Atheists: What Do you believe in?

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   IDONOposted 11 years ago

   Atheists: What Do you believe in?
   
   Everybody believes in something, whether it be spiritual or something else. Instead of people constantly trashing them for what they don't believe, maybe you'll be surprised in what they do believe.  These are good people with different ideas. Give them a chance. Their side of the story. Not for argument.

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   Josakposted 11 years ago

   Humanitarianism, the belief that humanity is the most important and valuable thing and that every human life is of a value greater than the greatest gem.

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      IDONOposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      My point exactly. I'm a Christian, but have never looked down on anyone that doesn't have the same beliefs as me. I am not better than anyone. It think that's how it's supposed to be. Thx.

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   C.V.Rajanposted 11 years ago

   Atheists believe that those who believe God are fools!

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      christiananrkistposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      are you an atheist?

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      C.V.Rajanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      No. I am a fool!

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      ChristinSposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      such a polite and well-asked question and here come people to take digs. sigh.

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      C.V.Rajanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Christin S,
      Why life should be extra-serious? Can't we have some fun?
      http://cvrajan.hubpages.com/hub/Hubpage … us-answers

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      IDONOposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This has nothing to do with your beliefs, but you're right! You are a fool! You can't read. You can't follow rules. You can't even know when it's appropriate to be a fool. Have fun somewhere else. They may have kiddie section.

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      C.V.Rajanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      IDONO,
      Thanks for acknowledging who I am!
      C.V.

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      IDONOposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I didn't acknowledge who you are! I acknowledged the demeanor and attitude that you so willingly created and put on display. I simply recognized it and confirmed what you presented. It;s on you, buddy.

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   ChristinSposted 11 years ago

   Thank you for a nice question.  I think you'll find atheists are not the same in what they believe/disbelieve.  Some atheists are not spiritual at all and others are.  I am quite spiritual, I look at the universe or stare at the night sky and feel awe and a sense of wonder at the processes of life itself. I believe we are all connected because we all come from the same matter, but I do not believe it is a "God" or external controlling force etc.
   
   I don't believe in a deity that controls everything.  In my mind, that takes power away from humanity - and like Josak, I am a strong humanitarian.  I believe that humanity should reach its fullest potential, and in my mind, that doesn't happen when we blame the bad things we do collectively on "evil" or "the devils influence".  Accountability means ownership of the less than desirable qualities that also compose being human. With that, comes the ability to work to better understand and solve those problems.
   
   I also believe that when we give "God" or something outside of ourselves credit for all that is good, it keeps humanity perpetually small.  We humans are capable of greatness - it isn't a puppetmaster doing that, but human ingenuity and growth.  my biggest turnoff in the religion I was raised in was the need to grovel and be small - fear of God etc. why?
   
   I believe that until we get beyond the need for deities and devils, we cannot reach our fullest human potential.  Those who cry about "end times" and how bad everything is and waiting for something outside themselves to come save them hurt not only themselves, but humanity collectively.  We all need to accept that good, bad and everything in between is OUR responsibility.  I believe that the whole "heaven" thing stops people from truly pushing to be all they can in life. Those who believe that some paradise awaits them down the road are more apt to accept mediocrity in their life today and I find that sad.
   
   One of the benefits and one belief most atheists (not all) tend to share is that this life, the one we are living right now is it and is of utmost importance. I think that gives us the incentive to do our best works here - now.
   
   I can't speak for all atheists, but for me - I believe that humanity is inherently good despite its flaws, and I believe humanity is young, and continuing to grow and evolve. I believe as time passes, we are outgrowing the need for religion and that frightens some believers. No, I don't think believers are "fools" either .

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      Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Very Interesting insight.

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   Pamela N Redposted 11 years ago

   I am not an atheist but know many who are and most of them believe in scientific facts. They need proof to believe in something. Someone simply telling them there is a god or spirit that rules over all is not enough they need to meet this person and see proof of their abilities.

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      IDONOposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Isn't that what we call an agnostic? I think an Atheist has no window of opportunity to change what they think.  That there is no possibility of proof. An agnostic will give you that chance. Chime in if I'm wrong, please.

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      Pamela N Redposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      No an Agnostic isn't sure about religion Atheists don't believe in any gods. An Atheist believes in scientific proof and unless you can show them some they won't believe in your religion. So far no one has brought God down from the sky.

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      Levi Legionposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Agnosticism is a philosophy---I realize that the subject of god is ill-defined, and I remain skeptical. Atheism is an opinion---Given the lack of evidence, I don't believe in a god. You can be BOTH Agnostic and Athiest.

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   M. T. Dremerposted 11 years ago

   For me, the things I believe in most are love and art (and the two often overlap). Whether the love is for a significant other, family or oneself, it is key to a full and happy life. Even if love is just a byproduct of chemical reactions and the bonding nature of a pack species, that doesn't make it any less powerful or important. And art (other than being beautiful) is an important outlet for humans to capture and interpret a vastly complex world. As a writer and a graphic designer, I appreciate the hard work and care that goes into the creation of something. I know how it fulfills me to make it, and the joy I get in seeing others do the same.
   
   As an atheist, I do value science, but it was never my field of study. I look at the stars and I see something beautiful. I know it has an explanation for why it's there, even if I don't know all the intricacies of it.
   
   I think there is a misconception out there that atheists are very similar to robots. That, in addition to disbelieving in god, they also have trouble finding beauty or meaning in anything that isn't visible or technical. Oprah, I believe, was the most recent person to view atheists this way. So, you can imagine why this would confuse me because I became an atheist primarily through literature and its evolving place in history. When the universe, earth and humanity are viewed through the lens of godlessness, it makes it that much more remarkable, rare and precious. At least, it does from my perspective.
   
   Some might argue that love is from god and art is our attempt to be like the ultimate creator. But I've found that the more realistic answer is that we are, and always have been, the creators and that god was made in our image.

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   levicolemagicposted 10 years ago

   Do describe what I don't believe in, I am an atheist.
   
   To describe what i do believe I am a Secular Humanist.
   
   What do secular humanists believe?
   
   
   Secular humanists believe that this is the only life of which we have certain knowledge and that we owe it to ourselves and others to make it the best life possible for ourselves and all with whom we share this fragile planet.
   We believe that human beings have made society what it is - the good and the bad.
   We find no evidence for supernatural causes of, or remedies for, humankind's condition.
   We believe that people are best able to solve this world's problems when they are free to use reason and knowledge as their tools.
   We recognize these realities:
   Humankind has, over the millennia, evolved codes of moral and ethical conduct necessary for survival of the individual and the species.
   Also, over the millennia, humankind has created deities (gods) to account for the natural world and devised mysteries and myths to assuage the fear of death by promising immortality.
   These gods and myths evolved into a variety of religions, which selectively adopted elements of society's evolving codes of conduct and claimed for those codes some form of supernatural or divine-origin.
   These religions have provided (and still provide) the rationale for compassionate behavior but also for hatred, bigotry, and brutal inquisitions, wars, crusades, pogroms, and holocausts causing untold misery and countless millions of deaths

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