I am an Athiest and have been pretty much all my life. When I was around 13 I was approached by a group of Christians and given a copy of the bible in return for declaring my belief in God. I spent the next few days reading the Bible all the way through and it's fascinating, but at the back of my mind I knew that I didn't believe this and that I never would. I couldn't understand how people came to believe this as fact and based their entire lives on it when, to me, it had no factual evidence to support it whatsoever. Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Christianity, nor any other religion, nor the people who follow them. I think everyone should be free to believe in what they want and live their life in their own way. Commonly athiests will have a go at the religious and cite something like "The leading cause of death in human history is religion" and that's true, but it doesn't mean the religion is wrong or unjust, it just means that the people involved are being human. War is a part of human nature, just as love, murder and everything else. If you are religious, please don't be offended by my words, they are not right or wrong, they are just my opinion, and yours may be totally different. The beauty of the age we live in is that two people can completely disagree on something major like this, but still get along.
This is exactly the reason I'm an athiest. I believe there is plenty of evidence to support the theory of evolution, the big bang theory, and how life came to exist on this world. I understand that faith is a powerful human trait and has its uses, but logical and critical thought are also incredibly important.
Im an Atheist as well, I've read most of the bible and can appreciate some of it's teachings. the book of Job for example. But when it comes down to it. I just dont believe there is any magic space daddy watching over us.
i am Atheist, religion always sucks religion is old dumb people created because of unknowable about the fact
I am Agnostic. I believe that people have the right to believe what they want and some religions have some legit points. However, since nobody can prove one way or the other, I tend to be want is commonly considered a "fence rider." I wrote an article about a year ago addressing an argument I had with some people on a forum. It attracted some attention but stated clearly my point of view. I am Agnostic not Atheist
If not believing in God is atheism than i think i am atheist, because Buddhists do not believe in the existence of God in broad sense.
Sean Blue I appreciate your tone in this thread - very sharp contrast to our athiest friends here. It is possible to respect the beliefs of others even if you believe they are ridiculous.. they're not hurting anyone. btw, what does stOx believe? does anyone know?
I was raised Born Again Christian, and so I saw a lot of hypocrisy from the members of mine and other congregations, from a prominent member of our church killing himself after a child pornography charge, to pastor's wife having a violent affair with one of the members college age sons. These actions laid heavily on my mind from a young age, and much more contemplation went on in my head about the nature of human beings then would strictly be normal for a small child. LOL But those questions opened up the door to new questions, about the belief itself. I tried for years to believe, I really did, but I just couldn't. I felt guilty and ashamed for so long, but as I grew up that began to pass and I started to study other religions, both major and minor, even doing the obligatory (or so it seems) teenage dabbling in Wicca. In the end I realized that one sounded as ridiculous as the other, and sought a more logical way of thinking. I wouldn't call myself an Atheist, per se, I accept the possibility of something out there, though I have trouble believing it is sentient. I also have many odd little eccentric beliefs thrown into my own spiritual melting pot that give me a mystical edge that Atheism hates nearly with the same vehemence as organized religion. So, I guess in the end I am unconcerned. I don't believe I need a religion or title to be rewarded in an after life, and actually don't really think there is one. I don't think that I have anything to fear of reincarnation, and figure if it's true it will work itself out. I don't think there is a Heaven or Hell, with gold-paved streets, virgins, or plumb trees included. All in all I live a fine life, I have a wonderful family, I pay my taxes, I haven't killed anyone, and as far as I know I am not particularly evil, just a little more cynical them someone my age has right to be. If that's enough to land me a place as a cockroach, or burning endlessly in a place of eternal torment, well, then God in any incarnation isn't exactly playing fair to begin with.
maybe you are agnostic? I am atheist, and use the same argument against religion as theists and agnostics use for it, or the possibility of a god: There is no evidence. but in a world where science is power, no evidence means it doesn't exist, so there!.
I don't think scientific theories have allowed for the belief in anything, and that bothers me. I think that there is a spiritual element to the universe that exists, but hasn't been explained, and someday perhaps science will be able to do so. I believe in a certain amount of Occult sciences, though not most, and a little bit of the supernatural, especially where it is energy based, and can be charted (heightened intuitive abilities in some people, certain healing capabilities in others), but again I think we will one day be to take the mystical out of it and find a reasonable explanation and a way to harness and use such abilities. As for the concept of God, I certainly believe there is something more then the theories of either religion or science. I am sure there was more to the creation of the universe then a totally random event. But I don't believe at all that there is a governing sentient being there to restore order to chaos, and certainly not to look over our shoulder and dictate events. So that is the quick version. I hope I managed to make a little sense, I have never actually thought of it in terms of bullet points before. LOL