Am I a bad Atheist?

Question

I am an Atheist. I know that as Atheists we are not supposed to bash people for their beliefs in religion. Anyway, I get very irritated when I hear people talking about their beliefs in a certain god. I usually respect peoples beliefs, but when it comes to religion I can't hold back the fact of trying to disprove their beliefs. Am I a bad Atheist?

Lol, to all those who are saying I am an annoying person, I do it in a nice way and try to converse about it at least. Atheists aren't angry people so piss off.

xhellant1, please don't preach your faith on me ever again.

Answer 1

The term atheist refers only to the fact that you fail to have a belief in a god or gods. It has nothing to do with how to behave. You can't be a good or a bad atheist.

However, consider why you get so irritated. I must admit to feeling the same way at times. It's the futility of the entire thing. I feel the most frustrated when people I care about and respect believe in invisible entities for no good reason (i.e. faith). It's hard to swallow.

Take your time, step back and let them have their fantasies. If they make foolish decisions based on their ancient text (illogical, immoral, both, etc...), then step in as the voice of reason and ask them what their own heart and mind tells them.

One other really terrific thing to do is to ask them to look at First Peter 3:15 in their bible. It tells them they must be prepared to explain their faith. There is no possible legitimate answer for this (as you well know). Most often they simply use a circular argument that the bible is the word of god and they know this because of their faith and they have their faith because of the bible tells them. If they can't support their faith, then they aren't doing what the bible asks.

Check out the Atheist Community of Austin, they have a podcast and/or google videos with their president Matt Dillahunty (among others) who is brilliant on their Audience Call-in show public access show, "The Atheist Experience". They also have another podcast show called "The Non-Prophets". They've really helped me to clarify and solidify my discussions with believers.

Good luck ya lousy fellow atheist...

Answer 2

You are not a bad person just because you like to debate religion. It might come across as a bit disrespectful though. If you do it all time. You might be a bit argumentative about it, and that's not a good thing.

Ask yourself this: "Why do I feel the need to prove them wrong?". Is it so that you feel more secure in your decision not to believe? Or is it to try and show them what your facts are? Or is it to try and convert them, like they are trying to do to you? May be out of resentment for how you are treated by them or others.

Careful that in your rush to defend your right not to believe that you don't become just as bad as those people who constantly push their religions on to others.

Answer 3

There is absolutely nothing wrong with openly discussing one's beliefs, as long as one does this tactfully and in a civil matter.

It seems by your need to disprove their beliefs, you come off as quite a pesterance. Instead, I'd suggest you listen to whomever you arguing say what it is they need to say, asking questions when prompted. The other person should do the same.

Seek moreso to learn, and not to oppose. Oppose after you have learned, but like already stated - tactfully.

Answer 4

I believe in God...However there is nothing wrong with people voicing an opinion. Voicing an opinion is not bashing. But there are some on here that do take it to that extreme. Differences of opinion is a good thing as long as it is not done in a rude, hateful way.

Answer 5

I would think that, rather than trying to disprove another person's sincerely held belief, you would do better to sincerely state your own views.

It is probably true that we learn more by teaching than by study. So it may be just as likely that we teach more by learning than by lecturing.

Consider this as well: "But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."
. ---Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782

Answer 6

When you are an atheist, what do you base your "good" and "bad" on?

Don't those concepts originate from religion? So, I ask you, what is your definition of a "bad Atheist"?

I know you are going to tell me that they are universal human concepts, but they really aren't. They had to originate from doctrine, rules and regulations, from somewhere that separates good from bad.

You only became an Atheist after religion was established, otherwise Atheism would not exist...

Answer 7

i assume you do no longer pay plenty interest. specific many of the individuals here who declare to be atheists are extremely purely anti-theists who probably do nonetheless harbor a hatred for a non existent being. regardless of the undeniable fact that there are various atheists here who do no longer constantly talk approximately your God. you will discover regardless of the indisputable fact that that the Christian God is spoken of extra advantageous than maximum. the easy and uncomplicated rationalization for that's the fact that many of the individuals on Y/A stay in the Western worldwide the place Christianity holds sway. for that reason it is purely organic.

Answer 8

Atheists do not have a set of "rules" that they are bound by, they are just individuals living their life without religion. If you need to resolve some personal issues about God, then by all means, have at it, disprove to your heart's content.

Answer 9

Let me put it this way, what you think of you, or what anyone else thinks of you has NO bearing on what God thinks of you.

He loves you and sent His Son to die for you.
But as long as you resist Him and remain atheist, you're on your way to Hell.

It would be a shame to die and find out all you had to do to stay out of Hell was to simply accept Jesus.

One day you will close your eyes for the last time.
Immediately afterwards, you will stand before Christ whom you deny. He will step aside and your trip to Hell will be over.

Right now, He is all that stands between you and Hell.
But don't take my word for it, read His Word.
While there is still time.

Answer 10

Theology is crippling to intellectual thought and is a mechanism of separation. We have been too tolerant too long, and they tell us we are banished to hell because we apply reason and common sense rather than belief in their particular fairy tale.

As long as they feel they have the right to force their baseless crap down my throat I am going to continue to defend myself