What do Atheists believe?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Can you explain your thoughts and feelings about life and why you follow a "god" whom has never shown anyone proof of existence. Can you explain how religion has been changed over the years, and why we have so many different forms of Christianity and other religions (which were really changed by kings, popes, and others who claimed something different from what they were taught)?

Please start your own thread, I am interested in hearing from atheists. Thanks.

I am an atheist and do not believe in any god or religion. I don't need to justify it and want to know why you are so concerned about what an atheist believes. Maybe you are one too?

Serious question: Then why are you on a religion board asking believers to justify their faith? Doesn’t seem fair or rational.

DP atheist here: I have literally never done this on this board, ever. Why do you believe atheists do this, or are all the same? Do you want to be classified in with the religious people who have done awful things in the name of religion?

p.s. I am one of the atheist posters who has been called a thoughtful atheist multiple times by religious people on this board. But I'm tired of the negative stereotyping and viciousness of some of the religious posters on this forum, and I don't post much anymore. I don't think you genuinely want to hear about what I believe or don't believe. I think you want to attack me, and I'm not here for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you explain your thoughts and feelings about life and why you follow a "god" whom has never shown anyone proof of existence. Can you explain how religion has been changed over the years, and why we have so many different forms of Christianity and other religions (which were really changed by kings, popes, and others who claimed something different from what they were taught)?

Please start your own thread, I am interested in hearing from atheists. Thanks.

I am an atheist and do not believe in any god or religion. I don't need to justify it and want to know why you are so concerned about what an atheist believes. Maybe you are one too?

Serious question: Then why are you on a religion board asking believers to justify their faith? Doesn’t seem fair or rational.

DP atheist here: I have literally never done this on this board, ever. Why do you believe atheists do this, or are all the same? Do you want to be classified in with the religious people who have done awful things in the name of religion?

p.s. I am one of the atheist posters who has been called a thoughtful atheist multiple times by religious people on this board. But I'm tired of the negative stereotyping and viciousness of some of the religious posters on this forum, and I don't post much anymore. I don't think you genuinely want to hear about what I believe or don't believe. I think you want to attack me, and I'm not here for that.

Projection is a powerful thing. It impedes self-progress and the ability to get along with people who differ in their opinions, behaviors, and attitudes from you. Getting along with people you don't like is one of the most sought after skills these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is it. All we have is each other. Therefore, we ought to make this the best of all possible worlds, and help each other to achieve it.

There is no future reward for the suffering, so it is incumbent upon us all to try to end it now. There is also no future punishment for those who cause suffering, so it is incumbent upon us all to try to get them to change their ways, or limit their ability to cause suffering.

And ... cycle of life, science, amazed that we exist at all -- that stuff.

^^ this is me. I'm an atheist. I find this all very hopeful and comforting, btw.

+1000000

[Anonymous]

I don't believe there is a higher being out there pulling the strings and making decisions about every single one of the billions upon billions of humans who have ever lived on this planet. I don't pretend to know why anything exists. But I don't believe any of the ancient man-made stories to explain it.

I think life can be random and harsh, and many people have horrendous lives, but life can also beautiful and meaningful. And I think we should make the most of our short time on earth not just to enjoy ourselves but to help others and to help ensure the earth is in good shape for future generations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is it. All we have is each other. Therefore, we ought to make this the best of all possible worlds, and help each other to achieve it.

There is no future reward for the suffering, so it is incumbent upon us all to try to end it now. There is also no future punishment for those who cause suffering, so it is incumbent upon us all to try to get them to change their ways, or limit their ability to cause suffering.

And ... cycle of life, science, amazed that we exist at all -- that stuff.

^^ this is me. I'm an atheist. I find this all very hopeful and comforting, btw.

+1000000

Ditto. I enjoyed life as a believer and enjoy it even more as an atheist. Not worried about future reward or punishment. This is it! it's incredible luck that we're here at all. Be kind to your fellow travelers. Try to make life good for those who follow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you explain your thoughts and feelings about life and why you follow a "god" whom has never shown anyone proof of existence. Can you explain how religion has been changed over the years, and why we have so many different forms of Christianity and other religions (which were really changed by kings, popes, and others who claimed something different from what they were taught)?

Please start your own thread, I am interested in hearing from atheists. Thanks.

I am an atheist and feel no need to justify to you why I am one.

I didn’t ask why you were atheist. I just wanted to know what atheism entails.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you explain your thoughts and feelings about life and why you follow a "god" whom has never shown anyone proof of existence. Can you explain how religion has been changed over the years, and why we have so many different forms of Christianity and other religions (which were really changed by kings, popes, and others who claimed something different from what they were taught)?

Please start your own thread, I am interested in hearing from atheists. Thanks.

I am an atheist and feel no need to justify to you why I am one.

I didn’t ask why you were atheist. I just wanted to know what atheism entails.

Atheism doesn't "entail" anything. It's simply non-belief in the supernatural. No fairies, no Santa Claus, no spirits, no saints, no Gods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For me, it is simply the lack of belief in any god. And FWIW I was a skeptic from a very early age. My parents are low-key mainstream Christians, and we attended an Episcopal church. I have early memories of non-belief. I think to some extent a propensity to believe or not believe is an underlying, unchangeable personality trait.

so do I -- I wish we knew more about this.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Atheism is simply the lack of belief in a god or gods.

Nothing more.

+1

The only other related belief I have is that religion has no place in our government or public schools. Do what you want in your home and place of worship. Keep it out of the greater society.

Does that mean people who are religious should only be religious in their homes and places of worship?

That would be ideal but I’ll settle for out of government and public schools.

Why would that be ideal?

Because I don't want to be forced to listen/see any of that crap. If you invite me to your house for a religious ceremony and I accept, then great. But if you are pushing that on me without my choice then it's crossing a boundary. You do what you want, but keep it to yourself.

So religious ceremonies are what? Church services, some weddings?

Sure - also Hanukkah, Diwali, bris, Bible discussion, etc. Any religious activity as long as it's clear that is what it is. If I'm a willing participant then that's fine. Just don't shove it down my throat.

NP. Then why do people some of you try to shove atheism down peoples’ throats? (Like on DCUM.) It would seem very similar. Clearly you’re 100% convinced you’re right, so is that the difference?

BTW I agree the constitution says no religion in school or government.

Doesn't matter if you agree or not -- that's what the Consitution says

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you explain your thoughts and feelings about life and why you follow a "god" whom has never shown anyone proof of existence. Can you explain how religion has been changed over the years, and why we have so many different forms of Christianity and other religions (which were really changed by kings, popes, and others who claimed something different from what they were taught)?

Please start your own thread, I am interested in hearing from atheists. Thanks.

I am an atheist and feel no need to justify to you why I am one.

I didn’t ask why you were atheist. I just wanted to know what atheism entails.

Atheism doesn't "entail" anything. It's simply non-belief in the supernatural. No fairies, no Santa Claus, no spirits, no saints, no Gods.

Agreed. Think about it this way. How would you respond to someone who asked you to tell them about what your lack of belief in Zeus entails.

Umm... Nothing? Right? Same for me as an atheist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is it. All we have is each other. Therefore, we ought to make this the best of all possible worlds, and help each other to achieve it.

There is no future reward for the suffering, so it is incumbent upon us all to try to end it now. There is also no future punishment for those who cause suffering, so it is incumbent upon us all to try to get them to change their ways, or limit their ability to cause suffering.

And ... cycle of life, science, amazed that we exist at all -- that stuff.

Agree with PPs, very good post.

I'll add that I think to the extent life has meaning, it is created by people. It is something we bring into the world for ourselves and others.

I think treating other people as objects is horrendous. I think we do it to lesser and greater extent all the time, in personal and public interactions. I am finding myself doing it more frequently here at DCUM (often out of exasperation), and that is making me think about modulating that time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, you were probably taught your religion when you were a child. Back when you were learning everything about the world, your parents told you about the god they believed in. My parents simply didn't. They were scientists, and when I asked them a question about how the world works, they gave me a serious and real answer. (We also didn't have Santa to bribe us for good behavior.) When someone died, my parents told us the truth, that no one really knows what happens to them because no one has any evidence from having experienced it. They told me with affection that I should not worry too much about it. My parents are very just and ethical people who taught us to treat people the right way because it's the right thing to do, not because a god would punish us.

We have taught the same to our children. Something that has been very important to you is simply not important at all to atheists. You may have a red hat that is your absolute favorite possession, but lots of people simply don't own red hats. They don't care either way about whether other people own red hats. But they do notice that people have a tendency to kill one another over their hats.

I love this. Well said!

[Anonymous]

Some religious people I know have a hard time believing a person can be moral without guidance from an authority. That fear of god drives behavior. They simply can't understand why anyone would behave ethically without belief. As people have posted, being an atheist entails behaving as if this is all there is. For the atheists I know, it's doing our best to make this world a better place today because things won't be better in a magical place that we don't get to until we die.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, you were probably taught your religion when you were a child. Back when you were learning everything about the world, your parents told you about the god they believed in. My parents simply didn't. They were scientists, and when I asked them a question about how the world works, they gave me a serious and real answer. (We also didn't have Santa to bribe us for good behavior.) When someone died, my parents told us the truth, that no one really knows what happens to them because no one has any evidence from having experienced it. They told me with affection that I should not worry too much about it. My parents are very just and ethical people who taught us to treat people the right way because it's the right thing to do, not because a god would punish us.

We have taught the same to our children. Something that has been very important to you is simply not important at all to atheists. You may have a red hat that is your absolute favorite possession, but lots of people simply don't own red hats. They don't care either way about whether other people own red hats. But they do notice that people have a tendency to kill one another over their hats.

I love this. Well said!

My parents are religious (catholic) and they also gave me serious and real answers base in science.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some religious people I know have a hard time believing a person can be moral without guidance from an authority. That fear of god drives behavior. They simply can't understand why anyone would behave ethically without belief. As people have posted, being an atheist entails behaving as if this is all there is. For the atheists I know, it's doing our best to make this world a better place today because things won't be better in a magical place that we don't get to until we die.

Most Christians dont believe they need to be good to go to heaven they just have to "accept Jesus as their savior".