Athiests, will you explain this to me?

Question

I have noticed in some of your comments that you think believing in God is an easy way out. I am not what most would acknowledge as a Christian, but I do believe. It is very hard. Athiests and other religions along with science provide enough "fact" to confuse anyone. As a scientific minded individual, I believe that the question(science) will always exist. I've read and heard explanations on how it happened, but nothing definite on what made it happen. Is that in the works? You may not agree with me, but I believe in both. Any thoughts on this?

Answer 1

I think it's pretty easy to SAY you believe in God - it's the default position in our society. It's expected, encouraged, accepted, rewarded. As for the actual belief, I can see how it could be "hard," because of the total dearth of evidence.

It has never been the mission of science to discredit religion, or to lead people away from religion. Science is the study of empirical data. If the conclusions drawn from that data seem sometimes to conflict with a "literal" interpretation of Bible verse, it's not because scientists have set out to demolish the Bible.

When science argued that the heliocentric theory was a more convenient way to conceive of our system, the Church freaked out, because heliocentrism appears to contradict Biblical cosmology. But it's not as if Copernicus and Galileo et al were attacking Christianity. They were simply trying to facilitate the work of astronomers. Today, even most religious people accept that the earth is round and revolves around the sun; but evolution is the new heliocentrism. Science doesn't set out to discredit religion, but religion is always compelled to attempt to discredit science, since religious authority depends on demonizing the competition.

Answer 2

Good analysis. I think religion has even more than enough facts. Even the doctors of divinity seem to have an interpretation that stems from the dark ages, so don't look to them for many answers about the bible. They are doing good on psychology though. All the negative comments come from the images 'religion' has projected, extremely ignorant of spirituality altogether. The Western view is just literal and the letter kills so what value is it? But I owe the world something, so here it is. Appreciate it if you will.

Answer 3

When most Christians conveniently insert the word "God" for everything science can't explain rather than try to explore the other side of the argument IS taking the easy way out.
Another thing I find off putting is when Christians are asked where God came from and they simply say "He has always been" without so much as backing that statement up with a logical argument.

Answer 4

There is no evidence that the sky is heaven and hell is underground as all the ancients believed. There is no evidence that any god or afterlife exists. Science is the study of the world around us, the universe. The study of the universe and of human beings is what gives us knowledge. Writing and reading and watching fantasy is entertaining, but we know it is not real. Religion and the belief in a god or afterlife may be comforting, but it is not real.

Study science and work for peace.

Answer 5

Read my lips. Atheism is not a religion or a science. Atheist lifestyle is resultant from ingenuity, logic and wisdom developed over eons. Atheists neither need nor desire a god’s confirmation and forgiveness, but simply get on with their lives to maintain civil society. Atheists commit acts based on their individual merits instead of bowing to overreaching rationale of doctrinal demands tied to threat of eternal damnation. Capable human beings are ultimately responsible for their own actions.
The concept of puppeteer gods or demons denies that we have only to answer to ourselves, the law and those we care about. Religion is a scapegoat lifestyle. Unfortunately there will always be some who, if not stopped, have the potential to damage society in the name of their god. That is why there are societal laws.

Answer 6

I will give you my favorite quote:
"Science has proof without any certainty. Creationists have certainty without any proof." - Ashley Montague (1905-1999)

I am not an atheist, I am agnostic...which means I believe there is some force or forces in this world but I do not know what it is and I doubt that it is for us to ever know or understand. I'm fine with that, I don't stress over it. I don't have to have people see me go to church on Sunday, toting a black book, or go to church suppers on Wednesday night for them to think I'm a good person. I do what I know is right and live my life the way I believe is right, try to help out my fellow human beings and live a good life.

I don't stress over how things came into being....I can accept that it's not for me to know and I don't need to know. There are enought things in life that I DO have to worry over with my family that I don't need to bring in outside things to worry over. I don't bring in more things to spend my valuable time worrying over that I can't do anything about.

Answer 7

Whats the point of ever doing anything if you have all the answers? Of course the question will always exist. Thats the nature of science. But we can minimize that question almost to nothing using science.

Religion is a copout. It allows you to treat people horribly because your religion says its ok when it isn't. Religion is the single worst thing mankind ever invented.

Answer 8

It IS an easy way out.
And I find that religion is the ultimate in intellectual cowardice.
It must be SO easy to simply say "god did it" when you don't understand something. It also takes the accolades that are due to mankind, and puts them on the mantle of a wholly imaginary creature.
And that's just plain sad.

Answer 9

Just because science isn't that advanced enough to find out the origin of the universe so you simply tag it as "god did it" .... isn't that the easy way out?

Answer 10

GODDIDIT is the easy unthinking way out any question for it bamboozles LogicReason with Faith.
The invisible Sky guy is only concerned with smoke and mirrors.