Common Atheist Myths

Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of God or Gods. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there is no God or Gods. Most inclusively, atheism is simply the absence of belief that any God or Gods exist. Atheism is contrasted with theism, which in its most general form is the belief that at least one God exists.

The term atheism originated from the Greek ἄθεος (atheos), meaning "without god(s)", used as a pejorative term applied to those thought to reject the gods worshipped by the larger society. With the spread of free thought, skeptical inquiry, and subsequent increase in criticism of religion, application of the term narrowed in scope. The first individuals to identify themselves using the word "atheist" lived in the 18th century.

Arguments for atheism range from the philosophical to social and historical approaches. Rationales for not believing in anything supernatural include the lack of empirical evidence, the problem of evil, the argument from inconsistent revelations, rejection of concepts which cannot be falsified, and the argument from non-belief. Although some atheists have adopted secular philosophies, there is no one ideology or set of behaviors to which all atheists adhere. Many atheists hold that atheism is a more parsimonious worldview than theism, and therefore the burden of proof lies not on the atheist to disprove the existence of God, but on the theist to provide a rationale for theism.

We live in increasingly educated societies where people feel the need to question the existence and belief in God. So, lets examine these thoughts in more detail.

Are atheists and theists morally equivalent? does belief in God underpin moral values?

Cell membrane-like organic vesicles - formed in conditions mimicking interstellar clouds?

Chemical origin of life - is (abiogenesis) this a realistic scenario?

Beyond intelligent design - why is there existence at all?

Extreme fine tuning - dark energy or the cosmological constant.

Is there a God? here are six straight forward reasons to believe that God is really there.

Is there any actual scientific proof that God exists? lets examine the available information.

Life after death - first hint of 'life after death' in biggest ever scientific study.

Obsession with sport (like football) - and the replacement of Waheguru, the holy Sangat (community) and the effects on mental health.

Origin of life theories - earth's early atmosphere wasn't reducing.

Origin of life theories - latest problems.

Origin of life theories - metabolism-first vs. replicator-first hypotheses.

Pascal's Wager - atheism is a terrible bet. It gives you no chance of winning the prize.

Primitive membranes - problems with the origin of biological membranes in an early earth environment.

The mystery of consciousness - consciousness is perhaps the most fundamental unsolved problem in science.

The origin of life on planet earth - has long baffled the scientific community.

The origin of homochirality - a major problem for origin of life theories.

The problem of evil - atheist's are unable to 'give an account of why one deed should be seen as good and another as evil'.

The psychology of atheism - and the reasons for non-belief.

Twins - a fictional tale of two twins, one atheist and one theist, that have a discussion about the world beyond.

Waheguru or science? without god, life is meaningless.

Why do you fear death? people who have no assurance fear death (particularly as they get older and older).

Are your beliefs consistent with your worldview? (part 1) people who have no assurance fear death (particularly as they get older).

Is god real? the evidence for god's existence (part 2) this is a follow-up to 'Are your beliefs consistent with your worldview?'.

Was there ever nothing? (part 1) a thought journey on the beginning of time and the origin of the universe.

Something (part 2) this is a follow-up to 'Was there ever nothing?'.

Who (part 3) this is a follow-up to 'Something'.

Who 2 (part 4) this is a follow-up to 'Who'.

Whereas an atheist believes that god(s) do not exist, most people are, in fact, agnostic.

Agnostics claim either;

1) that it is not possible to have absolute or certain knowledge of God or gods;
2) or, alternatively, that while individual certainty may be possible, they personally have no knowledge.

This position is usually underpinned by home, work, family, social and cultaral lifestyles and/ or committments. Factors, such as upbringing also make a difference. Which is why, when agnostics remove physiological and material obsessions from their lives and are willing to engage with Sikhism openly and without restriction, they often become transformed.

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