What is Your Perception of Atheists?

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 2:16 pm

Do you know any personally? Other than the fact they don't believe in a deity of any kind or an afterlife, how do you view them? Do you have an opinion?

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 2:17 pm

My brother was one for 43 years, until last year....

Carl44 · Post by **Carl44** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 2:17 pm

i'm a reluctant atheist

may god forgive me :rolleyes:

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 2:17 pm

I tend to view them as pessimistic, Does that make sense?

Carl44 · Post by **Carl44** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 2:18 pm

YZGI;678874 wrote: I tend to view them as pessimistic, Does that make sense?

realistic ...if you dont mind buddy :wah:

i dont believe in the tooth fairy either :rolleyes:

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 2:23 pm

YZGI;678874 wrote: I tend to view them as pessimistic, Does that make sense?

No, it doesn't make sense, nor is it true, but I appreciate your opinion.

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 2:27 pm

Lon;678877 wrote: No, it doesn't make sense, nor is it true, but I appreciate your opinion.
Your appreciation is appreciated.

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 2:30 pm

Lon;678871 wrote: Do you know any personally? Other than the fact they don't believe in a deity of any kind or an afterlife, how do you view them? Do you have an opinion?

I don't know if I know any personally as I usually don't ask people about their religious beliefs.

I don't have a problem with the concept. I don't understand not having something greater to draw your strength from, but that is just me. I certainly wouldn't think less of an atheist and wouldn't shun them or anything like that. It's their own personal belief as mine is mine.

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 3:07 pm

I notice that there are not a lot of religious conflicts started by irate atheists attempting to convert people into not believing in god strangely enough, I mean when was the last suicide atheist bomber, god it must be ages, why is that? They don't seem to mind the fact that most people are not atheists (just mildly dissapointed) shame more religions are not like that init?

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 3:14 pm

Galbally;678925 wrote: I notice that there are not a lot of religious conflicts started by irate atheists attempting to convert people into not believing in god strangely enough, I mean when was the last suicide atheist bomber, god it must be ages, why is that? They don't seem to mind the fact that most people are not atheists (just mildly dissapointed) shame more religions are not like that init?

Good point!! I like that. I don't think atheists have any interest in martyrdom.

Carl44 · Post by **Carl44** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 3:15 pm

Galbally;678925 wrote: I notice that there are not a lot of religious conflicts started by irate atheists attempting to convert people into not believing in god strangely enough, I mean when was the last suicide atheist bomber, god it must be ages, why is that? They don't seem to mind the fact that most people are not atheists (just mildly dissapointed) shame more religions are not like that init?

:wah::wah:

no point blowing yourself and hundreds of innocent people up if you dont believe your going to get 77 virgins in heaven i spoze is there :rolleyes:

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 7:32 am

I've had friends who were/are Atheists.

when it comes to humans I believe one should only be judged by the content of their character. (I'm borrowing a few words from Martin Luther King there.) :-6

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 10:01 am

Lon;678871 wrote: Do you know any personally? Other than the fact they don't believe in a deity of any kind or an afterlife, how do you view them? Do you have an opinion?

I am of an agnostic disposition. I find atheists as irritating as religious believers and for the same reason. Both are smug irritating gits who are convinced they know what is right and anyone who disagrees with them is an idiot. Pagans i find absurd although appealingly eccentric at the same time. Actually if you go to some of the lonelier stone circles at certain times there`is an eerie quality to them-maybe it's racial memory, who knows?

Yew trees-that old pagan symbol are very common in christian burial sites often because they have been cemeteries from time immemorial and christians usually built where the old pagan temple was. Standing at funerals looking at the old trees I can sometimes hear the pagan gods having the last laugh at the graveside. Total nonsense of course-or is it?

Are you one yourself Lon? Are there really no atheists in california?

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 10:38 am

gmc;679227 wrote: I am of an agnostic disposition. I find atheists as irritating as religious believers and for the same reason. Both are smug irritating gits who are convinced they know what is right and anyone who disagrees with them is an idiot. Pagans i find absurd although appealingly eccentric at the same time. Actually if you go to some of the lonelier stone circles at certain times there`is an eerie quality to them-maybe it's racial memory, who knows?

Yew trees-that old pagan symbol are very common in christian burial sites often because they have been cemeteries from time immemorial and christians usually built where the old pagan temple was. Standing at funerals looking at the old trees I can sometimes hear the pagan gods having the last laugh at the graveside. Total nonsense of course-or is it?

Are you one yourself Lon? Are there really no atheists in california?

I am a Secular Humanist.

Carl44 · Post by **Carl44** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 10:44 am

gmc;679227 wrote: I am of an agnostic disposition. I find atheists as irritating as religious believers and for the same reason. Both are smug irritating gits who are convinced they know what is right and anyone who disagrees with them is an idiot. Pagans i find absurd although appealingly eccentric at the same time. Actually if you go to some of the lonelier stone circles at certain times there`is an eerie quality to them-maybe it's racial memory, who knows?

Yew trees-that old pagan symbol are very common in christian burial sites often because they have been cemeteries from time immemorial and christians usually built where the old pagan temple was. Standing at funerals looking at the old trees I can sometimes hear the pagan gods having the last laugh at the graveside. Total nonsense of course-or is it?

Are you one yourself Lon? Are there really no atheists in california?

sorry you find me smug the irritating is fine though

i would love to believe in god more than anything but just as i dont believe in father christmas i cant believe in god it just dont add up to me :-6

ps the git thing is fine too

Mia · Post by **Mia** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 12:29 pm

I know one because I am one. I also respect other peoples beliefs and would never inflict my opinions on them.

I think organised Religion has been the root of conflict in this world.I ask myself is it about God or power.

along-for-the-ride · Post by **along-for-the-ride** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 4:03 pm

Do atheists have a scientific approach to the beginning of time, of life forms, etc.

Organized religion has to be run like a businees. Unfortunatly, the roots of faith get lost in the forest...so to speak.

guppy · Post by **guppy** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 4:08 pm

My best friend is married to an atheist..and she is a baptist..they respect eachother's differences..he is a very nice man...

DelicateDominatrix · Post by **DelicateDominatrix** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 4:27 pm

I do know a few.They are actually very positive people,caring and thoughtful people,they are co-workers and friends btw.

I respect their views and they respect mine

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 5:06 pm

jimbo;679254 wrote: sorry you find me smug the irritating is fine though

i would love to believe in god more than anything but just as i dont believe in father christmas i cant believe in god it just dont add up to me :-6

ps the git thing is fine too

Coming from an absurd pagan, Jimbo, whose god are you wishing you could believe in? I have my own. Maybe you need your own too? One you don't find in a book or from a church. ?

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 5:08 pm

Lon;678871 wrote: Do you know any personally? Other than the fact they don't believe in a deity of any kind or an afterlife, how do you view them? Do you have an opinion?

I eat atheists for breakfast. One time I ate a Lutheran but that was an honest mistake.

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 5:09 pm

I've never known why some people are so uncomfy with atheism. I try to avoid religious talks but got into one with a friend once who wanted to know what I went for and her comment was "Just as long as you believe in *something.* What was that? If I don't believe in something am I a danger to society because I suddenly lack ethics, values and morality?

Carl44 · Post by **Carl44** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 12:14 am

RedGlitter;679470 wrote: Coming from an absurd pagan, Jimbo, whose god are you wishing you could believe in? I have my own. Maybe you need your own too? One you don't find in a book or from a church. ?

i'm afraid the faith thing is lost on me it dont add up i'm just going to accept it now .... oh well onwards and upwards

...thank god

Ali. · Post by **Ali.** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 12:57 am

Dont think I no exactly wot an atheist is but I like wot galbally said,dont think they have started any religious wars.I like the Von Danakin theory.Spooky.Now I didnt say I beleived it,just liked the sound of it.Spacemen.

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 2:01 am

I think only GMC has touched on the real nature of atheism. It's a seriously thought-through stance, like belief in a God, and you can only be an atheist by taking a committed position. It's nothing like agnosticism or luke warm not caring either way -ism.

I admire people who have convictions and are prepared to stand and be counted for them. I don't admire those who use their personal views and beliefs to harm or intimidate other people. Or start wars, as Galbally mentions. I respect people who, having given serious attention to life, the universe, everything, come to the conclusion that there isn't enough hard evidence to support either extreme position, so call themselves agnostics.

Most of us probably fall in the last lot. It's all too hard, let's go down to the pub. Grin.

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 2:01 am

jimbo;679254 wrote: sorry you find me smug the irritating is fine though

i would love to believe in god more than anything but just as i dont believe in father christmas i cant believe in god it just dont add up to me :-6

ps the git thing is fine too

Wasn't directed at anyone in particular and didn't mean to offend anyone. You do occasionally meet evangelical atheists who latch on to their lack of faith just as much as some Christians latch on to their religion. Asking either why do you believe that has them floundering because many of them don't think about why they believe what they do-they just do and that's it. With some pseudo-atheists it's a rejection of religion rather than a rejection of faith. They want someone to tell them what to believe and that everything is all right and feel let down by something that happened to them.

With atheists and religious types I always ask what do you think the meaning of life is. God has a purpose that we don't know comforts some there is no purpose comforts others. 42 is still one of the best answers I have seen but many don't appreciate the humour.

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 4:37 am

But what was the question?

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 7:24 am

AussiePam;679713 wrote: But what was the question?

The ultimate question of life the universe and everything.

see hitchhikers guide to the galaxy

http://www.tv-links.co.uk/listings/1/2539

episode 6

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 1:35 pm

Grin. Yes, that's what I was quoting back to you. I'm a big fan of Douglas Adams. They got the answer right, but the question wrong!

:sneaky:

DelicateDominatrix · Post by **DelicateDominatrix** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 3:59 pm

I work with a girl who is a devil worshiper,, at least I think she is anyway.She kinda of jokes about it,but then again she don't, so im not sure,but anyway she is actually very nice,kinda odd,but nice.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 4:03 pm

DelicateDominatrix;680178 wrote: I work with a girl who is a devil worshiper,, at least I think she is anyway.She kinda of jokes about it,but then again she don't, so im not sure,but anyway she is actually very nice,kinda odd,but nice.

In a devil worshipping kind of way ?

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 8:03 pm

Devil worship depends on a belief in some kind of good God (usually a spinoff from the Christian interpretation of a Supreme Being) who is rejected in favour of worshipping the antithesis. This is very different from agrarian type paganism and completely incompatible with atheist views that there is no God of any kind.