Are the motivations for atheists more honorable than the motivations for non-atheists?

Question

Non-atheists are motivated by a combination of greed for wealth, power and societal influence and they are also motivated by primitive instinctual impulses to make people believe the same weird stuff that they believe. Atheists are motivated by a desire to free people from a delusion that imprisons their minds, to save children from the horrors of a typical religious indoctrination process and because we see the importance of unhindered technological progress. I’m proud to be one of the good guys in this battle, are you?

Answer 1

i don't know about religious battles. But if an atheist is a good person, it is with no belief in any reward after death. That is pretty impressive. To be a good person, and believe there will be nothing when you die is the definition of morality. Non-atheists to some degree are influenced by their belief in a reward.

Answer 2

Wow, the generalizations in this really blow my mind. I didn't realize I was greedy (I'm not), or lusted for power and societal influence (I don't). I also did not realize that I was SO delusional, despite being fully awake during all those all-important Biology classes that atheists seem to think should convince EVERYONE that there is no God. You know what else is amazing? That ONLY non-atheists indoctrinate children. Because it seems like atheism indoctrinates as well, just in a different way. And, I am a big fan of technology. *I* am proud that I don't make horrifically untrue generalizations about people, are you?

Answer 3

Ummmm - Atheists have the same vices everyone else has. I would make the urgent need to prosyletize not one of the vices of an Atheist, but you appear to have made it one for yourself. I do not need to free people from their religion and I definately do not need to interfere in their religious teachings since I would not want them trying to teach their religion to my kids, right? No, Atheists are only more honorable in that we do what we do without any intention of being "rewarded" later - we are nice to others in the world (when we are) because we should be, not because someone "knows when we are sleeping and knows when we're awake" ;). Unhindered technological progress? No, I like nature a little too much to get on that boat with you either. Wow, you are waaaayyyy militant. You are not just Atheist, you are Right-Wing Atheist!

Answer 4

hm, let's see.. so as a pagan, I'm motivated by greed for wealth, power and societal influence by honoring the earth, my ancestors and accepting all positive paths (including atheism) as valid for the adherent? How so?

I haven't hindered any technological process, although I would like to see a greater respect for the one planet in this solar system that sustains our form of life. How is this being a bad guy simply because I'm a non-atheist?

I'm interested in your opinion. I just don't get it.

Answer 5

Desiree does the word sterotype have any meaning to you? I am not an atheist. I have no desire to become rich, gain power, or exert societal influence. I don't care what you believe really. Don't sterotype me. Respect me and I will respect you. Disrespect me and I will still respect you. There is your difference.

Yes I am proud to be one of the good guys. Apparently you are a little off mark. It has nothing to do with being atheist or non-atheist.

Answer 6

In your sweeping generalizations, try to remember that the only thing we atheist share is that we don't believe in any gods. Other than that, we're an extremely diverse group.

While I recognize that following your moral system because it is right as opposed to following it because of reward or punishment is a better or more moral stance, I don't think that contrasting motivations between belief systems is a valid argument. I prefer to deal with facts.

Answer 7

I think that most theists, including Christians (they're not the only believers in God, though they often think they are) as well as most atheists have honorable motivations for the way they live and behave.

Atheists who do live good lives, however, do so only because they know it is the right thing to do. Most theists who live good lives, also do so because they know it is the right thing to do. But many Christians (and other believers) are motivated by fear of doing wrong, fear of the judgement day, and fear of going to hell.

And not most, but many Christian ministers are all too happy to continually reinforce those reasons for living right, rather than stressing basic humanity and morality.

Answer 8

I don't think it's that black and white. There's probably as many motivations as there are people.

I am not motivated to free people from their myths of choice, however I wish they would keep them away from government. I also don't think I'm better than them because I'm an atheist.

Answer 9

You are 100% incorrect as far as my motivations.

You stereotype people more than anyone I have ever seen.
I fear for your children's well-being, as I am sure you will fill them with lies of how evil all Christians are. I pray that they will be freed from the horrors of being filled with hate for non-atheists.
Hopefully, they will learn to think for themselves and will discover that Christians are basically good people.

There is no way that you can logically say that all atheists are good guys and that everyone else in the world is evil.
That makes no sense at all.

I am proud to be one of the good guys. I also happen to be a Christian.

TO me, it is not a battle. I am for peace. Apparently, you are not. You cannot be mature enough to accept anyone who believes differently than you do.

Answer 10

Perhaps. Many Atheists like myself just want to inspire free-will and critical thinking. Though, there are a lot who only wish to discredit Christianity amongst other religions.

I'm sure there are even Christians that actually care for other people and not just their own salvation.