Are atheists evil?

[naomi24]

This question comes from Everton's conclusion on the rov1200 Darwin thread that between religion and atheism, religion is the lesser of the two evils. So, are atheists evil, and if so, why?

[vulcan]

No, for centuries we have had religious wars, to my knowledge we have not had an atheist war and surely everybody agrees war is evil.

[ludwig]

Hi Naomi. The question is sort of unanswerable, because I think 'Evil' is a religious concept, so it doesn't make sense to think of atheism in terms of good and evil.
I don't think atheists have more or less morality than the religious, it just comes from a different place - ie your rules come from within rather than being imposed by some external entitywho you believe will punish you if you don't follow them.

[Ankou]

should you not be talking about the belief/non belief systems themselves rather than the individual ? your q seems to say that all religion is less evil than one atheist. this is a nonsense right ?

[beso]

Exellent answer ludwig.
Bad people don't fall neatly into categories.

If there is anything that could really be considered objectively evil it is the practice of worship itself because it involves the abrogation of responsibility for one's concepts of morality. It has been used time and time again to incite the faithful to violence.

The good people of religion are that way despite their religion not because of it.

And before anyone tries to name conflicts not involving religion, remember that religion does not require a belief in any kind of god. Religion is about beliefs held in high esteem. Marxism, Maoism, Nazim and many others are all religious beliefs. Read the meaning of religion in a dictionary if you have any doubts about the veracity of this statement.

[ludwig]

Discussions on religion and war have been done to death vulcan. There was no religious purpose behind the Romans or the Mongols or Huns or British invading half the world, likewise the Nazis.
Examples of religion free wars are too numerous to mention.
Religion is often thrown into the equation by warmongers as an extra incentive to stir up the masses, but it's hardly ever the sole reason.

[123everton]

That's a gross misrepresentation of what I said.
To answer you succinctly no they're not, at least not all of them.
What I was stating from wide personal experience is that the worst people that I see, meet and know have all been atheists.
Amongst the rest the average and the good I am more than certain there are at least several atheists. ;-)
Are religious people evil?

[sherminator]

123 everton: how many gods do you believe in? Do you believe that prince philip is a god?(google it!)
No Your just as athiest as the rest of us! So to say that an Athiest is evil is laughable!

How bout I say "most priests that I meet are paedophiles. oh im sure that there asre some that aren't ist just all the ones i meet are!" Thats the most pathetic anecdotal argument ever.
As has been stated many times on here Sweden Is the most secular country in the world and doesnt have half the problems that countries with higher amounts of religious people have.

[123everton]

I never said they were evil.
I accept that my evidence is anecdotal.
Sweden does not follow the American social more's of Britain, which may be why they do not suffer the problems we've had.
Nor did they have an empire, it is a very white country.
Didn't Sweden have a huge problem with paedophilia and callous indifference in the post war era towards former "Leibens Borne" children in it's care homes?
With a justification almost Nazist in it's expression?

[naomi24]

Everton, my question is not a gross misrepresentation. This is what you said.

'As contentious as it will sound to some, I honestly believe that religion (to use atheist parlances) is the lesser of the two evils.'

... and this was my response.

'In your opinion, religion is the lesser of the two evils? Now that's confusing. Since by your own admission, atheists are all individuals and act individually, how do you reach the conclusion that atheism is a collective evil?'

Since you had stated that all atheists act individually, my question could only refer to individuals - and that's in response to you too, Ankou. However, if the question in its present form creates a problem, I'll broaden it out and ask 'Is atheism evil?'

[R1Geezer]

Now let's see who causes the most world problems? Relgious people or non relgious people?? mm I think you can the issue naomi

[123everton]

Firstly that's just a turn a phrase, secondly (if you want to be arsey, which you do) I described religion as evil also.
You struggle terribly with context, when it suits you, you should consider a carreer in politics. :-)

[naomi24]

Goodness! You certainly know all about arsey when you're stumped, don't you! Come on ...... giz a kiss! That's what politicians do, isn't it? ;o)

To be perfectly honest, I thought it was a good question. Tell some people you're an atheist and they practically get the crossed candlesticks and garlic out!

[123everton]

FAO Sherminator, it was Norway not Sweden that suffered those problems, although ethnically and socially almost exactly the same as the Swedes, they are not Swedish.

[birdie1971]

Evil, as I understand it can be defined in a number of different ways. I would define it as – “a deliberate action (or deliberate inaction) that inflicts harm or distress onto another life-form”. That's my own personal understanding of the word and I realise that if someone wanted to, they could pick it apart. But for a simple atheist like me, it works.

The old chestnut that theists like to throw out is that because there is no framework (as they see it) that prescribes what an atheist can and cannot do, this inevitably leads atheists to evil deeds.

Much has been written about the absurdity of this viewpoint so I won't bother dissecting it here. Suffice to say that a “good” aethist is good because they feel that they should not harm anyone or damage anything purely because they feel that it is morally right to do so. Whereas it can be argued that a “good” theist is good purely because they fear retribution in the afterlife.

So are atheists evil? No. But some are.
Are religious people evil? No. But some are.


A couple of quotes...

“I have no need for religion, I have a conscience.” - Anonymous

“I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires.” - Susan B. Anthony

[mibn2cweus]

Whether it be attributable to a lack of belief in god/s, or a conviction of the non-existence of god/s, I presume most would agree that being an atheist does not in itself necessarily exclude one from being evil. Nor would I injudiciously presume a person evil by virtue of their attraction to a religious persuasion without examining the basis for their attraction when they might for the apparent lack of a better alternative be drawn like a moth to a flame to what is often an illusion posing as an influence for good, an attraction often exacerbated by the promotion of a fear of their own inadequacies and guilt from the consequences of their inability to inerrantly choose right from wrong.

To determine who amongst these in often opposing camps merits the distinction of evil, one must first define the domain of evil and where one crosses the line between the innocence of unsought, undesired ignorance and willful evasion and irresponsibility. Fear of discovering that oneself is evil is the only invitation evil seeks and the belief that one is inherently evil ensures that one will become evil. Those who preach that we are all as human beings inherently and inescapably evil are the most evil of all for they have perverted the definition of what it means to be human, to learn to distinguish good from evil and to live accordingly.

[mibn2cweus]

Atheism does not inoculate an individual from the many parasites hiding behind the clouds of religious dogma or shield us against the diseased minds breeding in the swamps of mystical philosophies engaged in the protection racket of declaring that we can not know right from wrong to those unwilling to question how they know that. Humanity is an evolving species and the capacity to reason we have recently acquired is no guarantee that we have learned and desire to use it wisely. Dismissing god, taking responsibility for our own lives and discovering a philosophy which enables us to make the choices that promote our existence as beings with the capacity to choose is only the beginning of an ongoing process of living and evolving the capacity to achieve a greater happiness and sense of self worth, the self-motivating, driving force for good.

[keyplus90]

Simple answer to this question should be No if it is to do with atheists as a whole. I am sure others few said that too. Because all of the people religious or atheists can never be branded as evil. If anyone believe that then he needs a good two hours consultation with a psychologist.

I believe that discussion about who is good and who is evil comes from what is good and what is evil. And most importantly who decides about what is good and what is bad. For simple example I can mention Nutty Professor who has recently been sacked because he said what few people do not want to hear. Although after looking at his track record I believe he knows what he was talking about. So who decides that what is right and what is wrong or what is evil and what is good?

[naomi24]

I don't understand your analogy, Keyplus. Wrong doesn't necessarily equate to evil.

[keyplus90]

So how would you describe evil then?

[naomi24]

Keyplus, rather than pose another question, could you just explain your analogy please.