Hare Krishna

[Whateverist]

I'm surprised that you place as much importance in the traditional place gods have played in answering questions some people have had. I don't find myself so impressed by history and custom that I require a justification to depart from the norm. Perhaps you are different in that way? That's fine. If you're wondering how can I be so different than you, you just have too much time on your hands for wondering.

I didn't argue that "lots of people believe in God, therefore God exists."

I'll give you that. But here is your full response from which I plucked that quote:

Why would someone call themselves an atheist if they don't have an active disbelief in God?

God has, historically, been a really popular answer for answering questions like "Why do I exist?" "Where does everything come from?" "Why can't I have or do whatever the hell I feel like?" "Why do I have to die?" Stuff like that, and more.

As an atheist, it seems to me that the least you're saying is "Well, I know the answer to all those questions isn't God." So then what - do you have a better answer?

It certainly seems as though you're implying that in the absence of a superior response to these existential questions, atheism is somehow untenable. Did I misinterpret that?

What I would say in response isn't that "I know the answer isn't God". Rather, I would say I have no reason to think God is the answer to any of those questions. Unless one is anxious to be rid of the questions I see no reason to settle for an off-the-rack answer involving gods.

I actually enjoy your vibe so don't let anyone chase you away. I get the feeling you aren't hell bent on saving or converting anyone and that is a point in your favor. But you really need to stop trying to push all of us atheists into one box. Tino doesn't speak for me when he says:

There is no god. There are no gods. I am absolutely certain.

But there are others who do agree with him on this, and while I don't I do agree with him completely about free will (from another thread). Frankly I feel I have more in common with an agnostic theist than I do a gnostic atheist. Certainty is a strong attractant but I find I can do without it.

Anyhow, welcome to the forum.