Why do people like to talk about atheism so much?

Question

Why is every other question I see directed towards atheists? If they are still a small minority in the U.S. population, then why is it such a popular topic to discuss here? Why not Islam? Hinduism? I don't see many people discussing scientology either. Atheism is one of THE most talked about subjects here in R&S. Why?

Answer 1

For better or for worse, atheists tend to argue with FACTS, not suppositions or opinions. I'm not saying that they are right (that is, have all the facts), but they tend to find statements with no grounding ridiculous.

That makes them a more important target because its harder to say that they are wrong. They are more threatening. More compelling, and they force you to think in a way that other religions probably won't.

Answer 2

Of course it does. Yes, it's a lack of belief in imaginary beings. That is a position, which can be argued. As for the purpose in talking about it, one never knows (LOL, I just typed 'knever knows' -- pronounced kanever kanose) One never knows when something one says will trigger a fruitful line of thought in someone else. Although it's highly unlikely that a believer, reading what I say, will immediately say "Why, you have an excellent point!' it DOES happen that people realize at some level that they have no good answer, and that leads to further thought. Sometimes this results in their ultimately changing their mind. Also, There are often many questions posted TO atheists, and about atheism. I've noticed that most of the believers lie about atheism and atheists. It's fair for us to have a chance to answer truthfully, rather than let the lies stand unchallenged. It's simply not true that the ONLY thing to say about atheism and atheists is "a single definition" -- if you had read what we and others have said, you'd see that.

Answer 3

Most on here I would guess are Christian and know very little about Hinduism or Islam. Also a lot of Atheists come on here, many of them strongly disagreeing with the Christians so the Christians retaliate very strongly. The Christians seem to put a lot of effort into posting as many questions as possible trying and failing to disprove anything an Atheist may have to suggest. I have only looked in this section fairly recently and have seen very few questions that are not posted by Christians or Atheists.

Answer 4

Do you really think so? I don't see that,
except for a comment or two coming in
from athiests against whatever has been
said/asked.
When someone makes an insulting comment, then you will get questions that would be directed at Athiests, but if the insulting comment did not occur, I think
probably you would see very little - and I
do mean very, very little, talk about Athiesm at all.
I do see alot of Islam questions, and even
quite a few scientology questions; when
are you normally online? I don't know, maybe I'm online at weird times.
Anyway, whats the use in discussing Athiesm? Its belief in nothing but yourself,
so what in the world is there to discuss?
I don't say that to be offensive, its just
a plain fact.

Answer 5

Well atheism might be the minority of the overall population, but just about every second person here is an atheist.

Answer 6

because atheism can be so easily distinguished from religions (most religions) because there isnt a standard set of rules to follow or practice. if your atheist, it isnt like for example a Christian religion when there is a ton of sub religions to Christian (catholic, protestant, baptist) so people can freely communicate without offending others religiously. this is what causes it to be a growing and expanding belief, therefore, being many questions directed toward atheists.

Answer 7

I think most are curious.
When I was a practicing Christian, I wondered how people could write the blogs and books I read about Atheism without being "STRUCK DEAD" I honestly believed if you denied god then you would instantly die or something. Pretty silly reasoning huh?

Answer 8

It's largely because atheism represents an absolute other that can be attacked by believers. It goes to the whole "Good Guy vs Bad Guy" operation of the brain. "Us vs Them," and that sort of thing.

I've seen people try to launch assaults upon agnostics, and they've given up after a try or two, because agostics don't belong to an absolutist camp.

Answer 9

There are two groups on Yahoo! Answers that are equally militant: Christians and Atheists. Thus, most of the discussion here consists of these two groups being at each other's throats, reporting the living daylights out of each other.

Answer 10

Because everyone of you including those religious freaks have that inbuilt instinct that tells you God does not exist and Atheism holds the incontrovertible truth to the understanding of the Universe