What is an athiest?

Question

Isn't it a bit scary to think that "this is all there is"?
I feel like Athieism is a little selfish.
Tell me why you think I am wrong. I am really interested.

Wow thanks for the answers to clarify.
I didn't mean "selfish" like to only think of yourself. I meant it like you are not responsible to any other higher power. I didn't mean to insuslt. It is actually a more selfless act to give and do just because you want to and not because God says to "do unto others"
Yes Christians are more selfish, religiously speaking.
Also Sorry about the spelling, cheesh I have seen much worse spellers and they have not gotten the flack that I did.
OK
don't be mean I just was asking for an opinion.
thanks again.

Answer 1

It's how people who don't have any idea what an atheist is spell "atheist".

An atheist is someone who doesn't believe in any gods.

Calling an atheist "selfish" is simply name-calling. I'm sure you can make something up to justify your behavior - some way of trying to explain what could be selfish about atheism - but I'm also sure that in doing so, you'll demonstrate at least one of the following:

1 - that you REALLY have no idea what an atheist is.
2 - that you have no idea what reality looks like.
3 - that you can't put together a coherent argument.
4 - that you get your beliefs from right-wing propagandists.
5 - that your attitudes are essentially indistinguishable from those of Osama bin Laden.

Care to see how many you get? Or are you smart enough to just drop it?
=================
"don't be mean I just was asking for an opinion.
thanks again."

Okay, you recovered nicely.
My congratulations, and my apologies for jumping to conclusions.

Answer 2

Atheism is NOT a religion. "Atheist" is more of an adjective than it is a noun. It's the characteristic of not believing in a God, but it's no more a religion than Confucianism.

Of course it's scary to think that "this is all there is". That's why it takes courage to openly be an Atheist. You're not wrong about that at all.

Atheists, however, are much less selfish than believers: those who give to the poor do so to help their fellow man, not because Jesus said. Those who volunteer do so without expecting ANY reward, earthly or otherwise.

Yes, Atheists do things like this. I've done it.

Kindness seems to be a bit displaced when distributed only when a heavenly reward is expected. If you ask me, Christians are the selfish ones.

Answer 3

OK, first there is a distinction to make between whether to be an atheist is in itself selfish, or whether atheism makes you selfish. I think the first is quite simply not true. Nobody should make decisions about what they believe to exist based on what other people would think of that, or what effect their beliefs of existence would have. It would be quite foolish to believe god exists for no other reason than that it makes your family happy, or that it makes you a better person. To refuse to do so has nothing to do with selfishness, just with intellectual integrity.
Now to the second part, are people who don't believe in god more selfish than people who do? Not necessarily. It is true that atheists tend to focus more on the world they see around them than (some) christians, who want to please a god which atheists think doesn't exist. However, not all atheists spend the time they free from going to church by drinking beer. Many actually do voluntary work to help others or promote various social causes (which Christians may or may not agree with, but which undeniably are "higher" causes in the sense that they go beyond the individual).
Statistically you would be correct though I think. And frankly I think that most Christians tend to be helpful and acquiescing, more so than most atheists. But a minority of Christians is not like that at all, and like in all social networks they tend to get the most powerful positions. And I do believe that they get away with that relatively easily. I heard around here that herding atheists is like herding cats and I think that makes sense. Herding christians is comparatively easy. And what difference does it make if you are unselfish if you listen blindly to a selfish person? Characterwise that may be commendable but in that case the misguided faithful does not actually help make the world a better place.

Well, that's enough on this topic for the moment.

Answer 4

I have no idea

an atheist is someone who lacks belief in gods though

Basically you're afraid of death - fair enough.

It's irrelevant whether there not being an afterlife is scary or not - it's not whats true. I'm not going to believe in something with no evidence to suggest it's true just to make myself feel better.

I'd love to know why you think atheism is selfish - because we don't worship a deity which no one can prove exists? Oh yeah - the nerve of us

Do you honestly believe the only reason you don't go around raping, murdering and stealing is because your god might just send you to hell for it? if that were the case why do many xians go to get and why aren't atheists disportionately represented there

Answer 5

How do you see Atheism as selfish? That makes no sense whatsoever. It is not a bit scary to me to KNOW that this is all there is. I tend to live for now, love for now and spend all my time making my dreams come true and making others happy. I do these things for now instead of wasting time and energy on "what might be someday"
When your question makes more sense I will be glad to expand on any details that make no sense to you.
I have open email btw

Answer 6

Immortality is a natural instinct of humans. We have children to pass down our lineage. Most of us have a desire to be famous at some point in our lives to establish our immortality long after we are gone. The afterlife is another part of this . I will live forever in heaven after I die. It is all part our human instincts. This does not mean it is true however just a way for us to accept the inevitable fact that we are going to die.

Answer 7

Atheism is a bit selfish?

Religions are the ones touting that only they get to go to heaven.

I don't think it's scary.

I'm not animist, so I don't beleive in any kind of after life.

I don't think it's scary.

Technically, I'm not a physical adult.

But I've outwitted many.

Should I find it scary?

I don't think I should.

Answer 8

I don't know what an athiest is. I suppose it would be something or someone that is athier than anything else. If you meant "atheist", then learn how to spell and ask again. We atheists tend to be sticklers for proper spelling.

Answer 9

A person who doesn't believe in gods.

Actually, I've always thought that Christianity and most of the religions which tout an "afterlife" teaching is really "selfish" in that it tells you "there is a God that loves you so much that he'll allow you to behave in every way he demands... and then you can be happy and peaceful forever and ever in his magic kingdom in the sky".

It's selfish in that they all convince themselves that they will deserve such a luxurious fate, but also self-oppressive as they allow the concept of this Biblical God to inhibit their behaviors, their thoughts, their lives.

Answer 10

An atheist (notice the spelling) is a person who does not believe in the literal existence of a deific being.

It is not scary to accept that, "this is all there is."

I'm curious why you think atheism is selfish. Please explain.