BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Atheist What's good about atheism

I've been reading posts and some of the articles on the site. I've read more about God than I have on religious sites.
I would like to know what's good about being atheist, not what's bad about religion.
What are the benefits, lifestyle, etc.?

Hi Jo,



That's probably because there would be no atheists if there were no God, gods or religions. The premise of a God himself is the major component of the word Atheism to begin with.

Theism means " a belief in one God as a creator of everything in the universe". It's about a belief system.

So if we're to have a forum to discuss 'a-theism', then it seems quite logical to me that the main topics would be about our non-belief system or doubt of a God creator.


I would like to know what's good about being atheist, not what's bad about religion.What are the benefits, lifestyle, etc.?

The benefits and lifestyles of those who've chosen to be agnostic or atheist does actually come up in threads, but maybe doesn't stand out in the context of the thread.

I hope you get some responses.

>I would like to know what's good about being atheist, not what's bad about religion.
What are the benefits, lifestyle, etc.?

In my case, (though technically, I'm not an atheist, but an agnostic) it is not feeling like a hypocrite. I can't follow a religion that tells me I must believe in something in which I have no evidence to support. (And I don't believe that "because it is in the bible" is evidence.) I remember once, telling someone who was Christian that I was agnostic, and she said something along the lines of "Don't you think it would be better to believe just in case you're wrong?" Um... I CAN'T believe in something "just in case" -- I could merely fake belief. And I'm not willing to do that, even if I'm wrong. So, I guess self-integrity is a benefit.

Lifestyle -- Sundays off? ;-)

What's good about atheism?

Freedom to come to my own conclusions, and not have to force my thinking to conform with teachings written in any supposed 'holy' book of dubious origins.

It's actually for this reason I consider myself more "agnostic" than "atheist" (although I hate labels). As agnostic, I simply choose to ignore religion and theism, rather than bothering to prove my "side" of the argument. I have seen people who get much out of their religion, and I am truly glad for them. It's not for me.

I have to say that the major benefit I get out of my way of choosing to view the universe, is that I am constantly challenged to think for myself. I have to consider (and reconsider) my stance on everything, not blindly follow what my parents and community once believed.

This means I do research if it is important enough to me. I continually check with myself to see if I still feel the same way. I feel completely comfortable about changing my mind - I don't often feel I lose face if I say I've reconsidered my position. I believe that's my right.

My morals and values are my own, therefore they feel stronger to me than I would blindly find my community's "list of rules" to be: "Because my parents told me it was wrong/right" is not necessarily a valid reason for anything for me. Parents can be wrong; so can an entire community, as history makes very clear. I will go over every one of those rules and decide for myself which I believe to be important and true, and which I don't believe in. This makes it easier to explain and/or stand up for what I believe in because it comes from within, not without.

Basically, I start from scratch rather than buy into a pre-packaged set of morals - for some this may sound like too much hard work and easier just to accept the closest moral code that fits. I have no problem with that - I just enjoy the extra analysis.

Elle,

I loved your response to this question. It was so eloquent and powerful.

I, too, enjoy being able to arrive at my own conclusions without having to feel guilty about it.

Hi Elle, I can relate to all that you wrote, and especially the lines above.

Thank you Kristina and Gaye

There we go, Pascal's Wager rears it's ugly head again! Have any of these people who say this ever actually read their bible? Do they know what sort of a God they're dealing with? How stupid do they think their God is ? Their's is the ultimate 'All or Nothing' God. According to their own holy book he not only read people's minds, but their hearts and motivations as well. He wouldn't fall for that one.