129 replies to this topic

[markdohle]

Atlantia, on 02 October 2012 - 02:02 PM, said:

Atheism is an escape TO reality.

It is not, it is a belief in no gods, I see not evidence from the atheist that I know that you statement is anywhere near the truth.

Peace
mark

[markdohle]

Taylor Reints, on 02 October 2012 - 02:12 PM, said:

I am not divine to myself.



How is that self-centered?

Self-centered-ness  is not a negative statement in this context I believe.  There is no objective morality for an atheist, each has to work out their own morality.  They can disagree, some being more moral than others.  Just like theist, except theist believe that the have to answer for their lives; theist don't, unless they are of course caught.  Most atheist are moral upstanding people.

Peace
mark

Edited by markdohle, 02 October 2012 - 03:34 PM.

[dougeaton]

Atlantia, on 02 October 2012 - 02:02 PM, said:

Atheism is an escape TO reality.

Well can you prove that?  No you can't, you understand reality through the lenses of atheism...you view is biased just like everyone's else

doug.

[dougeaton]

Taylor Reints, on 02 October 2012 - 02:12 PM, said:

I am not divine to myself.



How is that self-centered?

The word self centered has a bad rap.  There is no higher power for the atheist (again government may be)...in the end each atheist has to decide on what they believe is right or wrong and other atheist maydisagree.  If I decide to lead a life of crime and am not caught, were is the wrong, I am the only one watching, no one else is.  A secret stays with me, when I die it goes to the grave with me.......thankfully most atheist aren't that way, perhaps they are cowards, or saints.

doug

[dougeaton]

Rlyeh, on 02 October 2012 - 02:14 PM, said:

Do you have any real examples of this, or is this just what you think?

Atheist live for themselves, their life, their loved ones, all else is unimportant, there is no big picture, we live, find some happiness and then die.....easy and simple.

doug

[dougeaton]

Euphorbia, on 02 October 2012 - 02:21 PM, said:

More like Christians are afraid of death without an afterlife. Heaven is their security blanket.



And many don't.......not without facts and such......but these facts get in the way for a lot of theists.



Ah, your usual attack on atheists.....we are not our own gods! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise....



You're half right.......the latter one is correct!

Nothing you have said is true, well it is for the straw man you have created.  Actually you have made yourself into a stereotype, a village atheist, or a Dawkins-head.  If you convert I would imagine you would be a member of some fundie church, they think like you do, or emote.

doug

Edited by dougeaton, 02 October 2012 - 04:26 PM.

[dougeaton]

Imaginarynumber1, on 02 October 2012 - 02:26 PM, said:

I love people think that atheism is something that we actively participate in or reference when making any decision  I don't think that most people realize that atheists are the same as everyone else, we just believe in one less god.
Is your life defined by your disbelief in Thor? Or Zeus? Do you preface any decision you make with "Well, I don't believe in Ra, so...".

Please that old saw.  The gods are not God, God for theist is not a human writ large.  Also to be an atheist does affect you live, all of our beliefs do.

doug

Edited by dougeaton, 02 October 2012 - 04:29 PM.

[dougeaton]

RockabyeBillie, on 02 October 2012 - 02:30 PM, said:

I'm not my own god. A disbelief in god means i don't believe in any god of any kind. I answer to human authority just as much as the next person. I don't think I'm better than everyone else because I'm atheist. Maybe you should get to know a few atheists personally before you make these claims. I have Christian friends, and we're fine with each other. They don't try to force their beliefs on me and I don't force mine on them. Only time I retaliate is when I am being attacked.

Atheism is a belief that you were nothing before you were born, you are nothing after you die. There is no safety net, there is no kingdom in the sky, there are no second chances. Make the best of it while you can.

Well most atheist are not like you sad to say.

doug

[dougeaton]

The Mule, on 02 October 2012 - 02:43 PM, said:

Making generalizations about athiests is like saying all snowflakes are the same.

Well atheist do it all the time.  Though I believe what I say is true, though people are interrupting in a way that I did not mean.  For instance an atheist believes their is no god, therefore it is true, all others believe wrongly.....that is god like.

doug

Imaginarynumber1, on 02 October 2012 - 02:47 PM, said:

Quite correct. I have many friends who are religious. One in particular is very, very religious. Her and I get along just fine. Even when we get drunk and discuss religion...

Good, glad to hear it.

doug

[dougeaton]

HerNibs, on 02 October 2012 - 03:00 PM, said:

My goodness I found the idea in the OP strange...

I'm an atheist.  I LACK a belief in a deities.  If evidence (verifiable and testable) shows up, I change my stance but right now - atheist.

As for escaping reality...no, not even a little bit.  In fact, I would say the opposite.  

I don't get a mystical second chance for forgiveness by asking.  I have to earn that myself from whomever I wronged.  
I don't get a mystical get out of jail card for doing something wrong by asking.  I'm punished right here for that.
There is no mystical magical haven for me for living a good life and doing good things.  I do good things because I want the world to be better and the only reward I get is from myself.
I have no enemies nor do I fear or hate anyone or feel sorry for them because they don't share my ideas.


I'd say that many atheists face reality head on.

Nibs

I think you ideas about what the afterlife for theist  means is simplistic and childish.  Atheist seem to have the need to constantly pat themselves on the back, what would atheist like you do if there were no believers?  There is contempt in your answer, one that most atheist I have known carry.

doug

Edited by dougeaton, 02 October 2012 - 04:34 PM.

[HerNibs]

dougeaton, on 02 October 2012 - 04:34 PM, said:

I think you ideas about what the afterlife for theist  means is simplistic and childish.  Atheist seem to have the need to constantly pat themselves on the back, what would atheist like you do if there were no believers?  There is contempt in your answer, one that most atheist I have known carry.

doug

Ok, please point out where I am wrong in what I say rather than be condescending and resorting to name calling.

You are adding a "tone" to my post that isn't there.

Nibs

[Euphorbia]

dougeaton, on 02 October 2012 - 04:25 PM, said:

Nothing you have said is true, well it is for the straw man you have created.  Actually you have made yourself into a stereotype, a village atheist, or a Dawkins-head.  If you convert I would imagine you would be a member of some fundie church, they think like you do, or emote.

doug

I truly believe that you aren't agnostic as you say you are......almost all of your posts are anti-atheist. You have zero credibility with me.......not that you care or anything what with me being an atheist!

[MidKn13ght]

We can go about this many different ways.... There are several "types" of athiest....one i find the most common..is the ignorant there is no god i hate the world rebellious type.. But not me ...I dont believe in god but I do in the spiritual world....I was raised hardcore roman catholic.... like sunday school every day type......to me it felt like a burdon, something wasnt clicking.... When i offically broke off my ties to the catholic church and became an atheist and accepted thats what I am..its like reality hit me and the world lifted off my shoulders....So i guess its a matter of perception. I feel those who believe in a "mighty god" are in a fantasy world of magics and wizardry. Forced to live by the realities bound by their god..... but we can go in circles on this subject since there is no offcial evidence leaning towards either way.....

Edited by MidKn13ght, 02 October 2012 - 04:55 PM.

[None of the above]

Imaginarynumber1, on 02 October 2012 - 02:15 PM, said:

My disbelief in a deity doesn't even effect my day to day life. It's just something that I don't bother with.

I'ts like 'not smoking' you still have a tiny worry that other peoples bad habits might do you harm, but it's not a big concern. You mostly just feel sorry for those directly affected as you watch the harm it does them.

Edited by Atlantia, 02 October 2012 - 05:18 PM.

[TheDarkEnergy]

dougeaton, on 02 October 2012 - 01:57 PM, said:

Athiesm as an escape from reality?

Okay, let me explain.

One day, after coming back home from work, you noticed that your door is broken and your TV is missing.

Theist: "God broke my door and took my TV. I dont care what others say. I believe that god did it and I wont listen to anyone".
Agnostic: "I am not sure who took my TV, and I dont want to know either. I will better spend rest of my life with doubts regarding who took my TV"
Atheist: "I think some burglars broke into my apartment. Let me find evidence. Let's check the CCTV footage. Oh it's not a group of goons, it's only one single thief. Okay now I know who took my TV"

Now what's closer to reality?