the atheist kith

[Compte de Yoyo]

I noticed that atheists are generally people who are very logical people who need proof.

Also, doesn't it bother you that after your earthly existence there will be nothing else? Or do you still believe in an afterlife?

I'm in the science/medical field and help patients feel better and get healthier every day. I'm also very creative (low level independent contractor in "arts" and sell graphics online/game companies and am currently trying to figure out the mechanics of photography). I went to Catholic school for 12 years (and did very well in all my religion classes!), my grandparents were Buddhist and two decade long friends of mine are Pagan. I don't need everything nailed down and proved for me although I like learning and researching things.

I've never been anything else but atheist simply because there's so many other people, religions and history out there that I don't believe in any one thing. The afterlife*, lack of or not, doesn't bother me because I live my life to the best of my ability NOW, following both my heart/emotions and mind/logic. It's sort of like, I'm "good for goodness sake" not because there's karma, god or Santa

* note : I sincerely believe in retirement, however, and have been funding that ..religiously

[Greebo]

Fortunately for the atheist community... we do not have 'leaders' (indeed 'leading' atheists has been compared to 'herding cats'). So the irrational/illogical atheists are generally marginalized. Much unlike the 'Christian' world... where the irrational can, and often do, lead the pack.

Though we do have our more prominent figures.

For example - Objectivists like myself study and follow the philosophy of Ayn Rand, which is a carefully constructed logical framework that starts with the nature of existence (metaphysics, epistemology) and ends with morality, ethics, politics and aesthetics. But while we respect Ayn Rand's philosophical work, we don't attribute to her any special attributes. She was a human and no doubt made her own mistakes - especially in the arena of personal relationships.

[Greebo]

I don't know all that much about Ayn Rand, her works just never interested me.

As an author of fiction, she's so-so. Anthem is a neat idea. The Fountainhead was pretty good. Atlas Shrugged dragged the story out for*EVER*.

As a philosopher, I found her ideas to be extremely influential. The "three axioms" she talks about, which form the core of Objectivism, are fascinating to me in that they cannot be denied without first accepting their premises.

[Spudnic]

May I join? Love reading all the posts. I've been an atheist since high school (well, all my life I've felt the need to question and think, not until H.S. did I understand what the word meant and that it described my (lack of) belief) and married a fellow atheist. I'm also a democrat and am really glad to hear President Obama include non-believers when talking about Americans. We count, too!!

Someone asked a bit upthread about "The God Who Wasn't There" - it is excellent, as is "Religulous". Also check out "Saved" (w/ Mandy Moore) "Jesus Camp" and "Blasphemy" Great films for the non-believer!

Nice to find you all!

[nikinicole]

I wouldn't call myself an Atheist, but I do not consider myself part of any organized religion. Maybe Heathen, maybe Agnostic, maybe Pagen, but I prefer not to label my spirituality.

I believe in a higher power, and I feel like I have a great relationship with him/her/it. I don't feel that my higher power ever gets jealous or vengeful. I feel like I am in my 'church' whenever I am involved with nature and the earth. I feel like I practice my spirituality when I help people in need. I believe that we are all connected and that we should treat each other with love because we are all the same. I have a great faith in the human race. I do believe I have a soul. I believe in emotion and energy. I don't believe specifically in 'Heaven' or 'Hell' but I think that depending on how you live your life, you can create either one on Earth. I'm not sure what happens in the afterlife, maybe we get reborn, maybe we go somewhere else, but I'm not really worried about it. I don't feel like I will ever not exist.

[Greebo]

I wouldn't call myself an Atheist, but I do not consider myself part of any organized religion. Maybe Heathen, maybe Agnostic, maybe Pagen, but I prefer not to label my spirituality.

I believe in a higher power, and I feel like I have a great relationship with him/her/it. I don't feel that my higher power ever gets jealous or vengeful. I feel like I am in my 'church' whenever I am involved with nature and the earth. I feel like I practice my spirituality when I help people in need. I believe that we are all connected and that we should treat each other with love because we are all the same. I have a great faith in the human race. I do believe I have a soul. I believe in emotion and energy. I don't believe specifically in 'Heaven' or 'Hell' but I think that depending on how you live your life, you can create either one on Earth. I'm not sure what happens in the afterlife, maybe we get reborn, maybe we go somewhere else, but I'm not really worried about it. I don't feel like I will ever not exist.

Just FYI - this kith is for atheists - not "non-Christians".

Belief in any mystical higher power, however you define it, disqualifies you from this group.

Not that we don't like you! Just you can't join *this* club. Sorry.

[Spudnic]

nikinicole, I did see a non-christian kith while lurking around last night. Lots of people there who's beliefs are very similar to yours. Check it out!

[Greebo]

Yeah check out "Open minded non Christians".

Atheists are closed minded non Christians.

[nikinicole]

Thanks Spudnic, I'll keep my eyes open for it.

"Open minded non Christians" I like that.

[Ivvy]

Hello fellow atheists

[acidcookie]

I was going to reply to this today and saw that I already did a long time ago! Hi again!

I actually try to follow Buddhist teachings now, but that is a philosophy on life as suggested by Buddha, a human. I still do not believe in a God.