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.

[naomi24]

divebuddy, // the religious can take solace from their religion when facing up to the death of a loved one or, indeed, their own looming death…. If you genuinely believe that your loved one has "gone to a better place" and/or " God must have his reasons for taking them" it must make grieving easier than if you just think, that's it, they are dead (and perhaps they died badly, to boot).//

I agree. I'm sure it makes acceptance easier - and there's no harm in that. The bereaved find comfort where they can. When an untimely death occurs unless those left behind can find some justification in it - for example "it's God's will" - the harsh reality that there is no evidence that God exists is too difficult for some to contemplate. I can understand that.

[pixie373]

There's no harm at all when it doesn't affect anything else. I find it hard to believe that in this day and age a "religious belief" is taken more seriously, even in law, than any other personal belief.

[naomi24]

//There's no harm at all when it doesn't affect anything else//

Or anyone else.... but as you say, it does.

[Maydup]

I agree with Atlanta about the social side of English life. In a small country village there is very little going on and any community spirit that does exist is centred around the church.

As an atheist I am not able to join in - neither would I be accepted nor want to be. Instead I head out the the local towns and city for freedom and friendship.

So the disadvantage of being an Atheist in the UK is a feeling of isolation if living in one of those typically English villages.

[pixie373]

Yes... I thought I put "anybody", not "anything". But both work, I suppose.

[pixie373]

I find church the most isolating place to be, because I'm not around like-minded people.

[waterboatman]

Negative aspects? None that I know of.

[naomi24]

Maydup, Doesn't anyone outside your church organise anything? I live in a very small country village and I'm not isolated. The people who go to church here don't separate themselves from the rest of us. We have a lovely, caring community.

[RATTER15]

I've always lived in small country villages as I do now, I have never felt isolated from any church, but then, I have wanted to be involved in any church type activities! There is always other things going on that does not involve the church.

[modeller]

Ratter I can't think of any "negative " aspects of Atheism apart from the fact that Believers slaughter Atheists After they have finished slaughtering each other, as has happened this week in the Middle East.

[mibn2cweus]

There appears to be no limit to the evil one can do when persuaded their actions gain them favour with an invisible overseer of reality . . . evidently unwilling to do carry out its own bidding.

[pixie373]

I suppose that is the one and only negative of atheism. You can't pretend to blame anyone else....

[modeller]

I get invited to many " church based activities " mainly , I believe because I am an Atheist . I spent several months in and out of hospital and I have been told that in my absence the baptist pastor and a number of the congregation remarked that it was my disbelief that made them examine their belief. It made them try to justfy their belief rather than accepting it blindly. It also encouraged them to ask questions rather than just nodding benignly..