Why Do Atheists Constantly Feel the need to Attack Religion??

Question

It seems they feel very insecure about their own religion of Atheism, which is also entirely based on belief since there is no way any of them can know there is no God. Or have you guys been to every corner of the Universe and checked to make sure no God is hiding someplace?

You see, you Atheists are just as much human as everyone else, which means your physical limitations are the same and you pretty much don't know anything about the Universe just as everyone else don't know.

The difference is that religious people have something in them that tells them there is a God... that tells them something can't come from nothing.... life can't come from non-life... Good will triumph Bad etc.

BTW, why is it that many of you Atheists eventually turn to spiritualistic Eastern religions and end up doing Yoga and stuff? ha ha..

Answer 1

ROFL!! Holier than thou, are we?

See you in hell...

Answer 2

Myth:
You cannot prove that God doesn’t exist; therefore, atheism is based on faith.



Response:
Often theists will try to place atheism and theism on the same plane by arguing that while theists cannot prove that god exists, atheists also cannot prove that god does not exist. This is used as a basis for arguing that there is no objective means for determining which is preferable because neither has a logical or empirical advantage over the other. Thus, the only reason for going with one or the other is faith and then, presumably, the theist will argue that their faith is somehow better than the atheist’s faith.

This claim relies upon the erroneous assumption that all propositions are created equal and, because some cannot be conclusively proven, then therefore none can be conclusively disproven. So, it is argued, the proposition “God exists” cannot be disproven.

But not all propositions are created equal. It is true that some cannot be disproven — for example, the claim “a black swan exists” cannot be disproven. To do so would require examining every spot in the universe to make sure that such a swan did not exist, and that simply isn’t possible.

Other propositions, however, can be disproven — and conclusively. There are two ways to do this. The first is to see if the proposition leads to a logical contradiction; if so, then the proposition must be false. Examples of this would be “a married bachelor exists” or “a square circle exists.” Both of these propositions entail logical contradictions — pointing this out is the same as disproving them.

If someone claims the existence of a god, the existence of which entails logical contradictions, then that god can be disproven the same way. Many atheological arguments do exactly that — for example they argue that an omnipotent and omniscient god cannot exist because those qualities lead to logical contradictions.

The second way to disprove a proposition is a bit more complicated. Consider the following two propositions:

1. Our solar system has a tenth planet.
2. Our solar system has a tenth planet with a mass of X and an orbit of Y.
Both propositions can be proven, but there is a difference when it comes to disproving them. The first could be disproven if someone were to examine all of the space between the sun and the outer limits of our solar system and found no new planets — but such a process is beyond our technology. So, for all practical purposes, it is not disprovable.

The second proposition, however, is disprovable with current technology. Knowing the specific information of mass and orbit, we can devise tests to determine if such an object exists — in other words, the claim is testable. If the tests repeatedly fail, then we can reasonably conclude that the object does not exist. For all intents and purposes, the proposition it disproven. This would not mean that no tenth planet exists. Instead, it means that this particular tenth planet, with this mass and this orbit, does not exist.

Similarly, when a god is defined adequately, it may be possible to construct empirical or logical tests to see if it exists. We can look, for example, at the expected effects which such a god might have on nature or humanity. If we fail to find those effects, then a god with that set of characteristics does not exist. Some other god with some other set of characteristics may exist, but this one has been disproven.

One example of this would be the Argument from Evil, an atheological argument which proposes to prove that an omniscient, omnipotent and omnibenevolent god cannot exist alongside a world like ours which has so much evil in it. If successful, such an argument would not disprove the existence of some other god; it would instead merely disprove the existence of any gods with a particular set of characteristics.

Obviously disproving a god requires an adequate description of what it is and what characteristics it has in order to determine either if there is a logical contradiction or if any testable implications hold true. Without a substantive explanation of just what this god is, how can there be a substantive claim that this god is? In order to reasonably claim that this god matters, the believer must have substantive information regarding its nature and characteristics; otherwise, there is no reason for anyone to care.

Claiming that atheists “cannot prove that God does not exist” often relies upon the misunderstanding that atheists claim “God does not exist” and should prove this. In reality, atheists merely fail to accept the theists' claim “God exists” and, hence, the initial burden of proof lies with the believer. If the believer is unable to provide good reason to accept the existence of their god, it is unreasonable to expect the atheist to construct a disproof of it — or even care much about the claim in the first place.

Answer 3

1) Very few atheists 'attack' religion in general. Most of us are just strongly opposed to the ideas of biblical literalism, such as creationism.

2) Believing something is not the same as having faith in it. I believe, for example, that every time a release a pen above the floor, it will fall to the ground. Does this require faith? No, because I have great deal of evidence indicating that it has always done so in the past, and no reason to think it will not continue to do so in the future.

3) It is impossible, by the very nature of the word, for atheism to be a religion. Atheism is the act of having no religion, so calling it one is contradictory and meaningless.

4) Very few atheists would say they believe that god doesn't exist with 100% certainty, as that *would* require faith, something we atheists simply don't have. More often, we assign god the exact some probability of existing as the Easter Bunny, Zeus, and the Great JuJu at the bottom of the sea.

5) There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that in any way suggests that life cannot come from non-life. I have no idea where you got this idea.

6) Very few atheists turn to middle eastern religions, as you claimed. Most of us are not much different from you, just maybe a little more open-minded.

Answer 4

Theism is the belief in gods or a god. Atheism, therefore, is a lack of that belief. As such, it is in no way a religion. A school of thought, yes, but definitely not a religion.

Personally, as an atheist, I'm quite secure in my beliefs, and I'm getting a bit tired of being told I constantly attack religion. I've been attacked enough times for being an atheist, but I'm a peaceful sort, and I'm not much into indulging intollerance. You're entitled to your opinion, and I'm entitled to mine. Sure I haven't 'been to every corner of the Universe and checked to make sure no God is hiding someplace', but you'd have to do the same to know that one is. What you see here on Earth is enough proof for you, but it isn't enough for me. That simple.

...And what's so bad about Yoga? :S

Answer 5

Dearest Daddy, I believe in God but I also have my own belief system that takes the best from all . Why? Because I know God himself wouldnt be so ignorant to just have some his children be his special children, he will judge people on their deeds and non judgemental all loving ways. The ignorant (those that have a need to put down other religions) he will laugh at those and say Children open your minds and stop being so close minded and Ignorant. And there is a difference INSIDE ME this is MY TRUTH and it speaks to ME so stop judging and preaching. The reason why people turn to eastern religions is because Christians are often judgmental and ignorant and push their beliefs down your throat and have "MOB" mentality.

Answer 6

Here's a dose of reality from a 57 yr. old man who had studied religion and worked within the church earlier in my life:

There are a number of both atheists AND Christians that just need to get over themselves.

There are people who are not here for any constructive purpose; in other words, to further the beauty of a particular theology or philosophy.

They are here only to post insults, slurs and utter nonsense, and if there really was sufficient moderation on the part of Yahoo, they would be suspended tomorrow.

So, listen, Christian....don't chuckle so loud or pat yourself on the back. I seriously doubt that Jesus would compliment you on your behavior.

My own son happens to see himself as an atheist, and I'm proud to say that he grew up to be one of the most responsible, loving people I know in this world.

If people were really, truly "fulfilled" within their particular belief system, there wouldn't BE any of this baiting and brawling.

Jesus would probably tell you something very similar to what the Dali Lama would say.

Answer 7

~~~Daddy,,,, It's very Subjective, Prejudicial and Self Serving to codemn those who attack the very "Gods" that you deem as False, when we happen to include your own among The Bunch. BTW,,, the reason so many atheists turn to Eastern Thought is because they believe that "god" is immanent in ALL things, and even moreso in Human Beings. Consequently there is no Dogma which Dictates a singular path to "heaven". Which is exactly what Jesus taught, and not what his followers claimed. Enjoy your laugh in blissful ignorance. You won,,,

Answer 8

1) Atheism is not a religion. It is the absence of religion. 2) Christians also attack atheists and everything else.

Maybe before you continue assaulting people because they are free to believe the way they want, you should learn more about them.

Answer 9

You say something in you tells you thereis a God. Some people have the fridge tell them to throw their furniture out the window. They're known as schitzephrenics.

Atheists don't actually have beliefs. We use logic and observation.

Thereis a monumental difference between belief and knowledge.

Answer 10

I personally feel saying you are an athiest is a way of not having to deal with people asking your religion when you are unsure of what religion you do believe in. You would not believe how many athiests I know that say thank GOD when something scary happens to them.

Answer 11

Why do so many theists make sweeping generalizations in a hateful manner to show the ineptitude of their practice?

Most atheists do not attack religion. They are the brunt of far more attack than they deliver as you have so ironically demonstrated.