Are people atheists because they're scared of accountability and morality?

Question

Someone recently suggested this and I wanted to know what the consensus is.

Answer 1

Are people religious because they are to scared to face the truth?

I'm not atheists but personally I think it makes more sense for one to be religious because they can't face the reality of not knowing what is going to happen when they die, not knowing exactly where we came from, and etc.

Answer 2

Considering that almost 80% of the prison population is Christian, and less than 1% is atheist, that is a really silly question. "Atheists are scared of accountability and morality" is a dismissive statement made by religious people who don't want to listen or try to understand how anyone thinks or feels outside of their own little bubble.
God is not necessary for morality to exist. I'm a faithful and loving wife. I love my children, my family, and my friends. I do volunteer work, and I give to charity. I don't smoke, drink, or do drugs. I haven't even had a speeding ticket. Not ONE of my atheists friends has been divorced. They are all in long-term, loving marriages. We are good people--not because we fear some sort of punishment in some afterlife, but because we are simply GOOD PEOPLE. You don't need GOD to do the right thing, you just need some common sense, and half a brain. Just because we don't share someone else's beliefs about a deity, does not mean we are immoral, or enjoy "being bad". (That is how the ignorant think.) It means we simply don't believe in the same "religious thing" that they do. Personally I would rather be a good person because the goodness comes from my heart, than be good because I'm afraid of some punishment if I'm not. Goodness isn't really good if it's simply motivated by fear, is it? I think if there is a God, even he would agree with that.

Answer 3

Hardly.

I am an atheist because the ideas that mainstream religions have are often illogical, irrational, or outright laughable.

I am an atheist because no one has provided me evidence that their diety-of-choice exists at all.

I am an atheist because I see no point to belive in a giant sky-fairy who eagerly looks forward to getting "even" with everyone who ever lived who did not stroke his incredibly fragile ego.

I am an atheist because I do not find tales of magical worldwide floods, talking animals and flames, locusts the size of horses and faces of men, or any of the other crazed tales of the Bible even slightly believeable.

I am an atheist because I am repelled by the notions that: Genocide or mass murder is a good thing; A suitable punishment for a rapist is to make them marry their victim; The destruction of the world is a thing to be hoped for; That death by bears is a suitable punishment for children doing what they do; That it's perfectly okay to abuse, enslave, or kill members of cultures you don't like.

I am an atheist because find many claims made by religious groups are often flase or distorted.

I am an atheist because nothing that I have read has "touched" me or "inspired" me to become religious. I am no more impressed by passages from the Bible than I am the Quar'an , the Torah, or the Vidas.

Answer 4

Morality is largely based on choosing what consequences you desire for your self, but it takes a bit of foresight to abstain from let's say killing or raping someone when you feel like it. Buddhism is an advanced system of morality while at the same time being completely atheist.

Answer 5

No. People are atheist because religion makes no logical sense. There are still morals and accountability if you're an atheist. Morals are created by society, not by religion.

Answer 6

No, we have the same moral values that believers do. We are held accountable by our own conscience.

It seems to work pretty well. In the US 75% of the population is Christian, and 75% of the prison population is Christian. 10% of the population are Atheists, but only 0.2% of the prison population are Atheists.

Answer 7

I think there can be a lot of different reasons why people would be atheists. Perhaps for some, your reason is correct. For others, they have encountered intellectual difficulties (or have been taught them). Others have been scandalized by what Christians or professing Christians and churches have done, and have just turned against every idea of God. Others are hurt because God did not answer their prayers, and have decided the wole thing was a fraud.

Answer 8

Actually, it is the opposite. Religious people have to conjour up a fairy tale to deal with the fact that one point in the future they will die.

Of course, morality is nothing but tool of religous leaders to keep their subjects in line. Look at Rev Ted preaching morals to his dimwitted followers while snorting meth and taking his gay rent boy up his rear end. A story as old as time.

Answer 9

Absolutely not, and I am tired of Christians asserting that all scientists believe in evolution just so they are off the hook when it comes to morals and consequences. That is utterly asinine. For me, and I am sure many others, atheism comes about due to an insufficient amount of proof about the existence of god.

Answer 10

NO. I am the most moral person I know. I am an atheists because I don't believe in god. That's what the word means. It doesn't mean unmoral as*wipe. Plus, my morals don't align with the Bibles. Morals are not set in stone idiot, they are designed by people.