What positive contributions (if anything) do atheists make to society?

Question

(And no, going around spreading hate and negativity towards Christians, and insisting you KNOW that God doesn't exist doesn't count as a positive contrubution.)

Answer 1

I do not think, first of all, that the atheists are only bashing (If we could even call it that) the Christian religion. So you need to dettach yourself completely from this paranoid approach that everyone is out to get Christianity.

I am not an atheist, nor am I a Christian. Still, I certainly welcome viewpoints and constructive criticism from others, including the atheists, about religions, including mine, and the way we live our lives based on what we have been taught to believe. No religion or any working philosophy is perfect. We as human beings have to accept that. Even you can agree with this, can't you? If all individual "good books" were so perfect, we would not have so much conflict on this good earth in the name of religion. Any religion. But historically we have only seen just that.

So it is perhaps a good idea to support this arena of openness and allow everyone to speak their mind, including the atheists. This is the reason I come here and read these questions and answers. So far, I can tell you that a larger percentage of the Atheist responses are very balanced as compared to the responses, and comments of people following a religion, including Christianity. This world has become so clogged up with massive egos these days. We need to un-losen this stess and very soon. We can only do this if we open up our hearts and minds and listen to everyone's opinions before judging. Right now the world needs this flexibility urgently. It is far more important to understand this point, rather than what you and I are doing with our own "good books," or how the atheists are doing nothing because they don't even have a book.

So what is the contribution of the Atheists? Perhaps they force us to open our hearts and minds to question ourselves, our religions, our philosophies. That's a pretty good start, don't you think?

Answer 2

As far as positive contributions to society, they probably can do many things.

Because one doesn't believe in God doesn't mean they can't feed the poor, clothe them or even help a disabled person who has fallen down.

There may even be those atheists who go to visit the elderly.

To give a definitive answer to this question is hard simply because what is important to society is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are lost.

Salvation is the only true contribution one can make to society.

Now, this doesn't mean that those who make financial contributions to needy causes (if they are atheists) are neglectful of the needs of society.

Perhaps some atheists can end up being converted due to the fact that they see true Christians doing the good deeds that Jesus commands us to do on a daily basis.

People do good things because it makes them feel good.

All because one is an atheist doesn't mean they can't make positive contributions to society. We have doctors, physical therapists and many other noble professions where the people don't necessarily believe that God exists, however; their contributions to society are beneficial.

Giving money is the least beneficial thing one can give to society (if that's all they do). Someone such as Bill Gates (being a billionaire) should give more than the average person.

After all, according the Jesus, if Bill Gates gives ten percent and I give ten percent, we have given the same.

Giving is based on the intent of your heart. But charitable works require more than writing a check.

Answer 3

Atheists can be positive people, just like Christians can be negative people. I really wish people would stop labeling atheist as Bad and Christians as Good. I, personally, am a Christian, but I have been hurt much worse by Christians than by Atheists.

Not all atheists go around spreading hate towards Christians. Some do have an open mind. They just agree to disagree with me. Some are wonderful health professionals, and some are wonderful attorneys. You may have had a teacher who was an Atheist. Instead of perpetuating the hate, be patient and loving to atheists. Show them what Christian love is all about. Maybe, one day, an atheist you know will want to learn more about Christ's love, and come to the other side!

Answer 4

What positive contributions do YOU make to society? I figured since you asked I would too.

I'm in no way suggesting you are a bad person, in fact you probably are a really good person. But why does being atheist make you so much different than other people? Ann Coulter (Christian) hates just about everything and doesn't contribute to much. Fred Phelps encourages people to murder gays and he too is Christian.

And then there is my neighbor (Christian) who volunteers at the hospital and donates food and clothing every month. I am an atheist and once I graduate I will work in a hospital and help people when they are in need of treatment.


All I am saying is people positively contribute because of who they are as an individual, not just because of their beliefs. You should try to keep an open mind about others beliefs.

Just because Fred Phelps is a raving lunatic doesn't mean EVERY Christian is just as big of a lunatic or jerk as he is. Likewise, you may meet a few atheists that aren't the best people, but it doesn't mean that everyone is like they are.

Answer 5

Well, they don't crowd our churches, they don't come knocking on your door trying to save you, they don't buy up all the Christmas decorations, and hey, they don't expect any gifts at Christmas either.

Well, that's about it. Yes, yes, I've heard a hundred times that Bill Gates is an atheist. Whoopdy doo. Big deal. You all know that he is as rich as he is because of all the people that work for him, right? Anything that THEY develop (ahem, Windows) under his "umbrella" becomes his and he benefits the most from it.

OOh, I forgot one more good contribution that atheists make...they aren't bogging things down in the afterlife and lines are shorter to get in to those pearly gates!

Answer 6

No atheist has ever started a religious war.

No atheist has killed a person because of religious intolerance or fear

No atheist has ever set up a TV program asking people to contribute to their religious charity and then gone on to take millions of their followers dollars for personal use

No atheist has ever demanded that women wear burkas

No atheist has said he can have 12 wives bc of religious rights to do so

No atheist has demanded that a young girl have her genitalia mutilated bc their religion demands this horrific practice

No atheist ever tried to convert another person to atheism (or at least I suspect it would be very rare...)


I suspect there are more, but that will do for now.

These points aren't spreading hate toward Christianity, are they? They are good things about atheism.

Bright Blessings,
Lady Morgana
agnostic pagan Witch

Answer 7

Atheism is not a cause; it is simply a lack of belief in deity. So you might as well ask "What positive contributions have Chubby Checker fans made to society? I never see hospitals or homeless shelters named after The Twist, so they must all be evil people."

In know that hear on a religion forum, everybody has something to say about their beliefs (or lack thereof). But in the real world, atheists don't normally wear their "atheism" on their sleeve, whether they're doing philanthropy or accepting Nobel Prizes. Like any religious-labeled group, some are "contributers to society", some aren't.

Though it seems to me that philanthropists who are also atheists seem more sincere in their altruism, since after all, you know they're not driven by a desire for "blessings" or a rich afterlife.

By the way, one of the world's biggest philanthropists, in terms of dollars donated is Bill Gates, who is an atheist.

Answer 8

I, personally, have tutored a few kids in math. I helped five different people get through a statistics class with a good grade as opposed to flunking, and I give to charities. Once I finish my education, I'll be doing research in sociology where I'll join the ranks of others trying to figure out how society works so we can do something to help society with the issues that it faces.

Christians don't have a corner on the goodness market. They screw up society just as much as any other group.

Answer 9

At least Atheists don't spread hate and lies about other religions like the Protestant Christians. They don't have the "You'll go to Hell" negativity either. I think you peered into the dark mirror before you asked your question.

As well, form your statement, you are another of the Mono-atheists that believe in the singular, no name, God.......May the Gods and Goddesses have mercy on the poor soul.

Answer 10

Attitudes that are different than our own always always have the the possibility for positive good, to help us look at why we believe what we do. For me it strengthens my faith to hear other points of view, and helps me define my own faith. I search the Bible more, and have the chance to witness what I believe, if anyone wants to talk. I don't ever want to cram an opinion down someone else's throat, but it is good to talk respectfully about deep matters of the heart and spirit.