Do atheists believe in the existence of friendship?

[The Grand Nudger]

Easy, you prance around in circles sniffing their assholes.

[Thumpalumpacus]

To quote a friend and fellow fan of Jack London, "Tell me about the fucking dog."

[Mister Agenda]

Friendship is as friendhip does.

[Fake Messiah]

Atheists usually believe in things that can be backed up by evidence, and friendship is something that requires evidence. Indeed, friendship is something that almost constantly needs evidence as it needs to be maintained.

Well said. But I wonder what 'evidence' in this case could be, to you in the least.

Human relationships, including friendship, consist of giving and taking. And it goes back from mutual grooming in primates to helping a friend move.

So if you have a friend, you usually help him with problems and he helps you. But if it comes down to you only helping him while he never helps you, then you feel used and you don't feel like that person is your friend, and that is because humans have sensitive antennae for detecting violations of reciprocity.

[Angrboda]

What is of the mind cannot be seen with just the eyes.

[KerimF]

In fact, many humans feel better in seeing themselves as being very complex intelligent machines guided by their pre-programmed instructions (instincts).

Unfortunately, I feel better by opposing many of these pre-programmed instructions, embedded in my mortal living body.
I feel better by not judging others, by not taking revenge, by not resisting evil, by respecting others as they are... etc.  I know... I know... you likely think that I am a damaged machine

You meet some strange Humans, then.

There also seems to be a lack of understanding of what, perchance, 'Biology' is on your part. However, I do not wish to be presumptuous.

Yes. Well done. Welcome to being 'Human' and experiencing 'Mirror neurons' and all that stuff.

Cheers.

What about you?
What do you prefer doing to feel better... and it is not supposed being related to our pre-programmed human's instincts?
Of course, you don't have to reply, other than to yourself perhaps.

[Peebothuhlu]

What about you?
What do you prefer doing to feel better... and it is not supposed being related to our pre-programmed human's instincts?
Of course, you don't have to reply, other than to yourself perhaps.

What do I do to 'Feel better'?

Generally, simply live life. Steady employment. Contact with friends.

Still not sure why you're using the whole 'Program' and 'Machine' thing.

Life isn't like that. Heck, technically,  even 'Machines' aren't like that.

It's a trope. An allusion.

Humans and 'Instincts' are really not a 'Thing'.

I mean, other than a 'Gripping' system built in as newborns, Humans barely do anything 'Instinctively'.

As for 'Replying to myself'? Yeah, another strange turn of phrase.

Cheers.

[KerimF]

Well said. But I wonder what 'evidence' in this case could be, to you in the least.

Human relationships, including friendship, consist of giving and taking. And it goes back from mutual grooming in primates to helping a friend move.

So if you have a friend, you usually help him with problems and he helps you. But if it comes down to you only helping him while he never helps you, then you feel used and you don't feel like that person is your friend, and that is because humans have sensitive antennae for detecting violations of reciprocity.

So far, friendship is about helping each other.
Is this enough?!
For example, the members of a sportive team also help each other to win in their games, does this make them a team of friends besides being a professional sportive team?

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

First, thank you all for taking the trouble to answer my first question by a big YES, though each of you did it by using his artistic talent

Now, it is time for the second question

If two persons stand before you, please let me know how you could be sure that friendship exists in them or not. Thank you.

Naturally, the third question will be based on how each of you will answer this second one

Just standing in front of me would give no indication of whether friendship exists in them. As others have said, friendship is determined by the actions of the parties involved.

A friend will help you move. A GOOD friend will help you move a body.

Boru

[KerimF]

What about you?
What do you prefer doing to feel better... and it is not supposed being related to our pre-programmed human's instincts?
Of course, you don't have to reply, other than to yourself perhaps.

What do I do to 'Feel better'?

Generally, simply live life. Steady employment. Contact with friends.

Still not sure why you're using the whole 'Program' and 'Machine' thing.

Life isn't like that. Heck, technically,  even 'Machines' aren't like that.

It's a trope. An allusion.

Humans and 'Instincts' are really not a 'Thing'.

I mean, other than a 'Gripping' system built in as newborns, Humans barely do anything 'Instinctively'.

As for 'Replying to myself'? Yeah, another strange turn of phrase.

Cheers.

Your remarks are interesting indeed and billions of people around the world agree with you without hesitation.
Don't you know why?
Well, one of the best algorithms embedded in our living cells lets us not be aware, most of the time, that when we decide to do in every situation, we simply execute some complex conditional instructions for the good of our living flesh (or of others sometimes). I mean, not by a mere coincidence, almost all humans insist to gain their daily bread by their own hands (sort of expression) instead of depending on others for this. Also, they usually try to form sort of gatherings, small or big. This helps them face life better by helping each other, whenever necessary, as wolves do in the forest  
I don't know what to say more because you mentioned just two situations "Steady employment. Contact with friends".