isn't the difference between an atheist and a christian or other religion?

Question

that atheist actually have freewill, whereas people who believe in god are told what they have to beieve.

excuse my bad typing.

once sm1 subscribes to a certain religion or believe it's pretty much all doctrine after that, may as well get a parrot to talk to when it comes to questions about their faith.

why do i need green card i'm english and i live in england?

MJR - you believe in a fantasy figure so why is me being a cartoon character such a problem for you?

Dru R - i never suggested that anyone was forced to do anything, maybe you just made that up coz you couoldn't give a proper answer.

Answer 1

you can be a "theist" or "deist" without adhering to the vision and ways of one religion, but rather lookin for the spiritual essence of the universe as you can percieve them by ur human senses. and that's for me the free will.
the "not knowing"

Answer 2

What are you talking about? Free will has nothing to do with "being told what you have to believe". Everyone, regardless of belief, either has it or doesn't. You can argue that the existence of an omnipotent god excludes free will, but not that the belief in one does. You can also argue that there is no free will even if there is no God (Determinism). You can also argue that you're an idiot and should really do a little reading before posting such a silly question.

Answer 3

I'd say the difference is a belief based upon ones own observations versus a belief in an ancient collection of stories.

Answer 4

No, my "Religious" definition means I am constantly questioning by nature, I have no doctrine for you, or gaps filled in conveniently.

This is the point were the insults to Religion start to offend me, some religious people are dogmatic and do subscribe to very specific teachings, but not ALL do. So please cite that I am religous but I make my own decisions and assumtions about "God" based on observations in nature and science.

Answer 5

And we take english and writing courses. . . LOL
Sorry, just had to poke some fun at you!
Anyways, we have free will- just like we do. The only difference is we "beieve" in a higher power (God). We believe that He not only created us but has a plan for each of us. For some, it may be to do medical work in a certain area of the world, going unfunded. For others, it may be for us to love people, regardless of their views of us.
So, basically, we've made a choice in our life to "beieve" in Who and what we do. I think that's free will. No one forced my beliefs on me.

Answer 6

Yup! that and other differences such as a free Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Answer 7

People who believe in God or another higher power were not forced to believe that. Just because their beliefs differ from yours, that does not mean that they are lacking free will. Choosing to believe is using free will.

Edit- If they were not forced to believe then they are obviously choosing to out of FREE WILL. You didn't understand my arguement.

Answer 8

No Christians and others have the free will to believe as they choose, the difference between a Atheist and a Christian is God.

Answer 9

That's sort of a close-minded way of explaining the main difference, but it's not "the difference."

Answer 10

Actually, my goddess wants me to decide for myself what to believe and how to behave with honor and decency.

Atheists don't believe in gods, and cannot believe or they stop being atheists. Believers - of any religion - choose whether to believe and whether to follow their religion's teachings.