I think as human beings we all to some degree put are faith and hope in family friends the medical community and the government, but all those sources have LIMITATIONS.
So would it be fair to say Atheism has no real hope or faith in anything accept living for today and dying?
2007-07-10 07:03:26 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Guess what, that is all you are guaranteed too, death. Might want to try living in the mean time.
2007-07-10 07:05:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
No, it would not be fair. You are trying to equate religious beliefs and teachings with people that do not accept or believe the need or the reality of any such teachings. I am atheist, I do have hope in a good future for my kids if the nuts like George W don't keep trying to end the world. Yes, you live, then you die, but that makes life all that more important. It saddens me every time I hear someone who dies "for their faith"-- what a waste. Since all religions are manmade, and subsequent teachings also are made up by successive generations of men, any time spent worshiping or praying to a nonexistent deity is a waste of time and life to me. Rather see people put that time and effort and money into helping their fellow man.
2007-07-10 07:55:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is this because we don't subscribe to your particular world view? Although you may believe that the answer to everything is god, I believe that the answer to everything is available through research and scientific inquiry.
Yes, I have faith in medical practictioners, they have studied their profession and can cure me a lot faster than any priest or clergymen that has studied the word of god. God does not heal people. People heal people. If faith alone healed anything, then there'd be no need for health professionals. Yes, they have limited knowledge, but they do have actual knowledge, instead of just claiming to have the answer to everything. Apart from that, people are constantly learning and discovering new things and ways of doing things.
If the bible had all of the answers, Jesus would have had a laptop computer and been able to produce video footage of his resurrection and ascension into both heaven and hell, as well as his conversations with anyone. But the truth to the matter is that the bible only has the knowledge and views of the people who wrote it two thousand years ago. They believed that they could predict the future, but none of the predictions are perfectly clear. Economist can predict the stock market better than that, and we all know how volatile that can be.
As for what we hope for, same thing you hope for in your lifetime, love, health, happiness, and well being. We have real hope and real faith in real things, many of the same things you do. We just don't place our faith in an unproven afterlife or an unproven diety or set of deities.
2007-07-10 07:23:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't need to put "faith" in anything after I've come to a conclusion as to whether what's being said/written is logical or not, via analytical study/meditation.
I've always put "hope" in the fact that humanity will learn altruism and compassion, and I'm essentially atheist, however I'm well aware of the causes and conditions that make me perceive what I do as I perceive things in this life. Don't get me wrong. I get hung up on other people's suffering to the point that I feel awful, but striving for being virtuous in my own actions is a step towards making "hope" more than just a pipe dream. I'm not perfect, nobody is, but let's all work on it together.
Let's cut out divisive behavior and speech and be altruistic. Think about it... you do that and ultimately YOU reap the benefits.
_()_
2007-07-10 07:10:04 · answer #4 · answered by vinslave 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I think that would be fair... but from their point of view it is NO different than what we religious people do. The only difference is that we will live for something they don't think exists and THEN die. Faith and hope are not really grounds for believing in anything, at least, not in themselves. I hope I'll win the lottery tomorrow, but that doesn't mean I will. The truth is that faith and hope are inside you. Your belief in God is inside you. If God exists (and I do believe he does), then God is inside you. Doesn't really matter if life is guaranteed or not. If you only believe in God because you want to live forever, then that is not really grounds for believing. That's just self-preservation. If God doesn't exist, then you are wasting your time. So essentially you are right about atheists, but they are likely happy to be that way. From their point of view, they may as well make the best of this life, because there is no other life to make the best of. The limitations of this belief are not enough to justify changing them. You believe what you believe.
2007-07-10 07:09:23 · answer #5 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do you really think the world is that shallow? Ya we put all of our faith in the material world?! There are other beliefs alot more hopeful than a god that only loves you if you dedicate your life to him, and follow a group so you are completely controlled and never think for yourself. Ever heard of reincarnation, carma, and a god that does not require you to do anything,but take your natural path of destiny and fate. And learn everything about the world that you can. Religion for the most part limits how much a person can learn about themselves and the world because they are too consumed trying to please their god by being super human. Why should the way someone speaks or thinks affect their fate?
2007-07-10 07:10:55 · answer #6 · answered by Jessica 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could say 'no one' or if more optimistic, 'themselves.' Athiests generally don't believe in an afterlife, but that doesn't mean thier interestest are automatically limitted to thier own lifespans. For instance, an Atheist can be concerned for his children, thier descendents, or his nation, or even the human race, and try to prepare or contribute for the future while he lives. The idea of creating a legacy can give the same sort of sense of hope and meaning to life that faith in the supernatural can.
2007-07-10 07:09:46 · answer #7 · answered by B.Kevorkian 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not an atheist, but not everyone needs faith and hope. I do quite fine on my own without needing to ask God for something on a routine basis.
Atheists will tell you they don't need it beyond friends, etc. as you mention above. And probably, for the most part, they are right.
The issue with atheism is belief that there is no god. It doesn't mean much beyond that.
2007-07-10 07:07:10 · answer #8 · answered by The Doctor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, some atheists put hope in the fact that they will get to work without dying or put faith in the fact that they will eat some food at lunch.
I am not an atheist and I hate religion.
All I do is live my life and 'hope' for the best, but expect nothing.
The only thing I know is that I know nothing at ****** all, dammit.
2007-07-10 07:08:07 · answer #9 · answered by rolfsmitherines 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont know about most but I think you can throw the word faith out the window as it refers to believing something that will not be proved or disproved. Hope is heavily relying on others which is more of a christian thing.
Your last sentance is somewhat correct. I would imagine most of us want to live good lives and have happy children.
How about You?
2007-07-10 07:11:32 · answer #10 · answered by truckin_with_christ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I put my "hope" in myself and in humanity. I have no faith, as faith is the belief in things unseen and wished for.
I can guarantee taxes as well as death.
So, as a Christian, you have faith and hope in eternal life. Which, for the record, doesnt exist and isnt real. But, that doesnt stop you from believing it, does it? Id rather live for today than to pass life by in HOPE of living forever - something that not one species on earth has accomplished.
2007-07-10 07:06:40 · answer #11 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋