What is the psychology of Atheists?

Question

Okay, we hear all the time about the psychology of theism, "they need a crutch," "they need a purpose," ...

But what about atheism? What do you believe to be the psychology behind atheism?

Answer 1

The exhilarating freedom of reason and common sense. Knowing the truth of reality and not believing in fairytales to appease fears of death, sin and retribution. The freedom to investigate, research, and learn about anything without consternation from church goers and leaders. To be able to read whatever material we want and watch whatever movie we want and determine for ourselves if they are worthwhile, without have a church tell us to boycott it without viewing it. The joy of believing in science which has evidential facts rather than religion which does not.

atheist

The Atheist Bible, it could be said, has but one word: "THINK." - Emmett Fields

Answer 2

When I was a kid, there was a guy who used to give my mother violin lessons. He had been a Christian but his son died of some terrible disease, very slowly and painfully, and he decided there couldn't be a God who would let such a terrible thing happen. He was the first avowed atheist I knew, but I never spoke to him about it.

Today most atheists seem to be just skeptics. They put their faith in 'science', I mean in observation and logic. They see no evidence that God exists, and they discern that belief in God requires some element of -wanting- to believe. They see how really religious people sometimes deceive themselves about other things that they'd like to believe, and how people deliberately confuse -belief- with -knowledge-. And they'd rather stay clear of that.

I believe in God but I am skeptical. The original meaning of 'skeptic' is someone who doesn't think anything can be known 100% for sure. That's what I think. Even -I- could be wrong about something. But a lot of believers criticize me for having any doubts. They say you have to believe 100% or somehow it doesn't count. I have to say I find that a little scary.

I think it's a mistake to lump all believers or all atheists together. Some atheists are anti-religion but others are only not religious. Some believers think atheism is -evil- and atheists should be punished, but others figure we should all be free to believe whatever seems reasonable to us, or not to believe at all if we choose.

And you know what? I think some believers -do- use it as a crutch. Not all.

Answer 3

Not needing a crutch, recognizing life as purpose enough.

Shedding the shackles of a belief system you don't actually believe in, being strong enough and confident enough to go against the mainstream, despite being the least trusted group in America.

Answer 4

The word Atheist is regularly used to mean an enemy of God, rather than a disbeliever. Atheist one who denied the existence of God.
Voltaire, the french author, writer, philosopher and major figure of the enlightenment. An enemy of tyrants spent much of his life in exile. He was Atheist. And in Voltaire's time they overthrew the Bible, entirely demolished the whole thing. In less than a hundred years Voltaire, said Christianity will have been swept from existence, and will have passed into history....But the word of God "Liveth and abideth for ever."
this is not to criticize or condemn anything or anybody, but seeks very gently to release the divine wisdom.

Answer 5

Well, a lot of people say that we just don't like rules and want to live however we want... which is true, but it is not as insidious as they make it sound. We don't like someone else's rules from 2000 years ago and prefer to make our own; and I utterly fail to see the bad in living how one wants and being happy. Atheists use sense and compassion to guide our morality, and I don't see what's so wrong with that.

We're just not the obedient types, I guess. We think we ought to be the ones to decide how to live our lives, not someone else.

Answer 6

In most cases I would guess there is no psychology behind atheism.Just reasonable folk making their way as best they can.Persons who have been immersed in religion from an early age may find this view ,at best unpalatable or at worst, completely indigestible.

Answer 7

FEAR perhaps. Believing that there is a being capable of unleashing such power might be terrifying. Perhaps its just better to believe that this is it. I mean life we are born, we exist, we die. No higher being to answer to. I am caught in the middle. I want to believe in God, heaven the whole belief system, but something holds me back. I am out in nature constantly and all the things I witness suggest to me a higher being. I mean all the beauty that is brought forth must come from somewhere.

Answer 8

Atheism = Freedom.

"Atheist is a man who has no invisible means of support."

Answer 9

Opposite of Theism...as simple as that

Answer 10

That's like asking what's the psychology of not believing in goblins.