Why be an atheist ?

Originally posted by CiderGood_HeadacheBad
Atheism is a lack of belief. There is nothing to believe in, therefore we have no belief in this nothing. Understand?

And ironically, that is a belief...

Originally posted by woulfgar
If I dont believe in something, then that means there is something or someone saying it is so, otherwise I cant disbelieve or have a lack of belief. In order to have a lack of belief there must be something not to believe in. That in itself admits there is something there.

Lack of belief in itself admits that there is nothing there to believe in, in the opinion of the person who does not believe. You seem to be stuck on the idea that atheists actually follow a belief system, the way you would a religion.

Cider,

Everyone follows a belief system. Beliefs are only thoughts that are thought/used constantly. Nothing more.

So it's ridiculous to think that Atheist don't have a belief system.

Good point from TheBandit. Everyone has there own belief system. It doesn't matter if you don't believe in Religion, people can make up their own minds about the meaning of their existence.

Originally posted by mOjOm
Ok, I still don't see WHY CHOOSING ATHEISM is so great.

That's just it. People who don't believe in god base their opinions on a complete lack of proof. Never seeing any godly activity, or anything that can't easily be explained as coincidence, or accidents. The world is a strange place. Strange things happen all the time. They're not uncommon at all. If I never have any contact with god, no matter how much I wanted to believe at one time, I can't continue to tell myself that there is a god. I'd be lying to myself, based on what I see as reality. My reality has never shown any sign of a god.

I'll just point out that I'm not an atheist, I do believe in something, just not the traditional concept of a God or a detachment to the Earth.

In order to have a lack of belief there must be something not to believe in. That in itself admits there is something there.

Not nessecarily.

For instance, (just an example) I believe all humans are really like puppets, with invisible strings attached to our arms, legs, etc. that make us move. What would you say to that?

You don't believe there are invisible strings tied to your arms and legs making you move? By your logic the act of disbelieving the invisible strings admits that there IS something tied to your arms and legs that make you move, which makes your disbelief impossible.

Of course, this is ridiculous... you simply believe that you have NOTHING tied to your arms and legs, you move them on your own.

I never believed in the invisible friend named Macy my younger sister had when she was 4 years old. How can I NOT believe she was talking to a little invisible girl named Macy? Does the act of not believeing in her imagionary friend prove that there must have been something there she was talking to? No... I just didn't believe there was anything there.

Well, this is the way I feel about god. Some devout religious practicioners might say that you can't compare god to a 4 year olds invisible friend... but that is exactly the point ---> in my mind they are exactly the same thing.

[Edited on 7-12-2003 by Donner]

Excellent examples, Donner! That exposes their backward logic completely.

[Edited on 12-7-2003 by Satyr]

There are strings on us, but it is who pulls the strings that matters.

But who would that be?

The body is the container that holds the soul, control the body and have some control over the soul.

Lie to the mind and control the mind/soul connection.

See the method of the darkside for the corruption and destruction of souls of light.

You can believe you're a puppet, if you want. I'm not going to, if that's ok with you.

Originally posted by mOjOm
Ok, I still don't see WHY CHOOSING ATHEISM is so great.

All I keep reading from everyone is how "God doesn't exist" or that "They don't believe in God or Religions dealing with Unscientific or Unproven Consepts".
Now while I do see and understand the Argument Atheist present by showing how destructive things like the Crusades were and so on, that still doesn't account for anything special.

What about something like Zen Buddhism or Taoism or one of the many versions of Buddhism, Taoism and Hinduism?? Buddhists don't believe in God. The meditation and Philisophical ideas are completely based on logic, reason and proof. Quantum Physics/Mechanics after all this time is now saying how the new discoveries in science happening now has been the knowledge and teaching of Tao, Buddha, etc. among other old mystics. It's not based on Paranormal ideas or invisible masters and rule makers but simply the removal of suffering from all sentient beings.

All this and much more.....Now to me that would seem a lot more rewarding, and purposeful than Atheism. Neither one believes in "God" or trying to explain it, but that seems to be where Atheism stops. Atleast Buddhism offers numberous other reasons to be a part of it. Also there are thousands of variations of Buddhism in terms of paths toward enlightenment so it's not like you're locked into some Slave Doctrine. It's about setting you free actually.

Not that I'm saying Atheism sucks or anything....Just wanted to point out that just non-belief in God really isn't all that new or special.

hi mojo, what do you think or maybe you even get out of buddhism ? I have never really thought about buddhism in this way..what is the definition of believe..
Are you looking for enlightment ? I think we can only enlight ourselfs i gues..pz

Satyr,

we were created to be free but the forces of darkness took control whilst in this realm for thier own purposes.

there are few that are free here despite what you believe.

even if you are doing well and feel free' that does not mean that you are not doing the bidding of some force that likes what you are up to.

the only explanation you can give for religion and ancient people's fascination with the heavens, and all the weird phenomena that is frequently discussed herein these pages is that they are mad...

and you are not...

and you figured it all out...

and they are deluded...

and you are going where when it is all over?

Originally posted by jozuph
hi mojo, what do you think or maybe you even get out of buddhism ? I have never really thought about buddhism in this way..what is the definition of believe..
Are you looking for enlightment ? I think we can only enlight ourselfs i gues..pz

Hi jozuph. Well personally I think the reason behind most religions, as far as it's theology is concerned, is to provide the individual with an added degree of meaning for their existence within life. Basically it is food for the soul for those who feel that life is more than just the materialistic, mechanical functioning of the impersonal physical reality. It's purpose is to aid an individual in understanding the deeper meaning and purpose of both their personal existance and the existance of the universe as a whole, and the actions and interconnected function of all things. IMO it is more about answering the "Why" behind Life & Existance than the "How", which to me shows the importance of a "Scientific(How)" & "Religious(Why)" partnership.

Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
--Albert Einstein

The reason I used Buddhism in my previous example was to show that not all Religions/Theologies are structured around God(s)/Dieties or Worshiping and Sacrifice to Invisible(or Hidden) Magical Human-like Entities or obeying unquestionably & unconditionally in a Master/Slave System and including Eternal Damnation/Reward for your compliance. Atheists often group All Religions into one catagory and use the various combined illogical, unreasonalbe and immoral ideas and actions which are found to denounce All Religions as being the same and grounded in superstitous nonsense. The problem in doing that is not all religions are the same and some, like Buddhism for example, are intentionally grounded and structured in Logic and Reason and Science and methods that are all about Proof. Again, not all religions require belief or blind faith in ideas, rules or beings that are impossible to understand. (I mean how can anyone really expect to believe in something that they don't understand or comprehend? How strong could a belief be without a strong foundation to base it on also?)

I should note that I'm neither a Buddhist nor Christian or Catholic or Hindu or any other Religion. I am a mixture of many Religions and no Religion at the same time. When you ask if I'm looking for Enlightenment I'd say yes. Like you I also think that only we can enlighten ourselves. How enlightenment is reached can be based on a variety or Religious teachings or One or None of them. I am mainly using Buddhism for my example because in this topic "Why be an Atheist?" it seems to be implying that First, all religions include either a Personal or Impersonal Creator God, and Second, that all religions go against scientific facts or are comprised of illogical paranormal activity.

I'm not understanding the principles behind Atheism exactly as it's being represented by the people here who are posting information. Some define it as Disbelief in God while others take it much further and more detailed. Belief or Disbelief of an incomprehendable concept seems equally unjustifed. I'm wondering what purpose comes from being Atheist. Other than being Against Religion Atheism doesn't seem to have any other purpose of it's own. Atheism seems to restrict what is possible by saying that something doesn't exist because lack of proof. Being Agnostic or simply undecided would atleast allow for an open minded approach to things that haven't been proven yet may still be real.

maybe because atheist want to feel like they are part of a group. therefore they are part of their own religion so to speak. everyone wants to be a part of something, no one wants to be alone (i would think). i guess you would say i am agnostic. i would say i just have no #ing clue and wish i did. it would have more benifit to believe in god because its just much simpler. even you had proof there wasnt a god wouldnt it be better to not know that? isnt it better to believe that your good behavior will be rewarded and you will live forever. it gives your life purpose.

mojom in my opinion and i can offcourse only talk for myself i think atheism is no more then that u dont believe in a higher being..Thats all, its not my idea to put a stamp on it that people who dont believe are also against religion. I think that everybody should believe in what they want, if it makes theyres lifes more rich or better [for themzelfs] then its more then fine with me..Your views about religion are the same as mine, a meaning for excitince for them. I dont know if u know this biologist Dawkins who claims extremely that we no more then a bag for our DNA and all the DNA wants is reproduce..I think hes might be not that far for right, since all we as a humanrace do is multiply, ok we do some more but nothing really that matters in this sence..we have consciousness but in general nobody uses it..so we just like most animals, breed and die..searching for something is one but finding it is another.
I dont think we or better me needs to justify iam not believing in the sence as u ask, the principals..maybe there are none, its just not believing in a 'god' but it doesnt mean that i am not open to other ideas..as long as i can choose for myself. Like nothing really has a purpose in the big picture, religion, atheism, buddha also dont..ok i also like to find a chocolade st nicolaus on my desk in the morning but thats just my personal pleasure :]]]

There are not really atheist people standing on the streets claiming everybody should be one or thy shall be infertile or wahtever bull#, there are no atheist churches where u have to pay for to get in and be talked upon neither are there atheist people threatening believer not to...so if u wanna see atheism as a religion it looks a much better one then the real :]

In the confidence of youth I was what is called a "WITNESSING" ATHEIST that sought to save the masses from the belief in boogey men.

I couldn't prove there was no God, but I had FAITH there was none. Once fully exhausted and a bit wiser, I came to accept I don't have an f'ing clue about anything.

I doubt all and challenge Atheists and Theists equally, not to prove them wrong...but to seek personal enlightenment through skepticism.

Faith without doubt is meaningless.

Originally posted by Lexus Panther
What do atheists say?

You know, there's plenty of non-religious words we can swear by. Do I need to list some? (j/k)

Why be an atheist? Gives you the opportunity to think for your self, and explore possibilities.

Originally posted by THENEO
Satyr,

we were created to be free but the forces of darkness took control whilst in this realm for thier own purposes.

there are few that are free here despite what you believe.

even if you are doing well and feel free' that does not mean that you are not doing the bidding of some force that likes what you are up to.

the only explanation you can give for religion and ancient people's fascination with the heavens, and all the weird phenomena that is frequently discussed herein these pages is that they are mad...

and you are not...

and you figured it all out...

and they are deluded...

and you are going where when it is all over?

Hypothetical drivel!

I personally am an agnostic. I'm almost positive that there is no god but, I can't be for sure. I'm really more of a lazy athiest.

Originally posted by m0rbid
Why be an atheist? Gives you the opportunity to think for your self, and explore possibilities.

But if you are an atheist, you are limiting yourself. You are confining yourself to the belief that there is nothing beyond the physical or verifiable. This is just as closed minded as someone who believes that their god is the ONLY possible god. The ability to think for yourself is not limited merely by believing or not believing in a higher power. It is limited by not believing that anything is a possibility. Everyone, know matter what their belief, should think for themselves and exlore all possibilities. To not do so, is to limit our potential and constrict our understanding of everything around us.