If atheist know why debate?

Question

Okay for all you know it all atheist. If you know God isn't real why do you waste so much time debating his non-existance to those who believe in him. Isn't it just wrong as many of you all feel to force your beliefs on others? So if you got all the answers why debate believers?

Answer 1

personally...i just like poking fun at adults who believe in childish stuff
sue me

Answer 2

I don't debate. I sometimes point out I don't possess faith-based thinking, but I never force anyone to accept what I say. Its a kind of take it or leave it. If it makes you a better person to believe in God then good for you. I don't need a God to be moral. Really, it doesn't matter.

Now, if you get into the whole argument over whether religion is good or bad, then I'll have to debate. I believe that the world would be better off without religion. But that is a different argument, one that really doesn't involve the existence of a God.

Oh, and remember that no one has all the answers... Atheists definitely don't have many of the answers. However, even though believers have everything easily explained, their answers are usually wrong answers... (like the whole thing long ago about the earth being in the center of the universe or the thing about the earth being created literally in 7 days or that Eve came from Adam's rib).

Answer 3

I find the term know-it-all (you should use the hyphens) insulting. Nonetheless, I will answer your question.

Why debate? Because the concept of faith is an irrational one. Faith is basically belief in the absence of proof, or even in the face of proof to the contrary. Such "thinking" is dangerous. What if your banker or your lawyer thought like that?

Also, because I believe that many people who are religious want to understand why we are not, and so I offer my honest opinion as dispassionately as possible. I don't feel it is "forcing" anyone, especially since here on Y!A is very nearly the only time I have anything to say about religion except when I go to the Ethical Society (sort of a church for humanists) on Sundays. I live in a community which is quite mixed, with Christians (Protestant out my front door; Catholic out my back door), Jews and Buddhists all well represented, and a smattering of witches and atheists and who knows what else. So we tend to be a little cautious in talking about religion around here.

If, as you state, I "know" God isn't real, and I've "got all the answers," what's wrong with my sharing what I know with others? Isn't that what this program is all about?

Answer 4

Ummm....I don't, I just give my viewpoint on God anytime some other religious person or atheist or agnostic brings up the subject. Now, preachings in places of worship basically force the belief on everyone in the building, and there are a heck of a lot of those, but I don't see any atheist churches anywhere, so I think you should be asking that question of religious people more than atheists in general. But don't forget, everyone is different....not everyone is a radical atheist or Christian or Jew or Muslim, some people just don't even think about it, and they don't debate the subject at all.

Answer 5

I just think that maybe, if im right, people should understand that it cant be right to follow one set belief without question or any kind of exploration. Humans naturally look for an almighty being to look up to since the beginning of time, our current main religions are just an advanced forms of these beliefs. I am not fully athiest and i believe that good faith is healthy, I just believe that people should look beyond what we are told.

Answer 6

Because even if your God isn't real, the effects of having phony beliefs in a phony god can be very real and very harmful (including the unjust persecution and ostracization of others who do not choose to follow them). If you believe in something that's totally ridiculous and potentially harmful to others, it's our duty as your fellow people to try to bring you the light of reason. And if in the end your beliefs happen to be correct, then you should have no problem with others testing your faith and thereby helping you prove it, should you?

"Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion." -- Thomas Jefferson

Answer 7

I'm not an atheist, but those I have met are addicted to sin, and debate the existance of God as a defense mechanism. They do it to convince themselves that God is not real, so divine punishment is not real, so they can go on sinning without fear. It is like an alcoholic/drug addict telling others-to convince himself-that he can quit any time he wants to...he just doesn't want to yet. That lets him feel better about himself as he continues indulging his habit.

Answer 8

Aw, you are so sweet! And so complimentary, too!
It becomes you so!
I have yet to see an atheist, who ''knows it all'! or even claims to, ;know it all'
Now, on the other hand, some religionists, will come right out and tell you that, ' they do, know it all'
And as far as I am aware, atheists are not here, to debate anyone, anymore than religionists, are, as this is a 'question, and answer' site, available to ''share'' information! Certainly not to insult, other people!

Answer 9

As an atheist, I have never tried to force my beliefs on anyone. I don't believe in any god(s); but, I'm more than willing to respect anyone else's belief.

However, I am concerned about the effects of religion on society. So, I'm willing to study religions and religions people to understand their motivations. I'm also willing to push back when they use their religious beliefs to interfere with the rights of others.

Answer 10

We do not debate the existence of a being Christianist think God is. We debate what Christianist do with modifications of convenience and condemnation which have adulturated the instruction set from the original Teacher.

Answer 11

I agree with you 100% they are always whinning about somebody trying to shove something down their throats ,so sick of hearing it. They constantly try to cram themselves down our throats too, or their twisted way of thinking.I wonder this too>>> they don't believe in anything, mainly God, so why do they spend all their time on a religious site trying to debate something they have no ineterest in? their only response is because they can and it's a free site.