Why do atheists feel it necessary to push their beliefs on others?

Question

I mean those who believe in God, particularly the big 3 religions are merely following the tenents of their faith. Atheists have faith that God does not exist so they have no such tenent compelling them.

So I guess the more compelling questions for athesits is:
Why bother living? Why bother doing the "right" thing? Why not live in anarchy? Why bother being a good person? Why do anything if this is all there is?

Answer 1

Why do atheists push their beliefs on others? For the same reason that religious people "push" their beliefs on others - they want you to "join the group". They want to justify their own conclusions, just like the religious people - this is human nature - it is not exclusive to atheists or agnostics.

As to the rest of your question, you are making assumptions about what atheists believe - that they have no hope or joy in life, which is not necessarily true. I'm not an atheist, but if I was then this life is infinitely MORE precious if it is the only one you get. As to "doing the right thing" - if you murder someone will you probably go to prison? You are making the argument that atheists have no moral values, which is false. Anarchy? Because living in chaos doesn't work. Why be a good person? Because it is the right thing to do. Why do anything if this all that there is? Because there is plenty to do - visit a children's cancer ward, and I defy you to make that statement again, atheist or not.

To "The Britt" - there is absolutely no proof whatsoever that evolution does not exist. Provide a link to a peer-reviewed paper that proves this - you can't, because their aren't any.

To "Jon Jon 418" - current estimates of atheists in the U.S. population is 9%, and is growing.

Answer 2

Your ludicrousy just made me throw up a little...

I will answer your questions though:
1) I BOTHER living because I enjoy life. I enjoy the feelings, emotions, love, happiness, fulfillment of living and loving. I will only be here for a short time, and I intend to make the most of it before I no longer exist.
2) I BOTHER to do the 'right' thing, because if I do the 'wrong' thing, I will be persecuted and will no longer be able to enjoy life, seeing as I may be behind bars. What purpose would that serve?
3) I choose not to live in anarchy because I have seen anarchy and I rather like democracy. The masses are much more content and the country safer as apposed to an anarchist country.
4) I BOTHER to be a good person because I get enjoyment out of helping others, contributing to my community, raising my children to be contributors and I feel that everyone should give a little back.
5) I do the things I do because life is short, and I intend to make the most of it. So, I have hobbies, I have my beautiful family, my animals, and my work. I do what I can for my community to help the less fortunate and feel that I am living my life the best way I know how.

By the way, I do not appreciate you generalizing Atheists into one group. The only thing that unites us is our belief that a god does not exist, other than that we are very different. We look different, we talk differently, we act differently, we think differently.

Answer 3

You are wrong about me. I do not have faith that God does not exist. I do not believe in God, but I am capable of admitting that I could be wrong.

You ask me:
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"Why bother living? Why bother doing the "right" thing? Why not live in anarchy? Why bother being a good person? Why do anything if this is all there is?"
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Do you understand how scary you sound when you talk like this?

It makes me feel that a lot of Christians are very immoral and only act moral because of faith in a God. You should know why we do the right things, do not live in anarch, why we live, why we are good people. You should not require a God to do this.

What if you were manipulated by religion to do horrible things, you might carry them out because you believe your God correct and you do not question his morals. That is a scary thought and only furthers my cause to separate any form of religion from state.

Answer 4

Let's just turn your "more compelling questions" back on you for a moment, shall we?

"Why bother living? Why bother doing the 'right' thing? Why not live in anarchy? Why bother being a good person? Why do anything if this is all there is?"

Apparently people like you need supernatural theatrics, and a mythological system of threats and rewards, in order to justify your own lives and to keep you in line morally. If you can't think of a better reason to do the "right" thing than fear of Hell or desire of Heaven, couched in a lot of driveling theological nonsense, I pity you.

Furthermore, your original question is a load of crap. People who actually identify themselves as "atheists" make up what, 5% of the population? (In spite of the fact that atheism is implicit in the theory of practically all intelligent people.) Meanwhile, as Christians never tire of pointing out, they make up something like 84%. So who's actually in a position to "push his beliefs on others?"

Answer 5

The key is not why they do or don't, it is how they understand.
This is the key! Understanding!

I personally do not understand many things. However I may lean towards my own understanding, which can lead me to a form of ignorance. It also can lead me towards a form of Logic or Intelligence or Rationality, etc., etc., etc..

Does this understanding I have help me to help others. Maybe! Maybe not! But what it is, is my own understanding.

Now if I step outside of my own understanding and look towards another's understanding, will this enable me or disable me. For some the answer is yes! For others the answer is no!
Why?
If my answer was no, it is because I prefer my own understanding as the only way.
If my answer is yes, it is because I realized that my way is not the absolute way.

Does this make me stronger or weaker. For some it is a weakness, for others it is a strength.

The key to this whole issue is Understanding!

Answer 6

As a Christian, I'm combating now not just a struggle towards Satan however a struggle to persuade YOU to quit being on Satan's part. Most devout folks suppose that God is the one approach, and if you do not come to him, you are going to burn in hell. We're doing you a prefer. Would you as an alternative be in terrible, insufferable discomfort ceaselessly or submit with a couple of devout folks?

Answer 7

You are making a rather arrogant assumption that morality is a product of religion. That relationship, where it exists at all, is actually inverted. Ethics is a cultural product - and so is religion. Atheists know to do the right thing without regard to reward or punishment from whatever wizard or scribblers motivate others. (Especially from the those who adhere to beliefs in genocidal deities.)

As to the "push," it is the responsibility of all adults to educate.

Answer 8

So you're saying that YOU only do the right thing because you're afraid of being punished in an afterlife...not because you're just a good person? And why do you want to live if all you care about is what happens afterwards? Why don't you just kill yourself? (See how stupid those questions are? That's how your questions sound to an atheist.) Atheists do not try to push the things they believe or don't believe on others. We just defend ourselves against those who try to push their beliefs on us all the time. We don't appreciate being told that we have no morals or values. We don't appreciate being told that we deserve to burn in Hell for all eternity--not because we've DONE anything wrong, but simply because we don't believe the same things you believe. We don't appreciate stupid questions like "Why live?" and "Why bother doing the right thing?" We have morals and values that are just as good as any religious person. We don't need a book to tell us how to do the right thing, or how to be a good person. We don't do the "right thing" because we're afraid of being punished, we do it simply because it's the RIGHT THING. We are good people, just trying to live our lives. I love my husband, my children, my friends, and my family. I do volunteer work, and I give to charity. I don't smoke, drink, or do drugs. I love my life, and cherish every moment I have, because I think it's ALL I have. I don't criticize others for not believing the same things I do. You don't need "God" to live a good life, you just need a BRAIN.

Answer 9

WHAT?!?
you are so backward and ignorant!
atheists don't believe in a deity--a God person, it doesn't mean we shouldn't bother living, or that we don't have morals or a sense of right and wrong!! personally, i believe there is more, it's just not a god!!!
what gives you the right to be so judgemental? and the christians are the ones that push their beliefs on others, so don't cry when an atheist replies with their own set of beliefs.

Answer 10

It's tenet, sweetie, look it up.

1. We are worried about the Christian faith's religious dogma being turned into national law, which is a very real threat.

2. Life is what you make of it. If you see it as a beautiful, wonderful thing, then it is. I would ask why you guys would bother living, if this life is just some horrible test for you, before your "real life" begins.

3. Being good, and doing the right thing, is it's own reward. It's a liberating concept.

4. Anarchy is not what you seem to think it is.

5. I'll refer you back to # 3

6. Why not do EVERYTHING POSSIBLE if this is all there is?Guess what, Princess? This life is the prize.