Are Atheists mentally ill?

The Daily Telegraph ^ | 08/17/2013 | Sean Thomas

[Vanders9]

Evidence may not be a function of belief systems, but belief systems certainly ARE a function of evidence.

Contrary to your contention, there is indeed evidence for the existence of unicorns. Its just that most people do not find that evidence convincing. There is evidence that the world is round. More people find that convincing. The point is that the process whereby you find evidence convincing or not is certainly a value judgement on your part.

Atheists, naturally, assert that their judgement on whether evidence is substantive enough is based purely on reason and rationality. Apart from that being bloody insulting to everyone else, I dont believe it for a second. Human beings are creatures of reason and rationality, but we are also creatures of emotion and instinct, and they play as much of a part in the decision making process of atheists as anyone else, and certainly more than they fondly hope.

[Vanders9]

Well, speaking for myself, when I made my decision to accept Jesus as Lord, the matter of heaven and hell was not even something I had considered, and certainly not one that was used to “beat me into belief”. This old saw about heaven and hell being used as a bribe or a threat to keep the rabble in line is a modern atheist construct. True practioners of Christianity are more concerned about life before death than life after it.

[Vanders9]

No the argument is that non-believers on average have a higher IQ than believers, and that doesnt preclude the existence of very bright believers and extremely stupid atheists. You could equally argue that the counter contention that believers lead healthier happier lives was a fallacy by finding one hyper happy highly moral atheist. Group averages dont affect individuals.

I agree totally with your second statement. It is essential for atheists to sieze the intellectual high ground. I dont mind them making themselves out to be smart. I just object to them doing it by pushing everyone else down.

[Kip Russell]

Some are, as are some of those who believe in God.

Shrug.

[Kip Russell]

Because it still takes FAITH not to believe in a God.

To actively assert that there is not a God is an act of faith, agreed...but a simple lack of belief is no more an act of faith than bald is a hair color.

[smvoice]

Pardon the interruption, but I must say that although I’m not part of this discussion, your “than bald is a hair color” is one of the funniest things I’ve ever read on FR. Thanks for the laugh, and carry on...:)

[Vanders9]

Some are, as are some of those who believe in God.

Oh, no question, but that is not the point the article is getting at. There are, after all, many types of mental illness. The specific contention the article is making is that belief in something higher than ourselves is intrinsic to the Human condition, and therefore those who specifically deny the same are, in effect, denying a fundamental part of themselves.

I agree with the article (although calling non believers "mentally ill" as a conclusion is a bit harsh). There is a "god-shaped slot" in all of us, and without a belief in the divine it becomes a void into which all manner of crud gets thrown. When people stop believing in God, they dont just start believing in nothing. More usually they start believing in everything.