Atheist in a Christian Den.

[Car Guy]

Welcome

I'm always happy to see atheists at this site. By virtue of the fact they take the time to create an account and participate it shows some wiliness to find out about God and Jesus' plan of salvation.

 

[Mike]

I love it when Atheist join this site. I wish more would. My favorite Atheist was "Logical Bob". Anyone remember him? I miss him so much; one day he just up and left after a lenthy discussion.

So, Atothetheist, welcome to the site.

Logical Bob was fantastic! He was very respectful of the ToS, and he'd get in the grill of atheists who would join with their chest pumped out. He'd remind them where they were and that the attitude they came with was actually a disservice to atheists everywhere. He was around for quite a while, and I miss his contribution as well.

Regardless of how some people feel, the ToS is the ToS. We've received many requests to be more restrictive with whom we permit to post here. Keep in mind, there are always new believers who are still sorting out all their thoughts. There are plenty of open boards that allow for things we don't.

 

[Classik]

This fellow has not started posting yet...
Seems he's ran the gauntlet, kinda;)

I wonder what happens when he begins posting. Fire for fire???



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To succeed here, friend, try to obey the rules. Atheists are welcome.

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[SIZE=+2]The vilest offence here is: SOCCER - SOCCER IS NOT ALLOWED HERE.[/SIZE]


American Football is okay.


Westboro Baptist Church - is preferable to soccer.


so, enjoy, fellow.


Did Darwin play soccer or American Football???

 

[Ambrose]

Did Darwin play soccer or American Football???

I doubt he played either of them lol

 

[Navigator]

Really? Lol, the forum I am on in the atheist community actually encourages theists to join in, and they allow and as a theist thread.

First of all, let me tell you this once. I was a real christian, who are you to say otherwise? I believed wholeheartedly. You do not have the right, nor any insight
into my life.

I do not mean to say this with hate, so please don't take it as such. You are commiting the "No True Scotsman" Fallacy. Google it. You only have your belief, and while you and I clearly differ, I can ( sort of) understand where you are coming from.

There is a reason, theists, that atheists go on sites like these. At least, there are reasons besides what you may consider trolling. We want to learn truth, and we are open to the idea of God, but we can't believe in him until evidence turns up that is credible.

Believe what you want,Sir. You do not have the right to tell me what I was and what I wasn't.

Have you ever heard of the author/preacher Tim Keller? He has a book out called The Reason for God It's a pretty interesting and quick read if you want to maybe give it a look. If not, that's fine.

 

[stovebolts]

The bible verse does nothing for me. I understand. I am not trying to debate for the sake of riling you guys up, I honestly want to have a good discussion on what you guys believe, what evidence you have, whether or not it can be provable, or observable. Whether or not God is all good. Believe it or not, I have met Christians who think God is evil..... I am not here to prove myself superior.

This is why I started Ask an Atheist, so that I could explain why atheists like debate. We want to know the truth, and we believe through dicussion and debate we can find it.

First, the bible verse is simple to understand and is not only an observable fact, but it is simple common sense. One does not have to be a jew or christian to grasp that simple wisdom, let alone heed it.

So, you want to know what I believe? Ok. I believe its cheap entertainment to allow strife to run unbridled. Debating with an agenda that dismisses the simple biblical truths leads to folly especially under the guise of searching for the truth.

Being a christian is a call to action. Its a way of life with an awareness of eachnother and the creator of all things. In short, its ideology in action. Its a living faith that changes the world for the better in many cases but is also subject to extortion, greed and a false sense of authority.

When you say you want to debate, I hear you saying that you think you can prove the bible wrong. I would suggest that you are missing the story, and have little to no desire to view it any other way. Why then would I want to argue with a man who already believes he is right? How about I just hit myself a few times?

 

[Ambrose]

First, the bible verse is simple to understand and is not only an observable fact, but it is simple common sense. One does not have to be a jew or christian to grasp that simple wisdom, let alone heed it.

So, you want to know what I believe? Ok. I believe its cheap entertainment to allow strife to run unbridled. Debating with an agenda that dismisses the simple biblical truths leads to folly especially under the guise of searching for the truth.

Being a christian is a call to action. Its a way of life with an awareness of eachnother and the creator of all things. In short, its ideology in action. Its a living faith that changes the world for the better in many cases but is also subject to extortion, greed and a false sense of authority.

When you say you want to debate, I hear you saying that you think you can prove the bible wrong. I would suggest that you are missing the story, and have little to no desire to view it any other way. Why then would I want to argue with a man who already believes he is right? How about I just hit myself a few times?

Thats one of the greatest things that keep me a Christian.

 

[stovebolts]

Thats one of the greatest things that keep me a Christian.

One of the greatest things that helped me grow as a Christian is that I could see the positive changes in my life and that strengthened my faith. The man who brought me to Christ told me that God would never leave or forsake me, even if I were to forsaken him... and there was a time in my life that I hated and despised God. To quote the greeks as Paul did, I was simply kicking against the goads.

Atothetheist,
Before you come to a wrong conclusion about me and my views on you, I would ask you one simple question. Do you find any value in the Biblical texts? In other words, what parts of the Bible to you see as truth? How about that proverb that I quoted earlier, do you embrace that as truth or do you dismiss it as foolish thought?

I will post it once again. Is this an observable truth in your opinion?

Proverbs 30:33 Surely the churning of milk brings forth butter, and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood: so the forcing of wrath brings forth strife.

 

[Ambrose]

One of the greatest things that helped me grow as a Christian is that I could see the positive changes in my life and that strengthened my faith. The man who brought me to Christ told me that God would never leave or forsake me, even if I were to forsaken him... and there was a time in my life that I hated and despised God. To quote the greeks as Paul did, I was simply kicking against the goads.

Atothetheist,
Before you come to a wrong conclusion about me and my views on you, I would ask you one simple question. Do you find any value in the Biblical texts? In other words, what parts of the Bible to you see as truth? How about that proverb that I quoted earlier, do you embrace that as truth or do you dismiss it as foolish thought?

I will post it once again. Is this an observable truth in your opinion?

Proverbs 30:33 Surely the churning of milk brings forth butter, and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood: so the forcing of wrath brings forth strife.

Ah yes, If it wasn't for what I said before and the changes I doubt I would survive in Christianity. Because I question to much and I border too much on the atheist border already sometimes. But as the changes continue my faith strengthens.

 

[stovebolts]

Ah yes, If it wasn't for what I said before and the changes I doubt I would survive in Christianity. Because I question to much and I border too much on the atheist border already sometimes. But as the changes continue my faith strengthens.

I won't lie, I've been confronted with some whoppers that really made me question my belief's. But I've been living a Christian life long enough to know that God always gives us the answers when we are mature enough to receive them. I've always viewed it as a seed sprouting from earth because the seed needs that struggle. If you help the sprout break through and don't let it struggle, it dies. So, given enough time, we can look back and see clearly (in some cases, not all) where God has prepared us for the work he's got in mind for us.

 

[Ambrose]

I won't lie, I've been confronted with some whoppers that really made me question my belief's. But I've been living a Christian life long enough to know that God always gives us the answers when we are mature enough to receive them. I've always viewed it as a seed sprouting from earth because the seed needs that struggle. If you help the sprout break through and don't let it struggle, it dies. So, given enough time, we can look back and see clearly (in some cases, not all) where God has prepared us for the work he's got in mind for us.

I totally agree! And I have even pondered on that! Those experiences make us more mature Christians. I know these struggles can help because I have expereinced it my self. Then you can look back on the experience and say lesson learned and faith strengthened.

 

[DarkHorseRising]

Really? Lol, the forum I am on in the atheist community actually encourages theists to join in, and they allow and as a theist thread.

First of all, let me tell you this once. I was a real christian, who are you to say otherwise? I believed wholeheartedly. You do not have the right, nor any insight
into my life.

I do not mean to say this with hate, so please don't take it as such. You are commiting the "No True Scotsman" Fallacy. Google it. You only have your belief, and while you and I clearly differ, I can ( sort of) understand where you are coming from.

There is a reason, theists, that atheists go on sites like these. At least, there are reasons besides what you may consider trolling. We want to learn truth, and we are open to the idea of God, but we can't believe in him until evidence turns up that is credible.

Believe what you want,Sir. You do not have the right to tell me what I was and what I wasn't.

I understand where you're coming from, even if I have differing opinions. I'm also an atheist however I have a strong belief in God and work hard on my relationship with Him. I do sincerely hope you will stick around, even a bit, because your opinions are also interesting and should be fair game to discuss respectfully.

You do seem to be itching a bit for a debate, but I find discussion is more efficient. Either way, best of luck and I hope you find what you're looking for.

 

[westtexas]

I'm also an atheist however I have a strong belief in God and work hard on my relationship with Him.

Darkhorse, I haven't read a lot of your posts so maybe you've explained this elsewhere but doesn't this statement contradict itself? Isn't the definition of "atheist" in it's basic form "someone who disbelieves in God"? Is it possible to disbelieve in God and yet have a strong belief in Him? Am I missing something? Thanks

Westtexas

 

[Danus]

I'm also an atheist however I have a strong belief in God and work hard on my relationship with Him.

....I think your actually more inline with agnosticism. That would be someone who does not no for sure either way, but might lean more to belief than disbelief.

 

[DarkHorseRising]

Darkhorse, I haven't read a lot of your posts so maybe you've explained this elsewhere but doesn't this statement contradict itself? Isn't the definition of "atheist" in it's basic form "someone who disbelieves in God"? Is it possible to disbelieve in God and yet have a strong belief in Him? Am I missing something? Thanks

Westtexas

My understanding and general use of atheist is someone who does not identify with any religious tradition. I'm aware some people claim it to mean someone specifically opposed to religion, but I think the scope of atheism can be as wide as the scope of various religious expressions.

 

[DarkHorseRising]

....I think your actually more inline with agnosticism. That would be someone who does not no for sure either way, but might lean more to belief than disbelief.

Yeah, but agnosticism feels like I don't have an opinion or don't believe there can be one, which don't really explain my situation. It's almost like people don't want to ask the question...

 

[westtexas]

My understanding and general use of atheist is someone who does not identify with any religious tradition. I'm aware some people claim it to mean someone specifically opposed to religion, but I think the scope of atheism can be as wide as the scope of various religious expressions.

Fair enough. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Debbie]

Clarification per Webster:

Atheist=one who believes there is no deity of any kind or religion.

Agnostic=one who is not committed to believing one way or another about God, a god, or a higher being. Basicly an 'I don't care' attitude.

Sorry, I'm new but thought this was an important difference in definition, at least to a discussion like this. If you do not believe in any deity there is no discussion. If you are questioning the possibility you are no atheist, though you may be leaning that way. That is worth discussion but not debate.

On another note regarding this discussion, christianity is about faith not logic. Faith is believing in something you cannot prove. Sooo...debate about christianity is a waste of time. Discussion on the other hand is a searching and an exchange of ideas which is very healthy.

 

[Classik]

Clarification per Webster:

Atheist=one who believes there is no deity of any kind or religion.

Agnostic=one who is not committed to believing one way or another about God, a god, or a higher being. Basicly an 'I don't care' attitude.

Sorry, I'm new but thought this was an important difference in definition, at least to a discussion like this. If you do not believe in any deity there is no discussion. If you are questioning the possibility you are no atheist, though you may be leaning that way. That is worth discussion but not debate.

On another note regarding this discussion, christianity is about faith not logic. Faith is believing in something you cannot prove. Sooo...debate about christianity is a waste of time. Discussion on the other hand is a searching and an exchange of ideas which is very healthy.

welcome

 

[Brightmorningstar]

Fine, as long as you extend the same hand of curtesy: don't try to convince me that Christianity is correct.

In short: I can't try not to disprove christianity, and have a honest debate. All I can do is not troll, and be respectful of your views when I am responding.

Hi there and welcome.
Should be a good enough debate if you put the atheist position and we put the Christian position. Though I dont see how you can avoid disaproving of Christianity, or we avoid trying to convince you, in an honest debate.

Best wishes