Theists only please: Do we need atheists in this forum?

Question

I asked a similar question to atheists. Now, I would like to have the opinion of believers. Please be honest and explain your answer.

Facts: Atheism is not a religion. Atheists are not spiritual or into spirituality because they don't pray to God. Some say they are spiritual because they meditate, but their meditiation is more for relaxation and self-awareness.
Should atheists be in the Philosophy and Humanities Section of YA?

Answer 1

Absolutely. If they are truly seeking an answer, they should be able to post a legitimate question just like everyone else. As Christians, we should be prepared to give an answer, and to do so with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15-16). But, I've seen way too many posts by people claiming to be Christians that were far from gentle or respectful.

On the flip side, if an atheists' sole purpose in being in the Religion and Spirituality section is to antagonize believers and post insults disguised as questions, then no, those in that category shouldn't be here. If they constantly abuse the purpose for which this section was intended, then their privelege to post here should be taken away - the same as anyone who abuses this site.

I think if we all made a committment to report abusers and to not answer any of those types of questions, then they would get bored and find some other way to occupy their time. If you click on their profile and view their previous questions, along with what answer they selected as the best, you can get a pretty good idea of what their purpose is in being here.

What I don't understand is why atheists answer questions that are obviously directed towards Christians. When someone asks a question about the Christian faith or how to be saved, why does an atheist answer? I wouldn't take it upon myself to answer a question I had no knowledge about. Their answers only serve to cause confusion for the asker, and I'm not convinced this isn't their intention. If you reject God - fine, that's the choice you've made, but why purposely try to confuse someone who is searching? It's as though atheism IS their religion, and they're trying their hardest to promote it.

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For the person who asked if we were afraid to debate the competition, my answer is no. I am not the least intimidated by a good debate, but this is Yahoo ANSWERS. This particular forum is not set up for debate.

Answer 2

Hon,

We don't "need" anyone here. And yet here we are.

As far as your facts go:

1. You're correct, atheism isn't a religion. I'm so glad you, at least, recognize that.

2. Spirituality isn't defined by a belief in God or Gods. Do atheists hold anything sacred? If they do, then they are by definition spiritual. Are they concerned with the development of their own spirits/souls (whatever they consider that to be)? If so, they are by definition spiritual. BTW, I consider the search for self-awareness to be a spiritual quest.


Really, though, the question is moot. Atheists are here, and there is no test of any kind for participation. Further, I am constitutionally opposed to top-down authoritative and repressive structuring of public forums. I am opposed to single-voice forums, too, unless they are voluntary.

I am content to be many.

They should be where we are, because they have, many of them, an abiding interest in religions and religious thought. I'm not a vegetarian, and yet I have an abiding interest in vegetable recipes.

And "separate but equal" never really means "equal".


P.S. Your "not spiritual or into spirituality because they don't pray to God" is pretty darn religion-centric. I don't "pray to God" either.

Answer 3

Atheism may not be a "religion," but logically, it is not incorrect to place it here.

In terms of "God/no-god" this is where the discussion belongs.

I'm sure that believers/Christians would love to have a room all to themselves where they could discuss their love of Jesus, just as, say, Republicans would like a place all their own, but if you click over to the Politics section, you'll see how much the malcontents love bashing each other on a daily basis.

I can see your point about putting Atheism in the Philosophy section, but odds are, Yahoo isn't going to make the change.

Answer 4

Atheists can believe in an afterlife, ghosts, even fairies, and so long as they don't believe in a god or gods, they are still atheists.

That would, to me constitute spirituality, however, most atheists don't believe in such things. Even so, those atheists who do not believe in the supernatural can still be spiritual.

Spirit -

"the immaterial intelligent or sentient part of a person"

Spiritual -

"of, relating to, consisting of, or affecting the spirit"

So you see, you do not have to believe in the spirit as a supernatural concept. Meditation concerns the "spirit" of the person, as do music, philosophy, love, art, and many other concepts and activities.

Answer 5

How can you discuss a yes without a no. Atheists have every right and every bit of my welcome here. The presence of an atheist in a discussion of any kind of god or religion helps keep the discussion from taking things for granted. An atheist is like a four-year-old, always with a why or a how. I welcome the reminder that just because I think it, it is not so.

Answer 6

I think it's rather arrogant of you to make pronouncements as to what constitutes "spirituality", specifically in making the totally spurious claim that spirituality cannot exist in the absence of prayer to God.

This is a forum ABOUT religion, NOT a religious forum, and it should welcome anyone wishing to make a sincere contribution.

Answer 7

I wouldn't mind them if they were sincere, respectful and objective. But that's not the nature of someone who rejects what's right and embrace error.

And I disagree with you concerning atheism not being a religion.

Agnosticism is a philosophy because it asserts "I don't know".

Atheism, on the other hand, asserts "There is no God", so because this is an unproven and unprovable belief system requiring faith, it is a religion. Not a true religion, but a religion nonetheless.
.

Answer 8

Afraid to hear what the competition have to say?




Does anyone else get a laugh out of people like this thinking that typing the word "Facts", followed by a colon, makes any old nonsense they then type true?
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Answer 9

Eh, why not? This discussion stills comes down to God. They get to complain. We get to be more aware of other perspective and to witness. The religioni forum all about finding achieveing understanding so why not...

Answer 10

Jesus spent most of His time around sinners, not the righteous. If the atheists leave this forum then that is one less opportunity for them to hear the TRUTH.

Oh and I posed a similar question like this here is link:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqP5jTaz5E9JvDyjyBELrn3sy6IX?qid=20070130010312AAdqCZ2