I am an atheist, ask me anything.

[Anonymous]

FruminousBandersnatch wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm personally agnostic. I do lean more toward not believing in a higher power than believing. But I am unable to make the full leap. To me there is currently no way to prove or disprove the existence of a higher power.

My question for the true Atheist; How are you absolutely certain there is no higher power?

Not the OP, but another atheist. I am not "absolutely certain there is no higher power." Logically, it's very difficult to prove a negative, and to quote Voltaire, "While doubt is an uncomfortable position, certainty is a ridiculous one."

However, I do not affirmatively believe in a "higher power," and, in the absence of evidence demonstrating the existence of such an entity, I see no reason to conduct my life as if one exists. If someone provides scientifically testable evidence that a "higher power" exists, or if I end up in some kind of afterlife, I'll have to modify my belief structure.

There's no difference between my outlook on the monotheistic deity(ies) (as well as all other deities) and the way Christians act towards the Egyptian/Norse/Greek/Roman/pick an ancient culture of your choice pantheons.

OP here, I guess it's just a difference in how we define agnostic and atheist. The difference to me between atheism and agnosticism is atheism involves what a person does or does not believe and agnosticism involves what a person does or does not know. My life is driven by what I know rather than what I believe. And my thirst for knowledge is driven by what I don't know.

Well, now you're getting into the 2x2 matrix of belief and knowledge. Technically, it is possible to be both agnostic and atheist, precisely because of the belief/knowledge separation you're talking about.

On that scale, I (and most other atheists) would be classified as an agnostic atheist, because I don't know whether or not there is a deity, but I have no belief in one. I doubt that you'll find many atheists who fall into the category of someone who knows with certainty that there is no deity. That level of certainty is typically reserved for theists. Technically, it's also possible to be an agnostic theist - ie someone who believes in a deity but doesn't know that there is one, but I don't know any.

I would argue that most people who classify themselves as "agnostic" are actually agnostic atheists, but they're choosing to emphasize the "agnostic" part because it's more socially acceptable. If you're sitting there saying, "I don't know for sure whether there's a deity or not." then you don't have a lot of faith in that deity, either.

Thanks for the clarification. Since I lean more toward the not believing I'd be an "agnostic atheists". Cool, 2 for the price of one

[takoma]

I'm going to write something rather long winded, but which I think is relevant. To those who give up reading because they are bored silly or who get through it all and think it's a bunch of irrelevant nonsense, I apologize.

In very simple terms, a computer program is a set of rules that are applied to various input data sets to produes output. You can often resubmit the output as input an see what happens

I have written a simple program for which the input and output are geometric configuration, and the rules are of a fairly simple type. But even with such simple rules and a simple type of configuration as data, the number of combinations is enormous, and it is really interesting for me to watch the patterns as the rules are repeatedly applied.

I can choose different sets of rules and different starting configurations and watch them develop, and even run several choices simiultaneously. I can also let the rules or the data be determined randomly. I can even make changes in the rules or the configuration mid-stream to see what effect the changes might lead to.

Let me emphasize that, even though I am, in a sense, totally in control, I usually have no idea what to expect as things progress. In fact, that's precisely why I find it so interesting.

So what's the relevance? I thinks of the universe as one running of such program, with the laws of nature -- physics, chemistry, biology, etc -- as the rules. I have no idea how it all came into existence, and even if there is some Creator responsible for it all, I see no reason to assume that he/she/it is motivated by anything more than the curiosity that motivates me to run my program. Similarly, even if this Creator should share my tendency to intervene now and then, perhaps by sending a Jesus or a Hitler, I see no reason to think there is advance knowledge of the effect these interventions will have.

So although I call myself an atheist, I'm quite willing to accept as possibilities much of what religious people believe about God. I just don't think there is reason to believe in the ominipotence of God, or that I can have any conception of what motivates Him/Her/It. Nor do I see any readon to believe that my ideas of good and evil have any relevance to such an entity.

So, if you don't like atheists, consider me a member of the Church of He Doesn't Really Give a Damn. Or call me an agnostic atheistic believer and get a threefer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, do you do certain thing that religious people have proven to be beneficial, like you meditate instead of pray, do you fast or abstain? Anything like that? Are you part of a community that you meet with weekly? Did you create your own "framework" for living well?

OP here. I do not meditate.
I just live by the rules. Don't smoke because it is not good for you. Same with drinking, promiscuity, drugs, agression, reckless driving, just not good for you. I never had a problem with over eating. But many of my values coincide with some religious values. Like I have a problem with greed, over indulgence, and gluttony.

Would you follow "religious beliefs" if you were faced with death and had scientific proof that following the belief would give you more time with your children? Do you have children?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you believe that there are things that are intrinsically right (or wrong) ?

I ask because that's where I get stuck.

For me it is not so much the existence of a god that is crucial for meaning and purpose, rather the existence of some transcendent universal moral code that is not dependent on my whims or feelings (or anyone else's).

In the absence of this transcendent immutable moral code (kind of equivalent to the laws of physics but for morals), I find it hard to have a reference point against which to measure what's good or bad. In such a case, to me, the nihilistic position seems the most logical position, since nothing can now be said to be 'better' or have 'more value' than anything else.

For me, it does not even matter what the code is as long as I can believe in the existence of one true 'reference code' (even one that no human has ever dreamed of). Otherwise I feel like someone trying to measure the lenght of an object with a constantly changing measuring tape.

But then, once you believe in such a thing, you have already violated the 'no belief w/o proof' rule...and you might as well believe in a god that is the 'incarnation' of such moral code.

So there it is why I can't quite be an atheist ...

OP here. The code is about being a part of society. If it bothers others, for the most part, it is wrong. If it makes people happy, without hurting anyone, it is right. But there are all sorts of variations that you hvae to use your best judgement for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, do you do certain thing that religious people have proven to be beneficial, like you meditate instead of pray, do you fast or abstain? Anything like that? Are you part of a community that you meet with weekly? Did you create your own "framework" for living well?

OP here. I do not meditate.
I just live by the rules. Don't smoke because it is not good for you. Same with drinking, promiscuity, drugs, agression, reckless driving, just not good for you. I never had a problem with over eating. But many of my values coincide with some religious values. Like I have a problem with greed, over indulgence, and gluttony.

Would you follow "religious beliefs" if you were faced with death and had scientific proof that following the belief would give you more time with your children? Do you have children?

I don't think so. That is magical thinking. But in any case, the "belief" would be fake, to buy more time with my kids (I do have kids). In a desperate situation (sadly thinking about the ISIS crisis), I would tell anyone that I believe in their faith to spare my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, do you do certain thing that religious people have proven to be beneficial, like you meditate instead of pray, do you fast or abstain? Anything like that? Are you part of a community that you meet with weekly? Did you create your own "framework" for living well?

OP here. I do not meditate.
I just live by the rules. Don't smoke because it is not good for you. Same with drinking, promiscuity, drugs, agression, reckless driving, just not good for you. I never had a problem with over eating. But many of my values coincide with some religious values. Like I have a problem with greed, over indulgence, and gluttony.

Would you follow "religious beliefs" if you were faced with death and had scientific proof that following the belief would give you more time with your children? Do you have children?

I don't think so. That is magical thinking. But in any case, the "belief" would be fake, to buy more time with my kids (I do have kids). In a desperate situation (sadly thinking about the ISIS crisis), I would tell anyone that I believe in their faith to spare my life.

This was OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^ I find that they really believe they have a soul but won't admit it. That's why they believe they matter in their godless and purposeless unverse.

Actually we all live in the same universe.

my life has what purpose I make of it -- as does yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you believe that there are things that are intrinsically right (or wrong) ?

I ask because that's where I get stuck.

For me it is not so much the existence of a god that is crucial for meaning and purpose, rather the existence of some transcendent universal moral code that is not dependent on my whims or feelings (or anyone else's).

In the absence of this transcendent immutable moral code (kind of equivalent to the laws of physics but for morals), I find it hard to have a reference point against which to measure what's good or bad. In such a case, to me, the nihilistic position seems the most logical position, since nothing can now be said to be 'better' or have 'more value' than anything else.

For me, it does not even matter what the code is as long as I can believe in the existence of one true 'reference code' (even one that no human has ever dreamed of). Otherwise I feel like someone trying to measure the lenght of an object with a constantly changing measuring tape.

But then, once you believe in such a thing, you have already violated the 'no belief w/o proof' rule...and you might as well believe in a god that is the 'incarnation' of such moral code.

whatever floats your boat. did you learn all of that^^ in church or did you come up with it on your own?

So there it is why I can't quite be an atheist ...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you believe that there are things that are intrinsically right (or wrong) ?

I ask because that's where I get stuck.

For me it is not so much the existence of a god that is crucial for meaning and purpose, rather the existence of some transcendent universal moral code that is not dependent on my whims or feelings (or anyone else's).

In the absence of this transcendent immutable moral code (kind of equivalent to the laws of physics but for morals), I find it hard to have a reference point against which to measure what's good or bad. In such a case, to me, the nihilistic position seems the most logical position, since nothing can now be said to be 'better' or have 'more value' than anything else.

For me, it does not even matter what the code is as long as I can believe in the existence of one true 'reference code' (even one that no human has ever dreamed of). Otherwise I feel like someone trying to measure the lenght of an object with a constantly changing measuring tape.

But then, once you believe in such a thing, you have already violated the 'no belief w/o proof' rule...and you might as well believe in a god that is the 'incarnation' of such moral code.

whatever floats your boat. did you learn all of that^^ in church or did you come up with it on your own?

So there it is why I can't quite be an atheist ...

whatever floats your boat. did you learn all of that^^ in church or did you come up with it on your own?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ I find that they really believe they have a soul but won't admit it. That's why they believe they matter in their godless and purposeless unverse.

Actually we all live in the same universe.

my life has what purpose I make of it -- as does yours.

So does a bug, mouse or cow .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ I find that they really believe they have a soul but won't admit it. That's why they believe they matter in their godless and purposeless unverse.

Actually we all live in the same universe.

my life has what purpose I make of it -- as does yours.

So does a bug, mouse or cow .

Not PP, but yes, this is true. You are not more important than those things are, except to yourself and your loved ones. That doesn't mean you should give humans less respect or importance, but that you should think more carefully about the lives of other creatures and treat them respectfully.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ I find that they really believe they have a soul but won't admit it. That's why they believe they matter in their godless and purposeless unverse.

Actually we all live in the same universe.

my life has what purpose I make of it -- as does yours.

So does a bug, mouse or cow .

Not PP, but yes, this is true. You are not more important than those things are, except to yourself and your loved ones. That doesn't mean you should give humans less respect or importance, but that you should think more carefully about the lives of other creatures and treat them respectfully.

Finally! An atheist who owns the obvious big picture of his ideology! Individual humans are not more important than bugs , cows , weeds , rocks and a pile of poop. All the feelings... The opinions ... The pollution and the disruption just waste time and make waste. In the universe, the individual human is of zero to negative value and a reasoning human should feel no guilt for killing a human any more than a cow or bug. Guilt is an illusion created by centuries of religious doctrine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ I find that they really believe they have a soul but won't admit it. That's why they believe they matter in their godless and purposeless unverse.

Actually we all live in the same universe.

my life has what purpose I make of it -- as does yours.

So does a bug, mouse or cow .

Not PP, but yes, this is true. You are not more important than those things are, except to yourself and your loved ones. That doesn't mean you should give humans less respect or importance, but that you should think more carefully about the lives of other creatures and treat them respectfully.

Finally! An atheist who owns the obvious big picture of his ideology! Individual humans are not more important than bugs , cows , weeds , rocks and a pile of poop. All the feelings... The opinions ... The pollution and the disruption just waste time and make waste. In the universe, the individual human is of zero to negative value and a reasoning human should feel no guilt for killing a human any more than a cow or bug. Guilt is an illusion created by centuries of religious doctrine.

Another pp atheist, who agrees that all creatures should be treated with respect: I disagree that guilt is an illusion. Guilt is a useful emotion - it alerts a person that they are thinking or doing something that conflicts with other beliefs or values they hold. It provides the impetus to reflect on beliefs, values, and actions. Since we - atheists - don't have one higher being or priest telling us what we should believe or feel, we have to decide for ourselves what we think is right and what matters, and feelings of guilt - like all feelings - can help us figure that out.

[Anonymous]

OP, if your children decide to join a religion as adults how will you handle it. Will you participate in the bar mitzvah or baptism or whatever?

Do your children know bible stories simply for the purpose of being educated about literature?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ I find that they really believe they have a soul but won't admit it. That's why they believe they matter in their godless and purposeless unverse.

Actually we all live in the same universe.

my life has what purpose I make of it -- as does yours.

So does a bug, mouse or cow .

Not PP, but yes, this is true. You are not more important than those things are, except to yourself and your loved ones. That doesn't mean you should give humans less respect or importance, but that you should think more carefully about the lives of other creatures and treat them respectfully.

Finally! An atheist who owns the obvious big picture of his ideology! Individual humans are not more important than bugs , cows , weeds , rocks and a pile of poop. All the feelings... The opinions ... The pollution and the disruption just waste time and make waste. In the universe, the individual human is of zero to negative value and a reasoning human should feel no guilt for killing a human any more than a cow or bug. Guilt is an illusion created by centuries of religious doctrine.

Another pp atheist, who agrees that all creatures should be treated with respect: I disagree that guilt is an illusion. Guilt is a useful emotion - it alerts a person that they are thinking or doing something that conflicts with other beliefs or values they hold. It provides the impetus to reflect on beliefs, values, and actions. Since we - atheists - don't have one higher being or priest telling us what we should believe or feel, we have to decide for ourselves what we think is right and what matters, and feelings of guilt - like all feelings - can help us figure that out.

But if another atheist feels that living creatures (including plants) are not worthy of respect his belief is just as valid as yours.