Why do Athiest spend so much energy on something they don't believe in?

[Sonic247]

What is the point? Most Atheist websites are just full of arguments and quotations against God. I thought about what the most meaningful thing in life was in the hypothetical situation that there was no God. The conclusion I came up with is living for others. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said- It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself. Shouldn't this be the most highly exalted virtue of any humanist philosophy: The "golden rule." "Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die." And what brings more joy then to live together in love. If not then what is the best focus to have, or what brings joy?

 

[Buttercup]

Most atheists don't live their lives much different than you. They love, they give, they get frustrated - pretty much the same life you lead with the religion left out.

 

[ImmortalFlame]

Well, why shouldn't atheists be able to have a view on religion and be open about it? If I disagree with something, whether it is a "belief" or otherwise, I like to discuss it, learn more about it and argue against it when I can. You seem to be suggesting that atheists spend a great deal of time or energy arguing with religion, but I just do it whenever I feel like a debate or discussion. It's an interesting topic and it's one that I happen to think is very important, so why shouldn't I want to discuss it?

 

[Sonic247]

It's just that time is valuable to an atheist I would think. Unless they don't care all that much about life. If I was an athiest I would work on my music all day, buy a hot tub, try to find the best wife possible and spend time with friends etc. I wouldn't come to a depressing place like this.

 

[Buttercup]

It's just that time is valuable to an atheist I would think. Unless they don't care all that much about life. If I was an athiest I would work on my music all day, buy a hot tub, try to find the best wife possible and spend time with friends etc. I wouldn't come to a depressing place like this.

If you find it depressing, why do you come?

I am very fascinated with religion, religious history and theology in general. You don't have to believe something to be interested.

 

[Sonic247]

Why do I come? I wonder about that, maybe most times I just come to argue, which is just as pointless as anything. I guess I should always ask myself that question. Of course I would like to think that maybe there is something about the Christian life that people will understand through my posts, I guess that goes without saying. And although it is depressing it is about how the world sees God, so I want to understand how people think and maybe gain some wisdom myself.

 

[Sunstone]

You might as well ask why do some people fancy cats or dogs or horses. There is nothing unusual in people have interests. Why does it befuddle you?

 

[Sonic247]

"Befuddle," really? I'm saying the focus of Athiest's literature seems unbalanced, it leans further towards Why religion is dumb then what good can be done by humans.

 

[Sunstone]

"Befuddle," really? I'm saying the focus of Athiest's literature seems unbalanced, it leans further towards Why religion is dumb then what good can be done by humans.

I don't know if that's the case. Maybe the only time we routinely notice that someone is an atheist is when they are talking about god and such. But John Irving is an atheist and most of his writings have nothing to do with god and such. So perhaps most of what atheists write about have nothing to do with god and such, but we only notice them as atheists when they are talking about god and such.

 

[linwood]

"Befuddle," really? I'm saying the focus of Athiest's literature seems unbalanced, it leans further towards Why religion is dumb then what good can be done by humans.

That makes sense.

Atheism makes no claim other than there is no god.

You`re looking for the humanist web sites.

Try those.

 

[Buttercup]

And although it is depressing it is about how the world sees God, so I want to understand how people think and maybe gain some wisdom myself.

What you first need to understand in a non intellectual sense is that some people truly don't believe there is a god to "see". You might have heard many an atheist voice that statement but you need to take off your Christian glasses and realize they simply can't believe...it's not a matter of not wanting to.

When I was a Christian, I used to erroneously think atheists were too stubborn or arrogant to place belief or trust in god. Now that I'm on the other side of the fence, it's so much easier to understand that atheists don't believe because there's no proof of god.

 

[Sonic247]

That makes sense.

Atheism makes no claim other than there is no god.

You`re looking for the humanist web sites.

Try those.

Fair enough.

 

[I.S.L.A.M617]

Hi all, just registered to this site. From my personal experience, it really goes both ways. Theists spend just as much time trying to convince atheists that there is a god as atheists spend arguing against the concept. It's actually easier for a theist to get their point across to an atheist, because we won't spend all our time interrupting and threatening the other person with eternal suffering. Not saying all theists do it, but anyone I've ever tried debating religion with doesn't want to hear anything but what's written in their specific holy book(s). I think atheists would argue a lot less if theists would actually take the time to let us make a point.

 

[emiliano]

Why do I come? I wonder about that, maybe most times I just come to argue, which is just as pointless as anything. I guess I should always ask myself that question. Of course I would like to think that maybe there is something about the Christian life that people will understand through my posts, I guess that goes without saying. And although it is depressing it is about how the world sees God, so I want to understand how people think and maybe gain some wisdom myself.

In my case there are two major reasons to enter into a debate with atheist, one that is in the Bible and make do it quite often is:

1Pe 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always [be] ready to [give] a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;​

The other is the distortion of what we Christians believe in. They have more interpretations of our beliefs than we do.

 

[emiliano]

That makes sense.

Atheism makes no claim other than there is no god.

You`re looking for the humanist web sites.

Try those.

This isn’t so, they make many other claims, for example they claim to be more intelligent, they claim to have a higher morality than Christians and other faith, and to be self-sufficient. Not to mention all the charges made about religion and the denying of the many genocides and immoralities of the Godless, they are more fanatic and diligent than all other religions.

 

[dust1n]

"Befuddle," really? I'm saying the focus of Athiest's literature seems unbalanced, it leans further towards Why religion is dumb then what good can be done by humans.

Because most other literature either assumes there is no God, or just has absolutely nothing to do with. 'Atheist' literature.. is talking about atheism.. which is a single assertion of no God. Unless you are a philosopher who is proving some metaphysical point, or specifically an 'atheist' writer, not much is really said other than things pertaining to the absence of God.

 

[dust1n]

1Pe 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always [be] ready to [give] a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;​

Good luck with that. I would start by attempting to create a society that didn't bomb other countries for ungodly reasons; like, attempting what Jesus actually taught and not, on the whole of the country as a majority of Christians, basically everything he was against. Then, I would start considering your world view.

 

[dust1n]

Hi all, just registered to this site. From my personal experience, it really goes both ways. Theists spend just as much time trying to convince atheists that there is a god as atheists spend arguing against the concept. It's actually easier for a theist to get their point across to an atheist, because we won't spend all our time interrupting and threatening the other person with eternal suffering. Not saying all theists do it, but anyone I've ever tried debating religion with doesn't want to hear anything but what's written in their specific holy book(s). I think atheists would argue a lot less if theists would actually take the time to let us make a point.

Welcome to RF. A lot of the atheists I've met (not to say that is really a sound statistic) don't really talk about the subject. It's usually a fundamental who brings it up first. Generally, people just have a conversation basically to have a conversation; it's typically the fundamentalist who interrupts and says, "Let us pray," or "You should come to our church" or whatever, before a response really comes out. I don't really bring up the subject to someone unless they really want to talk about it. If they want to talk about if with me, I don't see a reason not to give my full and honest interpretation of the subject of discussion.

 

[JMorris]

"Befuddle," really? I'm saying the focus of Athiest's literature seems unbalanced, it leans further towards Why religion is dumb then what good can be done by humans.

what else would specifically atheist literature be about? agriculture?

 

[fantome profane]

What is the point? Most Atheist websites are just full of arguments and quotations against God. I thought about what the most meaningful thing in life was in the hypothetical situation that there was no God. The conclusion I came up with is living for others. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said- It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself. Shouldn't this be the most highly exalted virtue of any humanist philosophy: The "golden rule." "Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die." And what brings more joy then to live together in love. If not then what is the best focus to have, or what brings joy?

You are basing this on what you see on the Internet. These websites are maintained by a small percentage of atheists. Most atheists do not focus that much energy on the concept of “no God”.

It's just that time is valuable to an atheist I would think. Unless they don't care all that much about life. If I was an athiest I would work on my music all day, buy a hot tub, try to find the best wife possible and spend time with friends etc. I wouldn't come to a depressing place like this.

In the time I have spent on this board I have rarely if ever argued that “God” does not exist. I don’t believe in “God” but I don’t see much point arguing about it.