Atheists: Do you feel good about your beliefs?

[Blouman Empire]

It's a circle-jerk, but it's still rational (for the most part).

From what I have seen on /r/ atheism, there is very little rational.

But that is the internet for you I guess.

I wouldn't even say that it means someone is more rational, yes some atheists are but then too are some theists. I see a lot of atheists say and believe a lot of irrational things that have nothing to do with religion but irrational none the less. In the same way I see theists that think rationally on a number of issues and ideals that have nothing to do with religion.

Religious beliefs or lack thereof don't necessarily mean someone is rational or irrational

[Blouman Empire]

No idea if this has been said before (Didn't bother to real all 20+ pages) but here goes:

Religion was created by our human minds in the absence of science to explain what we didn't understand. With the introduction of science, we no longer need religion to explain these things. Instead, it's now mostly just an excuse for war while being 'nice' to your neighbour.

I, personally, am disgusted by the vast majority of modern religions - especially Christianity (Since they pretty much killed and stole to get what they wanted, not to mention the fact that it's entirely unoriginal). Being an atheist is quite liberating like most others have said.

You make it seem as through there wouldn't be war if there wasn't religion or that these people didn't use religion as an excuse.

I'm not even going to touch this idea that science and religion can't coexist or that science answer everything that isn't related to science which isn't to say that those answers can't be solved without religion.

[Floccinaucini hilipilification]

I don't have any beliefs.

Are you sure?

[The USOT]

I wouldn't even say that it means someone is more rational, yes some atheists are but then too are some theists. I see a lot of atheists say and believe a lot of irrational things that have nothing to do with religion but irrational none the less.

I think this was summed up best on the Atheist experience. Everyone is an idiot at something. Whilst their atheism itself may be rational, they are almost bound to have some other beleifs/thoughts which are very stupid XD

[Astrolinium]

I don't feel one way or the other about my beliefs.
That'd be like feeling one way or the other about gravity or the weak nuclear force.

[The Emerald Dawn]

I don't feel one way or the other about my beliefs.
That'd be like feeling one way or the other about gravity or the weak nuclear force.

Man, the weak nuclear force can suck it. Does it even lift?

[Blouman Empire]

I wouldn't even say that it means someone is more rational, yes some atheists are but then too are some theists. I see a lot of atheists say and believe a lot of irrational things that have nothing to do with religion but irrational none the less.

I think this was summed up best on the Atheist experience. Everyone is an idiot at something. Whilst their atheism itself may be rational, they are almost bound to have some other beleifs/thoughts which are very stupid XD

Most people are stupid and in this age of disinformation it isn't going to get any better

[Normandium]

Well, I personally found it very liberating to become atheist. I used to be Christian, but Christopher Hitchens convinced me to convert, and I've found it much more interesting. I'm now able to live each life fully and do my best to help others without having to prohibit fun on the slight chance that all my good deeds would let me into Heaven, whereupon I would go insane from boredom.

Also, I'd never convert back to Christianity, because I realized that the Christian heaven would be mind-numbingly dull, worshiping one God for all eternity. Eventually I'd just go completely mad from it. Meanwhile, the Christian hell is a lot like the US state of Florida: Very hot and full of old people. And at least Florida has a bunch of vacationers to keep me company.

If I had to convert, I'd probably choose The Force, and then spend my life building/inventing sci-fi technology. Like I'm planning/hoping to do with my life already.

[The USOT]

I think this was summed up best on the Atheist experience. Everyone is an idiot at something. Whilst their atheism itself may be rational, they are almost bound to have some other beleifs/thoughts which are very stupid XD

Most people are stupid and in this age of disinformation it isn't going to get any better

I seem to recall studies showing that intelligence is generally on the increase, but to be frank we have ALWAYS been stupid in certain areas.

[Imsogone]

Most people are stupid and in this age of disinformation it isn't going to get any better

I seem to recall studies showing that intelligence is generally on the increase, but to be frank we have ALWAYS been stupid in certain areas.

Intelligence on the increase?! Then how do you explain the Kardashians and reality TV?

[Hurdegaryp]

I seem to recall studies showing that intelligence is generally on the increase, but to be frank we have ALWAYS been stupid in certain areas.

Intelligence on the increase?! Then how do you explain the Kardashians and reality TV?

Let's not explain it at all and just pretend that we did, ok? I'd like to be able to sleep tonight.

[The Blaatschapen]

Most people are stupid and in this age of disinformation it isn't going to get any better

I seem to recall studies showing that intelligence is generally on the increase, but to be frank we have ALWAYS been stupid in certain areas.

MI6 is indeed on the increase. I blame the new James Bond movie.

[Interstellar Space Corps]

From my perspective, when I'm dead I won't care that there isn't a heaven because my brain will be incapable of having thoughts or feelings. My emotions and thoughts can't say, "Fuck i'm so bored without a heaven" because they don't exist anymore.

Kinda sucks, but who said death was fun?

[The Realm of God]

I seem to recall studies showing that intelligence is generally on the increase, but to be frank we have ALWAYS been stupid in certain areas.

Intelligence on the increase?! Then how do you explain the Kardashians and reality TV?

It's a blip a really irritating blip.

[Ryan12]

I'm a devout Christian and I've never understood how someone could happily live as an atheist who believes that they won't go to heaven. When I say atheists I don't mean Buddhists or anything, I mean the ones who think that death is the end.

Are you happy thinking that? Does it make you feel more intelligent? Would you LIKE there to be a God?

Personally if I was atheist I'd be depressed as hell going through life thinking like that. What are your opinions?

me im actually happier.. i no longer believe that anyone else is responsible for my life but me... i believe now that there are no safeguards in ones own life but the ones i create

[Czechanada]

From what I have seen on /r/ atheism, there is very little rational.

But that is the internet for you I guess.

I wouldn't even say that it means someone is more rational, yes some atheists are but then too are some theists. I see a lot of atheists say and believe a lot of irrational things that have nothing to do with religion but irrational none the less. In the same way I see theists that think rationally on a number of issues and ideals that have nothing to do with religion.

Religious beliefs or lack thereof don't necessarily mean someone is rational or irrational

If you base your life around an irrational belief, especially the more orthopraxic religions, then you are irrational.

[Hurdegaryp]

Kinda sucks, but who said death was fun?

Delusional fools. Death is not equal to an everlasting happy fun time or a sempiternal barbecue, it is simply the end of life. See it as the Final Drop Stop, if you are desperate for a catchy phrase to soften the inevitability of the Final Exit.

[Old Sarthal]

When I first became an atheist, yes, I was terrified. It is beyond the capability of the human mind to truly comprehend death. All we have is a blind, animal fear that tells us that death is bad and life is good. This was not helped by a near-death experience I had while "amateur cliff diving" (a nice phrase I made up to use instead of "being a total dumbass"). Instead of coping with my mortality, I have begun planning to extend my lifespan. My end goal is to transfer my consciousness into a computer, to be around to watch the eventual heat death of the universe, if a little insane from being the only sentient being in existence for billions of years prior. During that time, I plan to play out every single possible game of chess, calculate pi to a billion digits, and determine the recipe for the perfect grilled cheese.

[Interstellar Space Corps]

Kinda sucks, but who said death was fun?

Delusional fools. Death is not equal to an everlasting happy fun time or a sempiternal barbecue, it is simply the end of life. See it as the Final Drop Stop, if you are desperate for a catchy phrase to soften the inevitability of the Final Exit.

...Thank you for saying exactly what I said with an extremist personality.

That ought to get you a LOT of friends.

[The Joseon Dynasty]

Quite. Whether I end up in heaven, hell or a rotting pit in the ground, everything is set in stone. I prefer being alive since here I have the capacity to influence, change and impact the world around me, hopefully, for the better.

Without that ability, I'd be useless. And I don't fancy that.

[Orcoa]

I wouldn't even say that it means someone is more rational, yes some atheists are but then too are some theists. I see a lot of atheists say and believe a lot of irrational things that have nothing to do with religion but irrational none the less. In the same way I see theists that think rationally on a number of issues and ideals that have nothing to do with religion.

Religious beliefs or lack thereof don't necessarily mean someone is rational or irrational

If you base your life around an irrational belief, especially the more orthopraxic religions, then you are irrational.

So says you, but what does it truly matter if one man is rational or not?

Humanity is not a rational beast, its a beast of emotion and desire where rational comes in when needed. Rationality of a person to another person is again perception.

[Moving Forward Inc]

I'm a devout Christian and I've never understood how someone could happily live as an atheist who believes that they won't go to heaven. When I say atheists I don't mean Buddhists or anything, I mean the ones who think that death is the end.

Hmmm.

Are you happy thinking that?

I am more content putting my confidence in facts and logic than a non-existent god.

Does it make you feel more intelligent?

In measuring intelligence, I prefer appeal to logic over appeal to emotion.
Therefore, the fact that it does mean I am more intelligent and that I know such a thing makes any feelings irrelevant.

Would you LIKE there to be a God?

It would depend on how it would directly affect me.
If it made my life harder, no.
If it made my life easier, yes.
If it totally ignores me, I wouldn't care either way.

Personally if I was atheist I'd be depressed as hell going through life thinking like that. What are your opinions?

If I were a theist I would be very depressed knowing that I would have lied to myself and to others.

[Blouman Empire]

Most people are stupid and in this age of disinformation it isn't going to get any better

I seem to recall studies showing that intelligence is generally on the increase, but to be frank we have ALWAYS been stupid in certain areas.

Our IQ might be on the increase but there are a lot of people who don't use logic, common sense, critical thinking and reasoning ability and that is what makes people stupid and I see a lot of it. Maybe there is no increase, just thanks to the internet these idiots are able to show more people how stupid they really are and they are able to find each other.

[Blouman Empire]

Intelligence on the increase?! Then how do you explain the Kardashians and reality TV?

It's a blip a really irritating blip.

It's been going on for a decade now if not longer

[Blouman Empire]

I wouldn't even say that it means someone is more rational, yes some atheists are but then too are some theists. I see a lot of atheists say and believe a lot of irrational things that have nothing to do with religion but irrational none the less. In the same way I see theists that think rationally on a number of issues and ideals that have nothing to do with religion.

Religious beliefs or lack thereof don't necessarily mean someone is rational or irrational

If you say so.
If you base your life around an irrational belief, especially the more orthopraxic religions, then you are irrational.