Can we all not agree that finding comfort in religion is a good thing? I do not believe in a god but I believe that other people should be allowed to believe (or not!) in whatever they want.\nWhy is it important that our own beliefs are considered to be correct (and this is also aimed at people who belong to a religion)\nCan anyone manage to answer this question without falling foul of the above?
136632
I think that there are two types of religious people, there are the "this is my religion and it tells you how to live your life" this is never a good way to look at religion and causes wars and personal persecution on a large scale, so for those people belonging to a religion is a bad thing for everyone. Then there's the "this is my religion and it tell me how to live my life", these people have a positive effect on society because they are living what they believe is a good way of life, such people are normally the Charity workers and the people that give without wanting to receive, for these people belonging to a religion can only be a positive thing. its a good thing to have a personal faith but it does not have to be attached to any religion. In my case I believe in myself and my own existence (its the only thing I can be 100% sure of)
187474
everyone has their own respective view on spirituality and it should be viewed with compassion, respect, and acceptance.  Is that not what most religions state?\n\nI am not an Atheist, but I think they are no more in need of prayer than a judgmental person is.
247004
"all religions make you worship god"????  You really need to do a little more research on the numerous religions of the world.  There are many that don't believe in god.  And I wasn't aware that they "made" you worship god, I thought that this was a choice that people make?  I'm agnostic, but believe that it is perfectly acceptable to people to believe in god if they want.
414065
When you base your religion on how non believers feel about it you might as well not have religion.  Stand true to God and God will stand true to you.
247070
Believe whatever makes you happy and what you feel comfortable with.  God isn't keeping score up there saying "Christians 499-J.W. 498".  It's ok to believe what you are comfortable with.
517819
Yes, I have a problem with it too. After all, there can only be one true religion because they are all mutually exclusive. The one that you 'feel comfortable with' could quite easily be one of the false ones.\n\nQuite honestly, if you are immediately comfortable with a religion, it probably isn't the right one because you are not being challenged by God. Before I became a Christian, the last thing I felt about Christianity was comfortable! It was only when I accepted Christ as my personal saviour that I felt comfortable with Christianity.
497235
Believing is one thing.  Knowing is another.  As most people have said in here, yes you can believe in whatever you want.  That doesn't make it the truth.  And NO, not everyone has to believe in something.  What everyone should have is the knowledge of the truth and the openmindedness to receive the truth.  Not mumbo jumbo from books that you just accept as your truth.
248087
For a self-descrivbed atheist, you seem to have a lot of questions about God and religion...even so far as to use the expression, 'honest to god'.  \n\nI wonder, if you do not believe in god, of what difference can it make to your life if others do?   Just think what you can do with the time you spend questioning how others live their lives.  \n\nIf you learn to be gracious, and realize that god-based comments from others are not meant with any evil intent (except the occasional directions to a certain perceived, very hot location), everyone will be happier, especially you.\n\nGood luck.
624727
Simple. It's more than just not believing in a god. It's living my life without a god or religion telling me how to do it. I believe I can live a succesful and happy life without thinking some god is going to help me. I also think that religion spreads hate, fear and oppression. \n\nThanks for asking!
190306
no, believing or not believing in something like god is neither bad nor good. It's what you do with the belief or disbelief that will determine whether it's a bad thing.
146293
Seems to me that you also believe something blindly and narrowly... that you are right. Isn't that the real problem? That most people have deeply felt beliefs and believe they are right, and have a hard time tolerating others with different views? Your opinion and decisions about religions, our origins, and so on are valid, but so are mine. You speak of religious people being narrow minded, and refer to people like yourself as broad-minded. But, isn't it narrow minded to label any one group of people? You are saying that you don't like having a religious person's views imposed on you. But, in the same breath, you impose your beliefs on us, and label "anyone believing" as unfulfilled, and unintelligent. How exactly does that make sense? Since the group you are speaking of (religious people) is a group I belong to, perhaps I should enlighten you by letting you know that I'm not imposing my beliefs on anyone. I'm am quite ready to talk to those who would listen or have questions, and I am quite ready to listen to others. Do I believe blindly and narrowly? Well, if I didn't believe 100% in my God, that would make me a hypocrite who is wasting my time. If that says to you that I am either blind or narrow, then so be it. But you might consider that our time on earth may be better spent discussing issues without judgment - oh, but wait, Jesus told us not to judge, so I guess that won't work, huh?
170759
I'm an athiest as well.  Religion just didnt do it for me as i got older.  I guess i leaned more toward science.  I have no problem with there not being an afterlife.  Seriously, why have 2 lifes?  One here and one in heaven?  Just doesnt make sence.  And why does there need to be a god?  I think people just need a crutch to lean on in times of need.  But let me ask this, when you try and do something good, is it for your fellow man, or to make god happy?
323563
OK. Good to know. Wasn't trying to in the first place, though. Seems you are now doing the same, so I guess I could ask you the same question. \n\nI'm OK if you don't believe in a deity. Please be OK that I do.\n\nWhy so angry, though? *hugs* :)
43216
As an atheist, I have tried to grasp how believers in a god can actually believe. Many religious people have deemed this annoying and respond with hostility because their faith comes under question. And contrary to what people above me have said, we DO have beliefs. Just different (which to some people means none at all). I believe in science and proven fact. I have discussed my beliefs, and come under attack, because if people of faith can understand where I stand, they can further help me understand where THEY stand.
230981
"Think about it, you have to acknowledge that there is a god (higher power) for you not to believe in, right? In that case, wouldn't you be agnostic?"\nTHAT MAKES NO SENSE, SHOULD I SAY: I DON'T BELIEVE THAT GOD EXISTS, IS THAT BETTER?
141659
I have studied many religions, each one more than the other, and still I've come to the same conclusion I always do: that we really are alone in this world. It's the cold, hard truth, but we have to learn to accept it. There's an old Native American proverb which goes something like this: "Truth looks for eyes unclouded by desire." And we, as humans, naturally desire the belief that someone or something watches over us and protects us. It's comforting for a while, but for most, that comfort begins to dwindle 'till it is merely a flickering flame. \n\nThink about this: (for this example, we'll use a horse.) What made a horse (meaning, not in a reproductive sense but THE first horse), A: men, B: spacemen, or C: fairies? Just because the first two aren't true doesn't make the last one correct. I don't mean to insult anyone's beliefs or religion, this is simply my opinion as it was asked for.
96833
I believe in God, but religion is to binding. There are good values in every religion. Everyone beleves differently, but when any religion is broken down, God is the basis. So to me religion is not important, and does not limit me to my worship in the lord.