Is atheism REALLY a choice though?

Question

Is it not just a logical conclusion? Nobody chooses to come to a logical conclusion, they choose to think, and if that thinking leads to atheism then it's not really their fault, is it? So why do religious freaks think we'll go to Hell? Isn't that a bit mean and thoughtless?

Pamiekins, you're not thinking logically just because you read up on evolution. And thiesm is a "choice" based on "Faith", the "opposite" to "logical reasoning".

One is born, one is introduced to the god hypothesis, one generally accepts it being so young, one matures (generally), one contemplates on the god hypothesis, one either chooses to accept or reject it. It works only one way only.

Answer 1

For me it was a progressive evolution. Step-by-step my eyes were opened to the reality that there is no god. Yes, it was a logical conclusion, but a choice was involved. The choice to not cling to old beliefs simply because it was my comfort zone. I was a Deist until I could admit to myself that I didn't believe in a god whatsoever.

atheist

Answer 2

I see your point, but that doesn't quite clear up all the factors.

Choice remains in the weight given to different parts of the data, and to the assessment of how well the data fit a given world view or model of the universe.

Several basic frameworks will ALL accept most that we perceive and are taught.
Theistic frameworks
Atheistic framework
Universe as mind or illusion frameworks.
One or two world views will accept any data, which makes them useless for the purposes of logical thought (e.g. I'm currently in a lab, wired to a mega computer, being fed whatever perceptions thoughts and experienced the experimenters wish: not really falsifiable, and of no practical use.)

It's in the bits that don't seem to fit that the decisions have to be made, for those that have noticed them.
Is it it evidence that a framework needs to be changed slightly, or rejected completely?
Or is the "poor fit" a lack of perception or understanding in the observer, and not a problem with the world view at all?

And this extends to how people interpret emotions and spiritual experiences. The experience exists, but what it points to is less certain. At least to some.

Lots of possibilities.


(Ah, and hello, Hello.
No doubt? I think you'll find there's actually quite a bit.
That you don't have any is not a definitive datum for the whole world. There are undoubting Muslims too, and does that make them right? )

Answer 3

Pamiekins writes:

"For you to call it a "logical conclusion" insults every religious personwho has read up on evolution and such. "

The fact that those people feel insulted does not change the fact that atheism IS a logical conclusion.

It is unethical to ask people to be dishonest just to protect your feelings. If you don't want to feel insulted over your beliefs, you need to get better beliefs. Don't ask other people to lie for you.
=================
"Paul: Lie to protect my feelings? "

Yup. That's exactly what you asked for.
Are you capable of being honest, or has religion burned that basic ethical ability out of you?

"It's a Christian truth that atheists go to hell. That is every Christian's opinion. You call it mean and thoughtless when atheists are told that."

It is mean and thoughtless, and of course it's false. Are you really that incapable of behaving in an adult manner around others? Is "Christian truth" a fancy way of saying "a heartless lie that I intend to excuse through my religious belief"? That's how you're using it. Don't you have any conscience at all? Any sense of right and wrong? It doesn't appear that you do.

"Calling it logical was, in my opinion, disrespectful, rude, and ignorant. It's just as bad as a Christian telling you you're going to hell. "

No it's not. Calling atheism a logical conclusion is stating a true fact. A Christian claiming that others are going to hell is lying. Telling the truth is not "just as bad as" lying. Honesty matters, no matter how much your religion has convinced you otherwise.

Your "two-way street" comment illustrates that as well. I'm telling the truth about believers. You're lying about atheists. You're ignoring that fact and focusing on whether or not we both get mad so you can claim that it's "a two way street". But because we're telling the truth and you're lying, it's not the same at all: we're behaving well, and you're not. Honesty matters.

This time around you complained about our response to you being "disrespectful". In fact that's exactly what it is. I don't respect your answer at all, because it's isn't respectable. If you want to be respected, you have to act in a respectable manner.

Answer 4

Eyes Wide Open, I hear your point. Keep in mind however that humans have what we call emotions? Things like, compassion, sympathy, empathy, and love etc. Plain justice can be thought in some cases as an emotion. None of these are purely logical. I think a lot of people equate this stuff with God? Keep this in mind. I think your doing just fine. Religion can definitely be a problem, as you can observe the world over?

Answer 5

Atheism is a choice people make after looking at the measurable evidense available.

Mind you, atheist can also concider the possibility of a 'greater power' to be true.
They just don't believe it to be an old bearded man in white robes who tells the pope what to do.

Answer 6

You can call it a logical conclusion all you want. But as for me, I love my Lord and I have a personal relationship with Him and I adore Him. I want to be with Him forever, so following Him here is a very logical choice for me. However, He gave us a free will so that no one is not forced to be in eternity with Him.

When you do not have the Holy Spirit of God in your heart to guide you, the Bible does not make any sense to you. Call me a religious freak if you wish, I love my Lord and I believe in His Word. In His Word He says that as we have a lot of choices here on earth, there is only two choices what comes to eternity: hell and heaven. You do not like it? You do not believe it? That does not change His word. You have your free will. And of your own you will not understand His plan for us. We all need Jesus. The only reason you will be in hell is if you do not choose God and heaven. : )

Answer 7

Yes, that's right. Atheism is the neutral state like the center of a sea-saw. It is theists who have made a choice to believe in the existence of concepts that can't be proved and to allow these beliefs to affect their lives.

Answer 8

Only logical wrom the particular limited perspective of the individual.

Several years ago I had an unusual experience concerning an uncle, a distant relative who lived over a thousand miles away.

While driving my car I suddenly felt the unmistakable presence of this relative that I hardly even knew. He was more like someone I had heard about than someone I knew. It was very strange; it felt as though I was momentarily lifted right out of my physical body. I seemed to be suspended somehow beyond space and time, bathed in a love so intense It felt like I could have just disappear into it at any moment if It would have let me. It only lasted for a few seconds, but it seemed to last forever at the same time. I realize how crazy this must sound. The experience was so strong that at first I was afraid I was loosing my grip on reality. I finally managed to chalk it up to an over active imagination.

Three days later I got a call from my aunt telling me that this uncle we are talking about had gone into a coma and died the day I had the experience. It felt like ice water had been poured down my back when she told me this. I had lost any real ideas of God or faith and had become somewhat of an atheist. Needless to say this experience caused me to rethink some of the conclusions I had come to.

I feel blessed to now understand that even in our darkest confusion something loves us so much that it went out of its way to assist me and bring me back to a state of absolute certainty about Gods love for us.
During the experience it seemed like there was a vast amount of information that I was somehow allowed access to. One thing that I came away from this experience understanding beyond any shadow of a doubt was that any Idea that God is unhappy with us or would judge or allow us to be punished for any reason is simply impossible.

I can’t explain the love I felt with words. They simply don’t make words big enough or complete enough to do this. The only way I can begin to convey this love to you is to say that there was simply nothing else there. Nothing but love. No hint of judgment, no displeasure of any sort. It is as though God sees us as being as perfect as we were the day we were created. It is only in our confused idea of ourselves that we seem to have changed.

I hope this is of some help to you. Good luck. Love and blessings.

Your brother don

Answer 9

Maybe what you should be asking is whether or not there's free-will, cause if there's not, then there are no choices at all.. just subconscious processes that lead us to believe and think in a determinate way.

Answer 10

It is a choice based on logical conclusions and you're correct.