Thread: what do YOU say when questioned about your atheist/agnostic point of view?

if you don't devote yourself to a religion and don't live your life in worship and guidance of "god", and the subject is brought up, what do you say? How do you justify yourself and back up your belief? Do you go into detail (this usually scares the other person or makes them uncomfortable with you) or do you give them a brief and clever saying or statement. I'd like to hear some stories and examples

if you don't devote yourself to a flying triangular fish named Squiggy and his guidance, and the subject is brought up, what do you say? How do you justify yourself and back up your belief that he doesn't exist? Do you go into detail (this usually scares the other person or makes them uncomfortable with you) or do you give them a brief and clever saying or statement.

I would say that he probably does not exist because (a) there is no clear definition and (b) there is no evidence and that it is unreasonable ("stupid" if I don't like the person) to believe in his existence.
Although this is not really an issue because my town is around 60% atheist and definitely 90%+ in the natural sciences of my university. So the topic basically never comes up.

Same here more or less. People are much more surprised if you say you believe in god than if you say you're an atheist. If anything, it's me that's questioning their beliefs, wondering why they believe what they do.

When the frequent Theist questions me with a tone that I'm some sort of horrible or degraded person for being Atheist:

"I'm an Agnostic Atheist, so I don't believe what you believe. I believe this because of various logical and scientific evidences as well as my own reasoning. I still, however, have morals and am just as good of a person... just without believing in a God. I don't try to argue against your beliefs unless you wish to discuss religion, or you impede upon mine. I don't try to convert anybody to Atheism, but only argue my point against yours. Don't force your beliefs down my throat, and I won't do the same to you. Keep in mind that I'll most likely win at that kind of fight. "

(I'm probably going to have to tell that one to my whole damn fundie English class. )

If somebody tries to tell me about religion or convert me:

"I've done my own, unbiased research on many different religions and Theology. I know all about what you're telling me, but I simply don't believe it. I get that you're trying to promote your religion, but it is pretty arrogant and ignorant of others to try to discredit their beliefs while they both have the same ammount of evidence. None. If I were to come to your doorstep saying that everything that you believe is horribly false, and the only way you can live is to change your entire lifestyle, you would probably be very offended."

If I'm discussing religion, then I go as detailed as necissary to convey a believe on whatever topic we're discussing.

If somebody asks me what I am:

"Agnostic."

Hmmmm... what else is there...

Anecdotes and concession/rebuttal. Good to use in arguments.

Korittke, where do you go to college?

I'm in an undisclosed location in Northern Germany.

Oh. I guess I won't go to college there... since it's half way around the word.

thanks for the replies. for myself, i am not so much declared right now with my beliefs, i guess that would make me agnostic. and yes Alextanium, nicely put!

here is a video Top 80 Atheism/Religion Quotes i thought was neat and want to share, check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3LHxNaAU-g

one of my favorites - "Religion does three things quite effectively: divides people, controls people, deludes people."

another good one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djI3g1Lw4ow

I attend a grammar school, which requires a certain level of high attainment and high intelligence in order to attend, naturally the vast vast majority of people there are atheist.

Also, in my country, as with most people outside of the middle east or US religion isn't exactly taken seriously, so most people are atheist/agnostic. If a christian happened to ask me why I don't believe in God, I'd ask him why he doesn't believe in Anubis.

To be honest it doesn't come up very often.

The only time I can remember in recent history was when I discovered a friend of mine was a young earth creationist (14 years and i didn't know, what the fuck). She turned to me and said "You don't think we came from monkeys do you?". I nearly crashed the car, my brain could not compute.

My brother and I were raised without any religion, and have always had a thirst for knowledge, particularly in the sciences. To paraphase Douglas Adams, I usually tell people who ask that "I choose the awe of understanding over the awe of ignorance any day", or that "my world view doesn't require the presence of a creator". Once you become immersed in evolutionary theory, quantum theory (as well as one can), Big Bang Theory and the complexity/diversity of life, burning bushes and talking snakes really can't hold a candle to that kind of reverence.

Originally Posted by Alextanium

Once you become immersed in evolutionary theory, quantum theory (as well as one can), Big Bang Theory and the complexity/diversity of life, burning bushes and talking snakes really can't hold a candle to that kind of reverence.

Nicely put!