Why are you an atheist?

[Anonymous]

there are several characterizations of agnostics given above based on what I've seen -- none that mention weakness or meant to imply lack of balls. If none of them fits you - so be it. It wasn't presented as a definitive list.

I think it's a word that's evolving -- like atheist -- now that it's being used more and thought about more.

Soon we may be hearing about "shrill, strident agnostics."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:there are several characterizations of agnostics given above based on what I've seen -- none that mention weakness or meant to imply lack of balls. If none of them fits you - so be it. It wasn't presented as a definitive list.

I think it's a word that's evolving -- like atheist -- now that it's being used more and thought about more.

Soon we may be hearing about "shrill, strident agnostics."

No, it's not a "word that is evolving." It's a philosophical term that has a distinct meaning. But people use the word without knowing what it means or understanding the philosophical position it stands for.

And the word "atheist" isn't "evolving." It has a specific meaning. It's just used more. And when that happens, people toss around a word without knowing what it means and use it incorrectly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of atheists on this forum.


Why are you an atheist? How can you be definitively sure that God doesn't exist?

When I studied religious history on my own (i.e. long after sunday school, where you're just fed what your particular religion wants you to believe), I realized there was nothing to believe. -- it was all stories - some useful, some horrible, but all just stories - then surrounded by dogma and doctrine that were also very obviously invented by humans.

As for the existence of god -- others here have explained it well. I would add that the gods of religion (vs the pantheist god of the universe) are particularly easy not to believe in - such incredible stories, so obviously man-made.

regarding being "definitely sure" about god's non-existence, I suspect religious people, possibly clergy, got the lie started that atheists are definitely sure, because it makes us seem silly and unreasonable and easy to write off.

And atheist/agnostic -- well, as evidenced here, there are several different usages of the word. People have sort of made up their own meanings, I think, in the absence of much public discussion about the terms. I've seen several varieties of agnostics:

1) not sure - they may become atheist when they feel more comfortable with not believing or when they get some piece of information that helps them feel more convinced about the absence of gods.

2) it's a personal thing - they prefer the word agnostic over the word atheist - to each his own. I've known agnostics, who later call themselves atheists -- nothing about their beliefs has changed. They just feel OK with the word atheist in a way they did not before.

Personally, I went from believer to atheist, based on information that to me made belief no longer possible.

Sorry, but I really have to object to this characterization of agnostics. I posted earlier - I am agnostic - and it's just so incredibly condescending when people act like agnostics are just atheists who are too weak/afraid/whatever to own up to their true feelings of atheism. I've arrived at my present beliefs after quite a bit of thoughtful introspection, like many other non-believers. Please don't dismiss me as someone who doesn't have the balls to identify as atheist. It makes you seem like you don't really understand what you're talking about.

23:19 here. I posted before I read your response. I don't think the PP knows what she/he is talking about. Both of her definitions of agnostic are just flat out wrong.

Please read carefully and you will see that I'm not giving definitions of the word "agnostic" I discussing people I know who call themselves agnostics. See the difference? It allows for a lot of other self descriptions, including yours and including others that we both might disagree with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:there are several characterizations of agnostics given above based on what I've seen -- none that mention weakness or meant to imply lack of balls. If none of them fits you - so be it. It wasn't presented as a definitive list.

I think it's a word that's evolving -- like atheist -- now that it's being used more and thought about more.

Soon we may be hearing about "shrill, strident agnostics."

The implication was that agnosticism is a stopover on the way to atheism, which will be arrived at after one becomes more comfortable identifying as such. As 23:19 so eloquently explained, that is horseshit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't god a woman? If I were to believe in God I would believe in a female version.

I loved Sheryl Crowe as God in Dogma!

It was Alanis Morrisette

You're right. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I am an atheist because there is no god(s). Duh.

[Anonymous]

Can't say for sure there isn't a higher being, but the whole notion strikes me as kind of ridiculous. Especially the notion of god in heaven with trillions and trillions of souls who will just hang around in eternity with him. The idea of a god who decided he was bored and created a world with humans and expected to worship him. Or when he didn't like what they'd turned into, decided to flood the world and kill most of them off. And then when he still didn't like what they turned into after that, decided to make a son and then have him die for the sins of humans. What does that even mean? Why not just come on down and have a chat with us? And why do people get sad about the idea of Jesus dying when that's what he was supposed to do according to theology?

I pretty much started giving up the idea of a soul after taking a psychology class in college. Reading some Oliver Sacks books makes you think hard about the notion of self.

Most of humanity has lived pretty harsh, cruel lives. Not sure why any god would create such a world.

Also, I think people should behave morally not because of the promise of some afterlife, or the threat of an angry god, but because it's the right thing to do. I believe in treating people well and taking care of the poor, the hungry, the elderly, etc. because humans are all in this together. It's the only life we have and we should do what we can to improve the quality of it for all of us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there are several characterizations of agnostics given above based on what I've seen -- none that mention weakness or meant to imply lack of balls. If none of them fits you - so be it. It wasn't presented as a definitive list.

I think it's a word that's evolving -- like atheist -- now that it's being used more and thought about more.

Soon we may be hearing about "shrill, strident agnostics."

The implication was that agnosticism is a stopover on the way to atheism, which will be arrived at after one becomes more comfortable identifying as such. As 23:19 so eloquently explained, that is horseshit.

I wrote it and I'm telling you what I meant -- plus it's in black and white, above. Still got an ax to grind? fine - grind away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was an atheist until I spent more time around religious people who were really getting something out of it. These people didn't just go through the motions. They put there whole heart and soul into their belief, and even as a devout atheist, it touched me.

Please try harder the next time you try to impersonate a former atheist. Or better yet, stop. Atheists aren't devout - there's nothing to be devout about.

Also, the way you talk about religious people makes them sound like drug addicts, who put their heart and soul into drugs and seem to be getting a lot out of it.

I really was a former atheist, and also a currant drug addict. You're right about atheism having nothing to be devout about. Pretty hard to get excited over nothing,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can't say for sure there isn't a higher being, but the whole notion strikes me as kind of ridiculous. Especially the notion of god in heaven with trillions and trillions of souls who will just hang around in eternity with him. The idea of a god who decided he was bored and created a world with humans and expected to worship him. Or when he didn't like what they'd turned into, decided to flood the world and kill most of them off. And then when he still didn't like what they turned into after that, decided to make a son and then have him die for the sins of humans. What does that even mean? Why not just come on down and have a chat with us? And why do people get sad about the idea of Jesus dying when that's what he was supposed to do according to theology?

I pretty much started giving up the idea of a soul after taking a psychology class in college. Reading some Oliver Sacks books makes you think hard about the notion of self.

Most of humanity has lived pretty harsh, cruel lives. Not sure why any god would create such a world.

Also, I think people should behave morally not because of the promise of some afterlife, or the threat of an angry god, but because it's the right thing to do. I believe in treating people well and taking care of the poor, the hungry, the elderly, etc. because humans are all in this together. It's the only life we have and we should do what we can to improve the quality of it for all of us.

Well that Oliver Sacks sounds like a sack himself. I took a college psychology class, and it only strengthened my convictions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an atheist because there is no god(s). Duh.

Lol yup. Why does there need to be any more explanation than this? There is no proof to support the existence of any gods, and thus the existence of religion. There is plenty of proof to refute it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was an atheist until I spent more time around religious people who were really getting something out of it. These people didn't just go through the motions. They put there whole heart and soul into their belief, and even as a devout atheist, it touched me.

Please try harder the next time you try to impersonate a former atheist. Or better yet, stop. Atheists aren't devout - there's nothing to be devout about.

Also, the way you talk about religious people makes them sound like drug addicts, who put their heart and soul into drugs and seem to be getting a lot out of it.

I really was a former atheist, and also a currant drug addict. You're right about atheism having nothing to be devout about. Pretty hard to get excited over nothing,

Some people do get excited about atheism - for various reasons -- inlcuding that it's so misunderstood - but that's different from being devout

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was an atheist until I spent more time around religious people who were really getting something out of it. These people didn't just go through the motions. They put there whole heart and soul into their belief, and even as a devout atheist, it touched me.

Please try harder the next time you try to impersonate a former atheist. Or better yet, stop. Atheists aren't devout - there's nothing to be devout about.

Also, the way you talk about religious people makes them sound like drug addicts, who put their heart and soul into drugs and seem to be getting a lot out of it.

I really was a former atheist, and also a currant drug addict. You're right about atheism having nothing to be devout about. Pretty hard to get excited over nothing,

Some people do get excited about atheism - for various reasons -- inlcuding that it's so misunderstood - but that's different from being devout

Really? These people seem very devout.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an atheist because there is no god(s). Duh.

Lol yup. Why does there need to be any more explanation than this? There is no proof to support the existence of any gods, and thus the existence of religion. There is plenty of proof to refute it.

No one has a problem with atheism. It's the air of superiority that's so thick around atheists. I can smell it through my computer screen. That superiority is there because of science. That magical word that makes all believers dumb and un-evolved. I guess that's what turned me off from atheism. Raw logic and rationality might work for machines, but not for humans.

What's the creation story in science? The Big Bang. Like it or not, that idea was sold to you in the same way religion was, and you don't question it because people in power said so. Science is just another organized religion. At least actual religion gives us something to believe in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was an atheist until I spent more time around religious people who were really getting something out of it. These people didn't just go through the motions. They put there whole heart and soul into their belief, and even as a devout atheist, it touched me.

Please try harder the next time you try to impersonate a former atheist. Or better yet, stop. Atheists aren't devout - there's nothing to be devout about.

Also, the way you talk about religious people makes them sound like drug addicts, who put their heart and soul into drugs and seem to be getting a lot out of it.

I really was a former atheist, and also a currant drug addict. You're right about atheism having nothing to be devout about. Pretty hard to get excited over nothing,

Some people do get excited about atheism - for various reasons -- inlcuding that it's so misunderstood - but that's different from being devout

Really? These people seem very devout.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an atheist because there is no god(s). Duh.

Lol yup. Why does there need to be any more explanation than this? There is no proof to support the existence of any gods, and thus the existence of religion. There is plenty of proof to refute it.

No one has a problem with atheism. It's the air of superiority that's so thick around atheists. I can smell it through my computer screen. That superiority is there because of science. That magical word that makes all believers dumb and un-evolved. I guess that's what turned me off from atheism. Raw logic and rationality might work for machines, but not for humans.

What's the creation story in science? The Big Bang. Like it or not, that idea was sold to you in the same way religion was, and you don't question it because people in power said so. Science is just another organized religion. At least actual religion gives us something to believe in.

WTF does science have to do with religion?! (or government for that matter)

Maybe atheists have other reasons for thinking that "believers" are stupid. Personally, I don't think all "believers" are stupid, but I do have to say that one of the stupidest people that I know is also extremely religious. Just one data point...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
No one has a problem with atheism. It's the air of superiority that's so thick around atheists. I can smell it through my computer screen. That superiority is there because of science. That magical word that makes all believers dumb and un-evolved. I guess that's what turned me off from atheism. Raw logic and rationality might work for machines, but not for humans.

What's the creation story in science? The Big Bang. Like it or not, that idea was sold to you in the same way religion was, and you don't question it because people in power said so. Science is just another organized religion. At least actual religion gives us something to believe in.

That's funny, I can often smell an air of superiority among certain Christians -- those who think they have a lock on heaven and people who don't believe are stupid - not to mention doomed. These same people can't stand it when people express views different from theirs. They want atheists to shut up, and let them continuing controling the airwaves.

As for relying on science for answers - how is it helpful for humans to add belief in a supernatural being and a whole fairy-tale story?