Atheism Myths & Misconceptions: How Theists Misrepresent Atheism
There are many myths and misconceptions about what atheism entails and who atheists are - not surprising, since even the basic definition of atheism is so misunderstood. Many of the myths and misconceptions addressed here will follow a similar pattern, exposing fallacious reasoning, faulty premises, or both. These arguments need to be identified as the fallacies they really are because that is the only way genuine arguments and dialogues can be made possible.
Atheism As Rebellion, Pride (14)
Atheism Causes Hopelessness (8)
Atheism is Not a Religion (7)
Atheism, Atheists, Morals (12)
Fundamentalist Atheists (17)
Are Atheists Anti-Religion? (8)
Myth-Defining Atheism (4)
What Do Atheists Believe? (5)
Knowledge of Religion, God (9)
Atheism, Science, Evolution (9)
Is Atheism Dangerous? (8)
Atheists Anti-Christian? (5)
What Do Atheists Worship? (9)
Myth-Defining Atheism: Common Myths About the Definition of Atheism
Religious theists and apologists often have a lot invested in false definitions of atheism. Many of their arguments in defense of theism and against atheism are dependent upon misrepresentations of what atheism is, so it's not hard to imagine why they would be desperate to find some basis for rejecting the truth when atheists explain to them what atheism really is. As a consequence, a number of m…
Religious theists and apologists often have a lot invested in false definitions of atheism. Many of their arguments in defense of theism and against atheism are dependent upon misrepresentations of what atheism is, so it's not hard to imagine why they would be desperate to find some basis for rejecting the truth when atheists explain to them what atheism really is. As a consequence, a number of m…
Atheism & Foxholes: There Are No Atheists in Foxholes
The claim that there are no atheists in foxholes has been around for a long time, but it became especially popular after the terrorist attacks in America on September 11, 2001. This myth claims that during times of great crisis, in particular those which threaten a person's life, it is not possible to 'hold out' and maintain disbelief in a higher, saving power. During such experiences, the 'natural' and automatic reaction of a human being is to start believing in God and hope for salvation.
The claim that there are no atheists in foxholes has been around for a long time, but it became especially popular after the terrorist attacks in America on September 11, 2001. This myth claims that during times of great crisis, in particular those which threaten a person's life, it is not possible to 'hold out' and maintain disbelief in a higher, saving power. During such experiences, the 'natural' and automatic reaction of a human being is to start believing in God and hope for salvation.
Angry Atheists: Why Are Atheists So Angry All the Time?
There are many things which can cause atheists to be angry. Some were raised in very religious homes and, over time, they came to discover the things they were taught by family and clergy were all wrong. Some atheists come to view religion or even just theism as being deceptive - and, hence, harmful to society. Still other atheists experience ongoing discrimination because of their disbelief in gods. They have to hide their atheism from family, friends and coworkers.
There are many things which can cause atheists to be angry. Some were raised in very religious homes and, over time, they came to discover the things they were taught by family and clergy were all wrong. Some atheists come to view religion or even just theism as being deceptive - and, hence, harmful to society. Still other atheists experience ongoing discrimination because of their disbelief in gods. They have to hide their atheism from family, friends and coworkers.
Atheism & Choice: Atheists Choose Atheism & to be Atheists
I frequently hear the claim that atheists choose atheism, usually for some morally blameworthy reason like a desire to avoid taking responsibility for their sins. My response is basically the same every time: You may not believe me, but I didn't choose any such thing, and I can't just 'choose' to start believing. Maybe you can, but I can't. I do not believe in any gods. Evidence would make me believe in some god, but all the playacting in the world isn't going to change that.
I frequently hear the claim that atheists choose atheism, usually for some morally blameworthy reason like a desire to avoid taking responsibility for their sins. My response is basically the same every time: You may not believe me, but I didn't choose any such thing, and I can't just 'choose' to start believing. Maybe you can, but I can't. I do not believe in any gods. Evidence would make me believe in some god, but all the playacting in the world isn't going to change that.
Myth: It's Harder to be a Christian than an Atheist; It's Easy to Not Believe
Some religious believers, though mostly Christians in my experience, seem to have a need to perceive themselves as being persecuted and oppressed. Despite controlling all the levers of power in the American government, some Christians act like they are the powerless. I believe that this myth is a symptom of that attitude: the perceived need to be the one who is struggling the most and who is having the hardest time. The truth is that being religious in modern America is not a hard task.
Some religious believers, though mostly Christians in my experience, seem to have a need to perceive themselves as being persecuted and oppressed. Despite controlling all the levers of power in the American government, some Christians act like they are the powerless. I believe that this myth is a symptom of that attitude: the perceived need to be the one who is struggling the most and who is having the hardest time. The truth is that being religious in modern America is not a hard task.
Myth: Real Atheists Don't Convert Others, Wouldn't Promote Atheism
This isn't an uncommon perception which people have about atheism. More than a few people imagine that "real" atheism must be passive and indifferent towards theism and religion. There is nothing about either the broad definition of atheism used by atheists or the narrow definition used by many theists that would justify this belief. It seems to be based on the desire that atheists stop criticizing religion and pointing out the many flaws in both theistic and religious beliefs.
This isn't an uncommon perception which people have about atheism. More than a few people imagine that "real" atheism must be passive and indifferent towards theism and religion. There is nothing about either the broad definition of atheism used by atheists or the narrow definition used by many theists that would justify this belief. It seems to be based on the desire that atheists stop criticizing religion and pointing out the many flaws in both theistic and religious beliefs.
Top Myths About Atheism & Atheists: Common Myths About Atheism & Atheists
There are many myths and misconceptions about what atheism entails and who atheists are - not surprising, since even the basic definition of atheism is so misunderstood. Many of the myths and misconceptions addressed here will follow a similar pattern, exposing fallacious reasoning, faulty premises, or both. These arguments need to be identified as the fallacies they really are because that is the only way genuine arguments and dialogues can be made possible.
There are many myths and misconceptions about what atheism entails and who atheists are - not surprising, since even the basic definition of atheism is so misunderstood. Many of the myths and misconceptions addressed here will follow a similar pattern, exposing fallacious reasoning, faulty premises, or both. These arguments need to be identified as the fallacies they really are because that is the only way genuine arguments and dialogues can be made possible.
Atheism, Science, Evolution: Is Atheism Based on Science, Evolution?
Atheism is commonly associated with science, which should be a good thing - right? What's wrong with science? It says something about the ideology and attitudes of some religious believers when they imagine that associating atheism with either science generally or evolution in particular somehow constitutes a criticism. One problem is how often people create myths about atheism and science. Most of these myths are relatively easy to dispel with a little research and time.
Atheism is commonly associated with science, which should be a good thing - right? What's wrong with science? It says something about the ideology and attitudes of some religious believers when they imagine that associating atheism with either science generally or evolution in particular somehow constitutes a criticism. One problem is how often people create myths about atheism and science. Most of these myths are relatively easy to dispel with a little research and time.
Atheists vs. Christians; Atheism vs. Christianity: Are Atheists Anti-Christian?
An essential element of Christianity, one which goes back to the origins of Christianity, is the belief that Christians will necessarily be persecuted for their faith. This was true of early Christians, but many today think that this is a permanent condition and must be the case for all 'true' Christians now. Thus they seek out examples of persecution where none exist and it's popular to claim that atheists are trying to oppress or marginalize Christians in America.
An essential element of Christianity, one which goes back to the origins of Christianity, is the belief that Christians will necessarily be persecuted for their faith. This was true of early Christians, but many today think that this is a permanent condition and must be the case for all 'true' Christians now. Thus they seek out examples of persecution where none exist and it's popular to claim that atheists are trying to oppress or marginalize Christians in America.
Failures of Atheism: Does Atheism Do Less for People than Theism, Religion?
A popular tactic for trying to rebut atheistic critiques of religion and theism is to claim that atheism fails to provide the same things that religion and theism do: a basis for morality, meaning in life, explanations for the universe etc. These argument suffer from significant problems, two of which are most common: religion and theism do not provide genuine explanations for these things, and it's inappropriate to expect mere atheism to do so. That's a job for atheistic philosophies.
A popular tactic for trying to rebut atheistic critiques of religion and theism is to claim that atheism fails to provide the same things that religion and theism do: a basis for morality, meaning in life, explanations for the universe etc. These argument suffer from significant problems, two of which are most common: religion and theism do not provide genuine explanations for these things, and it's inappropriate to expect mere atheism to do so. That's a job for atheistic philosophies.
Fundamentalist Atheists, Fundamentalist Atheism: They Don't Exist
More and more people are responding to atheist critiques of religion or theism by labeling the person a 'fundamentalist' atheist. Atheists are told that they are 'intolerant' when they criticize religion and that they should show more respect to religious believers. In reality, these complaints are more about how atheists are ceasing to be deferential and obsequious towards religion and religious beliefs. Atheists are unapologetic about their atheism - as they should be.
More and more people are responding to atheist critiques of religion or theism by labeling the person a 'fundamentalist' atheist. Atheists are told that they are 'intolerant' when they criticize religion and that they should show more respect to religious believers. In reality, these complaints are more about how atheists are ceasing to be deferential and obsequious towards religion and religious beliefs. Atheists are unapologetic about their atheism - as they should be.
Do Atheists Have No Reason to be Moral? Are There No Atheistic Moral Standards?
For most religious theists, their religion and their god provide the basis for their entire understanding of morality and moral values. They thus find it inconceivable that atheists who don’t believe in any gods and who have no religion could possibly have a basis for morality or even understand what true moral behavior is. Many go further and argue that this is a good reason to reject atheism, saying that it leads to immoral behavior, that it cannot account for the existence of morality, etc.
For most religious theists, their religion and their god provide the basis for their entire understanding of morality and moral values. They thus find it inconceivable that atheists who don’t believe in any gods and who have no religion could possibly have a basis for morality or even understand what true moral behavior is. Many go further and argue that this is a good reason to reject atheism, saying that it leads to immoral behavior, that it cannot account for the existence of morality, etc.
Myths on Atheism, Meaning, Morality: Atheists Lead Meaningless Lives of Despair
Theists who cannot defend theism or criticize atheism through logic or evidence are left attacking the alleged implications of atheism itself. Even if they cannot prove that atheism unreasonable, they hope to prove that the consequences of atheism are so abhorrent that no one will want to take the chance. Among the more popular targets are to claim that atheism leads to hopelessness and despair, that atheism makes life meaningless, or that atheism eliminates any reason to be moral.
Theists who cannot defend theism or criticize atheism through logic or evidence are left attacking the alleged implications of atheism itself. Even if they cannot prove that atheism unreasonable, they hope to prove that the consequences of atheism are so abhorrent that no one will want to take the chance. Among the more popular targets are to claim that atheism leads to hopelessness and despair, that atheism makes life meaningless, or that atheism eliminates any reason to be moral.
Everyone is Religious, Worships Something: Atheists Worship Satan, Themselves
Many religious theists insist that everyone worships something: they have some sort of god and some sort of religion. Because of the central importance of their religion and worship to their own lives, they assume that atheists not only have a religion and worship something, but also that these things hold a similarly central position in atheists' lives. There are a lot of suggested candidates for what atheists must worship, but none of them are true because the premise itself is false.
Many religious theists insist that everyone worships something: they have some sort of god and some sort of religion. Because of the central importance of their religion and worship to their own lives, they assume that atheists not only have a religion and worship something, but also that these things hold a similarly central position in atheists' lives. There are a lot of suggested candidates for what atheists must worship, but none of them are true because the premise itself is false.
More People Have Been Killed in the Name of Atheism & Secularism than Religion?
A common criticism which atheists raise against religion is how violent religion and religious believers have been in the past. People have slaughtered each other in large numbers either because of differences in religious beliefs or because of other differences which are further justified and intensified through religious rhetoric. Either way, religion has a lot of blood on its hands. Can the same be said for atheists and atheism? Haven't atheists killed more people in the name of atheism?
A common criticism which atheists raise against religion is how violent religion and religious believers have been in the past. People have slaughtered each other in large numbers either because of differences in religious beliefs or because of other differences which are further justified and intensified through religious rhetoric. Either way, religion has a lot of blood on its hands. Can the same be said for atheists and atheism? Haven't atheists killed more people in the name of atheism?
There are No Real Atheists in Foxholes, No Real Atheists: Atheists Can't Exist
One effective means for critiquing a belief system and/or its adherents is to point out significant contradictions between how believers behave and the ideals they espouse. These contradictions can suggest that they don't really believe what they say, that the ideals aren't taken seriously, that the system teaches worse things, etc. Atheists do this with religion frequently, but can religious theists do it with atheism? They make claims about what 'real' atheists would do, but they are wrong.
One effective means for critiquing a belief system and/or its adherents is to point out significant contradictions between how believers behave and the ideals they espouse. These contradictions can suggest that they don't really believe what they say, that the ideals aren't taken seriously, that the system teaches worse things, etc. Atheists do this with religion frequently, but can religious theists do it with atheism? They make claims about what 'real' atheists would do, but they are wrong.
Atheism & Religious Experience: Atheists Haven't Experienced True Religion
Atheists have constructed many trenchant critiques of both religion and theism over the years. Some of these critiques can be responded to reasonably, but others are much more difficult to address in anything like an adequate manner. Sometimes, it may be easier to simply find a way to dismiss atheists entirely by claiming that atheists have never had any of the relevant and necessary experiences to teach them about God and religion. If they did, they would understand and believe.
Atheists have constructed many trenchant critiques of both religion and theism over the years. Some of these critiques can be responded to reasonably, but others are much more difficult to address in anything like an adequate manner. Sometimes, it may be easier to simply find a way to dismiss atheists entirely by claiming that atheists have never had any of the relevant and necessary experiences to teach them about God and religion. If they did, they would understand and believe.
Atheism as Rebellion & Pride: Are Atheists Just Rebelling Against God & Family?
There are many popular myths about atheism and atheists which claim that people are atheists on account of some sort of rebellion (against god, religion, church, families, fathers, etc.) or pride. At most, these myths might be true of some but not all or even most atheists; even if true, however, none of these myths would have any implications for the truth or reasonableness of atheism itself.
There are many popular myths about atheism and atheists which claim that people are atheists on account of some sort of rebellion (against god, religion, church, families, fathers, etc.) or pride. At most, these myths might be true of some but not all or even most atheists; even if true, however, none of these myths would have any implications for the truth or reasonableness of atheism itself.
Atheism, Depression, & Meaning: Do Atheists Lead Meaningless Lives?
This is a very common claim heard from religious theists, especially Christians. It is also a very curious claim because it sidesteps the issues which most atheists would regard as central: does God exist? Is theism reasonable? Is atheism reasonable? By ignoring the important questions about the validity of theism and atheism, this claim is an example of the Red Herring fallacy, attacking an ultimately irrelevant issue.
This is a very common claim heard from religious theists, especially Christians. It is also a very curious claim because it sidesteps the issues which most atheists would regard as central: does God exist? Is theism reasonable? Is atheism reasonable? By ignoring the important questions about the validity of theism and atheism, this claim is an example of the Red Herring fallacy, attacking an ultimately irrelevant issue.
"Dropped Chalk" scared off an atheist professor...
There are any number of stories circulating by email and web site which are designed to somehow "prove" that faith in God is appropriate and disbelief inappropriate. These proofs do not proceed by logic or evidence; instead, they attempt to arrive at their conclusion via some personal story which illustrates the nature and value of faith.
There are any number of stories circulating by email and web site which are designed to somehow "prove" that faith in God is appropriate and disbelief inappropriate. These proofs do not proceed by logic or evidence; instead, they attempt to arrive at their conclusion via some personal story which illustrates the nature and value of faith.
Atheism is just another religion
For some strange reason, many people keep getting the idea that atheism is itself some sort of religion. It's an assertion which I keep hearing in newsgroups, in private email, and in this site's chat room. Maybe it is because these people are so caught up in their own religious beliefs that they cannot imagine any person living without religion of some sort.
For some strange reason, many people keep getting the idea that atheism is itself some sort of religion. It's an assertion which I keep hearing in newsgroups, in private email, and in this site's chat room. Maybe it is because these people are so caught up in their own religious beliefs that they cannot imagine any person living without religion of some sort.
Many atheists have experienced deathbed conversions
Sometimes atheists will hear from a Christian that this or that famous nonbeliever converted to Christianity on his or her deathbed. Other times, atheists simply hear the very general claim that atheists tend to convert to Christianity when they are on their deathbeds, facing their immanent and certain demise. This is very similar to the myth that "there are no atheists in foxholes"...
Sometimes atheists will hear from a Christian that this or that famous nonbeliever converted to Christianity on his or her deathbed. Other times, atheists simply hear the very general claim that atheists tend to convert to Christianity when they are on their deathbeds, facing their immanent and certain demise. This is very similar to the myth that "there are no atheists in foxholes"...
You refuse to accept that you sin
This is simply untrue - atheists do not think that they are perfect. Like everyone else, atheists try to do the right thing, yet know that they sometimes fail; so being an atheist has nothing to do with refusing to acknowledge that we do make mistakes and do choose the wrong thing at times. Atheists just don't call their mistakes or failings sins...
This is simply untrue - atheists do not think that they are perfect. Like everyone else, atheists try to do the right thing, yet know that they sometimes fail; so being an atheist has nothing to do with refusing to acknowledge that we do make mistakes and do choose the wrong thing at times. Atheists just don't call their mistakes or failings sins...
Atheism is Based on Faith? Atheism Myths: Atheists Can't Disprove God & Have Faith in God's Nonexistence
Often theists will try to place atheism and theism on the same plane by arguing that while theists cannot prove that god exists, atheists also cannot prove that god does not exist. This is used as a basis for arguing that there is no objective means for determining which is preferable because neither has a logical or advantage . Thus, the only reason for going with one or the other is faith and then, presumably, the theist will argue that their faith is somehow better than the atheist's faith.
Often theists will try to place atheism and theism on the same plane by arguing that while theists cannot prove that god exists, atheists also cannot prove that god does not exist. This is used as a basis for arguing that there is no objective means for determining which is preferable because neither has a logical or advantage . Thus, the only reason for going with one or the other is faith and then, presumably, the theist will argue that their faith is somehow better than the atheist's faith.
Atheists are just Selfish? Atheism Myths: Atheists Avoid Morality and Personal Responsibility
Some assume that atheists not only cannot be moral without god, but in fact do not want to be moral. This attitude can be summarized by the oft-quoted Psalm: 'The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none that does good.' Although those who quote this verse rarely go so far as to include the second sentence, no atheist should ever fail to keep in mind that it is always there, hanging unspoken but nevertheless assumed, in the background.
Some assume that atheists not only cannot be moral without god, but in fact do not want to be moral. This attitude can be summarized by the oft-quoted Psalm: 'The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none that does good.' Although those who quote this verse rarely go so far as to include the second sentence, no atheist should ever fail to keep in mind that it is always there, hanging unspoken but nevertheless assumed, in the background.