Are self-described atheists too focussed on that aspect of their beliefs?

Question

I have been atheist in the past and am currently theist. Clearly i can't rule out becoming atheist again some time. However, here's the thing: i know various people who are atheist, but they are not interested in that aspect of their beliefs but more in what implies that. For instance, my ex-girlfriend is more focussed on the Frankfurt School, which clearly entails atheism but as a relatively boring and obvious side issue which is less important than other aspects. Similarly, Marxist acquaintances see theistic religion as "the opiate of the masses" but are more concerned about broad political campaigning and would see atheism as both obvious and an irrelevant single issue which will inevitably become universal once all material needs are satisfied. Religious atheist friends are generally more concerned to work within religious organisations for the common good and for contemplative purposes than arguing about religious beliefs with other people. And so on. What i'm saying is, OK, so a lunatic fringe tries to get irrational and self-serving agenda adopted as public policy, but isn't it really a side issue? Why not concentrate on other aspects of life? For instance, being atheist doesn't stop people from being anti-abortion, adopting authoritarian political beliefs, being obsessed with material gain, sexist, racist, homophobic or even being a religious fanatic. Why the focus on atheism? Why not something else?

Isn't the question of atheism rather boring and irrelevant?

Answer 1

Many of them are as irritatingly certain of their beliefs as the born again christians and jihadists are. I don't see any way of actually being that certain short of dying. I'm like you, I've actually held both beliefs.

Answer 2

Atheism IS boring and would be irrelevant if there were not theists. Atheism is the natural state of a rational human being, i.e. one that questions nature and tries to figure it out. However, since there are so many theists, atheism, which should be an irrelevancy, takes on a QUITE relevant role because it is to challenge nonsensical views of nature held by the overwhelming number of theists.



You are absolutely right in that atheism can lead to many different views. The same can be said of theists. As an example many Christians believe that being homosexual is not a choice and thus are accepting of homosexual marriage while others do not. We get the same outcome either way: atheist or theist (i.e. diverging views), so then I would ask, if atheism produces the same diverging views as theism, why should we have theists? What's their point in existing? It appears they serve no purpose in terms of contributing to new ideas (that atheist cannot already accomplish without the unnecessary burden of a divine creator).

Answer 3

Your closing premise is one of Socialism and Humanism ideology, which can be embodied by both Theists and Atheists.



Is the intent of your question to ask if atheists are too focused on their belief that their is no God?



If so, then, of course, they are NOT too focused on such a belief because that is all that the subject of Atheism entails.



If you think they should discuss Socialism or Humanism, then you are merely asking them to change the subject.



They certainly can't "sell" the idea of Atheism better by wrapping it in political ideologies, because people of all religions already embrace those same ideologies.



The atheist is being honest by discussing their belief that their is no God.



Although I disagree with the Atheist's belief, I prefer their honest approach myself.



Many Atheists agree with me on social issues, so what?



That doesn't make me an Atheist, nor does it make them a Theist.



It just means we share some common ground.



I bet they like to eat food and drink clean water too.



Should we discuss that too, instead of our belief, or lack of belief, in God? Of course not.



There is nothing wrong with Atheists focusing on the issue of "God".

Answer 4

Atheism is a LACK of a particular belief. It is a negative. It is also a demolition job in the hands of many atheists on here. They are on a mission to destroy! To tear down!



Well, any fool can destroy, but it takes intelligence to build. I think you may be suffering from the overload of sheer negativity that pours forth from the atheists on this site.



You are weary of the one-track complaints of atheists, for all they can offer is a lack of religion, a lack of spirituality. In other words, they have a purely materialistic philosophy in life and the older we get, the more vacuous that becomes. But the younger set on here are full of materialistic goals and aspirations, laughing at the depth of spirituality that gives meaning to life. As you have discovered how atheism has nothing upbuilding to offer you, it's time to consider what IS upbuilding and beneficial to our spirit and our soul, for we are not merely bodies of matter! I would encourage you to consider the person of Jesus Christ as the way to find refreshment in this brutally materialistic world.

Answer 5

Few if any Atheists are proselytizers. They deal with the present and think differently than those that believe in an afterlife. There are eight major religions in our world as well as a huge group of independent thinkers. Imagine what you might be if you had been born in India or China.

Answer 6

Sounds like you are too focussed on atheists.

Answer 7

So you thought the idea of a god to exist nonsense at one point and then decided to believe in a god... Right.



There's no such thing as a "religious atheist". Once an atheist, always an atheist. You must have always doubted your lack of beliefs to suddenly become a theist.

Answer 8

From your post you were never an atheist and never a Christian!



Everything you have said exemplifies and defines that you are an AGNOSTIC – Does not believe anything can be know about or proved about a god. Thus they can still believe a god exists. This description obviously fits a lot of Christians!

Answer 9

I do get your point as atheists reach their conclusions for all sorts of reasons by all sorts of methods and are all sorts of personalities. However, I do believe that living in a society that has been historically religious, has shaped culture and therefore accepted practices. Why has society in general been homophobic, sexist, racist or anti-abortion in the first place? I am not saying religion caused these social injustices, it has legitimised them and prolonged society's tolerance of them. The atheists step in to question these laws by asking for proof of the gods that required them to be in the statute book in the first place. To me, the atheist challenge to religiously espoused laws that promote inequality is the shortest logical argument to get them kicked out.

As for focus on the actual stance yes it is simple and boring, we are more than our lack of belief in gods.

Answer 10

"I have been atheist in the past and am currently theist"



Well, I am just an atheist because I don't believe in god, it doesn't make me who I am...



Often, people think that because one is an atheist, that person believes in this or that, agree or disagree with this and that, when it's completly false... I'm an atheist, I'm more of a conservative, I disagree with abortion, homosexuality etc...

Answer 11

a soldier who is surrounded by enemies must never be distracted.



in a theistic society,a persons atheism and rationality may set them apart from their peers,sometimes they are ostracized in their communities so solidarity with other atheists is important for them.

Answer 12

I have been atheist in the past and am currently theist.



- Was it ia serious head injury?