When Atheism Becomes a Religion

24

Comments

  • catefrances
    catefrances Posts: 29,003
    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??
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  • Byrnzie
    Byrnzie Posts: 21,037
    I'm not an atheist. I also don't believe in 'God'.

    If I had to describe my religious leanings then the most accurate word I can think of would be 'pagan'.
  • big mick
    big mick Hull UK Posts: 773
    A lot of atheists are more fundamental about their (non)belief than those who chose to believe in a god.
    Reading England 2006, Manchester England 2009, London England 2010, Manchester 1 2012, EV London 1 2012
  • big mick
    big mick Hull UK Posts: 773
    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??
    Happy Christmas!
    Reading England 2006, Manchester England 2009, London England 2010, Manchester 1 2012, EV London 1 2012
  • antares434
    antares434 Posts: 110
    Regarding the original post, it is part of a broader campaign by atheist organizations. See for example americanathiets.org. They see it as part of a broader civil rights campaign which also includes billboards. They get very active around the holidays now ... I believe it all started to counter the annual "christmas is under attack" segments you often see in the media this time of year. I guess they figuered it's better to play the same game since its effective in getting media attention.

    Regarding several posts, including the original that attempt to categorize people .... For example "two types of atheists" or "two types of Christians" ... These are false dichotomies. There are many different types of Christians and atheists in this world, who believe many different things, act in different ways, and present themselves to the world in different ways. If you think about it, saying there are only two possible types of this or that limits your own self because you are saying you belong to one those categories... And by implication you are making a statement that the other category is inferior in some way ... Whether it be morally, logically etc, etc. To me, this is one of the problems with the world... Placing people into categories ... It just emphasizes differences. We're all just people.
  • 7RayZ
    7RayZ Posts: 488
    To me it doesnt matter. Believe or dont believe it is your choice. I was raised without being subjected to any religion.

    Doesnt mean that I couldnt find the "odd" answers, I was looking for in the spiritual or metaphysical.

    Hell, I think Rock & Roll is a religion... sooooooo...


    Happy Holidays and Rock ON!
  • Jason P
    Jason P Posts: 19,394
    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.
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • 7RayZ
    7RayZ Posts: 488
    mh210105 wrote:
    A lot of atheists are more fundamental about their (non)belief than those who chose to believe in a god.
    Well its easier to be logical and linear in thinking to connect A to B than to try to understand what lies beyond our physical reality.

    Maybe, thats why they call it "Faith."

    Its not easy to move past this world and search upon the realms of possibilities, but I cannot deny my ethereal experiences.
  • know1
    know1 Posts: 6,801
    I get tired of Athiests trying to push their agenda on me.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • antares434
    antares434 Posts: 110
    Jason P wrote:

    ****
    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.

    *****

    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.

    I've never been to one, but the "atheist conventions" I think are probably geared to the broader "Skeptic movement." Noted atheists like Richard Dawkins, James Randi, Christopher Hitchens, etc. are also tied into skeptic communities that are involved in stuff like disproving conspiracy theories, exposing scam artists, promoting science based medicine (as opposed to stuff like homeopathy), etc. Also, religion doesn't have a monopoly on ways people can get together in a group and do something that is fulfilling ... just because you're an atheist doesn't mean that you don't long for a community of people with common beliefs/morals ... it's a perfectly human thing to do and not necessarily religious.

    Also, I think most atheists would say they are "agnostic atheists" if put to the test ... meaning they don't believe in any God or Gods, and also believe that whether there is a God or Gods is unknowable or presently unknown. I think they'd also argue that non-belief in a God is much less absurd then any of the current descriptions of God ... one of the reasons being the vastness and awesomeness of the universe and the new stuff we find out about it every day (in other words, if God really does exist, then he/she/it must be way cooler than anything described in any religious text).
  • Cosmo
    Cosmo Posts: 12,225
    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. The universe is so vast and we know so little, we are only making observations based on the microcosm of our own planet.
    ...
    Which is what puts me in the boat that says, 'We, as humans, living in this level of consciousness, are incapable of knowing the truth to the question, '"Is there a God?" '
    Therefore, I have a believe or not believe... it is your choice attitude. I don't pit 'believers' vs. 'non-believers' or Christians vs. Jews vs. Muslims vs. Hindu vs. Atheists vs. Scientologists vs. Jedi. If your faith helps you get through tough times, great.
    I believe God is for everyone... even those who question His existance. I also believe we do NOT get our moral compass from God or religion... we get it from our Humanity.
    ...
    Personally, I think the whole Christmas display stuff is petty squabbling. I don't mind people putting up whatever they want on their lawns and rooftops. But, regarding public property (i.e. Court Houses, City Halls, etc...) if you want to put up a Nativity Scene, you MUST also allow a Minora, a Festivus Pole, a whatever Scientologists put up and whatever Atheists want. You cannot stake sole rights to our public lands.
    Christmas is for everyone.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • keeponrockin
    keeponrockin Posts: 7,446
    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?
    Believe me, when I was growin up, I thought the worst thing you could turn out to be was normal, So I say freaks in the most complementary way. Here's a song by a fellow freak - E.V
  • Jeanwah
    Jeanwah Posts: 6,363
    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?

    ...or ghosts, angels and spirits.
  • markin ball
    markin ball Posts: 1,076
    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?

    I think anything is possible, however some things appear more possible than others, and we are using using logic to discuss this, so...since there is no evidence of a god, I would say being 110% sure there is a god is definitely more absurd than being sure there is no god.
    "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win ."

    "With our thoughts we make the world"
  • Jeanwah
    Jeanwah Posts: 6,363
    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!
  • Jason P
    Jason P Posts: 19,394
    markin ball 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?

    I think anything is possible, however some things appear more possible than others, and we are using using logic to discuss this, so...since there is no evidence of a god, I would say being 110% sure there is a god is definitely more absurd than being sure there is no god.
    According to the numbers, there would be approximately 6,500,000,000 people that would disagree with you. The Insane Clown Posse included. ;)
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • keeponrockin
    keeponrockin Posts: 7,446
    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).
    Believe me, when I was growin up, I thought the worst thing you could turn out to be was normal, So I say freaks in the most complementary way. Here's a song by a fellow freak - E.V
  • your move now
    your move now Posts: 1,165
    I don't believe in a god either... but not because he can't be proven but because every religious text I've ever read seems to dispute scientific facts that can be proven and because I find the idea somewhat ridiculous.
    However I think the idea that if you can't prove something you shouldn't believe in it somewhat limiting and sad
    I don't mean to offend anyone, a lot of what I say should be taken with a grain of salt... that said for most of you I'm a stranger on a computer on the other side of the world, don't give me that sort of power!
  • 7RayZ
    7RayZ Posts: 488
    Never push your agenda on anyone. People have to come to realization of things on their own regardless the situation.

    What if you misinterpreted what the Bible says? oops Now youve led 200000 people down the wrong road? Plus it was your responsibility because you choose to be a messenger of some kind of inspiration in people. Then you struck people down because you twisted the interpretation, became a zealot and judged them, which you are expected not to do.

    :lol:

    Masters have the world and people come to them seeking. A master does not seek its students. Plus, one must respect and recognize every individual as divine in being where they are on their journey. Good or bad. Help or not help. Be humble. Masters learning from their students and students from their masters like any good relationship it is one of openness, trust the true a give and take.
  • catefrances
    catefrances Posts: 29,003
    mh210105 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??
    Happy Christmas!


    and a very merry yule to you. :mrgreen:
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say

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