There are a lot of resources here about atheism for beginners: what atheism is, what it isn't, and refutations of many popular myths about atheism. I've discovered, though, that it isn't always easy to direct people to all of the information they need — there are too many people who believe too many falsehoods about atheism and atheists. That's why I've collected here some of the basics about atheism for beginners that I find myself linking to most often.
Read Article: Atheism for Beginners - The Very Basic Facts About Atheism for Beginners
Let me ask you this? Why do you do good things and how do you know that you’re a good person? Who is judging you?
Let me ask you this? if you are only being good to get a rewaed or to make sure that you dont get punished are you being good or are you being scared?
Is that a question?
For the same reason every genuinely good person does them: because I want to.
A person who does “good” because they are ordered to do so aren’t actually good, they are just good at following orders.
By the effects of my actions.
I and everyone around me make judgements all the time.
Did you have any comments on the actual article? More general discussion about atheism is more appropriate for the forum.
Charlie says: LOVE MY GOOD n’PLENTY! REALLY RINGS A BELL! sorry couldn’t resist.
Charlie says:
Let me ask you this? Why do you do good things and how do you know that you’re a good person? Who is judging you?
So, then, Charlie, the only reason you are good is because their is a god watching you and judging you? And if there was no god watching you would commit immoral acts? What does that say about YOU?
Oops sorry, not their, THERE.
it is 2:16 and not a word from charlie…?
So, then, Charlie, the only reason you are good is because their is a god watching you and judging you? And if there was no god watching you would commit immoral acts?
The corollary to that concept would be: If Charlie’s God “told” him to do something evil, would he do it (like in the story of Abraham)? We put people in asylums and/or prison all the time who commit acts of atrocities because “God told me to”.
People choose their ethics and morality first, then use their belief system to justify it. Good people don’t steal because they understand that living in a civil society requires us to not steal from each other, murder, assault, or mistreat others or we’d live in a society full of chaos and fear.
Do you obey traffic laws only because you’re afraid of getting a ticket? Or do you obey them because you understand that 1) running red lights and speeding can cause accidents, resulting in damage to your car and possibly injury or death for you and 2) if everyone drove 30 mph over the speed limit and ignored red lights, driving would be a terrifying and dangerous experience for all?
If you only obey traffic lights because you don’t want to get caught, you’re a sociopath and don’t deserve to live in civilized society. Same thing with murder, assault, theft, etc.
“Charlie says:
Let me ask you this? Why do you do good things and how do you know that you’re a good person? Who is judging you?”
Charlie,, let me ask you this, why do you do good and how do you know that you’re a good person? Is it because you confess to “god” in church? To get rid of your guilt or sins?
“You can support communist or socialist politics while being a theist and you can be an atheist who is staunchly opposed to anything and everything even remotely socialistic, never mind communist. ”
Which, of course leads to politics and the unrelenting four way battle between commies, liberals, conservatives and libertarians (and some others) on the net.
While it might get to the feverancy of a holy war (crush the libertarians!) participants tend to be open toward evidence.
On a more ironic note the ad on the page is offering free bibles from the Mormon church. Truly the ad companies that watch from high above move in mysterious and incomprehensible ways.
But dosent god forgive al sins?
Hello Austin,
Thank you kindly for posting the Atheism for Beginners guide. It’s a great informative resource. It’s also nice to see information compiled that’s based on reason and evidence. The Atheist population in America is about 9%, looking forward to seeing that number grow.
Hey there.
I truly do not understand how anyone in their right mind can be an Atheist. I only clicked onto this website because I’m writing a report on Atheism. How do you believe that there is no God? Don’t you feel empty at all? Don’t you feel you have a purpose in life? How do you think you began? What about all the new discoveries – discoveries that were predicted in the Bible millions of years ago? How do you explain that?
For starters, atheism isn’t a proper noun and shouldn’t be capitalized like one – when you do that, you give the impression you don’t understand what atheism is.
No reason to bother doing so.
No.
Yes.
I’m sure they covered the process by which sperm fertilize eggs in school.
I’ve yet to encounter any such “discoveries.”
Wow…according to the bible, the Earth is only around 6000 years old. So exactly what discoveries was it predicting “Millions” of years ago ?
As an atheist, I cannot imagine how anyone in their right mind can believe in pure mythology and superstition.
Based on available evidence, there probably isn’t a god…and certainly not the one described in “revealed” religions. If it takes that to have meaning in your life, it’s very sad. I don’t feel empty and I don’t lack for purpose in my life. The purpose of life is to…Live !
By the way, there actually isn’t a thing called atheism. An atheist simply doesn’t believe in a god. We don’t need to believe in anything else instead.
I completely agree . Theism seems silly to me after 4 years of being an atheist . I dont understand how people can waste so much time in their lives just because they think they will have an afterlife . There is no proof . If there was no religion then people wouldnt be committing crimes ” in the name of god” . And by the way … Atheism is not a religion .