Aren't atheists brave, for chancing hell to live in a way that they find to be true? Aren't they brave for not cowering to a god? I don't understand where the charge of cowardice comes from.
2007-09-28 01:50:03 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jeff, I was asking for reasoning, not a statement.
2007-09-28 01:55:00 · update #1
It comes from theists saying that we're simply stubborn and we really do believe, but we're afraid to be held accountable for our actions and sins.
Silly theist drivel, from fundies who can't accept that someone might not think like they do. Most Christians don't agree with that nonsense.
2007-09-28 01:55:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I am an atheist, but I think that I am neither brave nor a coward. It does amaze me though the reaction that I get from Christians the few times that I have ever told anyone this. Instead of trying to guide me and "help me" like the bible says to do (I guess), they look at me like I am filthy. I think that a coward is someone who professes to believe in their faith but is unwilling to do the work necessary to actually practice what they preach.
And by-the-way, anyone that thinks that I am immoral because I am an atheist is an idiot. I believe in treating people right and I go out of my way to help people in need. I think that in many ways I emcompass more of what "Christianity" is supposed to stand for than so-called Christians do.
And I am not anti-religion; if it works for you that makes me happy. You should be able to pray in school if you want, we should all be a little more tolerant and a little less politically correct. People who are threatened by religion scare me a little.
2007-09-28 01:57:14 · answer #2 · answered by kmcpmgoodson 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I don't think they are cowards by any sense of the word, they believe what they believe whole heartedly, It's a right we have a person to believe what we want to, I don't think it's a matter of being brave, it's belief that shouldn't be judged by other people who believe in God and vice verse, God can fight his own battles, I don't think God meant for us to be fighting each other over his existence, if God exists that is.
2007-09-28 02:17:55 · answer #3 · answered by robink71668 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, I thought more people considered us agnostics to be "cowards" and "fence sitters," afraid to make committments because we choose not to adhere to any one camp of religion (or atheism). The assumption must be that the lack of drive to commit to a religion is like a man or a woman who "can't commit" in a relationship. But in religion, as in relationships, wrong thinking and actions must be taken to task and rectified. One does not say that a wife should stay with an abusive husband simply for the sake of "committment," if her life or her children's lives are in danger from it, and thus, if a Christian or adherent to another religion starts to have serious doubts about the validity and appropriateness of the religion, why should he or she stay simply for the sake of consistency and "committment?" It takes bravery to break away IF it is done honestly and after serious reflection. Some people call themselves atheist simply to be cool or fit in with a crowd, and these people are not really atheist and treat the philosophy as a fashion accessory, just as the "back-row Baptists" are not really Christians but go to be "socially acceptable."
P.S. I even got a bit of a wake-up call with respect to Buddhism as I searched the 'net for different forms of it. The Nichiren Shoshu vs. Sokagakkai controversy seemed to be all about the priests vs. the power of the lay organization, i.e. a power struggle and a money struggle. Another example of how religion's structure corrodes essentially good teachings. (Of course I can't seem to get over the old Monkees episode where Mickey Dolenz finds their "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo" chant on the back of a box of breakfast cereal.) All that bad blood over the structure of the religion.
And then the split of the Sunni and Shi'a Muslims over who was the proper successor to Mohammed and the "real" Imam? The Great Schism in the Catholic Church that created two papacies in the 14th century? (The Avignon-Rome split-forgive any inaccuracy; I studied it in the early 80's). All this points to the divisive nature of religion. Who in their right mind can say this benefits mankind? Atheists walk away from this and go a step further by rejecting the idea of Deity. Personally, I think this is more of a reactionary stance, but that's my prerogative. Atheists can believe as they wish. I will not be the one to impose "structure" to them when they are truly searching for answers.
2007-09-28 02:05:50 · answer #4 · answered by Black Dog 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are motives for each little thing that happens (minus stuff on the quantum point), in spite of the shown fact that it is not something like what maximum folk attempt to declare. as an occasion, a ball rolls down a hill for a reason: Gravity. in spite of the shown fact that it is not some divine objective.
2016-12-17 12:05:03 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being an atheist does not mean being a coward or being brave. It simply mean having no belief in god(s). How can one be cowardly or brave in regards to something in which one has no belief?
2007-09-28 02:07:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am not chancing hell There is no hell
Christians and other religious people simply do not get it into their minds We do not believe!
See one of the things I always say is that every religion and every church within a religion says they are right and only they will be saved because they are the chosen/ favoured people by their chosen spirit/god/thing yada yada yada
As a result I rate them all of equal chance and thus I have to conclude tht they all exclude the other religion and thus atheism is the only one left standing
2007-09-28 02:09:15 · answer #7 · answered by MissE 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I am a Christian, but no I would not consider atheists to be cowardly.
On the contrary - in my book, anyone walking straight towards the very fires of hell for eternal damnation is brave beyond measure!
2007-09-28 01:54:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is a saying that has come from religious people. As they are the cowards they are affraid of no believing in a god.
If they dont have a god to follow they dont have anyone to blame for there problems or anything to run to to fix them. Wereas an athiest just takes it as it come and stands on there own too feet. I believe it is the better way to go at least it is firm (conrete). and there is nothing cowardise about standing on your own too feet.
2007-09-28 01:57:34 · answer #9 · answered by rickane5 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Atheists are the least trusted and most hated people in a society that has largely become brainwashed by the myth of eternal life, in exchange for living a good life.
Atheists don't need that motivation to live a good life, but because we mock the adult fairy tales, we are scorned, and would be burned at the stake if possible, ala the Salem Witches.
Now you tell me...which is REALLY the more courageous choice? Conformity? I think not.
2007-09-28 01:54:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 12⤊ 1⤋