Do you think atheism is due to depression / ego / wilful ignorance / personal tragedy / mental illness etc?
537951
Atheism is the result of a person's indepedent, objective analysis of life and the universe based on evidence and reason.
1145860
i more than agree. the separation of teaching religions from public school caused to have an atheist generation. they don't believe in any thing but their insect desires. they become gradually like animals. I blame governments and parents for this decline. God is exist. he gives lots of things like health, family and love. and he gives illness and poverty because of our faults and mistakes, or to test our faith. I hope he be merciful with us at the day of judgement.
1172684
As a Wiccan, I don't believe in the devil, so no, I don't think atheism is "the devil's work."\n\nAs for evil, no again.  Wicca has a policy of tolerance for others beliefs, or lack thereof.  I personally feel that we are all trying to muddle through this life as best we can, and we all come to different conclusions.  One person's path to the "Truth" (regarding religion, the afterlife, etc.) is no more or less valid than the next person's, even though those paths may differ.
834779
People should base their belief in God/Allah/FSM on whether they think it's real or not.\n\nIsn't the average IQ of prison inmates lower than the average IQ of the population at large?  There's a proven correlation between IQ and atheism with few low IQ people being atheists - maybe the high number of lower IQ people in prison skews the numbers towards theists?  I would not take this to mean atheists are more moral, just that it takes more reasoning power to become an atheist if you were raised theistic than it does to just stay what your parents are.  \n\nOr the percentage of atheists in prison is representative of the general population but they, like many atheists in the rest of society, must be extra careful to hide their atheism for personal safety?  To be totally blunt, who would admit to being an atheist in prison?  I can't even safely admit to being an atheist at my job and there are no murderers or rapists in my office.
632787
I pretty much agree with you. An atheist is sure that God does not exist, and an agnostic isn't willing to commit either way. (Sort of like the dyslexic agnostic who developed insomnia. He kept lying awake at night wondering if there really is a Dog...).
494293
WOW!!!! People are crazy and very rude when they apply their beliefs to how they judge others. \n\nWe (atheist) are not sad, lonely imoral people. We did not chose to become atheists because we were angered or felt abandoned by a god. We became atheists through years of thought and understanding. We do not get worried when you say it's our stubborn choice to not believe in your god and that we are going to burn in hell.\n\nPlease quit thinking this.
504664
I am an atheist or an agnostic depending on the definition of God one starts with.  I do experience very deep emotions about the world around me, and I in fact feel an affinity and a connection to a religious denomination called Unitarian Universalism, which is open to people like me, and which tends to eschew the mention of God in its services.  I suppose my affinity to that denomination says something about my moral values: I believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every human being.  Also, as an atheist, I am fond of Judaism, simply because of the old adage according to which atheism is but a branch of Judaism, not because of any particular religious beliefs orthodox Jews may hold.
1067599
I think you've correctly identified the fact that religious belief is not based on reason (since there has never been any valid argument or evidence for the existence of gods), but rather it is based largely on emotional needs, i.e. it's wishful thinking.
890386
Finally a decent out of the box agnostic thinker.  I personally am atheist, because the creation of a creator is just as probable as us being created in the first place.  But the creation of the two are that much more improbable.  \n\nHowever, on your theory, why do you propose that we are mistakes rather than a side effect...
918887
No, atheism does, that why you can't even spell the word meNtal.\nMETAL HEAD!\nGo back to your Nintendo game, and leave the thinking to others!
341153
Personally, I'm atheist. \n\nI think everyone has right to their beliefs.\n\nI applaud you for being out there. Some people are just so strong about theirs that other people are seen as low or they are downgraded for expressing their belief.\n\nI hope that you can find some sort of peace, if it may be in Christ, Buddha, or no one.\n\nGood luck.\n\n=)
335245
I think being an Atheist takes more faith because if their wrong their in trouble.
597287
I would say, 'yes,' not simply due to religious beliefs but rather focusing on the sphere of psychological studies.\n\nMany psychological studies have noted that those with spiritual beliefs tend to live longer, live healthier, and become far more productive in society. These same studies have noted a very strong connection to prayer and the same effects.\n\nNow whether this is due to the truth of spirituality and religious beliefs, or is due to just what people feel about things because of their beliefs, is something that science cannot (and has not tried) to answer. I strongly recommend that you visit the American Psychology Association website and search their documents for more on this subject.
572502
You cant define atheism by terms like 'believing' or 'non believing'. That's like defining light as absence of darkness. Atheism is thought of indifference towards all religious concepts. Even A person who looks down on religion or criticizes God is also not an atheist. A true atheist is not bothered.
788865
I have schizophrenia and 9 out of my 10 personalities are atheists.  That might be why it seems like there is so many.
694271
My body is part of my soul. Without it, i wouldn't a brain to have feelings and reasoning.\n\nI'm not an atheist though
867383
This is in my own opinion...i kind believe in my own thing, not so much any certain religious I have just gathered info and made up my own opinion.  It goes like this...most of the time ppl who are deep into religion believe in it as a self starter or motivator, its like when they are down and need something to lean on they believe in God to lean on and give them that strength.  So to me God is really like a self confidence thing........i mean the numbers are staggering, look at most successful ppl who have great self confidence and they will more than likely say they believe in some kind of religion where as if you ask a "depressed" person they are typically atheists/non believers....God is that inner self telling them they can do it, they can achieve their goals if they put their minds to it.  They are usually very spiritual ppl......\n\nThats just what I have seen....