Atheists, do you live your life scientifically? Do you shun cigarettes, fast food, and alcohol because...?

Smoke: no.

Fast food: rarely.

Alcohol: regularly, in moderation. I do sometimes take tasting notes if I find a particularly good wine!

All because of health risks. Well, not the smoking - I just find it unpleasant.

And yes, I do also take care of other parts of life so as to avoid silly risks. However, I'm not an obsessive freak like some - they are just normal sensible steps. If I go on holiday somewhere where they eat deep-fried Elvis burgers, I'll happily join in while I'm there!

Every now and again science reveals something that can make me change my behaviour. e.g. I tend to use very low fat spread on bread, where I once used butter.

These are indeed some of the direct benefits of recent scientific knowledge, but don't forget the same science also enables mass-producing unhealthy products too. However, the information is there, and we can choose.

I still think the huge benefits of science are in the future, when e.g. nanotechnology revolutionises medical and material science.

I do seek out as much scientific information as I can about things related to health but I am not a scientist and I am not perfect. I don't smoke, I eat very healthy, I exercise, and I read a lot about nutrition, health, and fitness.

Actually, alcohol is not unhealthy. Not in moderation, not at all. Multiple studies have shown that people who drink a couple of drinks a week, on average, are much slimmer and much more active than those who do not drink at all. It's unknown why this is but there is a link. Also, red wine is quite good for you, again, in moderation. Over-indulgence of nearly anything is bad. Most people are rather uneducated when it comes to health.

yes, I actually quit smoking and started drinking a glass of red wine... I mean I always "knew" smoking was a bad habit, the shortness of breath, the coughing... you know, general stuff.... but the mounting evidence of links to cancer and emphysema did actually make me quit what I thought was just a "bad" habit... when it became life threatening, I stopped. The same is true for the wine. And I hear a lot of good things these days about dark chocolate... the low fat, high cocoa kind..... it can be tricky, theres a lot of fads and controversy... I think eggs are making a comeback..... but yes, in general, the answer to your question is that I base FAR more of my "life" decisions on the science than the bible

No. I don't shun certain unhealthy things because I think the emotional reward can sometimes be greater than the physical detriment.

For example, I drink sometimes, but that doesn't give me any reason to believe that I will live a significantly shorter life, even though I know that alcohol is always damaging to the system.

Well, I don't smoke or drink alcohol, and I eat junk food in moderation... But I wouldn't say I live my life "scientifically." I know science gives us answers and I love science, but I don't base my whole life around it. I make good decisions because of my knowledge.

As a student, I live off of fast food, cigies, and booze. My fridge has at least two cases of PBRs and a case of sessions, with a bottle of cheap red, and I am smoking an American Spirit right now, while enjoying my pizza hut wings. So ya, I am a cess pit.

Atheist = one who believes in no god or gods

that's it.

So why are you asking this question?

Many buddhists are atheists, they're both religious and spiritual.

Why must you assume that Atheist = Scientifically minded?

It's like assuming that all theists are monks or nuns.

I live my life the way I want to, not following the rules of any imaginary being.

I try to be careful about those sort of things, but there is only so much one can do. I use a heating pad because of an old injury that flares up from time to time. I know that prolonged exposure to such a device is probably harmful, but I use it anyway.

I live life fairly rationally. I do not smoke. I eat little fast food. I drink in moderation. wine in reasonable quantities has been shown to be healthful. I practice safe sex.

What about you?

Yes I shun cigarettes.

I prefer Honduran cigars actually