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Atheism/Questions Answered by Expert Vincent M. Wales
| Subject | Date Asked |
| wakas1990@hotmail.com | 7/18/2011 |
| Q: i'm 20 years old male and i pretty much believe that god exists but i only say this because the ... A: What you're experiencing right now are the same doubts and questions that most atheists encounter at ... | |
| about confirmation | 4/2/2011 |
| Q: i have a short question! what do i become after confirmation? A: Aliyah, Are you talking about a church confirmation? For example, when I was in 9th grade, I went ... | |
| Atheism's PR. | 2/20/2011 |
| Q: As someone who lives in a fairly secular country (though technically CofE) I'm still dismayed to see ... A: Daniel: Though I've never been to the U.K., my friends who've lived both there and here in the U.S. ... | |
| religion at school | 2/15/2011 |
| Q: DO you think that religion should be allowed to be taught at school? A: Jessica: It depends what you mean by religion being "taught," as well as what kind of school we're ... | |
| Jews surviving | 1/10/2011 |
| Q: Christians tell me that the preservation of the Jews over the centuries since their nation was ... A: In 2004, I published my novel, ONE NATION UNDER GOD. It's set in the future, about 20-25 years. In ... | |
| Confused About Religion | 12/27/2010 |
| Q: Ok, I guess I would be described as an "atheist in progress" or something of that sort right now. I ... A: Shay... First, I want to express my empathy for what you're going through. It's rough, but I'm ... | |
| Question | 12/18/2010 |
| Q: are white people more evolved then black people I heard blacks came first then whites A: Richard: While this question has nothing whatsoever to do with atheism, I'll answer it anyway. The ... | |
| Interfaith marriage? | 12/9/2010 |
| Q: I am an atheist. My husband is a Christian. My husband and I are trying to have children. He is ... A: Well, I'd suggest that you make sure your children have a solid education in science. Also, that ... | |
| Interfaith marriage? | 12/8/2010 |
| Q: I am an atheist. My husband is a Christian. My husband and I are trying to have children. He is ... A: This is, sadly, a fairly common situation. The truth is, your in-laws can demand until they turn ... | |
| Difficulty being an atheist... | 10/23/2010 |
| Q: I've already asked this question to Austin Cline but I would really like to read a response from you ... A: Amy... Well, I will say that your question is interesting. I'm going to venture a bit of a guess ... | |
| Offensive theist comments | 10/9/2010 |
| Q: I'm 22 and have recently come "out of the closet" with my atheism. At the age of 11 I was in ... A: Desirai: Sorry to hear about your crappy circumstances right now. Hope things improve soon. And I ... | |
| Followup to Epicurus? | 7/20/2010 |
| Q: I ***love*** the succinct quote attributed to Epicurus regarding evil. The reply of religious people ... A: Jim: The problem with relying on succinct little quotes is that it's easy to ignore them, to brush ... | |
| saw a dream | 7/16/2010 |
| Q: I am an atheist and I have no faith in any supernatural and non-materialistic forces or anything ... A: Axe: There are two basic ways I could answer this. I'll start with the skeptical way. Dreams are ... | |
| monotheism more probable than polytheism? | 6/24/2010 |
| Q: Let's imagine that it's certain the Universe is designed by something intelligent and divine, let's ... A: I think the theists who propose this question are, unsurprisingly, not understanding what they're ... | |
| Thinking about God | 5/30/2010 |
| Q: What I know of "Atheism" is denial in the existence of God. As a beginner in Philosophy, I get ... A: Ah. So you didn't. My apologies. (That's what I get for answering questions first thing in the ... | |
| Thinking about God | 5/28/2010 |
| Q: What I know of "Atheism" is denial in the existence of God. As a beginner in Philosophy, I get ... A: Varun: There are several different things your question touches upon, so let me start with your ... | |
| Really annoyed by theists | 5/25/2010 |
| Q: I have definitely become quite the hardcore atheist. I LOVE debating the subject with theists. I was ... A: Zoe... Well... yes. I did go through a period like that, and it got pretty intense. I have a ... | |
| W.Lane Craig's claim | 5/3/2010 |
| Q: You surely heard about William Lane Craig... This sophisticated theologian and philosopher claimed ... A: Ed: Yes, I'm familiar with Mr. Craig. I'm not entirely sure which concepts of his religion he ... | |
| please consider | 3/24/2010 |
| Q: A theist friend of mine e-mailed these to me...how can I respond without looking like a fool? ... A: It's not so much a matter of "in-between," as a matter of "a third option." To say that something ... | |
| Platonism upon atheism | 3/16/2010 |
| Q: Not your personal views.., but what is your philosophical and logical abductive examination of the ... A: In all honesty, I find this diatribe a bunch of hooey. Does it have logic? Not a shred. Because ... | |
| inimitability of the Quran | 2/25/2010 |
| Q: The Quran itself claims to be absolutely inimitable (and unsurpassable) in arabic language. muslim ... A: The answer to your question is, of course, "No." Everything you listed as evidence of this claim is ... | |
| please consider | 2/2/2010 |
| Q: A theist friend of mine e-mailed these to me...how can I respond without looking like a fool? ... A: Both of these arguments share the same fallacy, which is the idea that it's "all or nothing." ... | |
| problem of natural evil | 1/17/2010 |
| Q: Some arguments to solve problem of natural Evil are as following: diseases and congenital ... A: This strikes me as a very self-centered approach to the subject. To have the view of "wow, how ... | |
| what? | 1/15/2010 |
| Q: How do you personally believe that the universe came into existence? Why do we spend so much time ... A: If you make statements about how "everything is so perfectly designed and fits together," or how ... | |
| what? | 1/14/2010 |
| Q: How do you personally believe that the universe came into existence? Why do we spend so much time ... A: To question one: I have no idea. But to say "God dunnit" is no answer. Because then one must ask, ... | |
| why? | 1/14/2010 |
| Q: What is the point of being atheist? Why are we here? A: What is the point of being an atheist? I suppose it's the same "point" as NOT being a stamp ... | |
| brainwashing children | 1/7/2010 |
| Q: I don't know where to begin, or if you can even help me get through this roller coaster of emotions. ... A: Carol: First things first: STOP berating yourself for your "foxhole conversion." It serves no ... | |
| Your perspective. | 12/10/2009 |
| Q: Are you an atheist based on the rejection of the idea of an eternal Supremacy, or from a lack of ... A: Peter: Honestly, it's a bit of both. The idea of an omnipotent being is, by definition, ludicrous. ... | |
| blame | 12/5/2009 |
| Q: What would you say to someone who came to you seeking advice, blaming their hardships on God or some ... A: I suppose it would depend on the person. Advice is not one-size-fits-all. Generally speaking, ... | |
| Religion ruining our friendship | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: I am in a bit of a predicament, and I wondered if maybe you could offer some advice? I am almost ... A: Yeah, entire books have been written on that very question. Why DO so many people believe what (to ... | |
| Religion ruining our friendship | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: I am in a bit of a predicament, and I wondered if maybe you could offer some advice? I am almost ... A: Julie... First, my sympathies to you regarding your situation. It's obvious how much this is ... | |
| Creation | 9/10/2009 |
| Q: How is creation explained in atheism? Also is it assumed that consciousness originated from inert ... A: Raja: I'm afraid you've misunderstood something very basic about atheism. It is not a set of ... | |
| are predictions scientific | 7/9/2009 |
| Q: Does science believe in intuition and predictions. Can a person foresee or predict ones future in a ... A: Your hypothesis is certainly one that others have considered a possibility. The problem is that ... | |
| family and atheism | 6/22/2009 |
| Q: All of my family is christian but im not and they don't really accept me for who i am because im an ... A: Nate: Very sorry to hear of your family trouble due to your views on religion. It is, ... | |
| Anti christian tattoos | 3/28/2009 |
| Q: I am not sure whether or not this is within your range of expertise, but I thought I would give it a ... A: Leigh... First off... sorry about the strict home life. That's unfortunate, but an all too common ... | |
| Study | 3/10/2009 |
| Q: I am taking a women's studies course called women and religion, and right now we are focusing ... A: Pat. Like you, the most I've ever heard of such a study has been apocryphal. Others claim to have ... | |
| Me again! | 3/1/2009 |
| Q: It's me, Erin again(smiles). I tried to ask another follow-up but it wouldn't let me. I also tried ... A: First... thanks for pointing out the ratings thing. I changed the setting. I didn't even realize ... | |
| Am I being intolerant? | 3/1/2009 |
| Q: My question is do you think it makes me intolerant because I say I would not date a christian and ... A: again! Yes, I have heard about the study you mentioned, although the results were not as clear-cut ... | |
| Am I being intolerant? | 3/1/2009 |
| Q: My question is do you think it makes me intolerant because I say I would not date a christian and ... A: Erin: Believe it or not, no clarification was needed. I *totally* get your point of view, and have ... | |
| Am I being intolerant? | 2/28/2009 |
| Q: My question is do you think it makes me intolerant because I say I would not date a christian and ... A: Erin: Well... yes, it's natural to prefer associating with those who hold similar beliefs to our ... | |
| Enjoying this forum | 12/3/2008 |
| Q: It is such a delight to come hear and read the thoughtful responses to people who have asked ... A: Robert: Thank you for your kind words... they're definitely appreciated. Yes, there are certainly ... | |
| Atheist in a religious family/world | 12/1/2008 |
| Q: I am an atheist and a feminist (read: humanist, womanist, anti-colonialist, or ... A: Eve... Delighted to make your acquaintance. Yes, there most certainly ARE parallels with being ... | |
| Feel like a misfit | 10/27/2008 |
| Q: I'm a teenage girl who was raised in a devout Christian household. I am having some trouble with my ... A: Marie... Thanks for taking the time to write. Yours is a pretty unpleasant situation, for sure. ... | |
| The ten commandments | 9/30/2008 |
| Q: My question is do you think that the ten commandments should be the law? Why are some people against ... A: Helen. No, I certainly do not mind a follow-up. Okay, first... democracy vs. democratic republic. ... | |
| The ten commandments | 9/29/2008 |
| Q: My question is do you think that the ten commandments should be the law? Why are some people against ... A: Helen. I'm going to answer your last question first, if you don't mind. Truth is, we do not live ... | |
| Are you concerned? | 9/12/2008 |
| Q: My question is do you believe that the concern that some people are expressing that should ... A: I'm afraid I have to agree with your friends. Yes, there are plenty in this country who are racist, ... | |
| Are you concerned? | 9/11/2008 |
| Q: My question is do you believe that the concern that some people are expressing that should ... A: Julia: Thanks for expressing your views, and I think your concerns have some basis in reality. My ... | |
| Not really sure... | 8/5/2008 |
| Q: Hey... I just REALLY want to know, that you don't beleive in ANY god whatsoever...but where do you ... A: John. Nope... no god or creator-being at all. As for death... well... my hunch is that we go ... | |
| change | 8/3/2008 |
| Q: ) since you are an atheist i would like to ask you what do you think about god and why are people so ... A: Certainly, I see where you're coming from, and agree with much of what you said. But the question ... | |
| hi | 6/18/2008 |
| Q: can any of u atheist define death n birth..n one more thing...what do u mena by SOUL according to an ... A: Siaf: I certainly can't speak for all atheists, so please be aware that my responses pertain only ... | |
| Help with a debate | 6/13/2008 |
| Q: My question is, what in your opinion are some of the negative effects that religion(christianity in ... A: A few things make a critical difference. First, if you ask the VAST majority of people who commit ... | |
| Help with a debate | 6/12/2008 |
| Q: My question is, what in your opinion are some of the negative effects that religion(christianity in ... A: Karen: This is a pretty broad question, and there's a lot involved with answering it. So I'm going ... | |
| Please help! I don't know what to do! | 6/9/2008 |
| Q: I am hoping that you might be able to offer me some advice. I was raised in a Christian household, ... A: Jemma: I can certainly understand the frustrations you're going through. And it's also not ... | |
| I would like your thoughts | 3/15/2008 |
| Q: I am a young, budding atheist who was raised in a devout christian home. For as far back as I can ... A: Sondra: It should come as no surprise that I agree with you. Our society really is bathed in ... | |
| Why Do We Wear Clothes Pt II? | 2/22/2008 |
| Q: With all due respect, I'm not sure if your answers are valid. My Christian friend corrected me on ... A: You ignored part of my previous answer regarding clothing. (Oh, I'm sorry... I mean you forgot to ... | |
| Why Do We Wear Clothes? | 2/22/2008 |
| Q: I have been an atheist for about ten years now. This question may sound a little silly, but why do ... A: In case you hadn't noticed, we humans have become fairly hairless over the past few million years. ... | |
| hello! i do apologize, really,... | 2/9/2006 |
| Q: i do apologize, really, maybe you did send me an answer but the computer said 'i've already answered ... A: The reason your computer told you that is because I actually got two different queries from you... ... | |
| atheism speech | 2/7/2006 |
| Q: i'm 15 and this year as part of course work we have to write a speech on whaever subject we choose. ... A: Tamar: Yeah, that's still a really big subject for such a short speech. My honest opinion is that ... | |
| why? | 10/27/2005 |
| Q: Why don't Atheists believe in God? How do they believe everything came into existence? A: Jon: Not all atheists think alike, so there's no simple answer to your question. Their reasons may ... | |
| what's next | 10/24/2005 |
| Q: You sound like your a guy with some brains. Anyway my question for you is: WHERE DO WE GO WHEN ... A: Obviously, I don't think we "go" anywhere when we die, because "we" cease to exist. But given an ... | |
| Christian world view and depression. | 10/10/2005 |
| Q: I'm working on my masters in anthropology. I'm writing a paper for my anthropology of religion ... A: Steve: It's very interesting that you pose this question to me right now, as I just recently had an ... | |
| agnostic Christianity | 9/28/2005 |
| Q: ------------------------- Followup To RephrasedI suppose the rephrase would be: How do you know ... A: "How do you know that we cannot trust x to complete Y..." Well, you don't. That's what makes this ... | |
| pascal's wager and belief and action and faith | 9/27/2005 |
| Q: So you assert that you only have trusts. It seems to me that sometimes we trust someone or ... A: You said, "It seems to me that sometimes we trust someone or something when a situation is 'beyond' ... | |
| pascal's wager and belief and action and faith | 9/26/2005 |
| Q: On 7/19/05 you write "You can change BEHAVIOR out of fear... but not belief." I read a number of ... A: I don't think I've ever met an atheist who did NOT concede the existence of beliefs. But as to when ... | |
| question | 8/14/2005 |
| Q: " My question regards prophecy in literature. In most religious texts prophecies are vague. However, ... A: Amir: You'll have to show me the prophecies you consider to be "cuttingly specific," as I've ... | |
| Jesus-Atheist | 7/19/2005 |
| Q: I am wondering since Jesus said that no one can get into heaven without him. Since he promised so ... A: Michael: First, I'm wondering... why do you suggest "prayers from the Catholic Church"? Why not ... | |
| helping christians | 5/18/2005 |
| Q: I got really sick of those pastors and priest. Every week, I saw my christian friends donating like ... A: Well, y'know, it's never likely that you're going to "help" your Xian friends the way you might like ... | |
Atheism
Answers by Expert:
Vincent M. Wales
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Skeptic and atheist for more than three decades.
Experience
Living as a non-believer in an increasingly religious nation... and writing about it.
Organizations
Atheists and Other Freethinkers (Sacramento)
Freedom from Religion Foundation
(founder of) Freethought Society of Northern Utah
Education/Credentials
Not really applicable.
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