Question for Atheists

[Nope]

Hello,

I'm doing research for a book I'm writing in the realm of fiction.

My question is this, when it comes to theists and Christians in particular it's easy to list those things that they hold closest to them. God, family, Country. I'm wondering if there is something similar to Atheists, I don't doubt Atheists believe family and country are important, but is there anything else that follows the same theme? Anything that you can say in general that Atheists would be distraught over losing? Would science replace God in the list that I gave?

I'll give you a bit of why I'm asking, I don't want to give to much of the premise away though till I release the book because it's actually unique. One of the themes in the book explores suicide and how the things I mentioned can drive people towards that. Loss of one or all three of those things suddenly and without warning would push people towards that end. So I'm wondering what Atheists would hold closest to them in the absence of something like God that helps ground theists. Hope I'm articulating this well enough, and thoughts you have would be appreciated.

Another poster put it well, as a group (as much as possible. I know this is difficult lol) is there anything Atheists would consider giving them Happiness and Emotional Security in the same way God does for Christians?

Tony

I started to read this thread and left. When I returned it had added pages quickly.

Losing all of my children, friends and family would probably make me suicidal but, hopefully, I will not find out for certain.

One of my sons and my son's close friend, suffers from depression and bipolar disorder. My son's friend is a Christian. When they are depressed it isn't because they lost something. Their depression stems from a chemical imbalance in the brain. Luckily, my son is getting therapy and taking medication. I admire my son greatly for working so hard to find resources for, what I consider, is a physical disease. My son, by the way, LOVES his medication. He says that for the first time in his life, he is even. I mention depression because I think that would be a factor in why someone might react to loss by committing suicide. Perhaps if someone believes, or is told, that their faith will help them overcome depression than they might become suicidal when their faith doesn't cure them.( I should point out that I know a lot of very lovely Christians who have sought outside help for mental disorders. )

[Cyberman]

If you could put in a scene where the atheist eats a baby, I think we'd all appreciate it :p

Can he include a recipe with that?

[tonyc4444]

I did that. God, Family, Country. Everybody on the planet identifies with one of those three things. Well just about everybody. As many people in here already pointed out how important family is to them. I was simply wondering (erroneously apparently) if the Atheist community shared any other values.

I love books too! Especially writing them, fascinating stuff.

So beyond the differences in how atheists and Christians treat fictional writings, why do you even need to ask "atheists" as if we don't experience the same world of struggles any other person does? It's like asking, "What do people without beards like to do?"

Well that's kind of the rub isn't it? Why it's better to enrich your circle of knowledge than to look at things from one small point of view. It's just a simple fact of human nature that while we all live and struggle in the same world, we may perceive things differently based on our upbringing, values etc etc. Hell something as simple as a dress can be seen in different shades of color, so perception I think is key. God, Family, Country is easy. Everyone identifies with that. As far as atheists go, I'm not one so I don't know if you guys see things differently in that respect or not.

Beliefs in God aside, many of the answers I got today were good ones I hadn't considered like Materialism, prosperity, skepticism. I doubt very much I would have gotten those from a Christian group. I'd also like to point out that like many Christians I would have erroneously placed science ahead and the character may have come out completely different had I not had this discussion with a group of atheists.

Just as an example, the character I'm forming in my mind now is a young adult male who is highly skeptical at the things going on with in the story, he's highly into athleticism and very family oriented and will be completely shocked at some of the things Christians are going to do in the story. He's probably a gamer and is going to experience a significant loss in that regards, that and his family of course.

All of this just helps me form a picture in my head on the character.

[Crossless2.0]

If you could put in a scene where the atheist eats a baby, I think we'd all appreciate it :p

Can he include a recipe with that?

I want a scene in which an atheist is dumbfounded by the argument from design:

"You know, you're right! Things are fascinatingly complex and there are an awful lot of patterns in nature. I'd never really thought of that. Someone must have designed everything. Thank you, theist. Thank you! Will you help me pray?"

[rexbeccarox]

3) It is certainly insulting to come into an established group and insist that that group play by your rules of decorum, no? We generally like people to introduce themselves and become a part of the community before using us for research purposes. This is the biggest reason why you are not being received well, IMO.

Well that may be but I'm a busy person who doesn't spend very much time in online forums. I have no intention on returning here when I'm done. I appreciate your candor and I can respect why you think this way, but not much point in introducing myself and pretending like I'm going to stick around just to get some small information.

(bold mine)

I was about to come to your defense, as I was reading through this thread, and I didn't understand why people were as angry at you as they seemed.

Then I read the bold. If you're only here to use us, I think you can kindly fuck right off.

But thanks for not capitalizing "atheist" anymore.

[tonyc4444]

Hello,

I'm doing research for a book I'm writing in the realm of fiction.

My question is this, when it comes to theists and Christians in particular it's easy to list those things that they hold closest to them. God, family, Country. I'm wondering if there is something similar to Atheists, I don't doubt Atheists believe family and country are important, but is there anything else that follows the same theme? Anything that you can say in general that Atheists would be distraught over losing? Would science replace God in the list that I gave?

I'll give you a bit of why I'm asking, I don't want to give to much of the premise away though till I release the book because it's actually unique. One of the themes in the book explores suicide and how the things I mentioned can drive people towards that. Loss of one or all three of those things suddenly and without warning would push people towards that end. So I'm wondering what Atheists would hold closest to them in the absence of something like God that helps ground theists. Hope I'm articulating this well enough, and thoughts you have would be appreciated.

Another poster put it well, as a group (as much as possible. I know this is difficult lol) is there anything Atheists would consider giving them Happiness and Emotional Security in the same way God does for Christians?

Tony

I started to read this thread and left. When I returned it had added pages quickly.

Losing all of my children, friends and family would probably make me suicidal but, thankfully, I will never know for certain.

And I pray that you never do.

One of my sons and my son's close friend, suffers from depression and bipolar disorder. My son's friend is a Christian. When they are depressed it isn't because they lost something. Their depression stems from a chemical imbalance in the brain. Luckily, my son is getting therapy and taking medication. I admire my son greatly for working so hard to find resources for, what I consider, is a physical disease. My son, by the way, LOVES his medication. He says that for the first time in his life, he is even. I mention depression because I think that would be a factor in why someone might react to loss by committing suicide. Perhaps if someone believes, or is told, that their faith will help them overcome depression than they might become suicidal.

I agree with you in respects to chronic and prolonged depression. I'm very sorry to hear that he's had so many issues, hopefully the medication will keep working.

I do believe short term depression, if it's severe enough could have the same effect though. You yourself admit losing all your friends and family would probably make you suicidal, as I think losing a child would make most parents.

In any case, thank you for coming back I appreciate the insight.

[abaris]

I appreciate your candor and I can respect why you think this way, but not much point in introducing myself and pretending like I'm going to stick around just to get some small information.

Don't you realize how this comes over? It's basically saying, hey guys and gals, I'm not really that interested in you to stick around, but be my guinnea pigs for a second, will you? And by the way, you don't need to know who I am.

Would you do that in real life? Would you have tender feeling towards someone doing it to you? Keep in mind that you're still talking to real people.

[tonyc4444]

Well that may be but I'm a busy person who doesn't spend very much time in online forums. I have no intention on returning here when I'm done. I appreciate your candor and I can respect why you think this way, but not much point in introducing myself and pretending like I'm going to stick around just to get some small information.

(bold mine)

I was about to come to your defense, as I was reading through this thread, and I didn't understand why people were as angry at you as they seemed.

Then I read the bold. If you're only here to use us, I think you can kindly fuck right off.

But thanks for not capitalizing "atheist" anymore.

Sure. I'll get to that later.

---

I appreciate your candor and I can respect why you think this way, but not much point in introducing myself and pretending like I'm going to stick around just to get some small information.

Don't you realize how this comes over? It's basically saying, hey guys and gals, I'm not really that interested in you to stick around, but be my guinnea pigs for a second, will you? And by the way, you don't need to know who I am.

Would you do that in real life? Keep in mind that you're still talking to real people.

Yes, I would do that in real life. I told you up front I was a writer and why I was asking the question. Writers do research all the time before writing books. No, I don't understand why this would offend you.

As to who I am in real life, I provided a link to my other published book, my real name is right there for everyone to see. Anthony Caputa. I have nothing to hide. I'm sorry if it offends you but writers do this sort of thing all the time. Would you prefer I write from a very narrow point of view?

Here's the link again in case there are still any questions as to my intentions:

{snip}

[abaris]

Sure. I'll get to that later.

If you're not going to adress that earlier statement you made, you're just a rude individual that doesn't warrant any attention.

In this case I wholeheartedly agree with rexbecca's suggestion. Just make it quick, if you please.

[tonyc4444]

If you could put in a scene where the atheist eats a baby, I think we'd all appreciate it :p

I'm sure the Christian Fundamentalists would appreciate that as well. lol

---

Sure. I'll get to that later.

If you're not going to adress that earlier statement you made, you're just a rude individual that doesn't warrant any attention.

In this case I wholeheartedly agree with rexbecca's suggestion. Just make it quick, if you please.

Look just above your post.