The Foundations Of Atheism.

[Theland]

Not a very good title , but presuming all atheists have varying reasons for their unbelief.
I have spent the last 38 years learning about by Christian faith.
Do Atheists make similar efforts to understand their atheism?
Is your atheism based on definitive evidence?
Hope this can be friendly

[Khandro]

n. //What should I be looking for that I don’t already see? //

That depends on what you are seeing, - unprecedented drug abuse, suicide and divorce, single parent families leading to crime and underachievement ...... shall I go on?

[naomi24]

And how would my belief in a god solve any of that? None more devout than Muslim extremists. In your estimation have they got it right?

[Khandro]

n. //....Muslim extremists. In your estimation have they got it right?//

Of course not, Muslim extremism, like most extremism is despicable, but you know very well why Islamic extremism is the worst of all, don't you?

[andy-hughes]

Theland - As has been advised by various posters, you are equating your constant searching for evidence of 'God' with the way atheists think.

As an atheist, it's very simple, do I believe in God? No.

That's it, it's nothing more complex than that. No 'understanding' required, no years of searching, just absence of belief, nice and simple.

[naomi24]

Khandro, you appear to extol the virtues of devotion but clearly you don't. You need to make your mind up.

[jackthehat]

Atheism was *founded* the first time someone, when confronted with the choice of 'Holy Gourd' or 'Holy Sandal', decided that they both couldn't be right and decided to reserve judgement until proof was made available by either side....

Fast forward several thousand years and we are still waiting...

[Khandro]

n. If we still used words like 'uptight', I'd have to say atheists are generally rather uptight, as are many religious people, (though not agnostics, I find).

Spiritual traditions can be very life-enhancing and nobody ever did any harm by lighting a candle for someone's recovery, in front of a Madonna.
The Japanese are nicely laid-back about religion, and seem favourably disposed to all traditions they have no problem wandering into a temple of any sort - say a Shinto prayer in a Buddhist temple, light a candle, make an offering to their ancestors or whatever, it doesn't really matter, why not relax and give you soul a boost :0)

[naomi24]

Khandro, your religion renders you not only spiteful but arrogant and ignorant also.

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Society-and-Culture/Question1623244.html

Perhaps you should make an effort to expand your comprehension of spirituality by examining your own soul, Khandro. I’m content with mine.

[Khandro]

n. What has that got to do with me & why the vitriol? Steady on!

[naomi24]

Khandro, //n. What has that got to do with me //

What's this? Short term memory loss? No vitriol - just a few home truths in response to your post to me at 11:08.

[pixie374]

Khandro, I am not convinced that every society ever has come up with religion? Is that really right? And they haven't all come up with the same answer without a doubt.
People look for explanations for what they don't understand and adjust them (usually) when they learn more.

[Khandro]

pixie; Can you name a society which hasn't formed a religion ? a visit to the British Museum should demonstrate the truth in that. But you are right that (the better) religions change and adapt to circumstances and why shouldn't they? But we shouldn't throw out the baby with the bathwater.

n. I shall ignore your post and put it down to childish petulance, your link to another topic of your own has no relevance to anything I have said, as I'm sure others can see.

[naomi24]

Khandro, You’d be wrong to put it down to childish petulance just as you’re wrong to say it has no relevance to anything you said. It has every relevance. I wouldn’t have posted it otherwise.

//nobody ever did any harm by lighting a candle ….//

Read my link.

//they [the Japanese] have no problem wandering into a temple of any sort - say a Shinto prayer in a Buddhist temple, light a candle ….//

Read my link.

…And before you again preach to me the virtues of the spiritually aware, or hold forth on your assessment of those you consider to be spiritually unaware, or advise me to give my soul a boost, take a breath. People who reject the concept of supernatural gods are individuals who follow no creed, and you, Khandro, make too many unfounded assumptions.

[Peter Pedant]

// I have spent the last 38 y learning about Christianity. Do Atheists do the same to understand atheism? //

a god a complete non sequitur, which screams at me as I post an 'answer'
so....a jihadi ( brown skin with glinting eyes of Jarzy Emwarzy or someone ) has spent 38 y killing babies kicking prisoner and knifing others and so on

I dont have to spend 38 y to see that child murder is wrong do I ?

(the non sequitur goes on screaming at me as I leave)

[Theland]

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
Fair enough.
Is it not an extraordinary claim that the universe is a case of something from nothing?

[andy-hughes]

Khandro and Theland, are both of you familiar with the phrase 'over-thinking something'?

[andy-hughes]

Theland - // Is it not an extraordinary claim that the universe is a case of something from nothing? //

Why?

According to the basic laws of aerodynamics, a bumble bee should not be able to fly - I find that far more incredible that the notion of a universe formed from nothing.

[pixie374]

Theland, it is even more extraordinary to claim the universe was created by a disembodied spirit...
I can't, khandro, it was a genuine question. Hominids, neanderthals, farflung tribes, etc etc, every one of them has invented a God? And if it is inbuilt, how is anyone an atheist?

[naomi24]

Theland, //Is it not an extraordinary claim that the universe is a case of something from nothing?

Who knows for sure? Not you, not me. It is, however, extraordinary to claim that you, as a Creationist, know who/what created it all. Where is your extraordinary evidence for that?

[10ClarionSt]

It's based on the same evidence as yours - none.