Atheists Essay - 928 Words

Atheists There are quite a few people who have made important contributions to atheism, scepticism, agnosticism and religious critique through history. This page serves as an index to a series of short biographies of some of those individuals. Included here are historians, philosophers, statesmen, lawyers, scientists and more. Although separated by time and profession, what unites them is a common interest in reason, skepticism and critical thinking - in particular when it comes to traditional beliefs and religious dogmas. This has played an important role in the development of religion and theology over the centuries because the challenges and questions posed by these and similar individuals†¦show more content†¦However, after learning more about other religious traditions, this same person may adopt a much more critical attitude towards their own religion and even religion generally, eventually coming to reject not only it but also belief in the existence of any gods. Another possible reason for atheism may originate in bad experiences with a religion. A person might grow up with or convert to a religious faith which they eventually find to be oppressive, hypocritical, evil, or otherwise unworthy of following. The consequence of this for many is to become critical of that religion, but in some cases, a person may become critical of all religions and, as with the previous explanation, even critical of belief in the existence of gods. Many atheists find their way to disbelief through science. Over the centuries science has come to offer explanations of aspects of our word which were once the exclusive domain of religion. Because scientific explanations have been more productive than religious or theistic explanations, the ability of religion to demand allegiance has weakened. As a result, some people have come to entirely reject not only religion, but also belief in the existence of a god. For them, gods are useless asShow MoreRelatedOn Being an Atheist1605 Words   |  7 PagesIn the article, â€Å"On Being an Atheist†, H.J. McCloskey discusses the reasons of why he believes being an atheist is a more acceptable than Christianity. McCloskey believes that atheism is a more rational belief versus having a God who allows people to suffer so he can have the glory. He believes to live in this world, you must be comfortable. The introduction of his article, he implements an overview of arguments given by the theist, which he introduces as proofs. He claims that the proofs do notRead MoreDifferences Between Atheists And Atheists2316 Words   |  10 PagesAn important question to both theists and atheists is whether we are able to be good without God. It centres around whether we have the ability to have objective moral standards regardless of whether God does or doesn’t exist. Theists obviously think of God as a source of moral strength and believe that he is the reason we have moral beliefs as well as being able to lead good moral lives. However, atheists can just as easily claim that they lead good moral lives, and have strong morals, even thoughRead MoreOn Being an Atheist1378 Words   |  6 PagesThe purpose of the paper is to answer several questions arising from an article by H. J. McCloskey entitled â€Å"On Being an Atheist†. McCloskey makes the claim that he is reminding fellow atheist why they believe there is no God. He claims that the traditional proofs have no merit. I believe the sheer magnitude and complexity of the world we live in is strong evidence of an intelligent designer and creator. Only an intelligent creator could form a world where the air that we breathe is part ofRead MoreThe, Atheists, Or Agonists980 Words   |  4 PagesI find it interesting that for people who have no religious affiliation, or belief in God, form these groups of â€Å"nones†, atheists, or agonists. What strikes me as interesting is that while they may not believe or struggle to believe or support a particular faith or religion, they feel the need to form large groups or organizations that defends their right not to believe. We all have our basic human rights and freedoms to express ourselves as we see personally fit. So why do people feel the needRead MoreOn Being an Atheist1280 Words   |  5 Pagest hat an atheist can find and receive strength and comfort from one’s friends and loved ones rather than the â€Å"cold comfort in religious belief† (1968, p. 54). Atheists are not the only ones that can find and receive strength and comfort from loved ones. One can receive the same comfort whether you be a Christian, atheist, or Muslim. Therefore, this point is moot as any comfort from God is additional to the comfort that anyone can receive. Secondly, he states that thoughtful, sensitive atheists will beRead MoreThe On Being An Atheist2317 Words   |  10 Pagesâ€Å"Most theists do not come to believe in God as a result of reflecting on the proofs, but come to religion as a result of other reasons and factors.† (McCloskey, H.J., â€Å"On Being an Atheist†. Question 1. February 1968.) To simply say that God exists â€Å"because† is not a valid argument of proof by any means. To say that God exists because that’s what you were taught or bec ause someone told you it was right, or because some event that you believe he saved you from is also invalid. McCloskey argues thatRead MoreSummary Of On Being An Atheist1341 Words   |  6 PagesFor many years theists and atheists have argued with one another over the existence of a creator, or God. H.J. McCloskey published his thoughts on the matter in a journal article in 1968 titled â€Å"On Being an Atheist†. In his article McCloskey aims to discredit cosmological and teleological arguments for a creator and he uses the existence of evil in the world as evidence that a divine creator cannot exist. McCloskey routinely refers to the cosmological and teleological arguments as believers’ â€Å"proof†Read MoreI am an Atheist521 Words   |  2 PagesI am so used to being hushed on this topic; I am hesitant to even write about it. Maybe I have tunnel vision. Maybe its just the South. But the minute I use the word Atheist, people stop listening. The first time I told my mother I was an Atheist, I was fourteen, but to be truthful, I was probably an Atheist at seven. When I told her, she slammed on her breaks, turned to me with her characteristically bulging rage-face, and said, Dont you ever say that in front of me again. She thinks itsRead MoreAnalysis Of The Article On Being An Atheist 1504 Words   |  7 PagesTheists and atheists have debated the existence of God for eons. Is there a God? If there is an all-powerful, omniscient being of sorts, then what proof do we have that he exists? If God does exist then why is there so much evil in the world? Why do innocent people suffer? Such questions may never be answered definitively. In the article â€Å"On Being an Atheist,† H.J. McCloskey presents some arguments made by theists in favor of the existence of God and then proceeds to debate those arguments from anRead MoreAnalysis Of The Article On Being An Atheist 1538 Words   |  7 Pagesbeen used to support the ex istence of a divine being includes the cosmological argument and the theological argument. However there are some who oppose these arguments and philosopher H.J. McCloskey is among this group. In the article â€Å"On Being an Atheist† written by H.J. McCloskey, he argues that both these arguments are false and insufficient as it relates to â€Å"proof† of God’s existence. McCloskey believes that without proper proof, we must completely dismiss the idea of God’s existence. In his well-written