What's the worst thing about being an atheist?

[sandorski]

No Free Pass from Responsibility.

 

[TheVrolok]

Worst thing? I dunno? I don't seem to have any problems with it.

 

[Perknose]

Nevertheless, personally, I stand with such luminaries as Big Al Einstein in having a strong and enduring sense of the divine:

"Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind."
-- Albert Einstein

Oh dear, still perpetuating the myth the Einstein was religious? Talk about grasping at straws.

J. Hume on a stick, you fucking dimwitted troll, how else would you interpret this famous quote of his above?

Want some more, twerp?

"I assert that the cosmic religious experience is the strongest and the noblest driving force behind scientific research."
— Albert Einstein

"I want to know God's thoughts; the rest are details."
-- Albert Einstein

"God is subtle but he is not malicious."
-- Albert Einstein

"God does not care about our mathematical difficulties. He integrates empirically."
-- Albert Einstein

"My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind."
-- Albert Einstein

For any other poster who thinks I am or was in any way pushing an organized religious view here, please re-read my previous post here, especially this part, before you go and pull a Gayner:

But then, I don't believe in hell (a later Christian concept which postdates Christ and all the surviving apostles) or a corporeal God (you know, a Joe God who lives at One Heaven Place) who could or would damn anyone or anything and yet I exclude no Christian based curse from my lexicon, either. <shrug>

 

[Leros]

Do Atheists even call it "Christmas"? I wouldn't think so as Christmas actually means "Christ's Mass." Would be silly for them to call it Christmas then wouldn't it? They could just more rightly call it FlyingSpaghettiMonster Day.

Of course Atheists aren't "obligated to waste" 2 -3 hours for Christmas Eve mass. Surely, you don't think Atheists missing out on that is "the worst thing about being an atheist". What would the answer to the thread title be then?

There is a lot more to Christmas than the Christian aspect. Its still a great secular holiday.

 

[mk]

"It was, of course, a lie what you read about my religious convictions, a lie which is being systematically repeated. I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly. If something is in me which can be called religious then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it."

-- Albert Einstein

Equating Einstein's "religious conviction" with what is generally meant when one talks about religion is a bit disingenuous.

 

[mk]

No Free Pass from Responsibility.

That's a big one.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Equating Einstein's "religious conviction" with what is generally meant when one talks about religion is a bit disingenuous.

This. Einstein was NOT a theist in any way shape or form.

 

[Leros]

Worst thing? I dunno? I don't seem to have any problems with it.

I would say the worst part about being atheist is having to deal with the hate from Christians when they find out you're atheist.

I've lost so many friends. I've been punched in the face. I've had people argue with me and yell at me. When I met one of my ex-girlfriend's parents, her mother chased me out of the house swinging a broom at me.

Its quite unpleasant sometimes. Its weird... people actually get mad when they find out I'm atheist. I could understand being disappointed or maybe confused, but I don't understand why they would be mad at me. You can actually see the rage build up inside of them as I tell them. Quite weird.

(For what its worth, I try to avoid the whole religion subject around people because I know it can bring about negative reactions, but I'm not going to lie about it if somebody asks me.)

 

[sactoking]

No Free Pass from Responsibility.

"Not Guilty by reason of Temporary Insanity"

 

[biostud]

Not haven taken the blue pill...

 

[Perknose]

"It was, of course, a lie what you read about my religious convictions, a lie which is being systematically repeated. I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly. If something is in me which can be called religious then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it."

-- Albert Einstein

Equating Einstein's "religious conviction" with what is generally meant when one talks about religion is a bit disingenuous.

Since I am the only one to quote Einstein here you must be addressing me.

And I CLEARLY did not equate "Einstein's "religious conviction" with what is generally meant when one talks about religion," as you seem to be claiming.

In fact, I was careful to state EXACTLY how and why his and my ideas echoed each other.

But then, I don't believe in hell (a later Christian concept which postdates Christ and all the surviving apostles) or a corporeal God (you know, a Joe God who lives at One Heaven Place) who could or would damn anyone or anything and yet I exclude no Christian based curse from my lexicon, either. <shrug>

Nevertheless, personally, I stand with such luminaries as Big Al Einstein in having a strong and enduring sense of the divine:

"Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind."
-- Albert Einstein

For you to imply that I did otherwise is . . . whips off sunglasses . . . a bit disingenuous. :biggrin:

If you or anyone else wishes to further this, I simply ask you to read any of these four unexpurgated public articles/speeches by Einstein on the subject.

Einstein was religious in exactly the same way I am. As I clearly stated, we both have a strong and enduring sense of the divine, which in no way conflicts with science or rationality. Neither of us believe in a big bearded guy in the sky.

Are you catching on yet?

 

[moshquerade]

LOL @ religiotards who still think Christmas is a religiotard holiday.

Religiotard? New word from the dictionary of Gaytard?

Listen fun fuck, if you are referring to ME as a "religiotard" you better eat those words cause you are overstepping like a monumental dick.

I was explaining how the word Christmas was actually derived. You are just being insulting and worthless as usual by suggesting I said Christmas is a religious holiday. It's not a religious holiday to someone who isn't religious. You aren't news flashing me or any one by saying that.

I wish for your permaban because you never ever contribute anything worth reading here. You don't contribute anything positive or helpful. You don't deserve to post here. Your brother is more worthy of posting here than you, and I would rather he come back and you be the one we never have to hear from again.

Do us all a favor, and go keep your fiancee company instead of gracing us with your ugly presence here.

 

[moshquerade]

Why wouldn't an atheist call Christmas Christmas? Do Christians refuse to refer to Mohammed as Mohammed, instead calling him 'Prophetic Arab Guy'? Would Jews refer to Kwanzaa as 'Made-up Bullshit Harvest Time'?

Just because an atheist doesn't believe in the "divine definition" of Christmas doesn't mean they can't use that term to refer to that particular day.

Why wouldn't they call it Christmas? Because it refers to Christ. Simple concept, you don't believe or have faith in something then why would you refer to it?

There are people who won't refer to it as Christmas for that reason. That is why you see more businesses/schools going with "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas".

 

[disappoint]

The worst thing about being an atheist is being delusional without realizing it.

 

[moshquerade]

Thinking of something to say when someone in the room sneezes.

Gesundheit?

 

[Leros]

Why wouldn't they call it Christmas? Because it refers to Christ. Simple concept, you don't believe or have faith in something then why would you refer to it?

There are people who won't refer to it as Christmas for that reason. That is why you see more businesses/schools going with "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas".

Keep in mind that Christmas wasn't originally a Christian holiday. It used to be a Pagan holiday celebrating the winter solstice.

 

[moshquerade]

There is a lot more to Christmas than the Christian aspect. Its still a great secular holiday.

I realize this.

It's a tough thing to grasp, but I was speaking of the origins of the word itself.

 

[QueBert]

You'd be in the minority. I'm interested in how that can work though.

Maybe, but there are still a decent number of kids/teenagers who find religion all on their own. I know plenty of 13 year olds who were raised like me, and became born again like me. Even if it's only 3&#37;, that's still a lot of damn people.

 

[mk]

Einstein was religious in exactly the same way I am. As I clearly stated, we both have a strong and enduring sense of the divine, which in no way conflicts with science or rationality. Neither of us believe in a big bearded guy in the sky.

Are you catching on yet?

I guess I read too much into the word "divine", it's usually used in a religious/godly context. If you want it to mean something wondrous, awe-inspiring and deeply moving etc. then go right ahead.

 

[Jeff7]

Worst thing about being an atheist? It's probably just the knowledge that revealing that fact could potentially lead to loss of employment, as well as some people suddenly thinking you're an evil person who is constantly looking for opportunities to rape and murder every living thing.

Why wouldn't they call it Christmas? Because it refers to Christ. Simple concept, you don't believe or have faith in something then why would you refer to it?

There are people who won't refer to it as Christmas for that reason. That is why you see more businesses/schools going with "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas".

My parents have started adopting "happy solstice" instead, since that's what the festive winter day originally represented.
Many thousands of years ago, winter wasn't much fun in terms of basic survival, so the lengthening of days was something to get excited about.

 

[Tristicus]

Religiotard? New word from the dictionary of Gaytard?

Listen fun fuck, if you are referring to ME as a "religiotard" you better eat those words cause you are overstepping like a monumental dick.

I was explaining how the word Christmas was actually derived. You are just being insulting and worthless as usual by suggesting I said Christmas is a religious holiday. It's not a religious holiday to someone who isn't religious. You aren't news flashing me or any one by saying that.

I wish for your permaban because you never ever contribute anything worth reading here. You don't contribute anything positive or helpful. You don't deserve to post here. Your brother is more worthy of posting here than you, and I would rather he come back and you be the one we never have to hear from again.

Do us all a favor, and go keep your fiancee company instead of gracing us with your ugly presence here.

Combination of umad and ownage.

 

[anyusername]

Listening to religious people talk while you are eye-rolling inside.

 

[disappoint]

I prefer to read what Einstein had to say about physics, than of religion. He was after all a physicist and not a theologian. There is so much we can learn about subjects that we DO know something about, than wasting our time with that which we don't know yet.

Trying to figure out God (if there is one) at this stage in human development seems to me like someone reading the last page of a book without reading the rest of the book and winding up with a confused look on their face.

 

[moshquerade]

Worst thing about being an atheist? It's probably just the knowledge that revealing that fact could potentially lead to loss of employment, as well as some people suddenly thinking you're an evil person who is constantly looking for opportunities to rape and murder every living thing.

Where do you live? Here, your religious preferences or lack thereof wouldn't be cause for termination of employment.

If you were to preach to those around you trying to convert them or mock those around you who have faith when you don't, THEN you may have issues at your place of employment.

I wouldn't think an Atheist is evil, looking for opportunities to rape/murder. I would just think they don't believe in God, and that's their choice. It's when an Atheist feels the need to mock unprovoked, and attack others for their beliefs that I see the hypocrisy.

 

[Perknose]

I prefer to read what Einstein had to say about physics, than of religion. He was after all a physicist and not a theologian. There is so much we can learn about subjects that we DO know something about, than wasting our time with that which we don't know yet.

Trying to figure out God (if there is one) at this stage in human development seems to me like someone reading the last page of a book without reading the rest of the book and winding up with a confused look on their face.

Einstein has this to say about that:

Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.

He couldn't have been clearer.