I do not understand why atheists are on the R/S site. Atheism is not a religion. So what are they...?

Question

searching for? Are they on the religion site because they want to convince other religions that there is no God? or do they need to be convinced themselves?

Sorry everybody, obviously my question did not pop up as having been asked before or I would not have asked it. I would have looked at it to see the answers. But considering the volume of answers, everyone was up to the challenge again.

I can't believe there are so many answers to a question everyone hates to see asked because it is asked so many times. I enjoy all different sites myself. I like the health, legal, education, and mythology sites. You may see my anywhere.
Yes I am a Christian.
Sorry, I do not remember anwering a vaginal warts question but if I did what is wrong with being a Christian and answering that particular question?

Answer 1

Athiests are, by nature, people who enjoy discission and debate - in my opinion.

Here is the deal - if everyone on this board was the same faith or non-faith, it would do no good for anyone. At least with athiests, Wiccans (like me), Muslims, and all the others, you have a chance at learning more about their beliefs.

You also have a chance to refine your own beliefs. Here, you can learn and teach and try your answers on for size. If there is something in your faith that you need to learn more about, you will get many perspectives.

Athiests are not here to convert you or hurt you, but to engage in the debate. Instead of wondering why they are here, why not be glad that they are here.

Answer 2

This was supposed to be a site for asking and answering questions about religion. I came here as an atheist because over the years I had gained quite a bit of knowledge about religions and how they function.
I was interested in helping people understand.
Then the Fundies decided that it should only be "True Christians" allowed. They started reporting everything not Fundamentalist. This included other sects of Christians as well. The atheists that were answering questions here fought back.
Unfortunately the predominant view is now still Fundies verses atheists.
If you ask a serious question about the history of the bible or anything about any other religion the Fundies will still respond hatefully. They feel very threatened.
The focus for the past while has been dealing with the ridiculous claims of the Creationists. But through pure perseverance the atheists are getting the worst of the false claims of the Ultra Religious Americans noted for the fallacies that they are.
Notice that the extremely religious posting in here are almost all from the Midwestern and Southern States or from Australia.

Most of the atheists are here to share knowledge.
If you ask them real questions they will give you real answers.

Answer 3

Humanism, which is closely tied to atheism, is a religion.

John Dewey, a signer of the Humanist Manifesto described Humanism as “our common faith”.

The first Humanist Manifesto called itself a religion.

In 1961, the U.S. Supreme Court acknowledged that Secular Humanism was a religion.

Among religions in this country which do not teach what would generally be considered a belief in the existence of God are Buddhism, Taoism, Ethical Culture, Secular Humanism, and others. See Washington Ethical Society v. District of Columbia, 101 U.S. App. D.C. 371, 249 F.2d 127; Fellowship of Humanity v. County of Alameda, 153 Cal. App. 2d 673, 315 P.2d 394; II Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences 293; 4 Encyclopedia Britannica (1957 ed.) 325-327; 21 id., at 797; Archer, Faiths Men Live By (2d ed. revised by Purinton), 120-138, 254-313; 1961 World Almanac 695, 712; Year Book of American Churches for 1961, at 29, 47.

Answer 4

Typical - you see the word "Religion", and you stop reading there. You forgot that this is the religion AND SPIRITUALITY section - faith, belief in something other than (your) god, and other such topics are right at home here...

Btw, I am not an Atheist - I am an Agnostic. To the outsider, they seen the same - but there is quite the difference. Just because there is no PROOF that there is a god, doesn't mean that there isn't SOME higher power of some kind.

What you are saying is that everyone who doesn't believe in your definition of god (which I will assume is the christian God) is wrong - I'm sure that there are billions of Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Shinto (Japan), Bahá'í (Persia), and even Christians of different varieties who would disagree with you...

Answer 5

*drink* and stock answer for the 5 billionth time

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 6

Actually, atheism is a distinct belief system, very similar to religions. But even agnostics (which is NOT an organized belief system) can enjoy participating on this channel, and their participation be enjoyed by believers of most types.

Some people on this site are "evangelical" in the sense that they want to convert others to their particular belief system. These people include SOME christians, SOME atheists, SOME islamics, SOME observant jews, SOME of any belief system that are here.

There are other people here who enjoying sharing dispite or even because of differences among us.

Answer 7

I think every atheist has a different reason for being on this forum. You can't attribute a single reason to them as a whole, just as you can't do that to all Christians, all Muslims, all Americans, all homosexuals, all any type of people.

Some are here to cause contention, others to express feelings, yet others believe in some sort of spirituality (and this is a Relition and SPIRITUALITY discussion).

Many times they have interesting views and contribute good thought to the questions.

Answer 8

Why are we on the religion/SPIRITUALITY site? Because spirituality can mean anything from talking to spirits to meditating. Or maybe it's because people like you are constantly asking questions like these. We feel we need to stand up for ourselves, we don't mean to upset you but maybe you don't know how these questions sound to someone besides yourself. You aren't making a good impression on people... But an even better question might be "why do you care?". I don't mind people who do believe in god asking questions about the bible on this site. You don't have to read the questions if you find them insulting and you certainly don't have to act like we cant be on this portion of the cite.

Answer 9

It's that pesky freedom rearing up again and again. The nickle on this is no one can shout them down. That is so cool, I love it and I'm not even an Atheist, hell I think You have to be crazy not to believe in something pulling the strings on this god awful place but i love it that they can express whatever they want here no matter how logical or in a silly drinking game or just plain ornery. Yep, this is where it all rolls down hill from but nobody can do a thing about it. Anarchy will prevail!!!!!!

Answer 10

yeah yeah yawwwnnn. Ok when you signed to yahoo did you gain exclusive rights to this catergory? Its called freedom love maybe an atheist vists to learn....or take the mickey out of the naive!
I am a nurse should I stick to health catergory? ....and disallow you to enter?

By the way...I saw your question in womens health about vaginal warts but didnt gestapo question you as to what you were doin there christian!!!!!


ADD ON: oh and have you noticed that atheist attacks always get the most answers?....helps the christian feel more popular I guess....I am happy to support the cause