Expert: Bob - 9/2/2005

Question
Hi,

I have two questions related to atheism. I personally am an agnostic( am most definitel NOT religious, but like to think of myself as spiritual). My first question is where do atheists turn for comfort during difficult times in their life? I think that is one of the main reasons people NEED to believe in God. To feel as though there is someone watching over them, someone that loves them unconditionally, that they have a purpose, that there is an after-life etc. Otherwise the world is a frightening place, and they would feel as though their lives were meaningless and they were insignificant.

Secondly. I know that a lot of people think that because they don't believe in God that athiests must be immoral, selfish etc. But I actually find that the opposite is true. For instance, atheists tend to be a lot more tolerant and accepting of different religious beliefs, cultures, lifestyles etc than these so-called Christians who use God to justify their hatered and intolerance. Do you think that people have to believe in a higher being in order to be motivated to be good, and to deter them from doing bad things(stealing, killing etc)? I would appreciate any insight you could offer. Thanks so much for your time.

Answer
Hello Lisa,

 In answer to your first question, part of being an Atheist is learning to take responsibility for both the good and bad events in your life. Along with being able to take credit for all the good times you must also learn to rely on yourself during the bad. Just because the religious take a lot of comfort in the release of responsibility to a magical invisible man that floats around in the sky, allowing his flock to be killed by the thousands by events that he can supposedly control does not make it right. Atheists have chosen to live by the truth as opposed to whatever makes them feel good at the time. I truly believe that the same ones that would preach for hours on end about god's will during hard times would preach for the same amount of time two thousand years ago about Zeus's will. Some people simply do not have the courage to stand on their own two feet.

In answer to your second question I have also found the same to be true. Atheists generally are more tolerant than so-called Christians. As a general rule I do not think that people have to believe in a higher power in order to be motivated to be good, but I would really hate to see what many that are now in church would consider acceptable behavior if they were not faced with the threat of eternal damnation.  

I hope this answers your questions. I apologize for taking so long to get back to you; I usually like to respond within 24 hours, or as soon as possible but I've been really busy. Anyway, Thanks for the insightful questions.

Bob