Ask An Atheist Anything., Actually, don't. Keep it relevant. Aliteration is cool. Options

[NoSex]

Alright, this is sort of in response to Podo's (monster's) "feeble attempt" thread.
I'm an atheist. I don't believe in the existence of any god whatsoever. Any questions?

[StandardEdition]

Alright, this is sort of in response to Podo's (monster's) "feeble attempt" thread.
I'm an atheist. I don't believe in the existence of any god whatsoever. Any questions?

Ok I get that you don't beleive in God, but is there anything ese that you choose to beleive in? [not nessecarily god related.]

[NoSex]

Ok I get that you don't beleive in God, but is there anything ese that you choose to beleive in? [not nessecarily god related.]

It's not uncommon - as an atheist - to receive comments like this. If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me, "So you believe in nothing?!" I wouldn't be a millionaire or anything, but I would have a ton of f**king nickels. At the most basic foundation, this question really holds very little relevance. I'm tempted to argue its transparency - the insecurity and fear inherent in most believers. However, I'll just try to answer it instead.

I believe in a shit load of things, but, to keep this broad and short: Science, rationalism, empiricism, philosophy, critical thinking, Gregory House M.D., art, skepticism, life, myself, some of my friends, film, etc. etc.

Although some of these things may appear contrary - these are all things I hold either an honest dispassionate interest in or some sort of vested interest in. They are aspects of my life that I must, in all convenience and reason, engage in to a certain extent. Essentially, they're my life. I believe in tons of things - just like most people do. I just don't believe in mysticism and spirituality.

[monster]

Atheists, why is it that you blame us for countless murders and the slaughter of innocent people when, if you look at Atheist regimes, ( AKA Communist regimes; i.e Mao Tse Tung, Kim Jung Il, Stalin, Lenin, Fidel Castro, etc,. etc. ) and you find that for each dictator, the killing and the body count starts in the millions for each dictator within a near few years?

[NoSex]

Atheists, why is it that you blame us for countless murders and the slaughter of innocent people when, if you look at Atheist regimes, ( AKA Communist regimes; i.e Mao Tse Tung, Kim Jung Il, Stalin, Lenin, Fidel Castro, etc,. etc. ) and you find that for each dictator, the killing and the body count starts in the millions for each dictator within a near few years?

Well, in either case, I think it's a generalization to suppose that anyone is suggesting that merely religiosity or irreligiosity are singularly to blame for any one crime or social illness. Society isn't that complex, but it's also not that simple. Sure, religion, I do believe, does hold a certain amount of responsibility for the crimes of the world (the crusades, the inquisition, witch burnings, etc. etc.) - however, I don't subscribe such tragedy to just theism itself (much as most atheists do not). In the cases of atheistic regimes (often Communist in nature) committing mass genocide it's often in the justification of nationalism or a similar dogma - this is something I am chiefly against: dogmatism (much as most atheists are).

The reason I believe that religion has been used as a tool for destruction and "evil" is seated in dogmatism. I am, most immediately, against dogmatic thinking - whether that thinking be religious in nature or not. Dogmatism does not favor critical thinking, questioning, skepticism, or pliability. These are bad things and they often lead to social illness which can later develop into awful "crimes against man." We don't find such crimes hidden behind rationalism, skepticism, science, and reason - the climate is not conductive to such. However, in the case of dogmatism, an individual is reduced to a sheep like follower. Intellectualism, rationality, and free thought are discouraged in favor of obedience - this often occurs in nationalistic countries. This sort of climate allows for such crimes to be committed more easily and without opposition.

The reason religion is so often attacked on this front is due to the fact that religion is one of the most popular, common, and recognized transports of dogmatism. Often its followers and proponents are not encouraged to think or challenge a position. Often its believers are motivated by "divine" rights and wills communicated through revelations which hold irrefutable authority and power (it's hard to convince someone that accepts heaven and a moral divine code of anything contrary to such a position). In the case of nationalism, the divine right is in the superiority of one's country or king. In the case of religiosity, the divine right comes from heaven. In either case, these foundations are difficult to rationally argue against and thus result in fanaticism.

The less falsifiable the belief the more difficult it is to combat (the more susceptible it is to fanatical ends) - because of this, I believe that religiosity is dangerous to society and to the individuals that follow it just as nationalism would be dangerous. What is of real danger, fundamentally, is dogmatic and irrational belief - and atheists feel that religion is full of it.

And, then, of course, I would also point to that reality that man is a vicious creature - religious or not, he is often interested in the imposition of power. This imposition of power can manifest in violent and harmful ways. An atheist can kill just as well as a theist can, and parties which do not believe have killed just as well as parties which do. However, dogmatism is to blame, largely, for some of the more heinous of these crimes. And, dogmatism, is easily found within theism, where I do not believe it is an inherent quality of atheism.

(Oh, just to add: Atheists are less likely to be involved in violent crime, let alone any crime. [1])

[RyanWasHere]

Damn those violent catholics.

[kryogenix]

What flavor of atheism are you eating?

[pandamonium]

oo nice. im starting to like debate again.

What is your theory of how we are what we are? How did we get here? Like equivalent to God putting us here.

[NoSex]

What flavor of atheism are you eating?

Explicit weak.

I don't deductively posit the non-existence of any god (but a few specifics). I merely lack a belief in any spiritual entity that resembles a god - mainly due to a lack of evidence and the incoherence and inconsistency of most god models. My position is that atheism is the most reasonable, probable, and consistent of "world views".

What is your theory of how we are what we are? How did we get here? Like equivalent to God putting us here.

I don't know. I don't have the resources to confidently decide on any absolute or conclusive (all-encompassing) answer. These cosmological issues are heavily philosophical and often outside of our current grasp and scope. Although, given the contents of the universe, the observed phenomenon within, and our current science, I do believe that all has followed from purely materialistic and naturalistic mechanisms.

I do believe in the reality of a sort of Big Bang (in order to explain the observed hyper-expansion of the universe). I do believe in abiogenesis (as the most rationalistic position towards the emergence of life). And, I am a very firm believer in descent with modification - I wholly subscribe to the modern evolutionary synthesis (the theory of evolution).

[monster]

Hopefully both yours and my thread will give some insight to some people. Best of luck. I'm gonna' try to get that rebuttal on my thread sooner or later.

[*jeanna*]

what do you think about warren jeffs followers

[S-Majere]

So belief in no God would mean you're unconstrained by the insecurities of not knowing whether or not you're going to heaven or hell and that your actions after death for good or evil will go unpunished by a Higher Being - because an afterlife cannot exist in Atheism, right?

So what happens when you die? What is the purpose of a life without divinity?

Note: I'm agnostic.

[NoSex]

what do you think about warren jeffs followers

Mormonism, in general, is something I'm rather disgusted with on a very basic level. However, these forms of fundamentalist and fanatical Mormonism manage to transcend this disgust - rising to a whole new level of contempt. Mormonism is immensely dogmatic, increasingly cult-like, and hardwired to intimidate, belittle, and cripple its followers (often from a young age). In the case of Warren Jeff, all of these things were actualized to an even more apparent level. Although I don't care how many wives you have (I don't care about your sexual ethics - not to say I don't practice a pragmatic breed of my own), the FLDS Mormon's conception of polygamy is designed to subjugate - this I do care about. Base line and sinker - followers of such movements tend to fall into two categories: the weak and insecure, and the brainwashed and pressured. Really, I don't find their fellowship much different than any other religious fellowship aside from gradation and severity. But, in either case, it's all f**ked up.

So belief in no God would mean you're unconstrained by the insecurities of not knowing whether or not you're going to heaven or hell and that your actions after death for good or evil will go unpunished by a Higher Being - because an afterlife cannot exist in Atheism, right?

So what happens when you die? What is the purpose of a life without divinity?

Note: I'm agnostic.

Well, first off, the idea of an afterlife is not entirely mutually exclusive to atheism. Atheism only posits, in its most broad manifestation, a lack of belief. Atheism is not a system of beliefs or a religion much like theism is not. Atheism merely communicates one's non-belief in any sort of god. So, an atheist might happen to believe in ghosts. He might believe in aliens. He might be into taro cards and the Jersey Devil. He might believe in the afterlife. Granted, this is highly unlikely, for, if the atheist is honest and dispassionate in his disbelief, he would, in the same vain, have no courtesy or dispensation for those other innumerable superstitions. In my own personal case, I'm proud to be entirely superstition free - I don't believe in any of that shit. However, it isn't impossible for an atheist to transgress in such a manner (I've met plenty of silly, down right moronic, atheists in my life).

Alright, now, to more directly address these questions:

You die. I don't believe in any sort of afterlife due to several things. Firstly, the lack of any observed phenomena which would suggest such a reality beyond our lives. Secondly, the contrary observations we make everyday which seem to suggest our consciousness is a meaningless byproduct of our material brains and that dissipation and denigration of body is equitable to dissipation and denigration of mind. And, lastly, the obvious psychological fairy tale motivations behind the invention of such an idea - it's very human.

Life is purposeless and meaningless. But we live it anyways. And, billions and billions of people find billions and billions of different excuses (although most of those excuses tend to be very similar or arguably the same). People find comfort and solace in an explicitly detailed meaning or purpose - but that doesn't make one a reality. Largely, I think that people invent purpose and meaning and or look for it (as in the case of religion) in order to sooth their insecurities and weaknesses. The realization of an objectively meaningless world is a troubling reality for the weak and frightened. To an average human being this realization will be battled passionately and without restraint - they will deny the meaningless world in order to protect their world views and maintain a status quo of effortless comfort and familiarity. For many atheists this meaningless world is found bathed in a sort of perverse beauty - an awe and "magic" which denies purpose and extends into infinity. In my own personal case, I've never had a serious existential crisis (at least not to the point of distress). I've once held my existentialistic beliefs concerning the individualistic search for meaning. I've once believed man has within him the power to bring forth meaning and purpose. I've once prescribed to Sartre dictum - "existence precedes and rules essence." And, really, I would still prescribe to such ideas if it were not for my extended philosophical studies - I've become a determinist. But, in either case, life is a blast - without it you'd be dead.

Note: Me too.

[*jeanna*]

how do you react when someone tries to convert you when you inform them you are atheist? do you just reply with, i'm atheist?

what do you think about gay and straight marriage?

[S-Majere]

Fantastic answer NoSex.

[NoSex]

how do you react when someone tries to convert you when you inform them you are atheist? do you just reply with, i'm atheist?

I love it, love it, when people try to convert me. It's always worth an interesting conversation, some good social experimentation, and some good laughs. Also, from time to time, I can learn a little more about myself, a little more about the human race, and maybe a little about another individual. I tend to make my case, listen to theirs, form rebuttals, etc. etc. I almost conduct it as if it were a formal debate - not always, but rather commonly. I'm almost always polite, well behaved, and as respectful as one can be towards someone who thinks some dude walked on water two-thousand years ago. From time to time I like to have a bit of terrorist fun, but that's only in extenuating and special circumstance. Generally, I just talk with them. Hell, I can't tell you how many people I've de-converted myself - probably a hell of a lot more than most Christians.

In my younger years I use to frequent churches and church functions in order to excite these sorts of confrontations. It's often a very worthwhile experience.

what do you think about gay and straight marriage?

I'm sour on marriage in America because of the unrealistic expectations our society holds in concern of romanticism. However, there are very real financial and pragmatic benefits to marriage - these are benefits that I believe any tax paying citizen is due. I don't care if a guy wants to bone another guy - that's fine with me. And, given that they are both tax paying citizens, I think that it is their right to be given fair and equal treatment under the law. This means that I am a full supporter of same sex marriage. Go gay people! Go!

Fantastic answer NoSex.

Thank you. The rarity of life enforces its power, beauty, and value. What is this all but a demented waiting room in Christian theology? We have one life to live and I'm pretty determined to take it by the throat, spit in its face, and force intense and unforgiving amounts of pain upon it until it admits I'm its daddy. Life is a mother f**ker, and, ain't it sweet?

Here is something I wrote here on cB maybe a year or more ago, back when I was a bit more naive and a lot less cynical:

"In a way I'm a demi-existentialist when it comes to this question. There is no substantiation for an objective purpose in any life, let alone human life. There is no reason to believe that a sentient force had dictated to each and every one of us, or all of us as a whole, a meaningful direction in life. As far as I am concerned, the universe does not even suspect our existence. We are a meaningless and insignificant blip in the whole history of the cosmos. The thousands and thousands of years that men have walked the earth is just a blink of the eye.

But I find boundless beauty in this conception. The idea that our lives are our own to create. We are responsible for the direction and purpose in our lives. To make uncomfortable and scary our passage, by taking further and further control. The essence of our existence precedes us. Instead of that cold, empty, and arrogant desperation in the ideal of an objective purpose, we have freedom, pliability, humility, and wealth of fullness. There is no end to the road that we must all converge on to be successful or to bring meaning to our lives. In fact, there is no road. There is just a vast and open field. There is a field in infinite length - as infinite as human desire, will, imagination, and freedom. There is a beautiful field. f**k roads."

Sounds nice.

[MissFits]

I love it, love it, when people try to convert me.

I am also an atheist. Most of the time I really don't like when people try to convert me.
I guess it's because the people that try are generally not very educated about Christianity, or anything else for that matter.
Because of that I can't have an educated debate with most people in my town because almost every intelligent person I know is an atheist.

So, I guess there are two ways to look at everything.

[NoSex]

I am also an atheist. Most of the time I really don't like when people try to convert me.
I guess it's because the people that try are generally not very educated about Christianity, or anything else for that matter.
Because of that I can't have an educated debate with most people in my town because almost every intelligent person I know is an atheist.

So, I guess there are two ways to look at everything.

I'm generally in the same exact boat. Although, I think the uneducated are amusing and interesting (in several different ways and from several different angles). In either case, the organization of my own ideas, and the social experience still make the exchange worthwhile - even if the other party acts like a third grader (which is far too often the case). Though, I must admit, these sort of encounters can easily lose their charm and novelty.

I definitely sympathize.

[Prophet]

You don't believe in god who made the Earth who made astronomy. When you die where will you go ?

[NoSex]

You don't believe in god who made the Earth who made astronomy. When you die where will you go ?

Sir, that is a loaded question. Further, if you do not have the intention of actually reading the thread maybe you should reconsider your involvement in it. Anyways:

You die. I don't believe in any sort of afterlife due to several things. Firstly, the lack of any observed phenomena which would suggest such a reality beyond our lives. Secondly, the contrary observations we make everyday which seem to suggest our consciousness is a meaningless byproduct of our material brains and that dissipation and denigration of body is equitable to dissipation and denigration of mind. And, lastly, the obvious psychological fairy tale motivations behind the invention of such an idea - it's very human.

[ParanoidAndroid]

Is this your way of promoting atheism? And when you say that uneducated people such as most of us are "amusing" do you mean that you're like fux pro wtf omfg these fuxing noobs need to gtfo?

[NoSex]

Is this your way of promoting atheism?

No.

And when you say that uneducated people such as most of us are "amusing" do you mean that you're like fux pro wtf omfg these fuxing noobs need to gtfo?

Yes.

[ParanoidAndroid]

omfg pwnt

[Spirited Away]

Just to comment. You guys--the one who dared to make the original thread and the one one who made a witty response thread--are great. Entertainment is good for the soul.

[MissFits]

I'm generally in the same exact boat. Although, I think the uneducated are amusing and interesting (in several different ways and from several different angles). In either case, the organization of my own ideas, and the social experience still make the exchange worthwhile - even if the other party acts like a third grader (which is far too often the case). Though, I must admit, these sort of encounters can easily lose their charm and novelty.

I definitely sympathize.

I guess people here are usually Christian hicks. They believe anything because they are told to, and they haven never looked into what the bible actually says.
Also, the Christians here are the people selling drugs, raping girls, murdering, and robbing. I just don't see the point in believing if you don't follow the rules of your own faith.

I know I am going going to get a response from someone that says "everyone sins" but in my opinion part of being a Christian is to make an effort to not sin and to be the best person you can be.

If you are Christian I really think you should leave the judging and converting up to God, because it's his job anyway!