Atheists don't choose to disbelieve in God?

Question

I frequently hear Christians tell me that I made a choice to be an atheist, and a bad choice according to them. But now that I think about it, nobody really chooses to be an atheist (unless they were brought up by atheist parents, but that's different).

Consider this: most atheists disbelieve in god because of an overwhelming lack of evidence, and because of education and understanding of our world and universe. In other words, it is the inevitable conclusion from available information, and no matter how much we want to believe in god, we cannot.

Sure, we can call ourselves Christians and pretend, but deep down, we can never really believe. It's as hard for me to believe in God as it is for you to believe in unicorns, or to disbelieve that there is a chair in your bedroom right now. We simply cannot believe in God because our own common sense and rationality will not let us, no matter how much we would like to.

Answer 1

An apparent lack of evidence does not disprove something, agnostics know that, atheists according to you don't?

Where is the evidence of the invisible quantum reality in science until Max Plank comes along? It was there all along, but only a few expounded it, usually in relation to spiritual truth such as Socrates, Even Newton had theories on it, both believed strongly in God, Socrates went to death for it....

Because it's undiscovered by the masses does not deny it. Its very possibility to conceive it without self disapproval by its own conception, is itself proof of its reality in another potential appearance of reality, manifest clearly to itself, but only by allusion in ourselves.

"It only takes one white crow to prove not all crows are black." -William James.

I actually gather from your statement, you are an agnostic, not atheist, since you've not closed the door on the possibility, just not found it to be provable in material science... Try instead the science of first principles, and cosmology (cosmology studies the origins of the universe, and doesn't necessitate a material stance until its consequence bears out), study them on your own, not just the incomplete theories, though you must accept the observable data, or its not scientific (which most of the theories are not entirely so, since they conjecture without enough evidence).

Try reading what Einstein had to say about the characteristics of his more successful students.

God bless.

PS edit: an example:

"Some one has asked this question, "What are the proofs through which one can establish the existence of God?"

Humanity is divided into two classes: -- one is satisfied with the knowledge of divinity through its attributes and the other strives to understand the mysteries of divinity and be informed of the fundamental principles of divine philosophy. I will speak to you of the scientific proofs which establish the existence of God and I will not quote the scriptural proofs from the Old and New Testaments, or the Koran, with which you are more or less familiar.

Science teaches us that all forms of creation are the result of composition; for example, certain single atoms are brought together through the inherent law of affinity and the result is the human being. A number of primordial atoms have gone into the make-up of a plant, the result of which is this flower. Again, looking into the mineral kingdom, we observe that this law of attraction is working in the same manner. Many atoms go into the composition of a piece of stone which through purification may reach to the station of a mirror.

When the particles of a given composition are disintegrated, this may be called non-existence in that kingdom; but the original simple elements go back to their primary atoms and are ever existent. When the body of man becomes the subject of decomposition we call that death. That the existence of phenomena depends upon composition, and mortality upon decomposition, is a scientific fact and there is a great difference between facts sustained by science and theories upheld by blind belief which is the result of traditional susceptibility of conscience.

The materialistic state that inasmuch as it is proved by science that the life of phenomena depends upon composition and its destruction upon disintegration, they question the necessity of a creator, the self-subsistent Lord. "For," argue the materialists, "we see with our own eyes that these infinite beings go through myriads of forms of composition and in every combination they bring about certain distinctive characteristics, so we are independent of any divine maker."

Those informed with divine philosophy answer that there are three theories of composition: first, accidental composition; second, involuntary composition; third, voluntary composition.

If we declare that construction is accidental, this is logically a false theory, because then we have to believe in an effect without a cause; our reason refuses to think of an effect without a primal cause.

The second, involuntary composition, means that each element has within it an innate function of this power of composition - certain elements have flowed toward each other, their union being an inherent necessity of their being. But as long as we reason that it is the inherent necessity of those elements to enter into composition there should not be any necessity for decomposition; and inasmuch as we observe that there is a process of decomposition, we conclude that the constituent elements of life enter neither involuntarily nor accidentally, but voluntarily into composition - and this means that the infinite forms of organisms are composed through the superior will, the eternal will, the will of the living and self-subsistent Lord.

This is a rational proof that the will of the Creator is effected through the process of composition. Ponder over this and strive to comprehend its significance, that you may be enabled to convey it to others; the more you think it over, the greater will be your degree of comprehension. Praise be to God that he has endowed you with a power through which you can penetrate mysteries. Verily, as you reflect deeply, ponder deliberately and think continually, the doors of knowledge will be opened unto you."

(Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 103)

Answer 2

It's hard to believe, because God has chosen to be invisible for us in this world. I don't know why that is, and I sometimes wish it were different, but that's the way it is, far as I can tell.

But there's other invisible things we 'believe' in: who has seen wind, or gravitational forces? But we live by these things. Maybe because we can feel them, or see evidence of effects from these forces and energies...so we can accept them.

But for the individual who is open to the experience, similar effects of God can be discerned. IMO, one need only contemplate some part of creation. Why is the ear shaped like a cup--as if to catch something? What intelligence told the ear to form this way to catch this invisible energy of sound? Who told the ear that sound was available and could be so caught?

I can't see the guiding intelligence that informed and formed these parts of creation. But I see evidence of the intelligence all around, in creation, in this world. And some call that intelligence God.

Likewise, for the adventurous individual, God can be felt, experienced. Countless times I have performed this experiment and gotten the same result: I can call God, and then I can feel a response. It's always different, but it can be described as peace, or comfort, or assurance, and an elevation of mood from depression to contentment, joy, even ecstasy.

These experiences--born from the experiments--have done a lot to quell the rational mind that says there is no God. The rational mind can see the evidence of a guiding intelligence, and the rational mind is aware of the responses from God, but still the rational mind doesn't see God. Yet, just like the rational mind cannot see the wind or gravity, it can feel these things, and so the leap into belief--or acceptance--can and often does occur.

So, mean to say, experiencing makes the difference. But I think only the adventurous can get it--that experience.

Answer 3

Actually, it is a choice. You chose the "evidence" you would accept. You pride yourself on your "education" and your "understanding of the world and universe"...you tell us that atheism is "the inevitable conclusion from available information"...
So, then, are you telling these good people that you are more educated than, say, someone with an MA in Theology? Perhaps your "understanding of the world and universe" extends beyond the limits of this earth? You could tell us, maybe, what lies at the bottom of the deepest ocean, or what is on the dark side of the moon? Perhaps you have spoken with beings from other planets, or perhaps you know whether such exist? You have information, perhaps, that is not available to the rest of us, such as, what lies beyond our universe, if anything?
No, you can't call yourself a Christian and pretend...you might fool me...if you work really hard at it, you might even fool yourself...but do you think you could ever really fool God, assuming that He exists?
Now, why would you tell me about how hard it is for me to believe in unicorns? Have you ever heard of Bigfoot? Do you believe in him? Can you say for a fact that there is no such thing? What about Nessie? Care to explain why, every now and again, someone catches a "fish" that should be "extinct"?
For all you actually KNOW there could be unicorns, we just haven't found them yet.
Oh, and there is no chair in my bedroom right now. So, you see, you don't know everything, do you?

Your arrogance is rather amazing...do you carry that head around all by yourself, or do you need to brace it up??

Answer 4

There are just as many excellent arguments for the existence of God as there are for His nonexistence. You haven't examined them, otherwise you wouldn't say "overwhelming lack of evidence."

There are plenty of rational arguments for the existence of a Creator. In fact, it's irrational to believe that the universe came into being by itself.

Furthermore, there have been many examples of religious miracles that science cannot explain. I recommend that you read about the event at Fatima, which was witnessed by many atheists and newspaper reporters.

God wants people to choose him through their free will. If you were given 100 percent conclusive proof you would have no choice but to believe. Many religious people have doubts now and then, but they choose belief.

It sound like you're totally convinced of His non-existence. Therefore your mind is closed. It's unrealistic that you could turn into a believer overnight, but if you were to read some very intelligent arguments for the existence of God you might have a more open attitude, and this might lead some day to belief.

I recommend books by Peter Kreeft. He's a smart guy, and offers arguments for the existence of God. Check out what people say about them on Amazon.

Answer 5

What you have stated is reality. We are rational people. We understand things the way we have been taught or wired to understand them. For me, an atheist, I have been taught to weigh the evidence before believing.

However, I do realize that different people are taught or wired differently. That's part of what makes us all different and interesting. For some people, the evidence is not necessary at all to believe.

We can all claim that doing either of the above is all about choice. But, I agree with you, in that it is a cop-out, atheism is as much a choice as is having faith in a christian god.

Answer 6

Atheists always say that there is an overwhelming amount of evidence that God does not exist. Share the evidence- I have not heard one thing that proves to me that God does not exist. Education? What makes education right? I can look around me everyday and see evidence of God- I was at the beach last week, and saw a beautiful sun set- God spoke to me through His creation. Not one person has the same set of fingerprints- and when I realized that God loved me, I trusted in Christ and was saved. It is real . Faith is not blind- it gives us evidence. I am not asking you to pretend that you believe, and besides, God knows your heart, so you cannot fool Him anyway. Share with me, one thing that proves that God does not exist. I think it takes more faith to dispute His existence, then believe in Him , to be frankly honest with you.

Answer 7

Word!

It's back to the proof thing????

It's actually to do with the corruption of religion from the far distant past right up to today!

Power mongers manipulating ancient scriptures (adding a bit in translation, leaving a bit out that doesn't fit to their views) and the poor souls who have inherited this belief and all of the "snowballed" lies that run through it!

Religion = Sme-ligion - PAHHH!

Answer 8

Well said. If a Christian was told to stop believing in God, they wouldn't be able to do it. I find it amazing that that has not occured to the people who suggest belief is a choice.

Answer 9

Well put. Wanting to believe is irrelevant (indeed, I know more than a few atheists who miss at least part of being a believer). I couldn't if I wanted to; it would be a lie.

Answer 10

Well said my friend. I didn't become an atheist for any reason other than the fact that I know in my gut and through my rationalizations that it's right for me.

Answer 11

I think you are right....unless you are in "the bible belt" which surrounds it's neighbors in constant propaganda of God/ Country / Best Nation stuff, one must take a leap of faith into religion instead of being normal or what they call "sinners" and heathen