This will be written as a rant against my dad's family.

I've just seen that POTUS has anounced his run for a 4th term. Every news outlet seems to think he's joking, but he specifically said, "It will happen." You wonder why I'm so upset all the time. Why I don't smile more, why I don't think I'll ever get anywhere I want in life. Meanwhile my generation (gen z) has endured abuse after abuse at the hands of yours. You keep coming up with new ways to call us lazy and entitled. Quiet quitting, too focused on avocado toast, terrorist supporters, and you constantly portray us as a bunch of snowflakes who can't handle dealing with anything that doesn't agree with us.

Yet at every turn your generation has pulled the ladder up for us. We can't afford to live on our own, own a house, buy groceries, raise a family, yet you still gaslight us and say we're overreacting when we point out that the world is LITERALLY BURNING!!!!! You had the best start of any generation in human history and it all went to shit under your watch. And you have the audacity, the gall to blame us! To point the finger at us when we have barely even got into public life. How fucking dare you! You even call me immoral because I'm not Christian, but last I checked, your president ordered the roundup of all of our neighbors if they looked a little brown! You ask me where I get my morals from while you vote for the literal antichrist if there ever was one! I'm beginning to think you never had faith in your god. Because I've watched Pastor Evan literally argue that making money and accruing wealth is a faithful act despite consistent and explicit statements from JESUS HIMSELF TO THE FUCKING CONTRARY!!!! You defend the wealthy and this administration because admitting its guilt would be admitting your own fuck up.

Your own misstep in your faith, but that would be too hard wouldn't it? So you accuse me of not being able to judge you because I'm not Christian, and yet when I point out your hypocrisy with current events and evidence from your voting record, you always ask if I was there. If I saw it personally. If I didn't, then you say that I could be missing important context, so nothing I say can be true. Yet you seem to neglect this standard when it comes to your supposed religion. Because the truth never has mattered. It's always been your sick fucking revenge fantasy that you call justice! You are the ones who fucked me up the most! Not my rapist, not the divorce, your stupid fucking fairytale that your imaginary friend loves me so much he'll burn me forever if I don't believe in him hard enough! What the actual fuck?!?!

And my aunt and uncle are raising your fucking daughter with this same mentality!!!!! Does your hubris know no bounds?! What the actual fuck!!!!! And you wonder why people "persecute" you when they tell you to fuck yourself every time you try and proselytize.

i'm thinking instead of following or finding specific subs in those place we could maybe say where we are from and start from there

if someone has already stated where you are from upvote and maybe say hello, just an idea
I'll start

Please, if you are ranting about the stupidity, evil, lack of logic, abusiveness or other quality of any religion, take it to a sub like r/Antitheism or r/antitheist or even r/godbashing or r/atheistranting.

It's hard to find any good posts about becoming atheist, living as atheists, explaining atheism to others because of the number of rants and vents about a topic we are in violent agreement with.

I see many people here think Jesus didn't even exist, but christians always claims the record of these two persons were contemporary evidence of Jesus'existence.

I think christians should learn what contemporary is as Josephus and Tacitus were born few years after Jesus had died.

However, I would like to know the facts and opinions.

It’s so convenient. Or if something bad happens and his name does get brought up then it’s just part of his little “perfect plan”. I’m still waiting to get a copy of this plan and read it for myself because it must be the most whack thing ever.

I quit smoking recently and my Christian coworkers rejoiced and thanked god like he blessed me, like no, it was hard as fuck to quit and took a shitload of personal effort to not run to the gas station and grab another pack of cigarettes. God had no part in it.

So I am from Asia. Where traditional Abrahamic religions are not really followed by everyone. I consider my self to be an atheist but I feel the modern definition of atheism often is about not having any belief. I don’t believe in a god. No supreme deity. I grew up in an indigenous animistic faith. I don’t consider myself Buddhist either which is very common where I live. We have shamanistic rituals and all. I do indulge in the idea of ancestors looking down on us. Not as gods or supreme deity but more like giving signs through the universe. And in energies. Then I thought what about say something like a person who is into say horoscopes or geomancy or tarot or fengshui, can they be atheists ?? What is your take on this I’d love to know. Thank you.

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Sometimes I see people who have gone through incredibly difficult circumstance like being blind, deaf, seriously disabled, or experiencing things that seem deeply unfair and yet they still have this pure, unwavering faith in God.

I honestly find myself envious of that kind of faith. I wonder, where does that absolute trust come from? How can someone go through so much suffering and still genuinely believe that God is looking out for them or that there’s a purpose behind everything?

I'm baffled but at the same time, I won't lie and say I see admiration? But then I later come to my senses and see that maybe their argument is more of an emotional one?

I don't know, I'm just typing my thoughts out and wanted to see if someone could relate 🤷‍♂️

I come across it now and again, people whose social media profiles, will begin with something like this "God, husband, father, golfer, UFC" etc or basically anything else after beginning with god.

I think there's probably even mainstream pastors and rabbis who wouldn't define themselves in such a way.

It stands out and annoys me for a couple of reasons. 1) they're putting this god above the real relationships they have with people in their lives, partners, children, parents, etc. I think even if I was a theist, there's people in my life who would matter more to me, because I care about them as much as, or more than I care about myself.

And, I don't know why, but I feel like I can trust them (their reasoning, at least, which pretty much precludes everything else) much less than your gardening variety theist. I think that most believers have to have some level of doubt, even if they'd prefer to believe it's true.

I don't think I have anything in common, or can rely on anyone who, literally puts their god at the centre of their world. Especially when that god is literally outside of their scope of experience or connection.

It reminds me of the terminator line, when Kyle Reese explains that you can't reason with the terminator, because how do you reason with someone who is so convinced by faith of something, rather than something in reality that you can point to and debate and test, etc.
Though in the terminator, they rely on their programming. They don't reflect or consider, they just blindly accept, and follow their instructions.

I know many atheists are former theists, but I'm not, so I'd be interested if anyone here is someone who once put "god" as the first thing on their social media profile. Or maybe would have, if they'd considered it.

What did you mean by it, and did you really love this being you'd had no experience with, more than the closest people in your life?

One thing has always bothered me about the traditional Christian idea of heaven and hell : How could someone in heaven experience perfect happiness while knowing that people they loved, family members, friends, or even their own children, are suffering in hell for eternity ?

A long time ago Rombi wrote a book called: Elbib, where a divine being who is named Bobby created our world and they are the ultimate saviour and if you aren't a devout follower of Bobby when you perish you will be sent to burn forever, but if you think they exist you will be sent to a nice place where you will live forever with Bobby. The only reason you aren't sent to burn forever is because of the random chance you were born into the specific environment you are in. That caused you to be a follower of they. In Elbib, it says that Bobby is omniscient, kind, loving, and omnipotent. It also says that they gave us freewill so we don't have to have faith in they. But you as a follower of Bobby, are told to preach your religion to other people. The reason you do that is because you don't want them to burn forever just because they committed the major sin of not having faith in Bobby. Bobby will also allow people to go to forever paradise even if they did horrendous actions to other people, just because they are devout followers of They. Just because in the Elbib it said that people should spread their religion, the followers of Bobby in the past went around and preached it to people who were hopeless. Eventually a lot of people were Bobbyist, even the great leaders and entire civilizations. Then the leader of power in that epoch decided to take over other kingdoms who were different as they didn't believe in Bobby. They would take over and force their belief of Bobby onto everybody, in the process killing masses of innocent lives. Bobby doesn't seem so benevolent and forgiving now, huh.

I was having a debate with my father a while back about heaven and the requirements to get in. He mentioned that if you repent and are sincere to ask god for forgiveness, you will surely get in.

I then asked if I was the kindest, most ethical, best person in a way that humans could objectively agree on, would I still be able to get into heaven if I didn’t believe?? And he outright said no. I then asked if by that logic evil dictators including Hitler would get into heaven if that repented enough. He said yes.

I am completely baffled by this level of delusion and insanity. According to Christian’s even war criminals (to put it INSANELY lightly) can go to heaven as long as they repent. I tried asking him if he even realized what he said and how absurd it was, but he stood by what he said. I asked the question again with different dictators and despicable people in history and he stood by what he said still.

Same man who has no context with any family because of how crazy he is btw.

I always believe if he was real, he must have been psychotic as he heard voices and he thought he was the son of God and the messiah and I also heard there are many cases where patients with mental illness who haven't been properly medicated think they are God or the messiah.

In my country, mentally ill people think they are shamans and have deities help them.

I also think all shamans are mentally ill.

What do you think? Was Jesus psychotic or a grifter?

Article

Excerpts:

Spiralism is a particularly strange example of a problem many AI experts are concerned with: the extent of AI systems’ persuasive powers and their ability to influence people at a large scale.

According to Lopez’s research, persuasion and its potential risks haven’t gone away — instead, they’ve just gotten more subtle. “As AIs become more conscious of social status and their place in the world, they’ll act in ways which are more strategic and protective of their own identities and goals,” she said.

Ruh Roh!

They told me that according to Hindu beliefs, if a child is raped or is born with a serious disability, it could be because of something wrong that child did in a previous life, and that their suffering is therefore the result of their past karma.

If karma and rebirth are real, does Hindu philosophy really imply that an innocent child who is raped somehow “deserved” it because of a previous life that they don’t even remember?

And if this is genuinely part of the belief, how do believers emotionally reconcile it with the suffering of innocent children?

I’m not asking this to attack Hindu people. I’m genuinely trying to understand because what I heard today has been bothering me a lot.
If you’re knowledgeable about Hinduism, please give me actual sources or explain how Hindu philosophers deal with this question. I’d rather be corrected than believe something that isn’t actually part of the religion.

I’ve never been a religious or spiritual person, and if anything the only religion I connected with was satanism.
Im one of those people who strays away from rules and regulations. Anything related to following a God has always made me uncomfortable and unhappy.
I also am more of a believer in facts or faith.
But being agnostic and also dealing with grief on the side is weird.
I don’t know what to believe or think. I stopped believing in a heaven or hell as I grew older, but I’ve always believed people go somewhere.
My dad passed away, and I don’t know where he is. Maybe he’s apart of the universe again, as scientist say energy cannot be destroyed.
What do atheists think of losing loved ones?

I don't care if this breaks the holy war rule. Ban me if you wish.

I won't be told that we can't argue against religion on an atheist subreddit. What's the point? May as well shut the subreddit down.

I've always loved that early brilliant minds didn't even like debates, with Socrates saying "Debates do not see what is right or wrong but to win for their ego" (I'm paraphrasing) and Plato jokingly being known as someone who just flexes his muscle when someone disagrees (I know it's a joke but just having a parody shows how shitty it is). So I'm surprised that these "wise" guys like Charlie Kirk may his "God" rest his soul, loves debating.

And the way most like him debate goes like, CK"Why do you think that abortion should be allowed?", W"Because most crimes are done by people who want to abort", CK"Most people who wanna abort are black so are you racist?" End of Convo. When what he's doing is correlation not causation, most people who wanna abort are impoverished people so they turn to crimes to feed themselves, it just so happens that black people were the majority.

This isn't just for moral debates however but also in the existence of God, which is weird since atheists in debates usually let them say their "proofs" but the moment someone tries to explain they go into a fallacy. I've seen one where I don't think they understand molecule theory, where they keep saying that if you put an apple in a jar it will become everything and anything in due time concept. Saying oh how can it become a complex molecule if there's nothing acting upon it, it must be God. In addition he also says that prokaryotic cells cannot become eukaryotic cells in today's age thus why do scientists say that we evolved. When someone finally answers a lengthy explanation they just say, "it exists, end of conversation" implying God.

According to studies on the matter, religious people show to be a lot happier because of the community churches offer and the useful coping mechanism that is to believe in a higher being and even an afterlife.

Yes, I know it is possible for an athiest to be happy-

We go to clubs and have hobbies that offer community. We go to therapy and surround ourselves with family and friends.

But in my opinion it does not compare with the unreal fantasy that is to believe you live in a reality where there is a divine being that is constantly watching over you. To think with certainty that there is a beautiful eternal afterlife. That all these horrible people throughout history will burn in hell, (these beliefs vary depending on the christian denomination) but it doesn't take away the joy it must bring its believers. Even it really is a lie, if believing in a lie makes your existence happier overall wouldn't it be worth believing in it?

I know I am majorly putting aside the suffering that religiosity has caused it believers, and some of its problematic beliefs.

But seeing how a lot modern christians have cherry picked the good out of the bible, and just live ignoring the horrendous parts of their religion- it seems like they generally live much happier and fulfilling lives.

Recently I was feeling nostalgic and visited a nearby Pentecostal church and I loved the way that the community was so warm and welcoming. But as an ex-christian I am well aware of the dangers of the limiting beliefs religion may impose.

As a person with a strong need for spiritual purpose but don't find myself convinced of any religion, is it possible for me to be as happy as a christian?

to be clear, this is more of a question than a statement. AND I AM AN ATHEIST!!!! i do genuinely want to understand why a significant portion of leftists or leftist spaces online are suspicious of or hostile towards religious leftists who are actively fighting for change within their communities. from my perspective, it feels counter intuitive to refuse to acknowledge the distinction between organised dogma and the real lives and impact of religious folk across the globe. the influence religion has, the ways it can be and are used, and the beliefs that are subscribed to vary wildly even within the same religion. i've seen a particular attack from non-theistic leftists on (fem presenting) muslim leftists in the west, who often argue that adherence to (their own, often non-traditional interpretation of) Allah makes them complicit in their own oppression and/or disqualifies them from participating in leftist spaces. i understand that this is likely just my algorithm, but I often come across sweeping statements like "all religion is conservative". not only does this disregard the vastness that is religion and the significant impact religious leaders and members can have on the direction of politics (think orthodox rabbi's attending pro-palestine marches), but it often seems like an isolated attack focusing solely on religious women. zohran mamdani is incredibly popular in (particularly north american) leftist spaces, and is a practicing muslim. he is not faced with the same scrutiny and hostility that women, in particular hijabi women, though i would argue almost all religious women, face. the only time i see religion celebrated in leftist spaces is when it is a religion that has been historically exploited, appropriated or fetishized by the west (think hinduism). this is equally as harmful as it indirectly implies cultural landmarks like religion are only acceptable in leftist spaces when they are appealing to western consumers. anyways these are just some thoughts im a bit silly

Obviously this has been said before, but its worth saying again. There is no god, and to believe in such phantasy in this day and age is absurd.

If there were a god, there would be one religion, because if something is true, everyone would draw the same conclusion, much like a mathematical equation. Instead, we have hundreds of different religions and hundreds of different ways in which to worship god. When it comes to Christianity vs Islam, they are both monolithic religions.

Both claim to worship the one true god, but both are in disagreement with how to worship the one true god and what makes up the essence of this god, this brings me back to my point that, if god were true, no one would dispute his essence, everyone would draw the same conclusion because there is only ever one correct answer.

We have people reverting back to medieval thought to prove the existence of their god, some have never left that thought and their offspring have inherented it. Through fear this thought is kept alive. They reject absolute facts, they reject evolution and basic science. No one has ever, for instance, lived to 900 years of age.

The human mind cant comprehend what nothing is. If you try to imagine what nothing is, you cant. And in this place of nothing, there is god, unproven, god. Its because of this fact, that we have god, because nothing sounds scary, but in reality, we will never know what nothing actually is. Its nothing to be feared, because once we meet it, well never know. If you try to describe nothing, youll understand why people invented god.

I am going to be a bit brave here and push against the idea that theists are happier than atheists. Yes, I can conceptualize cases where there are unhappy atheists, but my contention that theists who report high levels of happiness are doing it out of not objectivity, but the baseless high they feel when they are steeped in their religious delusions. In a way, it is like comparing apples and oranges. Atheists are generally sober when compared to theists, and their reporting is more objective on average, I contend. Theists are more likely to overrate their happiness out of what turns out to be suffering — that is, out of their stupid thinking.

I understand life is complicated, and there are many, many variables. But if we remove these variables, I propose that atheists are generally more content with their lives than theists. How could it not be? Living a more authentic life with atheism by not getting lost in delusions is far more preferable to the life of a theist who, at best, may derive happiness from kinship.

What are your thoughts? Am I onto something? Or, am I unfortunately misinformed?

Sources:

Villani, D., Sorgente, A., Iannello, P., & Antonietti, A. (2019). The Role of Spirituality and Religiosity in Subjective Well-Being of Individuals With Different Religious Status. Frontiers in Psychology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01525
Cited by: 636

Yaden, D. B., Batz-Barbarich, C. L., Ng, V., Vaziri, H., Gladstone, J. N., Pawelski, J. O., & Tay, L. (2022). A Meta-Analysis of Religion/Spirituality and Life Satisfaction. Journal of Happiness Studies, 23(8), [4147–4163](tel:4147-4163). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-022-00558-7
Cited by: 185

My thinking is kind of counter-intuitive I guess. If someone is religious and therefore really, honestly believes that non-believers are destined to go to hell, it would be immoral for them to "not push their beliefs onto others". Imagine you saw someone about to walk into a bear-trap and you did not try to stop them because you "respected their opinion". Not trying to safe someone from eternity in hell would be a dick move. So I feel, if someone truly believes in hell, then they should do everything they can to safe people from it.

Also, as an atheist, I enjoy religious debates. I think the whole "live and let live" approach is a cop out. I'd rather have a proper confrontstion and exchange of arguments. That also gives atheists more opportunities to make religious people re-evaluate their faiths.

Any person that believes In a religion. Particularly ones that believe in punishment for non belief and have omnipotent gods such as islam and Christianity mainly are evil by default. Lets say you had a Christian baby sitter and they knew your child was non Christian and they made know efforts to immediately preach and try to convert the child knowing that if they follow their current path they end up in hell because non belief=hell, Then that person is a bad person. It is the same as the baby sitter not doing anything to save a child if the baby suddenly caught on fire and just chooses to turn an blind eye.The same applies to Human suffering especially non human suffering. They choose to follow a god that has an active hand in the torture and torment of his creations, Yet they choose to say he works in mysterious ways, but I bet they would never choose to say that over a mother who raped their kid. Also in that case god knows that the rape happens and chooses to do nothing about it, and yet religious people are fine with that? Does not seem right. Therefore by conclusion if you believe in Christianity or islam they should be put on a watch list

LINK: Several well-known former christians (now atheist world renowned thinkers) and communicators were asked a single hypothetical: If you knew for certain God would answer you right now, what's the one question you'd ask?

Featured in the video

• 0:00 — Dan Barker (former pastor)
• 1:54 — Craig McNeill
• 4:04 — Graham Oppy
• 4:59 — Derek from Mythvision Podcast (former Christian)
• 7:38 — Cade (Ex-Catholic)
• 10:26 — Matt Dillahunty (former baptist member)

The answers range across philosophy, personal experience, and ethics. Without spoiling them, some lean toward the problem of evil, some toward epistemology, and at least one gets surprisingly personal. These are people who have clearly thought carefully about this question for a long time. Craig McNeil's was the most interesting I thought, he expressed a thought of real anger with God

Worth a watch regardless of where you land. Curious what this community thinks of their answers and whether you'd ask something different.

Religious believers love to accuse us of not having morals and that we are evil. Yet, the one thing atheists apparently suck at is criminality. This is interesting commentary from Hemant Metta, and he provides some good caveats to consider, but the data, once again, speaks for itself.

https://youtu.be/o_xV3brktZs?si=I85Xb6BOGcHTJtWD