I don't know any atheists personally. I do know you don't believe in God or religion so let's not go there at all. I am interested in knowing your thoughts on creation, etc. Where did we come from? Things like that.
I would like to know what you do believe in in your everyday life? Do you believe in love? Do you believe in loyalty? Honesty? Thinks like that. Just wondering. And if so, Why?
2007-11-27 02:20:15 · 46 answers · asked by lilith663 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Wow. Truly great & informative answers from 95% of you so far. Thanks. I probably have met some atheists & not known it because I don't come right out and ask people things like that in general converation but I can say that I really do not know any pesonally. My immediate scope of friends all believe in God. By the way, I do believe in a supreme being but not in organized religion. I hold nothing against anyone - their beliefs of non-beliefs. To each his own.
Personally, I don't believe that anyone that is asking an honest question should be called ignorant. How are people to learn things if by being called names they are discouraged from asking? I personaly will keep on asking to satisfy my thirst for knowledge as sticks and stones - well you know. So, people like lb_centa and itsallgo who said my question was ignorant - bask in your knowledge that you are perfect & have a great day.
2007-11-27 02:52:50 · update #1
The general belief is the "Big Bang Theory" and that the world and everything on it came about by chance, of course we don't know for sure on that one!
I do believe in love, and morals, and living my life as a decent human being. I highly value honesty and loyalty, I don't think you have to be religious to be a decent human being. In fact, from my experience of the religion I was brought up in I can say I came across more dishonest people who professed to be Christians, but those people are hypocrites, not true Christians.
2007-11-27 02:26:20 · answer #1 · answered by sparkleythings_4you 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am an atheist because I have never felt god in my life. I have felt love, so i believe that exists. I also don't like believing in something because I'm taught to fear it. As far as where we came from - I don't know how i feel. I would have to say that I lean more toward a scientific perspective, although I don't think we are even close to having all the answers. I believe that when we die, there is no afterlife - and accepting this has been therapeutic. I do not look for anything to hold my hand, or be a crutch through life. I believe in being a good person because of karma, and I like to be treated with respect, so that is how I treat others. For me, I'm living for myself, not a non-existent entity.
2007-11-27 02:30:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Atheists believe in all the same things theists believe in - Love, honesty, friendship, family, etc. You don't need a diety to be a good person.
And as far as how the world was created...I believe there was some type of event that triggered what we now know as evolution...
Neither science nor religion has all the answers to why we're all here - and that's okay.
Theists don't need "proof" to believe in God, and an atheist doesn't need proof of how the world began to not believe...It's a personal thing and nobody should be looked down upon regardless of their beliefs or lack thereof.
2007-11-27 02:26:44 · answer #3 · answered by TeeDee 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
A quick caveat: there is no unifying atheist belief or dogma, only a lack of belief in gods. Many atheists are deeply religious people. A large cross-section of Buddhists, Unitarians, Satanists, Taoists, and many other faiths are atheists.
In the Western world, most atheist are what is termed "pragmatic atheists", and are the kind that you are probably most familiar with. Pragmatic atheists do not believe in gods out of skepticism or a naturalistic world-view.
Based on these facts, I can't speak for any other atheist or what they believe, but here's what I believe.
Where did we come from? Humans, like all organisms, are examples of self-replicating chemical compounds found in all regions of planet Earth. These compounds have become increasingly complex over the billions of years since the first ones formed.
What do I believe in my everyday life? I believe in people. I think human potential is infinite and people are just peachy. I believe that I should do the best I can to better myself and the lives of other people. I believe in truth and work to discover it and preserve it.
Do I believe in love? Most certainly. I probably have a different definition of it than you do, but I definitely believe it exists.
Do I believe in loyalty? Absolutely. It goes along with believing in truth and people.
Do I believe in honesty? I think I already answered that one.
Why? Because its the best thing we've got to go on. If you believe that human beings are basically ok and that they're worth preserving and advancing, you pretty much HAVE to believe in all the other stuff, since those are the best ways to preserve and advance human-kind.
2007-11-27 02:36:24 · answer #4 · answered by marbledog 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My goodness. So...before Christianity came along, there was no loyalty, honesty, or love. I'm glad we have that cleared up.
Perhaps you can see how silly and condesending your assumptions may seem to others. Loyalty isn't the realm of Christianity...read Christian history, and you'll find a record that is full of double dealing, backstabbing, and general disloyalty. Read history and you'll find plenty of dishonesty in religious dealings. Read history, and you'll find horrendous acts that violate every standard of love.
In my everyday life, I believe that I have no more right to my view than anyone else. I believe that we were created through a process of nature. I believe loyalty is earned, and once given is a contract between two people. I believe that being honest is not only a good policy, it's the easiest way to live. I believe that love is an extremely powerful emotion that can motivate people to great...or even terrible...things.
2007-11-27 02:28:52 · answer #5 · answered by Night Owl 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
First and foremost, love, loyalty, honesty, whatnot are merely human ideals that are not predicated on any belief in a higher power.
As for the "creation" of the universe, I will state that I am more inclined to think that there may possibly be a "first cause" of sorts that set every thing in motion, similar to Aristotle's view. That does not make me a theist, as I still do not acknowledge any ever-present or omnipotent supernatural deity. Basically, it means that everything is the result of something else, leading back to that initial cause.
2007-11-27 08:15:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe we came from earlier species. I believe the borders between life and non-life are vague. Is a virus alive? A string of RNA? I believe this transition happened over untold years on this planet. I believe natural processes and their interaction govern EVERY single thing in existence, and that any answer (even "I don't know") is better than assigning it to some god's action.
I believe love can be explained by evolutionary biology, but I still get caught up in the emotion. I believe in loyalty to a degree. I believe in honesty, but if you think that means telling a girlfriend what I REALLY think of that dress, you're sadly mistaken.
2007-11-27 02:25:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Of course I believe in honesty, loyalty, and love. Who wouldn't want those qualities in the humans around them? Could you expect those from people if you aren't willing to offer them yourself? I just don't think these qualities come from God. Nor do bigotry, greed, and jealousy. They are the unfortunate byproducts of our survival and evolutionary survival instincts as are all emotions. That doesn't mean we should just accept those less nice aspects though, since we have the ability to understand their origin in competition and survival instincts it gives us the advantage and ability to rise above such things if we choose and conditions permit. As for where we came from I think evolution is the explanation for how life assumed its present form. I don't think anyone knows yet how life first arose. There are several theories that are naturalistic as well as those which are theistic. I am more inclined to think if we do figure it out it will have a naturalistic explanation. People used to think Zeus threw lightening before they understood the natural process. I think today its jumping to conclusions to say I don't have an answer so I will plug in a supernatural all powerful being. Doesn't sound sensible to me.
2007-11-27 02:30:45 · answer #8 · answered by Zen Pirate 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Did you know that of the 4:5 billion people that inhabit the Earth only 16% are practicing Christians and of that 16% just over 60% are RC,
but lets not go there shall we,,,
I beleive that all life started with single celled creatures several hundred million years ago and from that all other life forms sprung,,,I do not need any gods to live life to the full,,and your question would appear that you assume only those with a God can have love ,honesty and fullfillment,,,,
2007-11-27 02:28:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am as honest about my belief as can be. I will answer allyour question.
Where did we come from?
I don't know. I don't know how eyeballs work or why mirros reflect your image backwards but not upside down. It's one of those things I don't understand and don't worry about.
I would like to know what you do believe in in your everyday life?
I believe that I have things to do, a life to live and a family to love and take care of.
Do you believe in love? Absolutely. Again, there is something I don't understand but I can FEEL it so I know it exists. I don't know why I love or why I hate. I just do.
Do you believe in loyalty? Yes I do think that is important.
Honesty? Just as important as loyalty.
Why? Because these are things I FEEL, they are not just things that someone has told me is the way things should be.
2007-11-27 02:27:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋