What do you *REALLY* think of Atheists?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do I really think of atheists?

I don't believe in them because I know that they have just not suffered enough.

I am an Atheist. How have I not suffered enough?

I'm not seeing the connection.

+1 it is because of my suffering in childhood that I neither believe in god, nor do I endorse religiosity. It's useless. We're on our own in this life. When we die, our suffering ends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly? They set me on edge because of negative experiences I’ve had with, for lack of a better term, “evangelical” atheists.

What negative experiences have you had?

Having their "faith" exposed as wishful thinking, perhaps?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do I really think of atheists?

I don't believe in them because I know that they have just not suffered enough.

I am an Atheist. How have I not suffered enough?

I'm not seeing the connection.

When you have suffered enough, you will believe because you will understand the absolute need for a Higher Power.

Ummm....no.

OP here. Assuming that you mean I will need to turn somewhere for comfort and to make sense of my hardship and maybe the world, that's fine if that helps you but I don't think that way. I don't believe there is a "higher power" who gave me this challenge to teach me something. I think things happen (not for a reason, they just happen) and it's up to me to figure it out, make the best of it, or get out of a bad situation. I don't need religion to do that.

I understand that people find comfort in their faith, or in their community of people who share their faith, and that's great. It's not where I turn, and I don't feel that I'm lacking any "understanding" because of it. Just different choices and different ways to meet needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly? They set me on edge because of negative experiences I’ve had with, for lack of a better term, “evangelical” atheists.

What negative experiences have you had?

Having their "faith" exposed as wishful thinking, perhaps?

DP

OP is this you or another PP?

I hope it is not OP as she/ he asked for honest replies. It is counter productive for respectful dialogue to trivialize faith as wishful thinking.

I am PP who does not care if people are atheists as long as they are kind and respectful towards others. Same holds for religious people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly? They set me on edge because of negative experiences I’ve had with, for lack of a better term, “evangelical” atheists.

What negative experiences have you had?

Having their "faith" exposed as wishful thinking, perhaps?

DP

OP is this you or another PP?

I hope it is not OP as she/ he asked for honest replies. It is counter productive for respectful dialogue to trivialize faith as wishful thinking.

I am PP who does not care if people are atheists as long as they are kind and respectful towards others. Same holds for religious people.

That was not OP. I am, and I agree with you.

I don't think that people of "faith" are engaged in "wishful thinking". I think that if they believe it, they believe it and that's great for them. But they shouldn't expect me to subscribe because they do. I feel no need or desire to trivialize what someone else believes, or to try to talk them out of it. I just hope for the same respect.

I enjoy a good conversation about it, even a debate, but quickly get impatient with judgmental conversations where there is no respect for other views. In those situations I try to end with "you do you and let's just move along". I'm not out there trying to talk anyone into being an Atheist. I wasn't always, but my own exploration and reflection journey has led me here and I'm happy with where I am.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly? They set me on edge because of negative experiences I’ve had with, for lack of a better term, “evangelical” atheists.

What negative experiences have you had?

Having their "faith" exposed as wishful thinking, perhaps?

DP

OP is this you or another PP?

I hope it is not OP as she/ he asked for honest replies. It is counter productive for respectful dialogue to trivialize faith as wishful thinking.

I am PP who does not care if people are atheists as long as they are kind and respectful towards others. Same holds for religious people.

That was not OP. I am, and I agree with you.

I don't think that people of "faith" are engaged in "wishful thinking". I think that if they believe it, they believe it and that's great for them. But they shouldn't expect me to subscribe because they do. I feel no need or desire to trivialize what someone else believes, or to try to talk them out of it. I just hope for the same respect.

I enjoy a good conversation about it, even a debate, but quickly get impatient with judgmental conversations where there is no respect for other views. In those situations I try to end with "you do you and let's just move along". I'm not out there trying to talk anyone into being an Atheist. I wasn't always, but my own exploration and reflection journey has led me here and I'm happy with where I am.

Amen amen (Which just means I agree)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do I really think of atheists?

I don't believe in them because I know that they have just not suffered enough.

I am an Atheist. How have I not suffered enough?

I'm not seeing the connection.

When you have suffered enough, you will believe because you will understand the absolute need for a Higher Power.

I need more money, but don't believe I'll receive it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly? They set me on edge because of negative experiences I’ve had with, for lack of a better term, “evangelical” atheists.

What negative experiences have you had?

Having their "faith" exposed as wishful thinking, perhaps?

DP

OP is this you or another PP?

I hope it is not OP as she/ he asked for honest replies. It is counter productive for respectful dialogue to trivialize faith as wishful thinking.

I am PP who does not care if people are atheists as long as they are kind and respectful towards others. Same holds for religious people.

That was not OP. I am, and I agree with you.

I don't think that people of "faith" are engaged in "wishful thinking". I think that if they believe it, they believe it and that's great for them. But they shouldn't expect me to subscribe because they do. I feel no need or desire to trivialize what someone else believes, or to try to talk them out of it. I just hope for the same respect.

I enjoy a good conversation about it, even a debate, but quickly get impatient with judgmental conversations where there is no respect for other views. In those situations I try to end with "you do you and let's just move along". I'm not out there trying to talk anyone into being an Atheist. I wasn't always, but my own exploration and reflection journey has led me here and I'm happy with where I am.

Amen amen (Which just means I agree)

ditto amen

[Anonymous]

"I believe in love and I live my life accordingly
But I choose to let the mystery be"

Let the Mystery Be - Iris Dement

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly? They set me on edge because of negative experiences I’ve had with, for lack of a better term, “evangelical” atheists.

What negative experiences have you had?

Having their "faith" exposed as wishful thinking, perhaps?

DP

OP is this you or another PP?

I hope it is not OP as she/ he asked for honest replies. It is counter productive for respectful dialogue to trivialize faith as wishful thinking.

I am PP who does not care if people are atheists as long as they are kind and respectful towards others. Same holds for religious people.

Not OP, but also an atheist, and former believer who is respectful to believers.

I have also trivialized faith as wishful thinking, because faith was "wishful thinking" for me when I became an adult, and I think for many other believers, who WANT it to be true, despite its unlikelihood. Rise from the dead? Eternity in heaven? Nice ideas, maybe, but I don't believe it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do I really think of atheists ?

I don't believe in them.

Despite the undisputable evidence that they exist?

They spend too much time thinking about God and a Higher Power to be true non-believers.

I don't think about any gods at all. I am fascinated that people in 2023 actually believe in the supernatural.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly? They set me on edge because of negative experiences I’ve had with, for lack of a better term, “evangelical” atheists.

What negative experiences have you had?

Having their "faith" exposed as wishful thinking, perhaps?

DP

OP is this you or another PP?

I hope it is not OP as she/ he asked for honest replies. It is counter productive for respectful dialogue to trivialize faith as wishful thinking.

I am PP who does not care if people are atheists as long as they are kind and respectful towards others. Same holds for religious people.

Is requesting evidence for a belief inherently disrespectful?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you asking about how people feel about atheists or anti-theists?

An atheist is a person who doesn’t believe in God.

Antitheism, also spelled anti-theism, is the philosophical position that theism should be opposed.

Antitheism has been adopted as a label by those who regard theism as dangerous, destructive, or encouraging of harmful behavior. Christopher Hitchens wrote:

"I'm not even an atheist so much as I am an antitheist; I not only maintain that all religions are versions of the same untruth, but I hold that the influence of churches, and the effect of religious belief, is positively harmful."

If you are an American, anti-theist philosophy is un-American. America was founded on freedom of speech and religion. The separation of church and state goes both ways; state is supposed to stay out of religion as well.

Anti-theists believe God is evil. What I can’t understand is how atheists don’t believe God exists, yet also believe God is evil?

Which means they aren’t really atheists; they are anti-theists.

Anti-theists pretend to be atheists and hide their hostility and opposition to religion. It’s comparable to the way Satanists hide behind Satan but really are anti-theist.

Why hide? Just say who you are? You are opposed to religion and believe God is evil and religion is harmful. But don’t say you are atheist, because if you believe God is evil, you aren’t an atheist.

This idea (bold added above) has always struck me a little funny. As an Atheist I don't believe in God, therefore it's kind of impossible for me to believe that God is evil. I would have to believe in God to have an opinion about whether he is good or evil. How can I have an opinion about someone who doesn't exist? I don't have a neighbor named Bob so how can I say whether he's a good guy or a creep.

I also don't believe in the Devil, heaven, hell, all of it. I think it's a package deal.

I don't think I'm "hiding", but when I see that I'm talking to someone with strong religious beliefs, it feels that saying I'm an Atheist is "poking the bear". I can simply respect their choice without stating that my choice is so different from theirs and shining a bright light on that difference. If they ask me I will say my truth, but I'm not looking to get into a debate about which of us is right. It doesn't really matter. All that matters is that we are each free to make our choice and live the life we want.

An anti-theist is against belief in God. It doesn't mean belief in god is evil, or that God is evil. Atheism is non-belief in a god (Just as theism is belief in a god).

[Anonymous]

Atheists that just claim they are without any thought or research? They're a joke.

Atheists that have done research and spent time investigating a higher power. Much more respect.

Atheists who are just going a long with what the left tells them to. No respect.

Atheists who are Atheists because they parents were and have never looked into anything else? Disappointing.

[Anonymous]

Believers that just claim they are without any thought or research? They're a joke.

Believers that have done research and spent time investigating a higher power. Much more respect.

Believers who are just going a long with what the right tells them to. No respect.

Believers who are Believers because they parents were and have never looked into anything else? Disappointing.