Are Atheists Evil?

[idiosyncrasy]

A few years ago God was very much part of the lives of people. Even if one had doubts they were kept to oneself. Today there is almost as much pressure not to believe in God as there was to believe in him.
Is what is happening in the world today a result of man's trying to get along without God?

[LazyGun]

Oh, and idiosyncracy - which one out of that list of murdering despots - "In the past men such as Stalin, Mao Zedong, Slobodan Milosevic & Musselini were atheists"

Which one of those did their deeds in the name of atheism? Which one of those shouted out that they were going to massacre their victims in the name of "not believing in God"?

Evil acts exist across the spectrum of humanities belief.Lets not forget that, or the evils done in religions name, when we are busy trying to apportion all the worlds ills on atheists.

And lets not forget this quote
""With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion. "

Steven Weinberg

[modeller]

// In the past men such as Stalin, Mao Zedong, Slobodan Milosevic & Musselini were atheists. //

WOW ! Three evil atheists during the 20th century ! Well that proves it
then .

You forgot Hitler ! Oh sorry ! I forgot he was a staunch Catholic and Lutheran. //http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/john_murphy/religionofhitler.html//

[naomi24]

The OP talks about what is happening in the world today. Look at the Middle East - and a little further afield - from whence most of the probems in the world today spring. Not many atheists there.

[Albert-Scroggins]

I am deeply spiritual (I hate the word religious..it causes divisions in the world) No Atheists are NOT evil. Though spiritual I am an intelligent, well read and practically minded man, and I understand the atheist viewpoint. But I came to God through asking myself about my own existence....the real physics of the universe and our part in it. "Evil" in my perception is anything one would do to another that would hurt them...physically, emotionally, financially, emotionally, psychologically, and yes spiritually. This is my perception of sin. I may be wrong about God & Jesus but even if I am doesn't this sound a better way to be? It's nice to be nice.

[LazyGun]

@Albert "It's nice to be nice." Cannot argue with that :)

[naomi24]

Albert, welcome to R&S.

//I may be wrong about God & Jesus but even if I am doesn't this sound a better way to be? It's nice to be nice. //

A better way than what? You make it sound that to be nice you need religion, but you don't.

[Spoonboy]

Atheists are not evil: mainly, we are misrepresented by the people who would rather wish we were not here. But, whatever one believes, no one should pressurise you in to believing in something else, because they say so.

[Spoonboy]

I thought I might put in a religious survey (just for fun) and see how many of you can name as many gods, goddesses, nymphs, semi-divine beings etc as you can from, say, the pantyheon of ancient religions and/or beliefs to just before the rise of Christianity and Mohammed, without looking them up a book?

I will give you a head start with the goddess Kubaba, originally the local goddess of Carchemish.

Have fun one and all. And thanks in advance.

[Old_Geezer]

I do try to be open minded jomifl, but really :-D

[MrsLulu]

Hi LazyGun, see you are out with them lazy guns ablazing.........

[LazyGun]

Well yes LuLu and thank you for your enthusiastic support, its much appreciated - I believe misperceptions and misapprehensions and downright lies , such implied meaning of the question, deserve to be challenged - much as I like to challenge and understand the motives behind questions posted ;)

[chrisgel]

//In the past men such as Stalin, Mao Zedong, Slobodan Milosevic & Musselini were atheists. //
That is original. Guess I'll have to change my mind and start worshiping god then.
But which one? Any recommendations?

[idiosyncrasy]

How some people can twist a question.
Here's my take on it -
So are atheists evil? No. But some are.
Are religious people evil? No. But some are.

[jomifl]

idiosyn, the question wasn't about believers, it was about atheists perhaps you should have asked which category was thought to have more of a predilection to do bad things.

[LazyGun]

@Idiosyncracy Well that last post of yours is entirely uncontroversial. I doubt anyone can argue with that.

But your OP did not imply that, did it? If you truly believe your last post, why did you word your OP the way you did? Why not ask why religious people are evil?

And you still have not answered these questions of mine- perhaps you missed them? (Questions derived from the text of your Original post, about pressure not to believe in god and all that jazz you seem convinced is going on in the world)

"I would be interested to know who it is who is pressuring you not to believe in your god..... Some specifics, please?

What precisely that is happening in the world today do you see is a result of mans trying to "get along without god"? - This golden age to which you refer - you know, the one where everyone believed in god, god was part of the lives of people, and the world was a better place - when in recorded history, precisely, was this?

Otherwise, idiosyncracy, your OP sounds like a kind of sneaky, weaselly attempt to blame all the worlds ills on non-believers, whilst at the same time absolving your god, who you claim is a creator and a listening and reactive god, from all the worlds ills.....

[idiosyncrasy]

I added the point about religious people because it was brought out in the thread by a number of contributors, so I am just clearing the air
Anyone can become evil. They are not born evil, but perhaps their upbringing, background, association could make them evil.

My OP was just to show the change in viewpoints from everyone believing to the pressure of atheism.

The reason I asked the question is for an article I am writing and I am researching all avenues.

[daisya]

I haven't read through all the answers but my take on the question is, we are all able to be evil and good IMO - we're human (well most of us anyway - smile) so everyone is capable of evil whatever persuasion we are...

[LazyGun]

@Idiosyncracy - but you continue to assert without presenting any evidence. Where is this "pressure of atheism" you speak of?

So, can we now take it from your last couple of posts, that you do not believe or assert that atheism or atheists are inherently evil?

If you are researching for an article, it would be much improved if you can offer some actual evidence for your claims.

[goodlife]

Nevertheless, as far as some atheists are concerned, belief in God has produced far more massacres and conflicts than goodness and altruism. They may recognize that faith has a good effect on some, but they themselves remain profoundly skeptical.

[Octavius]

Inherently evil? It rather depends on your view. If humans are brought back to thier most basic selfs, void of all material wealth and goods then we revert back to our animal instincts - the main one being to fight for survival. If you consider fighting or killing for survival "evil" then yes we all are, or at least could be. The blur between morality and immorality, as protrayed in the Lord of the Flies.