Seems a got both a pat on the back and a scathing rebuke. I call that a good day
Dark Knight Send a noteboard - 28/02/2012 11:57:45 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. 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.Agreed
And I just tell them it's a religion to get a rise out of them 
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. It's really more a belief than any type of organized religion.Agreed
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.
Emotional idiot...don't quite know how to process that one. Let's move on, shall we? I think religions are far worse than government, simply because some governments are influenced largely by religion *he says, a not-so-subtle dig at the Middle East* Thousands, perhaps millions, of people have died over the history of the earth over religion. The irony is that both sides believe in a god!
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. Basic morality, e.g. don't murder, steal, lie. Not going to church on Sunday? I'm ok with that. Praying five times a day? Nah, I'll pass. Fasting the entire day for a month? No thanks. Don't kill somebody in cold blood? Ok, that makes sense. Get it?
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?
Hey, just leave me to my non-harmful beliefs, which only affect my physical and mental well-being, and we're good. Who cares about anybody else?
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?
Well, I can answer that. I grew up in a Baptist household with a zealot of a mother. I know a lot about the bible, I've been to Sunday school, etc. My friend invited me to a catholic church once. I talked to some Jewish friends of mine. I dated a Muslim.I decided that I don't like organized religions, as they all have rules that don't make sense and are just plain wrong.
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.
Formerly Mat Bloody Cauthon on Wotmania, blessed be its name
Do you know the best way to anger an atheist?
- 28/02/2012 07:10:57 PM
1952 Views
Or, you could baptize one of them, posthumously.
- 28/02/2012 07:32:48 PM
1293 Views
I can't think of any reason for an atheist to be annoyed by that.
- 28/02/2012 11:08:44 PM
1038 Views
Well, for starters, it's really effing rude.
- 28/02/2012 11:31:36 PM
1083 Views
It is an act of love.
- 29/02/2012 12:34:03 AM
1087 Views
Everyone does it for that reason? (edits for clarity)
- 29/02/2012 10:27:02 AM
982 Views
I have some disturbing news for you...
- 29/02/2012 06:42:41 PM
1022 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
1057 Views
Maybe without realizing it, you have articulated....
- 29/02/2012 07:24:13 PM
881 Views
I actually find that conversation quite interesting.
- 29/02/2012 08:18:35 PM
1002 Views
Re: I actually find that conversation quite interesting.
- 29/02/2012 09:07:06 PM
1059 Views
I cannot possibly agree more with these two paragraphs of yours...
- 29/02/2012 09:28:09 PM
1041 Views
I find the Fall perhaps the most interesting part.
- 02/03/2012 09:05:29 AM
1425 Views
Re: I find the Fall perhaps the most interesting part.
- 02/03/2012 06:26:06 PM
1191 Views
There are 3 critical distinctions: 1) Ability to sin, 2) Awareness of sin and 3) Appreciation of sin
- 05/03/2012 04:08:36 AM
976 Views
It is not an act of love to defy the beliefs of a loved one.
- 29/02/2012 02:32:45 PM
1131 Views
Rape? That is ridiculous.
- 29/02/2012 05:26:13 PM
1036 Views
It's a bit of hyperbole, but not too far from it, imo
- 29/02/2012 05:45:39 PM
1070 Views
"Spiritual rape" might be going a bit far, but otherwise that sounds about right.
- 02/03/2012 08:06:48 AM
1105 Views
Isn't religion different than faith, though?
- 28/02/2012 07:44:07 PM
1093 Views
Yeah that's pretty much what I said
- 28/02/2012 08:21:56 PM
879 Views
- 28/02/2012 08:21:56 PM
879 Views
that won't work on Buddists
- 28/02/2012 09:21:48 PM
1026 Views
For some reason I always imagine Buddhists as the monk class on RPG games... *NM*
- 28/02/2012 10:13:27 PM
506 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
1252 Views
Seems a got both a pat on the back and a scathing rebuke. I call that a good day
- 28/02/2012 11:57:45 PM
1312 Views
Best way to anger an atheist, by declaring all atheists are the same. *NM*
- 28/02/2012 10:38:51 PM
648 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
1180 Views
Curiously, anger at statements of simple obvious facts is a hallmark of religious fundamentalism.
- 29/02/2012 10:27:29 AM
1110 Views
- 29/02/2012 10:27:29 AM
1110 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
917 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
1039 Views
So what do you call this position?:
- 05/03/2012 08:43:20 AM
1010 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
1077 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
891 Views
Well, is unswerving belief a good thing, or not?
- 05/03/2012 11:57:05 AM
1108 Views
What's happening
- 05/03/2012 02:24:41 PM
1092 Views
Conversationally, DKs use of "atheism" at the start of this convo is the only practical definition.
- 07/03/2012 03:10:18 AM
1419 Views
Oh really? The guy who was doing it to annoy people?
- 07/03/2012 09:53:38 PM
996 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
885 Views
Whatever.
- 12/03/2012 12:39:24 AM
1346 Views
*NM*
I understand that as "I completely agree."
- 13/03/2012 12:11:18 AM
1166 Views
- 13/03/2012 12:11:18 AM
1166 Views
I have known very few people who "believe" their religion from rearing and actually understand it.
- 29/02/2012 12:08:01 PM
1245 Views
I thought that was "best way to make an atheist roll his/her eyes at you"? *NM*
- 29/02/2012 11:05:21 PM
599 Views