Why do so many atheists come to R&S to answer questions?

people are facinated by what they do not understand. And this site exists to share knowledge. So where better to find things you don't understand and find people who seem to need your knowledge than among people who believe in something you believe to be false?

*Sigh*

Pay attention now:

1: Some of us like discussing the subject. It can be fascinating.

2: Some of us are responding to some of the really nasty slanders you believers seem to like to throw at us.

3: Some of us don't like how religious groups insist on trying to interfere with politics and secular law.

4: Some of us try to correct people when statements are made about science that are blatantly false, yet passed around this forum like a plate of cookies.

5: Some of us, sadly, do have nothing more to do than make fun of everyone. There are jerks everywhere. For every obnoxious atheist, you have a No Chance Without Jesus and Fireball.

6: Some of us get directly called out.

7: Whether we believe in it or not, religion has a strong effect on the world we live in. Sometimes we have to fight back when some of the religious musclemen start throwing their weight around.

Why do creationists talk about abiogenesis and evolution? They don't believe in it, what do they bring to the discussion?

Answer: A different point of view.

This section isn't here for believers to come and say: "I believe in God" and for everybody else to agree. It's here for people to ask questions and learn. When people (not you, just people) try to make it as if there's only one correct answer, that may be true for some questions (math, science, automobiles, and programming come to mind), but that is not true of religion and spirituality. There are many faiths, there are many forms of spirituality, and there is also the lack of either. And all of the people who hold those opinions have the right to express themselves and to learn.

To say that Atheists don't believe in anything is to limit their perspective rather than see it for what it is, a different vantage point. There are rational arguments for both the existence and the non-existence of God. And to gain a full view of religion, you need both. You need your theology tested by keen minds and questioning souls. Otherwise, it serves no useful purpose. I am a catholic by choice. I studied it for years and chose it as the way I wanted to worship. I am also a mathematician, a profession that doesn't always cater to religion in general. But to limit my view to one side or the other creates either blind faith or useless contrariness. Blind faith helped promote the Inquisition and the Crusades. Strictly Rational thinking helped propagate Communism and genocide. Now that is not to say that one side is stronger or better than the other. But what I am saying is that with out the questions that one side provides for the other, both sides would be left a little more ignorant.

Partly because so many christians ask questions directed specifically at atheists. Partly because some of us are struggling valiantly to bring you believers out of the darkness of ignorance and superstition, into the light of knowledge and reason. Is that okay with you?

I can't speak for all atheists, because we are a diverse group. But, I go to these because I think religion is unhealthy (no offense) nd I want to be open-minded. Am I answering your question? I guess I just like to put in my two cents and see other people's point of view. I would appreciate it if you don't judge people because they are atheist. I am a person with morals!

Basically the same answer that I have given the other 1000+ times this question has been asked:

1. Religion effects the society that I, my family, and friends live in.

2. Many questions are asked about atheists (or asked to) here.

3. *drink*

Simple: They know an answer to a question about R&S. See, this isn't a social group - it's a category of questions. If a question is asked in the "cats" section, and you don't have a cat personally, but know something about the question, you can answer it, whether you actually HAVE cat or not.

Because sharing ones knowledge and opinion regarding religion and spirituality is frowned upon in the cats section....

Why are you so curious about my presence here does it in some way challenge yours?

Just because you're an Atheist doesn't mean you can't connect to the spirit.

I don't believe that an Atheist doesn't believe in anything, they just don't believe in what you call God.

We are born of the spirit and can communicate with it by any means necessary.

I'm not Atheist, but I don't prescribe to the rules of organized religion either.