People with NO RELIGION, educate me.

Infinity_Now

I imagine the purpose of this thread is to catch a better understanding of atheism and its contents... so that's why I have such a long winded response.

And I've one final addition - Since atheists in general are by far the minority. I've noticed you have to have a pretty phenomenal sense of humor to put up with atheism and maybe even encourage it.

Collin

sponger wrote:

Second, free speech and acceptance of diversity are beliefs that are observed in the US moreso than in some other countries in the world. That is, I think whatever abuductions or sightings that may be occuring in other countries are either not being reported or are being suppressed to a certain extent. Yes, there are reportings, but those reportings may only be breaking the tip of the surface.

I think it has little to do with free speech, more like sensationalism.

Collin

yotan18 wrote:

it was great to get the replies from you guys. can i add a small question? are you really contented with what you have and believe right now? well, i guess is that my thread asked this to people with no religion... but to those who have, what are your replies?

Yes, I am really contented with what I have and my beliefs.

brain of c

i believe in the hanging curveball.

yotan18

Ahnimus wrote:

I don't have a religion, but I am going to answer anyway. I am content. I realized at some point that an eternity to live is too long, no matter the circumstances. Existence is just too boring to last an eternity.

Besides that, I think the religious portrayal of god is actually harming to god. When they say, you are either with us or you are going to hell. It makes god look like a bad guy. Apparently Satan doesn't care what you think, anyone is allowed in his home.

based on our beliefs, satan is not a ruler in hell. the truth is, satan is not yet in hell. he is still on earth, finding lots of people to be his victim, because if judgment day comes, he will now be thrown to hell, with all his victims. there, he may rule in a sense, but he will also suffer as all damned people, thus, he is the ruler of nothing.

*but, that is if you believe in those things, which i respectfully get... you don't.

Infinity_Now

For all of you who have yet to laugh here in this thread, here is another video of Bill Hicks on religion:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1715454455512357760&q=bill+hicks

Yes - I love posting these things. And I think the more we laugh, the longer we can stay focused on the topic at hand without getting too "fuzzed out" or too deep into ones own dementia (beliefs).

yotan18

i asked this thread, because i want to know why one opt to be an atheist.

if you chose to, because you just don't believe in God, religion, or life after death, then i respect your decision.

but, for those people who once believed, but later found out that their religion is flawed, or that religion is just being used for control and power and things like that, there is one question i have to ask...

did it ever occured to you that maybe, maybe that religion is NOT the true one?

see my other thread, to Bible - based religion members. Maybe world leaders who use religion to fuck up, is because their religion IS fucked up. (sorry for the words).

OutOfBreath

Not adhering to a religion is not the same as being an atheist. It may be mere opposition to being told what to believe, and feeling that they aren't allowed to think for themselves. Religions are all about streamlining and standardizing thought about important moral and existencial questions. Some, like myself, wants to figure them out for ourselves.

Peace
Dan

Infinity_Now

yotan18 wrote:

i asked this thread, because i want to know why one opt to be an atheist.

if you chose to, because you just don't believe in God, religion, or life after death, then i respect your decision.

but, for those people who once believed, but later found out that their religion is flawed, or that religion is just being used for control and power and things like that, there is one question i have to ask...

did it ever occured to you that maybe, maybe that religion is NOT the true one?

see my other thread, to Bible - based religion members. Maybe world leaders who use religion to fuck up, is because their religion IS fucked up. (sorry for the words).

Yeah - and then I considered ALL THOSE OTHER RELIGIONS. They're all fucked... more or less - it's the supernatural thing that bugs me. It's not that I can't concieve of a supernature - a being within nature but beyond our own - I think it's easy to imagine that... but logically then, there is no proof in this/our nature that any being other than those in nature exist in any sort of supernature.

Really, atheism is a logical conclusion - an answer to the question, "What is real?" Nature or Supernature? If real means true, then I'd say, logically, it can be proven that only nature exists and supernature is just something we imagine, it exists, yes, but only as a concept, not as a true form of nature.

YOU CAN'T FLIP THIS PROPOSITION AROUND, and say, "Well if nature exists, then it can be proven that supernature exists as well, because supernature is simply anything outside of nature that we as humans are unable to percieve." Nope, you can't prove supernature exists. EVen that example I just used doesn't make any sort of sense, there is no proof of the supernatural, anywhere - thus religion, all religions are very suspect in my very human belief system.

WHat is the athiests belief system?

Well... it can be nearly anything - but my belief system is that truth is found only in nature, and it can be found in any natural occurence. So any supernatural thing is automatically suspect as being false, and it must be pursued/examined as a false construct, as it is - supernatural, without proof... without merit.

If God were a human, living, breathing - then I'd give the chap a podium to stand on and I'd listen for a word or two until I become disinterested. SO far this supernatural entity has done ZERO good for humanity. *sigh* BEcause all religions are inherent contradictions of all religions. None of them are right, because they can't all be right - because none of them know if tthey are right, as none of them can prove to the others that their is the one way, the truth, the light. These sky-god religions are all divided, they divide mankind, and divide families, and they divide our shared human composition of compassion and unity, they make humanity much more weak thansay, athiesm - which only seeks to find out what is natural, and thus what is more healthy, so that we can more clearly see what is real... so that we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we can change weak human behaviors such as "sin," and change for the better, to better fit into nature, to better know ourselves, so one day we will become the very first truly harmonic/homeostatic animal species on planet Earth.

All in all, I think if we pursue atheism, all in all then all will be forgiven and we will make sure of it, we won't have to wait for judgment, we will overcome the superstitions and tribulations of religious animosity, that division, that Armageddon anxiety will be gone.

Thank you, come again!

Collin

An Introduction To Atheism

Might answer some of your questions.

ConX

- what do you think is your purpose in life?

To live a fruitful life, a happy life, enjoy living, see and do wonderful things. Have children, raise them to the best of my ability etc. Oh and a religious person accusing me of having no purpose because I don't believe in their God is the height of ignorance.

- what are your beliefs after you die?

I really don't know, and NOBODY does. Perhaps our energy carries on, either naturally or by transcending and continuing?

- do you believe in the evolution theory?

Evolution is fact, Intelligent design is bollocks.

- do you believe that this planet will still exist, billions of billions of years from now, unless something happens to it, e.g. struck by a meteor, or something?

Yep, just like EVERY other planet in the solar system........

- do you think down on religious people, thinking that they are merely blind followers of their religion, and that they have no concrete basis of their beliefs?

I'd never look down on another person as an "inferior race" or anything like that. I do think people have idiotic views due to their religion at times (well a lot) though, people that believe Stem Cell research is wrong, for example. If you took the most Die hard Christian and gave him a disease that only Stem Cell research could cure, would he say "No, I'll just die thanks, Stem Cells are for sinners". I don't think so.

- do you guys have fun when you mock God?

Yup

- can i assume that you believe that you do not commit sin?

I don't believe Sin exists. If everybody sins then why bitch about it?

- do you believe that the world will be a better place if there were no RELIGION?

Without ORGANISED religion, people would get on better and much less people would have died throughout history. (due to the absence of Inquisitions, Religious Wars and the like) There'd also be a lot less sheep in modern society.

Oh and how many Priests would tell their followers about what Christians did in the Crusades? How many Priests would read the verses from Leviticus that say "If you disobey God, he will destroy you". Figure it out for yourselves.....

ConX

(Deuteronomy 20:10-14)

As you approach a town to attack it, first offer its people terms for peace. If they accept your terms and open the gates to you, then all the people inside will serve you in forced labor. But if they refuse to make peace and prepare to fight, you must attack the town. When the LORD your God hands it over to you, kill every man in the town. But you may keep for yourselves all the women, children, livestock, and other plunder. You may enjoy the spoils of your enemies that the LORD your God has given you.

*****************************************************

People believe this crap?

lukins fridge

- what do you think is your purpose in life?
I don't think I have a purpose in everyone else's life. I have purpose in my life - it is to live as long as possible, have as much fun, do as much, see everything I can...do religious people have a purpose? I'm not being an ass - seriously.

- what are your beliefs after you die?
Cease to exist (hence the living life to it's fullest, seeing everything, etc)

- do you believe in the evolution theory?
Of course. Science 10,000,000,000
Religion 0 (unless you count that grilled cheese sandwhich with the Virgin Mary on it)

- do you believe that this planet will still exist, billions of billions of years from now, unless something happens to it, e.g. struck by a meteor, or something?
100% Yes. I guess my argument for this would be arrogant humans - we all look at things like they MUST have a beginning or end. Well, that may just not be the case with this universe including out planet.

- do you think down on religious people, thinking that they are merely blind followers of their religion, and that they have no concrete basis of their beliefs?
No - not at all. I alway maintain that I - like everyone else regardless of what they believe - don't really KNOW anything. If someone really knew, this wouldn't be an eternally hot debate. It always will be because nobody knows.

- do you guys have fun when you mock God?
Sometimes when I'm drunk

- can i assume that you believe that you do not commit sin?
I believe in right in wrong - and I do believe that what is deemed as right/wrong/good/bad - atleast in the US - stemmed from Christianity. Sooooo, i wouldn't call it sin, but if you're talking about murder - rape - burglary - ripping off the poor - etc - i would believe these things to be wrong/bad...but as for living with a significant other or sex before marriage - hogwash! I'm a human being first.

- do you believe that the world will be a better place if there were no RELIGION?
Probably the hardest question to answer - I guess I would lean towards no. I really do believe that most evey war would be avoided. Thats almost fact. But still, people use religion as a crutch to get though their lives. And I can't help but think this is a good thing - even if I don't believe.

The bottom line with this stuff is...to belive in God and religion, is to believe in the supernatural. I'm sure some would disagree, but everything to me seems almost like a form of magic (I'm not being sarcastic)...I've seen nothing in my life to convince me that any of this stuff could occur. You know how when someone is alone at home - they may get scared? They may not go into the basement for fear of a ghost...i'm babbling, but...I LOVE to go into my basement when it's dark and no one is home. I WOULD LOVE to see a ghost...I want to. Then - and I really mean this - maybe I'd believe.

Thanks, that was fun.

Arainea

yotan18 wrote:

it was great to get the replies from you guys. can i add a small question? are you really contented with what you have and believe right now? well, i guess is that my thread asked this to people with no religion... but to those who have, what are your replies?

Spiritually, I am a student of Jesus...but NOT the neo-con, consumer-branded Jesus! I'm contented with what I believe, but I'm bummed out by the wholesale purchase of Jesus' name by the Republican Party. No offense to any Republicans here, of course...but I think Jesus was a radical, not a conservative! I know most people here don't share my beliefs and that's fine...but please know that there are many, many followers of Jesus who believe in His message of LOVE and utterly oppose war and violence.

By the way, I'm impressed that this thread has remained fairly respectful. Not a typical 10c thread at all! ;-)

catefrances

yotan18 wrote:

i asked this thread, because i want to know why one opt to be an atheist.

personally, i did not CHOOSE to be an atheist. for me there was no alternative.

danika_bookworm

Arainea wrote:

Spiritually, I am a student of Jesus...but NOT the neo-con, consumer-branded Jesus! I'm contented with what I believe, but I'm bummed out by the wholesale purchase of Jesus' name by the Republican Party. No offense to any Republicans here, of course...but I think Jesus was a radical, not a conservative! I know most people here don't share my beliefs and that's fine...but please know that there are many, many followers of Jesus who believe in His message of LOVE and utterly oppose war and violence.

By the way, I'm impressed that this thread has remained fairly respectful. Not a typical 10c thread at all! ;-)

I totally agree about Jesus being a radical... But so are the founders of other religions: Gautama Buddha, Muhhamad, Confucius... They seemed to have formulated rather radical ideas in their time (some of these ideas are still radical now) because they wanted to cope (or fight against) the present inequality or oppression that they experienced in their time and place.

This means, to me, that in their purest sense, all religions have good intentions. It's the hard-core fundamentalists who create a heirarchy out of the believers of these religions (this mostly happens in the adolesence of the religion). Fundamentalism, I think, springs from selfish motives. I mean, why would they (the fundamentalists) create a black-and-white picture of everything if they really, really want to protect and populate their flock?

Whether you're an atheist, Catholic, Muslim, Buddhist, agnostic or Rizalista, selfish motives will always turn an originally useful belief to a useless one...

Alicesque

- what do you think is your purpose in life?
It's hard to say. I don't beleive that we have a purpose. If we weren't created by a god of some kind, then we're not here for a specific reason.

- what are your beliefs after you die?
I don't think anythings going to happen, i'll just lie in the ground.

- do you believe in the evolution theory?
It makes the most sense, so yes.

- do you believe that this planet will still exist, billions of billions of years from now, unless something happens to it, e.g. struck by a meteor, or something?
Not with humans on it. The planet will become so overpopulated that there won't be enough resources for us to survive. In a billion years, it'll probably get sucked into the sun.

- do you think down on religious people, thinking that they are merely blind followers of their religion, and that they have no concrete basis of their beliefs?
If it's their belief, then I have no problem with it. I don't really look down on anybody just for believing different things than me. However, I do look down on fundamentalists such as this woman. http://www.killsometime.com/video/video.asp?ID=497

- do you guys have fun when you mock God?
I don't mock God, since i'm not even sure of his/her existence.

- can i assume that you believe that you do not commit sin?
I'm sure that a lot of the stuff I've done is sin according to the bible, but i've never done anything drastic.

- do you believe that the world will be a better place if there were no RELIGION?
I used to think so, but not so much anymore. For the most part religion works well, but it's usually the intolerant minority that people take notice of.

even flow?

yotan18 wrote:

if you don't believe in life after death, if you don't believe in God, then what are your beliefs?

- what do you think is your purpose in life?
- what are your beliefs after you die?
- do you believe in the evolution theory?
- do you believe that this planet will still exist, billions of billions of years from now, unless something happens to it, e.g. struck by a meteor, or something?
- do you think down on religious people, thinking that they are merely blind followers of their religion, and that they have no concrete basis of their beliefs?
- do you guys have fun when you mock God?
- can i assume that you believe that you do not commit sin?
- do you believe that the world will be a better place if there were no RELIGION?

i just want to know what's on your minds?

Catholic schools until grade 11. So it is not like I didn't get it tossed at me while growing up. It did help me form my opinions that I hold now:

1. We are just here doing time just like every other animal on the planet. My purpose (being the highest on the totem pole, sic) is to try and make sure everything stays in balance. Kind of doing gods job for it as it has screwed up bad and dosen't seem to want to fix it.

2. When you die? You are dead! Why worry about it? Seriously, the people who dwell on it sure don't want it to happen. Maybe they can explain it better. Everybody wants a piece of Jesus and god but they sure aren't in any hurry to die. Strange don't you think?

3. Evolution is continually happening. And not even somebody who is deep in religion with an open mind can deny that.

4. This planet will be here until something that I nor anybody can explain may happen to it. A meteor will not be the demise of the planet. And neither will man. Back to evolution then, eh.

5. I wouldn't think down. But I have an opinion on them. Being raised on it, I think I can knock it a little more than somebody who hasn't. Sure there are blind sheep out there. I mean, when you don't question anything, you sure aren't any kind of leader.

6. I have fun mocking anything. God dosen't escape that. Just look at the state of the world. Still can't mock god?

7. I am not married and have been with the same beautiful lady for 16 years. Sin in some eyes and living the perfect life to others. And it wouldn't be out of my realm to kill somebody if they broke into my house or I felt my family threatened. So yeah, I do and will sin.

8. A better place if there was no religion? Hmmmmmm, people would still find something or somebody to raise higher then them as it seems to be a human thing to do. Don't ask me why, but just look around. Check out the way people fawn over Eddie or the latest jock or the latest movie star.

momofglynn

BeBe wrote:

Here's my ideology:

After my husband became a so called "born" again Christian, He's been acting worse than the so called no religion man. I always considered myself a Christian until my husband changed that. I no longer believe in Jesus and I also doubt God as in the biblical terms.

how bad did it get in my home? I have been slapped, thrown around, spit at, yelled and cursed beyond the norm. Then he will go off to church and act like a righteous proper man. A man that is not a man. Yes, I am still married to him but I am not planning my entire life living with him. It's been horrible living with this so called Christian.

I am not sure anymore what I believe in. Considering I am a highly educated woman (law degree) I still feel STUPID in not leaving this marriage earlier.

Sorry, I hope I have not hijacked this thread by venting. But it is my only outlet.

I hope you get out and soon....What comes around goes around....he will have his day. Be proud, hold your head up and walk away knowing you are doing what's best for you. You deserve to be loved, cherished and happy. good luck and be safe.

Jeremy1012

yotan18 wrote:

if you don't believe in life after death, if you don't believe in God, then what are your beliefs?

- what do you think is your purpose in life?
- what are your beliefs after you die?
- do you believe in the evolution theory?
- do you believe that this planet will still exist, billions of billions of years from now, unless something happens to it, e.g. struck by a meteor, or something?
- do you think down on religious people, thinking that they are merely blind followers of their religion, and that they have no concrete basis of their beliefs?
- do you guys have fun when you mock God?
- can i assume that you believe that you do not commit sin?
- do you believe that the world will be a better place if there were no RELIGION?

i just want to know what's on your minds?

1) My purpose in life is to live it as I see fit, doing good by myself and others until I die when hopefully I will be reincarnated. (yes I believe in the afterlife)

2) I believe, since we all came from the same matter, and that matter and energy are essentially the same thing, and that energy cannot be created or destroyed, that we have to go somewhere. Since our bodies return to the soil, I assume that our "souls" (however you define it) cannot just disappear and therefore pass into other lifeforms.

3) Yes I believe in the evolution theory. while I hate those who take science as fact just because its science, I have never found any reason to dispute evolution. I HAVE found many reasons to dispute christianity and other organised monotheistic religions.

4) No... billion and billions of years is pushing it. The Sun is already half way through its lifetime. it will die and in its red supergiant stage it will swallow the solar system and we will return from whence we came.

5) I do not tar all religious people with the same brush. If someone feels the need for religion in their life and they do not try to force it on me or look down on ME in any way then I have no grievance with them. I DO find it disturbing that only 4% of the world are atheists though, because without wanting to sound like I'm the one who knows he is right, by my beliefs that means that 96% of the earth's population are following something that has no foundation in truth.

6) I don't mock God. Given that I have no belief in a biblical god, I have no reason to mock "him". I don't mock things that I believe do not exist. I'll admit that sometimes I mock christian ideas etc but only when they are so ridiculous that letting them slide feels like a betrayal to my own feelings of morality. For example, televangelists are the scum of the earth in my opinion. They are goddamn brainwashing money-grabbing people-using assholes who will soon find out whether what they have been preaching is true. If they have been right, I sure as hell hope they burn in hell.

7) Hell no. I commit sins but I don't feel guilty to some "divine" entity. I feel guilty if I hurt someone because I have a sense of morality. Now don't give me any bullshit about that morality having come from conventions in society that derive from religion. All I know is, I've never personally, nor have I ever heard of an atheist strapping a bomb to themselves and killing innocent people in the name of atheism. It doesn't happen. Look at the world around you and tell me that almost all the world's problems don't stem from religion?

8) See above.

Thanks you.