why?

The same reason I love being white: because I am one.

being white is swell, but your logic is poor

Look, dude. I never meant to start up a religious debate, but it's because atheism is the logical choice.

Logic can be used to prove a chair doesn't exist. And logic is based on things you know for sure, so you can't say Atheism is the logical choice unless you know for a fact that there is no higher power in the universe.

I'm not trying to say other religions are correct, as I have no clue either, it's just what I believe. As far as I know, The universe is run by fucking giraffes.

I'd be okay with the Universe being run by Giraffes.... why isn't that a religion?

Yeah, I get it. Sorry for that, I just wanted to point out a bit of a flaw in your argument. I have nothing against Atheists, I apologize if I appeared hostile in any way.

haha no worries, dude.

Oh good. Have a fun internet, sir.

you still refuse to explain. also i have not mentioned religion until now.

Because, as an atheist, I live in truth instead of entertaining eternal life fantasies. I understand the idea of a god that can convict you of thought crime is comparable to a celestial North Korea. I accept responsibility for my own faults. I live this life knowing it's the only one I have. I don't claim to know the meaning of life, as the religious do, so life and the universe in general maintain a mysterious element. I realize some people need the thought of an afterlife and a loving savior; I don't. I don't care if Socrates was a real person or not, his teachings are still valid. Same goes for Jesus. You dig? I never attack religious people for their beliefs, but I will defend my atheism.

Cool.

also you claim to respect others' beliefs yet the first sentence in your rebuttal claims that theism is a "fantasy"

I push when shoved. You're sort of pissing me off with your questions so I called it a fantasy, yes. I won't deny it. I have many Christian friends and my whole family is Christian. I don't try and persuade them otherwise.

isnt denying there beliefs in itself an attempt of conversion?

I really hope you're trolling.
That was the most failed logic I've ever seen.

if you say someone is wrong, it is because you want them to change their answer, correct?

That's a double standard. They think I'm wrong, I think they're wrong.

I don't want them to "change their answer." I let them believe in what they want, and they let me believe in what I want.

I see no problem with that.

Fucking dumbass.

never met any priest claiming to know the meaning of life (its 42) Jesus believed in a god, and you claim his teachings are valid. where is your atheism now?

Fail. Priests do claim to know the meaning of life--accept Christ as your savior and live eternally with him. They just don't claim to know "god's purpose" for things.
Christ had many teachings, in some the deity element was quintessential, but not all.

I am a Christian, but that was a piss poor argument based on a technicality. I hope you weren't serious.

first part (no priest told me they know the meaning of life) serious rest not

Ok then ^_^

your silence is deafening.