Why do some people say atheists are spiritually hungry?

because they cannot fathom the idea that some people just don't believe in god...

I'm not sure why some people say that. I'm a Christian but I've never thought or said that to an atheist, and I've known quite a few. I think everyone has a right to believe what they want, even if we don't understand it. I always have had a question though, and I'm not saying this to attack you or anything, I've just always wondered this: Atheists say that they don't have a religion because they don't believe in a god...but isn't that a belief? If you don't believe in anything...you're still believing that there is nothing...which makes what you believe a religion.

People who have strict religious beliefs believe that there is no other way but "their religion" or "their god". They are close-minded and don't accept that others simply don't believe what they believe. They have to label others so that it seems that there is something wrong with them, because you have to remember - in their minds, there is something wrong with anyone who doesn't believe what they believe.

So they say many things that don't make sense. This obviously being one of them. But if you look at it through their eyes it seems they are trying to say that atheists aren't spiritual because they don't believe in god, and without god in their life they are doomed, so they need god in their life in order to live (almost like food) ... hence - spiritually hungry.

Maybe it's a stretch, but that's my conclusion. Interesting question in a way.. made me think from someone else's point of view and try to problem solve.

Thanks

I think it might be because atheists are always turning up in religious discussions. Any question about religion hereabouts will always get a few responses of the "No, that's not true because there is/are no god(s)" variety. I totally support your right to chime in, but those of us who do believe in God don't understand why you care so much about something you don't believe in. Why not just get on with your life? Why spend so much time denying the existance of something you don't believe exists? If you have an area of expertise, there are many questions on YA that go begging for intelligent answers.

But instead there are athies here every day saying over and over that they don't believe. Why?

No clue. Like others said, perhaps it is beyong their comprehension that someone out there has managed to escape from the holds of the idiotic concept of unquestioning faith in a work of fiction.

Its irritating but amusing at the same time when religious people pray for the soul of me, an atheist or threaten me with the scorching fires of hell and the wrath of god.

Actually, now that I come to think of it....its more amusing:)

Doesn't make any sense at all, if i was spiritually hungry, I would pick one of those existing religions which are everywhere! No problem here :)

Edit: Some claim 'spiritual dead', that's funny, like we don't think beyond our knowledge. We seek the unknown, as everyone, we just don't think we have found it yet. I love to philosophy and I have a lot of fantasy and dreams, I just know that they are fantasies and dreams... get it?! :)

Being spiritually hungry isn't only for Atheists, but as well for Christians and any person in the world. Being Spiritually hungry means that your spirit yearns for nourishment, how do you feed your spirit? You feed it by reading the Word of God. And following his commandments. Just like the body needs daily nourishment so does your spirit. I guess they say that to Atheists since they don't read the scriptures.

I have no idea, and to be honest i've never even heard that before. But I agree, it makes no sense. But perhaps they simply are trying to get at the idea (however wrong it may be) that we are missing something inside, and that we have a void since most people feel that religion and spirituality fills all voids and emptiness one might have in their life.

Scientifically speaking, it has been proven that humans have a spirit, soul, and of course a body. Animals only have soul and body.

If you want an actual answer with out supernateral ideas, that is goign to be a hard one to answer truthfully as God is the one that created us.

The reason I think atheists are spiritually hungry is because we ALL have a need for soemthing spiritual. You are feeding your spirit in one way or another, by saying you are atheist, you are actaully, at the core, lying to yourself. Ponder that.

would you say that Buddhists are not spiritual ?

being Atheist has NOTHING to do with the belief in souls/spirit/afterlife/supernatural

Atheists dont believe in a God

thats it

granted most Atheists dont believe in spirit

but that doesnt mean they cant be spiritual

i dont say that at all. i share the Word of God with everyone some want to learn more others say i dont want to hear it. i respect them and say ok. however a lot of my buddies later one come to me because they see how happy i am and how my life is and want to learn more later on. not saying this is true for everyone but some. they will come and tell me how unhappy they are and that they feel there is more and wonder why i am always happy and dont let things bother me. so i share with them more about God and what he has done for my life and my family. what i was before and what i am now. this would be why we say they are spiritually hungry. i have had a couple buddies now going to church and there life has changed a huge amount too and they thank me all the time. and they now are were i was and share what God has done for them. most christians were atheists or non believers too. yes some grew up in the church but alot of us did not. i say i was spiritually hungrary because of were my life was i wanted more and new there was something better so i was searching for it and found it. at the time i really did not know what i was wanting or needing. but God led me to truth. a lot of atheists act like christians were never in there boat before. when most of us were. my pastor would go out and party all the time and in the navy because he was navy they would go out drinking and having a good time. one day he felt the same way and realized his life was not good and he was not happy and wanted more as well. found God and now he is preaching. there are many who feel like this as well but dont do something about it. they choose to ignore it.