Why I think atheism is a waste...

Well not a waste. Im cool with people not wanting to be a slave to religion and all. I have several friends like that and we all get along great. But Ive always wondered, since they believe that there is no after life, what is the harm in picking a religion that does? Lets say there is an after life after all, arent you just putting yourself at more risk of consequences by just not believing anything? At least by picking one, youre closer to whatever "happiness" lies ahead, right? It just seems like a lose/lose situation me. Can anybody give me the laydown?

But if anybody is getting offended by this, Im not saying that atheism is stupid, Im just curious. Im not some christian kid trying to convert anyone either. To be honest, I dont know what to follow. There is too many, and each is sure its the right. I guess its time to find one that appeals to me.

 

atheism is not a definition of anything, it only describes what someone is not. an atheist is someone who does not believe in a theistic deity, a god or gods, like the Abrahamic God of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. in other words, you can be an atheist buddhist, taoist, or whatever. so it doesn't mean you believe in nothing. not necessarily, that is.

I consider myself an atheist, but at the same time I am highly spiritual, and I "know" there is something divine, a greater, ineffable something, Pure Love, something that is beyond the comprehension of our simple human minds and definitely something that can not be described with words. what theists refer to as "God."

you do not need to follow anyone, friend, you can carve your own path in this life and determine for yourself what you wish to believe.

I would advise you to read books, if you look around this forum you will find plenty of recommendations, and educate yourself on all the religions and ways of life there are. you will find that they are all a different interpretation of the same thing, no one is really right or wrong (except for theists and creationists, in my opinion :tongue

 

I still have a hard time understanding it all but I suppose you'll come across problems like that in all religions.

Thank you for the suggestion. I'll do that.

 

I'm going to pretend I believe there is a God for a few minutes, what I CAN'T pretend or imagine is a God that actually requires acknowledgment and glorification from the likes of man. These ideas are product of mans ego. So what if there is a God and the real test turns out to be an unwillingness to fall for any of mans ego-induced definitions of God?

I fail to see any benefit to "picking a God" in a world scarred with the consequences of mans various selections and interpretations. Does a truly good person need to acknowledge any kind of God? Does a truly good person need to study commandments to know what is right? I don't think so.

 

I see what you're saying. And I can definately see man making something such as a god that needs recognition. Most likely so that everyone lives the way they want the average human being to live. Like the government came up with it.

But what I was saying is that, lets pretend there is a god that requires acknowledgment, such as christianity or any others, and it did require you to follow its commandments, wouldnt it be better to pick one instead of not worrying with it? I dont know what exactly Im saying because there seems to be a hole through it all, but if any of you get what Im saying, then maybe you understand where Im coming from.

Just to clarify, I am not saying christianity is probably right but I keep refering to it because its pretty much the opposite of atheism, or I guess the nerdy word is the 'enemy' of it.

But while I'm on the subject, AND also because I dont want to hear "just except jesus in your heart and thats all that matters", it seems like the bible has been added on to through the years, and there are also things wrong with the commandments. Like the one where it basically says incest is wrong, but Adam and Eve were supposed to be the first people on earth and they had kids and population started there. That means someone was sleeping with close family, right?

And it says your not supposed to lay with the same sex, but real gay people are born that way from something inside the mother (I cant remember what it was) So if 'god' is real...why the fuck isnt he fixing anything thats wrong?

 

The God in the bible seems more of a Devil than anything. If I am wrong and there is a God, a truly kind God, He will not care for acknowledgment. If there is a so called God or Gods that resembles popular religions definition then they are not really Gods but various devils. Did a God torture a man and kill his family to prove a point to the Devil or did a sadistic Devil prove a point to another Devil? (Book of Job)

Actually, it is a fictional story attempting to justify belief in a world of suffering.

Anyway, as an atheist I can't possibly worry about my choice. I am simply not among the God fearing.

 

This is Pascal's wager. Aside from the objections listed by relaxxx, a big one is surely that if these gods are omniscient, then they'll know that you chose to believe just for pure selfishness, not because you really did believe. A god that rewards you for intellectual dishonesty and selfishness?

They are also usually jealous and exclusive, so you'd have to pick the right one and risk the anger of the hundreds of others... Either way I'd prefer to live the best way I can with the best understanding available to me, with intellectual honesty and humility. Which for me is atheism. Anything else is a lie.

If god exists and doesn't respect that, then screw the fucker.

 

I too live the best way I can with the best understanding available to me and that is Christianity. It would be a lie to deny God.

The only way to everlasting life is to believe in God - so yes that may appear to be selfish as you worship a God only for life ever after in heaven but you need to look deeper than that, for it is easy to say that it is all a selfish act but there is so much more.

I assume you haven't read the Bible?

 

Nicely said, lithium.

I believe that there is no afterlife. If I wasn't confident about that belief, I would be agnostic instead of atheist; but I am confident, and I see no reason to "hedge my bet." I'm absolutely certain that I'm right.

 

I have but to be honest I got a bit bored and skipped to the end.

 

I doubt it was boredom. I'd say that you were apprehensive of finding something in the Bible that affected you and caused yourself to rethink your attitude toward God.

 

I've read the Bible. Even the boring parts! It did not cause me to rethink my atheism. I gave it a serious shot, too. Clementine, have you ever read Carl Sagan's "The Varieties of Scientific Experience?" It's the only decent book espousing atheism I've ever read - but I don't think it would change your mind, either. These are hard-won beliefs you and I have; a book's not gonna change 'em. Not even the Good Book.

 

wow maybe it'll teach me condescension and self righteous arrogance *dusts off bible*

 

Seeing as the Bible is a life altering book it can change people's lives and their views toward Christianity. If there was something just as remarkable from the viewpoint of an atheist then perhaps I would consider it.

I was not being condesending or arrogant I was merely saying that perhaps you have a certain view with is fixed but, as with many, the Bible could change that. I can understand people being apprehensive about a life altering experience. Think about your reasoning.

 

Clearly it can't change everyone's lives or views though, huh?

How do you know how remarkable Carl Sagan's book is? I think it's pretty remarkable. Maybe you should try it instead of knocking it?

 

Nothing can be quite as remarkable as The Bible. Even for atheists you should be able to admit that The Bible is full of amazing events of courage, wisdom and love.

 

I will happily admit that. Many of the stories in the Bible are really effective allegories about treating people right and stuff like that. It's a valuable book.

 

It is more than a book. Give it a read and see how things change.

 

I told you, I already did that. Since I'm an atheist, while I was capable of enjoying it as a classic book (although honestly, one that does drag in some spots), it didn't have any impact on my lack of beliefs whatsoever. Just because it made you Christian doesn't mean it'll have that impact on anyone else, dude.

 

Don't assume the Bible was the sole reason I am a Christian.