Does Atheism provide peace of mind to its adherents?

[ArtieE]

But do you do things that are beneficial to others, out of love and empathy, with no thought of how it will benefit you personally?

I don't know anything about Mormon beliefs. If or when you do things that are beneficial to others, out of love and empathy, with no thought of how it will benefit you personally, what do you think will happen to you in the future? Something beneficial or detrimental?

 

[ArtieE]

I'm glad I see positive human behavior as more than the product of evolution, based on self preservation.

I'm glad I don't have to be told by a god how to behave but know instinctively how to behave properly.

 

[Scott C.]

I'm glad I don't have to be told by a god how to behave but know instinctively how to behave properly.

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Your instinct on how to behave properly is not the result of evolution. Rather it's from the God in whom you do not believe. IMHO.

 

[Scott C.]

I don't know anything about Mormon beliefs. If or when you do things that are beneficial to others, out of love and empathy, with no thought of how it will benefit you personally, what do you think will happen to you in the future? Something beneficial or detrimental?

Yes I do believe that blessings come for doing good. The scriptures teach of doing good out of love, of the blessings that come from doing good, and of the heartache that comes from bad choices. (Although heartache comes to all people, good and bad). But love is the highest motivation. I can't honestly say that my motives are so high, that I'm never motivated by a lesser motive than love. "Hope of reward" is good, but not as good as love.

 

[icehorse]

Is a Christian more likely to do the right thing, out of fear of divine justice, than an atheist is to do the right thing, out of fear of incarceration? Certainly either can and should do the right thing, because it is the right thing. Love is the highest motivation for doing good, above "hope for reward", "duty", "fear of punishment", "the desire to look good", or "the desire to get something from someone else." Christianity strongly influences people to do the right thing for the right reasons.

I think you've set up a false choice with your opening question. How about all those situations where questions of legality aren't involved. If an atheist helps you fix your roof, you know it's because she has good intentions. If a religious person helps you fix your roof, maybe it's because of good intentions, or maybe it's because their vindictive daddy in the sky has applied coercion.

Scott, in the interest of saving time: Do you cherry pick or interpret your scripture? If so, by what moral compass do you do so? I'd say it's because you already have a moral compass.

 

[Milton Platt]

If yes kindly provide both the claim from Atheism in this connection and the evidence that it instils peace in a person.
If it does not have a claim and or evidence then it is a failed world-view for humans . Please
Regards

Atheism is the rejection of the existence of gods. It is not a world view, although once accepted, it does affect your world view. It may or may not instill peace in an individual, depending upon that individual's other views. In any case, what does it matter?

 

[Scott C.]

I think you've set up a false choice with your opening question. How about all those situations where questions of legality aren't involved. If an atheist helps you fix your roof, you know it's because she has good intentions. If a religious person helps you fix your roof, maybe it's because of good intentions, or maybe it's because their vindictive daddy in the sky has applied coercion.

Scott, in the interest of saving time: Do you cherry pick or interpret your scripture? If so, by what moral compass do you do so? I'd say it's because you already have a moral compass.

If you see God as a "vindictive daddy is the sky", who scares believers into helping someone with their roof, then I understand why you are not a Christian. However, that view shows a remarkable lack of insight into the Christian perspective.

While incarceration only occurs for some bad acts, it's nevertheless a good example. Is the reason that you don't beat little children, a fear of incarceration? I would think not. Even so, Christians are not generally motivated by a fear of hell. They do good for goodness sake.

If I didn't believe in God, yes I would still have a moral compass. I would believe in helping others and doing good generally. I would not want to hurt people. But Christianity adds to that compass. For example, I don't think I would refrain from premarital adult consensual sex, unless I believed it would hurt me or her. But my Christianity teaches me that premarital sex violates God's moral code. It teaches than sex is sacred and belongs in marriage. It teaches that it always causes spiritual harm. I wouldn't necessarily have those insights without Christianity (or another faith that teaches the same thing). I could provide other examples as well.

 

[icehorse]

Hey Scott,

Of course I understand that "vindictive daddy in the sky" is not the universally held attitude, but I'd say you're not acknowledging the breadth of "the Christian perspective" you mention. Built into the very fabric of Christianity is "vindictive daddy" and many Christians hold this view.

 

[SkepticThinker]

If you see God as a "vindictive daddy is the sky", who scares believers into helping someone with their roof, then I understand why you are not a Christian. However, that view shows a remarkable lack of insight into the Christian perspective.

While incarceration only occurs for some bad acts, it's nevertheless a good example. Is the reason that you don't beat little children, a fear of incarceration? I would think not. Even so, Christians are not generally motivated by a fear of hell. They do good for goodness sake.

If I didn't believe in God, yes I would still have a moral compass. I would believe in helping others and doing good generally. I would not want to hurt people. But Christianity adds to that compass. For example, I don't think I would refrain from premarital adult consensual sex, unless I believed it would hurt me or her. But my Christianity teaches me that premarital sex violates God's moral code. It teaches than sex is sacred and belongs in marriage. It teaches that it always causes spiritual harm. I wouldn't necessarily have those insights without Christianity (or another faith that teaches the same thing). I could provide other examples as well.

Except that isn't true so I wouldn't exactly call it an insight.

 

[Scott C.]

Except that isn't true so I wouldn't exactly call it an insight.

In your opinion it's not true. In mine, it is. Regardless, there is such a thing as "Christianity" which includes doctrine, teachings, and philosophy. It's a deeply held belief that drives millions and millions of people. Calling God "a vindictive daddy" shows no insight into Christian thought, regardless of whether or not there is a Christian God.

 

[ArtieE]

If I didn't believe in God, yes I would still have a moral compass. I would believe in helping others and doing good generally. I would not want to hurt people. But Christianity adds to that compass. For example, I don't think I would refrain from premarital adult consensual sex, unless I believed it would hurt me or her. But my Christianity teaches me that premarital sex violates God's moral code. It teaches than sex is sacred and belongs in marriage. It teaches that it always causes spiritual harm. I wouldn't necessarily have those insights without Christianity (or another faith that teaches the same thing). I could provide other examples as well.

Yes, this is exactly why Christianity is useful. Parents might try to use logic, reason and common sense and point out all the possible negative effects of teenagers having premarital sex such as venereal disease and unwanted pregnancies and still not get through, but if you can indoctrinate them with a religion that provides an authority figure they'll listen to, problem solved.

 

[icehorse]

Yes, this is exactly why Christianity is useful. Parents might try to use logic, reason and common sense and point out all the possible negative effects of teenagers having premarital sex such as venereal disease and unwanted pregnancies and still not get through, but if you can indoctrinate them with a religion that provides an authority figure they'll listen too, problem solved.

And I'm hoping this is meant ironically.

 

[SkepticThinker]

In your opinion it's not true. In mine, it is.

It seems to me it's a claim that should be demonstrable and subject to something more than just opinion.

Regardless, there is such a thing as "Christianity" which includes doctrine, teachings, and philosophy. It's a deeply held belief that drives millions and millions of people. Calling God "a vindictive daddy" shows no insight into Christian thought, regardless of whether or not there is a Christian God.

Maybe it shows some insight from another angle you hadn't considered before.

 

[Fool]

Atheism is not a religion or worldview to which acts as a religion for a person. Everyone was born without belief in god/s (atheist) and would still be atheist unless influenced or taught otherwise. There would be no thing such as atheism if theism didnt exist. Since it does, of course theres an opposite.

Im an atheist. It doesnt make me sad or happy. Its just an opinion that god/s do not exist. There is no rituals, no prayers, etc in relation to belief in no deity.

Its an opinion/statement/claim not a worldview or religion.

actually it is a world view. a belief system doesn't have to be organized, although there are now evangelical atheists, nor does it have to incorporate a deity..

http://infidels.org/library/modern/testimonials/avellone.html

atheism is based on realism, or materialism. there is actually a sect of hinduism that has been practising such a form for 1000s of centuries.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charvaka

 

[ImmortalFlame]

actually it is a world view. a belief system doesn't have to be organized, although there are now evangelical atheists, nor does it have to incorporate a deity..

http://infidels.org/library/modern/testimonials/avellone.html

Atheism isn't a belief system. The fact that there are atheists who have a belief system does not make atheism itself a belief system. By definition, a worldview is a collection of beliefs or the summation of a person's perspective incorporating all of their beliefs and views. Atheism is a single position on a single claim, and therefore does not fit the definition of a worldview.

atheism is based on realism, or materialism.

False. Atheism is merely the absence of belief in a God - many atheists are not materialists.

 

[ArtieE]

And I'm hoping this is meant ironically.

Why? I find it a very practical way of providing the "lost sheep" with shepherds and turning them into valuable members of society. Even as an atheist having them believe in the existence of some god is a small price to pay.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

atheism is based on realism, or materialism. there is actually a sect of hinduism that has been practising such a form for 1000s of centuries.

Striping the details, the only atheist worldview is her seeing reality without deities. It isnt a religion. Just a broad umbrella that whatever the atheist believes doesnt involve deities.

For spme atheists, they base their reality on materalism. There are many Hindu who actually believe in real deities (personal experience) while a few even here are Hindu and do not.

A- theism just means lack of belief in deities.

Whatever the atheist wants to add to that definition depends on that person; and, it doesnt change what the root word means.

 

[Ouroboros]

If you see God as a "vindictive daddy is the sky", who scares believers into helping someone with their roof, then I understand why you are not a Christian. However, that view shows a remarkable lack of insight into the Christian perspective.

For some, perhaps verses like Nah 1:2 "The LORD is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and rage. He takes revenge on all who oppose him and continues to rage against his enemies!" suggests such ideas.

 

[ArtieE]

For some, perhaps verses like Nah 1:2 "The LORD is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and rage. He takes revenge on all who oppose him and continues to rage against his enemies!" suggests such ideas.

But I thought we were supposed to love our enemies? Is this an example of "do what I say but not what I do"?

 

[Scott C.]

It seems to me it's a claim that should be demonstrable and subject to something more than just opinion.

Maybe it shows some insight from another angle you hadn't considered before.

Of course I've heard the "God is mean" argument many times and I can see how people with little insight into Christianity come to that conclusion.