Why should ATHEISM have to "offer" anything?

Question

It's often asked "What does atheism offer humanity?" This is usually followed by a list of all that Christianity has to "offer" (like faith, hope, comfort, a sense of love and safety, etc).

But why should atheism have to "offer" anything?

If gods don't exist, gods don't exist, and GODS DON'T EXIST. That fact of reality doesn't have to come packaged with some sort of incentive to get you to accept it, does it?

somebody, the question is "why should reality have to offer something appealing (other than itself) in order to be accepted?"

towelie, yeah, and the question is "WHY SHOULD IT?"

Answer 1

Reminds me of that old one-liner: Thank god I'm an atheist!

Your point is well taken. But to be fair, when I hear that argument from those predisposed to a specific belief, I guess what they're trying to say is that religious beliefs or institutions serve a sociological or anthropological function, and atheism wouldn't fill that niche.

But it's not a good argument for the purpose of determining whether a deity exists or doesn't.

Answer 2

That is practically a rhetorical question Zero. A belief does not have to offer anything more than personal understanding. If a belief has to offer "incentives", as you put it, to gain acceptance, the incentives will become the focus of the belief instead of the belief being the focus of the incentives. And on the same note-- How often does the promise of comfort, sense of love, community bonding, etc... get filled? How many people go to church looking to find God, and instead find a den of child molesters, alcoholics, corrupt city officials, and scam artists? How many people claim to be Wiccan just for the attention? How many people try to become Mormon so they can have multiple wives? (which the Mormon church does NOT allow-- for those who are ignorant to this.). As for the answer to the question "What does atheism offer humanity?", it is simple. The same as any other religion or philosophy.

Answer 3

I don't understand why people can't just accept that others will not always agree with us. Why can't Christians simply accept that God doesn't need our help? God is quite capable of proving him/herself to others. God is all grown up and does not need us children to protect Her/Him. We are all right where we are supposed to be to learn the lessons we need to know. I don't think anyone has the right to tell anyone else that their beliefs are wrong. I used to be a Bible thumper, and all I accomplished was pushing people away from me. Today I can agree to disagree with others, and still be their friend. This does not need to be a battle between folks.
This may not be a very popular answer, but it's the only one I have.
Blessed Be

Answer 4

Freedom from dogmatic thinking is a real "prize" offered by Atheism, it's helped me keep a more open-mind about all of life's myriad of choices. Without having to worry about church authority on earth nor supernatural authority in the afterlife, I've developed the personal strength to not bow to peer pressure nor parental pressure and make unique decisions that have enhanced my life in all sorts of ways. There are groups, such as the Machiavellian Neo-Cons, who primarily want freedom for the rich and politically powerful, that's why they promote religion to the masses, I'd like freedom for the rest of us.

Answer 5

"with some sort of incentive to get you to accept it"

Yeah: please accept the current reality - here have a chocolate to make it more attractive.
LOL.

BUT that's what the McGullibles think and the way they think - there has to be good/bad, in/out, positive/negative, black/white, et al/etc.

This is why the concept of invisible sky critters is so easy to sell to them.
They don't seem to understand that life is chaos and if you can extract some fun and or order from it - lucky you - otherwise, just deal with it.
Good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people - there is no god to oversee the game and prayer doesn't work in any way other than to help YOU give YOURSELF the strength to do whatever.

Answer 6

Because this so called reality really SUCKS! People are dying needlessly of disease, and living in poverty, people are being killed in wars. I might buy Atheism if we all lived in a utopia but we don't and we never really will because everbody idea of utopia is drasticly different from everybody else. At least Christianity gives me something nice to think about and strive for. If it wasn't for my faith and hope in God and his promises then I would have left this reality a long time ago.

Answer 7

CALM DOWN!

Yes, it is amazing how so many people say that Atheists believe this or that, or stand for this or that.

The only quality that describes an Atheist is what he DOESN'T do.

And that is: share God myths.

There is no such thing as "Atheism." This is an invention of God myth believers so they can shadow box with someone.

Answer 8

i just wanted to point out to some folk on here that this is the RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY section, SPIRITUALITY, yes?

so, being a non-religious person does NOT preclude you from being spiritual

dearie me you'd think people would have cottoned onto that basic concept by now!

atheism doesnt have to offer anything, as it is merely states that its 'members' do not believe in any deities.

on the other hand, atheists themselves can and do offer a tremendous amount to the world, as kind, thoughtful, respectful, intelligent human beings. many donate to charity, many do voluntary work... etc etc etc

blessed be
)o(

Answer 9

I agree with you, in that atheism shouldn't have to create an advertising agency in order to get people to not necessarily adopt it as their own belief system, but even be tolerant of it.

Then again, I don't see why Christianity or any other religion for that matter, should have to "offer" things to "humanity". As long as each individual does their part to make the world a good place, by not contributing to the horrible aspects of the world, then why should it matter what faith they associate themselves with?

Answer 10

I get your drift. Facts are not democratic, nor is a lack of belief in something.

But I do think atheism has inspired philosophies that do offer humanity a great deal in hope, reason, and scientific progress.