Can the concept of Love, Freedom, and Autonomy fit into an Atheist world view?

Question

If so, how does an athiest define each of those terms
(without using the word "God", "religion", or "Christianity"
in the answer)?
What is the origin of such concepts?
Why does an Athieist want to acheive those?
How does an Athieist acheive those?

Opps, too many are using "God",
"Religion", and "Christianity" in
their answers!
No one is answereing the Why or How
questions!
And I DON'T presume that Aheist's
can't love!
I am not wanting answers like that.
I have not heard clear enough answers!

Answer 1

Atheists are confused and very troubled people. They have no spiritual direction, and no since of meaning or purpose. They are lost and lonely people until they open their heart to Christ and let him in.

Answer 2

My, you don't know diddly-squat about atheists, do you?

Love - attraction to a being, place, thing, etc. Generally caused by an electrochemical condition that includes hormonal responses. Sorry it doesn't sound romantic, but it's reality.

Freedom means simply being able to choose your actions - and autonomy is similar. Both are impossible if you have a dogma you must follow, church leaders giving you rules, etc.

A desire for love, freedom, and autonomy is the natural state of a human being - as is atheism. No one is born with a religion, and those who are not indoctrinated at an early age are likely to never suffer from one.

Answer 3

If you are sincere in asking this question, then I am appalled. Your world view has become so twisted that you think atheists cannot love?? That's just sad.

Those concepts are human concepts, not religious concepts. Your religion tries to claim them as its own, but in reality it distorts them.

Please read this essay in it's entirety:
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2007/06/we_stand_awed_at_the_heights_o.php

-- edit --

Do you think that dogs love their puppies, or love the humans that care for them? Do they require religion to do so? I claim that dogs and other mammals all experience love, but that humans are the only mammals with religion. Note that I am not saying that other mammals experience love the same way we do. I am sure that our greater intellectual capacity magnifies our experience of love. The key point is that love is something experienced by our physical bodies & brains. There is plenty of evidence to support this claim if you will spend the time to study it.

Freedom and autonomy are also concepts that are orthogonal to religion. I have autonomy because my brain has reached a level of complexity that I can plan my actions and act on my plans. I have freedom because I live in a secular society that is based on the concept of freedom for all and imposes minimal restrictions on my autonomy.

Answer 4

Religious folk consistently purport piety and push tiresome notions to imply that atheists live lives bereft of morals and guidance. They often make outrageous claims that murderous leaders such as Stalin and Hitler were atheist when they could not have been because they believed themselves to be omnipotent gods, welcoming the worship and giving or taking of life which went with it.
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.
Satisfied?????????????

Answer 5

Of course it can. Anyone can love, but freedom and autonomy, I think, can ONLY belong to an atheist.

The power structure of religion means that it is necessary for you to be bound by someone else's rules at all times. That instantly takes away your freedom and autonomy. And until you abandon religion, you can not have either of them back.

Choosing to be an atheist is basically choosing to live your life as your own.

But to address love for a moment, while anyone CAN love, I think it's harder for religious people to do so because they belong to in organization that preaches hate and intolerance, the antithesis of love. Some manage to get past it in practice a religion of peace, but not very many. Thus, most religious people are not very good at loving.

Answer 6

We don't believe in god. What that has to do with freedom or autonomy I have no idea, and apparently neither do you.

Answer 7

Are you serious? These are all critical elements of atheism. It is the christian God who watches over you like an all-powerful thought police. If that is freedom to you, you are welcome to it.

Answer 8

let me try :

Love : love is a charateristic of human towards God.. damnnnn!

Freedom : for atheists is the state of mind that christio .. sh***t


I give up it is impossible.

Answer 9

You are very presumptuous.
this question is beneath my contempt.