What are some of the consequences of being an atheist?

[Tails Turrosaki]

Time for something serious for a change. I have been too frivolous of late!

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. The authority religions engender with the majority mean nothing to me.

Just a few consequences. Want to add to the list?

It's hard to accept no life after death.
This causes depression for me.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

It's hard to accept no life after death.
This causes depression for me.

You beat tremendous odds to be alive at all. Now you can either enjoy winning the biggest lottery in the Universe or be grumpy that you didn't get more. Your choice.

[Tails Turrosaki]

It's hard to accept no life after death.
This causes depression for me.

You beat tremendous odds to be alive at all. Now you can either enjoy winning the biggest lottery in the Universe or be grumpy that you didn't get more. Your choice.

... And I couldn't have been born into a rich family!? :I-love-pork:

[Brian Peacock]

The authority religions engender with the majority mean nothing to me.

I think this has a fundamental consequence to atheists. When you no longer accept the claims of religions self-declared authority you tend to be more sceptical of others who want you to accept their claims on the basis of their self-declared authority. You know, like politician who start a sentence with, "I believe that...." for example. I also think it becomes easier to spot the non-sequitur in all sorts of areas - and there's a lot of them about once you start noticing them! Well, that's my experience anyway.

[traditionaldrummer]

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

This seems to embody all the misconceptions about atheism. It implies that without religion or god(s) you somehow cannot be a decent, ethically, socially acceptable human with some direction and purpose in life. And that "nobody's watching", which they are. Atheists, to me, are the most purpose-driven, ethical and friendly people on the face of the planet. The ass-kissers of god(s) always have a great excuse for their shitty actions. The atheist has no excuse and therefore always does the best and "right" thing for the advancement of the species.

[tattuchu]

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

Ever feel like you're going the wrong way in a one-way world?

[charlou]

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

This seems to embody all the misconceptions about atheism. It implies that without religion or god(s) you somehow cannot be a decent, ethically, socially acceptable human with some direction and purpose in life. And that "nobody's watching", which they are. Atheists, to me, are the most purpose-driven, ethical and friendly people on the face of the planet. The ass-kissers of god(s) always have a great excuse for their shitty actions. The atheist has no excuse and therefore always does the best and "right" thing for the advancement of the species.

Thanks for addressing that comment .. it bothered me too.

And that "nobody's watching", which they are.

Yes, our ethics are informed by our interaction as social beings. That was something I realised early on as a child, even while believing in a sort of ... I don't know ... pantheistic god ... the whole theistic notion of good/evil morality never seemed right to me, particularly as it was imposed using such manipulative measures as religions use. I think I was always aware of its absurd hypocritical irony and that was part of why I spurned organised religion.

[Hermit]

Living in Deep South, USA, a.k.a. the "Bible Belt", being an atheist is risky business. You cannot be candid about it with anyone. In fact, once they find out you don't attend a church on Sunday the gossip starts. It's necessary to conceal my beliefs from my employer and co-workers, my in-laws and my neighbors. It's also necessary to know a good bit about the bible if it comes up in conversation - and it will. I should probably relocate somewhere that isn't dominated by religious fascism, but the wife can't handle the weather up north....

It takes people like you to point out to some of us just how lucky we are.

Move to Australia. It's warm and nobody is too fussed if you believe in no god thingy whatsoever. Contrary to popular prejudice we also do have animals that do not sting, bite or kill you in some other way. I think both of them are on display at the Taronga Zoo.

[Tails Turrosaki]

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

Ever feel like you're going the wrong way in a one-way world?

Actually, we're in a world with two ways, it's just that the people on the right going one way have lost the ability to see in their left eye so they are unable to see the left road. But in actuality, they're wearing an eye patch that can be removed manually.

[Razor]

Aside from the occasional row with Mrs Razor, two main consequences:

1) Remembering not to laugh or snort at any enforced participation at religious events

2) Remembering never ever to give your actual opinions at religious funerals.

Other than that, lots of stuff about freedom to think rationally and see the world clearly et etc. Oh, and a natural tendency to see science as the future answer to just about everything.

[A Monkey Shaved]

I think the consequences of being an atheist are fairly trivial but the consequences of being a theist can be far more dire. Particularly if you are perceived as being the wrong kind of theist such as a Jew walking the streets of Gaza fully dressed as an ultra orthodox Jewish Rabbi

[charlou]

Being a theist is so narrow and limiting and fucking repressed. Dogmatic manipulation does that to people.

Aside from the occasional row with Mrs Razor, two main consequences:

1) Remembering not to laugh or snort at any enforced participation at religious events

2) Remembering never ever to give your actual opinions at religious funerals.

Other than that, lots of stuff about freedom to think rationally and see the world clearly et etc. Oh, and a natural tendency to see science as the future answer to just about everything.

Laughing and snorting is useful ... Ridicule (I was around 11 or 12 and being mercilessy ribbed by some other kids about my forced church attendance, as is the Australian way ) is what first made me aware that not everyone believes in a sky fairy explanation for stuff.

[Razor]

Being a theist is so narrow and limiting and fucking repressed. Dogmatic manipulation does that to people.

Aside from the occasional row with Mrs Razor, two main consequences:

1) Remembering not to laugh or snort at any enforced participation at religious events

2) Remembering never ever to give your actual opinions at religious funerals.

Other than that, lots of stuff about freedom to think rationally and see the world clearly et etc. Oh, and a natural tendency to see science as the future answer to just about everything.

Laughing and snorting is useful ... Ridicule (I was around 11 or 12 and being mercilessy ribbed by some other kids about my forced church attendance, as is the Australian way ) is what first made me aware that not everyone believes in a sky fairy explanation for stuff.

Oh yeh, I agree entirely with the sentiment that ridicule is a part and parcel of critcism (and also at keeping any authority humble) Being a brit, I share that childhood experience and agree it helps us all to question things. I just try not to do it right there and then in the church, if for no other reason than to avoid a divorce! But also because I think everything has its place and time. (I'm giving the impression here that my wife drags me to church every sunday; that isn't the case, but we do go every now and again)

[mindyourmind]

My penis grew three inches ever since becoming an atheist.

And I feel a lot better about being honest with myself about the god thingummy. And about my penis.

And I don't worry about disappointing Jesus. Who never called anyway.

And I stopped giggling during prayer. Because I stopped praying.

And I stopped judging people (so much).

And I don't lean forward to cover the screen when I watch porn on the computer anymore. I know no-one is watching.

So all in all, good stuff.

[Rum]

My penis grew three inches ever since becoming an atheist.

And I feel a lot better about being honest with myself about the god thingummy. And about my penis.

And I don't worry about disappointing Jesus. Who never called anyway.

And I stopped giggling during prayer. Because I stopped praying.

And I stopped judging people (so much).

And I don't lean forward to cover the screen when I watch porn on the computer anymore. I know no-one is watching.

So all in all, good stuff.

Good news about your penis then!