Before you get defensive, I don't think that all atheists are the same.\n\nSome atheists say that atheism is the lack of belief in God.\n\nI have said in another question that I used to have no religion before converting to being a Catholic Christian. Back then, I don't remember thinking about whether or not God exists, and I can't remember anyone asking me. So I asked if any atheists considered me to be a former atheist.\n\nMost of the answers came back "no" because they say I hadn't rejected the existence of God. \n\nBut it is impossible for a mortal to prove that God doesn't exist and therefore requires at least as much faith as to believe in the existence of God.\n\nWhenever I point this out, the atheists seem to go back to saying that they don't neccessarily reject God's existence but that they just don't believe in it.\n\nWhich is it?\n\nIt seems hypocritical when some atheists look down on especially Christians for us having faith when it takes blind belief to reject God's existence.
214052
Not defensive, Heck I'm not even atheist.\n\nWhat an atheist is....\nhttp://www.infidels.org/library/modern/nontheism/atheism/about.html\n\nIt is posible to prove that an all powerful God does not exist.  If you realy want the answer it is out there.  I have posted it here several times.\n\nI don't see any of this being "blind".....\nIntelligent design is flawed.\nhttp://www.skeptics.com.au/journal/1998/3_crexpose.htm\nhttp://www.infidels.org/library/modern/fred_edwords/creation.html\nhttp://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/faq-meritt.html\n\nThe universe was not made for us. Religion is against Physics.\nhttp://www.skeptic.com/archives36.html\nhttp://www.infidels.org/library/modern/richard_carrier/whynotchristian.html#universe\n\nGod is silent.\nhttp://www.infidels.org/library/modern/richard_carrier/whynotchristian.html#silentgod\n\nIt disagrees with science.\nhttp://www2.truman.edu/~edis/writings/talks/PRC-talk.html\n\nFree Will\nhttp://www.infidels.org/library/modern/niclas_berggren/theodicy.html\nhttp://www.infidels.org/library/modern/richard_gale/freedom.html\n\nThe problem of Paul\nhttp://www.positiveatheism.org/hist/maccoby2.htm\n\nDISSECTING CHRISTIANITY'S\nMIND-SNARING SYSTEM\nhttp://www.deism.com/thinksam2.htm\n\nEvolution\nhttp://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/modern-synthesis.html\nhttp://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2006/03.02/11-evolution.html
675397
I think atheists are often a little defensive when it comes to topics of religion, because they're so often nagged to 'convert' to others' point of view... They may also be a little fed up with so many people reminding them that they're going to die because they don't believe, etc..\n\n...I know I don't appreciate being reminded of those types of 'facts.'
173106
atheist are fools!!\n\nthat's what the bible says about them. \n\nThe fool says in his heart, "There is no God." (Psalm 53:1) and this is said again in Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."\n\nit's not a matter of intelligent design, it's foolish not to believe in God the Lord Almighty.\n\nif you say that atheist believe what they see, then what Paul wrote in Romans is true...\n\nFor although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.(Romans 1:21-23)\n\nindeed, 'Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools'\n\nlook...you atheist, you can not see the air but that does not stop you from breathing. so, stop this foolishness. you perceive the air and you breathe...perceive also that God exists and believe.\n\nTake heed, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise? (Psalm 94:8)\n\nIn the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. (Acts 17:30)
146098
Personally, I'm atheist. \n\nI think everyone has right to their beliefs.\n\nI applaud you for being out there. Some people are just so strong about theirs that other people are seen as low or they are downgraded for expressing their belief.\n\nI hope that you can find some sort of peace, if it may be in Christ, Buddha, or no one.\n\nGood luck.\n\n=)
79531
I can see your point. Indeed, most agnostics should admit that, ultimately, they are atheists.\n\nIf there is some agnostic around who doesn't agree on this, please explain us why you define yourself agnostic about God but not about Santa Claus.\n\nThe same goes for all the infinite things that you don't believe but cannot disprove ("right now there is a bottle of tequila orbiting around Pluto", "there must be an unicorn somewhere on Earth", "the person who is writing this (Flavio) is an intelligent computer", etc.)
510114
The word Atheist should not even be a word.  For example, do people that are not doctors call themselves non-doctors.  Do christians call themselves non-jews?  Do you know any people that label themselves non-engineers?\n \nFor the same reason that theists believe that other theists are wrong, we believe that all theists are wrong.  For example Muslims believe that Christians are wrong and Jews are wrong.  Is it not so hard that we believe that just ONE more religious group is wrong than you do?
615673
Actually, my child, atheists SHOULD be in this category. The believe in nothing, which is still a belief. They provide a negative view to the views of the Christians and other believers of God. They have freedom of speech and within that is the freedom to disagree. I don't always approve of the language they use, but that goes the same for some of the Holier-than-Thou Bible Thumpers. For an accurate look, you need more than one view.
554695
I am not an atheist, but I know some people who are. It seems to me that they reject the definition of God that has been given by the standard, traditional religions.  Perhaps a person will decide to proclaim herself to be an atheist because she feels that the modern English term "God" has been so corrupted by the ideas of closed-minded church people that the concept no longer contains any value. And I would just about have to agree with that. If I mention the idea of God as a universal life-force or as the interpersonal spirit of goodness and compassion to one of my atheist friends, they might agree with that, but still the name "God" has a disagreeable connotation to them.\nReligious language is full of metaphor. Some of the most simple, basic terms of religion are such large, sweeping, all-encompassing concepts that it takes many pages of erudition to even explain what we mean when we say the name "God".\nWhen you say "God", you are implying a whole big set of ideas. Atheists are often people who simply cannot agree with some of the ideas that they have heard being attached to that name.
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.
619523
Even atheists believe in God, as does satan.\n\nThis I believe; http://homelessheart.com/testimony.htm
583526
An atheist doesn't believe in a deity. An agnostic doubts the existence of a deity. A deist, on the other hand, believes them both to be wrong. It's beginning to sound like a 'shell game' doesn't it?
515366
I think they are pretty much like most.  Some are intelligent and have reached their position by in depth thought.  Others are parrots who just like what they have heard and parrot what others have said.  Sounds like the average Christian community of which I am a part.\n\nWhat I think those who have reached their position by in depth thought don't understand is that they each really do believe in an ultimate authority who calls all the shots just like Christians do.  The difference is Christians believe that ultimate authority is a diety who created all of us and controls the physical and spiritual world.  Atheists believe they are god in that they have decided that their intelligence reigns supreme and they make all the decisions. \n\nIn either case there is an ultimate authority.  It's just whether the ultimate authority is the individual or God.
604766
A truly atheist person should not care whether a person believes in a God.  A true atheist can respect and accept others beliefs and rationally discuss different ideas and points of views intellectually and maturely.  A truly atheist person needs to take the time to edcucate themselves on the power of religion and learn about how religion has shaped our world.\n\nA truly atheist person sees how organized religions have shaped the world and although they do not share those beliefs they do appreciate the impact religion has had throughout history (wars, art, music, etc)\n\nAs an atheist, I have read the Bible and come up with my own interpretations.  I have three versions of the book that I reference just because I know that religion is about interpretation and each person has to discover that for themselves.\n\nI happily discuss and share ideas with people of faith in well balanced conversations.   In fact, I have had several discussions with my family (who are extremely religious), and most of our arguments regarding faith is that they could not leave me alone regarding my non-belief.  They are still trying to counter some of the statements they have been taught that are far stretches from the stories in the Bible because they never took the time to read and interpret the book for themselves.  I give them the respect and courtesy to go to church with them and keep my thoughts to myself.  When they attack me for not believing, trust me, I am well prepared to defend my feelings and correct their assumptions.  I can tell you some stories where I made the pastor of their church have to go back and re-read several passages for them and he did find that my interpretations were rational and plausible.\n\nI know exactly what you are talking about and I have to admit that those "atheists" you are referring to disgust me.  You get those types of people whether they are believers or non-believers.  They give a bad impression on true atheists.  Atheist's should never try to put people down for having faith.  A true atheist should never laugh at one another’s faith.  \n\nI will also admit to being in situations where believers have argued with me telling me my ideas are wrong.  I tell these people that faith is very powerful.  My beliefs are not in a higher power.  There is no need to argue about what is right or what the bible truly means in certain passages.  Our thoughts have been shared and let’s just grow from the knowledge and experience of that.  This is how humanity grows.  Let's appreciate our differences and appreciate the diversified perceptions that help us grow as a society.
201187
Firstly, I recon atheists don't want to face up to the fact that they can't make it without a Savior. Secondly, they prefer the idea that in the end they will not be held accountable for their actions. Thirdly, atheists practice a religion - by faith they believe in no God - a convenient way to give irresponsibility the thumbs-up.\n\nHere's a reality check for atheists: You will only be set free by the truth. You need to accept Jesus as you Savior, ask His forgiveness and repent. Then you'll know freedom! Guaranteed!
309399
Atheist here (agnostic if considered deism and other non interventionist beings)\n\nI don't know why people answer whats' not being asked, if you don't feel like playing, why answer with something else?\n\nWell, if we are talking about the christian god, according to the belief, he already knows what's on my heart.\n\nAnyway, I am atheist because I am being honest with me and everyone around me. To say "I believe in god" would be a lie and I'd be an hypocrite.\n\nIf I have to give explanations to god, all I'd tell is "I honestly didn't believe you existed and I made a mistake", no further explanations needed. I'm sure that I live a moral life and I wouldn't feel like "excusing" me as if I've done something wrong.\n\nBye\n\nEDIT:\nI just saw what you proposed in another question: "People want to ease their conscience of sin by convincing themselves that there is no God."\n\nThat's a false assumption since I doubt you know what are everyone's motivations to do so. Does your religion allow you to judge people without proper knowledge?
653414
This has been answered very well before. I think the answer went something like:\n\nAtheist doesn't believe any god. That doesn't mean they don't believe in easter bunnies or something.\n\nAgnostics aren't sure about the existance of a god. There could be one, or there may not be one. Some think we'll never know.
511195
You flatter yourself to think that I, or any other sane human being, would be obsessed with you. I'm not thinking about you and your cronies, and am certainly not talking about you. Haven't uttered the word "atheist" all day, in fact, until now. \n\nYou're not in as much as a minority as you think. There are plenty of atheists where I live. Some of them are my good friends, despite the fact that I'm a believer. \n\nI choose to believe; they don't. It's no big deal.