The atheist perspective

[Sitnuc]

Your first mistake is assuming there is some collective atheist purpose.

Some atheists are anti-theists and want to rid the world of religion. Some are just atheists and don't give a shit either way. What brings atheists together in a place like this can't even really be put under one banner. What most atheists do share is a wish to be treated fairly - like human beings - without having to cater to someone else's beliefs.

I am agnostic and can understand that, but unless another’s views were imposed on me and I was retaliating to it. I can’t see any merit in being an atheist. Why would I rebel against something which has no impact on me?

Atheism is not a belief. It is a lack of beliefs. So when someone says "oh, that's what you believe" it's really fucking annoying. No. I don't believe it. I don't believe there is a god. I don't know everything, though, so maybe one of my bushes will burst into flame, who knows. But whether someone claims there is a god or claims there's a unicorn eating my rosemary, they have to prove it to me or I'm under no obligation to go along with their shenanigans. It's an empty hole, not a hole filled with definitive opinions. You see the difference?

I know atheists find it annoying. I assure I’m not trying to be annoying, I’ve just never heard an answer which I find viable to not consider it a belief. Do you believe that you don’t believe there is a god, despite not knowing everything?

I find the claims of the unicorns, fsm,.. such a weak response to attempting to illustrate non-belief in something. I see the difference it just makes no sense to me. I know I don’t know anything and in the absence of evidence make no commitment either way.

Not all atheists are rational people. You'll do better going to a skeptic forum if you're looking for people who congregate for rationalism.

Interesting, many atheists claim their rationalism compels them to be an atheist.

I, personally, take active involvement in denying bullshit because some of it is downright dangerous. I don't limit myself to religious bullshit though. It also causes inequality - when you're being discriminated against because you're not subscribing to someone's particular brand of BS, regardless of whether or not you're a fantastic, capable, and motivated human being otherwise, that's wrong.