Answers to the Friendly Atheist‘s FAQ:
Why do you not believe in God?
Because I have no need for god in my life. My life is wonderful without god; I’m in constant awe of nature and the universe. Besides, I refuse to base my entire life’s philosophy for a mere (and small) possibility.
Where do your morals come from?
Within myself. Morals cannot come from religion because theists still pick and choose what “morals” are just wrong.
What is the meaning of life?
That’s an obtuse question. There are many meanings to life. For lifeforms to flourish and grow. Learn.
Is atheism a religion?
Not at all. The only time it resembles religion is when religion poisons society and we must take a stand.
If you don’t pray, what do you do during troubling times?
Talk to loved ones, meditate and stretch (Zen), write, and listen to music.
Should atheists be trying to convince others to stop believing in God?
I think its important to always be yourself and be proud of who you are. When asked, you should put up a good argument. Agnostics listening may come to new realizations. Does that mean you should go around trying to de-convert? I personally don’t.
Weren’t some of the worst atrocities in the 20th century committed by atheists?
Not really. There are arguments for some but Hitler, the most noted of evil men, was a devout Catholic.
How could billions of people be wrong when it comes to belief in God?
It’s taught to them at an early age, when they believe everything their parents tell them. And it started in an era where there was very little science to explain anything.
Why does the universe exist?
To contain energy and mass, sustain life, and be awesomely beautiful.
How did life originate?
Over years and years of the slow process of natural selection. Before that? There was nothing with the possibility of what is.
Is all religion harmful?
All but Eastern religions such as Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, Jainism, Taoism, etc. The other (like Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) degrade women and pushes the us vs. them dogma.
What’s so bad about religious moderates?
Any one who denies science, I can’t agree with. As long as one does not deny science (i.e., evolution), I can understand their views when it comes to science and religion. I can see how they let the extremists continue their behavior; however, they would anyway. Extremists will stop at nothing to be heard.
Is there anything redeeming about religion?
It does help some people find solace with their inevitable loneliness and comforts them when loved ones die. I prefer what is true than to what is comforting, but not everyone does.
What if you’re wrong about God (and he does exist)?
I wouldn’t worship him/her/it anyway. God is a hack. Everything done in his name is atrocious! He refuses to show himself and is flawed. If he is omnipotent, then he wouldn’t need to be omniscient and vise versa. They are not compatible ideas.
Shouldn’t all religious beliefs be respected?
To a point. If my religion promoted creepy old guys flashing young girls and I wanted a tax break for it… *
Are atheists smarter than theists?
That is way too much of a blanket question for me to answer.
How do you deal with the historical Jesus if you don’t believe in his divinity?
I was raised Jewish, so Jesus is and always was a carpenter. He was a man who may or may not have existed. He did some stuff that later was greatly exaggerated just like any folktale hero.
Would the world be better off without any religion?
Yes it would. We would still have problems but a lot less.
What happens when we die?
We rot in the ground. On the brighter side, we are remembered by our loved ones for the years we lived, all the great things we did, and all the lives we enlightened.
*EDIT: I wanted to keep my responses short, though failed to explain myself. Read the comments section for clarification.
