Psychoanalyzing nonbelievers

[Mr Spinkles]

Why do you think atheists don't believe? Why is it that in the United States only about 5% of the population describes itself as atheist?

Is it because they secretly do believe in God, but they're mad at Him for some reason, and therefore feel that they can get back at Him by rejecting His existence?
Is it because they lead abnormally happy lives, and feel they don't 'need' God? Conversely, is it because they lead abnormally unhappy lives, and reject God out of pure cynicism and disillusionment?
Or is it because they have come to the conclusion for other reasons?

Think about all the things you don't believe in. (The Greek gods? Hinduism? The Bible? The Koran?) Why don't you believe in those things? (Can you ever prove that the Greek gods don't exist?)

 

[Quoth The Raven]

don't think you can prove that anyone's gods didn't exist. Personally I think that if people believed in them then of course they existed. Do they still exist? Why not...do gods fade away due to lack of belief, or are they just rattling around on top of Mount Olympus playing Scrabble and picking **** out of 'Troy'?

 

[Valjean]

What's odd is that only 5% of Americans identify themselves as atheist.

There is strong social pressure to believe, despite the demonstrable fact that there is no more empirical evidence for the existance of God than for the existance of Mother Goose.

(runs and hides....)

 

[Green Gaia]

Why do you think atheists don't believe? Why is it that in the United States only about 5% of the population describes itself as atheist?

I think because for most people its easier to believe what your culture has taught you than to question it. Our culture says there is a god, it doesn't matter what religion you attach to that god, but you have to believe in a divine creator. I'd say most people, if not pressed to join religious institutions, would just go along with that, because it's what our culture predominately believes.

 

[jewscout]

Why do you think atheists don't believe? Why is it that in the United States only about 5% of the population describes itself as atheist?

Is it because they secretly do believe in God, but they're mad at Him for some reason, and therefore feel that they can get back at Him by rejecting His existence?
Is it because they lead abnormally happy lives, and feel they don't 'need' God? Conversely, is it because they lead abnormally unhappy lives, and reject God out of pure cynicism and disillusionment?
Or is it because they have come to the conclusion for other reasons?

Think about all the things you don't believe in. (The Greek gods? Hinduism? The Bible? The Koran?) Why don't you believe in those things? (Can you ever prove that the Greek gods don't exist?)

While i have no doubt that many atheists don't believe because of conclusions they've come to observing the world around them many i have met are atheists because something bad happened to them in their lives. They became so angry at G-d that they were just like, ya know what G-d **** you!

 

[retrorich]

Actually,I don't think you need a reason or proof to DISBELIEVE. You need a reason or proof to BELIEVE.

 

[jewscout]

Actually,I don't think you need a reason or proof to DISBELIEVE. You need a reason or proof to BELIEVE.

well even if you choose not to believe in the Divine you are choosing a belief in something, atheism, which means, by your logic, they do need that proof. But what they see in the world around them that leads them to believe there is no G-d can be interpreted by a believer to prove that there is one. It's just a matter of what pair of glasses you are wearing.

 

[Fluffy]

Perhaps its for the same reason as a lot of believers, they were simply born to a couple who were themselves either atheist or never stressed their beliefs. This would be true in my case at least I think.

 

[jewscout]

Perhaps its for the same reason as a lot of believers, they were simply born to a couple who were themselves either atheist or never stressed their beliefs. This would be true in my case at least I think.

Good point Fluffy! frubals for you.

 

[Mr Spinkles]

While i have no doubt that many atheists don't believe because of conclusions they've come to observing the world around them many i have met are atheists because something bad happened to them in their lives. They became so angry at G-d that they were just like, ya know what G-d **** you!

How very sad.

 

[jewscout]

How very sad.

I agree

 

[retrorich]

well even if you choose not to believe in the Divine you are choosing a belief in something, atheism, which means, by your logic, they do need that proof. But what they see in the world around them that leads them to believe there is no G-d can be interpreted by a believer to prove that there is one. It's just a matter of what pair of glasses you are wearing.

Retrorich looks for his Logic for Dummies book.

 

[Valjean]

"well even if you choose not to believe in the divine you are choosing a belief in something."

This is a logical error.

Lack of belief, as in atheism, is not a belief in something. It is lack of belief. Disbelief in pink unicorns, mother goose and God are null sets.

A stone holds these positions. Stones are atheist. Stones believe in nothing. Don't ascribe a philosophical position to them.

 

[jewscout]

What do atheists place their belief in? Or do atheists believe in nothing?

 

[Valjean]

Athiests believe in mortgage payments, silverware, cars, coronary artery bypass surgery, assisting refugees from Darfur.

 

[Pah]

What do atheists place their belief in? Or do atheists believe in nothing?

I beleive in the greatness of humanity and it's depths of evil. I put my trust in the US Constitution.

Bob

 

[retrorich]

What do atheists place their belief in? Or do atheists believe in nothing?

I believe in many things. God is not one of them.

 

[retrorich]

I put my trust in the US Constitution.

Bob

So did I before George W. Bush started messing with it.

 

[Ceridwen018]

I guess we would need to specify what a 'true' atheist is. I don't mean to exlude anyone, but I don't think people who reject belief in a higher power out of spite and anger can be called 'true' atheists. Why not? Well, you can't be angry at something and disbelieve it at the same time. Anger could lead to investigation, which could lead to astheism, but without the investigation step your rejection of god is childish at best.

 

[jewscout]

I guess we would need to specify what a 'true' atheist is. I don't mean to exlude anyone, but I don't think people who reject belief in a higher power out of spite and anger can be called 'true' atheists. Why not? Well, you can't be angry at something and disbelieve it at the same time. Anger could lead to investigation, which could lead to astheism, but without the investigation step your rejection of god is childish at best.

I agree Ceridwen:jiggy: