atheists

[AnonymouseUser]

I can't believe it's so hard to explain atheism, so let me try:

Everyone is born an atheist. Theism is taught or learned later. An infant does not have a belief system, therefore atheism is not a belief system.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

Everyone is born an a theist.

Everyone is born a philosopher, a dreamer and a believer. It's the bitterness and cynicism of age that changes us.

 

[shadow9d9]

Some people have the NEED to believe that atheism is a religion, because they simply cannot fathom how some people can be independent or simply find that religions are ridiculousness. It justifies their own belief in a religion.

 

[JackBurton]

Some people have the NEED to believe that atheism is a religion, because they simply cannot fathom how some people can be independent or simply find that religions are ridiculousness. It justifies their own belief in a religion.

That pretty much sums it up.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

because they simply cannot fathom how some people can be independent

If you believe in science I can assure you that pre-determination by social and genetic influences is the only final conclusion that can be rationally drawn. By definition a positive-science take on our world means that the individual is little more than a dependent variable.

Freedom and choice can only be found in the un-quantifiable transcendental.

 

[sandorski]

If you believe in science I can assure you that pre-determination by social and genetic influences is the only final conclusion that can be rationally drawn. By definition a positive-science take on our world means that the individual is little more than a dependent variable.

Freedom and choice can only be found in the un-quantifiable transcendental.

 

[anyusername]

Why do I even read these threads anymore, makes me wanna rip my eyeballs out at the stupidity.

 

[Bignate603]

Why do I even read these threads anymore, makes me wanna rip my eyeballs out at the stupidity.

This. I don't care what a person believes. Their personal beliefs (or lack thereof) is their own business. I don't even care if they talk about them or show them publicly. I'm not even offended if they politely ask if I'm interested and want to learn more. The only time I care is when they think their beliefs should be forced upon others that don't share their beliefs.

There are plenty of religious people and atheists that I have no problem with because they don't try to force what they believe on others. On the other hand, their are people that share my opinions on religion and I still can't stand them because they spend their time mocking other people or trying to force their beliefs onto other people.

Cliffs:
Who cares what people believe as long as they don't try and force it on others.

 

[Mike Gayner]

Atheism is a metaphysical belief. There will likely never be a way to truly disprove the existence of God by repeatable experiment (unless we find a Babel Fish), thus any and all statements about the existence of God remain outside the realm of physical observation (the very definition of metaphysics).

Thus not believing in unicorns is a metaphysical belief.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

I love these threads. They're so useful. Everyone knows that people's belief structures are easily changed, especially when using an argumentative tool as effective as anonymous posts on an internet forum. Based on what sites I frequent, I may switch religions as many as 37 times a day!

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what you believe, it doesn't even matter if you can defend what you believe against competing ideologies. Just be a good person, don't harm other people, don't be a jerk and we can all get along just fine.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

 

[Kev]

Another incorrect blanket statement. And I'm speaking as an atheist here.

Religion is defined as the belief in a supernatural being that concerns the cause, nature, or purpose of the universe. Be it a God, bigfoot, unicorns, vampires, mother earth, the spiritual energy that links all living things, or whatever other mumbo jumbo out there. Belief in this supernatural power is the actual definition of religion.

Could there have been a supreme being, or supernatural energy that created our universe that no longer exists now or is not able to manifest itself in the universe anymore? Possibly, but I doubt it. That doesn't mean that there wasn't. That doesn't require a religion either for it to have been true. However, if that "religion" leads humanity into finding evidence that supports it or contradicts it then it was definitely a useful tool for humanity for that.

I'll give you an example. Ever heard of dark matter? It's still a sketchy scientific theory, but it some evidence now that supports it. Not much, but some. Basically as scientists were putting in many variables as to why galaxies coalesce, they were unable to figure out based on many models why galaxies would do this. This is even taking into consideration the extreme forces exerted by super black holes at the center of every galaxy ever found. The power of a super black hole is not enough to form a galaxy. Thus the hypothesis that "dark matter" was the glue that held the universe together. There was no evidence at first for this hypothesis. Believing that such a force exists, despite all that science knew up until that point, could almost be considered a religious following. Why? We have a supernatural power that concerns the nature of the universe at work. This power was dark matter that had no supporting evidence behind it. By using their belief that this dark matter may be the glue that holds the universe together, scientists are able to track down possible evidence to prove or disprove it. Evidence for it has come forward, but it took almost 40 years to do so. 40 years is a LONG time to believe in something like that wouldn't you agree?

Dark matter and dark energy were theories formed to explain observations that were made that could not be explained using our current laws of physics. The very fact that these theories are based on observation and evidence make them NOT like religion at all.

 

[Gibson486]

http://youtu.be/cwvtxtZgnX0

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

Another incorrect blanket statement. And I'm speaking as an atheist here.

Religion is defined as the belief in a supernatural being that concerns the cause, nature, or purpose of the universe. Be it a God, bigfoot, unicorns, vampires, mother earth, the spiritual energy that links all living things, or whatever other mumbo jumbo out there. Belief in this supernatural power is the actual definition of religion.

Could there have been a supreme being, or supernatural energy that created our universe that no longer exists now or is not able to manifest itself in the universe anymore? Possibly, but I doubt it. That doesn't mean that there wasn't. That doesn't require a religion either for it to have been true. However, if that "religion" leads humanity into finding evidence that supports it or contradicts it then it was definitely a useful tool for humanity for that.

I'll give you an example. Ever heard of dark matter? It's still a sketchy scientific theory, but it some evidence now that supports it. Not much, but some. Basically as scientists were putting in many variables as to why galaxies coalesce, they were unable to figure out based on many models why galaxies would do this. This is even taking into consideration the extreme forces exerted by super black holes at the center of every galaxy ever found. The power of a super black hole is not enough to form a galaxy. Thus the hypothesis that "dark matter" was the glue that held the universe together. There was no evidence at first for this hypothesis. Believing that such a force exists, despite all that science knew up until that point, could almost be considered a religious following. Why? We have a supernatural power that concerns the nature of the universe at work. This power was dark matter that had no supporting evidence behind it. By using their belief that this dark matter may be the glue that holds the universe together, scientists are able to track down possible evidence to prove or disprove it. Evidence for it has come forward, but it took almost 40 years to do so. 40 years is a LONG time to believe in something like that wouldn't you agree?

Please tell me where religion comes from?

Theists think all gods but theirs are false. Atheists simply don't make an exception for the last one.

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

Dark matter and dark energy were theories formed to explain observations that were made that could not be explained using our current laws of physics. The very fact that these theories are based on observation and evidence make them NOT like religion at all.

Science flies you to the moon... Religion flies you into buildings.

 

[janas19]

Science flies you to the moon... Religion flies you into buildings.

Sometimes. Sometimes not.

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

Sometimes. Sometimes not.

Yes it is called a faith-based federal construction program these days.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I feel like you are making me dumber with each post I read,



MotionMan

As an observer, I concur with your hypothesis. You do indeed appear to be getting dumber as the thread progresses.

 

[jupiter57]

 

[Paul98]

If you believe in science I can assure you that pre-determination by social and genetic influences is the only final conclusion that can be rationally drawn. By definition a positive-science take on our world means that the individual is little more than a dependent variable.

Freedom and choice can only be found in the un-quantifiable transcendental.

The world is far more complex, and strange than you think it is. Quantum mechanics would like to have a word with you about things being pre-determined.

But yes what you think isn't magic, but based on experience, brain chemistry, genetic influence, and a host of other things.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Is it your contention that liberatarianism, Star Wars, Star Trek, steampunk, My Little Pony and anime do not exist, and that it is irrational to believe that they do?

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

Is it your contention that liberatarianism, Star Wars, Star Trek, steampunk, My Little Pony and anime do not exist, and that it is irrational to believe that they do?

People started seeing UFOs about the time they stopped seeing angels. Line noise.

 

[anyusername]

People started seeing UFOs about the time they stopped seeing angels. Line noise.

I wasn't gonna post anymore in this thread but after this comment I have to.

A few months ago I randomly encountered a guy I used to know when I still went to church (8 years ago). He asked me why I no longer went to church and I told him I became an atheist. At this point I usually change the subject but he insisted and asked me why I didn't believe in a God. I answered because there is no evidence at all that suggests that a God might exist. Now this is where it gets interesting, he then said "So you are a science guy huh? Tell me, do you believe in aliens?" To which I answered "It is possible that alien intelligent life exists, yes, even if the odds aren't great." I could see his facial expression changing like he had won the debate, he said "Well, what evidence (he really highlighted that in his speech) do you have that it might exist?" I calmly looked at him and said "You are right, talking to you, it really doesn't seem possible, does it?" and walked away.

 

[ShawnD1]

People started seeing UFOs about the time they stopped seeing angels. Line noise.

Good ol schizophrenia. Always there to mess our shit up.

Fun fact of the day: the bible says you're supposed to kill mentally ill people. For a lack of a better explanation for why someone would act crazy as hell, it was believed to be demonic possession, which can't be cured in most cases (throwing water on you will not fix your schizophrenia). It's not a terrible hypothesis. Knowing nothing about medicine, it seems to make perfect sense.
You're also supposed to kill disobedient children for the same reason. The bible was probably referring to kids with autism. No matter how hard you try, you just can't train them like you can with other kids. It might be demons doing it.

Is it your contention that liberatarianism, Star Wars, Star Trek, steampunk, My Little Pony and anime do not exist, and that it is irrational to believe that they do?

It seems like that image was made by someone who believes that people think Star Trek is real and not just a TV show. That's rather telling. That type of logic would explain why someone reading a book about people in the desert would immediately the assume was 100% fact instead of interpreting it as a nice story or a bunch of allegories.

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

I wasn't gonna post anymore in this thread but after this comment I have to.

A few months ago I randomly encountered a guy I used to know when I still went to church (8 years ago). He asked me why I no longer went to church and I told him I became an atheist. At this point I usually change the subject but he insisted and asked me why I didn't believe in a God. I answered because there is no evidence at all that suggests that a God might exist. Now this is where it gets interesting, he then said "So you are a science guy huh? Tell me, do you believe in aliens?" To which I answered "It is possible that alien intelligent life exists, yes, even if the odds aren't great." I could see his facial expression changing like he had won the debate, he said "Well, what evidence (he really highlighted that in his speech) do you have that it might exist?" I calmly looked at him and said "You are right, talking to you, it really doesn't seem possible, does it?" and walked away.

Science and religion are not incompatible, but science and faith are