As an Atheist, do you view anyone with a belief in a higher power as lacking cognitive or reasoning skills?

Answer 1

Not at all. To me belief in a higher power (or lack of such belief) has nothing to do with those. I believe that true answer lies in human nature.

It's in human nature to feel fears, right? I believe it's the fear of being nothing but a mere mortal that makes people seek God and religion in general so they can give their souls eternity, if they can't give it to their bodies.

It might be considered unreasonable fear though, but at least to me it's an understandable fear.
.

Answer 2

It's not what you believe, but how you came to believe it that show your level of cognitive reasoning. If you accept the religion of your kinship group without question, it doesn't matter if that group is Christian or atheist or whatever - you're functioning at a median level of moral and ethical development. If you've studied different systems, examined them critically, and then chosen a belief system, or none, then you are functioning at a higher level.

How many atheists will deny the existence of 'god' without studying the religions? How many have ever really considered a Pagan religion as an alternative?

Do you think your ideas are based on empiricism?

How many people say there's no such thing as UFOs, but they've never looked at the reports and have no idea what evidence exists?

Do you believe in the Loch Ness monster? What if I told you there are 20 lake monsters just in Sweden and that they are sighted in every part of the world, always near volcanoes or fault lines? If you already have an opinion, and you haven't looked at the evidence, you are being just as gullible as the people who accept the contradictions in the bible without question.

If you want to claim science as your guiding force, then you have to have an open mind. There is no more logic in stating definitively that there is no god than there is in saying there is one. Logically, one has to die to know. The best you can do while you are alive is to make an educated guess. We need to know the difference in fact and opinion. All ideas about deity, positive or negative, are opinions, not facts.

Answer 3

It all depends on the precise beliefs involved. An Atheist believes categorically there is no God as opposed to an Agnostic who is not really sure and tends to think there is no God. Most people who call themselves Atheists tend to lean more towards the latter belief.m So such a person would not necessarily view somebody who believes in some higher angelic or demonic power or in life after death or that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, or is of the Islamic or Hindu Faith (say) as necessarily lacking in cognitive or reasoning skills solely on the basis of their Faith.If he or she did they would be somewhat simple minded and stupid.

Answer 4

Not at all.Even some of the most prominent scientists were devoutly religious and many world renowned professionals in science and technology are also highly religious.I think,they have the capability to keep their religious faith separated from their intellectual pursuits.Perhaps they are in a better position to realize that after a certain point,neither a religion nor any science have answers for many questions and may be ,that could become a common starting point for both.As such,many scientists believe that there is no conflict between spirituality and science as both explore the unknown, though they may apparently employ different tools but the objective remains the same.

Answer 5

It really depends on their idea of what the higher power is like and the claims they make about that higher power. It also depends on the intensity of their belief, the reasons for their belief, and whether they try to force their ideas on others.

Sometimes people that actually possess some reasoning skills purposely avoid applying them to their own belief system. There are a variety of reasons behind this, but most of those reasons can be traced to a character flaw.

Answer 6

My lack of belief in a higher power stems from the lack of evidence for any such higher power. It's not rocket science. I hold no dislike or animosity towards people who do believe in a higher power.

Answer 7

No. I really don't mind people having religious beliefs. I think some of them are completely illogical, but I still don't begrudge them their beliefs. It's when people ask ridiculous questions like "Atheists, what do you have to live for if there is no God?" or "How can atheists possibly have morals?" that I start getting annoyed.

Answer 8

I don't consider myself an atheist. More of an agnostic. But I have to wonder in turning everything over to a paternalistic figure who has ultimate control over every aspect of your life. Maybe not lacking cognitive/reasoning skills but unwilling to take personal responsibility.

Answer 9

Not necessarily.
I think many believers do lack these abilities, but because of their needs for reassurance, others may suspend their otherwise rational selves in their delusions about a higher being that needs us to praise him.
Hm, sounds like God needs some reassurance too........

Answer 10

No.
Some religious people are very smart.
That doesn't mean they are right.
Nor does it mean that other reasons to believe (childhood credulity, indoctrination techniques that work on anyone,etc) aren't working.
Smart people can be very intelligent when it comes to inventing reasons why they won't change beliefs when confronted with proof.
And I used to be a believer.So there is still hope for them.