Is Atheism a type of faith?

Question

Most atheist beleive they are as right as any other religious beleivers. Why not live your life by being happy, don`t harm
anyone, do your best. If when you die there is any more...Great!
If not you haven`t wasted your life being afraid or fighting.

Answer 1

Thanks JoJo, that more or less sums up my views on the subject.

Surely 'faith' suggests belief in something unknowable?

But I for one don't 'believe' there is no god. I don't have a 'hope' that this is the case and adjust scientific and historical evidence to support my view. Nor is my opinion formed through instinct, intuition or meditation, which I understand most 'faiths' are.

Atheism for me is just the simplest explanation for my observations without the need to introduce other factors such as an 'unknowable' being.

I know some people want to argue this is 'faith' but I disagree. It's just an opinion. But an opinion that is the result of considerable thought on the subject and one I am happy to debate with others.

Hope that helps!

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Answer 2

If you are asking if atheists believe what they say, then yes. However, faith is a word normally used to describe a religious belief. If you are asking if atheism is a religion, then the answer is most definitely no.

The idea that two hypotheses are un-provable and therefore equal is not valid. The belief in a deity requires faith. This is believing in something that there is no evidence for. The belief that there are no gods is much simpler and reflects a reasoned understanding of our position in the universe.

To clarify that - a belief in the tooth fairy requires faith. A belief in there not being a tooth fairy requires only reason. Both positions are unprovable but one requires a leap of faith and the other does not.

Answer 3

Atheism is about putting your belief in facts rather than having faith in mysticism.

Atheist's simply don't share the faithful's belief in god/gods, it is not necessary for an atheist to hold any belief that there is no God any more than they would need to hold a belief that there is no Celestial Teapot (see Bertrand Russell). Nobody can prove or disprove a Celestial Teapot but the likelihood of there being one is remote enough to be reasonably sure there isn't one.

So no, atheism is not a type of faith at all, if you can prove something then you do not need faith to believe it, atheist's believe what can be proven by evidence, faith has nothing to do with atheism.

So far the religious faithful have presented no proof that any god/god's exist and that is why faith is required to believe in god /god's, if there was proof of god/gods there would be no need for faith.

Answer 4

Atheism is the belief that there is no God (as opposed to agnosticism, having no opinion).

The belief that there is no God - by definition an unprovable belief - is based as much upon faith as any belief that there IS - but that doesn't mean they are equal, or equally likely to be correct.

For example, you can imagine many different groups believing the theory that the centre of the Milky Way is made up of a huge ball of cheese. There have been schisms, each contending that there's a different type of cheese - one group goes for cheddar, another edam, a third will kill anyone who denies that it's gorgonzola. We cannot currently disprove any of them: but they are not therefore all on an equal footing with the theory that there is no cheese there at all.

Answer 5

the line of Atheism leads to 2 cul-de-sacs. One is that of heroic (yet pathetic) defiance of God. (how are you going to defy something that does no longer exist?) the different is perception into the glaring irrelevance of the divine. although that is a lifeless-end as shown in this quote from Brecht (the German playwright): "someone requested Herr Keuner if there's a God. Herr Keuner stated: i counsel you to imagine about how your habit might want to change with reference to the answer to this question. If it would not change, then we may be able to drop the question. If it would want to change, then i'm able which could also help you a minimum of insofar as i'll inform you: You already determined: you want a God." Brecht says we are by no ability able to make your ideas up on right away between theism and atheism, because the alternative is positioned alongside the line of idea. And now I quote from Slavoj Zizek: "Atheism (interior the experience of determining no longer to position self belief in God) is a depressing pathetic stance of those who lengthy for God yet can't locate him (or who 'insurrection adverse to God'). a real atheist does no longer choose atheism; for him, the question itself is inappropriate." although the experience of eternity, it truly is in each yearning human heart, has been placed there by technique of God, so interior the in basic terms right diagnosis there can't be the type of subject matter as a real atheist because God has 'spoken' - they are in basic terms refusing to take heed to. a minimum of those who 'only' argue adverse to God have entered the talk! draw close on in there, individuals! you may listen slightly more effective! finally, do not set too a lot save by technique of mere avoidance of doing damage and doing what you imagine is ideal. in case you do not believe there's a God, you'll in basic terms %. and choose your man or woman route of least resistance. God's pathways are slightly more effective tense, and rightly so because we are all a extremely motley bunch! So save your ears open for what God may be declaring to you. he's into verbal change of the "nonetheless, small voice" type, somewhat.

Answer 6

Its getting that way I think, atheists seem to put more effort into not beleiving than the devout do the opposite. If atheism was a faith Dawkins would be its Jesus Christ (that guy is obsessed) I wish he would try to do something more positive with his obvious scientific genius and leave the god botherers alone (they never listen anyway)

Answer 7

What does any of that have to do with faith?

Atheism is largely based on the idea that faith is not enough to base one's beliefs on, and instead we should rely on evidence.

Answer 8

Peace!
It takes great faith to believe there is no God. It also takes great faith to believe there is a God. Ergo, Atheism is a religion?

Answer 9

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Answer 10

If atheism is a "religion" or a "faith", then health is a disease.

Or, more accurately:

Hinduism is like eating cow sh_t, christianity is like eating sheep sh_t, and islam is like eating camel sh_t. Atheists don't eat sh_t.

Would you want someone forcing animal feces down your throat?


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