| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 7/3/2006 10:49:23 AM | hg7839,
The fact is that eliminating the concept of God in society limits the human mindset by not allowing for concepts such as 'eternal life after death' or 'divine rewards for doing righteous deeds' I don't think anyone at all is striving or hoping to eliminate the concept of God at all, in any society. There is of course, a difference between the concept of the existence of a God, and the concept of a specific religion being true. Vast difference.
Regardless of the accuracy of such concepts, they serve as a pacifier for the human psyche and provide an option of hope even in the direst circumstances. Yes, it can for some. However, as civilization progresses, as anyone can observe, it's becoming less and less required. As civilization grows up, a pacifier is needed less, but you make a good point -- religion keeps many people feeling 'complete' in life, where they otherwise wouldn't.
In conclusion, is atheism wrong? Yes, because of the detrimental effects it can have on society. That's a pretty bold statement. The concept of lacking a belief in a God-being doesn't have detrimental effects on society. We're all born atheistic, apolitical, etc. To some people, an atheistic concept about the world could be depressing. Why? Because they were *raised* not just theistic, but promises about their specific God with specific wants and needs, etc. that carried on with them as they grew up. Some people grow out of it and become more or less deistic and just carry on holiday traditions more as a form of symbolism than literalism. Some people become atheistic, and really don't even know it. The term can sound depressing, because society made it so. Early society needed it much more than today. It's just depressing to folks who would have to come to grips with the fact that they're just following yet another Middle Eastern religion.
I wouldn’t say non-atheists look down on atheists as people, but I would say they certainly pity the practice for the unforeseen problems it can cause. The word theist is such a general term, but I would say at least the devoutly believing theists look down on those who are atheistic. It threatens their belief -- thats why religions need converts. Thats why they need to be surrounded by others who share the same belief... less questioning, more comfort.
Atheism is not a practice. Technically, theism isn't a practice, either -- but religion is, so I assume that's what you meant. A-theism just means lacking theism. That's it. No anger towards a God, no hatred towards all religions. It's about not holding a particular belief, that's all. Just not buying into a belief that there's an invisible man in the sky who knows when you've been naughty or nice.
Wanna know what can be depressing? Watching some folks who are raised pretty fundamentalist, then having to see them grapple with common sense which clashes with their beliefs. No atheistic stances required for this to happen, either. Look at the "holy land". Look at where terrorism is. Certain religions, particularly western religions (better termed middle eastern), can easily lead to depression, war and confusion. | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 7/3/2006 11:40:51 AM | | If you spent an afternoon letting my daughter drive you around while she weaves in and out of traffic on the Freeway---and talking on her cell phone at the same time...You would be praying just like me. It is a Miracle that I am still alive. It was raining and we were going 80 mph on I 94. You know it is the small things that remind you there is a God. Everyone is looking for some thing BIG....A BIG sign from GOD telling us something. It is not going to happen. JOHN | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 7/3/2006 8:18:10 PM | As this person is not fully mentally developed yet , what can any one say??? sooner or later we would hope the age of awareness will catch up to them ...
( check out the scales on a butterflys wings with a microscope, and see if you can still say there is no God!!...it is truely amazing) | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 7/4/2006 5:11:49 AM | The question was not posted so that a bunch of us who believe there is a God can try and change the minds of people who dont.
I think that we all see things in black and white too often and don't look for the gray matter. Its there, you just need to look. Remember, those who believe in God see things as 'miracles' from God. Those who don't have a scientific explanation for how those things came to be. Are either one right? are either one wrong? Read "Angels & Demons" its the book right before "The DaVinci Code" It might give you some perspective into other ideas.
Just my two cents | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 7/4/2006 8:40:09 PM |
lmfao! you will know when your a*s burns for eternity, maybe you came from an ape but i sure as hell did'nt
Odd, you look like an ape to me. | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 7/5/2006 2:46:40 PM | iamroxi,
I think that we all see things in black and white too often and don't look for the gray matter. Its there, you just need to look. Remember, those who believe in God see things as 'miracles' from God.
Seeing things as 'miracles' is not looking for the (objective) truth. Finding what seems to be a portrait of the Virgin Mary in the rough surface of one's bagel can be a miracle. An odd, rare coincidence that unfolds directly in your favor is a miracle to some (while the others are not or unnoticed). A miracle is usually NOT having an explanation, it's having an assertion which satisfies oneself emotionally.
Those who don't have a scientific explanation for how those things came to be.
Not necessarily. Many or most of those who don't believe in a God don't claim to be experts on how things came to be. They just rule out certain mythical characters from making the universe, that's all. But yes, a "scientific" or in better terms, the most realistic and substantiated explanation, is what non-religious people tend to go by. And so does everyone else, except for when it comes to things that cross paths with their religious or strongly emotional beliefs.
I wouldn't at all equate the differences of views by merely some folks seeing things as miracles, and some folks analyzing everything (in white lab coats with gray balding hair). "Science" means nothing. It's silly it has some name which implies taking some scientist's word for it. Science just means doing things accurately (and yes, scientists themselves, as individuals, many times do things inaccurately -- but THEY are not 'science').
I think books like the DaVinci Code, which both fundamentalists and non-religious scholars mutually disagree with, are good in terms of making one think (which scares the fundies).
There's nothing wrong with not believing in a God, anymore than if you were to go back in time and not believe that lightning storms and harsh weather patterns were not expressions of God's punishment. I guess it's called maturing about the viewpoints of the world -- which is harder for some than others. | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 7/12/2006 8:57:34 PM | There is a big problem with being an atheist. Fist, it isn’t intelligent. You deny the possibility that there is a higher power and disregard science in doing so. If there is no answer every possibility should be open, true? You deny that possibility and are sure that it could not be true based on how you feel.
Second, you are risking eternal life just because of how you feel about the possibility of there being a god. If there is no god and a believer and follower of god dies he just goes into eternal sleep when he is dead. If a believer and worshiper of god dies and there is a god he/she is granted eternal life. If a non-believer dies and there is no god he/she goes into eternal sleep. If a non-believer of god dies and there is a god he/she suffers eternal damnation. How are you so sure there is no god? Is it worth eternal damnation just so you can say there is no possibility of god while you are on this planet.
I hope for your sake there is no god. I am sure that you know the truth because you are smarter than the rest of civilization that has studied since the existence of man. You know the truth while the rest of us don’t. Just keep your faith in yourself as knowing the truth of all things and I am sure that you will get the respect that you deserve from the rest of us who do not deny the possibility of god. | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 7/13/2006 12:49:44 AM | What you don't understand is that someone can't force themselves to believe something. Either you do, or you don't. You can't tell me I need to believe in god. It's not a choice. I read what people are saying about eternal damnation and it sounds ridiculous to me. I cant say "Oh shit, I might burn in hell. I need to change my beliefs." because I think it's bullshit. People take what they see around them, and what they're taught, and they base their beliefs on what feels logical, or the most "right" to them. Your "fear god or else" doesn't feel right to me. It feels and sounds silly.
I think my lifestyle would appease your god a lot more than most christians' I know. I believe what goes around comes around. I think as long as someone is not hurting anyone else, WHO CARES? I'm a vegetarian, which you'd think more of god's people would be..you know..that whole don't harm god's creatures thing. Treat others how you'd like to be treated. Learn something about factory farming and slaughterhouses, you think your god would appreciate you being part of that? Pssh. I work for everything I have. I don't cheat. I don't steal. I'd rather tell the truth than bullshit. It's simple. I don't do anything I wouldn't want done to me. Life is a whole lot easier that way.
ETA: Do NOT start a whole "god meant for us to eat animals.." debate. That is not the issue, nor is that my point. If you think that, fine. But look at the general treatment, breeding, and raising of the animals. Not very merciful. Would your god approve of that? No. That's my point. | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 7/13/2006 11:14:28 AM | Saying that someone else is wrong about a belief that they hold is like a blind man debating with another blind man about the color blue...neither knows what the other is talking about, but each are convinced that they do! Here's my personal take...
It takes the same amount of arrogance to proclaim that there is no higher power, that you are the apex for now of your own personal evolution, and thereby believing that you are somehow either more intelligent or "stronger" than someone else who does believe in a higher power, that it takes to smile smugly at your "savedness" and how much better you are than someone who doesn't worship your particular deity. Aren't we going to find out someday anyway? Forcing someone to believe one way or the other is not going to solve any problems. In fact, discussion with someone who disagrees with you is often one of the best ways to clarify your own position. I've found that if you can't argue your point intelligently, then you don't have one, you're just flappin' your gums.  | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 7/13/2006 1:38:36 PM | I don't look down and anyone..to each his own..but
don't try to change the way life is in America...My dollar bills still have in God we Trust and it will stay there until paper money and coins are obsolete. | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 7/13/2006 10:07:27 PM | I just want to thank you all for your responces and opinions. Some of you took it to extremes and others didnt really care one way or the other, but after reading all the responces, I do think one thing. I think that a religious person is quick to judge if someone is doing something that they don't AGREE with....A church goer will talk down to you if you don't have faith, but try telling a christian that there full of shit,,lmao....We are all different, worship different, eat different, and act different. Who is anyone to tell anyone who or what to believe in............thanks and keep writing-----------LOOKN4LIFER.. | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 7/14/2006 2:51:28 AM | LOOKN4LIFER,
It depends on each individual Chrisitian...you are catagorized ALL christians in a negative atmosphere.
Let's put it this way....your starving for acceptance of antichristiandom.....there are thousands of rightious families helping the poor, the downtrodden, the sick every day..Sister Teresa, Billy Graham..even Jimmy Carter..to name a few..
They are people that are truely good human beings that do good on this earth...I would give my life for this type of person than a person who's campaign is to destroy human mankinds quests in harmony and belief in a higher power ..more powerful than you could imagine...
So sit there on your black velvet throne and wallow in your quest to trash the human race...your no better than the rest just because you have no beliefs.. | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 7/14/2006 5:13:49 AM | So sit there on your black velvet throne and wallow in your quest to trash the human race...your no better than the rest just because you have no beliefs..
Woah...wait a minute there arealangel. No where in LookN4's post do i see where he is trashing anyone or saying he is better than anyone! He is absolutely correct tho and the proof is in the previous posts that the ONLY people who are doing the trashing ARE the people who believe in god. Go back and re-read this entire thread. Its all there in black and white.
As a matter of fact,,,MOST Atheists have the attitude of 'Hey, you believe what you want to believe,,,its fine with me', where MOST believers look at you like we are devil worshippers (get real!) and we're scum of the earth. Not true? Like i said,,go back and re-read these posts. | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 7/14/2006 7:50:57 AM | | There is nothing wrong with being an atheist, although from past experience, I would not date someone that is really religious, it just causes problems and arguments, and if you ever have kids, a whole new can of worms. There is nothing wrong with being a Christian either, but as soon as someone starts to try and cram bible stuff down my throat, its on. You believe in what you want to believe in, that is why we live in america, but keep it to yourself and I keep my beliefs to myself and its all good. My whole thing has always been that people believe in God because that is what their parents told them and their parents before that, nobody ever questioned it, well I do, I'm not saying there is or isn't a God, nobody knows for sure, but I'm not going to believe in something just because somebody tells me to. | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 7/15/2006 3:05:14 PM | | Somebody on the first page said Athiests are a miniority world wide.--That is not true. Christians comprise about 1/3 of the world, and Athesim comprises of about 1/3 of the world also. So it may be considered the majority. All of China are athiest, and most of Russia. IMO, being an athiest is something to be proud of. It means you have your own accoutability if you do something wrong, and can't hide behind a mask of forgiveness. I don't know a athiest that is a bad person as far as huministic values are concerned--I can't say the same about some of the Christians I know.--But they think nothing of their wrong doings after their confession. Athiesim and Buddhism are the only two beliefs that don't want to destroy other peoples beliefs. And you see others trying to destroy other's beliefs every day. Which is wrong to you? | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 7/15/2006 7:53:44 PM | azureorb---you are a sharp dude. Good job.
There is a misconception that a person of a certain religion can't be with another person of another religion, or an athiest. That is simply not true (but I like your comfort level concept azureorb). Many Catholic and Christian Priests/Ministers will tell you that mixing is OK, as long as one does not detur the other from following their belief. There is no right and wrong when it comes to belief IMO. But I think a minister or priest that tells you another belief is wrong, is liminiting your choices on how to live your own life. That is wrong IMO. | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 9/21/2006 11:03:37 AM |
Second, you are risking eternal life just because of how you feel about the possibility of there being a god. If there is no god and a believer and follower of god dies he just goes into eternal sleep when he is dead. If a believer and worshiper of god dies and there is a god he/she is granted eternal life. If a non-believer dies and there is no god he/she goes into eternal sleep. If a non-believer of god dies and there is a god he/she suffers eternal damnation. How are you so sure there is no god? Is it worth eternal damnation just so you can say there is no possibility of god while you are on this planet.
I hope for your sake there is no god. I am sure that you know the truth because you are smarter than the rest of civilization that has studied since the existence of man. You know the truth while the rest of us don’t. Just keep your faith in yourself as knowing the truth of all things and I am sure that you will get the respect that you deserve from the rest of us who do not deny the possibility of god.
For your sake I hope there isn't a Zeus.... He's gonna mighty pissed when he discovers you've been worshiping someone else other than him, Apollo isn't gonna like it either. Your not going to fair well in Hades.
There, pascals wager just got officially pwned. I've only been around for 23 years. I can't decide who, (if anybody) is ruling the universe. I'm a "I honestly don't know-ist" If I pretend to believe in a God just in case theres a heaven, I really don't think any god would appreciate me throwing aside the rationality he allegedly gave me. Theres a lot of religion out there, Christianity just happens to be the one that's popular right now. | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 9/21/2006 11:26:34 AM | | I'm really surprised at all the "You're going to burn in hell for all eternity" responses here. If going to hell means I don't have to spend eternity with a bunch of self-righteous christians I'll be getting my ticket in advance. | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 9/21/2006 7:09:01 PM | | I don't think there is anything wrong in being Atheist, and to the people who have said that he's going to burn in hell? How can he if he doesn't believe it exsists?? | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 9/21/2006 7:19:17 PM | | To that note. It is a choice whether someone believes in God or not. They can choose to except God, or not. Everything in our lives is controlled by choice. God gave us free will. People can except God or Deny him. I do believe in God. It's more of a personal relationship. I don't go to church, and I don't read the bible. My religion is my own. A lot of Christian's probably wouldn't agree with that...So I say screw them. Keep on Keepin' on man. You won't burn in hell. | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 9/21/2006 7:19:50 PM | | To that note. It is a choice whether someone believes in God or not. They can choose to except God, or not. Everything in our lives is controlled by choice. God gave us free will. People can except God or Deny him. I do believe in God. It's more of a personal relationship. I don't go to church, and I don't read the bible. My religion is my own. A lot of Christian's probably wouldn't agree with that...So I say screw them. Keep on Keepin' on man. You won't burn in hell. | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 9/21/2006 7:46:43 PM | I don't believe in God or the Devil as a single entity. I think that naming positive and negative forces and energy and giving each a name was the only way that humans could get their minds around the universe at the time of the invention of God and the Devil. 2,000+ years ago, they had no clue about existance on the quantum level. Which when examined, gives you a glimpse into some pretty amazing things.
I don't think that makes me an Atheist...I have a hodge-podge of spiritual beliefs that I've gained from my own personal experience. And that beats following beliefs that were spoonfed to me. I think your problem is that not everyone realizes what Atheist really means. Until recently, I thought an Atheist was someone who doesn't believe in life after death; just that when you die, you die, and this is all there is to being. But that's not the case.
Plus, the world still has a slant to it; people think you are weird if you don't believe in some form of God. Or they think you're a pegan. Believe what you want to believe, and don't let people shun you for it. You'll find someone with similar beliefs, or at least someone who can accept your beliefs, even if they aren't theirs as well.
Good luck.
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 9/21/2006 7:55:55 PM | | I'd also like to add that more wars have been fought in the name of religion and God than anything else. Mostly because someone religious decided to force their beliefs on someone else. So if you're a religious person, keep your spiritual views to yourself. You only know what you've been taught, and there's no way to prove you're right. The bible doesn't count as proof. It was written by men, just like any other book on the shelf at your local library. | |
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| What is wrong with being an Atheist??
Posted: 9/22/2006 12:13:30 AM | | Doesn't it sound just as crazy as saying "there is no way god does not exist"? For the proof comments, as with any scientific, it is not my job to prove something doesnt exist. It is your job to prove it does. I can prove i have a heart and lungs by doing x-rays and by cutting people open. It is your job to some how prove that i have a soul. | |
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