Atheism, What Are The "negative" Aspects Of Being An Atheist?

[RATTER15]

Please someone else start the list as I'm a bit stuck to be honest.

[mikey4444]

Beso is right here. I don't think Britain should have a "state" religion any more.
With so few people going to Church of England places to worship, why does this religion have so many advantages in our daily lives ?

Why for instance, are their Church of England Bishops in the House of Lords ?
Apparently, there are 26 serving CofE Bishops in the House of Lords, but no Catholic ones, or their equivalent in the Jewish faith. The same goes for other religions. Its an anachronism from the Victorian era that we could well do without.

[RATTER15]

Tambo, //If ppl choose to believe in a higher power than themselves, that is theìr preogative.// I totally agree!

[naomi24]

andy-hughes says "Who cares if atheism has a 'bad name'? I am certainly not bothered."

That's because he's not an Atheist.

Beso, //In my own ways of coming to terms with them I have never resorted to a supernatural deity for explanation.//

It's simply ridiculous to do so. Rationally one cannot attribute the unknown to the unknown.

[andy-hughes]

Naomi - // andy-hughes says "Who cares if atheism has a 'bad name'? I am certainly not bothered."

That's because he's not an Atheist. //

You would not expect me to let that observation go unchallenged, and I am delighted not to disappoint you.

Can you explain the basis of that observation please?

[naomi24]

Ratter, posts on the negative effects of Atheism seem to be a bit thin on the ground around here so I thought I'd google to see if I could find some. However, my quest was halted by this piece entitled 'Common Side Effects of Atheism'. It won't surprise you but it's something for all those people who think Atheists are missing out to think about.

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/common-side-effects-of-atheism-freedom-and-relief.html

[Jackdaw33]

There are Jewish rabbis in the Lords, although they are not appointed ex officio.

[RATTER15]

Thank you Naomi, exactly how I see things, I don't suppose it will change any minds on here though lol.

[andy-hughes]

Naomi - // Naomi - // andy-hughes says "Who cares if atheism has a 'bad name'? I am certainly not bothered."

That's because he's not an Atheist. //

You would not expect me to let that observation go unchallenged, and I am delighted not to disappoint you.

Can you explain the basis of that observation please? //

If you are going to make sweeping statements about people you don't know, it's reasonable to ask you to back them up, lest you be considered as merely blowing smoke.

[naomi24]

Ratter, you're welcome. I thought it simply put and to the point.

[sevenOP]

It is deliberately omitted jno... along with a plethora of past heinous crimes.

[RATTER15]

Divebuddy, but this thread is about the negatives of atheism, not the positives of theism! So some may take comfort of knowing that a loved one has gone to heaven, but if you believe in heaven, you most likely believe in hell, how will you know where your loved one has gone!!? I don't have such worries, as far as I am concerned, death is the end, I see absolutely nothing negative in that at all, and I have nothing to fear in death myself.

[RATTER15]

Divebuddy //Ratter, If it is accepted that what I said is a positive aspect of religion then surely the lack of it must be a negative thing.//

No, not at all, the fact that someone gets some sort of solace from a mythical being, does mean that Atheist are losing out when they dont actually need or require that false hope or comfort. They deal with it very well as they have learned to cope without it, not having it is certainly not a negative.

//some atheists probably don't need this prop. But I'll bet many would like something similar.//

I am sure we would all like something to ease the pain of losing someone but Atheists learn other coping strategies without the need to rely on a false God. People always seem to think that their loved one has gone to a better place, never to a far worse place like hell, where they will burn and suffer for an eternity, they are just deluding themselves!!

[RATTER15]

I agree Divebuddy, but that is not a negative to an Atheist, which is my point!

[benhilton]

I believe in God , so trying to envisage myself as an atheist in order to answer this question I would say that the most negative aspect would be this : If I thought that only science can provide answers to things , then I would be shutting out vast sources of other information ( historical , scriptural , peoples' own spiritual experiences - etc. ....)
I think that would be the most negative aspect .

[pixie373]

That isn't negative, ben. That's good that you need some sort of evidence to convince you, before believing something.

[RATTER15]

Ben,  //If I thought that only science can provide answers to things , then I would be shutting out vast sources of other information// but Atheism isn't like that generally, we just like a little evidence of these bizarre claims, rather than believe them based on nothing but superstition.

[andy-hughes]

Naomi - // Ratter, you're welcome. I thought it simply put and to the point. //

If you are declining to respond to my request, may I ask that you refrain from posting untrue statements about me in future.

Thank you.