What is the meaning of life for an atheist?

The beautiful thing about atheism is that it provides freedom to think about questions like the meaning of life. Atheists are not told that they NEED to believe this or that. At the end of the day meaning is what we think it is. And interestingly, I find that many atheists have similar views to the ones expressed in this video.

While all of these atheist speakers are inspiration, Neil deGrasse Tyson's views resonate the strongest with me. I strongly believe that for a person to be aware of life they must think about life and its meaning. Our view of life depends upon the perspective, and the information we know/accept. Many people live day to day getting wrapped up in diversions like sports and/or reality TV shows in order to avoid the elephant in the room: the meaning/purpose of existence. As shown in the video above, the meaning of an atheist's life can be very rich (if cultivated). From what I've seen/experienced (used to be a catholic), the purpose of life for the religious is nothing more than a disposable tool for God--a pawn in "His plan".

Atheism broadens the mind, and the alternative has been shown to do the opposite. To each their own I suppose. But for the sake of accuracy, people should leave the whole "an atheist's life has no meaning" nonsense behind (maybe we should let them focus on learning about evolution first, eh..).

Richard Dawkins on Islamic fundamentalism

A fundamentalist, I believe, truly gets at the heart of a belief system. There is a reason we don't talk/worry about Mormon fundamentalists, but do Muslim fundamentalists. Obviously Christianity has the potential for fundamentalism, but for the most part Christians have adapted to living amongst those with different beliefs. Many Muslims (i.e. the true moderates) have already done this, and I believe Islamic fundamentalism is on the decline. In-fact I have a pet theory that the Middle East is going to be dominated by atheism in a relatively short amount of time (30-50 years) due to the culture's inability to adapt to the rapid cultural changes that it will incur. Religions don't do well in the presence of things like the internet (large exposure to a variety of ideas). I believe atheism and the internet go hand-in-hand, and it all comes down to information flow. 

Richard Dawkins: "Islam Is One Of The Great Evils In The World"

Many people are too afraid to say the things that Richard Dawkins says about Islam. Islam, along with with most other religions, are getting weakened over time by the increased information flow provided by things like the internet, television, etc. People that are only exposed to religions like Islam do not know any different; once these people are exposed to a wider variety of ideas, they will have more to choose from. Like when I was younger, the only belief system I was exposed to was Catholicism, I wasn't truly aware that I had a choice (nothing else to choose from). In 50-100 years I believe we will see ('we' as in humanity) a further rise of atheism and a toning down of religious fundamentalism (especially in Islam). Violence is a response born out of fear, soon enough people will realize there is nothing to be afraid of.  

Book Review: Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

The God Delusion is a great book all in all. It's a fairly easy read, and is especially useful for those that are on the fence with religion. The book has good educational aspects, coupled with wit and humor - making it an interesting read. I first read the book four years ago, and while I was already an atheist, it caused me to view being an atheist in a new way. It lead me to be more outspoken as an atheist (which eventually led to me doing things on YouTube and Blogger). Even if you're not an atheist, I highly suggest this book. I strongly believe that Christians, Muslims, etc. should make an effort to understand the atheist perspective - even if it is merely to debate it.

So, in short, if you haven't read this book, pick up a copy and read it!

Atheist Richard Dawkins - Religion vs Morality

Morality needs to be looked at from a broader perspective than mere pleasure vs. suffering. Morality exists because it is required of a social species. Morality is behavior that benefits the functionality of a society, and evil is behavior that is harmful to the functionality of society. Now, what people believe is best for society can vary radically, and these debates are sociological in nature. Morality changes as our society changes -- when radical change occurs, our morality is insufficient, and needs to adapt to changing factors (like the internet in modern times). 

Atheist Richard Dawkins: "my reasons for being hostile to religion is that it...."

I disagree with Dawkins on the abortion issue. A person does not need to be religious to oppose the practice of abortion. Abortion is the destruction of human life -- life that would typically develop into a fully-functional human being (any arguments of moral-relativity merely attempt to devalue human life). People can imagine that all sperm cells/eggs have potential to create new life, but that chance is removed once the process is set into motion and human life is formed, and to end that life is murder (no way in getting around this). It's like a bullet and gunpowder have the potential to kill someone, but for it to actually occur is a different story. Many atheists oppose abortion (or have no strong stance on it), and Dawkins should be careful in associating atheism with the abortion debate (apples and oranges). 

Atheist Richard Dawkins On Morality

The things people try to argue about atheism....

Atheism is not a belief system, so obviously the lack of a belief does nothing to address morality (which it shouldn't). The biggest reason questions like the one Richard Dawkins was asked come about is because we have atheists arguing moral-relativism all the time. A person should not talk about morality and describe themselves as an atheist, this is only confusing, and makes atheism appear to be a belief system. Atheism is not, nor should it ever be considered a belief system.

Atheist Richard Dawkins interviews a Crazy Muslim (who used to be a Jew)

Poor Richard thought he could have a rational conversation with someone as irrational as this guy. People like this cannot be reasoned with, there is very little purpose in even talking with people with this sort of mentality (the mentality of world domination and the enslavement of women).

A muslim argues with Atheist Richard Dawkins over Islam in a video game (sound board prank)

Why to Muslims seem to always pronounce 'Quran' with such an exaggerated accent? This is obviously a sound board, and not really Dawkins. Still funny though.

Atheist Richard Dawkins: Are Religious People Healthier?

I see many religious people that are stressed to the brink. I don't believe religion is much of a factor in mental health; concepts like hellfire, and mind-police can't be all that consoling. Being indoctrinated can be terrifying and perhaps in some cases may manifest anxiety issues later down the road for some children. Religion is more of a stressor than a relaxer in my opinion—but perhaps as an atheist I am biased.

Richard Dawkins On The 'Cult of Atheism'

A cult of 'non-belief in a god' -- what a great foundation for herding sheep. It's interesting to see how some folks still see atheism as a belief system, or a belief that can polarize people. Atheists are so individualistic that they can't even form a lobby with any sort of political power worth mentioning. Atheists tend to be intellectual-loners—the opposite of what makes a good sheep—freethinkers make bad cult members.

Atheist Richard Dawkins replies to Ben Stein at the University of Oklahoma

Why are creationists such a good topic for comedy? I think that atheists like to debate creationists—not because they want to change their minds—but because they find it entertaining (at least that's why I do it).

Atheist Richard Dawkins: One Fact to Refute Creationism

While this sounds nice, I'm sure a creationist can weasel their way out of this. People-of-faith and people-of-reason cannot convince one another of anything because intellectually they are apples and oranges.

Atheist Richard Dawkins -- The Evidence for Evolution

The Evidence for Evolution part 1



The Evidence for Evolution part 2


The Evidence for Evolution part 3


The Evidence for Evolution part 4


The Evidence for Evolution part 5


The Evidence for Evolution part 6


The Evidence for Evolution part 7


The Evidence for Evolution part 8


I posted this up here for any fans of Richard Dawkins or for any atheists/Christians that are interested in the evolution debate (even though it isn't much of a debate anymore). If you haven't read his book -- The Greatest Show on Earth -- buy it here! It's a great read.

Atheist Richard Dawkins says he won't debate Christian William Lane Craig

Debating people like William Lane Craig is pointless. Such people would only use their typical circular arguments, and neither side would be changed in the end. It is impossible to change a person's mind when it is closed.  

'Atheist Richard Dawkins is not a philosopher'

Richard Dawkins dealt with God in a superficial manner because God is a superficial concept. From a scientific view-point, there isn't much to say about God, other than he isn't real thus far. Dawkins addressed God from the perspective of science in the same way he would have addressed things like unicorns and fairies (they all are supported by the same amount of scientific evidence). There are no arguments for God's existence; all that exists are the powerful imaginations which create delusional world-views to support the existence of consoling ideas (aka God and heaven/hell). A scientist is much more qualified to access the existence of a thing than a goofy pseudo-intellectual philosopher, who is a layman when it comes to how the universe actually works.

A Person Cannot Be A Belief

People are not what they possess. Richard Dawkins has said many times that he dislikes those that use terms like 'Christian child' or a 'Muslim child'. While it is true that a child cannot be a Muslim or Christian, the same is the case for adults as well (but for a different reason).

A person cannot be a belief. For example, I got a new laptop computer, wouldn't I sound insane if I were to say: "I am a Dell XPS". A person is not, nor will they ever be what they possess. I can own a pen, but I am not, nor will I ever be a pen (at least in this lifetime). The point is, no matter what I think of as being my own, my actual being remains unchanged. While this sounds like trivial word-play, it is not.

To believe that you are a belief system creates the mentality that those not of your belief system do not belong to the same proverbial team. This is what allows people to act so inhumanly towards one another. And it isn't only religion—during WW2 we were able to drop the a-bomb on a couple of Japanese cities because we believed that we were what we possessed (or more specifically the land we made a living on). You are not your country, you may be a member of a group living on a particular piece of land, but you are not the land you stand on.

I could go on and on about all of the different false-beings that exist (they are all but countless). Political parties, sport teams, education level, social class, religion, and so on. Even skin color is the same way, if you don't believe me, go ask a person who was born blind. A person possess the ability to see color, and again, you are not what you possess. If it can be taken away, then it is not part of your being.

A substantial enough head-injury can bring a person closer to the truth. When the ability to remember fades away, oneself is not lost, but is found. We are not a perspective, or a memory, not even nothing, for all things exist in the thoughts of a temporary condition.

Atheists Hitchens & Dawkins Expose Mormon Religion

Thank God for men like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens (kidding about the 'God' part obviously). Must be uncomfortable being religious and listening to either of them speak on the subject.

Mormonism is a very strange religion indeed. Its followers however do seem much more devout and kinder to their fellow man (regardless of their beliefs). I hate to say it, but even though Mormonism's falsity is more easily proven, they are much more Christ-like than other Christians. 

Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennet Discuss the Meaning of Life and Death (atheist pov)

This topic of discussion is much more interesting when religion isn't involved.

Atheist Richard Dawkins says he won't debate William Lane Craig

Love Dawkins, and he is right: William Lane Craig is just a freak show with no real qualifications to justify his importance. In other words, William Lane Craig is a professional bullshitter.