The document discusses atheism and reasons for not believing in God. It defines atheism as a lack of belief or strong disbelief in God(s). It argues that religions are incompatible with scientific understandings of the universe and lack evidence for their claims. The document asserts that if an all-knowing, all-loving God existed, there would be more fairness in the world rather than observable punishments and rewards determined by human societies. It concludes that atheism and science have been proven right over religions in recent decades, motivating many to abandon faith in an unseen deity.
The document discusses atheism and reasons for not believing in God. It defines atheism as a lack of belief or strong disbelief in God(s). It argues that religions are incompatible with scientific understandings of the universe and lack evidence for their claims. The document asserts that if an all-knowing, all-loving God existed, there would be more fairness in the world rather than observable punishments and rewards determined by human societies. It concludes that atheism and science have been proven right over religions in recent decades, motivating many to abandon faith in an unseen deity.
The document discusses atheism and reasons for not believing in God. It defines atheism as a lack of belief or strong disbelief in God(s). It argues that religions are incompatible with scientific understandings of the universe and lack evidence for their claims. The document asserts that if an all-knowing, all-loving God existed, there would be more fairness in the world rather than observable punishments and rewards determined by human societies. It concludes that atheism and science have been proven right over religions in recent decades, motivating many to abandon faith in an unseen deity.
The document discusses atheism and reasons for not believing in God. It defines atheism as a lack of belief or strong disbelief in God(s). It argues that religions are incompatible with scientific understandings of the universe and lack evidence for their claims. The document asserts that if an all-knowing, all-loving God existed, there would be more fairness in the world rather than observable punishments and rewards determined by human societies. It concludes that atheism and science have been proven right over religions in recent decades, motivating many to abandon faith in an unseen deity.
“Is my religion true?”, “Is God real?” and “Is there an afterlife?” are millennia old questions that generations of humans have asked of themselves, as well as others. The pursuit of such questions – and its numerous answers - have led to bloody war, persecution and strife throughout the history of humankind. The many answers to these questions themselves have given rise to many religions and systems of beliefs throughout the ages, some of which prevail to this modern day, while may doesn’t. Nevertheless, insofar as Atheists are concerned the answer to these questions is a resounding “NO”. As the Merriam-Webster dictionary exemplarily describes Atheism is “a lack of belief or a strong disbelief in the existence of a god or any gods” or a philosophical or religious position characterized by disbelief in the existence of a god or any gods”. (Atheism, n.d.) Notably, this definition can also extend to disbelief of the ‘supernatural’ or ‘spiritual beings’ – although this seemingly small difference depends on individual perceptions. Atheism is quickly becoming more prevalent in the past century, with it being accepted as the ‘Truth’, due to the fact that it conflicts with science, lack of religious evidence and the question of a hypothetical God’s ‘indifferent’. A major issue with religions in the modern age is their incompatibility and conflict with our rapidly progressing understanding of the universe that science provides. During the last few centuries, scientists have developed solutions that are much more logical, more consistent, and better supported by evidence while religions asks of their followers to place their ‘faith’ on its doctrines and its purported ‘Truth’. A classical example of this is the debate of “Creationism vs Evolution”. Almost all religions lay claim to their own ‘Truth’ of how humans, and the universe itself, came into being – whether it be through a Goddess shaping clay into her likeness or a God birthing the universe through splitting the “chaos” with his axe. In contrast scientists closely examine the similarities in features and DNA between species, draw their ecological adaptability to ancient environments and methodically research the ‘Theory of Evolution’. To compare religions that demand blind ‘faith’ with scientifically proven and researched ‘Theory of Evolution’ – the reasons for a majority of highly accomplished scientists and intellectuals being atheists are self-evident. (Beck, 2002) A issue just as significant is the lack of ‘evidence of God(s)’ – or even ‘miracles’. While many religions claim their deity/deities to be ‘immaterial’ or ‘unfathomable’ – the cold, hard truth of the matter is that there has been no plausible event recorded that can conclusively prove that God(s) exist. Sure, every religion would have a ‘holy book’ detailing the ‘glorious deeds’ or ‘proof of existence’ of their deity/deities in ages past. However, the fact is that no irrefutable and tangible exists to this day – no immortal monument that defies physics or recorded “Glory”. If a God/Goddess truly existed, He/She would be truly indifferent, even apathetic towards humanity – which goes against the premise that “God is All-loving” purported by most religions. Seldom is there a religion that claims their deity/deities to not ‘love all of humanity’. Another assertion is that They are ‘All-knowing’ or in some way omniscient. So, why does such a ‘All-knowing’ and ‘All-loving’ deity condone the ‘sins’ of mankind. A victim of abuse, a falsely charged man and devout believer is just as likely to face the hurdles of life as a serial killer and blasphemer is to enjoy a windfall. There is no inherent ‘fairness’ Atheism 3
imposed by such a diety – observable punishments for sinners and rewards for the devout and innocent – beyond that which mankind ha created through societies’ ‘morals’ and ‘law’. (Reasons people choose atheism, 2009) An argument that many religions use to prove their deity’s ‘indirect’ existence is their so called ‘miracles’. A typically used example is the healthy recovery of a patient with a terminal illness. However, these so called ‘miracles’ are most of the time things that can only be explained through the fringes of science or require more scientific discovery and research on. Similar to a Placebo effect, there are some quirks of the universe that are common and deterministic enough to be called a ‘law of the universe’ rather than the indirect interference or manipulation by an unseen and ‘unfathomable’ deity. Oftentimes, there have been cases of ‘miracles’ when revisited, can be explained through our rapidly advancing science. (Agoncillo, 2015) Another argument by many shallow believers is that the existence of their deity gives them ‘strength’ and moral guidance – while keeping in line ‘sinners’. While this may have been a valid point centuries ago when civil rights, laws and morals were not as established, at the modern age the basic civil rights and the law serve this purpose. Frankly, the existence of an unseen deity looking over your shoulder to judge you is unnerving to many atheists. Furthermore, a life without the rules and limitations of religions – and even the rituals such as the genital mutilation of infants – can be liberating, where you do good not out of a fear of going to hell but out of your own violation. (Cinman, 2015) Ultimately, Atheism - and the principles of science - has been proven many times over the recent decades, triumphing over the doctrines of religions, motivating many people to abandon ‘faith’ and ‘purpose’ in an unseen deity’s “Plan” and seek for themselves their own worth and purpose in life. Atheism 4
References Agoncillo, B. (2015, December 31). 10 Biblical Miracles Explained By Science. Retrieved from dottolife.com: https://dottolife.com/10-biblical-miracles-explained-by-science/
Beck, A. (2002, December 2). Thesis: Evolution and Creationism are controversial issues that scientists and theologians are trying to find a common ground to explain how it all started. Retrieved from goshen.edu: https://www.goshen.edu/bio/Biol410/bsspapers02/alyssa.htm
Cinman, J. (2015, February 26). The five best reasons not to believe in God. Retrieved from Daily Maverik: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2015-02-26-the-five-best-reasons- not-to-believe-in-god/
Reasons people choose atheism. (2009, 10 22). Retrieved from BBC:
