Freethought & Rationalism Archive

spacer1 · 09-02-2003, 08:52 AM

I was wondering how many of the atheists here chose their atheism due to the lack of physical evidence of any "being" in the observable world, or whether there were, perhaps, other reasons for choosing atheism. I base my atheism on the lack of evidence, so I can't think of what other factors there may be. Perhaps if you choose "other" in the poll, you could also state this "other" reason for your atheism below. Thanks.

Mullibok · 09-02-2003, 08:56 AM

Hmm, well it's evidence for the big organized religions of the world being wrong, evidence for natural explanations for many things, combined with no evidence of a God that did it all for me, I'm not sure where that would fit on the poll.

spacer1 · 09-02-2003, 08:59 AM

Hi Mullibok,

I had intended to state in my OP to try and choose your main reason. If your main reason for rejecting theism isn't lack of physical evidence, then choose "other". Thanks.

Mullibok · 09-02-2003, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by spacer1
Hi Mullibok,

I had intended to state in my OP to try and choose your main reason. If your main reason for rejecting theism isn't lack of physical evidence, then choose "other". Thanks.

Ah alright, well no evidence for such a thing put me over the top, so I'll go with that.

Mageth · 09-02-2003, 09:11 AM

Personally, I wouldn't say that I've chosen atheism at all. The ins and outs of my life, reading, discussion, thought, questions asked and answered (or not answered), observation, consideration of the evidence, a natural skepticism, etc. led me to the place where I now am: lacking belief in god(s). Atheism is not something I've chosen; it's a place at which I've arrived on my life's journey.

BadBadBad · 09-02-2003, 09:29 AM

The "evidence," explanations, and definitions presented to me since I was a child have failed to convince me. I didn't choose to be an atheist, I chose not to be a christian or follow any other religion for the same reasons.

spacer1 · 09-02-2003, 09:32 AM

I think we can safely ignore the word "choose" without effecting the poll. Let's simply leave it at "Why are you an atheist"?

Wyrdsmyth · 09-02-2003, 09:33 AM

Mageth took the words right out of my mouth.

What he said.

Spenser · 09-02-2003, 09:50 AM

Lack of evidence may be a strong reason for my being an atheist, however there are many more factors. Seeing how there are multiple conflicting organized religions puts one on the trail of smelling the BS. Not only lack of evidence but the fact that the concept of God isn't logical or reasonable at all...

TimeGoddess · 09-02-2003, 10:35 AM

While deep in prayer, I asked Dog if he really existed. A loud, resonant voice answered, "NO!"

...followed by maniacal laughter...

View Poll Results: Why did you choose atheism?
Lack of physical evidence	58	69.05%
Other	26	30.95%
Voters: 84. You may not vote on this poll

09-02-2003, 08:52 AM	#1
spacer1 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 564	Why did you choose atheism? I was wondering how many of the atheists here chose their atheism due to the lack of physical evidence of any "being" in the observable world, or whether there were, perhaps, other reasons for choosing atheism. I base my atheism on the lack of evidence, so I can't think of what other factors there may be. Perhaps if you choose "other" in the poll, you could also state this "other" reason for your atheism below. Thanks.

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09-02-2003, 08:56 AM	#2
Mullibok Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 814	Hmm, well it's evidence for the big organized religions of the world being wrong, evidence for natural explanations for many things, combined with no evidence of a God that did it all for me, I'm not sure where that would fit on the poll.

09-02-2003, 08:59 AM	#3
spacer1 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 564	Hi Mullibok, I had intended to state in my OP to try and choose your main reason. If your main reason for rejecting theism isn't lack of physical evidence, then choose "other". Thanks.

09-02-2003, 09:11 AM	#5
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	Personally, I wouldn't say that I've chosen atheism at all. The ins and outs of my life, reading, discussion, thought, questions asked and answered (or not answered), observation, consideration of the evidence, a natural skepticism, etc. led me to the place where I now am: lacking belief in god(s). Atheism is not something I've chosen; it's a place at which I've arrived on my life's journey.

09-02-2003, 09:29 AM	#6
BadBadBad Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: WHERE GOD IS NOT!!!!! Posts: 4,338	The "evidence," explanations, and definitions presented to me since I was a child have failed to convince me. I didn't choose to be an atheist, I chose not to be a christian or follow any other religion for the same reasons.

09-02-2003, 09:32 AM	#7
spacer1 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 564	I think we can safely ignore the word "choose" without effecting the poll. Let's simply leave it at "Why are you an atheist"?

09-02-2003, 09:33 AM	#8
Wyrdsmyth Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Sarver, PA, USA Posts: 920	Mageth took the words right out of my mouth. What he said.

09-02-2003, 09:50 AM	#9
Spenser Banned Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Don't you wish your boy friend got drunk like me, Posts: 7,808	Lack of evidence may be a strong reason for my being an atheist, however there are many more factors. Seeing how there are multiple conflicting organized religions puts one on the trail of smelling the BS. Not only lack of evidence but the fact that the concept of God isn't logical or reasonable at all...

09-02-2003, 10:35 AM	#10
TimeGoddess Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 120	While deep in prayer, I asked Dog if he really existed. A loud, resonant voice answered, "NO!" ...followed by maniacal laughter...

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