Questions for atheists

Ok, short and sweet:

1. For the same reason you are probably an a-fairyist. All people deny the existence of one god or another. Atheists go one god further. You choose to believe in something (anything), I do not. It doesn't come "naturally" to me.

2. For the same reason some (not all) religious people go out of their way to "convert" non-believers at work or at play. There are millions of @$$holes on both sides of this fence.

3. You can believe in both, as you put it. I (and many others) simply don't. See point number one.

4. The very existence of Jesus as depicted in scripture (which I have read) is historically debatable. Some people choose to reject the existence of the historic individual. Others, like me, don't care much one way or the other.

5. See points number one and two.

In closing, I must say that most of my friends are theists at best, and a lot are very religious. I forget who it was who said: "Your religion is very much like your penis; it doesn't bother me, as long as you keep it to yourself, and don't shove it in my face, or try to jam it down children's throats".

Peace.

It's me, Gloria, I left my driver's licence on the table, next to the fruit!

1. I don't close the possiblity, but to me it's just like aliens and magic, I get to know something about them and am genuinly interested. But I don't devote my life to them.

2. There're religious people who bash others who pursue different faith, and I've met Christians who relentlessly try to "convert" me. I do my best to evade them now. Let's face it, there are A-holes in any group of anything. That's humanity.

3. I think that might be just the truth. Yes, there definitely could be some extra-demensional beings that we can't understand that hold almighty powers. I'm willing to believe that what we can see today is a millionth of the tip of the iceberg. We know so little, and we barely know how life came to be in the first place. God? Maybe, not exactly as the Bible describes it, but something close.

4. I kinda like the explaination of The Da Vinci Code that Jesus was a real person who did miracles of goodness, but not actually of divine power. But many believers brag about him being son of God, if you're not into this, your mind starts denying him.

5. I don't quite see the question and I never said anything like that.

Well, no one can entirely see things in another person's perspective. Truth is, I don't understand why anyone believes in any God either. When I was young, I laughed at the idea of any form of God. Now I see it doesn't really matter if God is real. As long as they make you happier and a better person (without hurting anyone), it's all good.

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.

I'm an atheist because I don't believe in any God or gods by any definition I've ever heard. My mind isn't closed to the possibility of something "more then just us" or "that there is existence after death". Of course it depends entirely what is meant by "something" and "existence". Two very vague words that between them refer to absolutely everything in the known universe.

2. Why do some atheists put so much energy into something they don't believe in? By this I mean I know and have met some atheists that have their beliefs and don't care about my beliefs and are happy to do their thing and let me do my thing belief wise. Then there are atheists I have met that feel that it is their life mission to bash God and bash peoples belief in God and I just don't understand why you would put so much energy into something you don't believe in. I'm not talking about defending your beliefs as an atheist. I am talking about atheists that go out of there why to bash God or someone's belief in God. When no one is putting down their beliefs.

I shouldn't presume to speak for anyone else, but from my point of view no one is putting energy into something they don't believe in. In fact, quite the opposite. I believe in evolution, so ifa largely religious view opposes this belief and insists creation instead be taught in our schools I obviously have something to say. If a state bans gay marriage on religious grounds, essentially restricting freedoms and shaping society to reflect their beliefs I have something to say.

What people believe has a profound impacts on their decisions in everything from day to day activities to who they vote for. This shapes society and since I am as much a part of society as you I'm invested in having my beliefs represented too.

The problem with religion being a faith based position means that it isn't possible to debate rationally. It isn't a position found on logic. That's why, I would guess, some atheists are so frustrated and angry with the religious. They figure that it's dangerous, unaccountable to reason and vague enough to be interpreted in all manner of repressive ways depending on the whims and sensibilities of the individual. They think the world would be better without it.

Live and let live only works if your beliefs genuinely don't have any effect on other people, but since they inform your behavior, they will have an effect on other people.

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.

That's not why I'm an atheist. I'm an atheist because I've never heard a definition of a god that seems remotely probable. It really is that simple.

4. Why don't atheists believe that a man named Jesus lived?This is more a question for historians isn't it?

I have nothing to say on question 5 since I've never said any of those things.

What if a squirrel wants a sausage?

1. Asking why someone is an atheist is like asking someone why are they theist. It is based on opinions and conclusions drawn from other beliefs, culture, education, social constructs, and personal experiences. You said "I believe" there is a universal creator, and that has much to do with your own life experiences. If you were born in India, China, Africa, or had a PHd from Oxford, etc,. you would probably believe something much different than what you believe now. In other words, your opinions and convictions are ALL subjective. You can believe what you want to believe without hurting anyone, but in scientific terms there is a lack of evidence for the existence of a god. There are too many deities, and too many beliefs to even consider an accurate text or doctrine. Every culture throughout history has invented religions and deities to try to explain the world according to their socio-political culture of the time. This alone should be evidence enough to reject any religion.

2. Again, there are religious fundamentalists that vomit their beliefs and try to convert anyone they see. I think it's just human nature, when you think you have found something to great, you feel proud and confident to spread the word. Other than that, people are dicks...and you will always have a contrarian especially in sensitive subjects like this.

3. Your third question is innocent--to say the least. Yes, people can believe in whatever they want, but there is substantial evidence for evolution, no substantial evidence for a deity. And if we were to go by biblical accounts as our interpretation, we would be left with too many contradictions to say what is and isn't.

4. Jesus is a myth. He never existed. Neither did Moses. There were plenty of historians during these times, yet no one (please google), NO ONE EVER WROTE ABOUT A JESUS THAT PERFORMED MIRACLES, RAISED THE DEAD, OR RESUSCITATED AFTER BEING DEAD 3 DAYS. We're not sure if there was even a real man named Jesus because there is no documentation about such an incredible man even in a historical context. Plato and Aristotle documented the existence of important people in their time, and for great reason. Therefore, not writing about Jesus to me and most, is enough evidence to suggest he didn't exist.

5. Again, seems quite innocent or naive from your behalf. I agree atheist can be very condescending, but it's pretty easy to understand. If someone read you a book of fairy tales, and then proceeded by asking you to believe it without even questioning the content of the book you might react the same way.

1. Why are you an atheist?

After developing capability for logical thinking and core principals of scientific method (most effective proven method used to separate truth from lies), I've dismissed God idea as a fantasy.

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

Because believers are real and they make real bad decisions, frequently contradicting reality. These decisions affect other people, like me, and sometimes lead to deaths, because reality always wins.

3a. Can't you believe in a universal creator and evolution.

No, because God contradicts reality. For example. Conservation law of matter/energy (non destructibility) means that it existed, exist, and will exist forever. There is no need for Creator when Evolution (result of physical laws) is capable of creation on its own.

3b. What we have not been able to prove is the theory of evolution as to how everything was created.

Wrong. Conservation property of mater/energy is indicator of eternal existence. Creation doesn't apply to matter/energy. Matter/energy is eternal like "god" already :).

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

"Believing in a man" and "believing in a man who performed miracles" is not the same.

1. The provided evidence for the excistence of an almighty being does not support logic. Alas, people say then you have to have faith, but that is not how it works. Nor do I feel the need to worship this almighty being if it were real. He gave us freedom of choice right? And he loves all his childeren right? Then why would we be punished by not going to heaven, but to burn for eternity, as many religions say you will. That does not seem like love to me. But that aside, I simply dont believe, because it does not interest me. My beliefs are purely scientific, and I believe we are nothing more than biological very advanded machines. And that when you die, there is nothing, it just ends. Black. Void.

2. You need to get the following facts straight, there are Atheist, we are people who dont give a *beep* about if you believe or not, as long as you dont bother us, or try to convince us there is more to life then this. Secondly, we have Anti-Theist. A group of people who are against all and any form of religion. They would like to see religon eradicated. Now it is true, that I think the world would be a better place without religion. Because humans always make their own ideas about a story, and some become religious nuts. Hurting others in the process. But, if you follow religion in a peaceful and quit way, I have no problem with it what so ever.

3. Your beliefs are based upon religion, mine on science, and facts that I can hold, and see with my own eyes. An Atheist needs to see. So no physical proof of God? Then for the time be, there is no god. Also, in my eyes it does not make sense. Why the hell would someone create us? What purpose do we serve other than to worship this creature we call God? Im pretty sure that was not his intention if he has put on on the earth, and waste time by praying and stuff.

4. Once again, not all Atheists believe one thing. I really do believe there once was a man like Jesus. And I bet he was very nice man, that was very good at medical science in that age. Then the poor people started seeing it as miracles, because they dont know any better. Uneducated folk are much less hard to impress than then educated folk. And maybe he knew a few magic tricks too. But that is about it. Biblical events like, its raining frogs and swarms of locusts are all scientificly explainable. Also I dont think Jesus was a tall white man. In fact, I think he was dark, and had curly hair. Now I am pretty sure you have never been to Egypt. And when you look around there all the people are brown/black. So its fair to assume Jesus was too.

5. This last part I have trouble taking seriously, cause I have never heard an Atheist talk like that. Anyway, the part where he rose? I personally think he was not dead at all before he rose. (If he did at all, because all the proof is something written in a book.) Just knocked the out, unconsious. And people thinking he was dead. Again, medical science was close to nothing in that age. Either that, or he was the first zombie, wich would be pretty awesome, but extremely unlikely.

To end my repsone I would like to say this. My biggest problem with religion is the part where it is forced upon you. You dont believe so you will go to hell! No, just no. If that is true, *beep* that *beep* I dont even want to go to heaven. And personally, most religious people, have been made religious purely because they were raised that way. No due to proof, not due to science, just stories mom and dad told. Therefore I think there should be an anti indoctrination law. No contact with religion before you are 18 and can think for yourself. Young minds are easily molded into believing stories, than and adult. Religion should always be a choice, not a pre made decision.

Looks up in the sky, and sees clouds, and an airplane. No sun, it's winter here, and cold as *beep*. But wait, there in the distance, what is that? Oh, it's just an seagull, *beep*

1. Several reasons. The idea of an omnipotent entity which created everything and is observing his experiment from wherever he's supposed to be holed up seems completely ludicrous to me. Perhaps it wasn't back when some random caveman first thought of it, but today we should have better reasoning skills and leave such ridiculous notions behind. The same goes for life after death. This is just a natural fantasy which sprouted from the fear of death that is instilled in every complex organism that has ever lived. People don't want to die, so they make up a fairytale about some never-never-land where they will be reunited with all their dead loved ones and only do stuff they like and eat their favorite dishes and fart rainbows. Later on in human history some smart guys came along and organized these ideas into "religions" which were then used to control the masses. And for these religions to be the most successful it's imperative to start indoctrinating children as young as possible, which is quite sickening. At that age you can even make them believe that Santaclaus with his flying reindeer and elves are real, so forcing a sick millennia old belief system on their still developing brains is quite simple, and dooms most of them to have a warped view of the world for the rest of their lives. Getting a little off-topic here. Let's just say that a creator and an afterlife are logical fantasies of primitive "intelligent" beings who are not yet capable of understanding the world around them, but that these should be rejected once they have obtained enough knowledge to make sense of the universe.

2. Because it's detrimental to our development as a species that we free ourselves of the shackles of religion and other supernatural superstitions. Just look at how much harm religion has caused throughout the millennia. All the wars, genocides and persecutions, the way Catholicism slowed the advancement of science all throughout the middle ages (and still does, with creationism being taught in many schools even in countries like the US, causing a very large part of the nation to actually think that humans and dinosaurs used to live side by side, a fact that nearly made my head explode when I first heard it), the way religion still divides many societies into separate communities which hardly interact, how religious people are still trying to force their particular beliefs onto others (e.g. gay marriage, abortions, euthanasia, etc.) and some even want to kill everybody who doesn't believe the same fairytale as they do. Religion is evil and it should be exterminated. I'm not saying exterminate religious people, but their medieval views need to go. It's time for a new, brighter age, centered around scientific understanding of this beautiful and complex universe we live in.

3. Nothing about evolution is unproven. You seem to confuse the scientific meaning of the word "theory" with how common people use that word in everyday life. What you are thinking of is a hypothesis. A hypothesis is an unproven idea. A hypothesis can only become a theory if there is enough evidence to back it up. Aside from some religious nutballs there isn't a scientifically educated biologist in the world who thinks that evolution is not real. The only reason it's not called a scientific fact is because it's so comprehensive that some of the details might still need some work. Furthermore, it has been proven in several labs that the essential building blocks for life (like amino acids) can be formed under the right circumstances, without any interference of some omnipotent being whatsoever. So there is no need for a creator: evolution doesn't need it, a creator is proven to be redundant. For my views on the existence of a creator, see point 1. As for some scientists being Christians, everybody was a Christian before the 17th century. Atheism and agnosticism didn't exist before then, or it was kept very, very secret for fear of the inquisition. And even since then the numbers of atheists and agnostics have been growing very, very slowly, mostly because of the problem with indoctrinating young children which I mentioned earlier. If children would be raised without being subjected to such religious indoctrination until their brains are fully developed, but instead get a strong basis of scientific FACTS, only a very small portion would decide to believe in the all-knowing, all-seeing creator of everything who lives in the fourth or fifth dimension or something. However, nowadays more and more of the highly respected scientists in nearly all scientific fields are atheists, proving that education really is a way to rid yourself of medieval religious views. Even though only about 6% of the US population identifies as atheist or agnostic, they make up over 80% of the US' top scientific organizations.

4. Because no credible historical references to him exist. The Bible was compiled and completely revised by the Romans when they made Christianity their state religion, incorporating many Pagan rituals and beliefs so it would be easier for all their subjects throughout Europe and Northern Africa to convert. Even if they hadn't, all the books in the New Testament were written decades after this mythical Jesus reportedly died by people who had never actually met him. And there are many contradictions between these books, which is quite logical if you consider these stories must have been passed along orally for all the time in between. Did you ever play the game where you sit in a circle with 10 people or more and then whisper a short story into the ear of the person next to you, who has to repeat it to the person next to him, and so on, until it comes back to you? If so, you know how little is left of the original story once it gets repeated a couple of times...
None of the Greek or Roman historians of the time mention any Jesus. And if his regional impact was as big as the Bible claims, he would have been mentioned. There are mentions of some other charlatans, cult leaders and "wizards" in that area which might be combined into the mythical being that is Jesus, but he himself isn't mentioned anywhere. Take a good look at that link you provided, OP, and you'll see that all of those so-called references were written decades later. All of it is hear-say. There is no more proof for the existence of Jesus than there is for King Arthur or Robin Hood.

5. The talking dead guy thing is nonsense, and any atheist saying that needs to educate himself.
Magical sky daddy isn't a very tactful thing to say, but closer to the truth. After all, what else would you call creating full fledged organisms from nothing? Or talking through a burning bush? Or reviving the dead? Or curing lepers with nothing but a prayer? Or feeding thousands with a couple of fish and loaves of bread? Or walking on water? I know that many of these feats were performed by Jesus and not God, but seeing as he got his powers from his "magical sky daddy" I think that doesn't really matter much. Research has shown that children who are raised religiously have more difficulty distinguishing fact from fiction and are thus more likely to think Harry Potter is just as real as Jesus (which they are of course, but not in the way they think). This is because of all the fantastical feats being performed in the Bible, which the child is taught as being completely true historical facts. No wonder that Harry Potter riding a magical broom and becoming invisible then seems entirely possible.

Religion is mostly a crutch for weak people, who are the main source they (the religious institutions) prey upon. Who are the most likely to suddenly become very religious? Those who have recently suffered a terrible tragedy. Then the church swoops in with their propaganda and tells them they will make everything better and the poor soul is then introduced to an entire flock of previously indoctrinated people who all welcome him with open arms. Of course, once he gets back on his feet he's expected to contribute to their little community, either by monetary means or by investing his time "helping" others who are in the same situation he used to be in. And so the virus grows...

You are not open to understand atheists because in the very first question you imply that atheists are "not open" to something.

No discussion necessary.