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

[*Steven*]

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.

And about $9071.85.


What do you think about Deism?

[Sandraaa]

Offtopic ALERTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!

What the hell is the difference between a nickle, dime, quater (or however it's spelt)? I'm too lazy to google.

[kryogenix]

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 do you think of Aquinas' arguments for the existence of a god from an ontological approach?

[Kontroll]

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.

So, you believe in the existing? You, life, art, and such? I wouldn't go as far as to believe in those. I mean, yes, they are real, so I believe they are there. But what are you actually believing in them? I really don't understand. Please, tell me.

[1angel3]

How do you deal with the hatred for being a atheist?

[*jeanna*]

How do you deal with the hatred for being a atheist?

do people really hate atheists though? they always say, "oh i feel sorrrryyyy for them. i will pray for you."

idk many who would say they would hate since it's all about "love"

[1angel3]

do people really hate atheists though? they always say, "oh i feel sorrrryyyy for them. i will pray for you."

idk many who would say they would hate since it's all about "love"

I don't know but people do mistreat atheist because they don't believe in a God. They think they're devil worshipers and hate God. But they don't believe in God so how can they hat what they don't believe exist?

[Kontroll]

As having experienced both worlds. It's really no difference. Atheists have a faith that there is no god. They'll say it's not faith. In fact, it is faith because they can't prove there isn't a god.

Same goes with Christians and those of all faiths. They have equal faith there is a god. And also have no evidence there is a god.

Judgement weighs in about the same for Atheists and Christians. All those I have met, of both faiths tend to pass judgement on those of opposite and even those within their faith.

I don't know but people do mistreat atheist because they don't believe in a God. They think they're devil worshipers and hate God. But they don't believe in God so how can they hat what they don't believe exist?

And you should hear what atheists say. It's a two way street pal.

If that is the case, then the person is his faith, but a product of his up bringing and other factors affecting mannerisms and personality. As does faith, but you can't say a person is a certain way due to his faith. Where is the rest of the pie chart going to if that is the case?

I wouldn't feel sorry for any one. Christian or atheist. They have choses a specific route to follow and if he happens to change himself, let it be.

That's the great thing about life. Second chances.

[livwho]

Offtopic ALERTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!

What the hell is the difference between a nickle, dime, quater (or however it's spelt)? I'm too lazy to google.

A nickel is five cents, a dime is ten, and a quarter is worth twenty-five. Each cent is worth one penny equal to one-hundreth of a dollar. You do the other conversions.

I'm VERY Christian, but I do understand where an aetheist is coming from. It's hard to believe in something you've never seen or experienced. I've had my doubts.

[1angel3]

As having experienced both worlds. It's really no difference. Atheists have a faith that there is no god. They'll say it's not faith. In fact, it is faith because they can't prove there isn't a god.

Same goes with Christians and those of all faiths. They have equal faith there is a god. And also have no evidence there is a god.

Judgement weighs in about the same for Atheists and Christians. All those I have met, of both faiths tend to pass judgement on those of opposite and even those within their faith.
And you should hear what atheists say. It's a two way street pal.

If that is the case, then the person is his faith, but a product of his up bringing and other factors affecting mannerisms and personality. As does faith, but you can't say a person is a certain way due to his faith. Where is the rest of the pie chart going to if that is the case?

I wouldn't feel sorry for any one. Christian or atheist. They have choses a specific route to follow and if he happens to change himself, let it be.

That's the great thing about life. Second chances.

I agree. I heard a atheist say they have a lot of hatred towards them for their beliefs.

[ersatz]

It really depends on the people surrounding you. If you live in a city, for example, it's not likely you will deal with people that hate you for being an atheist because it's a lot more common in a city. If you live where Nate and I live, in a small town in Indiana, it's more likely that people will dislike you and avoid even speaking to you unless it's insulting you solely for your atheist beliefs. The more people, the more indifference toward difference. Small towns are a breeding ground for sheepism.

[demolished]

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?

How should you ... and we live our lives?

i'm somewhat tired of relying powerful being to help me ... and always praying.
are you successful?

[MissFits]

It really depends on the people surrounding you. If you live in a city, for example, it's not likely you will deal with people that hate you for being an atheist because it's a lot more common in a city. If you live where Nate and I live, in a small town in Indiana, it's more likely that people will dislike you and avoid even speaking to you unless it's insulting you solely for your atheist beliefs. The more people, the more indifference toward difference. Small towns are a breeding ground for sheepism.

I know where you are coming from, I live in a small town in Ohio and I know I get treated differently sometimes for being an atheist. Even in my own family.

How should you ... and we live our lives?

i'm somewhat tired of relying powerful being to help me ... and always praying.
are you successful?

I know this wasn't directed towards me but I feel that I can help you.
I am very successful. You don't need to pray or believe in God for great things to happen to you. Rather than putting all your faith in someone you don't know is there put all your faith in yourself. If you are smart enough to question the things around you, you are smart enough to do almost anything you really put your mind to.

Live your life like you did before treat people kindly, do what your parents tell you to do, get good grades in school, work hard. Be a good person, being an atheist is no excuse whatsoever to be an a-hole.

[demolished]

aw. thank you. i'm a loser. i HATED myself for not relying on myself.

ughhhh.

thank you.

[NoSex]

What do you think about Deism?

Deism bores me - it's also sort of a dead movement. On one instance, I can't imagine how people, today, make the transition from theist to deist without, instead, stepping a few more feet into the realm of atheism. Deism is, supposedly, a scientific decision - it removes the more supernatural and unbelievable aspects of traditional theism. However, though impersonal and often apathetic - the god of deism is still a god. Given the scientific atmosphere of today I fail to really see the appeal of deism but for a comfortable transition between theism and atheism. I made a similar transition myself. Before denouncing god altogether, I imagined that he might just not be like anything described in the Bible. But, I still had no basis for such a belief - though I had removed the more outlandish and immediately fairy-tale-esq aspects of religious belief, I still believed in something for which there was no evidence. At that point my deism had blurred into atheism, eventually disappearing altogether.

What do you think of Aquinas' arguments for the existence of a god from an ontological approach?

Thomas Aquinas' "Five Ways," though proposed nearly eight centuries ago, remain, to this day, to be the most popular and often only arguments which are repeated in an effort to prove the existence of a god. And, as I have explored all of them rather extensively, I have found them to be embarrassingly self-defeating on the basis of their own premises.

(As goes your mention of an ontological approach? Are you asking me to compare them to reality or are you referencing the Ontological Argument made popular be Rene Descartes? In the case of the later, I'm an empiricist - I don't believe in a priori knowledge - thus I find all ontological arguments for the existence of god meaningless.)

To address the "Five Ways":

Aquinas' "Argument from Motion" posits that all things which move must have been moved, and then later concludes that god is an unmoved mover. This argument is self-defeating for its conclusion is contrary to its premise. If everything which moves must first be moved itself, then god must, if he is to move, be moved himself.

Aquinas' second and third ways ("Argument from Efficient Causes", and "Argument from Possibility and Necessity") largely resemble his first. All together they comprise what is known as the Cosmological Argument - which is, in of itself, just like the "Argument from Motion." It is, alone, very unconvincing. Not only is it self-defeating, it also ignores temporal inaccuracies in its model. The Cosmological Argument wants the universe to be created, but if the universe is the totality of all things, within it is also the fabric of time. And, as creation is a temporal concept, without the universe (and the fabric of time), talk of "creation" is quite meaningless. In fact, talk of "anytime before" the universe is absurd - what time is therefor before time itself?

Aquinas' fourth and fifth ("Argument from Gradation of Being", and "Argument from Design") ways were designed to identify the creator he felt he proved in his first three ways as the Christian God. The fourth way is something that has nearly disappeared entirely - it's impossible to identify what one thing is "better" than the rest. Such a concept is often considered subjectivist and meaningless. But, the fifth way has indeed become very popular (if not the most popular argument for the existence of a god). The fifth way today is known as The Teleological Argument or The Argument from Design. These arguments, much like the Cosmological Argument, are self-defeating. They posit that things which "appear" to have purpose, have complexity, or have order, must have an intelligent designer. In this case, would not the intelligent designer himself require design for he would be that much more complex and "amazing?" Again, the arguments are contrary to their conclusions. If the argument stands on the improbability and the unlikelihood of our "natural universe" existing without intelligent direction than the argument must also, in its essence, posit the even further improbability and unlikelihood of an exceedingly intelligent, complex, and ordered god existing without intelligent direction. In this way the Argument Design actually supports a natural mechanism (like evolution) which moves in a non-complex, non-intelligent, and non-directed, way towards complexity, intelligence, and seeming direction - for this is the most likely mover in the case of such argumentation - it has within itself the most minimal requirement for intelligent design as it is largely simplistic.

[It was a long weekend - I'll try to get to some of these other questions soon. I'm looking forward to addressing the claim that atheism is a belief held in "faith." That's funny.]

[*Steven*]

Deism bores me - it's also sort of a dead movement. On one instance, I can't imagine how people, today, make the transition from theist to deist without, instead, stepping a few more feet into the realm of atheism. Deism is, supposedly, a scientific decision - it removes the more supernatural and unbelievable aspects of traditional theism. However, though impersonal and often apathetic - the god of deism is still a god. Given the scientific atmosphere of today I fail to really see the appeal of deism but for a comfortable transition between theism and atheism. I made a similar transition myself. Before denouncing god altogether, I imagined that he might just not be like anything described in the Bible. But, I still had no basis for such a belief - though I had removed the more outlandish and immediately fairy-tale-esq aspects of religious belief, I still believed in something for which there was no evidence. At that point my deism had blurred into atheism, eventually disappearing altogether.

How would you explain the unexplainable? Something not yet proven by science?

i have more to ask but ill edit later, time crunch!

[NoSex]

How do you deal with the hatred for being a atheist?

do people really hate atheists though?

Oh, people f**king despise atheists. I've gotten a lot of guff in my life for all sorts of absurd things (being a rapist, a drug dealer, a devil worshiper, etc. etc.) but the one thing reality does not force itself against is my atheism. I am indeed an atheist - and, a lot of people have thought all sorts of unfavorable things of me for just that. Generally, this does not concern me. Atheism is more accepted and more popular than it has ever been - it's actually sort of nice. And, it has always been a blessing in disguise - people's hatred. When people react to my atheism in such a manner as to signify bigotry, ignorance, or just good ol' stupidity, it's really easy to file away faces in all the right places. Essentially, it becomes really easy to choose your "friends" and to choose your "enemies." I've had plenty of Christian friends, but for each I've probably had three irreligious friends. I'm not too much of a discriminating anus, but, in the same vain, I must admit I don't have much tolerance for spirituality (I pretty much hate it).

But, this disfavor on each case makes a lot of sense - both parties have very different, often very divergent, world views. Theists and atheists are people who see the world dramatically different from one another. This difference cause tension and conflict which often manifests itself in hateful behavior. Altogether though, and this is largely anecdotal, I have found theists to be far more hateful, unforgiving, and uncivil in comparison to atheists. This may have something to do with the fact that for a theist these questions are of utter importance. For an atheist, many of these questions are jokes - they could care less in many cases. A passionate hatred tends to be that much more passionate when hell fire is in question. If I were a Christian, for example, I would be more afraid allowing my children to play with an atheist than I would allowing them to play with child molesters and murders. Think about it - In one case you're risking their immortal and eternal soul, in the other case you're only risking their fleshy bodies. It's a no brainer!

In either case, atheists are definitely one of the most hated, if not the most hated minority in all of America. [1]

And you should hear what atheists say. It's a two way street pal.

A two-way street? Are you kidding me? It's more like a dirt path taken by horse and buggy against about fifty super-highways all headed in the opposite direction. The numbers are staggering. The many people who explicitly hate atheists against those who dislike Christians are stupendous. It's just unyieldingly obvious that is isn't so simple that both parties dislike each other. This is an army of spiritualists against a small band of rogues - it's like a f**king holocaust of hate.

Not that it isn't fun or anything.

As having experienced both worlds. It's really no difference. Atheists have a faith that there is no god. They'll say it's not faith. In fact, it is faith because they can't prove there isn't a god.

Same goes with Christians and those of all faiths. They have equal faith there is a god. And also have no evidence there is a god.

So, if we can't prove something absolutely we have "faith" in it? Alright, given that broad interpretation of "faith" then we all have faith in all things to a certain gradation. If you push it enough, there might be no distinction at all - might as well render "faith" as meaningless. Rather, I would like to explore another definition - something I think is more commonly accepted.

Hell, let's use the god damn Bible!

Hebrews 11:1 (NASB)
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Hmm. It's becoming a bit more clear. Simply, I would argue that faith is belief which is disproportional to reason and evidence. Faith is an emotional manifestation - an intricate and masked version of wishful-thinking.

Now, you seem to argue that atheists and theists both have this so-called "faith." Even further, you seem to posit that they have an equitable faith - that it is of similar quality. If this were true evidence and reason would have to be as disproportional in the case of an atheistic position as it would be for a theistic position - this is a proposition of which your initial premises denounce.

You argue that theists have no proof that there is a god, thus they have faith. So, in what case would they not have faith? If they didn't believe in god? Are you starting to see how silly your position is?

To demonstrate by way of analogy: Do I have faith that unicorns and Santa Clause does not exist? If I do, is this so-called "faith" proportional to the faith of believers in unicorns and Santa Clause despite the blatant lack of evidence?

[Uronacid]

Oh, people f**king despise atheists. I've gotten a lot of guff in my life for all sorts of absurd things (being a rapist, a drug dealer, a devil worshiper, etc. etc.) but the one thing reality does not force itself against is my atheism. I am indeed an atheist - and, a lot of people have thought all sorts of unfavorable things of me for just that. Generally, this does not concern me. Atheism is more accepted and more popular than it has ever been - it's actually sort of nice. And, it has always been a blessing in disguise - people's hatred. When people react to my atheism in such a manner as to signify bigotry, ignorance, or just good ol' stupidity, it's really easy to file away faces in all the right places. Essentially, it becomes really easy to choose your "friends" and to choose your "enemies." I've had plenty of Christian friends, but for each I've probably had three irreligious friends. I'm not too much of a discriminating anus, but, in the same vain, I must admit I don't have much tolerance for spirituality (I pretty much hate it).

But, this disfavor on each case makes a lot of sense - both parties have very different, often very divergent, world views. Theists and atheists are people who see the world dramatically different from one another. This difference cause tension and conflict which often manifests itself in hateful behavior. Altogether though, and this is largely anecdotal, I have found theists to be far more hateful, unforgiving, and uncivil in comparison to atheists. This may have something to do with the fact that for a theist these questions are of utter importance. For an atheist, many of these questions are jokes - they could care less in many cases. A passionate hatred tends to be that much more passionate when hell fire is in question. If I were a Christian, for example, I would be more afraid allowing my children to play with an atheist than I would allowing them to play with child molesters and murders. Think about it - In one case you're risking their immortal and eternal soul, in the other case you're only risking their fleshy bodies. It's a no brainer!

In either case, atheists are definitely one of the most hated, if not the most hated minority in all of America. [1]
A two-way street? Are you kidding me? It's more like a dirt path taken by horse and buggy against about fifty super-highways all headed in the opposite direction. The numbers are staggering. The many people who explicitly hate atheists against those who dislike Christians are stupendous. It's just unyieldingly obvious that is isn't so simple that both parties dislike each other. This is an army of spiritualists against a small band of rogues - it's like a f**king holocaust of hate.

Not that it isn't fun or anything.
So, if we can't prove something absolutely we have "faith" in it? Alright, given that broad interpretation of "faith" then we all have faith in all things to a certain gradation. If you push it enough, there might be no distinction at all - might as well render "faith" as meaningless. Rather, I would like to explore another definition - something I think is more commonly accepted.

Hell, let's use the god damn Bible!

Hebrews 11:1 (NASB)
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Hmm. It's becoming a bit more clear. Simply, I would argue that faith is belief which is disproportional to reason and evidence. Faith is an emotional manifestation - an intricate and masked version of wishful-thinking.

Now, you seem to argue that atheists and theists both have this so-called "faith." Even further, you seem to posit that they have an equitable faith - that it is of similar quality. If this were true evidence and reason would have to be as disproportional in the case of an atheistic position as it would be for a theistic position - this is a proposition of which your initial premises denounce.

You argue that theists have no proof that there is a god, thus they have faith. So, in what case would they not have faith? If they didn't believe in god? Are you starting to see how silly your position is?

To demonstrate by way of analogy: Do I have faith that unicorns and Santa Clause does not exist? If I do, is this so-called "faith" proportional to the faith of believers in unicorns and Santa Clause despite the blatant lack of evidence?

Nate you are one of the most "hardcore" religion hating athiests I know. I have felt it myself. You have barely any tolerance for someone who talks about their faith, almost none. You have a big mouth when it comes to that subject. Sometimes it's as if you go out of your way to offend people when the topic comes up. If a conversation of faith comes up, you're the first one to step up to the plate and try to make a religious person look stupid for being religious. No-one likes someone who makes them look stupid for something that they have grafted into their life. Perhaps the pain your receive from religious people is due to the effects of your own actions. They don't hate athiests, they hate you.

The part about kids, I don't trust anyone Christian or Non-Christian. Yes, Christians are supposed to have a moral standard, but the majority of them don't follow it. People are sinful, and the don't stop sinning. I say that you're just as likely to be raped/molested by someone who claims to be a Christian as you are by someone who claims to be an atheist. They are just as sinful as many athiests.

Lol, are you sure they called you a call you a rapist because your an atheist? I never had a problem with athiests. It doesn't bother me when someone believes strongly in something I don't. Believe whatever you want. I'll answer questions about my faith, but I don't need to defend it. xD

The faith part, you're choosing not to believe and we're choosing to the believe. You do have faith that he doesn't exist. I know this because you try so hard to prove us that he doesn't exist. You can't prove he doesn't exist. We can't prove that he does. You're choosing.

[*Steven*]

Lol, are you sure they called you a call you a rapist because your an atheist? I never had a problem with athiests. It doesn't bother me when someone believes strongly in something I don't. Believe whatever you want. I'll answer questions about my faith, but I don't need to defend it. xD

The faith part, you're choosing not to believe and we're choosing to the believe. You do have faith that he doesn't exist. I know this because you try so hard to prove us that he doesn't exist. You can't prove he doesn't exist. We can't prove that he does. You're choosing.

People are very closed minded, and those labels aren't the least bit surprising. I have no doubt that he was called such, I've received the same for not believing in any organized religion.

[Uronacid]

People are very closed minded, and those labels aren't the least bit surprising. I have no doubt that he was called such, I've received the same for not believing in any organized religion.

That's just it though, it's people. Not the religion. The people of a religion do hold it's reputation in their hands, however they aren't the religion. I have even been labeled by other Christians. It's not just athiests that receive that kind of treatment.

PS: I have to say, I have never been called a rapist. LOL

[*Steven*]

I wasn't blaming Christianity for that. I know that the majority (or seeming majority) of Christians don't practice Christianity as it is meant to be practiced (regardless of the presence of a god). Organized religion and it's hypocrisy is one of the major reasons I started to doubt the Christian god. I would have been perfectly brainwashed if:

A. Church wasn't so damn boring.
B. People practiced what they preached.
C. There was more evidence (I know you can't prove/disprove yada yada, I'm just very logic oriented)
D. Interpretations of the Bible that shunned members of society that did nothing wrong (see: Gays) did not come to light and become so prevalent.

[Uronacid]

I wasn't blaming Christianity for that. I know that the majority (or seeming majority) of Christians don't practice Christianity as it is meant to be practiced (regardless of the presence of a god). Organized religion and it's hypocrisy is one of the major reasons I started to doubt the Christian god. I would have been perfectly brainwashed if:

A. Church wasn't so damn boring.
B. People practiced what they preached.
C. There was more evidence (I know you can't prove/disprove yada yada, I'm just very logic oriented)
D. Interpretations of the Bible that shunned members of society that did nothing wrong (see: Gays) did not come to light and become so prevalent.

I can't blame you for the way you feel. I completely understand. I would never force my beliefs upon someone. I don't know, the only reason I said what I said was: I feel that this has turned into a "bad Christian people" argument. Sometimes, I think that people out side of our religion look down on our religion and not us when they should be doing the opposite. In some ways, I hate Christians just as much as you do. It's depressing to see people brainwashed. Hopefully I'm not as hypocritical as the rest.

[*Steven*]

People who are civil and non-judgmental about it are just fine with me. Even if they go around having sex with everyone and doing a lot of non-Christian things, I don't care as long as they don't try to lecture me about it.

I understand Christians are looked down upon, but that's only because y'all are the root of the evil in this world. You especially because you're a white male from America. No but seriously, y'all have a shit load of people, not so much atheists/deists/hei ren.

[Uronacid]

People who are civil and non-judgmental about it are just fine with me. Even if they go around having sex with everyone and doing a lot of non-Christian things, I don't care as long as they don't try to lecture me about it.

I understand Christians are looked down upon, but that's only because y'all are the root of the evil in this world. You especially because you're a white male from America. No but seriously, y'all have a shit load of people, not so much atheists/deists/hei ren.

I don't pay attention to it. I turn a blind eye to it all. I'm better off ignoring that kind of behavior until I learn how to deal with it properly.

[NoSex]

They don't hate athiests, they hate you.

Way off base; I know a ton of very serious and dedicated Christians who absolutely love me. You're just sort of clueless; you would be better off not trying to play psychoanalysis.

How would you explain the unexplainable?

You don't. If you can't explain something it's just that simple, you can't. Inventing some sort of supernatural entity doesn't serve as an explanation, it serves as an excuse - often a comfortable one. (ex: "Where do we go when we die?" "Well, all the bad people go to a very bad place and all the people who believe exactly what I do - I mean, all the people who are good - go to a very good place.")