Quote from austinp:
My questions earlier today were merely an attempt to understand the benefits of being an atheist. Surely there must be benefits... why else would such a (negative) belief system exist?
You speak as a true relativist--as if only utility mattered, and the truth or falsehood of a belief system has no bearing at all.
It is not the case. Fervent belief in falsehoods leads to a willingness to distort reality, and eventually even the necessity of distorting reality, which in turn usually leads to bad ends. Incorrect beliefs about the universe tend to have consequences. Believe something outrageous enough (Christian Scientists' rejection of medicine for example) and the belief can kill you.
Quote from austinp:
Christians hope to grow, empower and uplift others by spreading their belief. What would an atheist belief add to my life? Security? Peace of mind? Absence of fear = anxiety = depression? Positive outlook on life? Desire to uplift and enhance others around me?
Oh really? How is it empowering and uplifting, exactly, to believe that 99% of all humanity is destined to be tortured in eternal hellfire for all time? How is it empowering and uplifting to have a belief system that forces distortion and contortion to hold on to it in the face of overwhelming evidence that the central tenets of the belief system are false? How is it empowering to embrace a worldview that thrives on ignorance and withers in the face of logical examination?
(By the way, before you assume me an atheist in your reply, I'll save you the trouble by pointing out that I am agnostic.)
In putting the question of truth or falsehood aside, you basically promote Christianity as a superior metanarrative vis a vis atheism. But you are ignorant to do this, because:
1) Atheism in itself is not a metanarrative; a lack of belief does not speak to the state or composition of the things one does believe is true. An atheist may yet lead a life full of joy and rich in meaning, apart from metaphysical questions. In assuming that the metaphysical must imbue meaning, you incorrectly project your own reality onto others.
and
2) There are far more compelling, and logical, metanarratives that one can embrace if one chooses. Even from a purely utilitarian perspective, the idea that the Christian life is the best life is easily punched full of holes. Popular religion survives and thrives by avoiding meaningful confrontation with the alternatives, not by actually winning in a fair fight. Most intellectual / philosophical victories that Christians claim were actually false battles waged against poorly constructed strawmen. Nor is this to pick on Christians alone, as such applies to all dogmatic popular religions.
