Questions for an atheist.

[Skaloop]

I'm an atheist. In some places, this forum and elsewhere, I see that many Christians misunderstand what it is to be an atheist. So my question is, do you have any questions you'd like to ask of an atheist about atheism? If so, let 'em rip. I'll try to answer as best I can.

I should probably note in advance that any answers I might give are mine and mine alone, since there is no way I can speak for any other non-believer.

 

[cloud0729]

Yes I got a question, how do you think the universe and all its creations came to be?

 

[Skaloop]

Yes I got a question, how do you think the universe and all its creations came to be?

Well, I'm not very well-versed in the most current theories (Big Bang, M-theory, string theory, quantum theory) that come into play regarding the origins of the universe. I am trying to read up on it a bit more. But from what I gather, the universe came from a quantum singularity, which expanded into the universe we now know. Where that quantum singularity came from, I do not know. I've read that quantum theory studies have shown that random quantum occurences can come out of "nothing." But I still don't have a problem saying "I don't know" in answer to your question. I do not believe there was any intentional cause behind it, however.

Once the universe came into being, the formation of atoms, elements, molecules, planets, and stars came about through basic physics and chemistry. Chemistry is also behind the formation of the first self-replicating molecules that eventually led to life on Earth that evolved into the diversity we see today through natural selection.

 

[Ailanthus]

I can think of a lot of questions that I would like to freely ask an atheist, but I'll try to limit it to three

1. Do you feel like there is a purpose to life?

2. Do you believe that you just blink out of existence when you die?

3. Are you ever concerned that you might be wrong (about the whole God, Heaven, Hell thing)?

 

[Skaloop]

1. Do you feel like there is a purpose to life?

Not an overarching singular purpose to all life, no. But there's nothing stopping us from making our own lives purposeful.

2. Do you believe that you just blink out of existence when you die?

I wouldn't exactly use those words. When I die, my brain functions will cease, and with them my consciousness/mind/identity. But nothing "blinks out of existence"; my body will still be there, with all its parts. It just won't be functioning.

3. Are you ever concerned that you might be wrong (about the whole God, Heaven, Hell thing)?

Not at all. Well, no more than I would worry about being run over by a herd of unicorns. In regards to a specific god, the Judeo-Christian God, I'm not worried at all. I am not worried about Hell because the very idea is an absurd idea from an even more absurd God. At least, he seems absurd to me.

Now, in the more generic sense of god, as in some sort of uber-powerful being, I'm slightly more open to that possibility. But not much. And anything like that that might exist would be, to me, just an example of an evolved lifeform that is very advanced. So not really a god at all.

 

[Ailanthus]

Interesting. Thanks.

I'm trying to think as an atheist might think. If I were in your shoes, there would at least be this little lingering thought in my mind saying, "Man, I'm screwed if all that stuff in the Bible is even halfway true." But, I guess I can't think like an real atheist when I'm not an atheist.

It seems depressing to me to think that everything about who I am would just simply end when I die. Nothing....and then more nothing, forever. My story is over; the end. What's the point of my being alive at all?

Anway, no atheist has ever asked me if I would like to ask them any questions, so thanks for taking the time to answer some.

 

[elvenwanderer111]

Is it not true to you that life cannot come from non life
Do you believe in absolute or objective truth?
What brought you to your atheism
Do you believe in evil?
And I have more, but i will end now with what do you think is wrong with the world.

 

[OldChurchGuy]

I'm an atheist. In some places, this forum and elsewhere, I see that many Christians misunderstand what it is to be an atheist. So my question is, do you have any questions you'd like to ask of an atheist about atheism? If so, let 'em rip. I'll try to answer as best I can.

I should probably note in advance that any answers I might give are mine and mine alone, since there is no way I can speak for any other non-believer.

A very interesting post. Thanks for the opportunity to ask.

What do you find to be the most common misunderstanding among theists about atheists?

Is there a clear distinction between an atheist and an agnostic? If so, what is it?

Does atheism have a founder?

Sincerely,

OldChurchGuy

 

[elvenwanderer111]

If I may interject I would believe Athiesm starts shortly after the days of Adam, Its founder is probably not known, but there are many who greatly(and I say great as in there devotion to atheism) contributed to their cause such as Kant, Harris, etc...

 

[Skaloop]

Interesting. Thanks.

I'm trying to think as an atheist might think. If I were in your shoes, there would at least be this little lingering thought in my mind saying, "Man, I'm screwed if all that stuff in the Bible is even halfway true." But, I guess I can't think like an real atheist when I'm not an atheist.

Well, the thought can certainly come up. I am screwed if all that stuff in the Bible is true. I am also screwed in an airplane falls out of the sky and lands on me as I walk to work. But I don't worry about that happening, because I don't consider it even remotely likely.

It seems depressing to me to think that everything about who I am would just simply end when I die. Nothing....and then more nothing, forever. My story is over; the end. What's the point of my being alive at all?

Yeah, it can be depressing, sure. But it doesn't have to be. You might end, but you can leave behind kids and friends and family. There's no point in being alive unless make a point of living.

Anway, no atheist has ever asked me if I would like to ask them any questions, so thanks for taking the time to answer some.

My pleasure!

 

[Skaloop]

Is it not true to you that life cannot come from non life

No, it's not true. Every time I eat, my body turns non-living material into the living cells that makes it up. There is nothing within physics, chemistry, or biology that says life cannot come from non-life. There have been experiments that show basic amino acids arising out of purely chemical means. Is it alive? Not as such, but it is the basic building block of life, and as such is the starting point for life.

Do you believe in absolute or objective truth?

Both. There is absolute truth (2+2=4, for example) and there is objective truth (life has a purpose).

What brought you to your atheism

Nothing. I was born an atheist and raised without any religion.

Do you believe in evil?

I believe people can do evil things, but I don't believe that there is some "force" out there causing it.

And I have more, but i will end now with what do you think is wrong with the world.

That people don't always treat other people as well as they can.

 

[Skaloop]

A very interesting post. Thanks for the opportunity to ask.

What do you find to be the most common misunderstanding among theists about atheists?

Well, in my case in particular, that I am an atheist because I "turned my back on God." Christians-turned-atheists may fall under that description, but I was never a Christian; I haven't turned my back on anyone. More generally, the idea that atheists are amoral. The idea that atheism is a religion of its own.

Is there a clear distinction between an atheist and an agnostic? If so, what is it?

Atheist and agnostic are terms that describe totally separate things. In fact, most atheists would be agnostic as well. Atheism has to do with belief, agnosticism has to do with knowledge. As an atheist I don't believe in god. I am also agnostic, however, as I do not claim to know that with 100% certainty. So I am technically an agnostic atheist. There can be agnostic Christians as well. Actually, everyone should call themselves agnostic to be intellectually honest (unless, of course, they know everything).

Does atheism have a founder?

No. Atheism is the default position. Nobody believes in a god until they are taught to. That's religion, and that requires a founder. Atheism has no founder because it is not a belief. It is a lack of belief. Consider, say, a George W. Bush fan club. That club must have a founder who created it. And people join the club; they are not born into it. But there doesn't need to be a founder for the group of people who are not part of the GWB fan club. That group is the default, and people are in it only because they've not joined the other one.

 

[elvenwanderer111]

You leave behind kids, and family, you make a point, but if you will forgive the pun, what is the point?

 

[Skaloop]

You leave behind kids, and family, you make a point, but if you will forgive the pun, what is the point?

There isn't one. I realize that that is discomforting, but discomfort does not determine reality.

But I guess if I had to choose a point to life, it is to propogate genes. That is why we exist; we are vessels within which our genes can successfully replicate themselves.

 

[elvenwanderer111]

So if there is not a point in life, then why is it wrong for some people to kill other people? Or for( on a political basis) wrong for us to invade another country and be involved in their civil war? If there is no point, then it should be okay.

 

[elvenwanderer111]

By the way, objective and absolute are synonyms so i think you meant that "life has a purpose" is a subjective or relative truth.

 

[Skaloop]

So if there is not a point in life, then why is it wrong for some people to kill other people? Or for( on a political basis) wrong for us to invade another country and be involved in their civil war? If there is no point, then it should be okay.

Things are wrong because we, as a society, consider them to be wrong. Such "rules" are a natural result when intelligent, social creatures start living together in groups. And different cultures have different "rules" which shows further that there are no absolute morals.

 

[Skaloop]

By the way, objective and absolute are synonyms so i think you meant that "life has a purpose" is a subjective or relative truth.

Ah, yes. I always mix up "objective" and "subjective."

 

[Shubunkin]

Closed because this is not the proper forum for such questions.​