When Atheism Becomes a Religion

your move now

catefrances wrote:

your move now wrote:

whilst protesting against religious beliefs might be wrong so are the bible bashers who approach you and won't accept that you don't want to be saved. if there were athiest celebrations due you not think that christian groups and other religious groups would attack them?...

why might it be wrong? because it might offend the sensibilities of the christians??

Because I think you should respect other people's beliefs even if you don't share them

catefrances

Jason P wrote:

Some good responses here.

I guess comparing atheism to a religion wasn't the right term ... a "cause" is a better description. And I don't think Christians have the only right to put out displays. I'm more confused on why a group that believes in nothing is trying to promote the belief of nothing. As another poster noted, they are not going to somehow sway someone walking down the street. To me, it's about getting in someones face and picking a fight ... and in the end, I feel it is counterproductive to what they are trying to achieve. It's comparable to throwing rocks at a hornet's nest.

I know five people that have went out and bought nativity scenes for their homes because of atheists making headlines. These are not super religious people either. But it disturbed them enough that they felt they needed to make a statement ... and who knows, maybe they will start attending church as a result. So who is the big winner here?

And I agree that pigeon-holding into two groups isn't right either. I'm trying to get a better understanding of those that, as one other poster noted, hold atheism conventions. I'm guessing it's a pretty short meeting. All right people. So everyone agree that there is nothing? Ok, good. Meeting adjourned.

In regards to the Westboro Baptist Church, they are a cult more then a Christian group. But they are lawyers, they know how far they can test the limits of the law, and thus we cannot drag them from their beds and into the public square for a good tar and feathering (although I'm still surprised some former sniper hasn't taken them out). Due to a "slippery slope" being created by precedent, our judicial system will factor out common sense on some occasions even though society should grab this group by the shoulders and give them a real good shaking.

One last thought on atheism. It is my opinion that being absolutely sure there is no supreme being is just as absurd as being 110% sure that there is one. The universe is so vast and we know so little, we are only making observations based on the microcosm of our own planet.

atheists dont believe in nothing. they just have an absence of belief in God/s.


as for your last thought.. there is no doubt in my mind when it comes to the non-existence of God/s. there never has been.

catefrances

yesterday in regards to the death of christopher hitchens a reader wrote the following letter to the editor of the sydney morning herald:


christopher hitchens "steadfast holding to his beliefs" could be equally viewed as stubborn hardheartedness and refusal to submit to a higher authority - not a point of solace, but of sadness


so i guess what this reader would have preferred it had chrisopher hitchens abandoned his own personal beliefs - for what??

catefrances

your move now wrote:

catefrances wrote:

your move now wrote:

whilst protesting against religious beliefs might be wrong so are the bible bashers who approach you and won't accept that you don't want to be saved. if there were athiest celebrations due you not think that christian groups and other religious groups would attack them?...

why might it be wrong? because it might offend the sensibilities of the christians??

Because I think you should respect other people's beliefs even if you don't share them

does that include respecting the stoning of women in retaliation for a perceived 'sin' committed?

markin ball

keeponrockin wrote:

Jason P wrote:

According to the numbers, there would be approximately 6,500,000,000 people that would disagree with you. The Insane Clown Posse included.

I just base my views on what can be proven. If something can't be proven, than not believing in it is stupid, as it is impossible to prove a negative. (i.e you cannot ABSOLUTELY prove that at one time a coin didn't drop at 9.8 metres per second squared when dropped from a hand).

Virtually everyone on the planet thought the earth was flat, too.

Cosmo

your move now wrote:

Because I think you should respect other people's beliefs even if you don't share them

...
The thing is... some people get offended because you don't believe them. For me, that's on them because I don't care if other people don't believe what I believe.

Jeanwah

Hubble captures angel image...

Or as Cosmo might like, "God", since it's an image of the cosmos.

http://www.space.com/13943-celestial-sn ... scope.html

Cosmo

Jeanwah wrote:

Hubble captures angel image...

Or as Cosmo might like, "God", since it's an image of the cosmos.

http://www.space.com/13943-celestial-sn ... scope.html

...
To me... it looks more like what you'd see on a Lumesta overdose.

Jeanwah

Cosmo wrote:

Jeanwah wrote:

Hubble captures angel image...

Or as Cosmo might like, "God", since it's an image of the cosmos.

http://www.space.com/13943-celestial-sn ... scope.html

...
To me... it looks more like what you'd see on a Lumesta overdose.

Speaking from experience?

I think it's a pretty cool looking "angel" of gas.

Cosmo

Jeanwah wrote:

Cosmo wrote:

...
To me... it looks more like what you'd see on a Lumesta overdose.

Speaking from experience?

I think it's a pretty cool looking "angel" of gas.

...
Experience? Nope.
Commercials. Yup.

Cosmo

Jeanwah wrote:

Cosmo wrote:

Christmas is for everyone.

How about, instead of saying that Christmas is for everyone, how about saying that end-of-year holidays are for everyone? Because not everyone celebrates the holiday of Christmas.

ETA: Just saw you post in the non-Christmas thread and I agree!

...
Yeah... I tend to use terms such as 'God' or 'Christmas' in general terms... to basically hit the majority of the curve.
My picture of God is nothing like the one depicted in The Bible... and Christmas is more along the lines of 'Peace On Earth, Good Will Towards Men' and all that crap. Basically, so people will know the baseline I am trying to convey.

7RayZ

still think the finger nebula is the best...

Jeanwah

Cosmo wrote:

Jeanwah wrote:

Cosmo wrote:

...
To me... it looks more like what you'd see on a Lumesta overdose.

Speaking from experience?

I think it's a pretty cool looking "angel" of gas.

...
Experience? Nope.
Commercials. Yup.

Well that looks like a good trip... I'll pass on the Lumesta though.

7RayZ

Im sorry it cracks me the f up! I mean looks like a little guy showing the power and might throwing out into the universe with his middle finger like a popeye arm... Whoosh...

g under p

Jason P wrote:

I’ve noticed an increase in reports of atheist groups filing permits to take spots in public places where in the past religious groups have put up nativity scenes during the holiday season. In replacement, they put up signs stating the God is not real or compare him to imaginary things like Santa Clause. They also seem to only be targeting Christian celebrations (but that may be due to Christianity being this country’s major religion).

I have several thoughts / questions:

1) It’s not very tactful. It’s like if it was my birthday and someone stood at the end of my driveway with a “Jason P Sucks!” sign.

2) Why are atheists that participate in campaigning against Christianity overzealous to recruit people to the religion of atheism?

3) It’s a very confrontational tactic. It turns holiday cheer into anger.

4) To me there are two types of atheists. There are the non-believers and there are those that really, really hate God and people that believe in God. I assume the latter suffered some sort of emotional or physical abuse from someone that was religious … or they have a big bug up their butt.

I find it to be rather perplexing. The whole “separation of church and state” argument is blah, blah, blah to me. It’s the one time of year where major religions bring family together in this country to enjoy each others company and love. Be it Jesus Christ or the Spaghetti Monster, there are long-standing traditions that the majority of people enjoy and look forward to. When you grab a bullhorn and piss on these traditions in front of these people, well, that’s just being a dick.

I assume these people that protest are a slim majority of atheists, yet know enough to legally interrupt and disrupt the holiday season. My advice to them is to grab a cup of eggnog, break out the Scrabble, and enjoy time with friends and family that are in town to visit.

A Merry Christmas, a happy Hanukah, an awesome Asura, a festive festivas, and a beautiful Boxing Day to all ….. and to all a good night.

Cheers and peace!

Happy KWANZA too.

Peace

Cosmo

keeponrockin wrote:

Jason P wrote:

One last thought on atheism. It is my opinion that being absolutely sure there is no supreme being is just as absurd as being 110% sure that there is one. .

Couldn't you say the same about being absolutely sure there is no such thing as the Loch Ness monster or fairies or leprachauns?

...
Don't foget, 'Chimichunga a.k.a. The Goat Sucker'

JaneNY

Cosmo wrote:

keeponrockin wrote:

Jason P wrote:

One last thought on atheism. It is my opinion that being absolutely sure there is no supreme being is just as absurd as being 110% sure that there is one. .

Couldn't you say the same about being absolutely sure there is no such thing as the Loch Ness monster or fairies or leprachauns?

...
Don't foget, 'Chimichunga a.k.a. The Goat Sucker'

Wait - isn't that the Chupacabra? Now THAT I believe in

Jason P

catefrances wrote:

as for your last thought.. there is no doubt in my mind when it comes to the non-existence of God/s. there never has been.

What about the god particle?

And can I make the assumption that you were raised in a house that made it immediately clear at a young age that there is not a God? Or was it an analytic conclusion based on observations of science and biology?

Jason P

Cosmo wrote:

...
Don't foget, 'Chimichunga a.k.a. The Goat Sucker'

I think that is something Taco Bell sells.

your move now

catefrances wrote:

your move now wrote:

catefrances wrote:

why might it be wrong? because it might offend the sensibilities of the christians??

Because I think you should respect other people's beliefs even if you don't share them

does that include respecting the stoning of women in retaliation for a perceived 'sin' committed?

I respect their right to have a belief, doesn't mean I necessarily respect the actions that may be a result of the belief