# Atheists: What Do You Believe In? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 12, 2013, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082 "2013-02-12T15:17:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![doubleminus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5daacb/32.png) [@doubleminus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doubleminus)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082/41 "2013-02-12T16:32:32Z")
I hold nothing to be self-evident except (perhaps) my own self. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082/42 "2013-02-12T16:34:40Z")
> [@ethelbert](#): > > I believe 8 of the 10 Commandments. Huh. Just looked the list up. I’m on board for 4 outa 10. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082/43 "2013-02-12T16:35:36Z")
I believe no human knows what happens before life, or after death. Could there be something? Perhaps. But no organized religion has any insight or clue. Humans are pretty stupid. On one hand, we look to the skies and want to find/meet aliens, but on the other hand, we can’t even communicate with other life forms on earth. So far, science has proven the best bet: evolution has shown us how the human form can and might continue to evolve; slowly we are kind of figuring out how to fix/maintain the human body and keep us alive longer; very slowly we are starting to get a hint about the universe; with any luck, we might even be able to save the planet and figure out how to control the environment. There will always be those who go off and hide in some building and mutter strange phrases for lack of any better idea. But there will be others who do something constructive and proactive - doing research and discovering new science and technology that actually makes a difference and perhaps will answer many questions we have. In other words, I think the “good book” in a few hundred years will be a science book that deals with something called facts. That will be something to believe in. ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082/44 "2013-02-12T16:37:14Z")
> [@White SIFL](#): > > Then why ask about atheists in your OP? Why not just ask, “What are your beliefs?”. If you mention atheists and belief in the same sentence the comparison is understandable. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > It ties into the other thread linked to in the OP. Indeed it does. My intent was to illustrate that atheists hold a variety of beliefs, and that atheism is not itself a belief system, for the benefit of **pchaos** in particular, who seemed determined to define an atheist philosophy. ---
**Author:** ![Strinka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strinka/32/512_2.png) [@Strinka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strinka)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082/45 "2013-02-12T16:39:57Z")
I believe there is an objective reality. I believe the only reliable way to know anything about that reality is to observe it. I believe it is important for one’s beliefs to correspond to reality. ---
**Author:** ![pchaos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/258eb7/32.png) [@pchaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pchaos)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082/46 "2013-02-12T16:40:34Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > Indeed it does. My intent was to illustrate that atheists hold a variety of beliefs, and that atheism is not itself a belief system, for the benefit of **pchaos** in particular, who seemed determined to define an atheist philosophy. Hey Human Action, You’re a sweetheart, I didn’t know this thread was partially for me. Guys, I even have a theme song for us. How about John Lennon’s Imagine…now all we need are some coherent ideas to go with it. Also, we need a word to describe what we are trying to do. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082/47 "2013-02-12T16:42:24Z")
> [@pchaos](#): > > Hey Human Action, > > You’re a sweetheart, I didn’t know this thread was partially for me. > > Guys, > > I even have a theme song for us. How about John Lennon’s Imagine…now all we need are some coherent ideas to go with it. Also, we need a word to describe what we are trying to do. I believe it best you sit this one out and just listen for once, after the mess you made of the last thread. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082/48 "2013-02-12T16:46:32Z")
I believe that most of what people believe is total bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082/49 "2013-02-12T16:51:47Z")
I believe in not being a dick. That’s pretty much the sum-total of my moral philosophy. Every time I have an ethical quandary, I think, _ **friedo** , don’t be a dick._ And then I do the thing that is not dickish. ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082/50 "2013-02-12T16:55:32Z")
> [@solosam](#): > > Why should I believe in any of those things? Does Atheism imply a positive belief in something? You’re absolutely right, and thanks for the clarification. There is no _implicit_ “positive belief” in atheism. It’s _explicit._ ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082/51 "2013-02-12T16:55:44Z")
> [@pchaos](#): > > Hey Human Action, > > You’re a sweetheart, I didn’t know this thread was partially for me. I thought it was clear from our exchange in the other thread, but fair enough. > [@pchaos](#): > > Guys, > > I even have a theme song for us. How about John Lennon’s Imagine…now all we need are some coherent ideas to go with it. Also, we need a word to describe what we are trying to do. Still with this? You are still expecting atheists to form some kind of uniform philosophy? The conclusion you’ve drawn here is that atheists need a theme song and “coherent ideas” in common? Atheism is not a belief system. Atheists have nothing in common besides the lack of a belief in gods. I, among many others, have explained this to the best of my ability. At this point, either you are physically or intellectually incapable of understanding what atheism is, or you’re being dishonest. ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082/52 "2013-02-12T16:56:46Z")
> [@raindog](#): > > You’re absolutely right, and thanks for the clarification. > > There is no _implicit_ “positive belief” in atheism. > > It’s _explicit._ Belief in what, exactly? ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082/53 "2013-02-12T17:04:23Z")
> [@White SIFL](#): > > Then why ask about atheists in your OP? Why not just ask, “What are your beliefs?”. If you mention atheists and belief in the same sentence the comparison is understandable. Because this is a direct response to another thread questioning whether atheists believe in anything. Asking “everybody” makes it a seek-and-find for the atheists’ answers. Let’s see, where to start: I believe in the Golden Rule. I believe that 99% of people regardless of culture want mostly the same things; food, shelter, safety, someone to love and grow old with, maybe raise a family, to feel useful and wanted, and to leave this world knowing that it was a better place for having had them in it. I believe that in many cases, religion puts unnecessary roadblocks in the way of pursuit of these things, but I also believe that trying to convince people en masse to put aside those roadblocks is a fool’s errand. I believe in working for justice in this world, because there will be none in an afterlife. All those starving kids on TV commercials? They will have no reward in heaven for their suffering; the only relief they will have will come on this Earth. We are obligated to solve our problems, because we are the only help we have. I believe in the Serenity Prayer, without the God parts. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082/54 "2013-02-12T17:04:25Z")
I believe I’ll have another drink ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082/55 "2013-02-12T17:05:25Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > Belief in what, exactly? Abbott & Costello ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082/56 "2013-02-12T17:09:33Z")
> [@raindog](#): > > Abbott & Costello How droll. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082/57 "2013-02-12T17:11:54Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > Still with this? You are still expecting atheists to form some kind of uniform philosophy? The conclusion you’ve drawn here is that atheists need a theme song and “coherent ideas” in common? There are atheist organizations that hold meetings and talk about atheist ideas. No, I don’t have their phone number. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082/58 "2013-02-12T17:14:31Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > There are atheist organizations that hold meetings and talk about atheist ideas. > > No, I don’t have their phone number. Not what **pchaos** is talking about-see other thread for details…but bring some asprin. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082/59 "2013-02-12T17:15:40Z")
> [@pchaos](#): > > Guys, > > I even have a theme song for us. How about John Lennon’s Imagine…now all we need are some coherent ideas to go with it. Also, we need a word to describe what we are trying to do. What’s this “we” shit, kemosabe? And what ideas in this thread (aside from the flippant answers) are you finding incoherent? And what do YOU think we should be trying to do, anyway? As a self described theist, why are you so intent on getting atheists to band together, advertise and spread the atheist word? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082/60 "2013-02-12T17:17:55Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I believe I’ll have another drink. > [@Procrustus](#): > > I believe I’ll have another drink I believe we will be needing a designated driver. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-do-you-believe-in/650082.md?page=4)