Comparing Atheism & Theism:

Given the fact that atheism and theism are mutually exclusive, and how atheists and theists debate so much, it might seem natural to wonder which of the two is "better." This is a difficult question to answer, though, because "better" is ambiguous. Does this ask which is more useful, which is more comforting, which is more likely true, etc.? There need not be a single answer to all these questions because what's true and useful may not be comforting.


Since the question likely comes from theists, though, perhaps it's meant to ask whether atheism has anything to offer them.

Are Atheists More Rational than Theists?:

Atheism itself doesn't inherently mean all that much. Fundamentally, atheism itself isn't anything more than not believing in any gods. Why or how one might be without belief in gods is no more relevant to the definition of atheism than why or how one might believe in gods is relevant to the definition of theism. What this means is that atheists aren't necessarily or automatically more rational than theists. Even if atheism is more rationally justified or defensible than theism, not all atheists base their atheism on those reasons or are rational in other areas of life. Atheism, Theism and Rationality...

Who has the Burden of Proof, Atheists or Theists?:

The concept of a ?burden of proof? is important in debates: whoever has a burden of proof is obligated to ?prove? their claims in some fashion. If someone doesn?t have a burden of proof, then their job is much easier: all that is required is to either accept the claims or point out where they are inadequately supported.

Theists necessarily make a claim, namely that at least one god of some sort exists, so they always have some burden of proof. Atheists may or may not offer counter-claims, so may or may not have a burden of proof. Atheism, Theism, Burden of Proof...

Why Be An Atheist? Is There Something Special About Atheism?:

This is a very good question; unfortunately, it isn't very easy to answer. There are perhaps as many reasons for being an atheist as there are atheists. What I mean by this is that the road to atheism tends to be very personal and individual, based upon the specific circumstances of a person's life, experiences, and attitudes. Disbelief in gods is, however, the default position ? we are all born atheists, not theists, and have to learn religious theism from family, community, and culture. This suggests that instead of asking why be an atheist, it would be better to ask why be a theist. Why Be An Atheist...

Are there Any Advantages to Being an Atheist?:

This is rather an odd question ? shouldn?t the primary concern be with whether or not any gods really do exist? Shouldn?t the truth of this question be the focus of our attention, and not any personal advantage or disadvantage which we might get by taking one position or the other? If it could be shown that atheism is the best position, would people deliberately reject it because it has disadvantages? If truth and reason matter, it shouldn't matter if atheism has any advantages or disadvantages. Advantages to Being an Atheist...

Why Should I Consider Atheism? Is There Any Point In Being An Atheist?:

This can be a difficult question to answer without knowing more about a person's situation. There are two ways to interpret it: why should you, an individual in a specific situation, consider being an atheist, and why should anyone at all consider atheism and the challenges which atheism and atheists present to theistic beliefs? The answers to each will differ, but they have in common the importance of skepticism and critical thinking. Atheism should be derived from skepticism about religious and theistic claims, so atheism should be considered if religious theism cannot satisfy skepticism. Why Consider Atheism..

Is Atheism Morally or Intellectually Significant?:

The mere fact that a person doesn't believe in any gods isn't very meaningful. Thus, if atheism is going to have intellectual or moral significance, it must be for other reasons. Those reasons can't be found simply in critiques of religion or arguments against theism; instead they must be found in a general program of reason, skepticism, and critical inquiry. Unreflective and unthinking atheism is no more rational than unthinking theism ? and it is without question that atheists are capable of being as unreasonable and irrational as the most bizarre theist. Is Atheism Morally or Intellectually Significant...

Weighing Atheism Against Theism: What Should People Believe?:

The most common form of interaction between atheism and theism comes in the form of debates (if people are feeling civilized) or drawn-out arguments (if people are feeling annoyed). Atheism and theism are mutually exclusive options: a person must be an atheist or a theist, but they can't be both and they can't avoid both. At the same time, though, it can't be said that the best option is always unambiguously clear based on the debates atheists and theists have. What's a person to do? Should We Believe Atheism or Theism...

How Can I Be an Atheist? Simple and Easy Procedure to Become an Atheist:

So, do you want to be an atheist? Do you really want to be able to call yourself an atheist instead of a theist? If so, then this is the place to come: here you can learn the simple and easy procedure for becoming an atheist. If you read this advice, you'll learn what it takes to be an atheist and thus perhaps if you also have what it takes to be an atheist. Few people seem to understand what being an atheist is all about and thus what becoming an atheist entails. It isn't that hard, though. How to Become an Atheist...