Why It Is More Important To Be Atheist

[jut]

I have a lot of Christian friends to who I end up explaining my beliefs on why it is more important for me to be Atheist than a believer of a God... thought I'd share:

I believe each person's time on earth is limited and when you die you are worm food and you don't get to see the people you care about any more. So you must really cherish the time spent while you are here, and make it that much better.

People tend to believe that to be atheist means to believe in nothing, as to a person without a purpose or belief or outlook on the world. I think it is an unfortunate stereotype for the "believer" and can be a closed door to a flow of thought that should stay open.

PS: Any atheist should have an open mind as well.

[Engel]

I have a lot of Christian friends to who I end up explaining my beliefs on why it is more important for me to be Atheist than a believer of a God... thought I'd share:

I believe each person's time on earth is limited and when you die you are worm food and you don't get to see the people you care about any more. So you must really cherish the time spent while you are here, and make it that much better.

People tend to believe that to be atheist means to believe in nothing, as to a person without a purpose or belief or outlook on the world. I think it is an unfortunate stereotype for the "believer" and can be a closed door to a flow of thought that should stay open.

PS: Any atheist should have an open mind as well.

Well said, although I might have tempered the worm food bit a little myself.

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when you die you are worm food and you don't get to see the people you care about any more.

Thank you. If only theists can realize this is what happens when you die. Kinda makes me sad.. I wish I could visit hell. but it's all lies. LIES!

[Chuff]

This to me is one of the most offensive things about theism, it makes me feel like shaking them.

This life is all that we have, once it's over that's it - game over.

Does that make me sad or fearful?

No... It inspires me to make the most of our precious time here and enjoy what we have before entropy finally calls time.

[The Heff]

I always tell people I have no religious belief system, often they thinking atheism is kin to religious beliefs. Instead, I tell them I lack a belief in any God, afterlife or the supernatural.

To me that is what atheism is all about. I lack belief in the supernatural/divine and work to make the most of my limited time here.

[el_presidente]

I believe each person's time on earth is limited and when you die you are worm food and you don't get to see the people you care about any more. So you must really cherish the time spent while you are here, and make it that much better.

Exactly. Thank you.

[Tempus]

People tend to believe that to be atheist means to believe in nothing, as to a person without a purpose or belief or outlook on the world. I think it is an unfortunate stereotype for the "believer" and can be a closed door to a flow of thought that should stay open.

Yep, an atheist is someone who lacks belief in god(s). Nothing more or less can be inferred from their atheism. However, this:

I believe each person's time on earth is limited and when you die you are worm food and you don't get to see the people you care about any more. So you must really cherish the time spent while you are here, and make it that much better.

Is your personal philosophy. There is no atheist philosophy, and it's not more rational, irrational, nicer, worse, optimistic, pessimistic, etc. It's just one boolean value describing someone's belief state in relation to deities. I'm pretty sure you realise this (I'm not trying to suggest you don't), but I just thought I'd add in my two cents.

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

PS: Any atheist should have an open mind as well

There is one and only one 'should' in atheism; A disbelief in god(s). NOTHING ELSE is implied or may be inferred.

[el_presidente]

PS: Any atheist should have an open mind as well

There is one and only one 'should' in atheism; A disbelief in god(s). NOTHING ELSE is implied or may be inferred.

Good point. I think it's worth differentiating between what atheism is (literally as you've said) versus what some of us would like an atheist movement to look like.

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

some of us would like an atheist movement to look like.

Perhaps also worth considering some of us believe that by definition there is no such thing as an atheist movement, and will not support any 'movement' or organistation making such a claim.