Do Atheists get offended when they're told that they have no soul?

Question

I was pondering about this, because I (as a Pagan) get offended when people tell me I'm going to Hell, and I know Atheists who do as well.

My reasoning for that is I don't want to go to a bad place, even if I don't think it exists. Many of my Atheist friends agree with me on that.

But Atheists... how do they feel about being told they have no soul?

Answer 1

I don't think they are affected at all, it means nothing to them.

Answer 2

"Do Atheists get offended when they're told that they have no soul?"

No.

If one defines 'soul' as an 'incorporeal puff of free-floating self-identity outside of a physical brain', then I'm not the least bit offended. They're just stating a fact.

If one defines 'soul' as 'the ability to sing like James Brown', then I'm still not offended because I'm not much of a James Brown fan anyways ;)

"My reasoning for that is I don't want to go to a bad place, even if I don't think it exists."

When the few religious nuts I meet over the Internet play the ol' 'Turn or Burn' argument, it mostly doesn't bother me because there's no Hell. Even if there were, I'd probably have a better chance than some judgmental Pharisee of getting into Heaven anyways.

However, if some kook threatens to have Harvey the Invisible Rabbit smite me with the Carrot of Wrath for all eternity, it's still a little offensive, even though I don't believe in Harvey. Even if it's an empty threat, it's still a threat, and shows that the person is filled with animosity towards me. Often, I tempted to tell him that the Xist spaceships will fry HIS butt when they and J.R. "Bob" Dobbs come to take me to the Planet of the Sex Goddesses.

Finally, just because you're an atheist doesn't mean you automatically can't believe in a soul. Heck, you can believe anything you want. And if you do believe that you have a soul, why would you care what others think anyways?

Answer 3

It's like when Republicans call it the "Democrat Party." It infuriates the Democrats because a) the proper name is the Democratic Party and b) the Republicans know that perfectly well and they use the wrong name just to be @ssholes.

I don't think I have a soul. I don't think anybody else has one, either. Therefore the simple statement "you have no soul" is not an insult.

But when believers say "atheists have no soul," they're insinuating that we don't have the same emotions and sensitivities that others have -- that is, that we're not fully human. It's infuriating, and they know it, which is why they do it.

Answer 4

I was an atheist growing up in a Christian school and I got told I had no soul and was going to hell but I didn't believe a word of it. When I went to my minister and discussed it with him he called me a demon and banned me from the church. I hated Christianity for a very long time and I sympathise with atheists but they are not blameless either. I chose to become a deist that is, one who believes God created the universe but has nothing to do with religion. Because I believe in God I find atheists calling me a religious whacko or religious fundamentalist because I believe in God and that is offensive too. So I think everyone is to blame for this its not just the atheists or Pagan's that are being singled out.

Answer 5

atheism means not believing in God simply because most people of the English speaking world are Christians and they weren't very tolerant of other religions.Buddhism is an atheistic religion.we don't have to believe in the existence of Lord Buddha(we don't consider him to be a "God" in the 1st place),we don't ever have to step into a temple or worship if we don't want to.

those are things we do to keep our faith alive.Lord Buddha never told us to do any of those things.that's not "true Buddhism".True Buddhism is the teachings of Buddha-the philosophies of life and the logic behind them-IT'S WHO U ARE AND WHAT U DO that determines whether you're a sinful person or not.ONLY YOU have control over your life.

so don't fret :) people might say that u have no soul and that u'll end up in hell or whatever lol! just have compassion on them cos they wouldn't say such things if they weren't ignorant. they're just showing the world how narrow minded they are :P have a great day!!

Answer 6

I don't get offended by either thought. I don't believe in Hell, so I don't care if anyone thinks I'm going there. That would be no different than telling me I'm going to Santa's workshop. When people tell me I don't have a soul, I say, "Exactly. That's what I've been trying to tell you. There is no soul." Again, I would be as offended by this statement as much as I would be offended by someone telling me I don't have eight arms.

Answer 7

Who would tell them that? Christians, Jews, Muslims, and most pagans all believe in the existence of the human soul. So do other religions I am aware of. So who but another atheist would say an atheist has no soul?

Answer 8

reason they're in basic terms as many dumb atheists as many theists, in basic terms because they rejected the literal interpretation of a particular faith or theory of 'god', they imagine they're smarter and look down on those who use the note god or spirit as dumb or scientifically uneducated...irrational illogical. I call myself a panetheist, so i do not in good condition as a theist or atheist, I in basic terms hate the stuck up sarcastic recommendations-set truly some atheists have. there are truly some extremely sensible atheists and theists, I take each person as someone and attempt no longer to categorise them in communities or labels

Answer 9

I'm more offended at the idea that people think I deserve some sort of eternal torturous punishment for not believing in THEIR deity. I think that they are so unbelievably arrogant and self-absorbed.
My thought at being told that I have no soul is, well, they don't, either. Either way, I think they should spend more time worrying about themselves, and not so much time judging and criticizing others.

Answer 10

I'm an Atheist and I don't believe in souls so when people tell that I don't have one I usually just do some version of "Duh.", "No ****, Sherlock." or "No one else does either." Really, telling me I have no soul is like walking up to me and saying, "Guess what, you're right!"

I usually get offended when people confuse atheism with satanism (not the LeVay kind) and then try to convince me that I worship the devil. Anything short of that pretty much goes in one ear and out the other.

Answer 11

Everyone has a spirit or soul as you call it that will be judged by God. We all have the inner self that cares for others and feels compassion. This is the part of you and I that knows or used to know God before we were born.