[Serious] Why are you an Atheist?

[EgoDeath]

I would say that all makes pretty good sense.  What were some of the behaviors that you witnessed in Christians, family  or otherwise that caused your skepticism towards belief in God?

The behaviors I witnessed, and continue to witness, in Christians, that strengthened my skepticism were bountiful. The hypocrisy and total lack of self-awareness. The inability to use logic and reason when it came to evaluating religious, divine or miraculous claims. The complete lunacy of saying things like "god helped me find my car keys," when we know damn well that people are starving all over the world, dying of terrible diseases, falling victim to natural disasters, etc. The statements about prayer about how "god works in mysterious ways." The admission, by many Christians, that there really is no evidence for god, and that they "just believe." The bizarre talks of people being "better off" after they die, because they're "in a better place," when no one really knows what happens after we die - and to be honest, we have no real reason to believe that consciousness continues after death.

You see, we treat the claim of god's supposed existence as if it's special - after all, there are worldwide traditions that have been around for thousands of years based on these claims. The problem with that is, it doesn't matter how many times you claim something to be true... if you never provide evidence for your claim, no one has any real reason to accept the claim as true. I mean, hell, look at Scientology. You can claim over and over that you've been contacted by Xenu and have "gone clear," but what the fuck does that actually mean if there's nothing to view in objective reality that will verify that claim?

So, to be honest, we're still at square one with the whole god thing. No matter how the religious try to act as if it is "self-evident" that god exists - it isn't. And since it isn't self-evident, we need real evidence. Hell, first we need to define what god actually is. So, until we can define what god is, specifically and explicitly, we cannot even begin to discuss what evidence we would need to verify the existence of such a thing. Clearly, the conversation about god hasn't even started. It's not even a real discussion, because there's nothing to discuss yet.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

I would say that all makes pretty good sense.  What were some of the behaviors that you witnessed in Christians, family  or otherwise that caused your skepticism towards belief in God?

The behaviors I witnessed, and continue to witness, in Christians, that strengthened my skepticism were bountiful. The hypocrisy and total lack of self-awareness. The inability to use logic and reason when it came to evaluating religious, divine or miraculous claims. The complete lunacy of saying things like "god helped me find my car keys," when we know damn well that people are starving all over the world, dying of terrible diseases, falling victim to natural disasters, etc. The statements about prayer about how "god works in mysterious ways." The admission, by many Christians, that there really is no evidence for god, and that they "just believe." The bizarre talks of people being "better off" after they die, because they're "in a better place," when no one really knows what happens after we die - and to be honest, we have no real reason to believe that consciousness continues after death.

You see, we treat the claim of god's supposed existence as if it's special - after all, there are worldwide traditions that have been around for thousands of years based on these claims. The problem with that is, it doesn't matter how many times you claim something to be true... if you never provide evidence for your claim, no one has any real reason to accept the claim as true. I mean, hell, look at Scientology. You can claim over and over that you've been contacted by Xenu and have "gone clear," but what the fuck does that actually mean if there's nothing to view in objective reality that will verify that claim?

So, to be honest, we're still at square one with the whole god thing. No matter how the religious try to act as if it is "self-evident" that god exists - it isn't. And since it isn't self-evident, we need real evidence. Hell, first we need to define what god actually is. So, until we can define what god is, specifically and explicitly, we cannot even begin to discuss what evidence we would need to verify the existence of such a thing. Clearly, the conversation about god hasn't even started. It's not even a real discussion, because there's nothing to discuss yet.

Robert Heinlein once make the observation that theology is a subject with no content.  You've expanded nicely on that.  Well done.

Boru

[maxolla]

Thanks to all who participated in answering the questions asked. While there could always be more data I think I have enough to finish the assignment. I do not need anymore participation at this time but obviously feel free.

Special thanks to EgoDeath, Alex K, Rahn127, and Abaddon_Ire for their thoughtful answers....and thanks to the rest for making me laugh and especially No One for teaching me why Hendrix is the greatest guitar player in history.

Blessings upon you all.

[Mermaid]

What do you consider as prime reality? Biology and the objective world. 

What is the purpose of history or does it serve  a purpose? Purpose? It is what it is. Something to be observed objectively and learned from. 

How did human existence begin? Evolution from primordial soup. 

What is morality? A subjective view of what is right and wrong. 

Where do you decide what is right and wrong? See above. 

What do you believe in with absolute certainty? That God doesn't exist and that people are stupid for putting so much of themselves in it. 
Ok, here's a meatier, less nasty and rude answer: I believe in natural selection as a driver of evolution with absolute certainty.

Thanks in advance. You're welcome.

[Simon Moon]

New to this site and actually atheism.  I’m here to know more about atheism and how people convert to it.  My questions are below.  If you have time please take a moment to help me understand more of the atheist view.  These questions are intended for those who espouse the atheist view but if you are from another belief system feel free to answer.

I'm a little late to this thread, but I'll go ahead and respond.

First of all, one does not 'convert' to atheism. Atheism: is not a religion, or a worldview, has no dogma, doctrine, leaders, tenets, or literally anything that one could possible convert to.

Atheism is a response to theist's claims that gods exist.

What do you consider as prime reality?

I am not sure what prime reality is.

All I know, is that I am pragmatically forced to deal with the reality I experience. If I ignore the reality I am presented with, by, for example believing the car approaching me does not really exist, I will die.

What is the purpose of history or does it serve  a purpose?

Humans are natural storytellers, recording and teaching human history seems like a big part of our nature. It also seems to have real world advantages, so we can try to avoid past human mistakes.

How did human existence begin?

ALL the evidence points to humans descending from earlier, less advanced hominids.

What is morality?

Where do you decide what is right and wrong?

To me, morality is, actions when taken by a moral agent, improve the well being and ability to thrive of other sentient and sapient beings (moral actions). Hinder the well being and ability to thrive of other sentient and sapient beings (immoral actions). Or have neutral effects on well being

What do you believe in with absolute certainty?

Probably nothing.

I believe absolute certainty is unobtainable. Due to the problem of disproving hard solipsism (and no, I am not a solipsist).

Thanks in advance.

Max

Welcome to the forum!

[Nay_Sayer]

Why do I get the feeling he skimmed over my thoughtful heartfelt answer?

[Rahn127]

Thanks to all who participated in answering the questions asked. While there could always be more data I think I have enough to finish the assignment. I do not need anymore participation at this time but obviously feel free.

Special thanks to EgoDeath, Alex K, Rahn127, and Abaddon_Ire for their thoughtful answers....and thanks to the rest for making me laugh and especially No One for teaching me why Hendrix is the greatest guitar player in history.

Blessings upon you all.

Can I exchange my blessings in for beer ?
Or perhaps some Irish Cream ?

[Simon Moon]

Thanks to all who participated in answering the questions asked.  While there could always be more data I think I have enough to finish the assignment.  I do not need anymore participation at this time but obviously feel free.  

Special thanks to EgoDeath, Alex K, Rahn127, and Abaddon_Ire for their thoughtful answers....and thanks to the rest for making me laugh and especially No One for teaching me why Hendrix is the greatest guitar player in history.

Blessings upon you all.

I hope you stick around the forum for further discussions.

[maxolla]

Thanks to all who participated in answering the questions asked. While there could always be more data I think I have enough to finish the assignment. I do not need anymore participation at this time but obviously feel free.

Special thanks to EgoDeath, Alex K, Rahn127, and Abaddon_Ire for their thoughtful answers....and thanks to the rest for making me laugh and especially No One for teaching me why Hendrix is the greatest guitar player in history.

Blessings upon you all.

Can I exchange my blessings in for beer ?
Or perhaps some Irish Cream ?

Yes for sure. If you are ever in Temecula CA look me up...the blessings are on me.

---

New to this site and actually atheism.  I’m here to know more about atheism and how people convert to it.  My questions are below.  If you have time please take a moment to help me understand more of the atheist view.  These questions are intended for those who espouse the atheist view but if you are from another belief system feel free to answer.

I'm a little late to this thread, but I'll go ahead and respond.

First of all, one does not 'convert' to atheism. Atheism: is not a religion, or a worldview, has no dogma, doctrine, leaders, tenets, or literally anything that one could possible convert to.

Atheism is a response to theist's claims that gods exist.

What do you consider as prime reality?

I am not sure what prime reality is.

All I know, is that I am pragmatically forced to deal with the reality I experience. If I ignore the reality I am presented with, by, for example believing the car approaching me does not really exist, I will die.

What is the purpose of history or does it serve  a purpose?

Humans are natural storytellers, recording and teaching human history seems like a big part of our nature. It also seems to have real world advantages, so we can try to avoid past human mistakes.

How did human existence begin?

ALL the evidence points to humans descending from earlier, less advanced hominids.

What is morality?

Where do you decide what is right and wrong?

To me, morality is, actions when taken by a moral agent, improve the well being and ability to thrive of other sentient and sapient beings (moral actions). Hinder the well being and ability to thrive of other sentient and sapient beings (immoral actions). Or have neutral effects on well being

What do you believe in with absolute certainty?

Probably nothing.

I believe absolute certainty is unobtainable. Due to the problem of disproving hard solipsism (and no, I am not a solipsist).

Thanks in advance.

Max

Welcome to the forum!

Thanks for the late reply. Very thoughtful. One of the few replies that doesn’t sidestep or trivialize the questions posed. These questions are a series of questions posed that are supposed to help mutual understanding as to how we see the world around us. They are not perfect as everything we know is not but it is possible a baseline for knowledge and communication regarding what we see individually as the way the world works.

I’m curious how people come to believe that they believe. I don’t say necessarily contend that there is proof of anything. I think this is the point. Both Christians and atheists argue from a faith perspective in the positive and the negative regarding reality. Faith is necessary for both views. I do not claim there is proof of the existence of God but I claim there is evidence that could be considered inadequate but there is evidence none the less. There is also a lack of sensible evidence in the form of sensory knowledge and I will agree that that is only partially true.

It’s like the two views on the origin of man. On the one hand we have creation and on the other evolution. Both sides claim that there is ample evidence of their view but what I don’t get is the unwillingness of one side or the other to recognize the faith necessary to believe both explanations. The idea that there is irrefutable evidence on either side is preposterous. There are problems on both accounts and a great deal of faith is necessary to believe either version.

I guess it’s must have something to do with the inherent propensity for people to want to be right at all costs or something like that. I don’t refute that Abraham Lincoln was a president of the united states but I have not seen him and I do not have irrefutable evidence that he existed. I also do not know if aliens exist or not. There are plenty of people that claim to have been abducted by some unidentified life form. Do we refute that claim on the basis of our belief (without evidence) that aliens don’t exist? We all know that people like to tell stories so maybe they are making these stories up? The best I can come up with is to say “I don’t know”. I think that might be the most honest answer that can be given.

Thanks again for your late reply.

Max

[The Grand Nudger]

No faith is necessary to not believe in something. Say, creation. Meanwhile, evolutionary biology is an observed fact, which also does not require any belief.