Why are you an atheist or agnostic?

[Shu]

I think the only shame I see is when Atheists have problems with Agnostics. Some have said in the past years I've noticed, including Penn, from Penn and Teller, that Agnostics are in the closet Religious people. That what it comes down to is when it matters, they will be religious again, when it's convenient though they will be agnostic. Basically it just bashes folks for standing on the fence.

Penn says, "It's not about is there a god or not", because agnostics would say "I don't know". It's about, "Do you believe in a god or not", which is a "yes or no" question.

The only thing is there is no way to tell if there is a god. It's true, I don't believe in one currently, due to humanity itself. For someone to know god, that entitles they are less than human. Which aside from crazy unhinged people, that is pretty much impossible in my eyes. Everyone is the same in my eyes, you are not a beautiful and unique snow flake, as Chuck Palahniuk said in "Fight Club".

Here's the thing. You have two groups of people. One who was coddled and made to go to church/mosque/temple and fed everything underneath the sun in order to try to indoctrinate religion, with the common hope that it would either brainwash or "freely" pick it. Then you have the parents who could be religious, or not.. and let the kid choose or not even bring it up depending on how the parents philosophy is.

Atheists are I've noticed are generally the ones who were coddled from birth, due to they were pushed and pushed to believe something, and their dramatic rebel is noticed in the clothes they where, who they hang out with, and the people they hang with.

Don't get me wrong though, I was coddled to believe in Presbyterian faith of predestination. I went to Baptists events on more than one occasion due to friends I hung out with in school and Saturday nights. Though what I will say is the more I went to church the more I started to question things in my own life. I went to Youth groups on Wednesday night. I went to Ski trips. I went to a christian deemed school from 13-18. I was forcefed it all.. but at the time.. all I knew was god and jesus. It created only fear in me. Fear lead to anger, anger to angst, angst to withdraw, until I realized there were other people like me. Other folks who had the same questions.. questions that lead from Religion into Politics.. and that's when I started questioning the laws in which make America spin.

None of the questions could be answered with: "Because god works in mysterious way"

My conclusion is..

1) If there is a god, he/she/it is an ass hole who I never want to know and is both the devil and the one you call god combined. He/she/it created all things, in a sense he puts himself in all things. It's metaphysical terminology. God knows all things, He/she/it sees all things.

2) There is no god, and folks made it up to fill a void or to manipulate others. They twisted it to Christian aspects/Islamic aspects/Jewish aspects so much just to facilitate their needs and desires.

I.E. It is not okay to do Stem Research or take any form of contraception/abortion. 1) That means women have no control over their body, or the pain during menstrual cycles, or the acne that occurs due to irregular hormones. If a rape occurred, the childbirth would have to occur and could not be prevented either (contraception). 2) Dire Medical research could not happen and it would prevent the act of saving life's/ facilitating a better life for terminal patients, and creating new organs for people who have common every day problems that we normal people do not know that hardships of? While what Christian's believe that stem research is unethical because it violates the soul? What do you think St. Jude's does with your money?

I.E. Suicide is a sin and ultimately these folks will go to hell, even if they lived a devout life. Even if it was a chemical imbalance, they are still going to hell. It's for god to judge, right? If folks never knew of religion.. they are going to hell.

Morality is not taken into account at all, but by worshiping the right deity you have an afterlife.

By being religious you are automatically assumed as Moral. Which is back ass backwards, because look at most political figures we have around the world.

 

[Bones]

I'm an athiest.

This is based on what everyone else has said mainly, there is no proof that any form of deity exists. None that I would regard to be 100% right anyway.

I believe that science trumps religion, as the goings on in life and world activity cannot be proven by the religious documents and manuscripts. Whereas science seems to be a reliable source of truth most of the time, and it's how revelations and cures are made to illnesses and such. I also believe in evolution, as it is proven that animals adapt to their surroundings, so I believe that if animals can adapt, then surely they can evolve into more advanced beings.

God's don't cure illnesses, god's don't make disasters in the world such as tsunamis and such. God's don't kill people (unless you count wars that are based on religion I guess), and gods don't make people either.

Although I am grateful for some aspects of religion I guess, as it has some moral aspects that are applicable to everyday life, such as the 10 commandments. But that doesn't mean I believe that a God created them.

Also I hate how certain religions are so blind to everyone else's beliefs, like their religion is the right way, fair enough if you've been brought up to believe in this, but it doesn't mean that everyone else should either. I'm all happy for others to believe in what they like, but I hate how it is more than often forced onto others.

 

[Future^Bacon]

Because I'm open minded enough to understand that there is an energy that is larger than me, and not egotistical enough to pretend that I know what it is.

 

[Will Graham]

Because I'm open minded enough to understand that there is an energy that is larger than me

This sentence doesn't make a lot of sense to me I'm afraid. What do you mean, you understand there is an energy greater than you(all of us etc.)? How do you go about understanding something like that? How did you arrive at this conclusion? What makes you think there is an energy greater than all of us? More importantly how does that make you open minded? If a person told me they believed in undetectable invisible giraffes all called Samuel, who rule the world. I would think they are silly not open-minded.

 

[Squalllionheart]

People seem to be talking about why they do not like religion, rather than why they don't believe in a God.

I don't believe in any of the religious Gods because there is absolutely no evidence for them, bar some ancient books. Considering all those ancient books are equally valid, I don't see the point in choosing one.

The Einsteinian God is the idea that there's a creator who set up the laws of physics, pressed play at the dawn of existence, then fucked off. It has much more merit than some personal god who listens to your little prayers and frets over your sins, but it's still a claim without evidence.

Gnostic means to be certain, Agnostic means to be uncertain

Theism is the belief in a God, atheism is the lack of belief in a God

A Gnostic theist believes there is undoubtedly a god

An agnostic theist believes there is a God, but does not know for sure there is one

An agnostic atheist does not believe there is a God, but does not know 100% that there isn't one

A Gnostic atheist thinks that there is definitely no God

I am an agnostic atheist because though I do not think there's a God, it has not been proven there isn't one regardless of his or her absenteeism

+ 1

Having a belieif in something or someone requires faith does it not? So why is it that if I went up to someone who has this "faith" that they wouldn't trust me with their car keys or wallet? Blindly following something or someone without any proof of a good outcome is called faith (others like myself would call it something else but I'm trying to remain respectful) and while I'm not 100% sure if there is some form of higher power, neither side (religon nor sceince) has an answer..

If there was a god/s where did they come from? Where did they go?

If there were gases and matter\anti-matter in space where did it come from before the big bang?

We are of the understanding that you cannot create something from nothing there is always some sort of material or resource that is needed to create something and we know of nothing different.

At the end of the day I couldn't care less, I am living my life as it is now, I feel happy or sad due to the experieces I go through right here and now, I refuse to follow a set of rules just because someone tells me to do so. I have family and friends, I will go out and get drunk and have sex before marrage and eat bacon (YUM) and do other stupid things because I want to live my life that way.. How would you feel if you were on your death bed at 95 years old, and you somehow found out it was all a hoax? You would look back on your life and go "wow..all the things I could of done in my life.." and I think you would die with massive regrets..

At the same time I don't think you would feel as bad if you didn't believe and found out there was a god that would judge you

anyway I'm babbling now..

 

[SiderealPassing]

I am an atheist because I have never been given any good reason to believe a god exists.

I am an atheist because I think that there is nothing more evil on this planet than religion. It's something that I refuse to support or try and justify.

I am an atheist because I support continued scientific research into our origins as a universe and a species.

I am an atheist because I think that morality is not justified on a reward/punishment basis.

 

[greenyxi]

I am an atheist because I have never been given any good reason to believe a god exists.

Pretty much this. I've never seen anything that proves God exists in any way, shape or form. This isn't to say that I think the whole religion idea is negative mind...just that I see no reason in me personally believing in it.

If something hugely drastic happens in my life, then maybe I'll think on it a bit differently (who can say?), but for now, I'm leaving it all alone. I'm not a huge believer in anything really though, other than things that are right in front of my face. e.g. Ghosts, UFOs. Not that I'm piling those in with God, because imo that would be incredibly patronising to those that do believe in God. All I'm saying is that ghosts and UFOs are just as real as God to me. At this moment. If this makes any sense :/

 

[LeonaFirewater]

Can anti-theists post in here?

If they can; I'm an anti-theist because I am against any oppressive institutions. Religion is about keeping the class system intact, all of them. Even the great Buddhism is about releasing all material belongings and finding a peace in your lower status. This is nothing to say of oppression against women, queers, and other minorities.

 

[The Welsh Paddy]

I was technically brought up to be catholic and, for a while I actually was quite religious. I went to church on Sundays; it was actually something I really enjoyed doing back when my step grandad was still around. I still went after he passed away, but I found that I couldn't get myself involved with anyone there. I always thought of church as being the sort of place where you can share a bond with all the other people who go, to worship god together. But I never felt welcome at the church, and so I grew more distant from it. Needless to say, it did have a negative effect on my faith.

During my time in college, I came to experience a wide range of different faiths and it really broadened my mind. In a way, it kinda did restore my faith, but I felt (and still do) that I couldn't commit myself to a single faith. I believe most religions have very valid reasonings for what they believe in, and I think that at the end of it, it all boils down to basically worshipping someone who created the world (or some people). So, unless there is very solid scientific proof that there was no such a force that resulted in our being here, then I will continue believe that there is a God in some shape or forms.

I wouldn't say I am atheist, so I guess that would make me an agnostic?

 

[SiderealPassing]

Can anti-theists post in here?

If they can; I'm an anti-theist because I am against any oppressive institutions. Religion is about keeping the class system intact, all of them. Even the great Buddhism is about releasing all material belongings and finding a peace in your lower status. This is nothing to say of oppression against women, queers, and other minorities.

I'm an anti-theist as well. I think you're a little off on the Buddhist point though. Buddhism is an immaterial and largely personal philosophy that can actually be applied to atheism. It's not concerned with status and, even if it was, everything taught in Buddhism are suggestions rather than commands. It's more of a philosophy than a religion.

If I saw a ghost, UFO, etc., I would think I was crazy.

So, unless there is very solid scientific proof that there was no such a force that resulted in our being here, then I will continue believe that there is a God in some shape or forms.

Agnosticism is for people who don't want to be labeled atheists and/or haven't come to terms with the fact that they're losing faith.

What about unicorns, purple fairies, and leprechauns? Are you also waiting for scientific proof of their non-existence?

 

[LeonaFirewater]

I'm an anti-theist as well. I think you're a little off on the Buddhist point though. Buddhism is an immaterial and largely personal philosophy that can actually be applied to atheism. It's not concerned with status and, even if it was, everything taught in Buddhism are suggestions rather than commands. It's more of a philosophy than a religion.

If I saw a ghost, UFO, etc., I would think I was crazy.

Yes but that's taking Buddhism out of it's larger cultural context. Buddhism is treated as a strict set of guidelines that people must follow, as such it does lead to social inequality. Buddhism is a tool of oppression like any religious institution, having a double standard. The elites of Buddhism, especially Tibetan Buddhism, us the religion to separate the lower classes from their wealth, and treat it as a greater good.

On the surface it may SEEM like a religion of equality, but applied it is not that way.

 

[Marquis of Granby]

I was technically brought up to be catholic and, for a while I actually was quite religious. I went to church on Sundays; it was actually something I really enjoyed doing back when my step grandad was still around. I still went after he passed away, but I found that I couldn't get myself involved with anyone there. I always thought of church as being the sort of place where you can share a bond with all the other people who go, to worship god together. But I never felt welcome at the church, and so I grew more distant from it. Needless to say, it did have a negative effect on my faith.

During my time in college, I came to experience a wide range of different faiths and it really broadened my mind. In a way, it kinda did restore my faith, but I felt (and still do) that I couldn't commit myself to a single faith. I believe most religions have very valid reasonings for what they believe in, and I think that at the end of it, it all boils down to basically worshipping someone who created the world (or some people). So, unless there is very solid scientific proof that there was no such a force that resulted in our being here, then I will continue believe that there is a God in some shape or forms.

I wouldn't say I am atheist, so I guess that would make me an agnostic?

semantics here but you are neither an atheist or an agnostic. if you believe in a personal god (one who created the universe and cares whether you are good or bad) then you are a theist if you believe in some sort of god that created the universe but doesn't care what you do then you are a deist. the burden of proof is on the party who makes extraordinary claims ie religion. if you choose to continue believing in a god of some sort on the basis that science hasn't got definitive proof that it doesn't exist that's your prerogative but it doesn't make it a good reason to hold that belief.

i'm an atheist first and foremost because i have been given no good reason to believe in a god in the same way that i have been given no good reason to believe in unicorns or the bogeyman. if a god or gods exist then it would seem they are very deceptive beings and i wouldn't value that trait in a human so i certainly wouldn't worship and have faith in a god that was like that.

from the point of view of the 3 main abrahamic religions i find that many of their traditions and certainly large portions of their holy books are completely abhorrent. genital mutilation, rape, incest and the ill treatment of anyone who isn't a heterosexual male. that's not to say that all of this still goes on but how a modern person can know that it is ok to oppress homosexuals but it's no longer ok to kill their neighbour if they see him/her working on a sunday is lost on me.

 

[SiderealPassing]

Yes but that's taking Buddhism out of it's larger cultural context. Buddhism is treated as a strict set of guidelines that people must follow, as such it does lead to social inequality. Buddhism is a tool of oppression like any religious institution, having a double standard. The elites of Buddhism, especially Tibetan Buddhism, us the religion to separate the lower classes from their wealth, and treat it as a greater good.

On the surface it may SEEM like a religion of equality, but applied it is not that way.

Well yeah, there are different sects of Buddhism. I'm only arguing that it can be healthy and self-improving though I suppose you can use Buddhist exercises without the "Buddhist" tag and get the same results.

semantics here but you are neither an atheist or an agnostic. if you believe in a personal god (one who created the universe and cares whether you are good or bad) then you are a theist if you believe in some sort of god that created the universe but doesn't care what you do then you are a deist. the burden of proof is on the party who makes extraordinary claims ie religion. if you choose to continue believing in a god of some sort on the basis that science hasn't got definitive proof that it doesn't exist that that's your prerogative but it doesn't make it a good reason to hold that belief.

i'm an atheist first and foremost because i have been given no good reason to believe in a god in the same way that i have been given no good reason to believe in unicorns or the bogeyman. if a god or gods exist then it would seem they are very deceptive beings and i wouldn't value that trait in a human so i certainly wouldn't worship and have faith in a god that was like that.

from the point of view of the 3 main abrahamic religions i find that many of their traditions and certainly large portions of their holy books are completely abhorrent. genital mutilation, rape, incest and the ill treatment of anyone who isn't a heterosexual male. that's not to say that all of this still goes on but how a modern person can know that it is ok to oppress homosexuals but it's no longer ok to kill their neighbour if they see him/her working on a sunday.

It certainly still goes on which has been made exemplary through the amount of Muslim terrorists (and Muslims who support terrorism) we have across the globe, the covering up of priest child molestation cases, genital mutilation, the mistreatment of homosexuals, etc. Maybe it isn't as bluntly barbaric as it was in the Dark Ages but religion is still a rampant epidemic across the world.

 

[greenyxi]

Back on topic please, ladies and gents. Why are you atheist/agnostic?

Another thread could be made reflecting on how buddhism has changed or...whatever else you fancy talking about

 

[LeonaFirewater]

Well yeah, there are different sects of Buddhism. I'm only arguing that it can be healthy and self-improving though I suppose you can use Buddhist exercises without the "Buddhist" tag and get the same results.

ANY religion can be "healthy" and "self-improving" according to that train of thought. But as institutions they are always oppressive in some manner.

I'm arguing against religious institutions, not personal piety or spirituality.

Back on topic please, ladies and gents. Why are you atheist/agnostic?

Another thread could be made reflecting on how buddhism has changed or...whatever else you fancy talking about

Sorry if it seems off topic, I'm just restating that I'm an anti-theist because of oppression in institutions. Specifically religious ones. All religions (including Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, etc.)

 

[The Welsh Paddy]

i'm an atheist first and foremost because i have been given no good reason to believe in a god in the same way that i have been given no good reason to believe in unicorns or the bogeyman. if a god or gods exist then it would seem they are very deceptive beings and i wouldn't value that trait in a human so i certainly wouldn't worship and have faith in a god that was like that.

This is where I probably start contradicting myself. While I don't believe in unicorns, the bogeyman, etc. I do believe there is a God or Gods. My reasons for this boil down to the fact that I think that all religions worship God in some shape or form, and with that belief being something that is spread worldwide, I think there must be some rationality behind it. I could very well be wrong, mind, but I think of unicorns and the like very differently to how I think of the idea of God. I'm probably speaking aloada nonsense here.

But, should there be proof that there is some God, Gods, or whatever that are the driving force behind our creation and so on, I honestly couldn't say whether I would worship them or not. Most likely not, for the same reasons you mentioned.

 

[SiderealPassing]

ANY religion can be "healthy" and "self-improving" according to that train of thought. But as institutions they are always oppressive in some manner.

I'm arguing against religious institutions, not personal piety or spirituality.

Fair enough. I'd still argue that Buddhist teachings themselves are generally more self-improving than other religions (as they typically don't preach intolerance and blind servitude). I don't support tyrannical institutions in any case.

This is where I probably start contradicting myself. While I don't believe in unicorns, the bogeyman, etc. I do believe there is a God or Gods. My reasons for this boil down to the fact that I think that all religions worship God in some shape or form, and with that belief being something that is spread worldwide, I think there must be some rationality behind it. I could very well be wrong, mind, but I think of unicorns and the like very differently to how I think of the idea of God. I'm probably speaking aloada nonsense here.

Well once again, what makes the concept of a supreme being less of a fairytale than unicorns or the boogeyman? Belief in God is not built out of rationality. It's built out of (comforting?) blind faith. People don't believe in a god the world over because of some widespread higher knowledge. It's simply an attractive belief that caters to human vulnerability in desiring a sense of meaning. It allows them to take comfort in the idea that their lives and the lives of their loved ones don't end in death.

Back on topic please, ladies and gents. Why are you atheist/agnostic?

Another thread could be made reflecting on how buddhism has changed or...whatever else you fancy talking about

I don't see why it's necessarily off-topic. Buddhism can be seen as more of a philosophy and some apply it to atheism.

 

[Ohri-Jin]

This is where I probably start contradicting myself. While I don't believe in unicorns, the bogeyman, etc. I do believe there is a God or Gods. My reasons for this boil down to the fact that I think that all religions worship God in some shape or form, and with that belief being something that is spread worldwide, I think there must be some rationality behind it. I could very well be wrong, mind, but I think of unicorns and the like very differently to how I think of the idea of God. I'm probably speaking aloada nonsense here.

But, should there be proof that there is some God, Gods, or whatever that are the driving force behind our creation and so on, I honestly couldn't say whether I would worship them or not. Most likely not, for the same reasons you mentioned.

I know for a fact there is more than meets the eye.
Karma is something I truly experienced.
Fortune telling IS REAL cause someone told my future in detail and it came true.
Spiritual signs I have encountered.

I dont believe in the written books cause I know they are highly tampered with. I dont believe in religion but I do believe in God.
A higher entity that started the Big Bang. The universe intrigues me but on the other hand they are wasting too much money on that department. They want to find life on other planets but so far no succes.

In order to have life on a planet you have to have certain requirements and its unbelievable how lucky we are on this habitable planet Earth.

My life experiences made me believe in a higher entity. I dont follow religions or books cause I dont want to be put in a box. The books are, no disrespect, totally unbelievable for me.

Some things are true and might have occurred but not the hocus pocus stuff of Jesus imo.

Ive been raised both Muslim and Christian believe it or not. My father was Muslim my mother Christian. I dont have contact with my father. My mom doesnt go to church anymore. My aunt is Christian while her daughter is Muslim. They get along super well. Her daughter my niece got converted because of her husband.

Its not about religion imo. Its about something more than earth and the visual world. You have to feel it and experience it. I believe in signs that everyone endures but most are ignoring it or oblivious to it.

Its just what I believe and I respect everyone no matter what they believe in.


A true Atheist imo wouldnt debate or discuss about Religion or God at all imo. Another thing about the higher entity. God exists but he created life. Perhaps he did not create mankind, but he might have created the seed and conditions to have mankind flourish.

Think about it God doesnt hold hands, but I cant believe the big bang just happened out of nothing. Something must have sparkled it.

We as humans are a selfish barbaric race at times. We cant point fingers to God and blame him on human aspects of life. Why this why that. But I do believe a higher entity tries to direct you at key points in your life.

On the other hand the human brain is something special and scary at the same time. It could be our answer to the question why do we exist?

God supposedly gave free will. He stands idle for a reason. Be good in a corrupt world and your soul is worth transcending etc. Treat others the same way you want to be treated. Religion does have true basic important morals and values imo. Just take the good from it and ignore the bad.

Atheists seem to forget that some believers truly believe and can be easily hurt if they insult them with their words. The other way around they would not like it either yet they keep pushing and pushing. This is not treating people the way you want to be treated.

Treat people with dignity and respect and you will get my respect and unconditional love too. Wether it is irl or on the internet words can truly hurt people.
Dont be so selfish to think just because you're not such a pussy or whiner like some others that your words cant hurt believers and what not.

Empathy brothers and sisters. I dont give a shit if you're a believer or atheist if you dont have empathy you can piss off imo.

 

[Tyler Breeze]

I am a weird case, apparently. Growing up, my Mom used to tell me to pray and such, and would always talk to me about God being in the sky and whatnot. So naturally, I believe in God right now. I believe he's up there, like Toni said, judging my every move. That does make me a bit uncomfortable, because I always think about it, but I've learned to get over it somewhat. But the thing with my family is, we never went to church or even did as little as read the bible. I have only been to a church once and it was for my uncle's wedding. I never went for sessions or anything like that. I was just simply told at a young age that there was a God, and I believed it. I don't know if I have a specific religion or anything like that.

 

[SiderealPassing]

You never thought that any of those things you experienced were just a coincidence?