Why Do People Become Atheists?

Just about everything I read is because of my interest, unless of course I'm reading something that a friend suggested.

Greek and Roman history aren't really my favorite, mainly because Greeks and Romans were such late comers as far as ancient civilization goes. The Mesopotamians fascinate me the most but Greek and Roman history are essential reading material for any classicist because so much of what they did resounds in the Western world.

 

I can appreciate mesopotamian culture as much as any history nerd, but there's always been something about Rome and Greece that just snagged my attention.

Heh. I took both civilization I and II even though only the first was required. Though I have to say the second, while interesting, wasn't as fun as the first because it covered the middle ages to present. Though I will admit I learned a lot in the second class, especially regarding Christianity. The way the church behaved was deplorable.

 

Like I said it disproves a book written by humans who didn't know anything. "God" had nothing to do with the Bible. Evolution doesn't disprove the God hypothesis. Anybody who really thinks God took dirt and said a incantation spell and a human appeared butt naked like the terminator needs their head examined.

 

But whose to say that what would be considered spontaneous for us wouldn't be a slow process to a deity? Being that time is relative. I don't get why science and religion have to be mutualy exclusive.

 

The critical difference between science and religion is that, while they both offer explanations regarding existence and everything else centered around it, religion doesn't provide the necessary reasoning explaining "how?". Rather religion is a faux explanation on the "why?" aspects.

Science is never really meant to disprove the existence of God, since the concept of God is more philosophical than anything else. Again, we have a gap in knowledge beyond what we know in this universe, as big as the black whole and it has to be filled with something. We as human beings crave knowledge, and at the same time have a deep fascination with mysticism and spirituality.

Think of it religion as magic and science as explanation. When we see magic on TV, we grow mesmerized, be it from a video game, or magicians walking on water. Well, the rule of thumb for magicians is to never speak on HOW it works. They withhold information that people are curious about. However, we as the onlookers would not like the trick to be spoiled because it would lose its fascination. Understand so far? This is where the science aspect comes in. Those who value empirical evidence as factual would seek the meaning behind those tricks. They can see through smoke and mirrors.

 

I totally agree with everything you said. Well stated my friend. I do believe God is tangible we just haven't found the right definition yet. Its an amazing process and I love being part of it.

 

Well, if you want to put it in the context of reachability, you COULD have a point on a metaphorical and metaphysical notion. If you adopt a semi-pantheistic viewpoint, your statement would be much more in line in agreement.

 

I think the root of most scientific discovery eminates from a metaphorical and metaphysical notion by asking the simple question what if? From that point we gather knowledge to prove our theories but it all seems to originate from the intangible ether.

 

WHY?

 

Or why or how? Good point Arch

 

Not quite. You're close, but "what if" isn't the proper question when science is concerned. Consider:

1. How did humans evolve?
2. How did we create material
3. How life began?

Philosophy is more akin to the following:

1. What is the purpose of meaning?
2. Why am I here?
3. What is the meaning of life?
4. What is God?

See where I'm going? Science explains HOW things come to be through empirical date and analysis, whereas Philosophy asks predominantly WHAT. I see where you're going with this and your question has a lot of validation. But bear in mind when looking science and religion and/or philosophy, the questions greatly differs.

 

I think ultimately comes back how we humans relate to life and how to universally understand our surroundings. For so many of us the how is meaningless without the why. It appears to be two sides of the same coin.

 

I don't know about how time works for all deities but most Biblical sources agree that a thousand years for us is but a moment in the Hebrew God's eyes. So if anything, you'd think things happen even faster in his eyes, hypothetically speaking of course. Great point nonetheless.

Religion and science don't always clash. For example, the Hindus are the only people whose religion estimates the earth's age in billions, while the Bible estimates the earth to be only six thousand years old. As with the nature of the deities, the compatibility of religion with science is wholly dependent on how scientific the followers of the religion is.

 

You're actually correct. We start off with "Why" and that brings us into seeking the answers. Never stop there...keep going and explore with the resources you have.

 

Exactly!

 

Whether we all agree or not this place is filled to the rim with some incredibly intelligent people.

 

Agreed. I frequent posts on GameFAQS in the politics and religion section, and honestly, you have a lot of people on there...some with the most insane views on just about everything and on the religion boards, people often argue each other down like 10-year olds.

 

Some people just want to feel like they're right. Its really sad.

 

It's not so much of that as much as people asser themselves into thinking that they would have call each other names and attack them.