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Fun:RationalWiki Atheism FAQ for the Newly Deconverted
RationalWiki Atheism FAQ for the Newly Deconverted? tl;dr. Laconic version follows.
[edit] Okay, what is it that I'm supposed to believe now?
Whatever you want.
[edit] What about all these people who have spent time in college and seminaries learning what they teach? Shouldn't they know what they're talking about better than I would?
Not really, no.
[edit] What about morality? I've always heard that to be a moral person, one needs a higher power.
Nope, Golden Rule (or empathy if you don't want it in forms of rules) provides a form of morality without the need of a higher power.
[edit] If everyone were atheist, wouldn't people just do whatever they wanted, no matter who was harmed?
No. See above.
[edit] What's the meaning of life, without gods or an afterlife?
Basically, whatever meaning you bring to it.
[edit] Can free will exist without gods?
Ask instead: "does the existence or otherwise of free will have any bearing on your life?" The answer, probably not.
[edit] What about science? You rationalists hold it up as the be-all, end-all of human knowledge, but how can that be when it's always changing?
The media overhypes unscientific reports. Science is self-correcting by nature.
[edit] Well, how did things come to be? What was before the Big Bang? If God didn't create the universe, how did it happen?
We don't know, but that's OK.
[edit] What about, you know, sex?
Go for it. Bow-chicka-wow-wow.
[edit] What is informed consent?
All participants should know why they're there, be OK with it, and understand what will happen from it. Animals and young children are incapable of it.
[edit] So yeah, about sex.
Pay attention to sex education, be a good person, and have fun.
[edit] Gambling? Drinking? Drugs?
Know your limits, know the law, know your wallet.
[edit] What about the Bible?
Probably written by a bunch of people over a long period of time. Books exist on its history.
[edit] What about other Scriptures? The Qur'an? The Book of Mormon? The Vedas?
See last sentence in above.
[edit] But what do I do with my tithe money?
Give to charity.
[edit] But I miss the social setting at church...
Try a Unitarian Universalist Church, a Cultural Ethical Society, or friends.
[edit] You haven't mentioned evolution.
Good point.
[edit] Or abortion, or euthanasia?
Another good point.
[edit] What about politics? How should I vote?
However your conscience tells you.
[edit] If atheism is a lack of belief, why all the fuss?
To stand up for ourselves. Some see religion as inherently bad.
[edit] What's the deal with this Atheism+ thing?
Question your prejudices and don't be a dick, and you're in.
[edit] Okay, anything else I need to know?
"To thine own self be true."[1] Waffles are good.
[edit] Footnotes
- ↑ William Shakespeare, Hamlet