Atheists: Why are you interested in what Believers read and say, if you do not believe in God?

Question

Why are atheists hanging out in the Religious & Spiritual Section? Aren't atheists by definition operating in life without a religion? What do they gain by lingering in a forum that engages discussion about religion and spiritual life?

This question has been asked before. Just trying to gauge a thoughtful, credible, mature, defensible answer.

Funny how pointed questions lure the drunk atheists. The answers are raw, honest, and entertaining. Thanks... keep it going... I'm keeping an eye on one answer who seems to know what this is all about...

Doesn't matter if this question has been asked before. Even in the anonimity of Y!A, true character & maturity distills itself under questioning. Anyone should be able to defend their position with proper manners, even ad nauseum. I expect the same from Christians and Atheists alike.

Answer 1

I don't believe that you'll get "a thoughtful, credible, mature, defensible answer." Non-believers seem to be very defensive about their atheism. I asked a very similar question a while back in a very serious tone, and got nothing but flame after flame.

As a converted believer (who once was atheist myself) I know that atheists should be very bothered by the fact that by definition, their atheism portends to a purpose-less life. I never had much peace in my life when I tried to intellectualize everything. Once I let go of that, and started to develop faith, I also found a greater degree of hope and peace.

Answer 2

I'm afraid that the first thing that came into my head when I read your question does not show a great deal of thought, credibility, maturity, or defensibility: why shouldn't we be interested in others' beliefs? Many who have asked the same question appear to do so in an accusatory way (though I accept you do not), as if it is wrong for atheists to ask and answer questions here. I do not see why we shouldn't - even (to a point) those who post questions in order to pick a fight.

And now to answer your question properly (I hope!). The society in which I live (I'm from Scotland, for the record, but I'm talking about Western society in general) has been pretty much inextricably linked to Christianity since (at least) the Emperor Constantine. I therefore feel that I cannot fully understand Western history or global politics without having an understanding of the religions that have had, and continue to have, such a strong influence, particularly when the present dominant force in the world is a superpower whose policies are apparently so shaped by religious views.

I am fascinated by the power held over people (including my girlfriend!) by a worldview that I find it impossible to relate to, and I wish to understand more about why they believe in it. Creationism does not seem to me to be justifiable on the basis of rational argument, so I want to know more about the other arguments that are used to support people's faith.

Answer 3

One does not have to be involved with something to study it, become educated in it, or even discuss it in depth.

Would you criticize people having an intelligent conversation about architecture if nobody in the conversation was an architect? One does not have to be a part of a religion to KNOW about that religion and discuss it with others.

More often than not you will also see questions directed towards those who do not follow religions, although most of them are of a sarcastic/immature nature... sometimes people take a mature approach to seeking information and they genuinely care about learning more.

You do not have to be an atheist to ask atheists a question, so why do we have to be religious to answer questions in the religion section? Quite a few atheist are well-educated on many other religions and can provide answers to many questions even though they do not follow the particular religion.

Intelligent answers can come from anyone who chooses to take the time to write an intelligent answer.... more often than not, however; you'll find that the questions have been asked so many times in such a tactless manner that people have simply lost patience for the question and get more sarcastic. There are, however; a good group of knowledgable people here who do know their stuff and do provide EXCELLENT answers on religions when they themselves are not involved with any religion at all. :-)


Edit:
It's not a "pointed" question, it's a heavily repeated question that brings the drinking game up. Every time a question is repeated we drink. You'd be surprised how many mindless zombies there are out there who repeat the same questions over and over again. Your question is one of them.

Answer 4

I am a pagan and a Taoist and an atheist. Don't forget that spirituality does not equal religion. And not all spiritual philosophies involve a deity. Think outside the box.

Aside from that, I actually am interested in the things Christians in particular say to try to convert people, because I have children and I fully expect Christian children to say these things to them when they find out my kids aren't Christian (it happened to me when I was younger, and oddly enough still happens).

So, I want to have thought about the Christian point of view and their arguments, so I can give a well-thought-out response to my children. I want to be able to clearly articulate what I think, because my ability to answer their questions may be important in my having credibility with my own children.

So I've been in forums like this for years now, and I'm really glad I did. Not only has it driven me further from Christianity than I ever thought I could be, but I think I can explain my views very well to my children, when they ask. I'm even keeping file of FAQ's.

Answer 5

God is the basis of most religions (the god or a god) and religion has been very good sometimes and very bad at other times like the inquisition, holy wars, etc. Atheists just want to keep an eye on what's happening and see if more good or more bad is about to happen! Is the trend starting where one should stone people that don't believe??? Maybe run homosexuals out of town? Religious people do an awful lot in the name of god.

Answer 6

For me it's because I'm curious in why so many people beleive in something that's very hard for us to believe with really no definitive proof whatsoever than a book and word of mouth.

That being said,I guess I keep waiting for someone to say something and me go "WOW, that makes sense, maybe I need to look into this Christian thing afterall".

Unfortunately that hasn't happened, but I think you'll find that the real athiest has nothing more against you and your Christianity, than we expect you to have against us and ours. It is a very interesting subject to discuss when you can do it with a level head, and not get bent out of shape, because some people may not agree with what you beleive.

The ones on here slamming either Christians or Athiests really just got nothing better to do.

This may not be the right answer, but it's my true answer.

Athiest

Answer 7

Do you ONLY read the questions asked by people who believe exactly the same as you do? What I mean is, if you are a Christian, do you ever read questions asked by Jews, Pagans, Muslims, Zoroastrians, Hindus, and other believers? If you DO read questions asked by people of other faiths, with beliefs that are very different from yours, then why would you expect Atheists not to read questions, also? Just because I'm not a Zoroastrian doesn't mean I'm not interested in all Zoroastrian questions (for example).

Answer 8

Atheists have probably spent a great deal of time coming to the conclusion of being an Atheist and have probably developed an interest in the subject. It's also a fascinating topic and usually engaging and fulfilling to discuss (for those who are interested in it, some atheists might not be). The religion conversation is also attractive to atheists because it has implications for public policy, which is a huge deal. Hopefully many of us are trying to get rid of the bad atheist sterotype that exists in our country.

Answer 9

Atheists can still have a spiritual nature
Spirituality covers more religions than God can shake the universe at. most middlgrounders think this category should be split (again) so we don't have to wast time thinning out the arguments between you.there's more info about Catholicism in 'mythology and folklore' because too many extremists get caught up in semantics
How many different versions of the same bible can you print and still claim their about the ONE god?

Answer 10

Lack of belief does not imply a lack of interest. And no, I don't believe that is the definition of atheism. I don't believe in a deity, but I live my life surrounded by people of many religions and religion influences the politics of the country in which I live (although it's not supposed to).

I'm interested in people in general and why they do the things they do, why they believe in the things they do, and how they interact with others. I am interested in how religion influences individuals, societies, etc.

Just because I don't agree with what you say does not mean I do not want to hear it. :) Well, provided that it's a reasonable conversation and not a screaming match or the internet equivalent of such.

Answer 11

Slàinte!

For the 1,000th time: an atheist (like me) can be both religious and spiritual. A-theist means 'without a god' NOT 'without a religion' - a little more studying would help you discuss things in a clearer way.

It really is not that difficult to understand, once you realise that not everyone in the world is a Christian.


UPDATE:
Thank you so much for your patronising encouragement. If you had spent any time in this section, you would know we "drink" at the POINTLESS questions.
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