No problems with atheism then...

[Cinjin]

Sorry. Not buying it.

I'm not selling. I'm telling. I vehemently object to the implication I am a liar and demand an apology.

I demand that people respect me and furthermore, make me king of the world!

[The Grand Nudger]

I demand that my wifes nipples become chewable beer taps.

[Skeptic]

Atheism does not include a "belief structure". There's the problem... and it lies with you.

---

Perhaps this "belief structure" is where we're all supposed to have obtained this undefined dogma from...

[Godnose]

God, you should just tell us what your belief structure is, and how it's a problem for atheism, rather than us all waiting with baited breath for this thread to collapse.

I am an atheist. I have always been an atheist as long as I can remember (although until 10-15 years ago, whatever, I thought I was an agnostic).

I believe this is the only logical position to hold, and that all religions are based upon falsehoods. They are just fairy stories.

I am concerned that, despite the growth of science and all the evidence which so clearly demonstrates the unfeasibility of any such thing as God or whatever, the power of religion continues to grow with increasing force against what at one time seemed to me to be an unstoppable growth of secularism, and that saddens me.

I believe that to attempt to undermine the continuing growth of religion by attacking religion is folly, since religion thrives on adversity. The real problem is the atheists themselves, who collectively are more interested in justifying their own belief system than actually applying themselves to the the problemns inherent in creating a stable society that is free from religion.

I suggest that in order to create such a society it is necessary to provide and support certain services and social structures that hitherto have been traditionally supported by religion. Things like marriage, moral counselling, family support and so on.

I believe that if this is not done then people will inevitably gravitate back into religion, as the only way of obtaining them, and the future of secularity will therefore become increasingly elusive.

If all this comes across a little incoherent I apologise, however I am not an academic person and can only say the words that come out of my brain. Sometimes I get them wrong, but unless you are all complete dickheads than the gist of what I'm attempting to say should be pretty clear. And I must say, finally, that I really take offence at the way some of you come across as really nasty, petty minded and vindictive individuals. But then, I've come to learn that's what the so-called "communities" of internet forums are so often like.

Now, either get on and follow the thread I've tried to set up, or I'm getting out of here, because frankly I've got better things to do than arse about with a bunch of egotistical burks who are only intent upon puffing themselves up and pretending to be something they are not.

[Paul the Human]

Now that you have more clearly worded the topic of discussion you wish us to engage in, you might actually find some answers. Here's mine:

Atheism is only the state of lacking belief in god(s). Everything else you're talking about are your individual desires, which are, of course, defined by your atheism. I do not, personally, share all of those desires. I think religion is here to stay and spending my life wishing it were otherwise would only cause me frustration. So, I accept the world as it is and do what I can to change the circumstances of myself and those close to me. If others choose to believe in fairy tales, I don't care.

The scientific community make great strides on a daily basis. Believers don't care. They believe because they want to believe. They're happy. Good for them.

[Godnose]

The scientific community make great strides on a daily basis. Believers don't care. They believe because they want to believe. They're happy. Good for them.

If it matters so little to you then I don't understand why you bother to express your atheism.

[Skeptic]

If it matters so little to you then I don't understand why you bother to express your atheism.

If other peoples opinions matter so little to you then I wonder why you bother to start 'discussions'.

[Godnose]

Sorry. Not buying it.

I'm not selling. I'm telling. I vehemently object to the implication I am a liar and demand an apology.

I demand that people respect me and furthermore, make me king of the world!

You are whatever you want to be. We all exist only in your imagination.

---

If it matters so little to you then I don't understand why you bother to express your atheism.

If other peoples opinions matter so little to you then I wonder why you bother to start 'discussions'.

What "opinions"? Mostly what I'm getting from you lot is obfuscation and abuse.

[Paul the Human]

The scientific community make great strides on a daily basis. Believers don't care. They believe because they want to believe. They're happy. Good for them.

If it matters so little to you then I don't understand why you bother to express your atheism.

Why shouldn't I? People express their beliefs constantly. Everywhere, everyday, I see and hear about God, and Allah, and Jesus, and Mary, and prayers, and blessings, and miracles... on and on and on. I should have the right to express the fact that I do not believe any of it is true. If my atheism has given me a 'cause', it is personal freedom. I don't go around trying to de-convert them and I expect the same in return.

[Jackalope]

There is no evidence that atheism is correct - along with theism - and that's a bit of a problem actually, isn't it?

I disagree. My atheism is of the form "I don't believe that any deities exist.".

That is an absolutely correct and true statement independent of whether any do or do not in fact exist. The same is true of agnostic theism. It's only when you get into gnosticism that problems develop.

---

The question is stupid. Atheism is simply the lack of belief in the existence of deities. The only problem is the way society (especially in the U.S.) oppresses/suppresses the expression of that lack of belief. That is not a problem with atheism. It is a problem with religious bigotry.

^^^ This. ^^^