(June 21, 2012 at 4:19 pm)c.P.u1 Wrote: I dunno if I ever had any actual or true beliefs in God in the past. But yes, I did use to pray during the tough, tensed times, say, when the exam results were coming out. From the past three years, I'm very much confirmed that there is no such thing as God. I don't make any prayers anymore(not even false ones). When I see people making any references to God, I feel that they are stupid. That they are dependent on something that doesn't exist. I also don't believe in the saying: As you sow, so shall you reap. Since there is nobody watching us. We live, do whatever we want, eventually die and disappear from the world. There's no such thing as a soul or rebirth.
From the points I stated above, can I be considered as an Atheist?
Yes you are an atheist. BUT I would clarify that just because there is no one watching doesn't mean we can do whatever we want. Laws exist to maintain civility and at least in the west human rights. Do don't let your new found atheism make you think you can be an outlaw rebel.
SECONDLY which is more moral to you doing the right thing only because someone might see you, or doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. You don't need someone watching you to be moral and decent.
SECONDLY simply making that admission that you don't believe while it might have taken you a while and have at times been a struggle, it is not enough to simply stop there.
I have slowly over an 11 year period educated myself on line on the position of atheists, basic science, AND theists arguments. If you don't arm your new found reason, which is just budding now with education, you will be easy pickings for a snake oil salesman.
No one should expect you to learn everything I did over night. But certain terms I do think you should know and certain books I myself found invaluable to knowing both my position, and the position of theists.
All you need is a little time each week or maybe a few minutes a day, and the internet and websites like this, and maybe a pittance of money for the list of books you DONT have to buy all at once.
Terms you should know.
"Problem with Infinite Regress"
"Ocham's Razor"
"Fallacy of pascal's wager"
"Bentrand Russell's "tepot" argument
Books you should read
"The God Delusion" Richard Dawkins
"The New Atheism" Victor Stinger, covers scientifically why morals are unversal and covers all the major religions on this issue.
"God Is Not Great" the late great Christopher Hitchens
That is a short list.
But websites I find useful.
This one and its rival which you just replace org for com.
http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com
Positive Atheism.com quotes from famous deists/ scientists/ atheists who valued the right to question, even if they had some sort of belief.
American Atheists, atheist activist group
Atheists Alliance
Rational Responders
And simply do not be afraid of being stumped or be afraid to ask your fellow atheists something if you get stumped or do not understand something.
On all these websites you will find you have a variety of people who know something about what you have questions about.
DONT think you need to do all of this tonight or even in a year. But know you are not alone and anytime you have questions that pool above and this website someone will help you if you need it.
