religious person you live as a member of a huge majority. In the USA there are about 40% who count themselves as fundamentalist and about 70% would mark Christian if asked on a questionnaire.Adherents give the number at over 80%.
Atheists likely run between 1% and 1.5 %.
We don't have enough people to be a constant bother.

Answer 8

Hey, I'm not an atheist, but I thought I'd comment on some of the comments.. Some Christians ARE extreme and say you're going to be in fire and brimstone, but I mean, that is NOT the way to go and that is NOT right.. and not ALL Christians are like that. I think the way to win people to Heaven is through love, compassion, mercy, forgiveness and the Words of the Father. Another question.. for atheists, what do you think happens when you die?

Answer 9

As you say you do not understand our, or at least my, thought processes. I never have had a problem with religious people, my childhood was a normal very mildly religious one, there just isn't a god, just like there aren't fairies or unicorns.

Edit:

And no, there are no mystical entities in the world, there is no evidence for them beyond human testimony. And you seem to think we treat 'science' as some sort of entity, science is just a methodology, even small babies do science when they learn about the world through repeat testing of hypotheses.

Oh and nice post J.P.

Answer 10

I get approached sometimes. More often, I just see Christians and other groups pushing agendas I don't like, so I like to get involved, myself. I don't think I attract any of them in any special way. It's just that there are a lot of them and they like talking about religious nonsense. If they ask me my opinion, I answer. I do get some reaction to my bumper stickers, which indicate I'm atheist.

I believe in many things. I just don't believe in any gods.

Atheist thought processes are the same as anybody else, though they do tend to use logic and reason more. If you're not familiar with phrasing your thoughts logically, you probably will have a hard time understanding them sometimes. If you feel they are mocking you or being rude, try to understand the point they are trying to make. Usually, its a bit deeper than just making fun of your beliefs.

A good book to read to get more of the "atheist thought process" is Richard Dawkins' new book, "The God Delusion"

Answer 11

I end up with Christians at my doorstep at least once a month. I live a few blocks from a Kingdom Hall.

Moreover as a member of a school board we have to waste time dealing with objections to teaching evolution and people wanting ID being taught about twice a year.

What do I believe in.

1. Me
2. Reason
3. Hard work and Hard Play
4. Science and technology will be the salvation of the human race.

By salvation I mean it will allow the human race to continue to survive.