Proud atheist here to answer your questions!

**Hithaeglir** · 01-01-2015, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by Graham

Yes. In America it is the other way round.

Cats are a big thing in Celtic mythology & Paganism, where it possibly comes from. You know Cat Sìth and all that.

"If one of these witches chose to go back into their cat form for the ninth time, they would remain a cat for the rest of their lives."
So this is why we say that cats have nine lives?

**Loki** · 01-01-2015, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by Ballist

What religion were you previously if you believed in one at all?

Christian. I was very committed.

Originally Posted by Dirty Harry

Are you spiritual, do you believe in the soul?

No. Emotions, feelings, desires, etc emanate from the brain. Brain functions. Without a brain, you don't have a "soul".

If not, how do you reconcile the fact that your spirit will not live on, and that after death only nothingness awaits? Do you find that 'fact' comforting? Have you ever felt existential despair?

I try to relate death with the state of not yet being born. Non-existent. It is kind of a shame that our accumulated intellect, experiences, feelings and so forth will one day become as nothing. But it's everyone's fate. We're all going to die, 100%. To me, life after death is the continuation of one's genetics. Therefore, our children will become what we are now. For this reason I want to have children. Not that it would matter to me when I am dead, but it would be a comforting thought on my deathbed that I have offspring who are like me. Who knows ... one day someone may find a "cure" for ageing. But even if humans somehow manage to survive, earth will one day not be habitable aymore, or another mass-extinction of life on eart will occur. It is inevitable in the long run. (Humans could of course look to colonize other planets or moons in the future once earth has had its days).

Do you believe that as you lay dying you will still consider yourself an atheist?

Most probably. I don't believe in this "keep all your bases covered" approach. It is cowardly.

Do you try to force your views on others, and do you disparage those who aren't willing to take you at your word and adhere to the Atheist theology?

No, not at all. But I don't hesitate to tell people what I believe. It's amazing the hate I have received from family members because of this, yet it does not upset me. Incidentally, my one sister today told me in all caps: "YOU ARE NOT MY BROTHER ANYMORE. I DISOWN YOU".

Originally Posted by Sideritis

How did you made that lap from Agnostic to Atheist? Any convincing prove? Or you were a Theist before?

I have not really travelled through an agnostic stage. I went straight from Christian believer to atheist. The first years were difficult and depressing for me.

Jägerstaffel · 01-01-2015, 09:44 PM

As another proud atheist, but a much lazier one, I appreciate you taking time to handle this one, Loki.

**Leto** · 01-01-2015, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by Loki

Christian. I was very committed.

Why did you abandon the faith?

**Dombra** · 01-01-2015, 09:46 PM

1. What do you think of Buddhism?

2. When did you develop your interest in Confucianism?

3. What do you think of "fedora atheist" jokes?

**Shah-Jehan** · 01-01-2015, 09:50 PM

what was religion/denomination before you were atheist? How long ago did you become an atheist? Was it one of the best choices of your life?

**Sideritis** · 01-01-2015, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by Loki

I have not really travelled through an agnostic stage. I went straight from Christian believer to atheist. The first years were difficult and depressing for me.

Hmm interesting. I feel you. It should be traumatic. You are the 5th person I hear that went from hardcore believer to atheism. But there is always a similar pattern that the theist stage was mainly forcefully introduced from the family. So that makes it extra harder to become atheist, since the family will be very disappointed that their son is not a believer. Which I see is also the case. But I don't know if it is of any console, but your sister cannot disown you, unless she is your mother. She seem pretty upset thought, but I hope is fixable.

Meanwhile, I wish I was an atheist but up so far I have no prove for that, so I can fit on the agnostic category, while I find the religions very amusing.