There have been times when I have heard theists use the phrases "unhappy Atheists" and "angry Atheists". They seem to use these adjectives as blanket descriptors for all Atheists. They also use these generalizations as a way to discredit Atheism all together. In this article, I'll discuss and respond to these descriptions.
I don't see Atheists as being "angry" or "unhappy" either in general or because of their Atheism. Again, Atheism is the belief that gods do not exist. This has nothing to do with anger or unhappiness. Some theists say, "Atheists are angry at god". This makes no sense. I cannot see how someone can be angry at something they believe doesn't exist. I am in no way angry at any gods in the same way as I am not angry at unicorns or leprechauns.
Anger and unhappiness are normal human emotions which all people feel at times. It is a mistake for theists to describe Atheists as being "angry" or "unhappy", just as it is a mistake for Atheists to call theists "angry" or "stupid". It is a mistake to look at a single event where a person shows an emotion and make an overall generalization that the person is that way most or all of the time. It would be no different for me to see a Christian get angry and call all Christians angry or dismiss Christianity on the basis of a theist being angry. The latter is especially true as certain Christian beliefs can be dismissed in far more valid ways.
I am an Atheist and I don't see myself being "angry" or "unhappy" in the least. On the contrary, I would describe myself as being very happy, content, and at peace. There is no doubt that I am more happy, content, and at peace as an Atheist than I was as a Christian. As I grew up and began studying the Bible and Christian beliefs for myself, they made no sense to me and there were parts I found abhorrent. The articles in this blog describe these thoughts and ideas, especially the article "Thoughts on the Christian God". The belief system was contradictory and flawed in so many ways that it was ultimately nonsensical. Therefore, I began looking for a belief system that wasn't contradictory and was true to the greatest degree that we can know what truth is. For me, it is most important that my beliefs are as true as they can be and I am always ready to dispense with beliefs that are not true, as integrity, honesty and consistency are strong values I hold.
Atheism brings me happiness, peace, serenity, and calmness. I find these things as a result of having a belief system that is noncontradictory and is supported by the evidence of reality.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
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The other one you'll hear a lot is that "for people who dont believe in god, atheists sure spend a lot of time talking about him" which I gues is meant to imply that we do actually believe in god, we're just in denial. People making this claim fail to recognise that actually, not ALL atheists do engage others in debate about their beliefs/lack of belief, and the ones who are quite outspoken do so not out of personal denial but because they see such beliefs as having a real (and often negative)impact on the world and seek to provide an alternate point of view, or to defend themselves against bombardment by religious people's personal attacks, libelous claims and endless preaching.
ReplyDeleteLiminalD:
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment! You are absolutely correct in everything you wrote.
People see Atheists as angry perhaps because of those Atheists who mock religious people and actively seek to discredit all beleif in God.
ReplyDeleteJust as not all atheists are angry, not all theists are stupid or brainwashed.
Cristina:
ReplyDeleteI certainly think there are better ways of discrediting beliefs without mocking people. I also think it's possible to discredit belief without anger. I think I've done a good job of trying to discredit all belief in god in my blog without anger, just as you may discredit belief in unicorns or fairies without anger.
I also wouldn't say that all theists are stupid or brainwashed, but I would say that they believe things for irrational reasons.