What are some of the consequences of being an atheist?

[Animavore]

You can stay in and watch Sponge Bob on a Sunday morning.

[Tigger]

Smug self-satisfied existence.

[Animavore]

Babies are on the menu most nights

[charlou]

I suppose one consequence of becoming an atheist is that I have an Aunt and Uncle who are quite religious. One of them went on a pilgramige? Pilgrimige? Pilgrimage? Fuck it. Anyway, I really have to bite my tongue a lot... but one of these days I'm going to lose it.

Stop biting it so hard !

ahehehe

Meeting Ratz. Teh bestest thing evva. Seriously.

Likewise.

Acceptance - the entire universe no longer has to be fair, the mind can rest from the gymnastics it takes to balance the books and the rested mind can then THINK.

Thinking, however imperfect, the genuine attempt to challenge, enquire, discover, LEARN.

I think there is more pleasure in learning than knowing.

This ... only I don't think it's just a consequence but also an integral part of the process that moves a mind from theism to atheism.

[Coito ergo sum]

The removal of all fear of death. Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's only the transition that is worrisome.

A lot of people think we're bad ass, like - hush - "really??? you're an.......atheist??" It's kind of fun to just look at them dead-pan and say, "yeah, absolutely, aren't you?"

[Hermit]

I was thinking about some of the perhaps not oft thought through consequences of being an atheist.

For example 'there is no road to follow'. Nobody keeps a score about what you do and don't do. There is no destination in life. It doesn't actually really matter at the end of the day if you are horrible to other people to anyone but yourself (and the ones temporarily perhaps you are horrible to). All religions are equally vapid and irrelevant.

Those consequences are the result of nihilism. Nihilism is not an automatic consequence of atheism. The only truly inevitable consequence of being an atheist is a lack of belief in the existence of a god thingy.

[Rum]

I was thinking about some of the perhaps not oft thought through consequences of being an atheist.

For example 'there is no road to follow'. Nobody keeps a score about what you do and don't do. There is no destination in life. It doesn't actually really matter at the end of the day if you are horrible to other people to anyone but yourself (and the ones temporarily perhaps you are horrible to). All religions are equally vapid and irrelevant.

Those consequences are the result of nihilism. Nihilism is not an automatic consequence of atheism. The only truly inevitable consequence of being an atheist is a lack of belief in the existence of a god thingy.

I don't think I agree. Well partially anyway.

The term 'road to follow' usually refers to a spiritual 'path' don't you think? One could argue that the road in question could be secular or academic, but that isn't usually what people mean when they say it. The same applies to using the term 'destination'. As to whether or not it matters if you are horrible to others, I will grant you that there is an element of nihilism in thinking that through, though ultimately I think it is a conclusion have come to as an atheist. I am still a humanist however and take no pleasure in harming other people - and never do deliberately. And as the my final point - well all religions are vapid and irrelevant surely as an atheist that is a fair conclusion. I will grant you that Buddhism has some valid things to say, but one could argue that Buddhism isn't strictly a religion.

Sooo - withdraw your statement of it is pistols at dawn sir!

[normal]

After being an atheist for my whole life, then moving more into anti-theism, this has happened:
I have gotten a very positive outlook on my own life after seeing how badly religion affects people.
Science has become more interesting.
I have become more argumentative when it comes to discussions of the irrational (not sure if good or bad).
I have learnt much about religion and the mind.
I have met you guys.
I have learnt about most of the counter-arguments to the mindless self defense claims of religion.
I know better WHY I'm an atheist.

Other than that? Not sure..

[Hermit]

Sooo - withdraw your statement of it is pistols at dawn sir!

Seeing you are the one challenging me to a duel, it is my right to choose the weapons, location and time. So, it's blunderbusses from hot air balloons on the 30th of February. And don't chicken out either! :I-love-pork:

[FBM]

A much, much clearer knowledge of the way things really are. That can be annoying sometimes.


To the theists around me, that is.

[Animavore]

Enjoying the smell of your own farts.

[Horwood Beer-Master]

One negative consequence is that you live in a world full of wrong people.

[Pappa]

After being an atheist for my whole life, then moving more into anti-theism, this has happened:
I have gotten a very positive outlook on my own life after seeing how badly religion affects people.
Science has become more interesting.
I have become more argumentative when it comes to discussions of the irrational (not sure if good or bad).
I have learnt much about religion and the mind.
I have met you guys.
I have learnt about most of the counter-arguments to the mindless self defense claims of religion.
I know better WHY I'm an atheist.

Other than that? Not sure..

All that could be applied to me too.

[Kristie]

Meeting Ratz. Teh bestest thing evva. Seriously.

+1

[Random Mutant]

The ability to be more relaxed outdoors in a thunderstorm.

Not having to do backflips to reconcile the real world with the mutually incompatible world of woo. Knowing that, by definition, there is no such thing as 'supernatural' in this universe.

And, although I'm relatively new here, loving the fun at Ratz.