I see it all the time "You don't believe in anything" or "Atheists believe in nothing." I'm atheist and I happen to believe in many things... It's just that none of them happen to be god.
It seems to me like many people confuse atheism with nihilism, Lebowski.
2007-12-07 14:18:23 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
2telldatruth,
I do happen to believe that nothing happens after we die, but not believing in the after life is very different from believing in absolutely nothing at all. I have many things to hope for, such as a long and furfilled life.
2007-12-07 14:27:22 · update #1
It's The Big Lebowski, man, you know?
2007-12-07 14:37:03 · update #2
I would like my undies back.
2007-12-07 14:50:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that it is because to a religious person, a world without their god and beliefs would be nearly meaningless to *them*. From their point of view, their souls are immortal, a benevolent supreme being loves them very much and everything and every event has a purpose.
If they try to picture a world without those things, they see a bleak desolation. What they don't understand, is that when you shed those beliefs, you can focus on what is actually important, such as furthering ourselves as a species through science and development, helping those who can't help themselves, not because god wants you to, but because it is the right thing to do or building a strong family and raising children in a way that will bring them fulfilment and happiness and help them make meaningful contributions to society. Because for an atheist, that is all there is: Us, our planet, and the universe.
Religion answers a lot of questions for a lot of people and makes their paths clear. An atheist has a great deal to believe in as well, but an atheist chooses for himself what is important.
2007-12-09 23:08:51 · answer #2 · answered by quaidbrown 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I confuse them because I talk about possibility and probability, not about belief. I don't look at things in terms of belief, so maybe this leads them to a wierd conclusion. I believe in what is real, what is supported by evidence, so no belief is really required - at that point, it's knowledge.
When I became an atheist, it took a long time for me to stop using the phrase "I believe..." It was amazing how often I used it. I changed it to either "I know" or "I don't know", and my conversations with people became much more honest.
2007-12-07 22:21:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
In a war you first redefine the enemy. Religion needs an enemy or it must turn on itself.
Look at any time and place where religion has become dominant and you will see it turning on itself and splintering into denominations that argue they are right and "those others" are wrong.
'Atheism' is by definition neutral. It simply means "without theism". It doesn't even single out the christian deity. Hard to make an enemy out of something that is just a lack of belief in deities. So they must first redefine atheists.
2007-12-07 22:20:59 · answer #4 · answered by tuyet n 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Many atheists I know have taken up the banner of 'anti-Christianity" as if it were a religion all to itself, which to me seems contrary to the concept of atheism, or "non-theology." If you don't believe, why waste your time engaging us Christians in theological discourse?
Fellow Christians, why do you look upon atheists as if they do not have the capacity to love their families and friends as we do? If you truly believe that all love and goodness come from God, how can you not see that God treasures the lives of all people, whether they recognize him or not?
Nuff said.
2007-12-07 22:41:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dont you believe when you die, you just die and nothing happens. If there is nothing to hope for, I would say you believe in nothing. If nothing created us and nothing happens when you die? nothing + nothing = nothing
2007-12-07 22:24:12 · answer #6 · answered by 2telldatruth 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmm not sure what you believe in, I would hesitate to say that I believe in things without evidence or that are supernatural.
2007-12-07 22:22:19 · answer #7 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Atheist here. I believe in myself. I believe in my family and friends. I believe in people and their own will to survive and do good/bad.
2007-12-07 22:21:18 · answer #8 · answered by Satyr Prince 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Shows how much they really know about what they claim to know huh? lol sheep sheep sheep.
2007-12-08 03:31:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
good question...~!!! and i would like to know the answer as well~!
2007-12-07 22:23:23 · answer #10 · answered by Hitler 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋