Why do atheists (like me) care about things?

Some religious people seem to think that if you're an atheist, and there is no divine purpose to your life, then there's no reason for you to care about yourself, your community, the people around you, etc.

But caring about stuff in general isn't a product of someone's religion, it's a product of being human. E.g. Why do men like sports and power tools? There's no justified reasoning behind it, they just do: that's how their brains work.

Likewise, there is no justified "reason" why I care about science and philosophy, I just do, because that's who I am.

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[GermanConquistador08]

Probably for the same reason that religious people care about things even though they believe in an afterlife and eventually, for the most part, this life as we know it will end someday. Lets all talk about whats important and not WHY we talk about it, because its for the same reason, a brighter future and a better life.

[Venaloid]

@GermanConquistador08 - Agreed, but some religious people seriously believe that atheists must be depressed and suicidal because they don't think they have an objective purpose to their lives, which is what I wanted to respond to.

[ericpao81]

You could have just said that you have to care because, how a society functions directly effects your ONE life. YOU have no choice but to care. I care about religion as an atheist because it directly effects my life, especially through politics. The mindset of the Delusional infiltrates the leaders of the world and cause them to do irrational things to it, which in turn hinders progress. This is NOT the world that I wish my daughter to have to grow up in....therefore I care. Etc...

[Venaloid]

@ericpao81 - Yeah, I could have just said that and stopped there, but the next question I'd be asked would be, "Okay, so why do you care about your life?" So I went on to say that I just do: it's how I'm wired. There ARE religious people out there who think they'd either kill themselves or go on a killing spree if they found out that God wasn't real and they had no divine purpose to their lives. But, of course, they'd do no such thing because that's how their brains are wired.

[tapasoflife]

@Venaloid now that I read your comment I understand what you mean by wired to care about your life. (There is probably some biological basis for that "wiring".)

In the video though instead of explaining why caring about your life is a basic prerequisite of being alive you and how this leads to other things like ericpao81 pointed out, instead you used examples power tools/shopping which are the result of culture not inherent wiring. Women 200000 years ago were not naturally drawn to shopping.

[Venaloid]

@tapasoflife - Good point.

[vampyres32]

Caring is a basic survival trait exhibited in all social animals. Some care more then others, Just one example my moms dog, would adopt and protect babies of any species, think about it though, how are we going to propagate and survive as a species if we do not care about what is going on around us, and please no stereotypes, I am a Woman plumber who loves power tools, and hates shopping :P

[bbrriiaann9922]

@tapasoflife Women 200000 years ago may not have been drawn to our idea of "shopping," but they would have been drawn to picking the best berries from a bush or fruit from a tree which is analogous to shopping.

[Venaloid]

@Nyx778 - Is your friend named Vincent?

[LogicalStatements1]

I've watched the video now:

and you bring up more reason to "care" , political, emotional etc.

I had to answer the title before watching because I didn't want to be influenced lol.

Great video mate and I couldn't agree more, Happy New years to you also.

P.S you shot us all in the face at the end lol.

PEACE.

[LogicalStatements1]

Before I watch the video I am going to answer the title:

I care about "things" because like so many great speakers have said this is more than likely my only life the evidence shows me that this is my only life so I am sure as f**k going to try and make a difference to the closed minded people of this world even if the difference that I make is the smallest part of a dent of a difference.

Why would I want to make a difference?for future generations,In that way it honours my ancestors.

[WICKEDMAN9MM]

Religious people think we don't have morals just because we don't believe in gods. They get their morals from a damn book and fairy tales...