Atheist Life vs Religious Life
BackSome argue that religious life is the best way to live. They claim life without a god is sad and depressing. Statements like "I could not imagine my life without God", and "My life would be meaningless without God", are common defenses for a religious life. The following is a list of advantages atheists enjoy over a religious life. I invite the religious viewers to submit a response video with the advantages of a religious life.
1. Atheists can make moral decisions based on the specific context. Having absolutes like "Though Shall not Lie" stops people from thinking for themselves and making the right decision based on the situation at hand. In what situation would be okay to lie? Most religious people would say, never. Atheists would disagree. For example: If you were living in Germany hiding Jews in your attic during the holocaust, and Hitler's Nazis knocked on your door and asked if you were hiding Jews, would it be okay to lie to save the lives of the Jews in your attic? I believe trying to save their lives would the moral and proper choice. Atheists have the power to do what's right for all humanity, rather than the forced perspective of doing what is right for a god.
2. Atheists can experience healthy outrage at the outrageous without fear of questioning God's plan. We can be outraged when a friend dies of a horrible disease, or is killed in a car accident. It is okay to be upset at disasters and horrible events. It is not a part of any plan. It is just a horrible event. Atheists try to learn from them and not just chalk it up to God's Plan. We use science to understand catastrophic events like hurricanes, and tsunamis. This gives us the ability to save lives. If we think a magical plan is going to happen no matter what, then why try to stop the events or make things better. Atheists do not wonder if a god is punishing us. Yes, there is cause and effect, and our actions effect how we live, you should save for retirement, and if your diet is bad you'll end up fat, or sick, or both. But if an airplane part falls on your house, it is an accident. If you find a 5 dollar bill on the sidewalk, it is an accident. No magical intervention, no magical wrath, these are just accidents. Life has an element of chance. This may not seem comforting, but here is another way to look at it: Your loved one dies in a completely random car accident where nobody could possibly be blamed. Is it more comforting to know the accident happened because of bad luck or is better to think the accident could have been prevented by an omnipotent being that could have stepped in and saved them from an untimely death, but your god decided to just let them die? You don't have to be frustrated thinking "Was it because I didn't pray enough?" "Was God mad at me or them?" "Maybe I should have prayed more." Atheist take comfort in knowing there is no plan.
3. Atheist can be friends with everyone without having the thought in the back of their mind that this person's lifestyle may be evil. You have the power to accept people for what they are. Enabling you to enjoy their quirks rather than chastise them for being unique. Atheists can have relationships with people who have alternative lifestyles without feeling like they have to save them from some deity that is going to condemn them for being themselves. After all, if there was a creator, then he has made everyone the way they are. Atheists don't fear that a large part of the earth's population is going to hell for being true to themselves.
5. Atheists do not live with the fear of hell. This is one of the hardest things for religious people to shake and one of the best rewards. Religious people love the thought of heaven, but fear hell as a consequence. In order to lose the fear of hell, you have to let go of the false hope of heaven. Atheists have done both.
7. Atheists raise freethinking children; let them pick a religion, or none. What would you have picked? This is hard for parents. If a child wanted to be another religion, or even atheist, it would be devastating to most religious parents. Why not teach them about all religions and tell them why you believe the one you do, and then let them choose? Atheists do not force atheism on their children. We simple let them see the evidence for and against religion and let them make up there own mind. They may change there mind several times. This is okay. Atheists love their children no matter what belief they are drawn too. That is the beauty of free thinking. You can raise your children according to your values without feeling as though you have to defend Bible stories that even a child can see are fiction.
Channel: People & Blogs
Uploaded: May 10, 2007 at 12:33 am
Author: FightingAtheist
Length: 00:09:56
Rating: 4.35
Views: 569596
Tags: atheist atheism religion jesus church bible god faith christian satan science creationism evolution islam mormon
Video Comments:
peartreeven (November 23, 2008 at 8:43 am)
The Nasranis are ethnic people with common cultural heritage and cultural tradition. As a religious group, they refer to themselves as Mar Thoma Khristianis (ie StThomas Christians in English) based on their religious tradition flowing from the early Church of St.Thomas Christians. According to tradition, StThomas, whose missionary activities in S India spanned a couple of decades from AD 52-72, established 7 churches in Malabar.
peartreeven (November 23, 2008 at 7:57 am)
Julius Africanus cited historian Thallus in 52AD wrote about a darkness..
On the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness; and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down.
This darkness Thallus, in the 3rd book of his History,calls,as appears to me without reason, an eclipse of the sun. For the Hebrews celebrate the passover on the 14th day according to the moon,and the passion of our Saviour fails on the day before the passover;
On the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness; and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down.
This darkness Thallus, in the 3rd book of his History,calls,as appears to me without reason, an eclipse of the sun. For the Hebrews celebrate the passover on the 14th day according to the moon,and the passion of our Saviour fails on the day before the passover;
peartreeven (November 23, 2008 at 7:38 am)
Irenaeus was famous pupil of St Polycarp, a disciple of St John the Evangelist. He was an early church father and apologist, and his writings were formative in the early development of Christian theology. Irenaeus relates how and when he became a Christian, and his letter to Florinus stated that he saw and heard him personally in lower Asia; in particular he heard the account of Polycarp's discussion with John the Evangelist and with others who had seen Jesus.
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peartreeven (November 23, 2008 at 7:33 am)
Testaments from disciples
Saint Polycarp of Smyrna (ca. 69 ca. 155) was a second century bishop of Smyrna. He died a martyr when he was stabbed after an attempt to burn him at the stake failed. With Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp is one of three chief Apostolic Fathers. It is recorded that he had been a disciple of John.
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Saint Polycarp of Smyrna (ca. 69 ca. 155) was a second century bishop of Smyrna. He died a martyr when he was stabbed after an attempt to burn him at the stake failed. With Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp is one of three chief Apostolic Fathers. It is recorded that he had been a disciple of John.
more..
ejenglin (November 23, 2008 at 7:13 am)
My question is: Why do people never question their faith?
What's so special about believing in things not seen? People who see things that aren't really there are classified as crazy, yet we have vast populations that make belief in imaginary figures a virtue. Doesn't seem logical.
If my demanding proof for claims makes me a fool so be it. I'd rather be a questioning, thinking fool, than a mindless robot unable to distiguish reality from fantasy.
What's so special about believing in things not seen? People who see things that aren't really there are classified as crazy, yet we have vast populations that make belief in imaginary figures a virtue. Doesn't seem logical.
If my demanding proof for claims makes me a fool so be it. I'd rather be a questioning, thinking fool, than a mindless robot unable to distiguish reality from fantasy.
ejenglin (November 23, 2008 at 7:01 am)
Actually compared to David of the bible they were fluffy white bunnies with sling shots.
If you believe the bible than you know how many King Solomon slew as well as Moses.
Don't judge according to todays standards rather the standards of your own religion, take the Inquisition that's pretty recent or the Salem Witch Trials.
Religion has been used for some pretty deplorable things and by all accounts Hitler was Catholic as well as all of his ignorant troops.
Religion: BAH!
If you believe the bible than you know how many King Solomon slew as well as Moses.
Don't judge according to todays standards rather the standards of your own religion, take the Inquisition that's pretty recent or the Salem Witch Trials.
Religion has been used for some pretty deplorable things and by all accounts Hitler was Catholic as well as all of his ignorant troops.
Religion: BAH!
HjalliChan (November 23, 2008 at 6:09 am)
"Atheists are not moral... some might think they are by man's standard... but God's standard is perfect..."
A slight flaw in your statement, my friend. You say that mans' standards are imperfect, yet gods' standards are perfect.
The Bible says clearly that "God created man in His image."
therefore; Mans' standards are the same as Gods', thusly my conclusion is that either man is perfect, or God is imperfect.
Try to aim your shots at atheism, not your own foot.
Love the video, keep it up!
A slight flaw in your statement, my friend. You say that mans' standards are imperfect, yet gods' standards are perfect.
The Bible says clearly that "God created man in His image."
therefore; Mans' standards are the same as Gods', thusly my conclusion is that either man is perfect, or God is imperfect.
Try to aim your shots at atheism, not your own foot.
Love the video, keep it up!
DeadlyMACD (November 23, 2008 at 4:49 am)
The perfect standards our ours. We made them. Not god.
ToungeInCheeks (November 23, 2008 at 2:36 am)
Atheists are not moral... some might think they are by man's standard... but God's standard is perfect... you cannot escape it on judgment day.. and look at hitler mao stalin and pol pot... nice examples of atheism when its let loose. worst mass murderes have been atheists...
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~known fact about disciple Thomas preaching as far as India. No mean feat 4 a fairytale!