Are atheists just rebelling?

Question

I've seen variations of that idea here, and this bit at atheism.about.com just reminded me of it.

http://atheism.about.com/od/atheismmyths/p/RebellionPride.htm

Atheists, are you rebelling against something? Non-atheists, do you believe this?

Also, would this apply for atheists who are second (or third or fourth) generation and atheists who grew up in non-theistic environments like China?

Um, I'm Pagan. And some of you clearly didn't read the link, either. I'm married to an atheist and have atheist friends. Please stop assuming.

Oldschooldude, I meant "officially." Most communist governments are officially non-theistic, even if people practice religion under the radar. I am married to an atheist who grew up in what was once the USSR, so that came to my mind.

Answer 1

Wow, they made a website with all our drinking questions? Cool link! :)

My parents are atheists, all my closest friends are atheists, the entire neighborhood I grew up in were probably atheists as were my teachers. If I were a rebel, I would have converted to Christianity long ago, that would have made a lot of people really upset.

But I like the word rebel, it sounds like something I would want to be. I'm moving to the States this year, so there I'll probably be a rebel. A rebel with a cause, that is. The cause being freedom of and from religion, in a society that's drenched in a bucket full of Christian God.

And to the answerer manoman: yes I capitalize God. Not out of respect for some non-exiting creature, but out of respect for you. If you were to believe in magic puppies, i'd capitalize Magic Puppies as well. Because that's what atheists are: respectful rebels.

Little EDIT: no worries about the assuming. I'm a 27 year old straight male atheist, if I was the total of what I've been assumed to be in this section then I'm an 8 year old gay buddhist Muslim girl, who worships God and Loki at the same time, who should leave Hinduism and I should also stop being a pedophile. Oh, and I probably forgot a few silly assumption now.

Answer 2

The word 'rebellion' can bear negative connotations.

Let's not forget that in order for certain cultural/traditional changes to take place, rebellion has historically proved to evoke those necessary changes.

Just as there are some very passive Christians/Muslims/Catholics/Buddhists - there are also many passive Atheists.

It would be erroneous to label Atheists as rebels, just as it would be incorrect to label all Christians fundamentalist-Bible-bashers.

Many more vocal Atheists believe that Theism is largely to blame for many of the horrendous problems in the world and therefore, just as environmental activists are known to do, strive to raise awareness (sometimes aggresively).

As the French Revolutionaries were necessary for a certain people in a certain time, so Atheists believe in a cause and may aggressively oppose that which they believe to be in error. Call them 'Rebels' if you want.

For reference: I'm an Agnostic.

Answer 3

In the one God rule system, everyone who is not of that religion is an atheist.

Lets face it, atheist didn't exist until Christianity came of vogue in the last 1700 years AD.

Rome was ruled by Romans who worshipped many Gods up to 300 AD.

What did all other nations outside of the Golden Triangle worship including Egypt, Greece, Carthaginians and Mesopotamia and the likes going back 7,000 years plus.

The Old Testament was only about one tribe of people who became Jews 3,000 years ago.

The earth is 4 Billion years old.

I really like old history and read a lot about how past civilisation lived too the best of archaeology has proved through technology and science beyond reasonable doubt.

It is a free world for each and everyone to decide for themselves I hope.

Answer 4

No, I'm not rebelling against anything. But many atheists, such as Dawkins ARE rebelling against what they see as the harm done by religions. I don't feel that strongly about it and think that religion is just a tool. People can use it for good or bad. But religion is not to blame for evil.

I still might be convinced otherwise.

BTW, the very website you linked gives pretty good arguments against the rebellion idea.

Answer 5

My best friend is a Christian, we often have friendly debates only to increase our knowledge. He is also very open minded and not at all fanatical when it comes to religion. I am not per se rebellion against a God, it is that when I see so many people whom are united in cause and then such people are influenced by evil people that I start to rebel against religion. I am fine with people just being faithful, and if I know the person I will treat them with as much respect as they deserve depending on the person they are. Most often I will rebel against religion in forums and Y!A because I do want to plant a seed of doubt, not necessarily against them believing in God but instead with them believing in the integrity of their organized religion. It becomes more complicated when people are fanatics and fundamentalist, and requires me to be more harsh.

But the truth of the matter is, I would never want religion abolished from this planet and at times I will even dispute organized Atheist groups if I see them going the wrong direction. To me it is a matter of progression of technology and humanity of which should be the highest priority of our species.

Answer 6

Nope...none of that fits me and for the life of me I can't understand why people would say that. Until a christian walks a mile in my shoes they should not *assume* how I came to my beliefs. The simple truth is just that I never bought into the whole bible story...at an early age I was questioning everything I learned in Sunday school...it made about as much sense as Grimm's Fairy Tales....but I did honestly try to be a good christian...I mean the whole concept is wonderful...live a good life, believe in god, and live in bliss eternally...but I couldn't switch off my brain telling me that it's all just nonsense...so I eventually became an atheist...and it's what feels natural to me now...good question...thanks!

Answer 7

Did you just refer to China and other "environments" as "non-theistic" because it's not Christian? Oh well, that's for another post.

Do you mean "Are atheists just rebelling [for the sake of rebelling?]" If that's the shade of meaning you meant to communicate, some are. They may want attention, they may be angry at God for the loss of a loved one or a chronic illness, etc., and so they assume this posture for periods of time.

However, to survive successfully in the world, nature requires rational thinking of mankind in all aspects of life. Man learns quickly that irrational thought leads to problems, and so understands that the lawn won't mow itself, etc.

Consequently, some people apply the laws of the rational physical world that they experience everyday to the concept of Deities and things metaphysical and conclude very objectively that is irrational and therefore not to be believed.

They are rebelling, but not just for the hell of it.

Answer 8

Rebelling?

No more so than I'm rebelling against the idea that Brittany Spears is a great talent, or that there are polka-dotted chimpanzees dancing on my head.

I'm an atheist because I value truth, and the truth is that there is no god. I don't think that valuing truth amounts to "rebelling".

Answer 9

Well I've always been a rebel. But no, that's not the reason behind me deciding to be an atheist; it has to do logic. The viewpoint of the atheist makes infinitely more sense.

Answer 10

Religion isn't even an issue for me- there is nothing to rebel against literally. Belief doesn't interest me one iota. People that think there is some hidden agenda behind the opinions of atheists are just deluding themselves.