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Some answers Narg Send a noteboard - 28/02/2012 09:05:35 PM
In answer to some of your questions at the bottom of your post, I am a mormon. My parents are mormon. My dad converted to mormonism while an adult. I became a believer while a teenager. I have to believe that I probably would not be a mormon if not for my parents, mainly because it is unlikely it would ever have been presented to me in such a way that I would have seriously looked into it, knowing the way my mind works. But I thank God for my religion.

There are some things commonly believed by mormons that I do not believe, but by and large I believe the doctrines of the church, including many that serve as one liners to illustrate how ridiculous mormons are. There is nothing in my life that I have given more thought to than my religion. I believe it has blessed my life immeasurably.

Regarding atheists, I served as a missionary in my church for two years and had the opportunity to speak to a lot of atheists about religion. While most athiests wouldn't describe atheism as a religion, most would readily admit that it is just their belief given their interpretation of the evidence. But religion and belief are not necessarily the same thing as you noted.

By telling them that atheism is a religion ;) Seriously, they really seem to get bent out of shape by that, based on the handful of atheists I have had discussions with. I just simply pointed out that atheism isn't a lack of belief, but rather a belief that God doesn't exist. You're still believing something either way. It takes just as much faith to not believe in God (something that can never definitely be proven) as it does to believe (something that can never definitely be proven). Either side can conjur up compelling evidence. So in the end, it comes down to what you believe.

And I just tell them it's a religion to get a rise out of them :P It's really more a belief than any type of organized religion. Personally, (changing topics here for a minute), I think religions are the downfall of mankind. I prefer to be more spirtual than religious. Yes, I believe in God and basic morality, but I rather not invent a bunch of nonsensical rules to live by and then try to force other people to adopt my rules. Which, actually, raises an interesting question. If you are religious, and really believe in your religion, is it because you were raised that way? If not, was there ever a point where you consciously decided you believed in the religion? Anybody ever change religions as an adult? If you are religious, is there any aspects of your religious doctrine that you choose to ignore because you don't believe in it?
A little learning is a dangerous thing.
This message last edited by Narg on 28/02/2012 at 09:20:03 PM
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Do you know the best way to anger an atheist? - 28/02/2012 07:10:57 PM 1948 Views
Or, you could baptize one of them, posthumously. - 28/02/2012 07:32:48 PM 1286 Views
Ooo that is hilarious *NM* - 28/02/2012 08:22:19 PM 458 Views
I can't think of any reason for an atheist to be annoyed by that. - 28/02/2012 11:08:44 PM 1031 Views
Well, for starters, it's really effing rude. - 28/02/2012 11:31:36 PM 1073 Views
It is an act of love. - 29/02/2012 12:34:03 AM 1080 Views
Everyone does it for that reason? (edits for clarity) - 29/02/2012 10:27:02 AM 976 Views
I have some disturbing news for you... - 29/02/2012 06:42:41 PM 1017 Views
For anyone reading this: the guy above is wrong, and I am admitting that to you on his behalf, so - 29/02/2012 07:15:38 PM 1049 Views
Maybe without realizing it, you have articulated.... - 29/02/2012 07:24:13 PM 875 Views
I actually find that conversation quite interesting. - 29/02/2012 08:18:35 PM 997 Views
Re: I actually find that conversation quite interesting. - 29/02/2012 09:07:06 PM 1055 Views
I cannot possibly agree more with these two paragraphs of yours... - 29/02/2012 09:28:09 PM 1033 Views
I'm surprised to see some of this. - 01/03/2012 12:11:31 PM 893 Views
You said it was really effing rude. - 29/02/2012 08:18:40 PM 1063 Views
I meant that the act of choosing for someone else - 29/02/2012 08:54:02 PM 961 Views
Question - 29/02/2012 07:58:32 PM 1035 Views
No, I don't blame them or think they are fools. - 29/02/2012 08:41:13 PM 1005 Views
It is not an act of love to defy the beliefs of a loved one. - 29/02/2012 02:32:45 PM 1124 Views
Rape? That is ridiculous. - 29/02/2012 05:26:13 PM 1030 Views
It's a bit of hyperbole, but not too far from it, imo - 29/02/2012 05:45:39 PM 1063 Views
You are trying your best to not understand. - 29/02/2012 07:12:57 PM 1049 Views
I suspect that that is where a lot of the issue with it lies. - 02/03/2012 01:33:43 AM 1100 Views
one thing - 29/02/2012 06:25:45 PM 1069 Views
Precisely *NM* - 29/02/2012 06:59:15 PM 503 Views
Bad example - 05/03/2012 05:06:21 AM 1118 Views
Why would they be angry about that? - 02/03/2012 01:23:56 AM 1187 Views
Denying people rights since it was written 3000 years ago? - 28/02/2012 07:44:02 PM 985 Views
Isn't religion different than faith, though? - 28/02/2012 07:44:07 PM 1088 Views
Yeah that's pretty much what I said - 28/02/2012 08:21:56 PM 873 Views
Only if I get to be Pope. - 28/02/2012 08:25:45 PM 982 Views
I love me my vices! Thanks Pope - 28/02/2012 10:14:27 PM 869 Views
Generally the same way you piss off anyone else - 28/02/2012 08:43:04 PM 997 Views
Great post. - 28/02/2012 09:18:38 PM 1006 Views
I find that the best way is to smile. - 29/02/2012 06:23:50 AM 1010 Views
Some answers - 28/02/2012 09:05:35 PM 940 Views
that won't work on Buddists - 28/02/2012 09:21:48 PM 1017 Views
On the other hand ... - 28/02/2012 09:28:27 PM 869 Views
For some reason I always imagine Buddhists as the monk class on RPG games... *NM* - 28/02/2012 10:13:27 PM 504 Views
LOL same *NM* - 28/02/2012 10:31:38 PM 479 Views
Best way to anger an atheist, by declaring all atheists are the same. *NM* - 28/02/2012 10:38:51 PM 646 Views
Telling anyone what they actually believe will work. *NM* - 28/02/2012 10:51:56 PM 472 Views
This kind of works for many, doesn't it? - 29/02/2012 06:22:33 PM 884 Views
I'm an atheist, and I consider it to be my religion. *NM* - 28/02/2012 10:51:00 PM 447 Views
Common error number 1: "Atheism isn't a lack of belief, but rather a belief that God doesn't exist." - 28/02/2012 11:18:23 PM 1176 Views
I second that - 29/02/2012 03:46:15 AM 991 Views
Curiously, anger at statements of simple obvious facts is a hallmark of religious fundamentalism. - 29/02/2012 10:27:29 AM 1104 Views
What you're doing there is defining "atheist" and "agnostic" in a way that suits you, but... - 29/02/2012 11:50:27 AM 908 Views
What I am doing is using the terms as they were universally used until about the time I was born. - 05/03/2012 01:11:21 AM 1035 Views
So what do you call this position?: - 05/03/2012 08:43:20 AM 1004 Views
I call them both agnostic, but the former leans toward atheism while the latter has no lean. - 05/03/2012 10:53:02 AM 1070 Views
See, there you go again, defining atheism in such a way as to make it sound ridiculous. - 05/03/2012 11:21:17 AM 885 Views
Well, is unswerving belief a good thing, or not? - 05/03/2012 11:57:05 AM 1103 Views
What's happening - 05/03/2012 02:24:41 PM 1088 Views
Conversationally, DKs use of "atheism" at the start of this convo is the only practical definition. - 07/03/2012 03:10:18 AM 1412 Views
Oh really? The guy who was doing it to annoy people? - 07/03/2012 09:53:38 PM 991 Views
The guy who was doing it to annoy atheists based on the terms technical and popular meaning, yes. - 11/03/2012 04:04:36 AM 878 Views
Whatever. - 12/03/2012 12:39:24 AM 1343 Views
*NM* - 12/03/2012 01:14:39 AM 507 Views
I understand that as "I completely agree." - 13/03/2012 12:11:18 AM 1154 Views
I saw it as.... - 13/03/2012 10:44:37 PM 913 Views
My browser does not like your gif. - 13/03/2012 11:32:06 PM 1163 Views
I have a few good quotes for this one. - 29/02/2012 03:29:22 PM 1000 Views
I snerfled. *NM* - 29/02/2012 05:12:32 PM 491 Views
Re: That's it? *NM* - 01/03/2012 06:33:48 AM 546 Views
Re: Do you know the best way to anger an atheist? - 02/03/2012 01:47:03 AM 937 Views

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