Serious question for Atheists!?

Question

Alot of Christians seem to think Atheism is just about bashing their God. I'm under the impression that Atheism is more about an alternative philosophy that has no God. Xians think your ANTI God while it makes more sense that you're simply PRO Atheism. I know this is a polarized question, but I'd appreciate your view on this. By the way, I'm pagan so I'm kinda looking at this from the outside looking in.

Answer 1

Communism is atheistic, so there are many atheists in China, Russia, etc. Several of my lovers have been from Red China. They and I are not especially anti-Yahweh, anti-Brahma, anti-Ahuramazda, anti-Yu Ti, etc. How can one be against imaginary gods? Am I anti-ghosts, anti-UFO's, anti-Atlantis, etc. just because I know such stuff is ngao si? Christains are paranoid. Anyone who does not share their unfounded beliefs is against them in their twisted belief system. They are militant and cause much unnecessary trouble with such a destructive attitude.

Answer 2

Atheism is about deciding for yourself what is right and wrong and accepting the reality of the physical world. Since atheism usually coincides with reason the religious have a vested interest in bashing it so that people don't question their faith in response to common sense.

Also, atheists are simply PRO reason, or PRO atheism like you said; we don't care about any religion or superstition whether it be Christianity or paganism because they are all completely ridiculous and patently false.

Answer 3

Atheism, like agnosticism, paganism or pantheism, are simply alternative philosophies that neither demean nor attack the Christian concept of God. In fact, since atheists believe that no God exists, it becomes logically impossible to bash a "God" that they say doesn't even exist. Therefore, atheism is not ANTI God, it simply offers a alternative worldview.

Answer 4

"Atheism" = "a" + "theism", which literally means "without a belief in deity". That's all you can say for sure about somebody who identifies as an "atheist".

I've seen many people, including some atheists themselves, who try expanding the definition of "atheism" to mean "having no religion", "the belief that science is the only valid way to get answers", etc. but again that's misusing the definition. Atheism, in and of itself, is not a philosophy. It just tells you where you stand on the issue of deity.

Having said that, there are indeed philosophies and even religions that are non-theistic. I've found this short FAQ to be a good introduction to atheism:
http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/mathew/intro.html

Answer 5

I guess it depends on where you start from.

I was born into a strict catholic family. Having been emmersed in a religious culture, I am fully aware of just how much it controls people and restricts their ability to think freely.

Finding atheism was a great release.

I find it tragic that so many people are captive to religion.

My wife however, grew up without religion in her life. To her it just seems like something that's really wierd..........and quite dangerous.

For both of us, celebration of having the good fortune to be alive is the most important thing. Theists just don't have the same appreciation of what a wonder it is to be alive.

The whole God thing is preventing the world from realising its potential.

We have a responsiblity to humanity to do our bit to prevent the spread of ignorance.

Answer 6

I think you are right, I simply have an alternative philosophy. It does not center around anything spiritual. If some people need religion that's cool, I don't. We all wordhip something, God, science, life. I still believe in tolerence and compassion and I would hope that others would do the same.

Answer 7

I am a new atheist-struggled with it for years. I went from church to church, studied religion for years, almost went to seminary, helped teach a few classes on religion, and got thrown out of a Humanities class for defending Christianity against a misguided teacher.

I am in no way anti-God. Honestly I feel bad that I cant believe. Logically it makes sense to me, but I just cant get behind the spiritual part-it just feels wrong and always has.

I am in no way anti-God, nor is anyone else I know. We want exactly what most religious people want-the ability to believe what we believe without interference.

Answer 8

atheism is simply the lack of a belief in a god

anything else is entirely up to the individual

I'm only anti god in the sense that I'm anti voldemort. I find both to be unpleasant fictional characters.

Answer 9

Mmm, interesting question. I'm sure there ARE some athiests who are so rabid and/or so angry at having had christianity forced upon them that they do spend a large amount of time bashing christianity.

I can only speak for myself personally, and say that, whereas I feel rather sad for christians - in fact for any people who waste their time on any religion that brings no tangible benefits - I don't take every opportunity to diss their religion. If someone tries to shove their religion at me, I politely tell them I am not interested. If they persist, I either get up and walk away or go into full verbal attack mode, but I don't set out to attack their views. Atheism, in my opinion, is the logical conclusion, but you must arrive at it yourself. I did, after 15 years of Catholicism in Catholic schools.

Answer 10

I'm not anti-God -- I think there is no "God" to be against. I am against the excesses of organized religion, and especially fundamentalist religions derived from the Hebrew Bible (the Christian Old Testament). These religions teach people to believe that they are unworthy wretches until they submit to God. They teach that faith in their religion is more important than being able to see the universe the way it really is. They teach that it is okay to have bigotry and hate towards other people. They teach their people to think that life on earth is about to end, making them think that its okay waste the Earth's resources. I am against all of these teachings, as they are delusional, and are responsible for much that is wrong with the U.S. and the rest of the world.