Open Thread: What Do You Admire About Atheists?

I’ve believed in Christianity as long as I can remember. I respected the “Catholic” religion but didn’t grow in my ‘awareness’ of JC until I pursued it. I read a lot of the “Case for Christ” stuff and haven’t been convinced by Darwinism or Evolution.

What do I like about atheists? What’s not to like? I don’t like Christians any group s that tries to get me to join ‘their team’ based upon what THEY say. It’s wrong to use the ‘you better convert or else’ approach. Why insists on girls be on boys’ teams and vice-versa, what’s wrong with all Black colleges? I don’t expect foreigners to ‘learn the language’ just become they visit America…

From my own experience I’ve never met an ‘atheist’ who’s been anything but a nice person, or someone I wouldn’t help. I don’t even know the belief systems of people in need – do I have too?

I only wonder about why it’s so important to not say “Merry Christmas” with or without Christ. It’s been a tradition since the United States were founded. I don’t mind someone wishing me a “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” or sending me a Valentine when I don’t believe in “St. Patrick” or Cupid..? I like Christmas because that’s when work shuts down for 2 weeks, just as much as the day off for the 4th of July and I’m Canadian.

I’d like to respond to simple z if I may:

1) We cannot do otherwise, as we see no evidence for gods, eternal life or supernatural paradises. You might have well have said that you’re amazed that we have the courage to be happy without the promise of gifts from Santa, the joys of riding unicorns or the expectation of being saved from certain disaster by Superman.

2) Again, without any evidence of gods, why would we blame them? We treat the contemporary theistic gods in the same way that you don’t blame Jupiter, Athene, Ganesh or Ahura Mazda (delete as appropriate).

Null
My words were only meant as compliments of the strength of atheist individuals, nothing else

Especially point number 2, which, clarified, means: that you don’t wine about your situation as we christians can do.

They can be good without fearing massive, everlasting punishment.

They would actually vote for a person who believes in god as long as that person were qualified for the office.

When they give to charity, it’s to actually help people rather than to help those only like themselves or to promote hate and divisions between peoples; they also give to provide help for people before those people die rather than giving to “help” people after those people die.

Honesty

Independence

Disregard for peer pressure

Thinking for themselves

Compassion, generosity, and morality not based on fear of punishment

Appreciation of humanity and human goodness (every good deed is God)

Placing the blame for evil where it belongs, on humans (not Satan)

Bravery to face life knowing we will die and not exist forever

I admire atheists because they embrace a profoundly simple world-view. I admire atheists because they are so committed to their beliefs that they are willing to risk the “eternal damnation and hellfire” for which a significant portion of the world believes they are destined. I admire atheists because they have a largely unwavering faith in science and the power of science to eventually be able to describe all of existence.

Yes, I used to be a Christian, but now I am an atheist. I find that atheists are what they present themselves to be, and that is quite refreshing.

Many, but not all, of the Christians I knew were one way to outsiders–presenting a front of unconditional love, acceptance, and so forth–and another way to insiders–once you are a member you have to live up to the code or you are ostracized or punished.

Why wouldn’t I be part of the group I hold in higher regard? I’m certainly not ashamed to be an athesit or to admit that I admire atheists.

Same answer I gave below. I admire certain qualities in some people who happen to be atheists. You could ask this question a zillion ways, and the answer is always going to be the same — I admire certain things about people whether they believe in a god or not, and, if they do believe, no matter what organized belief system they claim to adhere to.

People are people. They do some good things, they do some bad things. Some people make an effort to do good things, some don’t care. Some are selfish, some are generous. I usually admire people who are better at doing something I’d like to be better at, whether it’s something creative or something altruistic. Religious belief or lack thereof never seems to have anything to do with it.

I most admire the commitment to honesty, reality and objectivity that I find in atheists. Atheists tend to insist on doing the research for themselves before they accept anyone else’s conclusions or claims. This is a huge change for me, coming from a fundamentalist Christian background where everything is taken “on faith,” and faith is the highest virtue.

Atheists are committed to searching for the best answers to the big questions, even if those answers aren’t comforting and even if they are along the lines of: “we don’t know (yet).” I find that courageous and admirable.

What I really I admire about atheists is that they tend to be thinkers and seekers of the truth beyond religion. They are not afraid to think, discuss, and discover. They are generally open to new ideas and new ways of thinking. They are not afraid of evolving thoughts. I love that. I don’t get this so much at the Christian camp. Christians are generally reluctant to think new thoughts. They only like different variations on the same theme, the same old thoughts, which gets very stale for me. How can you think for yourself and choose if you don’t allow yourself any real choices?

The atheists are willing to explore the secrets of the universe with a child-like wonder.

I feel more at home when I’m with you than when I’m with my people. Isn’t that crazy?

I feel more at home when I’m with you than when I’m with my people. Isn’t that crazy?

Well! Looks like we haven’t made enough fun of you, then!

Not a damn thing. Now if the question was, ‘What do I admire about this particular atheist or that group of atheists’, then my response would be different but I see nothing in just being and atheist that’s admirable.

My answer would be the same for the question about Christians. I’m a letter of James kind of Christian though I think, call yourself what you want, believe what you want I don’t care. It’s what you DO that matters.

What I really like about my fellow atheists is that we can justify our beliefs (or lack of them) with logic and reason. We never have to pull the “faith” card. Plus when we get things wrong we are usually happy to reassess our position.