If I were to become an atheist... would I HAVE to be smug?  Or is smugness an option?
913315
No, you would not have to be smug if you were an athiest.  There are plenty of athiests who are not smug.  \n\nHowever, recently, it seems as if there is a movement where athiest's are stating that it is not correct to believe in science and still have faith.  In fact, that it is not alright to even respect those who believe in god.\n\nI have listed an article from wired about it.
660893
yeah, i totally agree! im an atheist and im sick of people saying i'll go to hell if i dont belive in god, but they can't prove that, and I don't belive in hell, so how can I go somewhere that isn't real??
320657
I've been on the other side where I thought that people who didn't believe in god must feel lost.  (I was raised to think they are evil.)  So, I can kinda understand why some religious individuals think that non-believers feel some sort of void or are immoral.  However, I also view that stance as an immature belief.  It doesn't take a lot of looking around to realize that agnostics and atheists are very content with their worldviews and live ethical lives.
888121
Agree 100%. If they supposedly are happy then they definitely wouldn't be on here refuting it. They are not atheists but ANTI-THEISTS full of hate.
706790
Maybe a slight god-complex. But, your main boggle is an over developed sense of satire. We atheists do not have a problem with this condition. However, the sheeple are most likely helplessly confused. Keep up the good work. LOL :)\nOh, and thanks for all the points recently. Muchas gracias! ;)
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).
533390
That didn't happen from one day to another for me, it was actually a long process. I was taught to believe, so it was a bit hard to get confident enough to tell my parents I didn't believe at all. The day came though, and I felt comfortable, I felt I was being honest with my parents, they didn’t like the idea and still today try to convince me to change my mind, but they somehow have accepted the idea.\n\nNow in society, the first years as atheist/agnostic were hard, people would question my belief and told me I'd go to hell, it wasn't very nice, I had a feeling that those people didn't understand me and didn’t even try to understand me, I didn't want people to go mad at me but, at the same time, I didn't want to be an hypocrite. Now, several years after that, I feel comfortable admitting I am atheist/agnostic and if someone tells me that I'll go to hell, it has no effect on me anymore. I know I'm being completely honest about my thoughts and feelings and if someone doesn't want to accept that, it's up to them.\n\nAt this point in my life I could say I feel free to live my life according to my own philosophy of life and not to imposed rules and beliefs, and that’s liberating and gives me a lot of satisfaction and a sense of freedom.
901834
Everyone assumes that most Atheists had a bad experience with Christianity, and that's why they stopped believing.  That's really not the case for most people.\n\nI stopped believing when I grew up.  I became an adult, and was able to make my own independent decisions, away from family and friends.  Logic and common sense lead me to become an Atheist.  \n\nOn top of that, I don't agree with any of the beliefs I would have to take on as a Christian or any other religion, really.  I'm a gay rights supporter, I believe in pro-choice, I believe in evolution, I have no problem with pre-marital sex or living with someone before marriage, I smoke, drink, and have done drugs.\n\nI basically wanted to be an individual.  I don't believe there is a God, and I didn't fall into any of the religions I have discovered.  While I respect that everyone has a right to believe what they want, I expect the same in return.
199893
I doubt you will find agreement. Too many new comers come as others go. Only rude people do what you describe, however, I have not found every atheist to be rude--and they are entitled to their opinion, even if it is wasted effort on their part.
28767
I am happy for you, as atheist I did not agree with you but thats ok, be happpy.. :)
100740
It depends on what the exchange is addressing.\n\nIf you are attempting to convince an Atheist as to the validity of religion or faith, then likely not.  That would be particularly true with an Atheist who stands on a foundation of Determinism.\n\nAny other subject would be fair game and most Atheists I know are open to new knowledge and more then willing to develop new conclusions, but you will have to present arguments bast on solid provable facts.\n\nBy the way, I have been a Deterministic Atheist for nearly 50 years.
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.
887915
I am an atheist and yes, quite a few people have started thinking differently because of my conversation.  You need to know though that to bring someone out of being brainwashed takes in the very least, months, if not a few years.  What I talk about are how we are told something since birth, of course we're going to believe it.....then compare that to them being born somewhere else on the planet...IE: If you were born in Turkey you'd be muslim (example).  Then I talk about how it is impossibly for anyone to know (because it is) however that is usually an agnostic stand.....atheists are just pissed off agnostics.  lol.  I will give them books to read and help them understand that they dont' necessarily have to believe what they've been told and to seek out other beliefs and religions even.  The intelligent ones come around, the ones that live in denial never do......Simple mathematics, it will take a few hundred years to overcome what those in power use to keep themselves in power...... plain and simple.  be well, jack
249487
I am sorry to not be able to offer better company. If it is of any relief, I did meet one guy a long time ago who was a true atheist. His belief was that mankind would be better off the sooner they realized that a higher power was neither existant nor necessary. I was intrigued to find someone of such a like and opinion. Although I do not agree, I did respect his thoughts and beliefs. Unfortunately, the rest of the class overheard and went off on him. I had to apologize for it was not my intention when I first asked. So, no, you're not alone.
954797
No, you do not have to convert. And chances are that there are a few churches around. So you probably could if you felt like it.\n\nDon't drink the Kool-aid.
533470
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.
982348
Not really.  Being an atheist is not simply being "unreligious."  Being an atheist means you believe in NO GOD whatsoever.  I believe in God but am not religious.  Therefor, I am not an atheist.