Why do atheists ask spiritual questions?

Being an atheist in no way implies that I have no interest in religion and spirituality or that I have no spiritual beliefs. My atheism tells you exactly one thing, that I lack a belief in deities.

"Therefore, if one has absolutely no belief or interest in a subject, why would they ask questions about it? "

There's your problem right there.

You arrogantly assume atheism is due to apathy but for many of us that is far from true.

I was raised in a Catholic household. I went to church regularly, often multiple times a week for 18 years. I was an altar boy for 9 years, a sacristan for 4 and was being actively groomed for the priesthood. About 15 years ago, I realized I didn't actually believe any of it any more. Then, as now, I spent a great deal of time and effort learning about religion and various belief systems around the world and how belief affects the believer and society in general. I can quote the Bible with the best of them and own and/or have read books of other religions. I can tell you the story of Nanabozho or Atira or a number of other deities you've likely never heard of. I was on a game show a few years back and won, thanks in no small part to the large number of questions about religion. I've also read a great deal about science, history to try and get a sense of how things came to be this way. I have actually come up with some new ideas based on an interpretation of the OT that is only a few decades old. (Search Google for 'adam eve agriculture' and most of the results are works of mine or derivatives, though this specific idea is not my own, I've found other examples of the connection) I've studied *belief*, memetics, neurolinguistic programming, etc, and other concepts that can explain belief in gods without them actually being true. I've studied the implications of religious belief and how it is used to justify a number of other reprehensible ideas both overt and subtle.

And yet, because I am an atheist, you don't think I belong in this section? You dare question my *interest*?

This is very much part of my life's work. (The issues, not Y!A, obviously) You have some nerve suggesting I don't belong here.

(Some) Atheists do have interests in religions. To assume not would be to assume that no person not of the Greek religion enjoys Greek mythology. Christianity, Judaism, or other religions can be thought of as just another religious myth. Furthermore, not all Atheists "forsake" others' beliefs. Many religious people question and discriminate other religions, and Atheism is very much discriminated against.

"if one has absolutely no belief or interest in a subject, why would they ask questions about it?"

Atheist means they have a belief that there is no God. It doesn't means they are disinterested. They could feel very strongly about the lack of existence, and about their perceived world that seems to believe in something they don't.

"In addition, why would someone professing to have no belief in something demand that another forsake their belief."

It's a pride response. Someone feels they are right, and others are wrong. By getting into an argument in which the religious side cannot defend itself (because there is no proof), the atheist feels proud and triumphant, making the other look stupid (in the atheist's eyes).

>Therefore, if one has absolutely no belief or interest in a subject, why would they ask questions about it?

Who says we have no interest in it? A lot of people over in the Books & Authors section ask questions about Harry Potter despite (generally) not believing he is real, yet I don't see you over there calling them out on it.

>In addition, why would someone professing to have no belief in something demand that another forsake their belief.

Because we see those beliefs causing vast amounts of harm to the world around us.

You have a degree in "science"? "Science" isn't a degree, kid.

I find it amusing that you mentioned that you don't believe in leprechauns but "appreciate the metaphor", yet seem unaware that to us your god is right on par with leprechauns and unicorns and the like.

Plus, atheism is a position on spirituality and religion; not to mention that theists are constantly shoving their religions down our throats and into our government, laws, and schools. I'd say we have a vested interest in the topic.

You also seem to be under the misapprehension that we care if people believe in gods or not. We don't- we just want you to keep your beliefs to yourself.

Peoples beliefs inform their actions and these create harm. People believing in bad things or things for bad reasons cause harm.

religion affects us, people try to deny rights, start wars, cause terror because of religious beliefs. No gods exists but religion does.

If someone believes something and tries to restrict your rights based on this, then why would you not speak up and question their beliefs?

Atheism =/= Apatheism

I personally find interest in philosophy and religion even though I do not believe in a religion. Just because you don't believe in something certainly doesn't mean you can't ask questions. We get hundreds of creationists asking questions about evolution.

they are meny ression why atheists ask question's that are spiritual the frist is couse they know deep down the life they are liveing somethings worng they can fell it. the devil is very wise he use's man blind's man the men woman that are atheists they are not devil's they are just being tricked an played by the devil. meny atheists post spiritual questions to do the will of the master's to wound,sting, spiritual even meny christain men/women will do the same thing these that post questions to harm,wound,sting these atheists these christain men and woman are in sin there self being played by the same devil's that are blinding the atheists ression to keep the chain of decit out strached

I like to challenge believers about their deities, because many believers claim they know EXACTLY WHO and WHAT their gods are. The truth is, NO one can know for sure.