The atheist perspective

[thesummerqueen]

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 isn't a rebellion. Either you believe in god(s) or you don't. It's a descriptor. Theists have made it into a rebellion because those theists feel threatened by those who don't believe the same thing they do, and that can include other god belief. (And before Rayaan swoops in with his Best Muslim Ever smile, I mean the theists that DO have a problem, not the ones that don't, who obviously don't impose their crap on other people)

Atheism isn't about merit. You're starting to make me think you're a theist in disguise with that statement.

Theism does impact me because the rules and taboos people create in the name of religion work their way into society and sometimes into law. I live in the Bible Belt where I'm confronted with religion every day - I'm not rebelling against them, I just want to be left alone. I don't want my tax money paying for it. I don't want to be told I'm immoral because I don't pray to a being no one's given me evidence for. How the hell is atheism a rebellion again?

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 don't think I'm understanding what you're asking. I know I don't believe there is a god. My mind could be changed, with evidence. I'm not making a commitment to anything.

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

I'm sure if you asked those people they'd also describe themselves as rationalists or skeptics too.

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One of life's lessons: Never use words you cannot pronounce or understand lest you want ridicule and humiliation from your peers.

Hehe. We need an Inigo smiley that holds a sign that says "I do not think that word means what you think it means."