Being an atheist does not mean I condemn people who practice religion

I am an atheist. I do not believe in the God described in the Bible, the Torah, or the Quran. In my opinion all religions are manmade to control and frighten people, or for other intentions which were not always meant to be bad. I am truly convinced that with more education and a full understanding of the history and the context of religion more people will become atheists. I find the concept of no-faith as liberating and beautiful. However, this does not mean that I dislike people who consider themselves Muslim, Christian, or Jewish. I do not think any time a terrorist attack takes place by one person who considers himself to be Muslim, that Islam is the only reason for the tragedy. I do not think that it is always religion that is the cause of terrorism, although there is a definite link, because there is no better way to brainwash someone than to tell him/her that their actions will appease a supreme being.

I grew up in a country that has been devastated by many different reasons; one of them is the religion of Islam. Centuries before Americans even heard of the term “Islamic Terrorism”, Iran, known as Persia at the time, was conquered by Muslim warriors and our ancestors were brutally forced to become Muslims. Nothing even remotely close to that has ever taken place in America! But despite all of this do I harbor hatred towards Muslims? Do I hate people for believing that Islam or Catholicism is the only truth? Even if I read the numerous violent, sexist, and intolerant passages of the Bible and Quran, which condemn people like me for my lack of belief, does that mean I should disrespect a person who finds peace and solace in that religion? If I do not respect their beliefs, which I certainly don’t, does that mean I should disrespect them? No, that is not the behavior of a rationalist, it is not how us atheists think or act like. We need to promote education, and an open minded global community that seeks the truth, and looks for answers rather than just accepting what they have been told! There is nothing wrong with admitting that something you have been told your entire life may perhaps be wrong!

I agree with you. Atheism freed me from the yoke of chapel every morning and an hour on Sundays.
Knowledge is revealed to us in good time.

kassault37 said:

In my opinion all religions are manmade to control and frighten people, or for other intentions which were not always meant to be bad.

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So you don't know much about religions. Got it.

I am truly convinced that with more education and a full understanding of the history and the context of religion more people will become atheists.

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So you're making a distinction between education and atheism, as though theists are somehow less educated than atheists. Got it.


I can't really vote on your poll.

Why is that? Because you think atheists should be put to death? Got it.

Odion said:

So you don't know much about religions. Got it.


So you're making a distinction between education and atheism, as though theists are somehow less educated than atheists. Got it.


I can't really vote on your poll.

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kassault37 said:

Why is that? Because you think atheists should be put to death? Got it.

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Ha. You wish it was that, so you could blabber on about how immoral religious people are.

My view is:

I am fine with atheists, and I understand why they would disbelieve, but I disagree with them through my experience which has suggested otherwise.

However, I dislike anti-religionists and anti-theists, and I see them as bigoted and cancerous to society, pluralism, and societal respect as I see the fundamentalist extremist.

Actually, you're one single person so what you think really wouldn't matter, so no I don't wish it was like that, when in reality it already is like that as many MANY Muslims want atheists to be put to death. If you're a Muslim, read the damn religion, that's the Islamic law for apostatsy, blasphemy, etc. There are countries in the year 2013 that will put you to death, so don't think so highly of yourself, there are already plenty of religious freaks out there. Wouldn't make a difference if you joined them

Odion said:

Ha. You wish it was that, so you could blabber on about how immoral religious people are.

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Odion said:

So you're making a distinction between education and atheism, as though theists are somehow less educated than atheists. Got it.

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There is a correlation between religiosity and intelligence. The general trend is religiosity decreases as intelligence increases.

kassault37 said:

Actually, you're one single person so what you think really wouldn't matter, so no I don't wish it was like that,

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You do, to rattle on about it.

when in reality it already is like that as many MANY Muslims want atheists to be put to death.

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And many who don't.

If you're a Muslim, read the damn religion, that's the Islamic law for apostatsy, blasphemy, etc.

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I'm not a Muslim, and there are Qur'an Alone Muslims, and ones who don't believe that it is the punishment for apostasy et cetera, many who see it as a last resort, and so on.

There are countries in the year 2013 that will put you to death,

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And many Muslim countries where this wouldn't happen.

so don't think so highly of yourself, there are already plenty of religious freaks out there. Wouldn't make a difference if you joined them

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Somehow, I don't think you will be staying here long.

So you created your own religion, good for you. Got it

Odion said:

You do, to rattle on about it.


And many who don't.


I'm not a Muslim, and there are Qur'an Alone Muslims, and ones who don't believe that it is the punishment for apostasy et cetera, many who see it as a last resort, and so on.


And many Muslim countries where this wouldn't happen.


Somehow, I don't think you will be staying here long.

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freethinker44 said:

There is a correlation between religiosity and intelligence. The general trend is religiosity decreases as intelligence increases.

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Samples are reflective of the areas from where they are taken. From my experience, it's simply not true.

If you did one in my area, with low religiosity, high poverty, and low rates of education, you would find that a large number of non-religious people are also the ones with lower IQs.

And yet at the local church, many people have PhDs, MAs, BAs, and so on.

kassault37 said:

So you created your own religion, good for you. Got it

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Thanks.

Odion said:

So you're making a distinction between education and atheism, as though theists are somehow less educated than atheists. Got it.

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No. He is saying that there is a given number of uneducated theists that would become atheists if given the proper education on the subject.

And i agree with him on that.

Koldo said:

No. He is saying that there is a given number of uneducated theists who would become atheists if given the proper education on the subject.

And i agree with him on that.

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What would make them atheists?

kassault37 said:

I am truly convinced that with more education and a full understanding of the history and the context of religion more people will become atheists.

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You do realize how incredibly condescending this sounds, right? But that's okay. I find it terribly amusing when atheists talk like this, because they sound exactly like evangelical monotheists.

"I am truly convinced that with more education and a full understanding of the Bible and the glory of Jesus Christ more people will become Christians!"

kassault37 said:

However, this does not mean that I dislike people who consider themselves Muslim, Christian, or Jewish.

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But you do think you're superior, right? The attitude of what you said above sure seems to suggest that. Not disliking something isn't exactly a ringing endorsement of tolerance and respect. Just something to think about.

kassault37 said:

If I do not respect their beliefs, which I certainly don’t, does that mean I should disrespect them? No, that is not the behavior of a rationalist, it is not how us atheists think or act like. We need to promote education, and an open minded global community that seeks the truth, and looks for answers rather than just accepting what they have been told! There is nothing wrong with admitting that something you have been told your entire life may perhaps be wrong!

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Since when did non-atheists just accept what they have been told? I'm confused.

Ah, I see. Along with the attitude of superiority, you also want everyone else to convert to your religion because it's obviously better than what everybody else is doing. Their beliefs are stupid, and they should all follow in your footsteps. Funny how proselytization isn't unique to theists, isn't it?

Pardon the abrassiveness, sir, but I point out some of these things to make you aware of how you may come across to some others. Atheists with a superiority complex are a dime a dozen (so are theists, let's not forget!). We need to leave such attitudes at the door if we wish for respectful interfaith dialogues. Though if you really feel your path is the one true way and are not interested in interfaith dialogue, go for it and don't be apologetic about it. They're a dime a dozen as well on both sides of the fence.

kassault37 said:

Why is that? Because you think atheists should be put to death? Got it.

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kassault37 said:

So you created your own religion, good for you. Got it

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Rather difficult to have an honest or meaningful discussion with someone who is more interested in dictating to others what they think and believe than in even trying to understand a different PoV.

Odion said:

Samples are reflective of the areas from where they are taken. From my experience, it's simply not true.

If you did one in my area, with low religiosity, high poverty, and low rates of education, you would find that a large number of non-religious people are also the ones with lower IQs.

And yet at the local church, many people have PhDs, MAs, BAs, and so on.

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Personal experience is irrelevant here, or anywhere for that matter, there is no disagreement among scholars of the positive correlation between atheism and intelligence. The only question is why there is a correlation.

Odion said:

I can't really vote on your poll.

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Seems to be a trend with his polls.

I cannot help but wonder how accurate his polls are given the obvious bias in the choices.

Why is it that "having an opinion" automatically equates to "evangelical bigotry" for a lot of people?

Maybe you should ask someone to expand on how they reached their conclusions rather than smugly dismissing them or calling them arrogant, bigoted or condescending? All that's really been said in the OP is "I don't agree with, like, or respect the concept of religion, but that doesn't mean I dislike religious people". If there's an opinion you disagree with, do what any sensible person would do: explain your position and ask for clarification of theirs.

Honestly, some people on these forums gets so defensive over very little.

freethinker44 said:

Personal experience is irrelevant here, or anywhere for that matter, there is no disagreement among scholars of the positive correlation between atheism and intelligence. The only question is why there is a correlation.

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Discarding personal experience simply because it has a different conclusion is as intellectually dishonest as creationism; it should at least be considered.

Nevertheless, I understand your point: though my experience says otherwise, and statistics are less than reliable or even impressive.

Odion said:

Discarding personal experience simply because it has a different conclusion is as intellectually dishonest as creationism; it should at least be considered.

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But you do understand that if we did that we would have to consider millions upon millions of conflicting experiences. Something is only credible if it has a credible basis, and "personal experience" is not a demonstrably reliable means of determining the truth about reality - at least, definitely not the largest questions of our existence.