Refuting Theist Arguments - Why Atheists Care About Religion

Refuting Theist Arguments -- Why Atheists Care About Religion

I am often asked by theists:
"If you don't believe in any gods or supernatural forces, then why do you care about religion?"

Sometimes it seems like they are just tired of debating and want to find a polite way to tell me to get lost.
Sometimes they seem genuinely perplexed.
I cannot speak for all atheists, but I can explain why I care about religion.

In this video I will give a few of the reasons why I, as an atheist, care about religion.
I will not present all of the reasons why I care, due to time constraints, but here are some of the major reasons.

Note: I will only provide one or two examples for each reason that I present.
I could provide a plethora of examples for each point, but, yet again, time constraints apply.
It is also important to note that not all of these reasons will apply to all religions.

Reason 1:
--Religions attempt to restrict the free will, and freedoms, of other individuals, even when those individuals are not harming anyone else or society.

Example: Muslims try to silence anyone who speaks badly of Mohammed, Allah, the Qur'an, or Islam in general.
Even 'moderate' Muslims will often try to force unbelievers to 'respect their religion' while they show no respect for anyone who is not a Muslim.

Reason 2:
--Religion promotes discrimination (religious discrimination, sexism, etc.)

Example 1: Fundamentalist Christians are against homosexuality because their 'holy book' tells them that their 'god' thinks homosexuality is an abomination.
(Leviticus Chap 18 verse 22)

This breeds discrimination, and occasional violence, against homosexual individuals who are not harming anyone or society.

Example 2: Islam promotes sexism. Women are treated as inferior, they must remain covered, men are permitted to beat their wives, ETC.
(Surah 4.34)

Reason 3:
--Religion conflicts with scientific progress.

Example 1: Creationism (Christian, Muslim, etc.). Creationists are only against evolution because their ancient book says that a 'god' created everything a few thousand years ago.
Their religion has taught them to reject physical evidence and reality. They are taught to embrace myth over reality.

Example 2: The church initially rejected the idea that the Solar System was heliocentric because their religious dogma maintained that the Solar System was geocentric.

Religion makes claims about the past, present, and future state of physical reality. Views based on religion frequently run counter to reality, thereby holding up scientific research and progress.
Look at the lack of technological innovation during the dark ages.

Reason 4:
--Religion teaches people not only to be ignorant of how the world works, but it teaches them to take pride in their lack of understanding.

If one thinks that their ancient book holds all of the answers, why would they seek to better understand the real world?
When one has 'the truth', why would one continue searching?
Theists often develop a sort of pride in their ignorance and blind faith because they think that they 'know the truth.'

Reason 5:
--Religion creates an 'us vs. them' mentality
(Religion promotes group mentalities)

Example 1: Look at the way that Catholics and Evangelical Christians will argue over biblical interpretations.
Example 2: Look at the way that Muslims see themselves as being superior to non-Muslims.
Group mentalities breed conflict and violence, not cooperation and peace.

Reason 6:
--Religious groups often times get a free pass on doing/saying things that would otherwise be considered harmful, censoring, oppressive, etc.

Example: The Catholic Church is against encouraging condom use to prevent the spread of AIDS in Africa.
(http://www.cathnews.com/news/310/53.php)

If any other group took such an obviously reckless stance that put such a magnitude of individuals at risk, they would be universally ridiculed.
Sadly, there is a societal taboo against criticizing ANY action based on religion
Note: The only reason that the Catholic Church fights condoms is because of their own morals.

Reason 7:
--Religion affects political decisions made; these decisions affect everyone in a society and should not be based on any delusional belief system.

Example: Blue laws that restrict the freedoms and actions of everyone in a society, simply because religious groups want to FORCE their values onto everyone else.

Reason 8:
--Atheists are discriminated against.

Example 1: Muslims consider atheists to be the lowest of all creatures.
(Surah 8.55)
Example 2: In America, atheists are the least trusted minority group.
(http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2006/03/24/67686)

Many modern societies are moving away from discrimination based on age, sex, race, etc., but it is still socially acceptable to discriminate against the non-religious.
Why is it still acceptable to discriminate against people based on lack of religion?

These are just SOME of the ways in which religion hurts society and freedom.
These are just SOME of the reasons why I care about religion.
It is time for human civilization to abandon archaic myths and mass delusions that harm society and progress.

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[firthio2]

Do you think its moral to punish all living things for the sins of one other?

[loserella55]

I think it should be obvious to religious people who it's important to us atheists but sadly it isn't. If a group of people believe in the tooth fairy but their beliefs don't control their life or affect how they treat others, nobody cares. If those people start trying to pass laws based on what they think the tooth fairy wants, and discriminate based on how they think the tooth fairy would want them to... Yeah, there's a problem there. And I would say a lot of religious people are like that.

[Codylupardus]

I don't mind religions too much if the religious admit they are arbitrarily choosing one religion with no proof for absolutely no real reason and don't actually follow their religion. If they follow something like the bible, they need the death penalty for all the murder and assaults they commit.

Also, religion is used to support specism- such as saying god said we are above all other living being or that animals have no souls.

[Codylupardus]

Actually... in some areas, rapists are below Atheists in America. Not in all areas though, such as stealing.

[KillerRetardz]

Since when has atheism ever started a war? My point exactly.....

[Dan90iel1]

@DjBlaqkHat I can accept religious people,but as i have seen in the coming years like islam it's big problem because they cant live with people who're not muslims.There you got a answer why religion makes war.

[DjBlaqkHat]

@Dan90iel1 My next few comments will defend against this video! Due to restriction of comment text, I cannot defend against everything. Have any questions? PM me. Keep in mind that i respect both atheists and religious people. I accept that some doctor in is flawed. Please respond back to me with respect, as i have show you respect.

Ok lets get started!

-Pleas read through all my comments!

[Dan90iel1]

@guitar4art Assholes are those who believe in something.All this believeness has accured to war.Religion is made for war,it's not made for peace.That's why it's better to not believe in anything.You should accept atheist peoples that they dont want to believe in God.

[BigLundi]

@XscorgedwoundX No, not even that. I've met plenty of religious people who don't 'hate' me for being nonreligious. But the fact of the matter is, religion, and the tenets of the most popular religions, are used to dictate laws aroudn the world. Atheists are painted as the 'least trusted minority' in the united states, even after 9/11, I live in one of several states that have laws barring atheists from running for public office. This is about more than just hate.

[XscorgedwoundX]

@BigLundi It's sad that some religious people hate other for not sharing a belief but in my experiences, they usually just hope for you to change. So far i haven't met a religious person who actually hated people for being non religious.

[BigLundi]

@XscorgedwoundX "In your mind, someone who blieves in god is insane for doing so"

No. I don't believe that. I feel believing in something you have no reason to believe in is IRRATIONAL, but that's it.

Some people feel they do have a good reason to believe in god, through personal anecdotes, feeling liek they've 'spoken to god' and whatnot, and that's fine.

The problem is their 'happy belief' tends to make us unhappy, because they REGULARLY hate us, for not sharing their belief.

[XscorgedwoundX]

People should really stop arguing about this so much. I mean you can believe whatever you want, but do so quietly. And something i have to say to you atheists: I respect your beliefs, but you push religion too. If in your mind, someone who believes in god is insane for doing so, why must you try to refute that god if it makes them happy to have a belief. I just don't understand it...