Is atheism negative thinking? (reincarnation, atheist, eternity, God, religion)

[gnomon]

Originally Posted by xexon

Atheists are a product of their own mind.

They will adore it for a while and then treat it like yesterday's toy. Its not that they've made up their mind about God, they are merely waiting for more data to arrive so they can make a decision. They are open, rather than closed. They are not hemmed in by one religious system or another either.

They are actually a plowed field awaiting seed. The waiting is the part you see.



x

You don't even know what the word means.

[opensoul7]

Is atheism negative thinking?

I believe it is a way of thinking , not negative thinking.
I am sure that for alot of us who believe in God it could be misconstrued as negative thinking becuase it goes against out way of thinking ,our beliefs. That does not make it so , it is a difference of opinion or belief nothing more.

[purplehaze]

Originally Posted by indecisive cookies!!!

I've heard that many people say religious people are sometimes more likely to survive an operation or illness because they are more optimistic, and atheists don't as much because they are pessimistic. I don't think that is true because if you are truly prepared for death and no afterlife, reincarnation, nirvana, or any other supernatural consiousness, that means religion is more of a wishful thinking thing. Maybe atheists are realists and theists are idealists. Tell me your thoughts!

What does religion have to do with being positive about surviving an operation or illness? As an atheist I've gotten over a few illnesses in my life and a god had nothing to do with it. What does a belief in an afterlife have to do with any of this either? if anything, the hear and now is the afterlife. Before birth and living in the womb was the before life. In all reality, atheists are more positive about life and see it as extremely precious because this is the only life humans will ever experience. That's why we live it to it's fullest. If anything, belief in life after death is what cheapens life here and now. Not to mention some of the fundamentalist extremeism it tends to cause. I think the world would be a lot more at peace without religion. Not only that but the twin towers in NYC might still be standing along with the thousands who were brutally murdered by those religious men of faith on that day.

[erasmo]

Originally Posted by purplehaze

...In all reality, atheists are more positive about life and see it as extremely precious because this is the only life humans will ever experience.

This is how I think most Athiests see life, though not all. Personally I have a more neutral look on life. I try to ignore the greater extremes and even some of the lesser points but I am not cold and heartless I just don't let my emotions run my life.

As for the comment that Athiests are merely "looking" for the answers or the truth...

I have been told this alot by people I know that I am just looking for the "Light" or that I am lost and that I will convert once I find it...To me this is like saying that thiests are lost and once they realize they are wrong they will become Athiests. Most Athiests and for the most part thiests have made up their mind on what is true for them and they are not looking but if we stumble upon a new "truth" for ourselves than there is no reason to avoid it.

[Bronze]

Firstly, your attitude doesnt mean much when your unconcious, i dont think it would decide your survival anyway.

but really, pessimism is wonderful! if your pessimistic, you can only be either correct, or very happy that you were wrong.

Optimists are more predisposed to dissapointment.

but really, i would rather just be realistic, and save the pessimism for when i cant think of a realistic answer.