The Foundations Of Atheism.

[Theland]

Not a very good title , but presuming all atheists have varying reasons for their unbelief.
I have spent the last 38 years learning about by Christian faith.
Do Atheists make similar efforts to understand their atheism?
Is your atheism based on definitive evidence?
Hope this can be friendly

[steg]

//Theland, have you never considered the idiocy of what you, and millions of people like you, are doing? You all waste many years studying something that has never been proved to exist.//

But atheist have studied aswell?

[mibn2cweus]

Although I don't subscribe to the dubious distinction of 'atheist' (a pejorative term derived by the same who contrived their own specific form of theistic belief) I never subscribed to the latter either in spite of having been raised in a household and environment where the existence and prescribed nature of their alleged god was presumed and never questioned. I was told by them that it was my own mind that I should bring into question when confronted with my own disbelief. It was in the process of questioning and seeking to understand my own mind that I reached the conclusion that the beliefs I was expected to regurgitate were not based in reality. Although I did possess some appreciation for the value of knowing right from wrong and acting accordingly, in spite of having been told I should not trust my own 'depraved' mind to make such determinations, it was that same distrust that was instilled in me that lead me to question whether said 'depravity' ended in my own mind or was in fact no less endemic in the beliefs I was instructed to adopt for myself.

When it came to determining right from wrong, I did not find satisfaction in simply following 'the rules' supposedly dictated to humanity by an alleged divine arbiter. Instead of simply following blindly what I had been told I sought to understand the reasons underpinning what made certain things right and others wrong. As my reasoning abilities and understanding improved I found doing what was right a joy rather than a duty, a reward that accompanied my efforts to do what was right rather than seek an unearned reward beyond the grave.

I do not accept contempt for humanity and self-loathing as the inspiration for that which makes us better human beings. My inspiration comes from the benefits that are derived through developing the ability to reason, a better understanding of what I can and should do to justify my existence and right to claim the title of a worthy human being.

With that I'll leave it to you to decide for yourself if labeling me as an 'atheist' is 'friendly' enough.

[steg]

//My inspiration comes from the benefits that are derived through developing the ability to reason, a better understanding of what I can and should do to justify my existence and right to claim the title of a worthy human being. //
Probably the best thing I’ve read on ab (and some of the other bits)
Cheers

[mibn2cweus]

Appreciated Steg.

[ChillDoubt]

No. I was genuinely interested in what motivated atheism.
————
Common sense, logic, scientific evidence and a total disbelief in the supernatural, bogeyman or the afterlife.
Unless of course you have concert proof to the contrary?

[Theland]

Mibs, one of the ABers I most respect on AB.
My admiration for his articulation is immense.
I do, however fail to see his ultimate authority for morality, Ie, right and wrong.
His contribution is always interesting and welcome.

[naomi24]

//I do, however fail to see his [Mibs] ultimate authority for morality, Ie, right and wrong. //

I don't. His ultimate authority for morality is his own rationality. Let's face it, he'd be hard pushed to depend upon the God of the Bible as a beacon of morality now would he!

[pixie374]

There is no need for motivation to remain an unbeliever. The question really, is... why would you believe it?

[Theland]

Naomi - You are certainly no authority, except in your firm belief of your own superiority. "Ideas man."
Many thanks to you and others for the put downs.
Not even subtle.

[naomi24]

Apart from the obvious .... Job? Abraham? Tell me how your god was moral, Theland.

[Theland]

By whose standards? Your materialistic worldview, or His all encompassing and eternal standard?
Look to Jesus. In Jesus you see God.

[naomi24]

Theland, by whose standard? By any decent standard.

How can you ever expect to have a rational discussion when the moment you are confronted with a rational question, to which you have no rational answer, you resort to preaching. That impresses no one.

[Deskdiary]

I am completely ignorant of the bible - it holds absolutely interest for me - and as such I wouldn't describe myself as an atheist, as that word suggest to me an understanding and subsequent rejection.

I don't believe in god for the very simple reason that the idea there's a greater being is just so fantastically absurd it is laughable. Throw into the mix there's an equal amount of evidence in the existence of god as there is of leprachauns, and that should be enough for any sane person to reject it out out of hand.

[Deskdiary]

"... it holds absolutely *zero* interest for me..."

[jno]

No. There is no definitive evidence that God doesn’t exist, or that He does. Both stances are taken by those who prefer them, but not on the basis of definitive evidence.

[naomi24]

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Atheists make no extraordinary claims. Therefore it is not incumbent upon atheists to provide evidence.

[jno]

Extraordinary claims do not require extraordinary evidence - that’s just another way of saying that your case is so morally superior that you dont have to meet the same standards as lesser mortals. Again, a stance commonly taken by the pious on either side of the argument.

[naomi24]

Not at all, jno. For example Theland says ‘God exists’. Atheists say ‘Show us evidence’. Fair enough.

[Khandro]

////Had you never heard of a god, or never been taught about a god, you wouldn’t believe in one. The idea would never have occurred to you//

Demonstrably untrue; there isn't a single race, civilisation or group who have inhabited the planet, that haven't had the "idea" of religion, and no society can survive without it in some form.
Look around you and see what your atheism has on offer.

[naomi24]

Khandro, we’ve already established that the idea of gods occurred to several people in the past – hence all the various flavours of religion. Furthermore, and quite extraordinarily, they’re all right!

//Look around you and see what your atheism has on offer.//

What should I be looking for that I don’t already see?