The Best Retort for the “Atheists Are Arrogant” Argument
By Daniel Miessler on August 24th, 2008: Tagged as Atheism | Religion
Image from sketchesofexistence
Let me get this straight. You think the Creator of the Universe cares personally about your life, and that you know, with absolute certainty, what he wants for all of humankind.
I, on the other hand, think that we’re basically alone, not very special, and are just fumbling through our random existence trying to do the best we can.
And I’m the arrogant one?
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This is indeed a great reply to those who indeed claim to know, with absolute certainly, what their God wants for all of humankind.
(But, I will continue to maintain that such people .. though they may be over represented among the well known religious figures are not as plentiful as you think .. nor do all who do claim such knowledge use the word arrogant to describe atheists.)
Still in the (limited?) arena of applicability, I would agree that this is a great response.
Comment by Carl M — 8/24/2008 @ 12:01 pm
Like most religious folkes, they don’t really believe the stuff they shout. They are just robots. So I don’t think they think we’re arrogant. It’s just another argument they pulled out of their hat.
Comment by none — 8/25/2008 @ 6:29 pm
Sounding a bit arrogant there Carl.
Comment by Dave — 8/25/2008 @ 6:32 pm
Good response. I would take out the reference to randomness, though, because theists latch onto that sort of thing–they think atheists believe biological diversity etc to be a product of pure random chance, which as Dawkins likes to point out, is a grave misunderstanding of natural selection, which is anything but random.
Comment by J Reeve — 8/25/2008 @ 6:59 pm
the counter argument is “theists are asskissers” … cos after all, what else would an asskisser think of a asskicker.
you’ve chosen to be servile, you got beaten like a dog, and your will cracked, and now you resent all those who didn’t collapse under the intimidation… too fucking bad, grow a backbone and rise off your knees, but don’t tell me i’m arrogant, cos compared to you a jelly fish is made of sterner stuff.
you kiss jesus’ ass, but jesus can kiss my ass… http://www.ijigg.com/songs/V2BCAAPD
Comment by arrogant motherfucker — 8/25/2008 @ 8:59 pm
Generally speaking religious extremists sound like ‘arrogant motherfucker’ above* so I’ll assume he is one, otherwise he would be an embarrassment to us atheists =/
Comment by modest motherfucker — 8/25/2008 @ 10:06 pm
I would add to this that Christians are the ones who believe that we were created in God’s own image and have a divine right to mastery over all other creatures.
Comment by Rob — 8/25/2008 @ 11:56 pm
There is no reason that all the things should turn around the humanity and most probably we are not the creatures to send books to show care. Humanity is egoist and think that we are like a sun in the center of all universe and everything was made for us. Well, I am not an atheist or theist but still atheists have stronger arguments than theists because of over thinking, reading and breaking the rules of prejudice. It makes them more peaceful as well. Anyway, let’s repeat together. In Ferrero Nutella we trust and consume. Amen :)
Comment by nonch — 8/26/2008 @ 1:16 am
Very good one, I’ll keep this.
Comment by Silveira Neto — 8/26/2008 @ 3:15 am
Atheist Group hug…and a snack, and off to bed.
Comment by Karl Jr — 8/26/2008 @ 3:34 am
Atheist Group hug…and a snack, and off to bed…none the wiser…but perhaps more contently ignorant…aww
Comment by Karl Jr — 8/26/2008 @ 3:36 am
@Dave … :)
.. but I still don’t see that great a number of people who both (1) believe that they know the mind of God and (2) assert that atheists are arrogant.
… Perhaps I could have kept it that simply stated the first time. :)
Comment by Carl M — 8/26/2008 @ 11:31 am
“And if there were a God, I think it very unlikely that He would have such an uneasy vanity as to be offended by those who doubt His existence” - Bertrand Russell
Comment by Jim Gardner — 8/26/2008 @ 1:26 pm
[...] 27, 2008 at 12:07 pm (Religion, atheism) (atheism, christianity, god, humor, rick warren) Sweet, simple, and to the point. Let me get this straight. You think the Creator of the Universe cares personally about your life, [...]
Pingback by Atheists are so arrogant! « Suddenly Atheist — 8/27/2008 @ 4:07 pm
Works for me!
Comment by James — 9/5/2008 @ 1:27 am
I’m not sure where I read it (or something close):
“A cult is just religion without any political power.”
And when the fundy’s come a knockin’ on my door I ask them if they believe in any other gods. when they say no I then say we are really not to much different since just believe in one less god than you. (I think Dawkins has a quote that inspired this).
Comment by LoudPatriot — 9/21/2008 @ 10:29 pm
God phoned me last night and told me he doesn’t exist. I’m not one to argue…
Comment by Quiet agnostic — 9/22/2008 @ 9:57 pm
When a person suffers a delusion, it’s called insanity. When a group suffers the same delusion, it becomes a Religion.
It continually amuses me to see how all theists seem so offended by us Atheists. It also interests me to see how you take it so personally that there is a group out there that does not believe in your god, or indeed any god at all. Does anybody understand that the monotheistic religions are just a god for a few away from being Atheists?
Comment by Andy — 10/3/2008 @ 2:37 pm
Iv had this conversation once or 2ice… Its not that atheists think their arrogant, its that the have a deep rooted belief in ignorance, that they need to defend. Just like every other religion, in order to have an answer to something that is far beyond the cutting edge of understanding.
Atheism is another ism.. Isms and anitys = the acceptance of ignorance. As ironic as it sounds they hey have staunch devotion to their God, which is an anti-God which is just as real as anti-matter. Still, I contend that all religious zelots have denied themselves one of the most fundamental rights of humanity; the ability to imagine and then pursue factual answers. Yeah I suppose its arrogant to believe you have the answer to something that you cant possibly understand… so in that respect..
Comment by Richard Corsale — 11/5/2008 @ 7:16 pm