Questions for atheists

1. Why are you an atheist? I am curious why you would close your mind to the possibility of something more then just us and that there is any existence after death.

You're assuming that all atheists have denied even the possibility of a god existing, but this is just not true. Most atheists would reconsider their position if any evidence were present. To answer your first question though, I'm an atheist because there's no reason not to be. The argument for a god existing and the complete lack of evidence supporting it is just not convincing.

2. Why do some atheists put so much energy into something they don't believe in?

Probably because religion and its adherents affect the world around us pretty dramatically. Like most people, atheists want to positively impact their environment and community, so if they see a religion as being harmful, then they're likely going to devote some time and energy into seeing it weaken.

3. I have herd a lot of atheists say that they don't believe in a universal creator or God because they believe in evolution.

I'm not calling you a liar, but I've personally never seen this. The only ones I know claiming that you can't accept both positions are theists, typically Young Earth Creationists and other scripture literalists.

4. Why don't atheists believe that a man named Jesus lived?

Most people accept that a man named Jesus lived.

As for the terms, that's mostly just simple-minded people attacking straw man arguments for fun. No serious person thinks Christians worship a "2,000 year-old cosmic zombie". It's useless debating this though as the conversation always devolves into pointless semantics ("It's not religion - it's FAITH!").

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1. I'm an atheist because I've never seen any evidence of any sort of deity. Coincidentally, I personally find it much more comforting to believe "s&%t happens" than to believe that a benevolent, omnipotent God would allow the horrors that occur in the world.

2. I don't personally feel the need to attack someone's faith if they keep it to themselves, but religion affects society at all levels. Christians tend to be blind to how much Christianity pervades American society in the same way white people tend to be blind to how many privileges they enjoy. I fight for my right to live as free as possible for what I see as superstition.

3. You're confusing abiogenesis (the beginning of life) with evolution. Evolution is a scientific fact, but no one's really sure how life started. Throwing God into the mix makes some people feel better, but it really doesn't have any effect one way or another with respect to the science.

4. No books of the Bible were written by Apostles, or anyone else who had actually met Jesus. Evidence outside of of the Bible is thin, and is often exaggerated or outright fabricated. Nevertheless, most historians (atheist or otherwise) accept that Jesus probably existed. He was most likely one of a plethora of prophets popping up at the time. All of the stories about him should be taken with a grain of salt, and it's not impossible that some of who we refer to as Jesus may be a composite of some other people.

5. You throw in a lot of stuff here. I'll try to address them. "talking to a dead guy": *You* believe Jesus is God, so he never died. I believe Jesus probably lived, and if he did, he definitely died, so if you pray to Jesus you are "talking to a dead guy". "Magic": if you believe in miracles, or that God can influence things outside of the laws of physics, you believe He has magic powers - full stop. If you don't believe those things, I'm not sure what you mean by "God". "Sky Daddy": you may believe in a "spiritual plane" and the God exists in a "whole other dimension", but I assure you the ancient Hebrews believed very much in a physical God who lived in the sky (generally, outside the dome which holds the stars). Don't blame us for not keeping up if you keep changing your story.

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Let me first say that I don't speak for the entire atheist community; these are just my own opinions and observations on atheism.

1. It is not that I am closing my mind to anything - this implies I am ignoring something - it's that I feel there is nothing to close my mind to. Without evidence, it is fantasy. I would love for there to be an afterlife (although, I do not like the idea of god(s)), I just see no reason to believe in such a thing. If the idea of there not being an afterlife is - for example - terrible, then life is a terrible thing, no matter what I would prefer.

2. Yes, some atheists do this - perhaps out of frustration, or perhaps because they enjoy picking on easy targets, which I find cruel. I prefer to promote science, truth, and rational thinking.

3. Evolution is proven, therefore it is a theory (that is, the scientific definition of a theory ... look it up, if you don't know what I mean). I accept evolution, because I agree that the evidence is overwhelming and obvious. Of course someone can believe in both evolution and creationism, but one has mounds of tested and proven evidence and the other has absolutely nothing in the way of empirical evidence...again, fantasy.

4. I think many if not most atheists agree that Jesus, in one form or another, once existed and that the story of the New Testament is rooted in history. One could argue that there is no substantial proof he actually existed, but you could make that argument for many historical figures, as you made mention. I think it is because of the bias of the gospel authors (whoever they really were)that many non-believers believe Jesus could have been made up - and he could have - I just think it is highly unlikely that he is total fiction.

5. 1) Anyone who says this is dramatically oversimplifying the idea of the spiritual Jesus and obviously doesn't understand the concept of resurrection and eternal beings. 2) Again, this could be a dramatic oversimplification of the god/creator concept, but, while it is clearly meant to degrade believers, it is simply referring to god/the creator as the "magical" (i.e. mystical, supernatural, powerful beyond reason) sky (not to be taken literally; the word sky has been used throughout history to refer to not just the earth's atmosphere, but space, above, the great beyond, and anywhere one ascends to, which the bible refers to more than once) "daddy" (i.e. the father, the one in charge, the godhead).


You can't stop what's comin'.

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I feel the others have it covered (just came to check out feelings on the new ridiculous avenue Nic Cage's baffling career) but, why not, I am bored. :P

1) There is no evidence to support a god. As others have said, I am not gnostic about it, there is just no evidence, and it doesn't interest me as a subjective metaphysical experience.

2) I personally put no effort into it, in fact my atheism mean nearly nothing to me. I find religion completely uninteresting from anything but a historical/sociological standpoint, as a social institution, much like the whole generally meaningless liberal/conservative is just a snore and a waste of time to "debate". I could care less if people want to worship yaweh, zeus, vishnu, whoever. It's really none of my business, reguardless of what I personally think about how sensible the choice is.
I support opposing certain laws and what not that are proposed with religious motivation, but that's not because they are religious, but because I feel that they are bad ideas.
I put far more energy into trying to convince other atheists I know or run into to stop antagonizing religious people, and to stop elevating religion based non-science to the same level as proper science with stupid and pointless creation vs evolution debates.
I feel that people who claim to be champions of logic and reason should know better than to engage in petty, mean spirited squabbles that serve only to buttress religious conviction by forcing them to be defensive, and dig further into their pre-held notions.
To answer the question though as to why some atheist are like that, its just like any active religious or any other sort of zealot, self righteousness, spitefulness, stubbornness, etc.

3) Theoretically they are certainly compatible, though the compatibility is usually evolution leaving room for god, rather than the other way around. It always confused me why evolution ever even became an issue. I mean I understand how and why, but I just don't get why people are so into it, and why it's become such a contentious and focal social topic, that sadly seems to have blossomed into a general sense of distrust of science in this country, which is not good news.
Evolution says nothing about god, or the origins of life, only the process by which it changes. Religion doesn't explicitly explain the process that deities created the universe... I see no conflict here.
Obviously it's just a political manipulation, but it's silly people are so willing to go for it.
Of course, again see point 1. There is evidence for evolution, there isn't any for any deities, so there's reason no empirical reason to lump the two together.

4) I don't think many people deny that such a person existed, but possibly that traits and deeds were conglomerated/invented as the myth behind that figure expanded. I certainly have no issue with the idea that Jesus was a real dude, but then again, I haven't really looked into the history of it that much, as I am not all that interested either way. Obviously opponents of christianity/islam would want to tear down an important figure in order to denigrate the religions as a whole. Again, I would blame a political motivation, even though I think most of the time it's non-cognizant.

5) Don't really know what you are asking here. If you asking why do people use purposefully dismissive terms in regards to religious concepts, as I implied before, reactive bias against religion based in negative feelings, regardless how reasonable the foundation of those feelings may be. Some people (often younger people) are just inherently egocentric and antagonistic.

I really see no reason why religious and irreligious people can't coincide amicably, but both sides have individuals (usually very loud ones) who simply can't abide dissension from their point of view, and feel they must enact crusades that only make their group look bad (imo), and strengthen the divide between the two philosophical distinctions.

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Withput taking the time to read what others have commented, here are my responses:

1. I'm an atheist because I have never encountered sufficient evidence to convince me there is a god. Which does not mean I'm closed minded, I'm pretty open to the posibility of god's existence if evidence that convince me is presented.

2. When entire goverments act according to religious dogma limiting your freedom, then you put energy to fight against it. For example I live in a country that supports and legislate according to what the catholic church says...

3. I have never heard from an atheist who disbelief in god because of evolution. I come from a mainly catholic country. Catholics often accept evolution.

4. It's not that those 4 men wrote their gospels independently about their experiences with Jesus. No one knows who wrote the gospels, the names were given randomly. Most scholars believe the first gospel writen was Mark and the others just expanded upon Mark. Also they were written at least 60 years after the supposed facts. Also, there are no legitimate historical sources outside of the bible for the existence of Jesus, just a couple of forgeries from centuries after.

5. Never heard of the talking dead guy from any atheist. The Magical Sky Daddy yes, I heard that one, never used it myself. It's a way of ridiculing the stereotypical view of god as a man in a robe in the clouds puffing the world into existence by spoken words aKa magic.

I think there is a difference between a work of art and an Oscar. Roger Corman

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I don't necessarily call myself an atheist, but my answer to the question in general is that, for me, it doesn't matter. Whether there is Heaven/Hell or God/Darkness, it doesn't have a place in my life. There are enough problems in life that I don't need to worry about what happens after I die.
Personally, I think "God" and Religion is beneficial for people who need a plan laid out for them or give them some sort of purpose for being alive. You can go crazy trying to think about why we are alive. It makes no sense. Or, they need the parental figure in order to behave as they should. After you learn that your parents are fallible, then why not turn to something else to keep you in line...
We are alive, and I accept that. I don't need some other reason to keep living.
I try to live a life that is good - helping people out when possible, raising my kids in a loving environment, trying to keep my wife happy, etc. I don't need a set of rules put in place by some abstract deity to help me along.
If you need God/Religion to help you along to live a good life, then I don't see a problem with that. In the end, we may be striving for the same thing.
My big issue is when "Christians" use God as an excuse to live in a non-Christian way. Overall, I think "Christians" (or other religious factions) come off as more dangerous and more close-minded about life and ideals than others.

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Very simple op. Pick up a newspaper and look at the tragedy in the world. Man made and natural. Why would a supposedly loving God ( that one always makes me laugh ) allow all this. He's all powerful and can do anything yet this is his creation?
Why are there horrible diseases and natural disasters that main and kill people in the thousands? Dimple because there's no one up there. Anyone with half a brain should be able to see that. I could go on forever but I'll leave you with this:
There's a God but:
He's weak and can't change anything
He doesn't care ergo all the evils allowed
He does care, can change things but doesn't; why?
Why is he such a failure?
Why is the word that is most recognized with him ( religion ) used for so much evil?
You'll never have an answer for any of these things except excuses and lies.

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The essential question that is asked here is "why don't you believe something that I believe?" - which is, to me, silly. I believe in that which is provable or plausible. To me, the 'god concept' is neither. In fact, it is clearly not provable - even pious folks must admit that, even if it is plausible. And let's be honest - Little green men from Mars are plausible too - just highly unlikely. THAT is why I am an atheist.

That you focus on your religion and its texts is all well and good - but your religion is just one of many that I, like most atheists, reject. It's just more coercive gibberish cobbled together by men with power to manipulate those without. The truth is, if I *had* to pick a faith, I'd be a Buddhist because it focuses on what *is* and how one acts *here* - not a bunch of nonsense about angry gods and saints.

That all said - I'd never tell you what to think or believe. If you need religion to make sense of the world, then go for it. Life is short and happiness is hard. Embrace what makes you happy. I'll stick to good movies, good music, food and drink and the occasional good book.

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