Why Are There Such Great Misconceptions About Atheism?

Question

Yes, I am an Atheist. I know what you're thinking - "There's a guy with no morals, no sense of character, and an overall bad person." Why would you think that? Because I have no god? Let's think about this.

Sympathy, love, caring, kindness, etc, are all morals taught by Christianity, right? So why does that mean that if you are not a Christian, you do not have these morals? Why does that mean that if you are against Christianity, that you have the opposite morals?

I would also like to know why Atheists get confused with devil worshippers - Atheists don't believe in the devil, either, so how can they worship something that they don't believe in? That is much like a Christian worshipping Buddha - It just aint happening.

I just want to know these things. Most people react in a negative way when they learn I'm an Atheist, probably because the way I act might make me come across as a Christian. I get offended when people confuse me with a Christian, so I just wanna say - What gives?

Yes, my morals are based upon myself, but so what? I am a good person because of my experiences, and I know that having good morals has its rewards. I just don't think that someone should have to be a part of a certain group to be seen as having good morals, because it is true that many people do fine on their own.

Answer 1

sadly, there are too many religious zealots, fanatics and intolerant, bigoted, juvenile and unpleasant beings on this planet too try and understand anything other than what they have been brainwashed to believe in!!!

To a degree, most people in North America are Atheists. Christians will generally deny the existence of the Mayan, Hindu, Ancient Roman, Ancient Greek, Ancient Egyptian, Ancient Sumerian, Sikh, and many hundreds of other Gods and Goddesses, even as they assert their belief in the Christian Trinity. Thus, the difference between a typical Christian and a typical Atheist is numerically small: The strong Atheist believes that none of the many thousands of Gods and Goddesses exist; the Christian believes that one God exists in a certain structure -- a Trinity -- whereas all of the other thousands of deities are nonexistent, artificial creations by humans. Although the numerical difference is much less that 0.1%, the philosophical difference is immense.

Answer 2

As a Christian I know many atheists that have very high morals. The problem is mostly in the extreme segments of both groups. Fanatical "Christians" want to pound on your door, tell you that your going to hell, throw religious tracts at you, and tell the world that you are a heathen. The extreme atheists that hate all religion pass us off as uneducated, unintelligent, and lacking any ability to think for ourselves.
While I realize that most atheists are morally strong, law abiding people, the only question is if morals are based off each individuals sense of right and wrong, eventually there is going to be a wide gray area from one person to another.

Answer 3

I have never suggested that atheists have no morals. But I am not aware of any absolute values that they base them on. Some of the things you expressed can also be considered feelings such as sympathy love, kindness. Morals have to do with choosing to do the right thing. This implies that there is a right thing and that a peson can know it and commit to it. If you are aware of such a declaration of what these morlas are and if they are agreed upon by atheists that would be a start. But then you would have to explain how you know these morals are themselves correct.What do you base it on. And please don't say common sense because my common sense may not be the same as yours. Don't take my comment as a sign of disrespect. as I don't feel tha way. To try and demonstrate my point I will make mention that many some commuist countries slaughtered million of people under the official banner of atheism. I am not inferring all athieists believe in this type f behaviour, but since there is no defined right and wrong enough of them felt there is nothing wrong with this either. One may argue that christians have killed people to. But we can anwer this may be true but ithey cannot drie it from anything Jesus taught.Such as turn the other cheek... How do you know if your definition of good is correct? Like I said the communists didn't say what they did was wrong.How csn we know if murder is wrong in and of itself? Because you feel it is or isn't? Thats great today you may feel murder is wrong but may be tomoorow you'll feel differently? Is right and wrong simply determined by ow we feel? Or by a committment to a perceived truth?

Answer 4

I sense your frustration but get over it it's just a waste of time .
And do really think people worship Buddha ? ; the man who asked when you eat do you taste the fork or the food...? I guess some do but they must not have heard his message very well ....you seem to articulate yourself very well so I doubt if you will have any trouble other than having to explain yourself to those who need to be enlightened.

Answer 5

Atheism needs a Bestselling Bible!
Atheism 101 The Sheep and the Lamb.

Answer 6

Perhaps the misconceptions come from the contradictory beliefs many "so-called" Atheists profess. How can a person who relies only upon oneself for guidance, purpose, wisdom and character (humanist) be trusted? Atheists can have morals, but upon whose foundation do those morals rest? Situational ethics, one's own perogatives, whatever feels good and makes one happy? This is why believers who trust in a being greater than ourselves whose in charge, are hesitant to accept the lone wolf who answers to no one but himself or herself. Our very laws are based on Judeo-Christian principles.

Answer 7

I hadn't realised, up until now, that prior to the time Christ came to Earth, people had no concept of sympathy, love, caring, kindness, etc.
It must have been a challenging place, indeed.
I now wonder how humanity managed to advance as far as it did prior to Christ introducing those morals.
Thank you for giving me something to think on.

Answer 8

Call yourself an atheist or btheist, you're a creation of THE CREATOR.

Answer 9

I am a christian,I do not think that of you.I understand clearly you simply do not believe in God.

Answer 10

More ignorrance and fear. Religions are not suppose to teach judgement on others. That's funny stuff.