A Philosohical Inversion?

[jomifl]

Believers often accuse atheists of having something missing because they are not interested in believing in deities. The evidence points to the opposite as many believers appear to be searching for something that they cannot find yet most atheists seem to be content with atheism and complete in themselves spiritually.

[naomi24]

Jom, that's a very astute observation.

[pixie373]

Exactly.

[joggerjayne]

I wish there was space to print the script of Waiting For Godot ...

Believers are waiting for ... something ... anything, maybe ... needing to cling on to the idea that there actually is something to be waiting for ...

And yet secretly knowing that it will probably never come ...

[mibn2cweus]

Having been 'raised' in a deeply religious background, in my youth I often experienced a foreboding feeling that something vital was missing in my life. Fortunately for me I discovered what that essential something was before losing it completely . . . my faculty of reason.

[treetops68]

Most religions are basicaly a treatise on how to live your life in harmony with other people(s)and give you a set of basic rules to guide you,whilst also giving you a deity to appeal to in time of need, as man has needed a something\someone to believe in since the dawn of time. Atheists tend to replace the need to believe with a resoned conscience whilst still using the religious rules framework as a guide for their actions.It is said (particularly by Christians) that God is in everyone and one of the common denominators we all share is a conscience (to a greater or lesser extent) so it is possible to live a good life without necessarily believing in something which anyone capable of informed reasoning would find hard to acknowledge.

[mikey4444]

Not sure how you can search for something that doesn't exist ? Its about as sensible, as looking for unicorns.

[atalanta]

As an atheist, this is what I find is missing in my life : guilt being forced on me for the actions of long-dead strangers : oppression by bigots ; attempts to make me suppress my powers of logic and reasoning ; dreary sermons, victorian hymns and incomprehensible prayers intended to alter the laws of physics; preachers who insist they know better than I do ; contradictory scriptures ; gatherings where men take it for granted that they lead and women follow ; empty and unprovable promises and threats about eternity ; and much more.
Imagine how much richer my life would be if I could only include in it all these wonderful things !
Richer, - my foot.

[beso]

treetops68 //Most religions are basicaly a treatise on how to live your life in harmony with other people(s)and give you a set of basic rules to guide you//

I assume you have read neither the Bible nor the Qu'ran.

The Abrahamic faiths are focused on the enforcement of an arbitrary, unquestionable sense of righteousness. As such they are, by definition, fascist philosophies.

Fascism has no place in the interaction matrix of a peaceful civilization, no matter in what pretexts the deists declare their presumed primacy.

[jomifl]

Beso, I had of course forgotten that there are some who get their heads cut off if they don't 'believe', which is a pretty strong compulsion.

[Old_Geezer]

Doesn't being an atheist imply a lack of belief in things spiritual ? In which case can one reasonably claim to be complete in something one does not believe in ?

I think it reasonable to consider someone who does not believe in something can be described as missing a part of existence/reality as perceived by a believer.

[naomi24]

OG, //Doesn't being an atheist imply a lack of belief in things spiritual ?//

No, it means an absence of belief in the existence of gods. Spirituality is something else entirely.

[maggiebee]

Mikey, my pet unicorn is going to be very upset!

[grasscarp]

If the atheists are so content and complete how come they lurk in this section constantly trying to get believers to justify/prove validity of their beliefs. I would say the opposite is true and those who have the gift of faith are the contented ones.

[naomi24]

Grasscarp, I've lost count of the number of times you've asked that question - and received answers.

[seadogg]

Interesting point Grasscarp.
Maybe atheists have, historically, had to justify their position in a society in which deity worship was the norm.
Not sure that contentment ever had much to do with it though. "Cast care aside, lean on thy guide" sounds good in the hymn but doesn't necessarily insulate people from turmoil in living.

[naomi24]

grasscarp, another thing, if you're so content with religion, why does rational criticism bother you so much?

[grasscarp]

I was making a comment on Jomifl's thread, Naomi. It seems to irritate you which is your problem.

[jomifl]

Grasscarp, atheists don't have belief in god (s). They may believe in justice, freedom of choice, human rights, equality etc, most of which aren't allowed under theocratic rule. Many people spend most of their life searching for a meaning to life, the best god to worship etc, and waste huge amounts of carbon travelling the world in search of profound insights into the reasons for man's existence. All they really need to do is to read that book wot Darwin wrote. :o)

[grasscarp]

Oh I see! Thank you Jomifl.

[jomifl]

Happy to help, have a nice day :o)