622 replies to this topic

[sestra15]

I don't pay tithing, I get to sleep in Sundays, I don't have to give up anything I like, and I can be a good person just because. Is it so bad being atheistic? I don't think so.

[Mattshark]

HuttonEtAl, on 31 March 2012 - 10:03 PM, said:

So last night at work I was talking with a co-worker that is an athiest. He said he found being an atheist depressing and empty. He says it sucks to know there is nothing after this life. This is not a view I typically hear so I was wondering if there are atheists here that also feel this way?

I feel great about it

[JayMark]

And I would add for you, Mr. Right Wing (and others as well of course) that atheism has absolutely nothing to do with a lack of knowledge.

In order for that statment to be correct, the matter of God (or whatever you imply) would have to be proven matter. Then, and only then, denying it could be considered ignorance, or simply denial.

No harm intended. I just find those kind of statements irritating. Calling people ignorant or close-minded because they do not agree with you or simply have diffrent beleifs is, in my pinion, morally wrong.

That's exactly the sort of comment I often hear specifically from close-minded and ignorant people. Close-minded to other people's views (hence why you call them so and ignorant as well) and ignorant to the reasons why they may disagree with you or even be atheist.

No harm given.

Peace.

[Beckys_Mom]

Mattshark, on 02 May 2012 - 07:27 PM, said:

I feel great about it

Welcome back Matt........ Long time no see...

[Beckys_Mom]

Mr Right Wing, on 02 May 2012 - 04:44 PM, said:

Atheism is saying that I'm someone who has restricted my world view to one possibility. The question is why?

Either they dont know enough or have chosen to be close minded.

The perfect sentence that best describes your post..You prove  that people like yourself can shut yourselves off and make up any narrow minded  view that comes to you.. Well done

Edited by Beckys_Mom, 02 May 2012 - 07:47 PM.

[J. K.]

I would think that whether or not a person feels empty -- or full -- depends upon their view of their future.  If you have something to look forward to, then you are full of hope.  If you have nothing to look forward to, then you are hopeless.  I know that sounds a bit trite, but it's what came to mind just now.

[Michelle]

J. K., on 02 May 2012 - 08:31 PM, said:

I would think that whether or not a person feels empty -- or full -- depends upon their view of their future.  If you have something to look forward to, then you are full of hope.  If you have nothing to look forward to, then you are hopeless.  I know that sounds a bit trite, but it's what came to mind just now.

I think that is exactly right. A person can have a completely full life without involving a religion or deity.

[Euphorbia]

Mr Right Wing, on 02 May 2012 - 04:44 PM, said:

Atheism is saying that I'm someone who has restricted my world view to one possibility. The question is why?

Either they dont know enough or have chosen to be close minded.

You do realize that this is a gross generalization and it doesn't reflect well on you at all.

Atheist's don't believe in god.....period. Atheism is not a world view.....period. It is however a declaration that we require proof of god's existence.....any god will do! Pick one! So please.......take off the religious glasses that fog your world view.

Most atheist's are open to multiple possibilities. If facts are there, they can sway us one way or another. We're not static in our thinking of this world or in science.......we are open to all possibilities. We simply require facts.......facts that I'm still waiting to hear from you.

It's nice and sunny out without the blinders on and I really like a good dose of reality in my face. Facts are our friends and  beliefs are nothing more than one's opinion! We all have things we believe in but every atheist that I've ever met is quite open to the possibility of a god if proof is shown.

So tell me, what is it I don't know? Or know enough of? My mind is wide open and ready to receive your facts (not beliefs) on your religious world view. Close minded......I think not.

So, do you have any actual facts to present?

[FurthurBB]

Mr Right Wing, on 02 May 2012 - 06:17 PM, said:

Not only a lack of knowledge but closed minded too

You could also look up religion is flawed or belief in god is flawed or anything on earth because the internet is full of opinions but what would be the point?

[itsnotoutthere]

_Only, on 01 May 2012 - 01:52 AM, said:

"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the most humble man in the thread."



"Oh, come off it."

I'll leave 'humble' to the religious people.

[itsnotoutthere]

Mr Right Wing, on 02 May 2012 - 04:44 PM, said:

Atheism is saying that I'm someone who has restricted my world view to one possibility. The question is why?

Either they dont know enough or have chosen to be close minded.

So using that logic presumably you also believe in bigfoot, the loch ness monster, aliens, fairies & father christmas then, as the available evidence for each (god included) amounts to the same.

Edited by itsnotoutthere, 03 May 2012 - 01:05 PM.

[JayMark]

Euphorbia, on 02 May 2012 - 09:29 PM, said:

Atheist's don't believe in god.....period. Atheism is not a world view.....period.

Thank you.

[Mr Walker]

Both those who have chosen to believe in  god(s) and those who have chosen not to believe in  god(s) have closed minds.(Along, I guess, with people like myself who know god is real, because knowledge closes off both the potential to believe or to disbelieve)

That is how beliefs are formed in the absence of proofs or evidences. We chose a position, stick to it, and defend it. Our minds are closed to other alteratives Only agnostics retain open minds on the issue  of the existence of god(s),
Ps  the belief that gods do not exist is, in fact, a part of a person's world view. It cannot be held independently of other elements of a world view. It will both be informed by, and in turn inform, many other elements of a person's world view. Atheism is not a religion in a theological sense, although it can be folowed religiously, as can footballl or patriotism. It is however a belief, in the exact same neurologial and semantic sense as theism is. And our minds form both beliefs in identical ways, using identical processes. We just chose to interpret the same data (or lack thereof) in differnt ways.

That is  true for people with no personal evidences of god. Those people who do have such personal evidences, apply that personal data to their thoughts and logic. There may be sufficient evidence to be highly suggestive that god (s) exist, or enough to prove it beyond  doubt, using  the same logic by which we establish the reality of anything.

A person with no personal evidences of god in their life will find it extremely difficult to communicate with, or understand, one who does.  If they believe god does not exist then they are forced to also believe that anyone who caims to know god as a real physical being who intervenes in their life is wrong. Those with such a god god in their life, in turn, KNOW that disbelievers are wrong.

One can only be polite and understanding in such instances.

Edited by Mr Walker, 05 May 2012 - 02:10 AM.

[MysticStrummer]

Mr Right Wing, on 02 May 2012 - 04:44 PM, said:

Atheism is saying that I'm someone who has restricted my world view to one possibility. The question is why?

Either they dont know enough or have chosen to be close minded.

Dammit. I just had my irony meter fixed and now it's broken again. OT - The atheists I know don't feel "empty" at all. Why would they? The person described in the OP sounds like they aren't a true atheist to me. Their faith was shaken by something and they think that means they have become atheist.

Edited by MysticStrummer, 05 May 2012 - 02:44 AM.

[Euphorbia]

Mr Walker, on 05 May 2012 - 01:50 AM, said:

Both those who have chosen to believe in  god(s) and those who have chosen not to believe in  god(s) have closed minds.(Along, I guess, with people like myself who know god is real, because knowledge closes off both the potential to believe or to disbelieve)

I'm sorry Mr Walker, but I don't buy into this at all. Like it says below my avatar, "You can't just choose to believe something". I did not choose to become an atheist! No matter how much you want to think I (atheists in general) did, I didn't. I didn't go "atheism"......"theism".....I think I'll pick "atheism". It just doesn't work that way.

Quote

That is how beliefs are formed in the absence of proofs or evidences. We chose a position, stick to it, and defend it. Our minds are closed to other alteratives Only agnostics retain open minds on the issue  of the existence of god(s),
Ps  the belief that gods do not exist is, in fact, a part of a person's world view. It cannot be held independently of other elements of a world view. It will both be informed by, and in turn inform, many other elements of a person's world view. Atheism is not a religion in a theological sense, although it can be folowed religiously, as can footballl or patriotism. It is however a belief, in the exact same neurologial and semantic sense as theism is. And our minds form both beliefs in identical ways, using identical processes. We just chose to interpret the same data (or lack thereof) in differnt ways.

Again, there was no choosing.....none. My mind is not closed to other possibilities. Requiring proof does not equate to a closed mind. It means that we rationalize things.....look for the facts......give us something tangible and most of us will change what we believe. I can't prove that god exists or not, I just know that I've never experienced him. How am I supposed to "choose" to believe when I've never had any experiences with a deity?

I don't really think about atheism that much.....a few conversations with friends or when I'm involved with these threads is all.......so I certainly don't consider it a world view or a religion.

Agnostics to me fall into various categories......Those that don't want their views known, those that don't know which way to go on the issue, and those that just honestly don't care. I don't believe anyone is a straight up agnostic.....everyone leans one way or the other.....

Quote

That is  true for people with no personal evidences of god. Those people who do have such personal evidences, apply that personal data to their thoughts and logic. There may be sufficient evidence to be highly suggestive that god (s) exist, or enough to prove it beyond  doubt, using  the same logic by which we establish the reality of anything.

Personal evidences only mean something to the believer and are not tangible to anyone else, not even another believer. "enough to prove it beyond doubt"....means that very little is required to believe. That opens up belief to a wide range of things......

Quote

A person with no personal evidences of god in their life will find it extremely difficult to communicate with, or understand, one who does.  If they believe god does not exist then they are forced to also believe that anyone who caims to know god as a real physical being who intervenes in their life is wrong. Those with such a god god in their life, in turn, KNOW that disbelievers are wrong.

Not difficult to communicate exactly......but difficult to understand though. What's with all of the "wrong" stuff? I don't claim Christians or (pick religion) are wrong! I just honestly don't understand them. I will talk to believers and enjoy talking to some......I just wish someone had the correct words.......

Quote

One can only be polite and understanding in such instances.

Indeed!