Is it true that people don't think atheists are good people?
342446
"they can be good people, but what they call their morals are based off of christian principle."\n\nI'm sorry lordavii but that's not true. And that idea is why many Christians believe that atheists don't have morals. They think that they invented good morals and behavior, and that the bible is the source of all laws and morals.\n\n The truth is, most "morals" were around long before Christianity. Thou shall not steal/kill/commit adultery. All laws in ancient Rome, or Greece, or Egypt, or any other ancient society. Long before Christianity. How about the law codes of Hammurabi, which are believed to be the first evidence of written laws and punishments in the world's history. That society wasn't Christian either, and it had an "eye for an eye" punishment system just like the bible. So if our morals are based on Christian principles, then Christian principles are based on pagan virtues.
262932
I think that all people are good. For some reasons some of them follow the good some others evil or bad. It deppens on their life, religion, mind, education e.t.c Theories of goodness inquire into what sorts of things are good, and what the word "good" really means in the abstract.\nAll religions and most philosophical movements have been concerned with good to some degree. It can define "good" and "bad" for a community or society. It affects everyone's life, and maybe all life on Earth, in the way people organize themselves in societies, and even how they think.\n\nThe duality of 'good versus evil' is expressed, in some form or another, by many cultures. This concept describes a hierarchy of moral standards applied to human behaviour. In more casual  use, the word "evil" can characterize people and behaviours that are hurtful, ruinous, or disastrous. Those who believe in the duality theory of evil believe that evil cannot exist without good, nor good without evil, as they are both objective states and opposite ends of the same scale.\n\nIn modern slang, "bad" has become a synonym for "good", as in "Man, that's a bad piece of music."  The ability to choose between good and evil is also a major theme of the philosophy. \nIn our life we have this abbility and we try to follow the better way. Usually our good is not your good.\nIf you want to learn more see Wikipedia
983989
believing in god for me is not a base point for being a good person,because i met lots of people not believing in god but they are good, there are many factors for being a good person, one thing is to follow the Golden Rules, Ten Commanments, or simply have a good MORAL.
426334
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.
492862
It's not, that is just crap spouted by religious people who want to make you think you are missing out on something.\n\nBeing an atheist is as sad and lonely as not believing in Santa or the tooth fairy.
776091
atheist means that you don't believe in G-d. thats all.
858420
I'd say atheists could be slightly happier on average because they are allowed to accept themselves as good beings without being in conflict with their religion.  Most religions such as Christianity take the stance that humans are inherently sinful and bad.  An atheist can start with the idea that they can be however they act - it they act with kindness and love they can feel good about themselves and feel that they are good.  Religious folks are not allowed to feel that they are good beings without being in conflict with the teachings of their religions which state that they are not good beings and that their actions cannot make them good beings.  I feel sad that people are raised believing they are not able to be good no matter how good they behave or how kind they are.  \n\nThere's also no evil God hanging over our heads waiting to have us tested like Job or tortured like half the poor people in the Bible.  When something bad happens to us we don't have to think, "what did I do wrong?  why am I being punished?"  We can think, "oh, well, sh*t happens" without assigning blame to ourselves and get back to living without feeling guilty that something bad happened to us.  \n\nI have yet to see a Christian who could follow all the rules of his religion.  The rules are too many in number, conflicting, and complex.  They seem to be constantly "sinning" in their own opinion.  The guilt must be awful.  Religions are mostly based on the principle that humans are inherently base and evil beings.  Atheists don't have an obligation to feel like crap just because they were born human.\n\nTo sum up - \nAthiest = allowed to feel good about good actions\nAtheist = doesn't feel guilty when bad things happen to them\nAtheist = doesn't have to fear torments from a God\nAtheist = can have a clear conscience so long as they feel they've done nothing wrong\nAtheist = can believe that people are fundamentally good
907573
I'd say it's the same as being a theist.You're so positive that what you believe(or do not believe),is so that the constant reminder from others who disagree gets tiresome.You're constantly told that what you feel is wrong even when you do not press these ideologies on others.\nThere are no real down sides.An atheist seeks purpose in life in tangible pursuits,not spiritual.That's not to say an atheist has no spirit,just not in the whimsical sense of the word.Spirit is a self defining term that has different meaning,both figurative and literal.I see no down side.
941189
Atheists don't all believe the same thing, just like Christians. Some believe you live the best possible life here and now so that when you are on your death bed you do not feel the need to beg forgiveness for your behavior in life. Some believe that people who fear an imaginary being who wears white flowing robes and punishes you if you do not believe as the preacher tells you to believe are brainwashed.\nAll of us know for a fact that morals do not come from a book, they come from inside your concience. The feelings of love and hate present in all men has helped us all understand right from wrong.\nPersonally I would like to believe there is a God...for a very good reason, I would like to live forever. I, like most people, do not want to die, so I hope there is a higher power.  I know for sure if there is one he will not be so petty as to allow only baptized Christians into heaven and send all others to hell. That is what I think most atheists would agree with.\nNone of us will actually know for sure until the time comes.\nPeace.
979534
I think that they are people that have their own specific reasons for not following after any particular god, or religion, or belief. Possibly many are just searchers?  Some are skeptics? Some maybe are just filled with hate for one reason or another & just declare non-belief?..the reasons for being an atheist are as varied as there are people's opinions. Personally I choose to believe in the Word of God, (Bible) & like Albert Einstein who was an atheist...and became a deist (believer in God) when he found a reason through knowledge; to believe!
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.
1130430
wow, that seems like a very good point. and other people's answeres just strengthen that the things that people say seem are obvoulsy evil, probably aren't because that is not the devil's style.  Like they think the crazy rockbands are evil and stuff. And the people who dress weird. But they aren't really cuzz evil is much more elusive. Like if I am going to smuggle drugs through the airport Im not going to dress "suspiciously" I won't have blue hair, and black clothes and stuff. so when I do dress like that people should just leave me the $@#@ alone.\n   And you don't get any bonus points for being kind and mercifull to those who are your friends, and whorship you either. It even says that in the bible. Everyone is nice to their friends. So when gods nice to the people that praise him and stuff,, so what?  Both of the are pridefull. I still don't see what makes god's pride better than anyone else's.
465793
My opinion of Atheism is each to their own. Why should you care about it? That's a tough one for me to answer. I could say that most people who would describe themselves as atheists are weak willed and too lazy to have the courage of a conviction. But then some smart cheeks will say that that can describe 90% of the believers. So in the end its important to know your options I guess.
494293
WOW!!!! People are crazy and very rude when they apply their beliefs to how they judge others. \n\nWe (atheist) are not sad, lonely imoral people. We did not chose to become atheists because we were angered or felt abandoned by a god. We became atheists through years of thought and understanding. We do not get worried when you say it's our stubborn choice to not believe in your god and that we are going to burn in hell.\n\nPlease quit thinking this.
1068406
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.
899881
Well, I'm not atheist, but I'm not very religious either.  I had two friends, one who was an atheist and one who was a firm-believing christian.  Around this time of year, the atheist would say Happy Holidays and the christian would say Merry Christmas, as a way of persuading him and it ticked me off.  My mentality is that everyone's beliefs are going to be different because everyone in this world is different.  And if what they believe makes them a better and happier person, then I'm not going to judge it and more so, I'm going to be happy that's what they believe, because it makes them happy.  And those who are super-devout in their beliefs to the point where they push it on other people really piss me off.  And a lot of times, I see it's because either A)  they are too stupid and/or lazy to come up with their own ideas that they need a book or someone else to make up ideas for them or B)  they can't forgive themselves for their past sins so they think if they lead this life it'll automatically make them a better person, when it doesn't.  To those atheists out there, believe whatever you want to believe.  It's nobody's business but your own.  And a truly good person and friend will accept and respect you, even if you don't agree with their beliefs!
1113978
It can be lonely being an atheist, but it's not because of an elitist attitude, if that's what you mean.  It's because there just aren't that many of us (maybe ten percent of the population, maybe a little more, nobody seems to know for certain).