16 Common Myths About Atheists

[Lunar Shadow]

This is just to set the record straight feel free to leave questions and comments.


16 Common Myths About Atheists

1. Atheists hate Christians and Christianity:
No, we dont. Personally, I do hate the atrocities that have been committed in the name of religion, the dishonesty of most religions, and the way that they encourage people not to think or question, and not to trust or
use their minds. But I dont dislike someone just because of their religion.

2. Most atheists started out as Christians, and stopped believing because of some bad experience with other Christians:
Or maybe we simply started to question, to wonder what happened when we applied the standards of logic, reason and burden of proof to religion, as we already did to everything in our lives. Or, perhaps, we were never believers at all. It happens, you know.

3. Atheists have no sense of morality, since morality comes from God:
Ah, the old without fear of hell, there would be nothing to stop people from being bloodthirsty monsters argument. It may come as a surprise to most Christians, but there are reasons for being good other than fear of punishment - which isnt really a reason, anyway, and only shows Christians in a very bad light. Reasons like human empathy, genuine feelings for others, and, most importantly, rational principles. Behaving yourself just because daddy will spank you otherwise does not make you a nice child.

4. Atheists are a unified group, like a church:
Are we? I must have missed the memo, then. If anything, Id say atheists are more diverse than Christians, because were less sheep-like, and dont accept things on faith, or from authority.

5. Atheists actually know, deep inside, that theres a God, as thats perfectly obvious; they are simply too proud and arrogant to admit the existence of something greater than themselves:
Not exactly. You see, the existence of a god is only obvious if youve been brainwashed (either by others, or by your own irrationality) into believing it. We are truly convinced that theres no god, and are not in denial. Really. Im serious.

6. Atheists dont really know anything about Christianity:
Again, it depends. Some certainly know more than others. However, religion is so ubiquitous that, like it or not, weve all had varying degrees of contact with it, with its teachings, and with believers. Besides, a lot of atheists are naturally curious. I, myself, have read the Christian Bible - more than once, in fact. Now, dear believer, ask yourself how many atheist books, magazines or essays you have read. Oh, I forgot, theyre all the work of Satan.

7. Atheists lives are cold and empty, as they cant feel the joy and love that comes only from God:
Really? Id never call my life cold or empty - I have the joys of friendship, love, family, and doing the things I love to do. And, whats more, Im self-sufficient, unlike anyone who says I dont know how anyone could live without God in their lives - as many Christians do.

8. Atheists are depressive and nihilistic, since they believe theres nothing after death, and therefore theres no point to anything:
On the contrary, we, unlike you, know how precious life is, because were aware that its our only one. And, this may come as a shock to you, but we can love our lives, we can feel the joy of being alive, because we dont believe that this is the devils world, or that this is just a test before the real thing. Life is precious, and its our own - not any gods.

9. Atheists are cold and uncaring:
No, we are not. Having delusions doesnt make anyone more caring. And, again, we treat life as precious, and do what we can to improve it, both ours and that of our loved ones. On the other hand, many Christians believe life is suffering, and that theres nothing we can do about it.

10. Atheists are arrogant:
What, because we dare to use our minds instead of asking who are we to know? No, were not.

11. Atheists want to forbid religious worship:
Wrong. We just dont want to be harmed by it. Want to believe in God, Jesus, Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy? Be my guest. Want to teach your kids to do the same? I feel sorry for them, but it will still take many years until people realize how crippling ones reason in childhood is like a bird crippling its offsprings wings. (*) Want to give all your money to a guy with a Lexus and a bad haircut? Fine. But dont try to save me, dont harass me in the street or at my home, dont get politicians to enact laws to give power to you, dont try to teach your religion in science classes by dishonestly giving it a new name and disguising it as science, and dont use my tax money to write your idiocies in public places. In short, do as you want, as long as you keep it to yourself - just like I dont go to your place trying to un-convert you.

12. Atheists are incapable of feeling awe at simple things, like a beautiful sunset, as they see everything in terms of cold science, instead of miracles:
Ah, unweaving the rainbow - the idea that beauty and poetry only exist if we know little to nothing about how things work. But I ask you: does the fact that you know about astronomy, physics and light make the sunset any less beautiful? Was it beautiful only because it seemed magical - or an act of god - to you?

13. Atheists live their lives in constant fear of death:
Few people actually want to die - those that do are either depressed and suicidal, or are Christians who believe that the world is evil, please, Lord Jesus, take me, and all that. A reasonable fear of death is perfectly natural. Also, we may believe that this life is it, which makes us treat it as precious, but, at least, we dont think that theres a chance of going to a place where you burn and are tortured for eternity

14. Most criminals are atheists (or, alternatively, the percentage of atheists among criminals is higher than among the general populace):
Oddly enough, the opposite is true.

15. Atheists are stubborn and closed-minded:
Not unless you define closed-minded like this. But, as Ebon said, Ask any believer what would convince him he was mistaken and persuade him to leave his religion and become an atheist, and if you get a response, it will almost invariably be, Nothing - I have faith in my god. Although such people may well exist, I personally have yet to meet a theist who would acknowledge even the possibility that his belief was in error. Many theists, by their own admission, structure their beliefs so that no evidence could possibly disprove them. Atheists, on the other hand, are easy to convince - all it requires is for God to show himself in some unfakeable way - say, for instance, by doing any of the many things he supposedly did in the Old Testament

16. Atheists make bad parents:
Again, there are good and bad atheist parents, and good and bad Christian parents. Atheist parents, however, would never do what Abraham was about to do to his son Isaac (and Christians see Abrahams behavior as laudable!), because, to most atheists, our lives are our own. In fact, even if there was a God, it would not follow that our lives are his.

[eusebioCBR]

^so what do you want, a medal or something? Every generation has a group that wants to "re-invent the wheel" so enjoy your renaissance, and let the faithful pray in public.
Words of faith would only threaten or "harm" satan so what do you care about public prayer

[Lunar Shadow]

I personally have no problem with public prayer but it is outta line when having anythign to do with government because that crosses the line of separation of church and state.... if John Q. Football player finds it nesesary to cross himself and say a prayer every touchdown he makes thats his deal.

However I personally get offended when people atomatcally assume that every one around them is either of the same faith or have a belief in god at all. I would just like it if people would just keep that in mind when going about their daily lives. NOT every oen thinks like you nor believes like you.... its just common courtesy. I don't assume you are an Atheist so don't Assume I am a Christian,Muslim, Jew, Wiccan, or what have you.

And as far as faith threatening or harming only satan (whom doesn't exist) that is not true there are pleanty of laws that have been passed or repealed only because of a religious philosophy or belief that has a direct effect on me or my children. So that is when faith can harm or threaten. It threatens my freedom in some fashion... every time a law is past freedom is lost by some one. think about that.

Did I ask for a medal? no I said this is to get a few things strait... there are many people who don't knwo an Atheist or who have never met on all they know is what they have been told about them in church wich tends to be inaccurate in my experiance.

[eusebioCBR]

And as far as faith threatening or harming only satan (whom doesn't exist) that is not true there are pleanty of laws that have been passed or repealed only because of a religious philosophy or belief that has a direct effect on me or my children. So that is when faith can harm or threaten. It threatens my freedom in some fashion... every time a law is past freedom is lost by some one. think about that.

I've been thinking about this for 20+ years now. The laws that protect you and your children restrict others too. The Constitution prohibits the government from establishing a religion.(the phrase "seperation between church and state" is NOT in the constitution)
I have yet to find the amendment that protects anyone from being offended by anybodys religious beliefs.
I don't assume anyone is anything and the medal comment was pure sarcasm.
The laws that build your protective wall around you effect me.

[metalchris25]

"However I personally get offended when people atomatcally assume that every one around them is either of the same faith or have a belief in god at all. I would just like it if people would just keep that in mind when going about their daily lives. NOT every oen thinks like you nor believes like you.... its just common courtesy. I don't assume you are an Atheist so don't Assume I am a Christian,Muslim, Jew, Wiccan, or what have you."

Just b/c I wanna say a prayer in public does not mean that I am assuming that everyone around me wants to hear it or to join in. Thats just a stupid assumption on your part.
I personally don't care if someone doesn't wanna hear it. I don't want to hear about all the other religions that were NOT a part of this country's founding, but I have to anyway, so why should my faith take a backseat just because some whiney pansy might get thier feelings hurt? Not gonna happen.

[bilal]

its just my personal opinion .... but i dont think i see any disagrement between you guys in this thread........ i know that the people of faith and those without have not been at wars with each other, neither a cold war kind of thing......its only when one tries to push his beliefs or non-beliefs on each other...... and that is bound to offend each others....so we shouhd respect each others belifs or non-beliefs since we are sharing this planet with people of all types, ...and just like we post our threads here about our faith and religion....so does Mr. Lunar thought about posting his thread about his non-beliefs..... so i dont find it wrong.....but yes... Lunar SHadow guy should have thought that this post is probablly biased in a way cause most of the things mentioned are either Common knowldge or do appear to be wrong assuptions .....as they hold no ground........ i personally think that contribution of Lunar Dude is very important in this forum as it makes us ask question about faith and God and only helps us getting more stronger or clearer.....

and by the way Mr. Lunar...your an american...but iam not even an American...and i am a muslim......and people have still heard me out here in this FAith section....and i havent find any one ever expressing anger for my posting my beliefs here...... so why would they be angry with an atheist.....i.e only when you cross over the line and start attacking each other.....and i think your post was a little biased in that sence

[metalchris25]

I agree. Even though I often get angered by Lunars posts, I still respect him and enjoy (for the most part) debating with him.

[eusebioCBR]

My problem is with the whole athiest movement in America. They're trying to remove "under God" from our flag salute and "In God we trust" from our currency.

I'm sure atheists lead honest and responsible lives, but Lunar's need to post the obvious may suggest a stereotype of the faithful or maybe just Christians.

[Lunar Shadow]

Quote: (Originally Posted by eusebioCBR)

My problem is with the whole athiest movement in America. They're trying to remove "under God" from our flag salute and "In God we trust" from our currency.

True I feel that "In God We Trust" should be removed from our currency but its not a hill worth dying on there are more pressing polictiacl issues at had Michael Newdown can deal with that til the cows come home.

As far as "Under God" for the plege well here is a little history it was added to the plege in the 1950s so saying that one is ruining the plege by trying to get it removed its rediculous. but then again I alwasy though the plege was rediculous, something like that being reqired of elementry and r high students doen't sit right with me I think it has something to do with the idea of pleaging alleigence to something they don't understand.

and I do not disagree that "sepparation of church and state" is not in the consitution (in fact I know it isn't I have read it enough times) but it is the idea behind the first amendemnt wehn it comes to religion. Federal endorsement of a Religion or Diety is prohibited by the constitution.

[eusebioCBR]

I do wonder where this will go in our society. The only people making decisions on this issue are activist judges. Most politicians won't touch it as they don't want to piss off the Bible vote.
..............let's see what the supreme court says.

[metalchris25]

Nothing good, I would guess.

I agree with Lunar in a way about the pledge. I don't want to see it happen, and don't think it should. However, to require that school kids recite it is stupid. They don't even know what it is they are saying.
As far as it being removed from our currency, I don't really care one way or another. Removing it will have no great consequence on our future.

[eusebioCBR]

^It would bother me as a matter of principal.

[metalchris25]

I agree, and I don't want to see it taken off, I'm just sayin that it wouldn't be a great triumph for them.

[eusebioCBR]

^Gotcha

Although the media would treat it as MAJOR victory, "America rejects God" or something like that.

[Lunar Shadow]

^^ but what you are neglecting is that "In God We Trust" Wasn't always on our currency it was also added in the 1950 during the start of the battle of communisim there were certain series prior to that that beared the
"motto" the first was commissioned during the Lincoln administration but wasn't on all currency 'til the 50's.


so it really makes no difference in that respect. the funny thing is that I know Christians who are offened with the "motto" being on our currency because they feel it almost idolizes money among other reasons.