Why I left Atheism?

[The Ripper]

I think its kind of hilarious how many people identify around what they don't believe in. Must create a very forward-thinking mind-set.

[Äike]

I personally don't identify with anything. I'm not religious nor am I an atheist. The notion of religion is almost non-existent in my mind.

[Hevneren]

Is there any "i don't care" religious doctrine? Because atheists care too much in proving religious people wrong. What are called non-believers who don't care?

All Atheists are different, and frankly it's usually the believers pushing their religion on Atheists that make us push back. Of course Atheists will care if they're told they're immoral and that they're going to hell, and when they find religion being imposed on them either through private individuals or groups, or through government and legislation.

I'm lucky enough to live in a country where (apart from the whole Church-State link) religion is something private, but in the United States and other countries religion is being pushed on the public in various ways. There are legislations to regulate what you do in the bedroom and with whom, and other examples.

I'm pretty laid back most of the time and I never push my lack of belief on people, but when you see all the comments about Atheists being stupid, immoral, arrogant, that we "hate God", that we love sin, that we're liars and cheats, it provokes you into defending what you stand for. We constantly get judged by religious people, and then religious people wonder why we get fed up with it.

[Pallantides]

I'm a non-believer myself, but I'm not one of those militant Atheist who would deny others their belief.
I also appreciate religion for it's cultural and historical significance.

[Hevneren]

I think its kind of hilarious how many people identify around what they don't believe in. Must create a very forward-thinking mind-set.

Well, you're kind of forced into that situation since religious belief has been established as the "default" for so many centuries. If it wasn't for the fact that religions existed, nobody would have a need to call themselves Atheists. So, we Atheists can thank Theists for this label.

Besides, Atheism is often linked to skepticism. Skepticism, in itself, is simply about not taking everything at face value and using critical thinking skills. I think that's a good ability for all human beings, whether religious or not. So, I think that being an Atheist isn't just about self-identifying as a non-believer, because non-belief in itself carries no value and doesn't teach you anything. The meat of it is skepticism and critical thinking skills.

[Talvi]

i think you can be an atheist and believe in some sorts of beings. ıts just that an atheist wouldnt see them as some sort of higher or mightier beings. just another form of life.

[Insuperable]

All Atheists are different, and frankly it's usually the believers pushing their religion on Atheists that make us push back. Of course Atheists will care if they're told they're immoral and that they're going to hell, and when they find religion being imposed on them either through private individuals or groups, or through government and legislation.

I'm lucky enough to live in a country where (apart from the whole Church-State link) religion is something private, but in the United States and other countries religion is being pushed on the public in various ways. There are legislations to regulate what you do in the bedroom and with whom, and other examples.

I'm pretty laid back most of the time and I never push my lack of belief on people, but when you see all the comments about Atheists being stupid, immoral, arrogant, that we "hate God", that we love sin, that we're liars and cheats, it provokes you into defending what you stand for. We constantly get judged by religious people, and then religious people wonder why we get fed up with it.

Hmm atheists are maybe judged but believers are too also judged
Tell me are you at least Christian atheist.
I think you ll know what I mean

[The Ripper]

Well, you're kind of forced into that situation since religious belief has been established as the "default" for so many centuries. If it wasn't for the fact that religions existed, nobody would have a need to call themselves Atheists. So, we Atheists can thank Theists for this label.

Interesting argument.

What I meant was that many atheists quite obviously develop and identity around it the concept. They identify with not believing. They have their own learned men, their own "theological" arguments, its all very organized for it to just be disbelief.

Its not like anyone forces them to do that. Its not like religion is very intrusive in our lives these days. More often than not, I read of atheists wanting to take down this or that cross or stop this or that school song from being sung. Its rarely the religious who try to impose their will on others these days. Now, if all you had to do to be an atheist was not to believe in God, why do so many take it that much further? They make into a cause.

Besides, Atheism is often linked to skepticism, and the two are often (but not always) linked. Skepticism, in itself, is simply about not taking everything at face value and using critical thinking skills. I think that's a good ability for all human beings, whether religious or not. So, I think that being an Atheist isn't primarily just about self-identifying as a non-believer, because non-belief in itself carries no value and doesn't teach you anything. The meat of it is skepticism and critical thinking skills.

Most atheists simply think its fun / cool to bash "religious retards". The sentiment is common enough and I've witnessed among my friends and acquaintances. Just like some people might choose become neopagans because its rad and rebellious.

[Hevneren]

Hmm atheists are maybe judged but believers are too also judged
Tell me are you at least Christian atheist.
I think you ll know what I mean

Yes, of course religious people are judged as well. My point was just that most Atheists won't start pushing their views on religious people unless they're being provoked in some way.

You'll have some Atheists who don't tolerate people with religious beliefs, but that's not all Atheists. I can befriend religious people as long as they respect my position. I can respect them.

As for being a "Christian Atheist", no, I'm not sure what you mean. Do you mean culturally Christian?

[Insuperable]

Yes, of course religious people are judged as well. My point was just that most Atheists won't start pushing their views on religious people unless they're being provoked in some way.

You'll have some Atheists who don't tolerate people with religious beliefs, but that's not all Atheists. I can befriend religious people as long as they respect my position. I can respect them.

As for being a "Christian Atheist", no, I'm not sure what you mean. Do you mean culturally Christian?

You did not answer my question
Are you a christian atheist?

Anyway I realized that atheists do not believe in God because they think its rational thing to do they do not believe because they WANT to believe that God does not exist for their own reasons just as I WANT to believe that God exists for my own reasons.
I enc
I have never encountered an atheist who think its a truly rational thing to believe in God.
Some want to be different than the majority, some want others to consider them intelligent...