What values does atheism affirm that Christianity has not already affirmed?

Question

And passed on to atheists born into a Christian culture?
How does atheism bring joy and optimism to our lives?
Is atheism a force for good and optimism in the world?

Answer 1

"Creativity" of Validating Logic and Intelligence cannot stand alone without a belief authenticating relative.

Yet deny the existence of “create.”

Answer 2

Atheism does not affirm any values, nor does it a force for good or evil. It simply is an adjective that describes a person who has no belief in the supernatural. It is not a creed, or a belief system, it is just a descriptive.

The question you asked really makes no sense, it's like asking what values being short affirms, or what values being obese affirms. Of course, being taller or shorter has nothing to do with your values, and atheism is the same way, it's just a trait that describes a person.

Answer 3

WOW! one question at a time.!!!!!!!What atheism afirms(for lack of a better word) is the ability for a man to stand on his own two feet and accept complete responsibility for his actions. And, no religion does not do that. Religion tells you to accept that your god is in charge ofwhatever happens to you. Atheism brings the joy o realizing that you are free to do whatever you want without repercussions or punishment, and yes, this IS a force for good and optomism in the world, since atheists don't start wars like religions do, and atheists let you do whatever you want as long as you don't harm others. Try that with your religion.

Answer 4

Well, most atheists I personally know tend to have a moral set that is kinder toward the human condition (especially regarding things like sexuality, etc) than that of Christianity. Most humans have similar moral sets, especially on the "biggies," regardless of religion. Atheists in a predominantly secular society would have the same morals you seem to imply come from Christianity. The truth of the matter is, morality comes from people, not from religion.

As for joy and optimism--it purely depends on the atheist, as atheism cannot be dogmatic by its very nature. It can be good, joyful, and optimistic, though; it can be a force of altruism and empathy. For me personally, the fact that this life is all that we have leads me to want to improve that life not only for me but for those around me. The fact that we are the only beings in control of ourselves leads me to be joyful and optimistic in the fact that I have the capability for that improvement. Moreover, I do the "good" things that I do because I want to and I think that they--and I, and all living things--are important...not because I'll get a reward if I do them or a punishment if I don't.

Answer 5

How about "seek knowledge". Adam and Eve did that and it didn't work out very well for them.

"Don't believe everything you're told" Essentially the opposite of what Christianity teaches

"Respect your children" As opposed to "indoctrinate them into your beliefs while they're too young to resist this abuse of authority.

The Bible advocates slavery, throwing your daughters to rapists, selling your wife, setting your son on fire to prove your loyalty to god, and denouncing homosexuals. What kind of morality do you really think is derived from Christianity?

Atheism brings joy and optimism to our lives every time one of the 96% of eminent American scientists who are atheists makes a new discovery that could save your life.

Atheism is a force for good and optimism in the world, because atheists are good and optomistic, and they manage to be that way without searching death for an escape clause.

Answer 6

I was a Christian for 15 yrs. You know what I learned. That it's all bull sh*t. Atheism affirms self. That is the most basic and most important thing I can have. Christianity teaches you to deny that you are part of this world. "We are strangers and aliens" your not, believe me. Christianity teaches you this so you won't make waves. If they they tell you this world is not important, that the real thing is in the next life then threaten you with eternal damnation burning in flames, ppl quickly fall into line. So now we have a mass population ignorant, UNQUESTIONING sheep, ready to follow a blind faith to whatever ends are asked of them because it's "Gods Will". "Deny this world, pick up your cross daily". Suffer, suffer suffer. Life is hard. You coup with it how you can. Atheism empowers me. It teaches me that I am responsible for myself. I want something, I have to work for it. I open the doors. It teaches self reliance. Joy and optimism comes from being free from what Christianity told me, "you like horror movies your evil" "You like punk rock, you satanic" Joy that I am free from the disease that is Christianity.

Christianity is one of biggest reason we are at war. A blind devotion to a deity on a government pay role, your God Jesus Christ. An army that is being trained to believe they are solders of God. You are murders.
Amen

Answer 7

Being an Atheist doesn't mean they find christian teachings as senseless.I would assume most people believe in the golden rule based on the society I witness daily.Atheism is a belief.To belief or not to believe in god is a belief, not a fact.The fact is a hot pan can burn my skin.I know this only when I'm burnt,I can believe it is when the burner light is on.Belief is a joy no matter how heinous or virtuous because its only a interpretation of fact.The world is more optimistic when belief is kept to personal fufillment only.

Answer 8

I know that I should take heed from the hearty laugh I got out of BlueOctal's "...oh bugger it, why bother." Since people see what they already believe, there's surely no use in my reinforcing some of the so very insightful things already in your answers. Godless was one, but there were others. If I had only three words to express my Atheism, they would be: I AM FREE.

Edit: Oops. The "oh bugger" thing was qldtravel.

Edit: Someone said Atheisim is a belief. It is truly not a belief, it is NON-belief.

Answer 9

Actually, around 500BC, Confucius wrote, 'Do not do to others what you do not want others to do to you.' Having affirmed this value some 500 years prior to christianity, it has been passed along to christianity.

Atheism has forced me to see the real world, and to deal with real problems in a practical way, instead of wishfully praying for solutions. My non-belief in god has brought unlimited optimism into my life, by forcing me to be responsible for myself and my actions.

I think overall, atheism is a force for good and optimism in the world.

Answer 10

essentially you are pointing to the fact that to be happy and enjoy life you have to be a christian.

are you serious, because for you to ask this question you must surely be troubled.

Firstly let me address the values and affirmation of values, do all christians adhear to the values of those child molesting priests? No then why place value types on all atheists?

Did god santion killing, raping, murdering, maruding, war and other un godly acts in his name? No- what about the crusades?

How do atheists bring joy to our lives- a question for a question, how do those child molesting priest bring anything but sorrow and resentment to the lives of those who they torture.

I guess my point is that your question is based on generalisations and unrational statements, you need to use your head when asking questions, every person is different and hold differing beliefs, morals and cultural identities. You can not group athiest or any other group for that matter like this with out expecting some harse replies. Each person stands to make choices moral and otherwise on their own 2 feet, the onus is on their own two feet, god or otherwise does not influence the decisions that we make, some of the worst acts in history have been make in the name of your god. Take ethnic clensing of the jews during world war two.

in any case ... oh bugger it why do i bother

Answer 11

Atheism is a provocative force to enhance the values of each of every persons` religion to be put to better use..