BlessNot

Why be an atheist?

There are many reasons why one would choose to be an atheist or theist but I'll post only one for each for now.

Some atheists believe that religion is harmful because it teaches absolutes about what it means to be human.

Why believe in god?

God has a special plan for our lives in the afterlife so we will not disappear into oblivion. After all, it would be infair since we are such wonderful beings created in His image and we are very important to Him.

Everyone is welcome to fill in the blanks for their reasons for holding to either of these positions.

Mageth

I'm an Atheist simply because I lack belief in god(s). Atheism is not something I've chosen, it's something I am.

JCS

Because there is no evidence supporting these presumptions.

Family Man

God may have a special plan for us, but it is only important if it's true. Your argument for atheism is a straw-man; it isn't why we don't believe.

JP2

Atheism is the default perspective. We're all born atheists and unless we're presented with some reason not to be an atheist (doesn't need to be a good one, mind) we will all stay atheists.

There are no reasons to be an athiest, only reasons not to be a theist.

emotional

Exactly.



Um no, I don't believe that (our being created in His image), since I accept evolution. But I still believe in the afterlife and in a special purpose for our lives.

TomboyMom

Whether you are an atheist or a theist is a description of what you believe. You believe--or don't believe--something based on available evidence, not because of what it will do for you.

A better question to me is: what approach should you use to determine whether there is a god? Believing what you are told and what those around you believe? Accepting a book on faith because it tells you to? Believing what makes you happy? Or applying powers of observation and deduction to the world around you? I am an atheist because I choose the latter and do not find any credible evidence to support the existence of any god.

Rene

emotional

Incorrect. My beliefs are not based on available evidence, but on blind faith alone.

DarkBronzePlant

I'll echo the thoughts of other atheists here. There is no choice in the matter.

Similar questions to your might be:

- What reasons are there to choose to be male instead of female?

- What reasons are there to choose to be caucasian instead of hispanic?

- What reasons are there to choose to have a strong sex drive?

- What reasons are there to choose to be short instead of tall?

The list could go on and on...

NearNihil Experience

I think I am an atheist, therefore I am an atheist.

How's that?

I, unlike some atheists have made a choice not to believe in God. I have been presented with so-called evidence, personal and second person, for the rational and irrational existence of a or many God or gods.

And there is where my choice became clear...all the evidence I have seen or heard is either pure coincidence mistaken for some mysterious motivation and pointed out to me by some sheep, or my personal experience has provided me with "evidence" that is near madness or delusion.

I think what Jung called Synchronicity is often what people call God or the Holy Spirit...events are events, period. whether there is motivation behind them besides blind mechanical force...I don't know...but it makes no sense to me to say that things were planned or manipulated by anything that I can not prove, even to myself, did such interference.

My choice was between the madness of the voice in my head and delusions that things happen for a reason, beyond what we make for them after the fact, or, an endless struggle to create purpose and meaning without non-sense leading me towards the paths many other people through history have traveled. My goal is not a better tomorrow, but a better today...and belief in God discourages that, IMO.

Now, as to whether religion is true or not as conderns God...God's existence is not predicate on the factuality or truth or how well any religion works. I think religion is a corrupting influence, yes...to the individual and the masses. However, I have seen belief in God drag people from the pit of despair into the light of a productive and happy life. I personally think this is a delusion meant to provide succor to those with a fear of uncertainty and the unknown, to provide meaning and comfort in a world that seems to provide no meaning and little comfort.

Death is the big mystery to some people...God is the answer and that there is no death...this again I think is delusional, but useful and helpful to those un-willing or unable to create meaning, purpose and hope...

This usefulness is where religion corrupts the belief in God in a tool of control, oppression and violence...If someone gains control of a peron's belief as an authority(say the priesthood, churchleaders, ministers, Imams...) that security can be rent away
and the threat of taking this security make for a flock ready for slaughter or slaughtering.

So no, I don't believe in God and I despise religion...but I do believe that people do believe in God, and that can get some people through the thickest shit. Holy men are usually full of shit, always have been, but spiritual people find deep truth, love and emotion in the smallest things and call it God...and that seems harmless to me.

Unless it tells them to mass murder like Jesus told G. Bush, or God told David Berkowitz, or God told David Koresh...
And don't froget the Komier(?) Rouge in Cambodia and J. Stalin...No god but plenty of merciless killing....