Does it really matter that I'm an Atheist?
144118
To do good with all of your wisdom and strength is the highest religion.--Thomas Paine
728377
it may get depressing when u come to the fact that an atheist has no one to rely on for something like eventual salvation. a belief is a powerful thing even if its based on something false. it can give that reason to go on thinking u have a purpose. an atheist hasn't got that.
907339
God makes Herself known to each person individually.  If this hasn't happened for you (and you'll know when it happens) then you're an Atheist/Agnostic.  You're one of the chosen people to have little to no regard for religious dogma and to be like all the great Atheist thinkers of history.
301563
An atheist can very well have a belief system.  Being an atheist just means that you lack belief in a god or gods.  An atheist could believe in UFOs, alien abductions, Santa Claus, etc.  \n\nI, however, am a skeptic, an Objectivist, a Bright (depending on the nomenclature you are using).\n\nI try to have as few belief as possible.  I try to hold a scientific worldview.  I take in data/information and try to understand what I am learning.  I make guesses/theories about how the data relate.  When I make up a guess, I then test it to make sure it's correct.  If it fails, then I continue to use that theory until a better one comes along.  If a better one comes along, then I reject the old one.\n\nA good example of this is the sunrise.  Do you believe that the sun rises in the East?  I don't.  I have a scientific theory that the earth rotates and revolves around the sun.  I test my theory every day because my theory PREDICTS the sun will appear on the eastern horizon.  \n\nYou might say that a scientific worldview cannot account for everything in reality.  Really?  Like what?  A soul?  I don't believe that exists either.\n\nI could be wrong.  Before bacteria were seen under a microscope, people believed that disease was  caused by disruptions of the 4 humours.  If I was a skeptic back then, I would have denied the existence of bacteria... until a scientific theory could come about and explain and predict their existence.  So if someone were to present to me concrete evidence of a god... then I would admit that I am wrong and become a believer.\n\n-------------------------------\nAgnosticism and atheism are kissing cousins.  Still, does a agnostic believe in Santa Claus?  Why or why not?  There is no evidence for Santa to exist... but there is always the possibility.  I deny Santa's existence, while a true agnostic could never say yes or no.\n\nBasically, there is a ton of bullhsit out there.  There are hundreds, if not thousands, of religions in the world.  This doesn't include ones that have died out or ones that have yet to be created.  I withhold belief until I find evidence for one that is correct.  Sure I could sometimes be wrong with my worldview/philosophy... but science/logic/rational thought has a far better track record in only a few hundred years than all of the history of religions.\n---------\nAlso, I think you have a misunderstanding on what a "freethinker" is.  A freethinker is someone who looks at life/reality without superstition... someone who uses rational thought.  There is no evidence for a supernatural being... so that falls outside of "freethinker".
478327
I'm an atheist.\n\nNo. My parents raised me Catholic.\n\nI believe strongly that I'll have another beer.\n\nYes, people can be ignorant.\n\nYes, I am ignorant of almost everything.  My knowledge represents an infinitesimal portion of all possible knowledge.\n\nNo.  I see no difference between homosexuals and heterosexuals other than there sexuality, which is none of my business.\n\nI don't like religion.  I think they are all stupid, but monotheism poses the greatest political threat to me at this point of history.\n\nMy remorse/sympathy/empathy, is independent of religious beliefs.  I really could care less what people believe as long as those beliefs do not threaten me.  If they do, then let the fu*kers die.
1165462
I know exactly how you feel!  I get the same thing when I say I am an Atheist!!!  People are surprised when I tell them because I guess most of them assume that I am a Christian.\n\nI have already gone down the religion road and the older I get, I realize organized religion is suited for those who don't think for themselves!\n\nIt is prejudism!  But it happens to other religions also, like to the Islams and Buddhist and so on and so on!\n\nThis country was supposedly built for religious freedom, but people seem to think that they have a right to "Change your mind".\n\nI'm happy the way I am!!  Believe it or not, but I have a peaceful life with a loving husband and kids!!!!!  I try to teach my kids that it is OK not to believe in a supernatural being!!!  I am not hurting anyone by my beliefs!  So, please except my friendship or leave me a lone!\n\nGreat Question and I hope you get good responses!
812410
Yes, yes yes....just in case...I'm a stone-cold Atheist...Not a fool:)
1122438
Not preaching atheism.  Just cuz ONE atheist is, does not mean all atheists are.    I mainly ask and read questions/answers to get answers.
1114069
did your parents shove their religion down your throat?\n  did they bury you in it?\n  religion is a personal thing. time after time i've heard people say that they didn't believe in god because their parents went over board with the whole thing. whether you believe in god or not, your family can't have anything to do with it. that's between you and god or up to you. god knows that some people don't believe in god. it doesn't bother god.\n   i think it's important that you not come to certain beliefs because of other people's actions. whether you believe or not is up to you; and not them.
371348
The word Atheist is a label. People buy Labels. They ware them like signs to let everyone know what they like. An atheist is revolting against the status quo. Revolting against man rather than God. Man takes a stand on a belief or just makes an argument. It matters not to God what the atheist believes or stands for. God did his work. He gave it life and moved on. God cares not nor needs the worship of man. There is nothing that man can give that he does not already have. The advantage is within. If comfort and well being is felt with the title than that is a human characteristic and not necessarily a bad thing.
731495
Not necessarily.\n\nAn atheist does not have to disprove anything, its a blank.  He chooses to enter the debate of God/gods but "must" does not apply.  Belief in nothing is not a belief system, but trying to disprove faith becomes an avocation.\n\nAgnostics would seem to me to be more engaged in a inner dialogue of an existence of a higher power.  It isn't really sitting on the fence as one said, but perhaps standing at different times on either side of the fence.
595736
Actually, I believe that I am a borderline Atheist only because my mother has tried so hard to push God onto me that I fear I am not believing in Him, only to make her mad. Instead of letting me find God on my own, she keeps pushing me to go to church with her and stuff. So, that is why I said I believe that I am borderline Atheist.
1027779
Sounds good, an atheist is someone that doesn't believe in God, has nothing to do with religion. Your outlook on God is a refreshing change from the usual dyed-in-the-wool pew sitter.
1046495
This is ridiculous. Does religion or religious people bother you that much. How do you know that you won't meet someone that believes in God that is also really nice and worth spending time with. Atheist are no better than the rest of the religious groups. "Are way is the true way." Keep separating yourself from people. I'm sure that will really help you grow as a person or maybe you have grown all you care to? Why can't people be free to live and believe as they choose. If you make this atheist nation and the children born there want to believe in God and worship are you going to kick them out? I believe in God does that separate us so much that I am not welcome to be with you? Why do people feel the need to group together. Can't you have your own beliefs and stand alone? I would hate to think that your child would not ever get a chance to play with my child because of what us parents believe. Of course all this is based on the hypothetical.\nLove & Light\nSharon\nOne Planet = One People
1047395
if you were an atheist and you went to hell you would deny that you are in hell because you don't believe in it.  I am an atheist, not the most hardcore of atheists, but anyways, I would feel dumb if I were in hell because I would be wrong.
288398
Sure, why not....unless it is merely out of frustration or to annoy your folks.\nIf you truly believe that there is no God, no Divinity, then you already are an athiest.\nOn the other hand, if you simply reject 98% of what organized religion tells you about God and His plan, then you're an Agnostic.
399928
Only according to the Christians. Therefore as an Atheist, I would be classed as a disciple of the Devil, which would be difficult because I don't believe in God or the Devil in the first place. So how can I be classed as something that I believe doesn't exist? Obviously the Christians are a bunch of f**king liars :)