Why are Atheists so interested in religion?

Question

I'm a little confused on this one.

What's the benefits of saying "I dunno I'm an Atheist" or "I don't believe in that mumbojumbo about religion, because I'm an Atheist." but then being in the religion/spirituality section?

It doesn't help the questioners, really, and it doesn't make a point, other than saying "I'm an Atheist" and that being the only answer.

I can understand talking about religions, customs, whathaveyou, but when a good number of Atheists I see on here or on the internet somewhere just discount religion by saying "I'm an Atheist and LOGIC-SPEAR!" it doesn't make much sense.

I'm just curious. I hold no grudges for it, I just don't understand.

Sorry, didn't realize this was a repeat for some reason or another (just didn't check the search bar this time).

I hope you Atheists don't misunderstand me. I'm one of those weird (non-Abrahamic) religious people who signs petitions to have a restraining order put on creationism to keep it away from our schools.

I disagree mypublicident -- power is the number one cause of war and violence on earth. Religion is a guise that those in power stand behind to have the masses stand behind their cause. The Crusades were nothing but wars over land.

Ms. Taurus -- It seems like it should be on every one's person. ;)
But it's outside of Y!A, like on YouTube. I've got no problem with them making videos, it's just...
Can we get a little creative here? >_o

Answer 1

I believe somewhere deep inside them they are seeking...

Answer 2

I am indeed very interested in religion. I was raised religiously, and even though I started to recognize flaws when I was 12, I still had to spend more than 10 years deprogramming the indoctrination to be free of it. I have siblings that are still religious, and continue to tell me that I should return to the faith, yet its clear to me that I am happier, better adjusted and more moral/ethical than they are.

But these are just the side reasons why I am interested in religion. The main reason is that Christians are screwing up the U.S., and Christians & Muslims & Jews are screwing up the world. Is angers me that these three religions, which all sprang from the Hebrew Bible, are marching headlong towards the mother of all holy wars, as if they need to make Armageddon a self-fulfilling prophecy. I may be helpless to stop this, but I can't stand by and do nothing. If only the world would outgrow religion, we might actually be able to live together in peace.

Answer 3

As an atheist, I think it's because many people are offended by the efforts of fundamentalists on all sides to inject religion into their life. They honestly see it as a threat to their liberty of not professing a faith. When people try to explain or advance the science of "creation-based-how-we're-here" or explaining other mysteries of life, atheists get angry...it's the exact opposite of what they believe!

Also, because of it's "all or nothing" nature, atheism usually holds the most extreme elements of the god-less sect. Their is NO god in their eyes. That's that. Anything further is considered theism. Many people who could be classified as god-less are simply non-religious. They have a belief in a god, but they really don't know/don't care about it any further.

Personally, I've always been shocked at atheist's attitudes towards god, prayers, or whatnot. I don't have a problem praying/pledging my faith to a god that I believe doesn't exist. Furthermore, I find religion (or the lack thereof) to be a personal issue. Many fundamentalists (on the atheistic and theistic sides) find it their mission to explain to everybody what their beliefs are

Joe

Answer 4

In a word, I'd say curiosity. That's my excuse.
I'm not actually an atheist, well, not yet. I've submitted my online application and now I'm just waiting to hear back from them.
This is So exciting... I've never been a member of anything, before. My dad says there's only a short step from free thinking to free love, and some of those atheist chicks...

Yes, I'm having a laugh.
Why does it seem like so many people take the atheist / Christian thing so seriously?
I thought forums were about debate, discussion, and learning, not drawing arbitrary lines and division.

Answer 5

To answer your questions in two parts... 1) I am an atheist who wondered over to this section out of curiosity only to find a lot of atheist bashing going on as well as the point, Only athiest could answer your question since that is who you directed it toward, how can I answer your question if I am not in this section?? 2) I can't speak for anyone else on here but I live in a small southeast Iowa town and it can be down right scary to not go with the flow, here (answers) I "anounomous" and can state how I feel without the fear of losing my job or any other reprimands, so I enjoy stating I am an atheist on this site. In conclusion I would like to add that I was once a Christian and can understand how you don't think atheist are being intruded upon but I guarantee not a day goes by that the christian faith is not forced upon me.

Answer 6

I'm interested in humanity. And it seems what defines an individual more than anything else is his or her religion. So to understand humanity I must understand religion, and how practicing religious types think about certain aspects of life.

But really I'm here to point out the many flaws in Christianity so we can move on with our lives and stop living life in the matrix.

Answer 7

The ones who don't bother applying some logic or even effort in answering the question?

No valid reason.

However, theology is a valid academic pursuit, just as is "Critical studies of middle english fiction." The interest in the topic does not necessitate belief in it. I can debate the value and morality of the Litany from the role-playing game, "Werewolf: The Apocalypse", without believing that werewolves are real.

Answer 8

Ok, "LOGIC-SPEAR!" made me laugh... lol

I dunno...it's about as common as the believers who wish to ask something of atheists and other believers post and just say "I believe in god." (I mean, duh, it wasn't to them...) Both sides do it...maybe people are bored and there were no good questions coming up and just wanted points...I dunno.

Edit: Much like your question being indirectly written to us...but look at all the believers giving only the answers and comments they'd want to believe...

Answer 9

Atheists are hidden religious people, they have their own religion. Did you know that when atheists do find the true God they become Christians mostly, some go to other beliefs but they all come to the same God.

Answer 10

I'm a spiritual agnostic. -i believe in a divine unity but very skeptical of religions- I also love to debate and Y/A.

Answer 11

Well, I would suggest that you read the answers to the other 1 billion people who have asked this same question. Sorry I'm just way too tired to do it again.