Am I an Atheist?

Question

I want to know, because ive always been questioning my catechism teachers and making them red in the face by asking for the truth, not just what they teach us to make it seem like every things all right. I belive in evolution and laugh at the adam and eve myth. I hate the fundamentalist christians going around telling people that they will go to hell if they dont repent, even if the person they are telling is a good person. Who are they to judge other people? They just go around critizing all the wonderful people of all these so called "pagan" religions. (dont get me wrong there are alot of good understand christians aswell) And if God is so all merciful, then why is there a hell? He's contradicting himself. Why should we live our lives by some book written by a bunch of "divinely" inspired humans, who if did that now, would get critized for saying they were inspired by God. Why should be live our lives by what other people say just because we are afraid of some "Hell" place?

Answer 1

If you lack any belief in any gods, you are an atheist. I don't know if you've really come to grips with the fact that religions are all superstition yet. However, it sure sounds like you are on your way to getting such myths behind you.

Congrats on honest thinking.

Answer 2

Just because you don't believe in the stories told by any particular religion does not make you an Atheist. You can still believe in God without having to believe the Bible is an accurate history book. The only way you can truly call yourself an Atheist is by believing there is no God or Higher power. I believe there is a God, but I don't believe in any form of Religion. I still live my life as a good person and am completely happy.

Answer 3

Interesting to me that even some atheists think that you are already an atheist. Makes me wonder whether they themselves are truly atheists.
Asking questions does not make you an atheist. Disbelieving all or part of the Bible does not make you an atheist. Hating fundamentalists does not make you an atheist. Even reasoning on the idea of a merciful God tormenting people does not make you an atheist.
If in your heart of hearts, you do not believe that there is anything or anyone more powerful or wiser than mankind, then you are an atheist.

Answer 4

To be an atheist, one must firmly believe that there is no God.
Sounds more to me like you are questioning your faith. Good for you!
I believe the Adam and Eve story is allegory. I believe it is a parable, a story told to teach a lesson.
I believe that evolution may, indeed, be a "fact", but I do not know. I do believe that, however it came to be, God did it.
I do not believe in that burning torture pit exists, or that God ever thought up such a sadistic idea. I suspect the same people who thought it would be a good idea to torture anyone who didn't believe just as they told them to, (Inquisitions) thought that one up. I believe, however, that some people will die the "second death"...that is, they will cease to exist. Totally. Zapped completely out of existence.
We should live our lives by the expample Jesus gave us. Follow Him, and you can't go wrong.
Follow some human, and you will probably fall into a ditch.

OH, by the way, I am a Christian.

God bless you!!

Answer 5

Well...whether you are an atheist or not just comes down to the basic question of...do you believe 'god' is real or not? If no, then yes you are.

But whether you believe or not, you sound more like a smart one with a realistic sense about it all that I wish more people would evolve to. Even if someone does believe in a god, so much of that junk though is truly utterly ridiculous and I have more appreciation for those who are able to see that and think for themselves.

Answer 6

You're not an atheist. You're simply at a point where you think you know everything there is to know AND you're wondering what you really believe in. I'm willing to bet that there are more things you find worthwhile and truthful in your religious beliefs that help you find peace, than there are things you can criticize. The trouble is, today, it doesn't seem to be "in style" to be happy and peaceful....rather, most folks who think they know everything find it easier to criticize, ridicule, and question the intent of people who seek to be happy and peaceful. So, No, you're not an atheist, you're just lashing out at people you disagree with.

Here's a question for you...do you think a person who sacrifices their time with their own family to expose young people to the catholic faith appreciates someone who works to embarass them by "testing" their knowledge or faith? The mere fact that they are there and your parents take you there mean that it should be important enough for you to participate productively rather than disrupt things by being a sh*t-a*s. Just a thought.

Love you bud,

- Dad

Answer 7

Looks more like you're an agnostic, ie., not sure that God doesn't exist.

I would urge you to consider that there are merits in being in a church while being an agnostic/athiest. If you think the Christian religion is bad, look at what's happening in Europe - it's many orders of magnitude worse.

Agnostics/athiests in the US lack anything like an organization that the Christian church has, and we need every bit of organization and assertiveness to fend off the threats that Europe has succumbed to, and the US seems to be heading towards.

Answer 8

Well... right now you're coming off as anti-Christian, but if you feel that it is highly probable that some divine being created the universe (regardless of whether he interacts in it or not) then I'd say you can be anything from a Deist upwards.

You sound to me like you are on the track to atheism, and I applaud you for coming to a conclusion based on your own brain and not the indoctrination of youth you were forced into. *Claps*

Continue fighting for the Truth my friend.

Answer 9

Well, it's clear that you don't believe in religion as it's taught to you.
You just need to ask yourself if you believe in God. Do you believe that there's a deity up in the sky somewhere that actually makes decisions, "creates" things, etc.? Do you believe in a higher power at all?
If you're not sure, then I'd say you're agnostic. (Meaning you don't necessarily, believe in God, but you don't NOT believe, either. You are willing to simply say you don't know.)
If you do not believe there is a God, then you're atheist.

Answer 10

i don't know if you are really an atheist. it sounds like you're just upset about imperfect people criticizing other imperfect people. sounds hypocritical and it's frustrating. it also seems like you're simply curious about christianity. i would recommend reading the Bible or talking to a priest/minister about christianity. it's hard to understand why a loving God would punish His creation by sending them to hell if they don't listen to or believe in Him. but if you think about it, He's done everything to convince people of His existence except FORCE them to believe in Him. i would study up on some religions, see which ones you do and don't agree with and go from there. good luck, i hope you find something that works for you!

Answer 11

That is a question? Don't you know if you are an atheist or not?

As far as I'm concerned, you can believe or disbelieve anything you danged please. I personally don't care what you, or anyone, believe. You have that right and that freedom. And so do I.

Yeah people trying to save your sorry butt from Hell can be a drag, can't they? But why do you find them so hard to shrug off and ignore? Tell them to take a hike, or just walk away yourself.

I don't believe God creates Hells. I think people do that. Sometimes we make our own. Other times we make life a living Hell for others, and vice versa.

As far as I'm concerned, you do not have to live your life by any book. Hey, learn to relax and enjoy life, and try to get that chip off your shoulder. It makes you seem like a jerk.