What do so many Atheists hang out in the Religion and Spirituality Section?

Question

If they really don't believe there is a God, why are they spending so much time thinking about it? I believe that fairies and gnomes do not exist, and I don't believe I've ever went looking for a place where I could argue with someone who believes differently. Atheists: I'll leave you alone with your beliefs if you leave me alone with mine.

Answer 1

Some are trolls others like me want to get and know what people think and share my thoughts on the subjects with othes. If someone beomes aware of other viewpoints because I posted something then good for them.

Answer 2

No problem. But I will still answer questions directed at me, so there.

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.

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 3

Terri,

Maybe if there were not a bunch of hate spreading trolls claiming to be people of God going out of there way to spread their hate on the LGBT section then we wouldnt feel the need to throw some crap back on your board. Not that all LGBT are atheist its just we get a lot of flack from small minded gnomes on our board quoting the parts of the bible that fit there needs but the never seem to recall the let he without sin cast the first stone, love the sinner hate the sin, judge not lessons from the book and just like the gloom and doom so sorry till you can find a way to keep your trolls off this site we all have to deal with them.

Answer 4

I don't "hang out" in the Religion and Spirituality section.

I usually "hang out" at the All Categories page and visit any question that interests me. It just so happens that most of the questions that spark my interest turn out to be in the Religion and Spirtuality section - for example questions about evolution, genetics, or stem cell research.

Perhaps the real question should be - why are people in the Religion and Spirtuality section so hung up on topics that have absolutely nothing to do with religion or spirituality?

Answer 5

Tell you what: If all theists agree to this, you've got yourself a deal. If you can assure me nobody will ever be hurt by religion again, I promise never to bring up the subject.

That means, for example:
* No war against science any more
* No terrorism
* No gods in pledges and on currency
* No preventing people from getting married because you think a god exists that doesn't like it.
The list goes on...

Answer 6

Terri, you're assuming all religion and spirituality requires a belief in god.
For instance, Buddhism and Taoism are both religions that have no god concept at all.
You're also making a false assumption that an atheist wouldn't be interested in religion and spirituality.

Answer 7

You are so funny. Not very deep, but funny. How often do believers in fairies tell you that you are going to hell if you don't believe in their pet fairy, or try to get their government to punish you for your lack of belief. I would gladly leave you alone if only you would leave us alone. I am looking for deeds on your part, and not just words.

Answer 8

If you want to get together in any exclusive situation and have people love you, fine — but to hang all this desperate sociology on the idea of "The Cloud-Guy" who has "The Big Book", who knows if you've been bad or good — and cares about any of it — to hang it all on that, folks, is the chimpanzee part of the brain working.

Answer 9

Because I needed somewhere to go after I left the LGBT section in order to avoid the christians. What were they doing there?

If believers go everywhere, why shouldn't non-believers come here?

If you want to be left alone with your beliefs, why are you here asking us to leave you alone instead of being elsewhere, alone with your beliefs?

Answer 10

Atheism is its own kind of religion, and their viewpoints on spirituality are just as valuable as yours. It is simply egotistical of you think that your opinions on religion are worth more than an atheist's just because you believe in a higher being.

I propose that you should apologize for stepping out of your place and elevating yourself above your peers. You're stepping into the role of the playground bully telling the other kids to get out of the sandbox here, and the arrogance and elitism is just ugly.