jakee 1,562 #126 April 23, 2008 Quote Essentially, you're asking atheists to disprove a negative, which is a logical fallacy. *** No, not really. What I am asking is what other extenuating feelings, preconceived notions, assumptions, prejudices, etc that go into your unsupportable theorem that God is a myth. You all have repeatedly claimed that your superior understanding of science is all you need. This hypothesis is unsupportable with our current level of scientific discovery. There has to be more that goes into you conclusion that God never was and never will be. ___________________________________- What goes into your unsupportable theorem that the Invisble Pink Unicorn is a myth?Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,106 #127 April 23, 2008 Quote Essentially, you're asking atheists to disprove a negative, which is a logical fallacy. *** No, not really. What I am asking is what other extenuating feelings, preconceived notions, assumptions, prejudices, etc that go into your unsupportable theorem that God is a myth. You all have repeatedly claimed that your superior understanding of science is all you need. This hypothesis is unsupportable with our current level of scientific discovery. There has to be more that goes into you conclusion that God never was and never will be. ___________________________________- Please PROVE that Odin is a myth. And the Flying Spaghetti Monster. And Minerva. And Ganesha. Your position is logically unsupportable.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 #128 April 23, 2008 Maadmax seems to be looking for a big cosmic sign that says there is no god and never has been before he will even consider the possibility that god never existed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maadmax 0 #129 April 24, 2008 QuoteMaadmax seems to be looking for a big cosmic sign that says there is no god and never has been before he will even consider the possibility that god never existed*** No, what I am curious about is since you all cannot base your belief on any concrete evidence, what subjective emotional feelings go into such an extreme conclusion. There seems to be a lot of repressed and overt anger in many of your posts. I am convinced that is at least one ingredient. ____________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites beowulf 1 #130 April 24, 2008 I don't base by beliefs on "subjective emotional feelings" because those kind of feelings are not reliable and are pretty meaningless. What do base my beliefs on is logic. Logically there is nothing to support the claim that there exists any form of deity at all. No matter how much you feel that something is true doesn't make it so. I wasn't aware of any overt or repressed anger involved in my posts. I generally post to get a reaction. Maybe I pushing for a reaction too hard? If we met in person I would never bring up this subject and would avoid it as much as possible. Most religous people tend to get upset when their beliefs are challenged. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jcd11235 0 #131 April 24, 2008 QuoteNo, what I am curious about is since you all cannot base your belief on any concrete evidence, what subjective emotional feelings go into such an extreme conclusion. To the contrary, atheists base a lack of belief on a lack of evidence.Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jakee 1,562 #132 April 24, 2008 QuoteNo, what I am curious about is since you all cannot base your belief on any concrete evidence, what subjective emotional feelings go into such an extreme conclusion. The conclusion that a thing for which no evidence exists doesn't exist is not extreme. On what do you base your extreme conclusion that the IPU doesn't exist?Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites banesanura 1 #133 April 24, 2008 Quote Quote Lets start a cult and find god. I will bring the kool-aid!!!! yay. The church of banesanura's boobies -- there's a cult I'd be happy to be a part of. I'll be happy to take the role as pontiff. Awesome- What shall our church be called? we have to think of something creative, suggestions?Best Girl Scout Ever. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites maadmax 0 #134 April 24, 2008 If we met in person I would never bring up this subject and would avoid it as much as possible. Most religous people tend to get upset when their beliefs are challenged*** Like wise, and I bet we would even be friends. I enjoy having my beliefs challenged so I can prune them as necessary. ____________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites maadmax 0 #135 April 24, 2008 To the contrary, atheists base a lack of belief on a lack of evidence*** Disagree. Atheism is a religion. You all have faith in your central myth " If science can't prove it, IT DOES NOT NOR EVER WILL EXIST". And then you have your concentric dogmas. Some which you all agree on, like God is a fantasy and all who acknowledge Him are deluded, along with other dogmas that aren't so unanimous. There is even a written cannon emerging. Dawkins comes to mind as one of the more important prophets and contributor to the cannon. _______________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites beowulf 1 #136 April 24, 2008 This Quote" If science can't prove it, IT DOES NOT NOR EVER WILL EXIST". is bullshit. If there is evidence of any deity at all. Then I will consider the possibility of the existence of that particular deity. You pulled that statement out of your ass. At this point there is no evidence of god so my only conclusion is that god is a fantasy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jcd11235 0 #137 April 24, 2008 QuoteQuoteTo the contrary, atheists base a lack of belief on a lack of evidence Disagree. Atheism is a religion. You all have faith in your central myth " If science can't prove it, IT DOES NOT NOR EVER WILL EXIST". I know a lot of atheists, and quite a few scientists. I don't think any of them would claim that something cannot exist if science can't prove it. Science doesn't know what happened during the first 10^43 seconds of the universe. You make it sound as though scientists would be in denial of the universe's existence. QuoteAnd then you have your concentric dogmas. Some which you all agree on, like God is a fantasy and all who acknowledge Him are deluded, along with other dogmas that aren't so unanimous. That's a strawman argument. What reasons do atheists have to consider the possibility of a deity? What observations have been made that can be best explained by the existence of a deity? QuoteThere is even a written cannon emerging. Dawkins comes to mind as one of the more important prophets and contributor to the cannon. What canon would that be?Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites nerdgirl 0 #138 April 24, 2008 QuoteDisagree. Atheism is a religion. You all have faith in your central myth " If science can't prove it, IT DOES NOT NOR EVER WILL EXIST". I don't understand why or to what end you keep asserting an equivalency between atheism and science? (And to be fair, you are not the only poster to do so.) Your profile indicates you are a doctor of veterinary science. Multiple scientists on this list have written (sometimes eloquently & with patience) about active participation in organized Christian religion, in other religious practices, or in pursuit of spiritual truths. (Some others don't or don't care.) I have on my desk last Sunday's order of service from my church next to last week's issue of Science open to a perspectives piece on nueroscience. At the same time many atheists or non-theists have nothing to do with science: Hemingway, Huxley, Hume, Ayn Rand, Diego Rivera, George C. Scott, Frank Zappa. Frank Lloyd Wright said "I believe in God, only I spell it Nature." Why the forced dichotomy, e.g., the part of your post I referenced above? VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites maadmax 0 #139 April 25, 2008 QuoteThis ***" If science can't prove it, IT DOES NOT NOR EVER WILL EXIST". is bullshit. If there is evidence of any deity at all. Then I will consider the possibility of the existence of that particular deity. You pulled that statement out of your ass. At this point there is no evidence of god so my only conclusion is that god is a fantasy.*** I am afraid you are not providing any new information, what else would you say as a devotee of atheism? _______________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites maadmax 0 #140 April 25, 2008 Why the forced dichotomy, e.g., the part of your post I referenced above? VR/Marg*** Most of the atheists I have encountered in this forum are very esteemed scientists. They have repeatedly used their scientific background to support their theory that God does not exist. My point is science is amazing but it is to imperfect to support this claim. I would be very interested in hearing why a nonscientist would choose atheism. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JackC 0 #141 April 25, 2008 QuoteMost of the atheists I have encountered in this forum are very esteemed scientists. They have repeatedly used their scientific background to support their theory that God does not exist. My point is science is amazing but it is to imperfect to support this claim. I would be very interested in hearing why a nonscientist would choose atheism. Although I am a scientist now, I wasn't always. I realised I was an atheist long before I even knew what science was. Why? Because religion has always had the distinct and unshakable odour of bullshit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jakee 1,562 #142 April 25, 2008 QuoteI would be very interested in hearing why a nonscientist would choose atheism. Because the God hypothesis is absurd, and there is no evidence of any kind to support it.Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites thirdworld19 0 #143 April 25, 2008 Quote Most of the atheists I have encountered in this forum are very esteemed scientists. They have repeatedly used their scientific background to support their theory that God does not exist. My point is science is amazing but it is to imperfect to support this claim. I would be very interested in hearing why a nonscientist would choose atheism. I was raised in a home where we went to church every Sunday and attended catechism (Lutheran). I became an atheist at age 13. I believe that the idea of god is a human invention, created to fulfill various psychological and emotional wants or needs. Although it works for many, many people, it doesn't work for me. I believe I have an analytical mind - I like to figure things out. But I am not willing to make something up just so that I can say I have an answer. If I don't know, then I don't know. Long before Christianity (or many modern religions) existed, people believed in gods. And these beliefs morphed over time into what we see today in religion. Why is it that Christians celebrate Easter when they do - because it fits nicely with the pagan celebration of re-birth. It makes it easier for people to buy into the new religion if it is somewhat familiar to them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Shotgun 1 #144 April 25, 2008 QuoteI realised I was an atheist long before I even knew what science was. Why? Because religion has always had the distinct and unshakable odour of bullshit. Ditto. I can't remember ever believing in god. I went to church all the time when I was a kid, Sunday school and all of that, but the stories just never had any ring of truth to them. I liked church because of the people there, but the god part just seemed to be some sort of outdated tradition, some sort of mythology that was being held on to for whatever reason. When I was really young, I actually thought that everyone was just pretending to believe in god. As I got older, I started realizing that people really did believe in it, and I seemed to be the only one who didn't. I can remember finally coming across the word "atheist" in the dictionary, and feeling some sort of comfort in realizing that I must not be the only person in the world who didn't believe in god. So, to maadmax: I didn't really choose atheism. I just simply don't believe that any sort of god exists, and I cannot force myself to believe. I've certainly been open to it, and I've learned about the various religions, but so far that has only helped to confirm my disbelief. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JackC 0 #145 April 25, 2008 You know, that could be written about me. I think that trying to get me to believe in god is a bit like trying to get a dog to stop wagging its tail. Even if you could get it to understand what your were talking about, wagging is hard wired into its DNA. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Tink1717 2 #146 April 26, 2008 QuoteAs I recall recently, didn't you go through some kind of serious health crisis? You are not dead. Was it pure luck? No, it was pure science. Quotell of the people who helped you, were there for a reason? No it was money. All those people in the hospital were there because they are getting paid. QuoteEven the fact that you were born at a moment in time when medical science was able to arrest and turn around your situation cannot be claimed to be fortuitous. The fact that I survived is because those who came before me died and it was the job of science to find put how, why and to keep it from happening again. QuoteExactly how do athiests explain situations in which they have no control, but still come out on the other side? In my case, I explain it by saying the outcome of my medical incident was exactly what was suppose d to happen. The hospital was designed for restoring the health of those who are sick. Everything went exactly the way it was supposed to.Skydivers don't knock on Death's door. They ring the bell and runaway... It really pisses him off. -The World Famous Tink. (I never heard of you either!!) AA #2069 ASA#33 POPS#8808 Swooo 1717 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites maadmax 0 #147 April 27, 2008 I realised I was an atheist long before I even knew what science was. Why? Because religion has always had the distinct and unshakable odour of bullshit Ditto. I can't remember ever believing in god. I went to church all the time when I was a kid, Sunday school and all of that, but the stories just never had any ring of truth to them. I liked church because of the people there, but the god part just seemed to be some sort of outdated tradition, some sort of mythology that was being held on to for whatever reason. When I was really young, I actually thought that everyone was just pretending to believe in god. As I got older, I started realizing that people really did believe in it, and I seemed to be the only one who didn't. I can remember finally coming across the word "atheist" in the dictionary, and feeling some sort of comfort in realizing that I must not be the only person in the world who didn't believe in god. So, to maadmax: I didn't really choose atheism. I just simply don't believe that any sort of god exists, and I cannot force myself to believe. I've certainly been open to it, and I've learned about the various religions, but so far that has only helped to confirm my disbelief .*** Very interesting. I have to admit that when I read your response I couldn't help feeling a stab of pain. It sounds like my childhood was similar to yours. I also became disillusioned with religion and the hypocrisy of those who practiced it. I guess the only difference was that deep down I felt there had to be something genuine that all these people were just to lazy to find. _______________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Shotgun 1 #148 April 27, 2008 QuoteIt sounds like my childhood was similar to yours. I also became disillusioned with religion and the hypocrisy of those who practiced it. I didn't become disillusioned with religion; I just never believed in god. And the people at my church were good people, so I never had a problem with them; I just had different beliefs than they had. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites maadmax 0 #149 April 28, 2008 [ I didn't become disillusioned with religion; I just never believed in god. And the people at my church were good people, so I never had a problem with them; I just had different beliefs than they had.*** OK. Your view point gives me something to think about. Just out of curiosity, what do you think about people who believe in God? _____________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Shotgun 1 #150 April 28, 2008 QuoteJust out of curiosity, what do you think about people who believe in God? Well, I have a little bit of trouble understanding how/why anyone believes in a god. But I find it interesting to hear what others believe, and I don't have any real interest in trying to convince others that god does not exist. Most of my friends and family do believe in god, and I find that I tend to keep quiet about the subject around most of them. And other than feeling like I shouldn't talk about it, it doesn't bother me that they have different beliefs. I know that some of them rely heavily on their belief in god to help them through their lives, and I wouldn't want to take that away from them since I don't exactly have a better alternative to offer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next Page 6 of 9 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
beowulf 1 #130 April 24, 2008 I don't base by beliefs on "subjective emotional feelings" because those kind of feelings are not reliable and are pretty meaningless. What do base my beliefs on is logic. Logically there is nothing to support the claim that there exists any form of deity at all. No matter how much you feel that something is true doesn't make it so. I wasn't aware of any overt or repressed anger involved in my posts. I generally post to get a reaction. Maybe I pushing for a reaction too hard? If we met in person I would never bring up this subject and would avoid it as much as possible. Most religous people tend to get upset when their beliefs are challenged. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcd11235 0 #131 April 24, 2008 QuoteNo, what I am curious about is since you all cannot base your belief on any concrete evidence, what subjective emotional feelings go into such an extreme conclusion. To the contrary, atheists base a lack of belief on a lack of evidence.Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakee 1,562 #132 April 24, 2008 QuoteNo, what I am curious about is since you all cannot base your belief on any concrete evidence, what subjective emotional feelings go into such an extreme conclusion. The conclusion that a thing for which no evidence exists doesn't exist is not extreme. On what do you base your extreme conclusion that the IPU doesn't exist?Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
banesanura 1 #133 April 24, 2008 Quote Quote Lets start a cult and find god. I will bring the kool-aid!!!! yay. The church of banesanura's boobies -- there's a cult I'd be happy to be a part of. I'll be happy to take the role as pontiff. Awesome- What shall our church be called? we have to think of something creative, suggestions?Best Girl Scout Ever. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maadmax 0 #134 April 24, 2008 If we met in person I would never bring up this subject and would avoid it as much as possible. Most religous people tend to get upset when their beliefs are challenged*** Like wise, and I bet we would even be friends. I enjoy having my beliefs challenged so I can prune them as necessary. ____________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maadmax 0 #135 April 24, 2008 To the contrary, atheists base a lack of belief on a lack of evidence*** Disagree. Atheism is a religion. You all have faith in your central myth " If science can't prove it, IT DOES NOT NOR EVER WILL EXIST". And then you have your concentric dogmas. Some which you all agree on, like God is a fantasy and all who acknowledge Him are deluded, along with other dogmas that aren't so unanimous. There is even a written cannon emerging. Dawkins comes to mind as one of the more important prophets and contributor to the cannon. _______________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 #136 April 24, 2008 This Quote" If science can't prove it, IT DOES NOT NOR EVER WILL EXIST". is bullshit. If there is evidence of any deity at all. Then I will consider the possibility of the existence of that particular deity. You pulled that statement out of your ass. At this point there is no evidence of god so my only conclusion is that god is a fantasy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcd11235 0 #137 April 24, 2008 QuoteQuoteTo the contrary, atheists base a lack of belief on a lack of evidence Disagree. Atheism is a religion. You all have faith in your central myth " If science can't prove it, IT DOES NOT NOR EVER WILL EXIST". I know a lot of atheists, and quite a few scientists. I don't think any of them would claim that something cannot exist if science can't prove it. Science doesn't know what happened during the first 10^43 seconds of the universe. You make it sound as though scientists would be in denial of the universe's existence. QuoteAnd then you have your concentric dogmas. Some which you all agree on, like God is a fantasy and all who acknowledge Him are deluded, along with other dogmas that aren't so unanimous. That's a strawman argument. What reasons do atheists have to consider the possibility of a deity? What observations have been made that can be best explained by the existence of a deity? QuoteThere is even a written cannon emerging. Dawkins comes to mind as one of the more important prophets and contributor to the cannon. What canon would that be?Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nerdgirl 0 #138 April 24, 2008 QuoteDisagree. Atheism is a religion. You all have faith in your central myth " If science can't prove it, IT DOES NOT NOR EVER WILL EXIST". I don't understand why or to what end you keep asserting an equivalency between atheism and science? (And to be fair, you are not the only poster to do so.) Your profile indicates you are a doctor of veterinary science. Multiple scientists on this list have written (sometimes eloquently & with patience) about active participation in organized Christian religion, in other religious practices, or in pursuit of spiritual truths. (Some others don't or don't care.) I have on my desk last Sunday's order of service from my church next to last week's issue of Science open to a perspectives piece on nueroscience. At the same time many atheists or non-theists have nothing to do with science: Hemingway, Huxley, Hume, Ayn Rand, Diego Rivera, George C. Scott, Frank Zappa. Frank Lloyd Wright said "I believe in God, only I spell it Nature." Why the forced dichotomy, e.g., the part of your post I referenced above? VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maadmax 0 #139 April 25, 2008 QuoteThis ***" If science can't prove it, IT DOES NOT NOR EVER WILL EXIST". is bullshit. If there is evidence of any deity at all. Then I will consider the possibility of the existence of that particular deity. You pulled that statement out of your ass. At this point there is no evidence of god so my only conclusion is that god is a fantasy.*** I am afraid you are not providing any new information, what else would you say as a devotee of atheism? _______________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites maadmax 0 #140 April 25, 2008 Why the forced dichotomy, e.g., the part of your post I referenced above? VR/Marg*** Most of the atheists I have encountered in this forum are very esteemed scientists. They have repeatedly used their scientific background to support their theory that God does not exist. My point is science is amazing but it is to imperfect to support this claim. I would be very interested in hearing why a nonscientist would choose atheism. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JackC 0 #141 April 25, 2008 QuoteMost of the atheists I have encountered in this forum are very esteemed scientists. They have repeatedly used their scientific background to support their theory that God does not exist. My point is science is amazing but it is to imperfect to support this claim. I would be very interested in hearing why a nonscientist would choose atheism. Although I am a scientist now, I wasn't always. I realised I was an atheist long before I even knew what science was. Why? Because religion has always had the distinct and unshakable odour of bullshit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jakee 1,562 #142 April 25, 2008 QuoteI would be very interested in hearing why a nonscientist would choose atheism. Because the God hypothesis is absurd, and there is no evidence of any kind to support it.Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites thirdworld19 0 #143 April 25, 2008 Quote Most of the atheists I have encountered in this forum are very esteemed scientists. They have repeatedly used their scientific background to support their theory that God does not exist. My point is science is amazing but it is to imperfect to support this claim. I would be very interested in hearing why a nonscientist would choose atheism. I was raised in a home where we went to church every Sunday and attended catechism (Lutheran). I became an atheist at age 13. I believe that the idea of god is a human invention, created to fulfill various psychological and emotional wants or needs. Although it works for many, many people, it doesn't work for me. I believe I have an analytical mind - I like to figure things out. But I am not willing to make something up just so that I can say I have an answer. If I don't know, then I don't know. Long before Christianity (or many modern religions) existed, people believed in gods. And these beliefs morphed over time into what we see today in religion. Why is it that Christians celebrate Easter when they do - because it fits nicely with the pagan celebration of re-birth. It makes it easier for people to buy into the new religion if it is somewhat familiar to them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Shotgun 1 #144 April 25, 2008 QuoteI realised I was an atheist long before I even knew what science was. Why? Because religion has always had the distinct and unshakable odour of bullshit. Ditto. I can't remember ever believing in god. I went to church all the time when I was a kid, Sunday school and all of that, but the stories just never had any ring of truth to them. I liked church because of the people there, but the god part just seemed to be some sort of outdated tradition, some sort of mythology that was being held on to for whatever reason. When I was really young, I actually thought that everyone was just pretending to believe in god. As I got older, I started realizing that people really did believe in it, and I seemed to be the only one who didn't. I can remember finally coming across the word "atheist" in the dictionary, and feeling some sort of comfort in realizing that I must not be the only person in the world who didn't believe in god. So, to maadmax: I didn't really choose atheism. I just simply don't believe that any sort of god exists, and I cannot force myself to believe. I've certainly been open to it, and I've learned about the various religions, but so far that has only helped to confirm my disbelief. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JackC 0 #145 April 25, 2008 You know, that could be written about me. I think that trying to get me to believe in god is a bit like trying to get a dog to stop wagging its tail. Even if you could get it to understand what your were talking about, wagging is hard wired into its DNA. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Tink1717 2 #146 April 26, 2008 QuoteAs I recall recently, didn't you go through some kind of serious health crisis? You are not dead. Was it pure luck? No, it was pure science. Quotell of the people who helped you, were there for a reason? No it was money. All those people in the hospital were there because they are getting paid. QuoteEven the fact that you were born at a moment in time when medical science was able to arrest and turn around your situation cannot be claimed to be fortuitous. The fact that I survived is because those who came before me died and it was the job of science to find put how, why and to keep it from happening again. QuoteExactly how do athiests explain situations in which they have no control, but still come out on the other side? In my case, I explain it by saying the outcome of my medical incident was exactly what was suppose d to happen. The hospital was designed for restoring the health of those who are sick. Everything went exactly the way it was supposed to.Skydivers don't knock on Death's door. They ring the bell and runaway... It really pisses him off. -The World Famous Tink. (I never heard of you either!!) AA #2069 ASA#33 POPS#8808 Swooo 1717 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites maadmax 0 #147 April 27, 2008 I realised I was an atheist long before I even knew what science was. Why? Because religion has always had the distinct and unshakable odour of bullshit Ditto. I can't remember ever believing in god. I went to church all the time when I was a kid, Sunday school and all of that, but the stories just never had any ring of truth to them. I liked church because of the people there, but the god part just seemed to be some sort of outdated tradition, some sort of mythology that was being held on to for whatever reason. When I was really young, I actually thought that everyone was just pretending to believe in god. As I got older, I started realizing that people really did believe in it, and I seemed to be the only one who didn't. I can remember finally coming across the word "atheist" in the dictionary, and feeling some sort of comfort in realizing that I must not be the only person in the world who didn't believe in god. So, to maadmax: I didn't really choose atheism. I just simply don't believe that any sort of god exists, and I cannot force myself to believe. I've certainly been open to it, and I've learned about the various religions, but so far that has only helped to confirm my disbelief .*** Very interesting. I have to admit that when I read your response I couldn't help feeling a stab of pain. It sounds like my childhood was similar to yours. I also became disillusioned with religion and the hypocrisy of those who practiced it. I guess the only difference was that deep down I felt there had to be something genuine that all these people were just to lazy to find. _______________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Shotgun 1 #148 April 27, 2008 QuoteIt sounds like my childhood was similar to yours. I also became disillusioned with religion and the hypocrisy of those who practiced it. I didn't become disillusioned with religion; I just never believed in god. And the people at my church were good people, so I never had a problem with them; I just had different beliefs than they had. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites maadmax 0 #149 April 28, 2008 [ I didn't become disillusioned with religion; I just never believed in god. And the people at my church were good people, so I never had a problem with them; I just had different beliefs than they had.*** OK. Your view point gives me something to think about. Just out of curiosity, what do you think about people who believe in God? _____________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Shotgun 1 #150 April 28, 2008 QuoteJust out of curiosity, what do you think about people who believe in God? Well, I have a little bit of trouble understanding how/why anyone believes in a god. But I find it interesting to hear what others believe, and I don't have any real interest in trying to convince others that god does not exist. Most of my friends and family do believe in god, and I find that I tend to keep quiet about the subject around most of them. And other than feeling like I shouldn't talk about it, it doesn't bother me that they have different beliefs. I know that some of them rely heavily on their belief in god to help them through their lives, and I wouldn't want to take that away from them since I don't exactly have a better alternative to offer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next Page 6 of 9 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
maadmax 0 #140 April 25, 2008 Why the forced dichotomy, e.g., the part of your post I referenced above? VR/Marg*** Most of the atheists I have encountered in this forum are very esteemed scientists. They have repeatedly used their scientific background to support their theory that God does not exist. My point is science is amazing but it is to imperfect to support this claim. I would be very interested in hearing why a nonscientist would choose atheism. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC 0 #141 April 25, 2008 QuoteMost of the atheists I have encountered in this forum are very esteemed scientists. They have repeatedly used their scientific background to support their theory that God does not exist. My point is science is amazing but it is to imperfect to support this claim. I would be very interested in hearing why a nonscientist would choose atheism. Although I am a scientist now, I wasn't always. I realised I was an atheist long before I even knew what science was. Why? Because religion has always had the distinct and unshakable odour of bullshit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakee 1,562 #142 April 25, 2008 QuoteI would be very interested in hearing why a nonscientist would choose atheism. Because the God hypothesis is absurd, and there is no evidence of any kind to support it.Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thirdworld19 0 #143 April 25, 2008 Quote Most of the atheists I have encountered in this forum are very esteemed scientists. They have repeatedly used their scientific background to support their theory that God does not exist. My point is science is amazing but it is to imperfect to support this claim. I would be very interested in hearing why a nonscientist would choose atheism. I was raised in a home where we went to church every Sunday and attended catechism (Lutheran). I became an atheist at age 13. I believe that the idea of god is a human invention, created to fulfill various psychological and emotional wants or needs. Although it works for many, many people, it doesn't work for me. I believe I have an analytical mind - I like to figure things out. But I am not willing to make something up just so that I can say I have an answer. If I don't know, then I don't know. Long before Christianity (or many modern religions) existed, people believed in gods. And these beliefs morphed over time into what we see today in religion. Why is it that Christians celebrate Easter when they do - because it fits nicely with the pagan celebration of re-birth. It makes it easier for people to buy into the new religion if it is somewhat familiar to them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #144 April 25, 2008 QuoteI realised I was an atheist long before I even knew what science was. Why? Because religion has always had the distinct and unshakable odour of bullshit. Ditto. I can't remember ever believing in god. I went to church all the time when I was a kid, Sunday school and all of that, but the stories just never had any ring of truth to them. I liked church because of the people there, but the god part just seemed to be some sort of outdated tradition, some sort of mythology that was being held on to for whatever reason. When I was really young, I actually thought that everyone was just pretending to believe in god. As I got older, I started realizing that people really did believe in it, and I seemed to be the only one who didn't. I can remember finally coming across the word "atheist" in the dictionary, and feeling some sort of comfort in realizing that I must not be the only person in the world who didn't believe in god. So, to maadmax: I didn't really choose atheism. I just simply don't believe that any sort of god exists, and I cannot force myself to believe. I've certainly been open to it, and I've learned about the various religions, but so far that has only helped to confirm my disbelief. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC 0 #145 April 25, 2008 You know, that could be written about me. I think that trying to get me to believe in god is a bit like trying to get a dog to stop wagging its tail. Even if you could get it to understand what your were talking about, wagging is hard wired into its DNA. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tink1717 2 #146 April 26, 2008 QuoteAs I recall recently, didn't you go through some kind of serious health crisis? You are not dead. Was it pure luck? No, it was pure science. Quotell of the people who helped you, were there for a reason? No it was money. All those people in the hospital were there because they are getting paid. QuoteEven the fact that you were born at a moment in time when medical science was able to arrest and turn around your situation cannot be claimed to be fortuitous. The fact that I survived is because those who came before me died and it was the job of science to find put how, why and to keep it from happening again. QuoteExactly how do athiests explain situations in which they have no control, but still come out on the other side? In my case, I explain it by saying the outcome of my medical incident was exactly what was suppose d to happen. The hospital was designed for restoring the health of those who are sick. Everything went exactly the way it was supposed to.Skydivers don't knock on Death's door. They ring the bell and runaway... It really pisses him off. -The World Famous Tink. (I never heard of you either!!) AA #2069 ASA#33 POPS#8808 Swooo 1717 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maadmax 0 #147 April 27, 2008 I realised I was an atheist long before I even knew what science was. Why? Because religion has always had the distinct and unshakable odour of bullshit Ditto. I can't remember ever believing in god. I went to church all the time when I was a kid, Sunday school and all of that, but the stories just never had any ring of truth to them. I liked church because of the people there, but the god part just seemed to be some sort of outdated tradition, some sort of mythology that was being held on to for whatever reason. When I was really young, I actually thought that everyone was just pretending to believe in god. As I got older, I started realizing that people really did believe in it, and I seemed to be the only one who didn't. I can remember finally coming across the word "atheist" in the dictionary, and feeling some sort of comfort in realizing that I must not be the only person in the world who didn't believe in god. So, to maadmax: I didn't really choose atheism. I just simply don't believe that any sort of god exists, and I cannot force myself to believe. I've certainly been open to it, and I've learned about the various religions, but so far that has only helped to confirm my disbelief .*** Very interesting. I have to admit that when I read your response I couldn't help feeling a stab of pain. It sounds like my childhood was similar to yours. I also became disillusioned with religion and the hypocrisy of those who practiced it. I guess the only difference was that deep down I felt there had to be something genuine that all these people were just to lazy to find. _______________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #148 April 27, 2008 QuoteIt sounds like my childhood was similar to yours. I also became disillusioned with religion and the hypocrisy of those who practiced it. I didn't become disillusioned with religion; I just never believed in god. And the people at my church were good people, so I never had a problem with them; I just had different beliefs than they had. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maadmax 0 #149 April 28, 2008 [ I didn't become disillusioned with religion; I just never believed in god. And the people at my church were good people, so I never had a problem with them; I just had different beliefs than they had.*** OK. Your view point gives me something to think about. Just out of curiosity, what do you think about people who believe in God? _____________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #150 April 28, 2008 QuoteJust out of curiosity, what do you think about people who believe in God? Well, I have a little bit of trouble understanding how/why anyone believes in a god. But I find it interesting to hear what others believe, and I don't have any real interest in trying to convince others that god does not exist. Most of my friends and family do believe in god, and I find that I tend to keep quiet about the subject around most of them. And other than feeling like I shouldn't talk about it, it doesn't bother me that they have different beliefs. I know that some of them rely heavily on their belief in god to help them through their lives, and I wouldn't want to take that away from them since I don't exactly have a better alternative to offer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
