# What is the degree of Atheist responsibility to challenge belief? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 14, 2012, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-degree-of-atheist-responsibility-to-challenge-belief/634707 "2012-09-14T17:06:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-degree-of-atheist-responsibility-to-challenge-belief/634707/341 "2012-09-21T21:20:13Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > But in conclusion, from what I am hearing from y’all is that atheism is simply defined as a lack of belief in god or gods. I agree with this. > [@](#): > > It is not his responsibility because atheism is not motivated or directed by a defined code of responsibility , per the admitted definition of atheism the majority of posters in this thread have given me. > > You can’t feel responsible to something that doesn’t exist. Many posters have said exactly that. Which doesn’t mean the OP couldn’t argue with his mother about her beliefs for other reasons, but to say it’s an obligation for atheists doesn’t hold water. ---
**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:** [September 21, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-degree-of-atheist-responsibility-to-challenge-belief/634707/342 "2012-09-21T21:26:12Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > In fact, in everyone’s own words, atheism doesn’t have a purpose or stated motivation at all. > > So the original poster needs to leave his mom alone. It is not his responsibility because atheism is not motivated or directed by a defined code of responsibility , per the admitted definition of atheism the majority of posters in this thread have given me. > > You can’t feel responsible to something that doesn’t exist. He may not have a code of responsibility due to atheism, but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have a code of responsibility _at all_, and may still feel the need to talk to his mother. You seem to be looking for a religious “win/win” situation here-if atheism is a motivation, then speaking out is an intrusion, but if atheism _isn’t_ the motivation then there is also no reason to speak out. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-degree-of-atheist-responsibility-to-challenge-belief/634707/343 "2012-09-21T21:30:05Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > In fact, in everyone’s own words, atheism doesn’t have a purpose or stated motivation at all. > > So the original poster needs to leave his mom alone. It is not his responsibility because atheism is not motivated or directed by a defined code of responsibility , per the admitted definition of atheism the majority of posters in this thread have given me. > > You can’t feel responsible to something that doesn’t exist. But it’s rather unlikely that the OP has no other opinions but atheism. And any number of ethical principles & systems would prescribe that an atheist adhering to them _should_ tell the truth to his/her mother. ---
**Author:** ![Latro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a87d85/32.png) [@Latro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Latro)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-degree-of-atheist-responsibility-to-challenge-belief/634707/344 "2012-09-21T21:32:17Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > But in conclusion, from what I am hearing from y’all is that atheism is simply defined as a lack of belief in god or gods. correct > [@](#): > > So to come full circle, if by definition atheism does not imply a belief system or code of ethics or doctrine or even defined purpose then there is no inherent responsibility if one identifies themselves as an atheist to challenge any one else’s belief. No _inherent_ obligation, no. No one is under any obligation. > [@](#): > > In fact, in everyone’s own words, atheism doesn’t have a purpose or stated motivation at all. right. > [@](#): > > So the original poster needs to leave his mom alone. It is not his responsibility because atheism is not motivated or directed by a defined code of responsibility , per the admitted definition of atheism the majority of posters in this thread have given me. Contort much? How has obligation suddenly changed to no responsibility? He can take on any responsibility he likes, including responsibility to protect his mother from the harm he thinks religion causes. He isn’t obligated to, though. > [@](#): > > You can’t feel responsible to something that doesn’t exist. what? ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-degree-of-atheist-responsibility-to-challenge-belief/634707/345 "2012-09-21T21:56:33Z")
April R, I apologize for mistating my ealier point. Posting from my phone makes it difficult to proofread. I intended to say there are no unifying features of atheists. One may be motivated to discourage his elderly mother living on a budget from giving all her money to a church. Another may attempt to remove a Biblical quote from a government building, yet another may intend to encourage a friend to seek medical care rather than pray at an illness. Some, much like non-collectors of stamps, never discuss their nonbelief. A previous poster noted that atheism is often discussed as a reaction to witnessing. I’ve let a couple of arrogant witnesses have it. But I, for one, have never attempted to deprogram anyone, nor have I approached a single person with “Do you accept Jesus Christ as your saviour? Why do you hate science and reason!” I encounter witnessing or prayer every single day of my life. (Thanks, Facebook.) I find it tedious and a waste of time and effort better spent, but unless someone is being harmed or causing harm, I keep my thoughts to myself. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-degree-of-atheist-responsibility-to-challenge-belief/634707/346 "2012-09-21T23:47:25Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > No. I attend a public secular university. > > But in conclusion, from what I am hearing from y’all is that atheism is simply defined as a lack of belief in god or gods. > > So to come full circle, if by definition atheism does not imply a belief system or code of ethics or doctrine or even defined purpose then there is no inherent responsibility if one identifies themselves as an atheist to challenge any one else’s belief. Exactly. We might feel an individual responsibility to do so from a number of causes, but none stem from atheism. > [@](#): > > In fact, in everyone’s own words, atheism doesn’t have a purpose or stated motivation at all. \ I think she’s got it. By George she’s got it. \ ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-degree-of-atheist-responsibility-to-challenge-belief/634707/347 "2012-09-21T23:55:50Z")
that was enlightening. Thanks for the thought provoking discussion everyone. I sincerely enjoyed it! P.S. Not all of us religious silly heads are stubborn or close minded. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-degree-of-atheist-responsibility-to-challenge-belief/634707/348 "2012-09-22T00:14:35Z")
Nice to meet you, \*\* April R\*\*, hope you stick around. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-degree-of-atheist-responsibility-to-challenge-belief/634707/349 "2012-09-22T00:55:18Z")
Thanks, I plan to. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-degree-of-atheist-responsibility-to-challenge-belief/634707/350 "2012-09-22T01:09:13Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > \ > > If you don’t like how a term is understood stop defining it that way. I hate to beat a dead horse, but I really think you are misunderstanding the distinction between cultural materialism and being materialistic (or practicing materialism). When I said the acquisition of material things was one of the human needs which explains cultural practices, material in this case means shelter, clothing, etc. which meets basic human requirements for survival. Cultural materialism explains behavior this way, and it is an anthropological theory. Being materialistic is"excessively concerned with physical comforts or the acquisition of material things rather than spiritual, intellectual, moral, or cultural values." cite: [MATERIALISTIC Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/materialistic) They are not the same thing at all. But that is neither here no there because it doesn’t add to the topic of discussion, so I won’t indulge it any further. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-degree-of-atheist-responsibility-to-challenge-belief/634707/351 "2012-09-22T01:55:48Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > I hate to beat a dead horse, but I really think you are misunderstanding the distinction between cultural materialism and being materialistic (or practicing materialism). When I said the acquisition of material things was one of the human needs which explains cultural practices, material in this case means shelter, clothing, etc. which meets basic human requirements for survival. Cultural materialism explains behavior this way, and it is an anthropological theory. Ok how, _specifically_, is that theory relevant to your understanding of the reasons for Atheism’s existence? \ ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-degree-of-atheist-responsibility-to-challenge-belief/634707/352 "2012-09-22T02:19:35Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > Ok how, _specifically_, is that theory relevant to your understanding of the reasons for Atheism’s existence? > > \ It isn’t. It was a failed attempt at trying to gain some understanding, by applying a theoretical paradigm, of atheism and why someone who identified as such would feel a responsibility to do X. My line of reasoning was soundly debunked, and even though my application of the theory was a failure I was successful in gaining a little more understanding of how atheism is defined by those who identify as such and what that means to them and to others. It was pretty nifty to learn something relevant from others even after a failed attempt to explain it on my own (which is why I am an applied anthropologist and not an academic/theoretical anthropologist. I place more import on the interpretations and explanations of those who I am trying to understand (the etic perspective) than my own (the emic perspective) ) \*\*\*sorry for totally geeking out 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-degree-of-atheist-responsibility-to-challenge-belief/634707.md?page=17)