Why Atheism?

[naomi24]

“Properly read, the Bible is the most potent force for atheism ever conceived.” Isaac Asimov

[grasscarp]

While trying to understand atheists and their need to keep challenging believers - I came across this on the Internet written by a former atheist who changed their mind and now believes in God.
" When I was an atheist, I attributed my intentions as caring for those poor, delusional people...to help them realize their hope was completely ill-founded. To be honest, I also had another motive. As I challenged those who believed in God, I was deeply curious to see if they could convince me otherwise. Part of my quest was to become free from the question of God. If I could conclusively prove to believers that they were wrong, then the issue is off the table, and I would be free to go about my life."

I had long thought this was why they keep digging myself.

[jim360]

Perhaps that's true for some -- it was for me until recently (say a couple of years ago) -- but it an also be challenged honestly. Those with faith in turn ought to spend less time worrying about why atheists challenge religion and more time addressing those challenges.

[naomi24]

That might have been his reasoning and it might be yours - but in most cases I'd say you're both wrong. (Does this person have a name?).

[RATTER15]

I totally agree Naomi, the bible actually reads like some really strange fairy tail. Full of impossibilities, magic and repulsive cruelty and in later days a little love thrown in to keep the people reading and believing. I really cannot understand why any sane person believes this total nonsense! I think most religious people have very little idea what is actually in the bible!! They believe because it was drummed into them at a very early age and then never thought to challenge it.

[jim360]

Not sure I'm wrong in saying it's true for some... never said it was true for most -- just some, which is evidently true. I suspect that many atheists at least early on find it difficult to cope with the implications for family relationships. Especially in the USA for example.

[naomi24]

The idea that atheists are on some sort of mission to be convinced otherwise is a curious one. It’s almost as though those who cling to that notion cannot imagine anyone else being capable of living their lives without the perceived support of religion, and therefore they reason, wrongly, that the doubter must looking for what the faithful think they have. It doesn’t seem to occur to them that most thinking atheists have looked, often far more deeply, as Isaac Asimov implies, than the faithful – hence the reason for drawing their conclusions.

[jim360]

It's certainly a massive mistake to assume that all atheists are like that. Early in my life I was, because I found it a hard decision -- but mostly that got shattered a few years back, so I no longer really have the ulterior motive of wanting to be persuaded back into the fold. Like I say, it's wrong that religious people spend so much time focusing on the motive behind questions rather than addressing them. Or at least if they don't want to engage in a debate, that's their right and choice, but they should allow that the debate is an honest one and I think it's sad that this doesn't often happen.

Then again, perhaps it's understandable to some extent? I think many religious people might find the very concept of atheism a challenge to their faith, whether or not atheists speak up. In which case they might find a need to rationalise it as "just lost sheep trying to find their way", or some such. Horribly patronising though.

[beso]

I agree. Reading the Bible was turning point in my perspective on religion.

[naomi24]

Mine too.

[jomifl]

/While trying to understand atheists and their need to keep challenging believers /
Not quite the case Grasscarp, atheists don't need to challenge believers. They just challenge the myths promoted as truths and the distortions of scientific theories propagated as 'science' to the naive and credulous, as well as the imposition of belief based customs on non believers.

[grasscarp]

Jomifl can you elaborate on - "the imposition of belief based customs on non believers."
What belief based custom has been imposed on you? I dont know how it is possible to impose a belief on another.
If someone tried to and you rejected it then it would not be imposed.
If someone tried to and you accepted it, then it begs the question - why did you?
If no-one did try and you did not accept anything what exactly are you talking about?

[goodlife]

The Bible says: I have come to know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good during one’s life; and also that every man should eat and indeed drink and see good for all his hard work. It is the gift of God.”—Eccl. 3:12, 13

That realistic truth has borne out in many lives.

So what the difference,for true Christian and a atheists.

Well many religions teach about a hereafter, many people believe that this life is all the is .

You may have seen them react as Solomon described: “Because sentence against a bad work has not been executed speedily, that is why the heart of the sons of men has become fully set in them to do bad. (Ecclesiastes 8:11)

Or you must admit that having more money just does not solve all problems, and you have read of rich people whose lives are plagued by divorce, alcohol or drug abuse, and feuds with multimillionaire.

Money doesn’t buy happiness. Maybe unhappiness.

For good reason, Solomon classed the loving of silver with vanity. Ecclesiastes 5:10-12.

Around the world, people see these question in many different ways.

Now a atheists. Not that most people deny God outright; on the contrary, poll results from 11 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia reveal that, on the average, little more than 2 percent claim to be atheists.

Nevertheless, an atheistic spirit is prevalent—even among many who believe that God exists.

atheists has arisen in society they are not content to keep their views to themselves. Rather, they are on a crusade, “actively, angrily, passionately trying to persuade the religious to their point of view,” Even agnostics are in their sights, for these new atheists allow no room for doubt. To them, there simply is no God.

End of story.

[andy-hughes]

goodlife - "atheists has arisen in society they are not content to keep their views to themselves. Rather, they are on a crusade, “actively, angrily, passionately trying to persuade the religious to their point of view,” Even agnostics are in their sights, for these new atheists allow no room for doubt. To them, there simply is no God."

I cannot agree.

As an atheist, and I suspect I speak for the vast majority of atheists, your assumption that we are as against religion as you are in favour of it is a myth.

For the vast majority of atheists, religion is a matter of supreme indiffference, they don;t care about religion, or those who follow it, they are simply not bothered.

Of course there are zealots, as there are in faith, but these, as in faith, are a very small minority - the vast majority simply don't think about God from sunrise to sunset - they certainly have other things to do with their time than try to preach their views with the constant "I've got something you need ..." attitude that is the bedrock of the Christian faith in general, and your sect in particular.

"End of story."

Apparently not.

[grasscarp]

Andy you say that for the vast majority of atheists, religion is a matter of supreme indiffference, they don;t care about religion, or those who follow it, they are simply not bothered.
Not true on Answerbank - in the Religion & Spirituality section. Atheists start many threads and are far from being indifferent and not bothering.
They care very much about religion from what I see.

[jomifl]

Belief based customs..... shops being closed on Sundays, clergy having seats in the house of lords, national holidays being based on religious festivals etc. Christians wouldn't notice as it is all part of their psyche but non-christians and atheists do notice.

[jomifl]

We are all born atheists...'if it aint broke don't fix it'

[jomifl]

Grasscarp,there are of course the usual suspects...
http://coelsblog.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/your-freedom-to-impose-your-religion-ends-where-your-child-begins/

[pixie373]

Grasscarp, it's more an interest in psychology than religion. When someone seems to have an unshakeable belief in something that can't possibly be true- it is natural to ask- why?

[dunnitall]

Why the 'battle' between believers and non believers? Just each to his own, none of us will find out the truth in this life, it's fruitless to try to justify either 'faith', who can prove whom is right....none of us, but I guess humans are never happy unless I conflict with one another... That's why, in my opinion mixing faiths, multiculturalism and the like will never work!

[dunnitall]

* we * ...not I conflict...