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Fun:RationalWiki Atheism FAQ for the Newly Deconverted

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RationalWiki Atheism FAQ for the Newly Deconverted? tl;dr. Laconic version follows.

Contents

[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

  1. William Shakespeare, Hamlet
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