Dark Virtue
New Member
One of the things I have noticed in my discussions here is that there is a lack of understanding about what atheism truly is. Hopefully I can dismiss a few incorrect notions and educate you to some degree.
The following has been compiled from different sources.
Atheism is not a religion or a belief system.
Atheism is the DISbelief, or denial of, the existence of a god. It is the antithesis to a belief in god(s). To quote Dan Barker, "Basic atheism is not a belief. It is the lack of belief. There is a difference between believing there is no god and not believing there is a god--both are atheistic, though popular usage has ignored the latter."
Atheism is a broad category, not a specific one.
The term "atheist" encompasses many different sub-categories including agnostics and freethinkers.
Atheism does not imply that life is meaningless.
Life does not have to be everlasting to have meaning. Quite the opposite. Since we know that life is fleeting, we strive to experience all the meaning we can within that short period.
Myth: Atheists have no motivation to be, or do, good.
Morality isn't limited to religion. Morality can, and does, exist outside the boundaries of religiosity. As the Italians say, "La virtù è premio a se stessa". Virtue is its own reward.
Atheists are not intolerant or prejudiced against relgious people.
There are obnoxious people on both sides of the fence. Just because one holds an opposing view does not make on intolerant. Atheists, as a whole, are not intolerant, nor are they prejudiced.
Atheism does not undermine patriotism.
Contrary to popular opinion, America was NOT founded on Christian values. A simple Google search is sufficient to prove this statement. Many of our founding fathers were not Christian. Nonbelievers participate fully in all the positive aspects of American life, including military service and jury duty.
Atheists have no problem admitting when they are wrong.
This is more of a personal attack on specific atheists than atheism as a whole. Since atheists depend on the scientific theory, being wrong is part of the game, it is how you learn and grow. Atheists are in constant search of the truth, sometimes that means admitting that the truth you held was incorrect. Unfortunately many theists that claim this of atheists are themselves guilty of the charge.
Atheists admit that they sin.
Atheists don't believe they are perfect. Man is fallible, we sin. Atheists acknowledge their mistakes. Be aware that "sin" isn't always defined by a religious system.
Atheists aren't an inherantly angry bunch.
Admittedly, there are many "angry" atheists out there. I think it isn't so much anger as it is frustration from dealing with illogical theists. As I have stated before, atheists are willing to budge on their beliefs when proven wrong, theists, for the most part, are not.
Atheists are not followers of Satan.
This one should be self-evident, but many Christians believe that atheists are pawns of Satan. That is simply rubbish. How can atheists follow Satan if they don't believe in him along with God?
Atheists do not CHOOSE to disbelieve in God.
Again, it all goes back to evidence. Were there evidence/proof to show that God exists, then atheists would believe in God. Atheists don't believe in God because there is no evidence, it is not an arbitrary decision.
Atheists don't hate God and detest some divine authority.
This is an attack on atheistic motivation. Again, this goes back to the lack of evidence in gods.
Atheists don't actually believe God exists and are in some sort of denial.
You'd be suprised at how common a claim this is. Atheism relies on facts and evidence, not on the motivation of the atheist. Once again, this goes back to a lack of evidence.
Some atheists HAVE actually tried to find God.
Yes, some of us actually have tried to find God. With all of our hearts, minds and souls. Many atheists were once religious. They meant it as much as any other Christian. It is sad when Christians claim some sort of superiority over atheists and blame them for not trying hard enough, or at least, not as hard as the Christian making the charge. In the end, satisfactory answers never materialized and faith was put aside for logic and reason.
Atheists should not be pigeonholed, they do not all believe in the same thing.
That's like saying all Christians believe in the same thing. It's fundamentally incorrect.
Atheists are not chaotic.
Just because there is no god or religion to issue morality doesn't mean that atheists are without virtue and honor. Atheists ARE moral. Just as much as any theist.
I hope this list will help shed some light on your neighbors on the other side of the fence. If you have any questions or would like clarification on any points, just let me know. I may not represent every atheist, but I may be able to shed some light on your questions.
Thank you.
The following has been compiled from different sources.
Atheism is not a religion or a belief system.
Atheism is the DISbelief, or denial of, the existence of a god. It is the antithesis to a belief in god(s). To quote Dan Barker, "Basic atheism is not a belief. It is the lack of belief. There is a difference between believing there is no god and not believing there is a god--both are atheistic, though popular usage has ignored the latter."
Atheism is a broad category, not a specific one.
The term "atheist" encompasses many different sub-categories including agnostics and freethinkers.
Atheism does not imply that life is meaningless.
Life does not have to be everlasting to have meaning. Quite the opposite. Since we know that life is fleeting, we strive to experience all the meaning we can within that short period.
Myth: Atheists have no motivation to be, or do, good.
Morality isn't limited to religion. Morality can, and does, exist outside the boundaries of religiosity. As the Italians say, "La virtù è premio a se stessa". Virtue is its own reward.
Atheists are not intolerant or prejudiced against relgious people.
There are obnoxious people on both sides of the fence. Just because one holds an opposing view does not make on intolerant. Atheists, as a whole, are not intolerant, nor are they prejudiced.
Atheism does not undermine patriotism.
Contrary to popular opinion, America was NOT founded on Christian values. A simple Google search is sufficient to prove this statement. Many of our founding fathers were not Christian. Nonbelievers participate fully in all the positive aspects of American life, including military service and jury duty.
Atheists have no problem admitting when they are wrong.
This is more of a personal attack on specific atheists than atheism as a whole. Since atheists depend on the scientific theory, being wrong is part of the game, it is how you learn and grow. Atheists are in constant search of the truth, sometimes that means admitting that the truth you held was incorrect. Unfortunately many theists that claim this of atheists are themselves guilty of the charge.
Atheists admit that they sin.
Atheists don't believe they are perfect. Man is fallible, we sin. Atheists acknowledge their mistakes. Be aware that "sin" isn't always defined by a religious system.
Atheists aren't an inherantly angry bunch.
Admittedly, there are many "angry" atheists out there. I think it isn't so much anger as it is frustration from dealing with illogical theists. As I have stated before, atheists are willing to budge on their beliefs when proven wrong, theists, for the most part, are not.
Atheists are not followers of Satan.
This one should be self-evident, but many Christians believe that atheists are pawns of Satan. That is simply rubbish. How can atheists follow Satan if they don't believe in him along with God?
Atheists do not CHOOSE to disbelieve in God.
Again, it all goes back to evidence. Were there evidence/proof to show that God exists, then atheists would believe in God. Atheists don't believe in God because there is no evidence, it is not an arbitrary decision.
Atheists don't hate God and detest some divine authority.
This is an attack on atheistic motivation. Again, this goes back to the lack of evidence in gods.
Atheists don't actually believe God exists and are in some sort of denial.
You'd be suprised at how common a claim this is. Atheism relies on facts and evidence, not on the motivation of the atheist. Once again, this goes back to a lack of evidence.
Some atheists HAVE actually tried to find God.
Yes, some of us actually have tried to find God. With all of our hearts, minds and souls. Many atheists were once religious. They meant it as much as any other Christian. It is sad when Christians claim some sort of superiority over atheists and blame them for not trying hard enough, or at least, not as hard as the Christian making the charge. In the end, satisfactory answers never materialized and faith was put aside for logic and reason.
Atheists should not be pigeonholed, they do not all believe in the same thing.
That's like saying all Christians believe in the same thing. It's fundamentally incorrect.
Atheists are not chaotic.
Just because there is no god or religion to issue morality doesn't mean that atheists are without virtue and honor. Atheists ARE moral. Just as much as any theist.
I hope this list will help shed some light on your neighbors on the other side of the fence. If you have any questions or would like clarification on any points, just let me know. I may not represent every atheist, but I may be able to shed some light on your questions.
Thank you.
