Hello
 Just out of total curiosity and nothing more I was wondering if it would be okay to ask why are you atheist? This question is in no way an attempt to try to convince you otherwise of your belief.  I am the complete opposite of your beliefs but am not going to be an annoying bible thumper to blow out your ear drums.  I'm just simply curious, what are your reasons? All people deserve respect and my question is in no way meant to be offensive so I hope that it doesn't offend you. With no pun intended of course

Thanks :) to those who are willing to answer.....

Jul 14, 2012 -- 9:52PM, Assistance_from_adistance wrote:

Hello
 Just out of total curiosity and nothing more I was wondering if it would be okay to ask why are you atheist?

Just a note that this forum is for atheists etc. and respectful guests.  You may participate in the discussion to clarify responses, but challenges must be taken to the Discuss Atheism board. 

I was raised in a Unitarian family, and one of the features of UU RE is the study of other religions, ostensibly to broaden our spiritual resources.  I became facinated by religion and studied it both to try to figure out why people I respected believed, and to see what I could learn from the traditions.  I started singing religious music in the 4th grade and I have continued choral singing since.  Therefore I have studied the Christian Liturgy, and prayers intensively and sympathetically to be able to perform them properly. 

In all of that study, or perhaps because of it, I have never found a reason to believe in any of the traditions studied.  I have learned much, and indeed broadened my spiritual resources but my definition of spiritual would be heresy in any of the religions I have studied as it has nothing to do with God or any supernatural influences. 

Another critical reason I am an atheist is that I have studied many of the Sacred Texts, including the Bible in all of the major versions.  The God(s) depicted in the Bible are generally immoral and most of the theology is dysfunctional for reasoning people.  I know of no one who has really studied the Bible independently that is not an atheist.

Jul 14, 2012 -- 9:52PM, Assistance_from_adistance wrote:

Hello
 Just out of total curiosity and nothing more I was wondering if it would be okay to ask why are you atheist? This question is in no way an attempt to try to convince you otherwise of your belief.  I am the complete opposite of your beliefs but am not going to be an annoying bible thumper to blow out your ear drums.  I'm just simply curious, what are your reasons? All people deserve respect and my question is in no way meant to be offensive so I hope that it doesn't offend you. With no pun intended of course

Thanks :) to those who are willing to answer.....

Thanks for the opportunity, Assistance.

I'm an athiest because I think there is enough evidence to justify disbelieving in God, gods, or any other form of supernatural entity.

I should add that, for most athiests, it is the next step, that of determining our way of life, that is much more interesting and rewarding.

Jul 14, 2012 -- 9:52PM, Assistance_from_adistance wrote:

 Just out of total curiosity and nothing more I was wondering if it would be okay to ask why are you atheist?

It's very simple.  I'm an atheist because I don't find any form of theism rationally convincing.

I suppose that I can add that I am comfortable with a fully natural universe and a finite lifespan, and I have no difficulty justifying ethics or finding great and uplifting meaning in life. But it really does all come down to not finding any form of theism persuasive.

 

eudaimonia,

Mark