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That's always been my view of the issue. Half-assed non-religious types are just as obnoxious too. Cannoli Send a noteboard - 28/02/2012 10:34:12 PM
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.
Atheism is just as much an unprovable hypothesis as religion. Most of the people who refuse to believe in God out of a lack of accepted evidence don't realize they're actually agnostics (or at least as I understand the term). Atheism might not actually be A religion, as people generally use that term to refer to an organized religion, but it IS a religious belief.

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.
But it's still a religious belief, and no more or less valid for not being institutionalized. Establishment of religion counts against them, too.

Personally, (changing topics here for a minute), I think religions are the downfall of mankind. I prefer to be more spirtual than religious.

Because you're an emotional idiot. Religions are hardly the downfall of mankind, they are simply one of the many human institutions that are used to advance agendas, and are corruptible by virtue of their being human. Governments have a far worse track record than religions, but people seem to be under the impression that strict vigilance is needed to protect government from the pernicious influence of religion.

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 just makes you a shallow hypocrite. You believe in an invisible man in the sky, to what point? If he doesn't give a damn, what's the point of your god, or the relevance of your belief? What is the line between your "basic morality" and "nonsensical rules"? Because most members of organized religions also define their practice in the same way - basic morality but no nonsensical rules. Christians don't believe in those nonsensical rules about kosher, while Jews don't follow those nonsensical rules about praying to Mecca, and Moslems don't follow the nonsensical rules about washing a child's forehead.

As for imposing rules on others, to not do so is a rather extreme betrayal of your self or ideals. If you believe a code of conduct is the right way to behave, why would you not judge others by how well they adhered to that standard? If you were aware of a particular behavior or substance that poisoned people or otherwise endangered their survival, wouldn't you pass it along? How can anyone accept the existence of PETA, public schools, Alcoholics Anonymous or the anti-smoking movement, and criticize organized religion or missionary work? Hardly anyone who believes in the spiritual claims it is not more important than the physical, so why would someone who genuinely believes they know the path to spiritual survival refrain from doing all they can to make others follow it for their own good?

Which, actually, raises an interesting question. If you are religious, and really believe in your religion, is it because you were raised that way?

Who can answer that? How much of the way you were raised made you believe in God but not the nonsensical rules, or opposing sharing rules for acceptable interpersonal interactions? I believe in my religion because it fits my philosophy, but that philosophy is informed by my religion. I was brought up in a religion, but not given to heavy indoctrination or anything (my parents were hardly organized enough to attempt anything of that sort in an effective manner). I can't say what aspects of my personal philosophy and code of ethics were taken in by example or because I heard them articulated at some point or because I reasoned them out on my own. How much of what you consciously decide to believe or do is a rationalization of what you want, emotionally, or are comfortable with because you absorbed it subsconsciously?

If not, was there ever a point where you consciously decided you believed in the religion?

Yes.
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?
No.
Cannoli
“Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions.” GK Chesteron
Inde muagdhe Aes Sedai misain ye!
Deus Vult!
*MySmiley*
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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 1072 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 975 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 1048 Views
Maybe without realizing it, you have articulated.... - 29/02/2012 07:24:13 PM 874 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 1054 Views
I cannot possibly agree more with these two paragraphs of yours... - 29/02/2012 09:28:09 PM 1032 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 960 Views
Question - 29/02/2012 07:58:32 PM 1034 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 1029 Views
It's a bit of hyperbole, but not too far from it, imo - 29/02/2012 05:45:39 PM 1062 Views
You are trying your best to not understand. - 29/02/2012 07:12:57 PM 1048 Views
I suspect that that is where a lot of the issue with it lies. - 02/03/2012 01:33:43 AM 1099 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 1186 Views
Denying people rights since it was written 3000 years ago? - 28/02/2012 07:44:02 PM 984 Views
Isn't religion different than faith, though? - 28/02/2012 07:44:07 PM 1087 Views
Yeah that's pretty much what I said - 28/02/2012 08:21:56 PM 872 Views
Only if I get to be Pope. - 28/02/2012 08:25:45 PM 981 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 1005 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 939 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 503 Views
LOL same *NM* - 28/02/2012 10:31:38 PM 478 Views
That's always been my view of the issue. Half-assed non-religious types are just as obnoxious too. - 28/02/2012 10:34:12 PM 1247 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 471 Views
This kind of works for many, doesn't it? - 29/02/2012 06:22:33 PM 883 Views
I'm an atheist, and I consider it to be my religion. *NM* - 28/02/2012 10:51:00 PM 446 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 1175 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 1103 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 1003 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 1069 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 990 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 1153 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 999 Views
I snerfled. *NM* - 29/02/2012 05:12:32 PM 490 Views
Re: That's it? *NM* - 01/03/2012 06:33:48 AM 545 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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