Why Did God Create Atheists?

[Miles]

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There is a famous story told in Chassidic literature that addresses this very question. The Master teaches the student that God created everything in the world to be appreciated, since everything is here to teach us a lesson.

One clever student asks “What lesson can we learn from atheists? Why did God create them?”

The Master responds “God created atheists to teach us the most important lesson of them all — the lesson of true compassion. You see, when an atheist performs an act of charity, visits someone who is sick, helps someone in need, and cares for the world, he is not doing so because of some religious teaching. He does not believe that God commanded him to perform this act. In fact, he does not believe in God at all, so his acts are based on an inner sense of morality. And look at the kindness he can bestow upon others simply because he feels it to be right.”

“This means,” the Master continued “that when someone reaches out to you for help, you should never say ‘I pray that God will help you.’ Instead for the moment, you should become an atheist, imagine that there is no God who can help, and say ‘I will help you.’”

—Martin Buber, Tales of Hasidim Vol. 2 (1991)

So, reasonable or not. We atheists exist to set an example to the morally stunted of the world?


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[Bubuche87]

Except that atheists are people who don't believe in god, not people that believe god doesn't exist. Additional, I find the "it exist... In your mind" extremely disingenuous. But it's like... My opinion.

[nameless]

Except that atheists are people who don't believe in god, not people that believe god doesn't exist. Additional, I find the "it exist... In your mind" extremely disingenuous. But it's like... My opinion.

That is a typical disingenuous atheist statement. Under close honest observation, atheists believe there is no God.
Okay, what percentage of an atheist's philosophy admits the possibility of God? How much of God are you willing to accept? We can start from there. If the percentage is 0%, you are riddled with beliefs and a fanatic!

And if you knew a bit of science, you'd realize that everything exists in/as Mind!
Everything exists! The only question might be 'where'. Ultimately, all is Mind.

[Bubuche87]

No, "I do not believe X exist" is not "I believe X does not exist".
In the same way that if I flip a coin and ask you if you believe it's head you'll likely answer "I do ko believe it's tail" and that it doesn't mean that you do believe it's not tail.

As for the possibility of a god: did you prove that there is a possibility of a god ?

And I do know a bit of science, and I strongly disagree that everything is about mind. I think it's as incorrect as saying telescopes are fundamental to galaxies because we use telescopes to see galaxies.

We apprehend things through our mind, it doesn't mean it's fundamental or that everything exist only in mind etc.

But all of that is off-topic.

[Tcg]

Except that atheists are people who don't believe in god, not people that believe god doesn't exist. Additional, I find the "it exist... In your mind" extremely disingenuous. But it's like... My opinion.

That is a typical disingenuous atheist statement. Under close honest observation, atheists believe there is no God.
Okay, what percentage of an atheist's philosophy admits the possibility of God? How much of God are you willing to accept? We can start from there. If the percentage is 0%, you are riddled with beliefs and a fanatic!

And if you knew a bit of science, you'd realize that everything exists in/as Mind!
Everything exists! The only question might be 'where'. Ultimately, all is Mind.

Are you planning to present sufficient evidence to support any of these claims, or are claims the extent of your repertoire?


Tcg

[nameless]

No, "I do not believe X exist" is not "I believe X does not exist".
In the same way that if I flip a coin and ask you if you believe it's head you'll likely answer "I do ko believe it's tail" and that it doesn't mean that you do believe it's not tail.

As for the possibility of a god: did you prove that there is a possibility of a god ?

Okay, answer me this, what is the difference between an agnostic and an atheist?

And I do know a bit of science, and I strongly disagree that everything is about mind. I think it's as incorrect as saying telescopes are fundamental to galaxies because we use telescopes to see galaxies.

Please demonstrate that anything is not 'memory'. Starting from what you think/imagine/memory to be yourself, to the keys under your fingers. As far as you are concerned, everything is memory, and quantum mechanics points strongly to all being Mind.

"We apprehend things through our mind, it doesn't mean it's fundamental or that everything exist only in mind etc."

Demonstrate something that does not exist in your mind?

[nameless]

[Replying to Tcg in post #54]
I'll ask you the same question; what, exactly, is the difference between an atheist and an agnostic?

I see by your tag how desperately you try to distance yourself from your beliefs by the power of the American Atheists club house.
Answer my question, and be specific what you are demanding evidence for; Mind? Atheism being a religion?
A religion is a congregation of folks infected with similar beliefs. Like Atheists believing there is no God. If they admitted the possibility, you would be Agnostics, and honest, at least.
You have three tag lines apologetic in defending your beliefs. That is one symptom of an infection. Beliefs must be defended, fed and propagated.

[mgb]

[Replying to Bubuche87 in post #53]
The mind thinks. Thought is being. Without mind there is no being.

[Bubuche87]

[Replying to nameless in post #55]

Theism and atheism address beliefs.
Gnosticism and agnosticism address knowledge.

It's not my job to prove there is something outside the mind, it's your job to prove there is nothing outside of it.
Cf the example with the galaxies: it's not anyone's job to prove that there telescopes aren't fundamental to galaxies. If someone affirm there are, it's there job to prove it.

[mrrobot1994]

.

There is a famous story told in Chassidic literature that addresses this very question. The Master teaches the student that God created everything in the world to be appreciated, since everything is here to teach us a lesson.

One clever student asks “What lesson can we learn from atheists? Why did God create them?”

The Master responds “God created atheists to teach us the most important lesson of them all — the lesson of true compassion. You see, when an atheist performs an act of charity, visits someone who is sick, helps someone in need, and cares for the world, he is not doing so because of some religious teaching. He does not believe that God commanded xxx him to perform this act. In fact, he does not believe in God at all, so his acts are based on an inner sense of morality. And look at the kindness he can bestow upon others simply because he feels it to be right.”

“This means,” the Master continued “that when someone reaches out to you for help, you should never say ‘I pray that God will help you.’ Instead for the moment, you should become an atheist, imagine that there is no God who can help, and say ‘I will help you.’”

—Martin Buber, Tales of Hasidim Vol. 2 (1991)

So, reasonable or not. We atheists exist to set an example to the morally stunted of the world?


.

God granted us free will, and no one desires to coerce another into a relationship. Opting to accept God's love is immensely fulfilling.

[nameless]

[Replying to Bubuche87 in post #58]
"Theism and atheism address beliefs."
~~~ Not necessarily.
"Gnosticism and agnosticism address knowledge."
~~~With your assertion, I'm guessing that you identify with one of these? lol

I don't know what to tell you who accepts all your sensory input as actual factual representation of some 'reality' 'out there'.

You say there is something beyond mind, a 'thing-in-itself', you are making a positive assertion, so it is your responsibility to offer support if asked. And I'm asking.
I am saying there is 'nothing', would you like me to produce some?
Want to see it again?
Your turn.

"It is sometimes said that our image of reality is an illusion... the illusion comes when we confuse the reality we experience with the physical reality, the thing-in-itself (of which there is nothing in evidence!)".