Questions for Atheists

[fonso]

Hello.

I don't know if this is the right forum for this message since atheism isn't a religion of any sort, so please feel free to move this post to where it's most appropriate.

I'd like to ask some questions to atheists out of curiousity.

- Does the fact that you do not believe in God, necessarily equate for you that there is no afterlife as well (after life, there is only non-existence)?

- In the absence of a deity who dishes out punishment and rewards the "good", has this, in any way, encouraged you to do any or some things that God-fearing people would not? (i.e. If I can get away with stealing someone's wife or money, it's ok cos I won't be penalized anyway) Please don't think that I think bad of atheists. I'm genuinely curious as to how an atheist thinks.

- Do some atheists who don't believe in God, still believe in a universal system of reward and retribution (like karma?), or does it follow that if you're an atheist, you do not believe in this?

Any other stuff you can tell me about yourself and your beliefs would be very appreciated. Thanks.

[Quarkhead]

mrmuffin:

I would say that the term religion indefinately covers strong atheists, at least. Here's the definition of religion according to dictionary.com:

re·li·gion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (r-ljn)
n.

Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

Many forms of Buddhism do not believe in a god, even though they are spiritual. I would say that many atheists are very "religious" in their beleifs.

This is true, yet I feel you are missing the point. The key difference is that most atheists, including Buddhists, are not pursuing with zeal the cause and principle of there being no god. In other words, if they have a religious (spiritual) devotion and practice in their life (such as Buddhism), it is focussed on something other than there being no god. For common atheists, such as the many in this country, their disbelief in god is not the modus operandi of their life. Most spend very little time being concerned with the issue of god at all, let alone define their lives by their unbelief. Arguing with a Christian on a debate forum hardly means that the atheist has unbelief in god as a bedrock, passionate value.

I think this common misconception of atheists stems from the fact that for many of the Christian types who end up arguing about these things here on the net, Christianity is one of, if not the central defining issue of their lives. Because they have such an intricate and encompassing sense of faith as the cornerstone of their lives, it may be difficult to imagine that for others, this may not be true.

But if you are going to define peoples' central interests or ideals as their "religion," then you'd also have to define many Christians as something non-Christian, as well.

[bernee51]

I would say that the term religion indefinately covers strong atheists, at least. Here's the definition of religion according to dictionary.com:

re·li·gion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (r-ljn)
n.

Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

Atheism is not a religion. Atheists are not required to, and many don't, pursue a cause, principle or activiity with zeal or concientious devotion.

Atheism is simply a non-belief in god.

I suppose if I say this often enough, eventually it will sink in to the minds of those who insist or hold that atheism is some sort of belief system.

Many forms of Buddhism do not believe in a god, even though they are spiritual. I would say that many atheists are very "religious" in their beleifs.

Sure buddhists may be religious when it comes to buddhism - if they are atheistic as well it is incidental. Belief or non belief in a deity is not a pre-requisite of buddhism.

[aprilannies]

- Does the fact that you do not believe in God, necessarily equate for you that there is no afterlife as well (after life, there is only non-existence)?

This is not something I spend much time thinking about. Logically, I think there is nothing after I die. Emotionally I hope there is. But the fact is I don't know.

- In the absence of a deity who dishes out punishment and rewards the "good", has this, in any way, encouraged you to do any or some things that God-fearing people would not? (i.e. If I can get away with stealing someone's wife or money, it's ok cos I won't be penalized anyway) Please don't think that I think bad of atheists. I'm genuinely curious as to how an atheist thinks.

I really hate this question. I know you meant no offense, but I still hate it.

I do good things, not because of punishment or reward but because it's the right thing to do. I think that the majority of people are like this.

As far as 'sins' I might commit that believers would not. Someone mentioned taking the Lord's name in vain. I believe the term 'victimless sins'(i.e. masturbation) was used, and that makes a lot of sense.

My rights end where yours begin.

- Do some atheists who don't believe in God, still believe in a universal system of reward and retribution (like karma?), or does it follow that if you're an atheist, you do not believe in this?

Some do.

Any other stuff you can tell me about yourself and your beliefs would be very appreciated. Thanks.

Something I think that it's important for religious believers to remember about atheists is this; just because someone has not chosen to subscribe to a religion it does not mean they do not know about religion. Granted, I'm a weak atheist at best, but I have studied religions extensively and find them absolutely fascinating.

[Tails]

- Does the fact that you do not believe in God, necessarily equate for you that there is no afterlife as well (after life, there is only non-existence)?

Well, an atheist can still believe in an aferlife. It wouldn't be the one pictured by, say, Christians. It could be slightly or radically different. For example, there's a member at my forum who believes that there is an afterlife, but it's a blank world that you create yourself, and if you were a bad person in life, it turns to rot. Am I making sense?

Personally, I believe that an afterlife is possible. I do very much believe and am more favorable towards the possibility that one would simply cease to exist after death, though.

- In the absence of a deity who dishes out punishment and rewards the "good", has this, in any way, encouraged you to do any or some things that God-fearing people would not? (i.e. If I can get away with stealing someone's wife or money, it's ok cos I won't be penalized anyway)

Oh, definetely, but I don't feel like doing things like that. Well, as a kid, I think I stole once or twice, and I have gotten suspended and referrals during my years in school, and stuff like that, but then, that's how many kids regardless of whether or not they're religious are; getting into trouble and doing bad things. Being, as I am now, 17 years of age, I've learned to be more responsible, and to earn respect, monetary, and all that. I'll even help someone when I get the chance.

For example, when I was walking home recently, there was a guy who was asking me for my help, but in Mexican, so, at first, I didn't understand what he wanted, but then I eventually caught on. He kept telling me he would pay me, and I kept telling him it's alright. He led me to the back of his house and into a shed in the backyard. He pointed to the object and he let me know that he wanted to have it placed on the truck. I placed it on the truck and we walked back to the front of the house. He wanted me to wait while he asked his daughter (as I believe she was) for five dollars. I told her to tell him it's okay, but he insisted. I motioned with my hands. I didn't accept the money. It was absolutely alright. He just had me perform a quick task by which he couldn't perform himself. Now, if he had asked me to mow his lawn, that'd be a different story, and I thought that to my self as I continued on my way. ^^;

- Do some atheists who don't believe in God, still believe in a universal system of reward and retribution (like karma?), or does it follow that if you're an atheist, you do not believe in this?

Well, an atheist can still believe in superstition and what not. I personally do not believe in karma, assuming that I'm correct in the definition. I believe in fortune, but that being simply that only because we (humans) don't, in Emma Bull's words, "see the levers and the pulleys". Speaking hypothetically, as there are many factors to consider, such as the supposed (I say "supposed" because I'm not sure) fact a human being can only sit in one spot for about seven days, if you were to sit in one spot all day, every day, you would rarely get lucky, or as I prefer to say, fortunate, if at all. What goes around comes around, incidentally.

By the way, fonso, I am also Filipino. Kamusta ka! ^^

[Joe]

I imagine I might be classified as an athiest, however I am open minded enough to accept as a possibility a God or Gods could possibly exist, however slim the possibility. On the other hand I feel the probability is very small, and all the evidence I have been able to gather points to the non-existence of a God.
Reading you query, one might assume that only non christians, or non-believers commit crimes. There exists right and wrong and laws are created in order to punish those who break laws. If we all were to believe in a God would we just ignore laws and punishments and allow everyone to live and act as they pleased knowing that God would later deal out any necessary punishments. Life would have less meaning if there were an afterlife and it might be more desirable for many to find a quicker means of demise in order to reap the rewards to follow.
It should be obvious from the many divisions that religion is an interpretation of what humans want it to be. One God, but as many different interpretations as there are humans. I have been to Baptist church services where the minister has stated that the members of another Baptist church nearby were all going to hell for the way they believe.
In my opinion, if a God exists, and I live my life in a way that I feel is appropriate, a true God would look more at my acts than my beliefs. So if a bad person can reap Gods rewards due to being a believer and a good person can not because he/she is a non-believer, I would prefer to stand with the non-believers.

[Joe]

All living forms have a beginning, an existence, and an end (death). The components of that life form continue to exist, but not necessarily in the same form, and individual ceases to exist in any living form other than a nutritional one.

[Bugmaster]

- Does the fact that you do not believe in God, necessarily equate for you that there is no afterlife as well (after life, there is only non-existence)?

Yes and no. No, it is logically possible to disbelieve in God but still believe in the afterlife... But yes, I personally happen to disbelieve in both God and the afterlife.

- In the absence of a deity who dishes out punishment and rewards the "good", has this, in any way, encouraged you to do any or some things that God-fearing people would not?

I honestly don't know. I have never believed in a God, so I cannot imagine what it'd be like. Personally, I avoid theft because I believe that stealing is wrong, but that's me.

- Do some atheists who don't believe in God, still believe in a universal system of reward and retribution (like karma?), or does it follow that if you're an atheist, you do not believe in this?

Just as with the afterlife, it is possible to disbelieve in God yet still believe in Karma; personally, however, I disbelieve in both.

In general, most atheists are skeptics of one sort or another; thus, they disbelieve in a lot of things, such as gods, spirits, karma, afterlife, aliens, bigfeet, etc. However, it's quite possible to disbelieve only in some of these things, and there are many people who do: for example, Buddhists disbelieve in God but believe in karma.

[TommyN]

Atheist do not really exist but what exist is a shear hate for their creator. For instance while I do not deny that evolution has taken place to a certain point for even the bible when studied in detail hints at it. The bible is a Adamic book not a study of the earth people who have evolved from animals. Although we are all now mixed for God made us all and intended it. (Genesis 6:2) the sons of God saw the daughters of (earthly men), that they were beautiful: and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. The scientist and Christian try to debate each other to prove the other wrong but actually they are both right to a certain degree. Adam and his sons through Seth are called sons of God. Now for you Atheist who would like to dispute the bible. Where did the conscience come from and what is its evolutionary value? I realize that most would like to escape their conscience that is the reason for so much drug use and alcoholism. People even Christian are always talking about values. My friends values are like price tags at the store and what is valued today at 50 dollars maybe half priced tomorrow. Morals however come down from heaven and are forever. Do Atheist believe in justice? Why? Animals don't. Atheist eat food don't they? Well then they have faith that food fuels the body. Food is not just minerals for you cannot just go out and eat minerals but food must have life. Is this (dust)body the life? Is not the body continuously returning to dust? Is the dust really alive and aware or is it simply a vessel of LIfe? They believe in Life don't they? Life is awareness and it is Spirit not dust. When one passes away their body returns to dust and people walk over it. Dust does not get sick their is bacteria and viruses in the ground but we don't call the ground sick do we? No in order for someone to even be sick one must first have life so sickness is just less life or better said less Spirit. Atheist are left a drift on their own imaginations or someone elses. Why do you even seek knowledge for it is the knowing of something and putting things in order? and if it doesn't reveal order then knowledge wouldn't be knowledge at all but simply science fiction. lol. Why putting things in order? What order? If you Atheist claim to be the logical ones then think about these questions and see if you can answer them.[/b]

[Wyvern]

Atheist do not really exist but what exist is a shear hate for their creator.

All this really shows is your inability to view anything outside of your own frame of reference. Atheism is a viewpoint which denies the existance of god. You seem unable to accept a viewpoint such as this so you just assume that they hate god.

People even Christian are always talking about values. My friends values are like price tags at the store and what is valued today at 50 dollars maybe half priced tomorrow. Morals however come down from heaven and are forever.

Values are merely a combination of a persons morals and ethics, which is in turn primarily determined by the culture that person exists in. Morals are not immutable nor are they the same from culture to culture.

Do Atheist believe in justice? Why? Animals don't.

Does this mean you think justice is derived only from on high? There is a reason why justice and vengeance are closely linked ideas. All justice needs is a legal framework without it all you can get is vengeance.

Atheist eat food don't they? Well then they have faith that food fuels the body.

No, there is very good scientific evidence as to how food is processed by the body and in turn used to fuel the body.

Food is not just minerals for you cannot just go out and eat minerals but food must have life.

Are you trying to say that all humans are in fact some kind of spiritual vampire and it is not the protiens and such that we consume but the spirit?

Is this (dust)body the life? Is not the body continuously returning to dust? Is the dust really alive and aware or is it simply a vessel of LIfe? They believe in Life don't they? Life is awareness and it is Spirit not dust. When one passes away their body returns to dust and people walk over it. Dust does not get sick their is bacteria and viruses in the ground but we don't call the ground sick do we? No in order for someone to even be sick one must first have life so sickness is just less life or better said less Spirit.

No the body is not returning to dust, but then again it can't since it was not dust in the first place. When you die you do not return to the dust, instead you begin to decompose and if left out in the open you are returned to the environment primarily in other creatures bodies that have consumed you, nature is very good at not wasting things.

Atheist are left a drift on their own imaginations or someone elses. Why do you even seek knowledge for it is the knowing of something and putting things in order? and if it doesn't reveal order then knowledge wouldn't be knowledge at all but simply science fiction. lol. Why putting things in order? What order? If you Atheist claim to be the logical ones then think about these questions and see if you can answer them.

It seems here that you are trying to equate atheism with science, this is not true. There are many atheists that are not scientists just as the vast majority of scientists belong to a religion. The purpose of science is not to put things in order, if that were the case scientists would be nothing more than maids. The purpose of science is to understand how the universe works.

[Explicit atheist]

- Does the fact that you do not believe in God, necessarily equate for you that there is no afterlife as well (after life, there is only non-existence)?

For me life is chemicals and physics so when the individual's cells stop functioning as a coordinated system then that multi-celled life ends. I don't see any merit in any other point of view.

- In the absence of a deity who dishes out punishment and rewards the "good", has this, in any way, encouraged you to do any or some things that God-fearing people would not? (i.e. If I can get away with stealing someone's wife or money, it's ok cos I won't be penalized anyway) Please don't think that I think bad of atheists. I'm genuinely curious as to how an atheist thinks.

Of course. I wouldn't hijack a plane and fly it into a skyscraper or blow myself up with a bomb in a crowd of people to win the favor of God. I wouldn't condemn homosexuality or pre and post marital sex as being against god's will. There are lots of things that people do and profess under the bad influence of religion that I would not do and profess.

- Do some atheists who don't believe in God, still believe in a universal system of reward and retribution (like karma?), or does it follow that if you're an atheist, you do not believe in this?

Well of course there are some atheists who believe all sorts of nonsense since atheism is just the non-belief in god(s). But I think most atheists are philosophical naturalists like me and as such we do not believe in any supernatural phenomena such as a universal system of reward and retribution.