The religion of Atheism.

[platos_cave]

One question I cannot help but ask in light of this topic is....if it is so hard to believe in God without seeing Him or having proof in Him? Why is it scientists can be believed intelligent when they do not have all the answers? Or....why is it God who is unseen is so hard to believe in yet we as people still believe in cures for cancer when humanity yet has failed to provide proof of cures for numerous kinds?

What are you trying to say?

Who says scientists have all the answers and what does that have to do with the question of God's existence?

Your last sentence doesn't make any sense.

 

[LostSoul]

What are you trying to say?

Who says scientists have all the answers and what does that have to do with the question of God's existence?

Your last sentence doesn't make any sense.

What I am trying to say is that there are many other things we have NO proof of, yet we do not question the idea or possibility of such things. Whereas man does God.

Carbon seemed to at least have an idea of what I was getting at. I am sorry you did not. I shall try to be a little more forward if I can.

May God Bless You

Danielle

 

[Neoatheist]

I know Im entering this forum rather late, but I must say that I am very interested in the topic. Keep in mind that I only speed read through most of the posts so if my question has been answered please bear with me... What exactly are you basing your belief off of if you say that God cannot be proven in the same way other things can be proven. In other words, with a lack of evidence, how can one believe in anything?

 

[Free]

I want to respond to this but I'm a little busy at the moment. Give me a few days to try and get something together.

And welcome to the forums.

 

[Slippermen]

atheism is "I believe in no higher power-when I die I rot in the ground, thats it"
about religion-its not a belief its the lack of one-religion wise

 

[John]

I once asked an atheist what would happen to him when he died, He said his body would rot and become part of the earth and that is it. I said " Interesting, so when you die your body will turn to earth, then help nourish perhaps a tree, then one day a fat smelly lumberjack would cut you down, turn you into paper then write the Bible on you"

 

[Adullam]

I once asked an atheist what would happen to him when he died, He said his body would rot and become part of the earth and that is it. I said " Interesting, so when you die your body will turn to earth, then help nourish perhaps a tree, then one day a fat smelly lumberjack would cut you down, turn you into paper then write the Bible on you"

Way to go!

 

[Slippermen]

I once asked an atheist what would happen to him when he died, He said his body would rot and become part of the earth and that is it. I said " Interesting, so when you die your body will turn to earth, then help nourish perhaps a tree, then one day a fat smelly lumberjack would cut you down, turn you into paper then write the Bible on you"

I said the same thing! except I was made into a banjo in my version-but that could happen
(irony in its fullest lol)

 

[Keelia]

I contend that the belief and faith in the non-existence of G-d constitutes religious thinking. Since no evidence can be brought to bear on the non-existence of G-d, we have to conclude that Atheism (the letter 'A' capitalized out of respect for the Atheist's religion) is religious thought, and hence a religion in of itself.
There are very active websites built around this religious thinking (richarddawkins forum; the internet infidels, or IIDB, etc.). There are fundraisers to advance Atheist doctrine. There are even Atheist activists who protest publicly against other religious activities in the public sphere (I'm guessing Atheists do this because other religions represent a threat to their religion, and that Atheists fear they may lose converts if Christians or Jews are around to offer a word of prayer).

Is there an Atheist on this message board who has an alternate view on the matter? How is it possible to view faith in the non-existence of G-d as non-religious thinking? I thought about this at length and have not come to a conclusion that elucidates or even suggests Atheist thinking as non-religious. Please, if you do contribute to this thread, all I ask is you don't use your favorite phrase, "ad hominem." You guys use the phrase so often, and in such inappropriate context, I'm beginning to wonder if you even order your pizzas from Pizza Hut, "light on the ad hominem, please..."

Thanks in advance, guys! :D

Heres the thing. There are many religions that predate Christianity. Hinduism, Confucianism, Judaism, Druidism to list a few. I dont even know what religion i am. I dont go to church, nor do i ever want to. I believe that there might be a greater "Person" then all of us, but if he created us in his image.....he messed up big time. Look at what we have become. Take a look at the U.S. a country FOUNDED ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION and there is loads of religious proscutation. Id take a guess and say that Christians/Catholics are the dominant religions in the US, and since they are they feel that they can protest against other religions. Like when they had a Hindu give a prayer at the senate hall. Smashing him for believing in another god. Like you said in your post......Maybe they do this because they feel threated by other religions?

These may not be your views, but they are the views from someone in YOUR religion. We do it to basicly all muslims.....guilty by association. If you cant pratice relgious freedom and be accepting of the 100s of other religions in our country....then LEAVE. We dont want you or your group here. Im sorry, but thats the way it is.

 

[LostSoul]

Heres the thing. There are many religions that predate Christianity. Hinduism, Confucianism, Judaism, Druidism to list a few. I dont even know what religion i am. I dont go to church, nor do i ever want to. I believe that there might be a greater "Person" then all of us, but if he created us in his image.....he messed up big time. Look at what we have become. Take a look at the U.S. a country FOUNDED ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION and there is loads of religious proscutation. Id take a guess and say that Christians/Catholics are the dominant religions in the US, and since they are they feel that they can protest against other religions. Like when they had a Hindu give a prayer at the senate hall. Smashing him for believing in another god. Like you said in your post......Maybe they do this because they feel threated by other religions?

These may not be your views, but they are the views from someone in YOUR religion. We do it to basicly all muslims.....guilty by association. If you cant pratice relgious freedom and be accepting of the 100s of other religions in our country....then LEAVE. We dont want you or your group here. Im sorry, but thats the way it is.

God does not make mistakes or make trash. Indeed it is true that mankind alone has made and continues to make countless mistakes, but in essence is that not why we need God to have such a strong pressence in our lives when we choose to follow Him?

As to Christians being the dominant populous of the U.S.... at one time, I may have believed that. However, in light of the things this country is now doing and what the figure heads are now saying....I find that hard to believe. That is sad, seeing as I am a U.S. citizen.

I apologize if I come off as rude, but I find some of your remarks rather stereotypical in terms of Christianity. No doubt, there are Christians out there who say some of the most hateful things such as: "God hates Gays." Even much worse pending on one's beliefs. It is unfortunate too, for those very same Christians are often failing to see their own shortcomings. For there is NOT one person on this earth who is without sin. Does not matter if one is Hindu, Catholic, Christian, Muslim, etc.

At the same time though, are Christians the only alleged hateful religion out there? The answer simply put... No. There have been countless Hindus, Muslims, and the like who have also persecuted others on account of their faith being different. Which again is sad and likely why a number of us really and truly need to reflect on ourselves and scripture so that we can better see our shortcomings and give some serious thought and prayer to the matter.

Accept others beliefs 100%? That in itself is asking one to compromise his/her beliefs which in truth, should NOT be done. It is basically like saying 'you have to accept my beliefs and be okay with it, even if it means I believe according to my religion that I can put a gun to your head and take your life away.'

Not all religions are peaceful. Not all practices are acceptable in general. However, I am not going to go into such a delicate subject any more than I already have. For my response here has already grown rather long.

Basically in short what I am trying to say is:

Not one single person here is trash or a mistake. Regardless of one's religion or beliefs God loves each of us and gave His son Jesus for all of us. There is not one person here who is without sin and who has never made a mistake, thus making religion itself perhaps somewhat flawed. Seeing as an imperfect being cannot in itself be perfect.

Which is why all mankind needs God.

I am sorry once more for any offense caused. None was meant.

May God Bless You

Danielle

 

[Keelia]

Put a gun to my head and blow me away? What ever happen to Thou shalt not kill.....Or do religions pick and choose what they want to follow these days? Following the teachings that pertain to the times? If thats true then basicly you reinforce all my disbeliefs about relgions. If a religion changes itself to be more conforming to the times then it will sooner or later contradict what it was in the past, when it was created. Which most religions already do. Exclude teachings that predate other teachings because they contradict the teachings already set forth. Like how come the gospels of Thomas and Judas were never put into the bible? Perhaps because the gospel of Thomas contradicted many things already taught.

I just find it hard to blindly put faith into something that has never 100% been proven and not disproven.

If thats your justification as how god exists, not proven/disproved, then i believe in lepracauns, unicorns, flying horses and the easter bunny. Prove to me that they arent real.....You cant so there for it must be true? Seriosuly come on.

 

[Guest]

I just find it hard to blindly put faith into something that has never 100% been proven and not disproven.

Is it possible to have blind faith in something which has been "100%" proven?

 

[LostSoul]

Put a gun to my head and blow me away? What ever happen to Thou shalt not kill.....Or do religions pick and choose what they want to follow these days? Following the teachings that pertain to the times? If thats true then basicly you reinforce all my disbeliefs about relgions. If a religion changes itself to be more conforming to the times then it will sooner or later contradict what it was in the past, when it was created. Which most religions already do. Exclude teachings that predate other teachings because they contradict the teachings already set forth. Like how come the gospels of Thomas and Judas were never put into the bible? Perhaps because the gospel of Thomas contradicted many things already taught.

I just find it hard to blindly put faith into something that has never 100% been proven and not disproven.

If thats your justification as how god exists, not proven/disproved, then i believe in lepracauns, unicorns, flying horses and the easter bunny. Prove to me that they arent real.....You cant so there for it must be true? Seriosuly come on.

You have completely misunderstood what I wrote. Did you, yourself not basically say that Christians should be 100% accepting of other people's beliefs? My argument was with that. Then if I have somehow misunderstood you, I apologize.

For if I were to be 100% alright with some of the teachings of other religions I would not be allowed to speak or be of any worth other than to reproduce. Which in truth, I find rather demeaning and degrading seeing as I am a female. So too would I have to believe it is alright to kill another living person just because their views or beliefs differ from my own. That in turn, I would be doing them a favor by ending their blasphemous existances. Which I just cannot in my heart, find the ability to agree with or be okay with.

How much do you know or have you come to know of the Quran or other forms of scripture?

I understand your inability to trust or place complete faith in something of which you feel cannot be proven. That does take a lot...then so many out there believe that if they scratch a lottery ticket that they have a chance of winning a million dollars....which brings the question...have you ever seen a million dollars? I know I have not.

Again I am sorry, and I do not mean to have caused you any offense. Clearly we are talking over each other, and likely misunderstanding one another quite a bit.

With that being said, I apologize once more and back out of this thread.

May God Bless You

Danielle

 

[Keelia]

I just find it hard to blindly put faith into something that has never 100% been proven and not disproven.

Is it possible to have blind faith in something which has been "100%" proven?

Yes people do it every day when they go to church to pray, or when they feel they are devoting their life to a supposed savior that is going to return from the dead.

Please tell me or show me where most of the stories in the bible are 100% true? Only truth could be that Jesus was a man....and Lived....and had followers.

Seeing as the gospels and sotries arent even written by first hand witnesses, whos to say that it is true? Stories told over time get things added to them and taken away....Remember back when we all played the telephone game in grade school? A tiny phrase like "Jim got bit by the fish" can get spun around and mistold after say 75 years of it being told. Suddenly jim didng just get bit by a fish he was swallowed whole and lived in the stomach for 3 days.

I mean i have a story that kids still tell in my HS about me. And that was just 10 years ago. I think the story now is that i beat up 5 kids at the same time and kicked one in the face, then ran from the cops. The real story is i fought one kid, dropped him to the ground and kicked him in the face, then walked away. But liek i said before stories get misconstrewed after being told so many times by people who werent even there. to my recolection the only people there was My mother, father and best friend. Yet i come home and drink at the local bar and kids ask me about it.....i ask what they heard and its something totally far fetched i acually laugh.

 

[Guest]

I just find it hard to blindly put faith into something that has never 100% been proven and not disproven.

Is it possible to have blind faith in something which has been "100%" proven?

Yes people do it every day when they go to church to pray, or when they feel they are devoting their life to a supposed savior that is going to return from the dead.

I really want to tie this back into my conversation about conspiracy theories. It provides an excellent example of how people "see what they want." However, since this is not that thread, I will politely recommend you read my question again. I think you will find the question is not asking what you believed it to be asking.

 

[Keelia]

I really want to tie this back into my conversation about conspiracy theories. It provides an excellent example of how people "see what they want." However, since this is not that thread, I will politely recommend you read my question again. I think you will find the question is not asking what you believed it to be asking.[/quote]


You asked a question you already know the answer in. Acually the question answers itself.

If something is 100% factual then it wouldnt be "Blind" faith.........It would jsut be Faith. I assumed you already knew that so i just went past explaining this part. Next time ill remember to break it down and answering you questions which already answer themselves.

 

[Guest]

You asked a question you already know the answer in. Acually the question answers itself.

Well, the question does not answer itself, but was intended as rhetorical. So, let's return to the original quote.

I just find it hard to blindly put faith into something that has never 100% been proven and not disproven.

So, if blind faith is unnecessary why are these qualifications of "hard" and "blind" needed in connection with "proven?" (Perhaps the question is too abstract.)

Next time ill remember to break it down and answering you questions which already answer themselves.

Good.

 

[Keelia]

Baseing your life on something that has never been proven would be following blindly. Following something that you "Believe" to be true.

And on to the Rhetorical question. A rhetorical question does basicly answer itself. It has an already Implied yes/no answer.

Do you believe in Santa Clause and the easter bunny? A guy flying millions of miles in a 24 hour window delivering gifts to every child in the world? Or a bunny hiding eggs for kids to find?

 

[Free]

Heres the thing. There are many religions that predate Christianity. Hinduism, Confucianism, Judaism, Druidism to list a few.

That is irrelevant to whether or not any of them are true or Christianity false.

I dont go to church, nor do i ever want to. I believe that there might be a greater "Person" then all of us, but if he created us in his image.....he messed up big time. Look at what we have become.

If you want to use that argument, then use the entire Christian view--that we are made in God's image but that we have become something that we were not created to be through our choice to rebel against God.

If you cant pratice relgious freedom and be accepting of the 100s of other religions in our country....then LEAVE. We dont want you or your group here. Im sorry, but thats the way it is.

You're not very accepting of Christianity.

Seeing as the gospels and sotries arent even written by first hand witnesses, whos to say that it is true? Stories told over time get things added to them and taken away....Remember back when we all played the telephone game in grade school? A tiny phrase like "Jim got bit by the fish" can get spun around and mistold after say 75 years of it being told. Suddenly jim didng just get bit by a fish he was swallowed whole and lived in the stomach for 3 days.

You really need to do research on stuff like this before making this type of post. It is likely that John the Apostle wrote the books bearing his name. It is also likely that the the other writers of the gospels either dictated from an Apostle or had contact with the Apostles and many other eyewitnesses. The books of the NT were all written within 2 generations (several within one generation), of Christ's death and resurrection John's books having been written last. So during all this writing, there was always at least one Apostle alive, as well as numerous eyewitnesses who could all verify the facts that were written. Not to mention the teachings established by the Apostles.

Those were oral cultures and their ability to maintain the exactness of a given story or account over long periods of time were extraordinary. We don't understand that these days because we are not an oral culture; far from it.

 

[Guest]

Baseing your life on something that has never been proven would be following blindly. Following something that you "Believe" to be true.

Inductive reasoning can provide "reasonable but not proven" beliefs which are based on good reasoning and experience. That is, you have reasons for your beliefs, and do not accept them blindly.

And on to the Rhetorical question. A rhetorical question does basicly answer itself. It has an already Implied yes/no answer.

Perhaps, rhetorical was not the word I was looking for. I apologize my linguistic sloppiness.

Do you believe in Santa Clause and the easter bunny? A guy flying millions of miles in a 24 hour window delivering gifts to every child in the world? Or a bunny hiding eggs for kids to find?

Do you believe you will be able to breathe your next breath?