What is meant by those stating they are atheists, (an objective question to discuss whether this may means different things?)?

grahamg

grahamg

Old codger
Location
South of Manchester, UK
Everyone will have heard someone declare themselves to be atheists, (or may have done so themselves).

This thread is not intended to challenge anyone's beliefs other than to try to explore what is meant by those stating, "I am an atheist"?

At its most simple there can be little doubt anyone saying this has to mean they do not believe there is such a thing as a god, (or anything like this as put forward by the various religions).

However, does it at the same time mean all "religious thought" is rejected, (such as "honour thy mother and thy father etc." or "Do unto others as you would be done unto")?

I would guess it does not have to mean the rejection of all the thought (or ideas) put forward by religious organisations.

Can I just make one further comment as I attempt to kick off this discussion, and it is whether "attacking religion" is a motivating factor, to those stating they are atheists?

As stated already this thread is not intended to be an attempt to stir up anyone to attack any forum member's views, so if it can proceed along those lines I would be delighted. :)
 

Although the 10 Commandments were supposedly given by 'God', they are obviously rules and laws which a civilised society should live by. Therefore an atheist may deny the existence of 'God' but accept that it is necessary for those laws to be upheld.
The truth is, that we still don't know the true nature of the God mentioned in the Old Testament. The God which Jesus referred to seems to have been a spiritual being rather than the more corporeal God of the Old Testament.
Do atheists deny the existence of either of these beings, or are they keeping their options open?
I regard myself as an agnostic. I don't believe the God of the Old Testament was a supreme being, but I'm open to suggestions.
 
I always say that I am not an atheist, but agnostic. I don't believe in anything I cannot see evidence of, but don't deny the possibility that there is a god or gods. I'm just skeptical. I am also a cultural Christian, I grew up in and live in a Christian society I believe in many Christian principles, for example the golden rule and some of the ten commandments. I always celebrate Christmas. And I believe Jesus likely existed as a historical person, but am skeptical of his being supernatural. Same for Mohammad and Buddha.

It seems that according to the American Atheists I am Atheist. But I suspect they try to broaden the definition to attract more members.

What is Atheism?
https://www.atheists.org/activism/resources/about-atheism/
 
Lavinia said:
Although the 10 Commandments were supposedly given by 'God', they are obviously rules and laws which a civilised society should live by.
Click to expand...
I agree, on some of them anyway. There are a few different versions of the Commandments, but from the list below I believe in:
  • 5, 6, 8 and 9, for sure,
  • 7, 10 for the most part, and
  • 1, 2, 3, and 4 not so much.
1. Thou shalt not have strange Gods before me.
This Commandment tells believers that God should be the most important thing that they believe in. Some people take this to mean that God is the only “real” God, but it can also be understood as meaning that faith is more important than anything else. For example, it might mean that people shouldn’t hold things like wealth or possessions above their faith.

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
Similar to the Commandment above, this one tells people not to make any representations (like carvings or paintings) of any type of God, including the Christian God. Representations of gods are called “idols”.

3. Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Like the previous two Commandments, this one is about having the proper faith in God. It tells people not to misuse God’s name as a swear word, or by dropping it into conversation where it doesn’t belong.

4. Remember to keep the Lord’s Day holy.
This Commandment instructs people to take the Sabbath day as a day of rest, both physical and mental. This comes from the story of the creation of the world in which God took the seventh day as a day rest.

5. Honour thy father and thy mother.
This might be a little old-fashioned phrasing for today. We can interpret it as meaning that people should be polite and respectful to their parents or guardians, or to adults in general.

6. Thou shalt not kill.
This one is quite straightforward! Even though it uses the old-fashioned version of “you”, it is still applicable to modern life. In fact, several of these Commandments are quite good rules to follow, whether you are a Christian, have another faith, or have no faith at all.

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Some of the Commandments, like this one, are about faithfulness. The first one is about faithfulness to God, and this one is about faithfulness to marriage vows. This Commandment says that married people should be loyal to each other and to the vows that they make when they get married.

8. Thou shalt not steal.
Another easy one! Whether it’s toys from your siblings or bigger thefts, this Commandment says that people should respect other people’s possessions and not steal from them.

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
This Commandment says that we should be honest and truthful at all times. It means that we cannot tell lies about other people because that can be very hurtful.

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s goods.
This means that people should not want things that belong to other people. That could lead to temptation and doing something wrong, like stealing it.

Commandments from: https://www.twinkl.com/teaching-wiki/ten-commandments-of-god
 
To begin, religion and good morals are not at all the same thing. You can have good morals and be an atheist, and you can be religious with very fer morals, something I see often.
Then, many people are called atheist for simply not being christian. This is not true. A christian is one who believes Jesus was the son of god. There are religions who do not believe this. They are still religious.
Then, there's the difference between atheist and agnostic. One believes in nothing, the other disbelieves god.
Finally, one can believe there is a god and have no religion at all.
 
Alligatorob said:
I agree, on some of them anyway. There are a few different versions of the Commandments, but from the list below I believe in:
  • 5, 6, 8 and 9, for sure,
  • 7, 10 for the most part, and
  • 1, 2, 3, and 4 not so much.
1. Thou shalt not have strange Gods before me.
This Commandment tells believers that God should be the most important thing that they believe in. Some people take this to mean that God is the only “real” God, but it can also be understood as meaning that faith is more important than anything else. For example, it might mean that people shouldn’t hold things like wealth or possessions above their faith.

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
Similar to the Commandment above, this one tells people not to make any representations (like carvings or paintings) of any type of God, including the Christian God. Representations of gods are called “idols”.

3. Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Like the previous two Commandments, this one is about having the proper faith in God. It tells people not to misuse God’s name as a swear word, or by dropping it into conversation where it doesn’t belong.

4. Remember to keep the Lord’s Day holy.
This Commandment instructs people to take the Sabbath day as a day of rest, both physical and mental. This comes from the story of the creation of the world in which God took the seventh day as a day rest.

5. Honour thy father and thy mother.
This might be a little old-fashioned phrasing for today. We can interpret it as meaning that people should be polite and respectful to their parents or guardians, or to adults in general.

6. Thou shalt not kill.
This one is quite straightforward! Even though it uses the old-fashioned version of “you”, it is still applicable to modern life. In fact, several of these Commandments are quite good rules to follow, whether you are a Christian, have another faith, or have no faith at all.

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Some of the Commandments, like this one, are about faithfulness. The first one is about faithfulness to God, and this one is about faithfulness to marriage vows. This Commandment says that married people should be loyal to each other and to the vows that they make when they get married.

8. Thou shalt not steal.
Another easy one! Whether it’s toys from your siblings or bigger thefts, this Commandment says that people should respect other people’s possessions and not steal from them.

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
This Commandment says that we should be honest and truthful at all times. It means that we cannot tell lies about other people because that can be very hurtful.

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s goods.
This means that people should not want things that belong to other people. That could lead to temptation and doing something wrong, like stealing it.

Commandments from: https://www.twinkl.com/teaching-wiki/ten-commandments-of-god
Click to expand...
I do my best to keep the last 6. I believe in morality, not worship.
 
Alligatorob said:
I always say that I am not an atheist, but agnostic. I don't believe in anything I cannot see evidence of, but don't deny the possibility that there is a god or gods. I'm just skeptical. I am also a cultural Christian, I grew up in and live in a Christian society I believe in many Christian principles, for example the golden rule and some of the ten commandments. I always celebrate Christmas. And I believe Jesus likely existed as a historical person, but am skeptical of his being supernatural. Same for Mohammad and Buddha.

It seems that according to the American Atheists I am Atheist. But I suspect they try to broaden the definition to attract more members.

What is Atheism?
https://www.atheists.org/activism/resources/about-atheism/
Click to expand...
my words exactly Alli ....
 
Really simple for me. I lack belief there is a God.

I haven't looked into other expressions of faith in a divine being. My exposer to religious belief as a child was Methodist Sunday bible school. As I remember those stories generated fear in me. Fear that if I didn't believe that when I died I would end up in hell.

As an adult I began to question the bible stories. The more I questioned I'm at a place in my thinking I'm no longer in fear of what is going to happen after I die.

Commandment #6 is a prime example of a benevolent creator with do as I say not as I do.
 
Beezer said:
I'm not afraid of death.

I believe in a higher power. I'd be foolish not to. I look forward to the prize at the bottom of the Crackerjack Box.
Click to expand...
I'm terrified of death and always have been. But I loved the prizes at the bottom of the cracker jack box. :ROFLMAO: I'm not an atheist, but I don't understand God either if he does exist. There is just too much suffering.
 
deaver said:
well my reply &$&*(^$^%&* keep your religious ideas of any kind to your self and let me keep mine!!!
Click to expand...
You've raised a good point about the reactions drawn out by someone "forcing" ideas upon you, (others similarly have made good points).

At the same time you have to think spreading ideas is as much a part of religion as almost anything else, (a notorious leader discussing the power of ideas stated the only way to stop ideas being spread was to kill all those holding whatever idea it might be). Not sure how anyone "squares that circle"! :)
 
oldaunt said:
To begin, religion and good morals are not at all the same thing. You can have good morals and be an atheist, and you can be religious with very fer morals, something I see often.
Then, many people are called atheist for simply not being christian. This is not true. A christian is one who believes Jesus was the son of god. There are religions who do not believe this. They are still religious.
Then, there's the difference between atheist and agnostic. One believes in nothing, the other disbelieves god.
Finally, one can believe there is a god and have no religion at all.
Click to expand...
It is a choice which I believe should be individual.
I am a Christian. I cannot believe for one second that we simply appeared on a planet which is perfect for sustaining our life. To me God is the Creator of all life. Jesus is his son whom he sent to sacrifice himself for us.
Yet I do not believe in ever forcing others to believe as I do. God is about love, Jesus always healed and preached love. It is up to every human soul to believe this or not. God wants us to come to him willingly, not through coercion.
So I do not understand the huge trouble caused by religion and I want nothing to do with it. My way is to listen to others with interest and tell them of my views if they ask. I usually find most people very willing to discuss things and it becomes a mutual learning.
 
Atheists go through life believing the glass is half empty.

I've always believed in Karma...that the good you do today will come back to you in spades tomorrow. I'm a 'glass half full' kinda guy.
 
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