What Do Atheists Say About Religion & Christianity?
Because atheists are so often seen critiquing religion, it's common for religious theists to wonder what atheists really think about religion and why. The truth is complex, however, because there is no single atheistic opinion about religion. Atheists' critical stance with regards to religion is more a product of cultural trends in the West than of anything internal to atheism itself, which is only the absence of belief in gods. Atheists have a wide variety of opinions about religion.
Should Atheists Eliminate All Religious Influences From their Lives?
For most atheists, simply not being religious and not participating in any overly religious rituals or activities is sufficient. For some atheists, though, there is the feeling that any connection with religion may be hypocritical and may only be serving to reinforce the assumption that religion is acceptable. They argue that it would be better to strip all religious aspects from their lives, otherwise, they can't claim to be leading truly irreligious, rational, and naturalistic lives.
For most atheists, simply not being religious and not participating in any overly religious rituals or activities is sufficient. For some atheists, though, there is the feeling that any connection with religion may be hypocritical and may only be serving to reinforce the assumption that religion is acceptable. They argue that it would be better to strip all religious aspects from their lives, otherwise, they can't claim to be leading truly irreligious, rational, and naturalistic lives.
Atheists, Secularism, Secular Government: Why Atheists Care About Secularism
There is nothing about atheism which requires that one care about secularism. In practice, secularism and secular government are foundations for religious liberty in society. This protects irreligious atheists who dissent from the dominant cultural expressions of religion from being forced into supporting, expressing, and helping religious beliefs and institutions in any way. Secularism benefits everyone, but it helps remove the presumption of religious belief from public institutions.
There is nothing about atheism which requires that one care about secularism. In practice, secularism and secular government are foundations for religious liberty in society. This protects irreligious atheists who dissent from the dominant cultural expressions of religion from being forced into supporting, expressing, and helping religious beliefs and institutions in any way. Secularism benefits everyone, but it helps remove the presumption of religious belief from public institutions.
Myth: Atheists Interfere with Theists' Religious Expression, Free Exercise
There's nothing about religious theism that would cause a person to imagine that they are being persecuted, but it is something common to Christians. Christianity has taught from the very beginning that adherents would be persecuted for their faith, and the assumption that this is what must happen continues through today, even among Christians who are well-off and suffer from no oppression. In such cases they have to manufacture sources of persecution, and atheists are usually high on the list.
There's nothing about religious theism that would cause a person to imagine that they are being persecuted, but it is something common to Christians. Christianity has taught from the very beginning that adherents would be persecuted for their faith, and the assumption that this is what must happen continues through today, even among Christians who are well-off and suffer from no oppression. In such cases they have to manufacture sources of persecution, and atheists are usually high on the list.
Myth: Being Public, Unapologetic About Atheism is Really Anti-Theism
If it weren't bad enough that atheists exist, some atheists actually dare to admit to being atheists in public. Many atheists seem to remain cowed and afraid enough to keep their atheism quiet, but growing numbers are unapologetic about not believing in any gods and will actually say so to others. This appears to bother some religious theists — even to the point where they will accuse atheists of actually being anti-theists simply for their openness and honesty about disbelief in gods.
If it weren't bad enough that atheists exist, some atheists actually dare to admit to being atheists in public. Many atheists seem to remain cowed and afraid enough to keep their atheism quiet, but growing numbers are unapologetic about not believing in any gods and will actually say so to others. This appears to bother some religious theists — even to the point where they will accuse atheists of actually being anti-theists simply for their openness and honesty about disbelief in gods.
Can Atheists Be Religious? Are there Religious Atheists?
Atheism and religion are often portrayed and treated as polar opposites; although there is a strong correlation between being an atheist and being irreligious, there is no necessary and inherent connection between the two. Atheism is not the same as being irreligious; theism is not the same as being religious. Atheists in the West tend not to belong to any religion, but atheism is quite compatible with religion. Theists in the West tend to be religious, but theism is compatible with irreligion.
Atheism and religion are often portrayed and treated as polar opposites; although there is a strong correlation between being an atheist and being irreligious, there is no necessary and inherent connection between the two. Atheism is not the same as being irreligious; theism is not the same as being religious. Atheists in the West tend not to belong to any religion, but atheism is quite compatible with religion. Theists in the West tend to be religious, but theism is compatible with irreligion.
Atheism and Spirituality: Are there any Spiritual Atheists?
The problem with answering such a question is that the term 'spiritual' is so vague and ill-defined most of the time. Usually when people use it they mean something similar to, but nevertheless very distinct from, religion. This is probably an improper usage because there are very good reasons to think that spirituality is more a type of religion than anything else.
The problem with answering such a question is that the term 'spiritual' is so vague and ill-defined most of the time. Usually when people use it they mean something similar to, but nevertheless very distinct from, religion. This is probably an improper usage because there are very good reasons to think that spirituality is more a type of religion than anything else.
Myth: Atheism is Anti-Religion, All Atheists Hate Religion, Say Religion's Evil
Atheists often criticize religion, so a perception develops that atheism must be anti-religious - but this is not quite true. Atheism is just the absence of beliefs in gods and can thus occur inside or outside the context of religion. Thus, an atheist might be devoutly religious, devoutly anti-religious, or completely apathetic with regards to religion - exactly as with theists. It all depends on the individual and what ideas, beliefs, or principles they have aside from atheism.
Atheists often criticize religion, so a perception develops that atheism must be anti-religious - but this is not quite true. Atheism is just the absence of beliefs in gods and can thus occur inside or outside the context of religion. Thus, an atheist might be devoutly religious, devoutly anti-religious, or completely apathetic with regards to religion - exactly as with theists. It all depends on the individual and what ideas, beliefs, or principles they have aside from atheism.
Myth: Atheists Suppress Religion, Hide Religion From Their Children
Because most atheists are not religious, it is understandable that most atheists aren't going to make an effort to raise their children in an explicitly and deliberately religious environment. Atheists are likely to raise their children to be Christians or Muslims. Does this, then, mean that atheists are also trying to keep religion away from their children? Are they afraid of their kids possibly becoming religious? What are the consequence of hiding religion from someone?
Because most atheists are not religious, it is understandable that most atheists aren't going to make an effort to raise their children in an explicitly and deliberately religious environment. Atheists are likely to raise their children to be Christians or Muslims. Does this, then, mean that atheists are also trying to keep religion away from their children? Are they afraid of their kids possibly becoming religious? What are the consequence of hiding religion from someone?