What possible good could come from being an atheist?
602621
nothing, but emptiness
637883
God doesn't hold the patent to those i'm afraid.\n\nMany atheists are moral & ethical people, so get off cloud 9.\n\nI can do whatever I want, but you know what, I choose not to.  Not out of fear, or god's retribution, but because I don't want to do harmful things.  Isn't that better, I'm not doing it for some distant reward, but simply because I want to.
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.
537951
Atheism is the result of a person's indepedent, objective analysis of life and the universe based on evidence and reason.
1059230
atheist speaking-christianity is not detrimental to humans-a lot of good comes with it and as a rule it works to better mankind-always should look for a better system but you cant make people disbelieve-keep the peace old hippie
1174781
No, once you start believing in a god, you stop being an atheist. Knowing that god doesn't exist is the definition of atheism. An atheist could still have a religion, though. Buddhists, for example. An atheist might believe in other supernatural things, besides god. Usually not, though. Atheists don't think that religion doesn't exist, if that's what you mean. That would be stupid. I'm perfectly aware of the existance of religion, I just find it pointless.
900717
Two things - honest answer is that feeling of being able to give yourself completely to a faith.  That even though there isn't a shred of empirical evidence to support religion, people are still able to accept it.  It gives people a reason for the horrible things that happen in life.  It gives people a purpose when they have none.  I think atheists are too logical and too grounded to give themselves over so completely to a faith that has absolutely nothing to back it up; but sometimes I wonder if being able to believe is something without basis so thoroughly brings about some level of peace...\n\nThe other thing that sucks about being an atheist is having to deal with moronic a-holes telling you you're going to hell.  They're too stupid to realize that there is no hell and that their little fantasy is meaningless; but like gnats flying around on a summer evening they won't go away and they are f*cking annoying.
621969
maybe you dint find a real believer in God, who is to have an argument with!\n\ni mean believing in something is a symbol of emotional dependancy or some sort of confidence over the 'unknown' that it would help their .. watever! so, people should know whether they really believe or whether they think that they believe or whether they are testing their faith. a person who selflessly believes in god will argue with you better than a person who is a believer for his own reasons. so it depends on the mentality of the person you are arguing with.\n\nLastly i am not contending with your opinion and neither am i condemning it. I am also not trying to argue with you. I am not an atheist. I am not a christian either. you have your right to believe whatever you want.. and so have I. Loosing an argument doesn't prove that gods dont exist and winning an argument doesnt prove either. stop taking things personally and find people who you really want to contend with, the 'arguable' people.
518368
I'm with you brother. Although I'm not fond of Christians claiming they were "born again" I have often wondered what keeps atheists going. According to them, our only purpose is to be born, grow, reproduce, and die. Where's the fun in that?
890386
Finally a decent out of the box agnostic thinker.  I personally am atheist, because the creation of a creator is just as probable as us being created in the first place.  But the creation of the two are that much more improbable.  \n\nHowever, on your theory, why do you propose that we are mistakes rather than a side effect...
842184
I used to be a Catholic so I think that means I'm allowed to answer.\n\nI would L - O - V - E an atheist to run for office.  I'd campaign for them for free.
747920
You would hope the positive side would be actually caring about the people it helps or teaches.(but that has to be questioned when the religious institution involved if it is too political or money orientated).\n\nThe negatives to me are a lot more obvious in the fact that all religions are sectarian and exclusive so in some form (small or large) they will always persecute people of other faiths and especially atheists.
457365
If you don't believe in Life after Death then I would pick up the Bible. Especially if you are an atheist, how do you know what you don't believe if you haven't done your homework.
910308
I took out travel insurance on my last trip abroad and became ill and had to pay hospital bills of over £1,000 - they wouldn't let me out of hospital until I let them charge my credit card.\n\nBut I got nearly all of it back on my insurance. So I reckon it's definitely useful.\n\nI suppose it wouldn't help to claim you're an atheist?
342704
It depends.  What do you think is good?  If you are a Christian, then you know that you are not good.  No human is good. No animal is good.  Only God is good.  But, in our world, most think of good as an earthly thing.  I'm not criticizing the non-religious people, just saying that if you are not religious, and you think of yourself as good, you most likely are.
618559
No thanks. Would you like to become an atheist?
436727
I am an atheist too, but I think you are wrong on one point.\n\nLife does has a meaning, to one's self.  I don't doubt that you feel that way, but there is no shame in expressing it.\n\nMy life has great purpose, since it is the only one I have.  When I die, that's the whole ballgame, so I do my best to enjoy it.\n\nMany Christians and theists think that enjoyment of life, without the trappings of a judgement of heaven and hell, leads to some sort of hedonism.  It doesn't.   All it leads to is a fuller enjoyment of THIS life.  I love making people happy.  I love seeing people smile and I hate pain.\n\nWhy?  Because evolution hard-wired it into me, probably, but it gives meaning to my life nontheless.\n\nSo enjoy life.  Laugh and love and allow others to do the same.  Spot judging and hating others, as that only makes your life crappier.  \n\nLife does has meaning, but it only means something if you really do your best with it.