ATTENTION: All Atheists!!!?

Question

Religion is a cultural thing. But it gives people hope. You have less proof that there isn't a god than there is. I'm a former atheist, but now an agnostic. Why would you strive to take away hope, make immature comments, and destroy the morale of over 98% of the world population? I believe that you have moral values, but religion is the foundation of a democratic society and a stable society, at that. Look in the past. Everytime someone tried to take religion away from people (Nazi Germany, USSR, etc.) it has destroyed the society. If you're an anarchist, fine. Then it makes complete sense. But why do you have to be so immature about it? There is no concrete proof that there is a God, and no concrete proof that there isn't. There's a difference between blindly following religion (which not many people do anymore, mind you) and thinking for yourself. There would be a universal sense of egomania if we all thought there was no God. Tell me: What started the big bang; what sparked life?

On the fact that there is more proof than not:

What causes all these phenomenons? I'm not saying a living entity like god, but a higher power like Tao. The way. It is a natural life force and balance. And if I'm such a "religious whackjob," why did I get suspended from Catholic High School for questioning my religion teacher? I ask questions. You ignore them and take the simple answer. Look up Rene Descartes. He questioned everything. Even his own existance. But "I think, therefore I am." Instead of taking the answer that every atheist gives out: "You're a conservative whackjob" or "That's bullshit," why don't you provide some proof of your own. Have you ever experienced phenomena? Call me what you want, but I know that the last thing I am is a "religious whackjob."

Yeah. I'm agnostic. Meaning I USED to be atheist, but I think there's something up there. I'm not talking about anybody's faith except athiests. I never said anything about Buddha. And if you're Buddhist, you would know that Buddha isn't a god.

Also, these are not false assumptions about history. Look it up before you make false assumptions about my facts.

Yeah. And I'm NOT talking about specific religion. If you'd (you know who I'm atking about) take time to actually read what I'm writing, maybe you would understand that all I'm saying is, you don't be immature and try to take away hope from people, and that it is YOU who ignores the truth for looking on one side of the argument and immedietly dismissing the other.

Okay. All I'm saying is (SCRATCH ALL ABOVE) shut up going onto every question about prayer and God and telling people that there is no God when they are LOOKING for hope. I know what depression and a shitty life is. Okay? I don't believe in an entity like the Christian God. So I'm tired of YOU ignorants judging ME. I was wasting my time. Good Night. And I'd like to ask "Why're you spending your time on Yahoo! Answers" What the **** he's doing on it?

Oh yeah. And maybe if you didn't read the above paragraphs, then you would have realized that I never said there was a "good" god. I said that there was a god. He could be an asshole for all I know. All I did by writing this is let some angry, close-minded atheists open fire on me. And yes, I was atheist. For over 5 years.

Nazi Germany was a Nationalism, if you recall, meaning that the state was god, and no other. So in other words, Big Brother. But the USSR was atheistic. Good luck refuting facts without logic!

Answer 1

Religion may be the foundation of some hope but it is more often the foundation for trivial useless wars and unnecessary bloodshed.

Answer 2

I take nobody's hope away. How could I? With words? That's rediculous. Nor do I claim that there is proof that there is no god. There isn't. Nor is there proof that there is a god. That's the point. I have no reason to believe there is a good because there is no evidence for me to look at. There is a great deal of evidence for me to look at for other scientific explanations of the beginnings of the universe and the ascension of the species. But not a shred that there is a god. I won't get into the big bang theory or evolution, I understand the concept and could care less whether or not you do. If you want to investigate those theories then that is not difficult to do. But I'll not educate you. And Nazi Germany did not try to take religion away from anybody. Christianity was the basis of Hitler's beliefs. Have you read Mein Kampf? Do you know the origin of the swastika? Of course you don't otherwise you would never suggest that Nazis were not Christians. And talk about destroying society. What do you call the crusades, the inquisition, the Salem witch trials? Were those high points in society? Every member of the KKK is a devout Christian yet many people are proud to associate themselves with that very same religion.

I don't have anything figured out any more than you do but I know to stay clear of any religion that threatens me with an eternity burning in hell simply because I don't believe precisely a certain way. That's just sick. And your percentage of the world population that adheres to a religion is dead wrong. There are 1.1 billion atheists in the world and another nine hundred million Buddhists who likewise do not believe in a god or deity. That's two billion or damn near a third of the world's population. Christians comprise just about the same two billion so it's just about a push huh? And read my answers here in the past and then please point out where I've been immature.

And for all of you who continue to have no clue as to what an atheist really is, we have never made the decision that there is no god as final. Break down the damn word for crying out loud. "A" without and "theist" religion. We are without religion. Not that any religion is wrong. We simply do not think that delusional thinking such as that is a very productive use of brain neurons.

Answer 3

I have found it near impossible to get a coherent answer to this question from atheists. They will give you loopy logic all day long and ridicule religion in general and mostly without noting any positive aspects at all. If God is Love and there is no God then where's the Love? Some atheists have simply had a bad experience with religion and hence reject it at large. This was my case as well. The truth can be found only when you look deeper and truly keep an open mind.

I disagree with the 'no proof that God exists' part though. The proof is the creation itself. The bread in my bakery did not bake itself. All the elements are there but they do not come together on their own accord to produce the bread. The same way that DNA does not form in a sterile environment even when all the elements are present in a refined state.

Answer 4

You call religion a cultural thing, well I call it a WRONG thing. Believe it if you want, but I will not. I do not believe any of it and I will not change my outlook or belief for you or your rant. Nothing you have said here has made any sense or has said anything to sway me. It is nothing more that a blather of your own opinion, and I have my very own opinion, tyvm. Nazi Germany and the USSR took religion away for political reasons. Stop trying to make it like atheism ruined the world, it was their POLITICS that did that...and corruption. You say you are an agnostic, but you seem more like a theist to me. You seem pretty positive that there is a god, so stop trying to hide behind agnosticism. Come out of the closet and admit that you believe. Tell me more about the universal sense of egomania, because I believe there is no God or gods, and it hasn't hit me that way at all. I find it so amusing when you THEISTS keep asking us what started the big bang...when that is not a religious or spiritual question. That is why we atheists believe in it. It's NOT religion. No one yet knows what started the Big Bang, yet. But because we don't know YET, does NOT mean that a creator/God did it. That is superstition talking, not intelligence.

atheist

Answer 5

Religion is a cultural thing.
YES, IT IS. THAT DOES NOT MAKE IT TRUE. FEMALE CIRCUMCISION IS A CULTURAL THING BUT THAT DOES NOT MAKE IT A GOOD IDEA. BEING A CULTURAL THING IS NO EXCUSE.
But it gives people hope.
TRUE. FALSE HOPE BUT HOPE INDEED. IF ONE IS DIM-WITTED ENOUGH TO BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL LIVE FOREVER AFTER YOU DIE, THEN THAT IS HOPE. FALSE HOPE. CLING TO IT IF YOU WISH. I DON'T CARE.
You have less proof that there isn't a god than there is.
UNTRUE. THERE IS MORE EVIDENCE, AND GROWING, THAT THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A GOD. YOU REALLY NEED TO KEEP UP WITH ADVANCES IN DISCOVERY. EVEN TODAY, THERE WAS AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT MAN WILL BE ABLE TO CREATE BASIC LIFE-FORMS FROM SCRATCH. THIS WILL HAPPEN IN THE NEXT THREE TO TEN YEARS.
I'm a former atheist, but now an agnostic.
SO?
Why would you strive to take away hope,
I DON'T STRIVE TO DO SO
make immature comments,
I'M 65 AND NOT IMMATURE. I JUST STATE THE FACTS AS I SEE THEM AND STATE MY OPINION. IMMATURE COMMENTS ARE NOT PART OF MY INPUT.
and destroy the morale of over 98% of the world population?
WHAT KIND OF STATISTIC IS THIS?? YOU JUST MADE THIS UP?? ARE YOU NOT AWARE THAT ATHEISM IS GROWING FAST OUTSIDE YOUR IMMEDIATE CIRCLE? 98%? YOU ARE FANCIFUL.
I believe that you have moral values,
OH YES. THAT'S A FACT. I DO AND MORE MORALE THAN MANY SO-CALLED RELIGIOUS FOLK.
but religion is the foundation of a democratic society and a stable society, at that.
RELIGION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH DEMOCRACY
RELIGION IS THE CAUSE OF ALL THE INSTABILITY IN THE WORLD TODAY. JUST SEE THE NEXT NEWS BROADCAST.
Look in the past. Everytime someone tried to take religion away from people (Nazi Germany, USSR, etc.) it has destroyed the society. I
TO THE CONTRARY. IT WAS NOT THE REMOVAL OF RELIGION THAT CAUSED THE DOWNFALL OF THE SOCIETY IN GERMANY DURING OR AFTER WWII, IT WAS THE DIRECT ACTION OF A GREEDY MEGALOMANIAC.
IT WAS THE SAME IN THE USSR. STALIN WAS THE PROBLEM AND NOT RELIGION REMOVAL. DO TRY TO READ SOME REAL HISTORY?
f you're an anarchist, fine.
I'M NOT.
Then it makes complete sense.
NO IT DOESN'T. ANARCHISM IS ALL TO DO WITH POLITICS AND HAS NO DIRECT CONNECTION WITH RELIGION.
But why do you have to be so immature about it?
I'M NOT. CAN YOU NOT SEE THAT?
There is no concrete proof that there is a God, and no concrete proof that there isn't.
OK
There's a difference between blindly following religion (which not many people do anymore, mind you)
ARE YOU ON SOME MIND-BENDING DRUG? THE BULK OF THE WOLD'S RELIGIOUS POPULATION ARE DOING JUST THAT. MAYBE NOT YOU BUT JUST ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE IS. I SEE IT EVERY DAY HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES AND I SAW IT EVERY DAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THE BULK FOLLOW THEIR RELIGIOUS TEACHINGS BLINDLY. THEY ASK NO QUESTIONS.
and thinking for yourself. There would be a universal sense of egomania if we all thought there was no God.
YOU THINK SO? WHY? HOW COME ALL WE ATHEISTS ARE MORALLY-STRONG AND STAY OUT OF JAIL AND LIVE OUR LIVES AS ORDINARY LOVING FAMILY PEOPLE AND ARE NOT RUNING AROUND BLOWING OUR TRUMPETS. GENERALLY, WE KEEP VERY QUIET AND JUST GET ON WITH LIFE. YOU COULD DO THE SAME.
Tell me: What started the big bang;
IT IS A THEORY THAT IS GENERALLY ACCEPTED BUT IT WOULD TAKE A LOT OF SPACE TO EXPLAIN TO YOU AND IT COULD BE A WASTE OF TIME IF YOUR EARS ARE CLOSED TO AN ALTERNATIVE TO YOUR BLIND ACCEPTANCE OF DIVINE CREATION. IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW, TRY STEPHEN HAWKINS OR EVEN BILL BRYSON.
what sparked life?
A SPARK IS A GOOD ANSWER. AGAIN THE ANSWERS TO THIS ARE EASILY EXPLAINED BUT NEED TO BE DIRECTED TO SOMEONE WITH AN OPEN MIND AND WHOSE LEVEL OF EDUCATION PERMITS THE APPLICATION OF INTELLIGENCE AND NOT THE RELIANCE ON A FAIRY STORY HEARD AS A CHILD FOR ALL THE ANSWERS.
I DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO WASTE ON YOU, AS I GUESS THAT YOU DON'T REALLY WANT TO HEAR.

REALITY BECKONS AND INVITES YOU IN. YOUR CHOICE.

Answer 6

Nazi Germany was massively religious, building a Nazi religion without undercutting the Christian religion under it. Religion can be a tool of hatred as well as hope.

What started the big bang; what sparked life? Athiests (and agnostics) quite freely admit that they have nothing but some good qualified guesses. This "God of the gaps" is too trivial for any meaningful worship.

"You have less proof that there isn't a god than there is."
You make this assertion, but you have no proof. Show it. I will assert -- by Occam's razor -- that a universe plus God is LESS probable than a universe without God. Can you show that a universe plus God is the simpler explanation to refute my assertion?

Answer 7

Well I'm a Christian and I do believe that religion does give you a sense of hope. However it isnt fair to say that atheists all seek to destroy the hopes of those who actually believe in a higher being. Alot of atheists could care less about what we believe but respect us anyway, while there are others who actually do curse the existence of religion.
"There is no concrete proof that there is a God, and no concrete proof that there isn't."

Well i say, as a believer in Christ that the faith I have is enough proof that God exists. I dont need scientists or professors to prove that God is real when I already have a strong enough faith that He does exist and is looking down on us from His throne in Heaven. Why would I need a human's reassurance that my God is living and breathing when He is the Creator, the one who gives us life, the higher being of this universe?

Answer 8

Alright... I'm not an atheist, okay? So sue me for wanting to put my 2-cents in... or maybe 2-points?

I think you are correct in your basic premises. Faith gives us hope that life has a real, significant meaning. To have that taken away is truly sad.

I thank you for not jumping on the "blind faith" bandwagon so many atheists do. I don't know many who just blindly follow along without knowing in their hearts AND minds exactly what and WHY they believe.

As you can see by many of the responses, these people seem to have a lot of anger towards people of faith. Maybe you, as a former atheist, might have some clue as to why and where it comes from, because I am clueless about it.

Anyway... I just wanted you to know that you DO have good ideas there... and keep it up!

Have a blessed day!

Answer 9

Someone is emoting aren't they?

Your rant is so full of "less than fully informed" comments and conclusions that one hardly knows where to begin.

You may have encountered some irritating comments that were attributed to atheists, but for the most part we have no more of an agenda than those that believe in a deity.

I know of no society that atheism alone has "destroyed".

To what you may be reacting is an outcry of mixing politics and policy with religious perspectives.
Both believers and non believers are speaking to this issue.

What you may consider as an attack on your beliefs may only be an expression of a different criterion to reach a conclusion than faith alone allows.

Your concluding questions may in fact have some answers for you here [God vs. Science - Time Magazine]
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1555132-3,00.html

In time you will read and listen to more information and perhaps eventually reassess your view expressed today.

Answer 10

What I'm wondering is: Why are YOU so angry? In the bible, Jesus did not run around practically screaming at others because they believed differently. And this charade is not going to convert any more people to your religion or your side, however you want to put it. You are in the internet screaming at people that believe the way you used to. Ok, so you changed your mind. What's the deal about attacking people who NOW believe like you USED to. You need to calm down and take a good look inside yourself, and ask yourself why you are carrying around all this hostility. It certainly isn't making your religious beliefs look any better to non-believers. Stop being so angry at yourself, forgive yourself, let it go, and move on. Enjoy believing!!!

Answer 11

Put it this way, an atheist is a person who chose to disbelieve in the existence of a supreme being until proven otherwise.

An agnostic is a person who chose to believe in the existence of a supreme being until proven otherwise.

So when a person as you "do you believe in god?", an atheist will reply as "No, proof to me there is", an strong agnostic (depending on which version) will reply "I don't know (in effect, a courteous "No")", a weak agnostic will reply "I think so (in effect, I don't know, but maybe there is)".

So if you ask you what started the big bang, what sparked life, may you answer "What started god?". Just because there is a big bang (I don't quite subscribe to that theory either) does not mean some supreme creature upstairs accidentally triggered off the fire stove when he was cooking dinner.