Atheists

[lightbulb247]

Ths is not an attack on atheists. I accept their are good atheists out there, as there are good muslims, jews etc. However what really bugs me s that atheism comes from a belief that there is no god. Atheists find the concept of god unbelievable.

if this is the case, why constantly debate with people who believe then, if you dismiss everything they say?

[Buenchico]

If someone, out of crass stupidity, tells me that there are fairies at the bottom of their garden I feel obliged to point out just how stupid they are (in the hope that they might start behaving rationally). I feel exactly the same way about the crass stupidity of people who believe in God.

[RATTER15]

Isnt that what debates are all about?

If the religious don't want to discuss it, nobody is going to make them.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

If I'm honest with myself, mostly through incredulity.
I can't actually believe that people still fall for that guff.

[neodarwinian]

" atheism comes from a belief that there is no god "

No, it doesn't. Atheism is the default position. Atheist do not accept your beliefs and do not accept the " evidence " you put forth in support of those beliefs.

" Atheists find the concept of god unbelievable. "

As it is to anyone that is intellectually honest.

" if this is the case, why constantly debate with people who believe then, if you dismiss everything they say? "

Silly question! From blue laws to stem cells you religious are into everything and trying to make your beliefs everyone's. All on no evidence at all.

[Iggle Piggle]

I don't have a religion and don't believe that God is or was a person or living thing. I would not call myself an Atheist but I guess that is what I am.
I have read and researched many religions but have not found one yet that makes full sense in this modern world.
I certainly wouldn't debate or argue with any believer, they have their faith and I respect that, indeed I would be happy to hear their side of things.

[sara3]

you want to say your piece and not let anyone disagree with you?

[woofgang]

I believe in god, but I don't believe that gives me any kind of duty or right to force my views on anybody. Like everyone else though I am entitled to hold those views and to express them. Sometimes I join in the debates on here but more often not because they seem to me to serve no useful purpose other than intellectual exercise and entertainment. I do get a tiny bit cheesed by the comment "Oh you religious you are all the same, you all do xxx" because its factually not true.
Even Chris is entitled to his opinion that my belief makes me crass and stupid...I am sure that he has his reasons for that belief and I am sure that to him they are good reasons, it just happens that in my case his beliefs are not true :-)

[ludwig]

// why constantly debate with people who believe then, if you dismiss everything they say? //

Why do people keep asking this? It wouldn't be much fun debating with people who agreed with you on everything. 'I don't believe in god'. 'Neither do I'. End of debate.

People are interested in differing views and explaining why they disagree with them. That applies to anything, not just religion.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

You know Woofgang, my opinion of you just changed slightly.
Maybe that's wrong of me, but I felt disappointment when I read your answer.
The only reason I can see for people to believe in a god is that they are scared that they won't exist any more when they die.
I often wondered how I would react in that situation, but one day I was faced with it and it wasn't really anything to be scared of.
I didn't need a god, and more to the point, out of all the current gods available, none offered themselves.
If that is because I "forgave" them, then I'm glad I didn't hook up with such a mean and petty individual.
You would laugh at me if I said I believed in a giant teapot, or an invisible pink unicorn, or a flying spaghetti monster (my favourite), but you ask me to accept the same story from you. Only the noun has changed.
I genuinely can't believe that people still go for this and I will always remain wide-eyed at the religious.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Forsook? not forgave

[woofgang]

Mojo, what do you want me to say? I am not asking you to accept anything. I honestly don't care whether or not you believe in god. I am not sure why you should be disappointed by someone you have never met. How can you have an opinion of me? all you know is what I choose to say on here.

[pixie373]

I think it goes both ways. A Christian might debate, for example, without having any intention of changing their mind. For me, the interest is in how and why people think in different ways. I really think if everyone thought logically, there would be no religious people. But each to their own.

[Iggle Piggle]

I know when I have lost someone I wonder where they have 'gone' and at times like this I think a religion would help and can see why people 'believe' but intelligence and thought soon sees me through.

[woofgang]

see Igglepiggle, there you go, you are implying that you are more intelligent than someone who believes in god. Why would you do that?

[jomifl]

Perhaps iggle piggle is intelligent enough to realise that belief in a god has no foundation and that the only outcome of wishful thinking is bad decisions.
Peronally, I have no belief in god yet I still seem to exist, why is that?

[woofgang]

why wouldn't you jomifli?

[lightbulb247]

//If the religious don't want to discuss it, nobody is going to make them.//

ive seen many times when in debates when an atheist asks a religious person a question, and before the religious person even has a chance to explan himself, the athest is already laughing and interrupting. I think this is not just rude, but its also pointless as well.

[lightbulb247]

and this again. Just because you do not believe in god, how does that make you 2more ntelligent"?. If that was he case, than how come there are so many famous, intelligent people who happen to have a religion as well? for some reason, to an atheist, religion=stupidity when this is clearly not the case.

[woofgang]

to be fair, there are some evangelical religious folk who come on here who I want to point at and laugh...not going to give names or the thread might get closed. When I do join in R and S debates I think I get a fair hearing and not (often) laughed at.

[Iggle Piggle]

Woof, I wasn't 'implying' anything other than I use my intelligence to counter the feelings I have at the time of bereavement.
I know Professors and others far more intelligent than I, and they believe in a God. go figure ...