Why are you an atheist?

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 2:32 pm

Hey RG, a question: could you believe in ANY incarnation of god at all or do you dismiss the possibility of spirituality totally?

Davoid · Post by **Davoid** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:06 pm

Jesus!

Everybody shut up. I'm God, alright? Sheesh.

Now then, where was I...oh yeah....

Jesus! Get off the PSP and get your ass in here, you're late for supper!

bringer · Post by **bringer** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:12 pm

Davoid wrote:Jesus!

Everybody shut up. I'm God, alright? Sheesh.

Now then, where was I...oh yeah....

Jesus! Get off the PSP and get your ass in here, you're late for supper!

So... who do you thank before your meal?

DVD Burner · Post by **DVD Burner** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 2:34 am

In pertains to this thread "Why are you an atheist?" though I am not one.........or maybe I am.......I posted and I aint gonna post no more..................I think................

so is it all that important?

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 2:42 pm

Bump.

Rob the Wop · Post by **Rob the Wop** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 3:13 pm

HughMungus wrote:Bump.

Why? What are you getting out of this? Surely not enlightenment...

DVD Burner · Post by **DVD Burner** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 4:30 pm

Ok ok, so I lied but I could not pass this one up.

http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2006/03/24/67686

Atheists are America’s least trusted group, according to a national survey conducted by University sociology researchers.

Based on a telephone survey of more than 2,000 households and in-depth interviews with more than 140 people, researchers found that Americans rate atheists below Muslims, recent immigrants, homosexuals and other groups as “sharing their vision of American society.” Americans are also least willing to let their children marry atheists.

“It tells us about how Americans view religion,” said Penny Edgell, an associate sociology professor and the study’s lead researcher. “Many Americans seem to believe some kind of religious faith is central to being a good American and a good person.”

The study will appear in the April issue of the “American Sociological Review.” Professor Joseph Gerteis and associate professor Douglas Hartmann are study co-authors. It is the first in a series of national studies conducted by the American Mosaic Project, a three-year project that looks at race, religion and cultural diversity in the United States.

Edgell said Americans traditionally have been a religious people and associate faith with being a good citizen. The survey results indicate that this belief hasn’t changed, Edgell said.

Those surveyed tended to view people who don’t believe in a god as the “ultimate self-interested actor who doesn’t care about anyone but themselves,” Edgell said.

Cole Ries, the president of the Maranatha Christian Fellowship said he does not agree with that perception.

“Atheists seem to be concerned with the human good,” he said. “Where I differ as a Christian is that I’m more concerned with God’s will than man’s will.”

Still, Ries said, “I don’t believe that anybody is really an atheist. I believe that deep down everyone knows there is a god.”

Robert O’Connor, a sophomore and member of Campus Atheists and Secular Humanists, said he was not surprised by the survey results.

Americans generally are very religious, O’Connor said, and people usually are suspicious about those who do not share the same beliefs.

“People really strongly believe that religion and good morals are one and the same,” O’Connor said. “Increasing problems of society — for example, juvenile delinquency — are being blamed on lack of religious value.”

Joe Foley, co-chairman for Campus Atheists and Secular Humanists, was not surprised by the results, either.

“I know atheists aren’t studied that much as a sociological group, but I guess atheists are one of the last groups remaining that it’s still socially acceptable to hate,” Foley said.

First-year pharmacy student Amanda Wawrzynia, however, found the study reasonable.

She said she would have ranked atheists at the bottom of the list of those sharing the same vision of American society.

“I would rather have my kids marry someone of a different religion than someone who has none,” she said.

Yet Benjamin Abrams, a member of the Jewish student center Hillel, said he was surprised people would have reservations about their children marrying atheists.

“I understand if people want to marry someone of a similar faith, but I don’t understand why it would be any different from marrying a Muslim, a Jew or a Christian,” Abrams said. “It’s another religious belief. I don’t understand why atheism would have negative connotations.”

Abrams said Judaism teaches that people’s actions, not one’s beliefs, are what matter most.

“(Atheists) should have the same rights to not believe as someone would have the right to believe,” he said.

First-year biology student Joe Reutiman calls the results a “sad state of affairs.”

“(Atheists) have the right to believe whatever they want, even if that belief is nothing,” Reutiman said. “They shouldn’t have to fit in with the clean-cut American life like a Norman Rockwell painting.”

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 6:15 pm

Rob the Wop wrote:
HughMungus wrote:Bump.
Why? What are you getting out of this? Surely not enlightenment...

Not yet.

Waiting for an answer to this one: Hey RG, a question: could you believe in ANY incarnation of god at all or do you dismiss the possibility of spirituality totally?

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 7:03 pm

I had written and (I thought) submitted a post, but apparently it fell into an abyss somewhere. I won't rewrite the whole thing, just answer the question. I was trying to let the thread die a graceful death, but apparently that's not to be.

I reject all forms of god, and deny spirituality in its entirety. All religions are fairy tales. It doesn't matter if it's a creator god, a vengeful god, or a protector god, he (she or it) doesn't exist. There is no soul, and the afterlife is a sham create to trick suckers into accepting the shitty lot they're dealt by those in power. I realize most people are afraid to admit these kinds of things to themselves, but most people...well, nevermind.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 7:13 pm

Ranger Genius wrote:I had written and (I thought) submitted a post, but apparently it fell into an abyss somewhere. I won't rewrite the whole thing, just answer the question. I was trying to let the thread die a graceful death, but apparently that's not to be.

I reject all forms of god, and deny spirituality in its entirety. All religions are fairy tales. It doesn't matter if it's a creator god, a vengeful god, or a protector god, he (she or it) doesn't exist. There is no soul, and the afterlife is a sham create to trick suckers into accepting the shitty lot they're dealt by those in power. I realize most people are afraid to admit these kinds of things to themselves, but most people...well, nevermind.

Can you prove that there is no form or god or spirituality in any way, shape, or form? For example, can you prove that the universe was not created and has hence operated under natural laws?

Rob the Wop · Post by **Rob the Wop** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 8:03 pm

HughMungus wrote:
Ranger Genius wrote:I had written and (I thought) submitted a post, but apparently it fell into an abyss somewhere. I won't rewrite the whole thing, just answer the question. I was trying to let the thread die a graceful death, but apparently that's not to be.

I reject all forms of god, and deny spirituality in its entirety. All religions are fairy tales. It doesn't matter if it's a creator god, a vengeful god, or a protector god, he (she or it) doesn't exist. There is no soul, and the afterlife is a sham create to trick suckers into accepting the shitty lot they're dealt by those in power. I realize most people are afraid to admit these kinds of things to themselves, but most people...well, nevermind.
Can you prove that there is no form or god or spirituality in any way, shape, or form? For example, can you prove that the universe was not created and has hence operated under natural laws?

Unnecessary. Occam's Razor. Read book. Reread thread.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 8:24 pm

HughMungus wrote:Can you prove that there is no form or god or spirituality in any way, shape, or form? For example, can you prove that the universe was not created and has hence operated under natural laws?

You're still missing the point. Can you prove that there is any form of god or spirituality in any way, and I mean ANY way, shape, or form? Can you prove a spirit, afterlife, or creator? Can you even show that there's a good reason to believe that anyone will EVER be able prove it?

Didn't think so.

Dear sir,

You should be aware that some idiot is writing absolute nonsense
and signing your eplaya handle to it. You should take action on
this before your reputation is further sullied!

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:13 pm

Ranger Genius wrote:
HughMungus wrote:Can you prove that there is no form or god or spirituality in any way, shape, or form? For example, can you prove that the universe was not created and has hence operated under natural laws?
You're still missing the point. Can you prove that there is any form of god or spirituality in any way, and I mean ANY way, shape, or form? Can you prove a spirit, afterlife, or creator? Can you even show that there's a good reason to believe that anyone will EVER be able prove it?

Not currently, no. Can you prove that you've ever been in love?

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:32 pm

HughMungus wrote:Not currently, no. Can you prove that you've ever been in love?

Given the proper measuring equipment and stimulus, yes.

Any other hackneyed false analogies you'd care to make?

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 7:33 pm

Ranger Genius wrote:
HughMungus wrote:Not currently, no. Can you prove that you've ever been in love?
Given the proper measuring equipment and stimulus, yes.

How?

helitack · Post by **helitack** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 7:38 pm

Ranger Genius wrote:I had written and (I thought) submitted a post, but apparently it fell into an abyss somewhere. I won't rewrite the whole thing, just answer the question. I was trying to let the thread die a graceful death, but apparently that's not to be.

I reject all forms of god, and deny spirituality in its entirety. All religions are fairy tales. It doesn't matter if it's a creator god, a vengeful god, or a protector god, he (she or it) doesn't exist. There is no soul, and the afterlife is a sham create to trick suckers into accepting the shitty lot they're dealt by those in power. I realize most people are afraid to admit these kinds of things to themselves, but most people...well, nevermind.

That's one way of looking at life. Glad your comfortable with that. Seems that leaves out emotions like Love, and sadness and a host of others that science cannot explain. Life can't be any fun if you always think like Mr Spock.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:12 pm

If you think science can't explain love, sadness. joy, fear, ambivalence, et cetera, then you're denser than I thought.

Understanding the way things really work doesn't take the "magic" out of life; in fact, I find it heightens my enjoyment of life not to be encumbered by an entourage of ridiculous gris-gris.

helitack · Post by **helitack** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:20 pm

Ranger Genius wrote:If you think science can't explain love, sadness. joy, fear, ambivalence, et cetera, then you're denser than I thought.

Understanding the way things really work doesn't take the "magic" out of life; in fact, I find it heightens my enjoyment of life not to be encumbered by an entourage of ridiculous gris-gris.

I don't believe science's explaination. There is more to it than chemistry and sub atomic particles.

bringer · Post by **bringer** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 6:37 am

helitack wrote:I don't believe science's explaination. There is more to it than chemistry and sub atomic particles.

Ha!
That's one way of looking at life. Glad your comfortable with that.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 2:05 pm

Ranger Genius wrote:If you think science can't explain love, sadness. joy, fear, ambivalence, et cetera, then you're denser than I thought.

Understanding the way things really work doesn't take the "magic" out of life; in fact, I find it heightens my enjoyment of life not to be encumbered by an entourage of ridiculous gris-gris.

So you're just a robot programmed by nature? Where's the magic in that?

bringer · Post by **bringer** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:01 pm

So you're just a robot programmed by nature?

Yes.
We are all just robots programmed by nature.

There's more to it than that, but if the simple view suits you, so be it.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:28 am

bringer wrote:
So you're just a robot programmed by nature?

Yes.
We are all just robots programmed by nature.

There's more to it than that

So we're both just robots AND we're more than that? Pick one.

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:35 am

Ok, what's it gonna take to kill this thread? Godwin's Law failed, Occam's Razor hasn't cut deep enough. What's left?

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:44 am

Kinetic IV wrote:Ok, what's it gonna take to kill this thread?

A logical argument that god does not exist that can't be picked apart by someone with nothing more than a bachelor's degree in English (from a state university, for god's sake).

EvilDustBooger · Post by **EvilDustBooger** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:48 am

bringer · Post by **bringer** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:53 am

Kinetic IV wrote:Ok, what's it gonna take to kill this thread? Godwin's Law failed, Occam's Razor hasn't cut deep enough. What's left?

Someone mentioned nazis and I missed it?
Darn!
All the exciting stuff happens when I'm out to lunch.

bringer · Post by **bringer** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:54 am

HughMungus wrote:
Kinetic IV wrote:Ok, what's it gonna take to kill this thread?
A logical argument that god does not exist that can't be picked apart by someone with nothing more than a bachelor's degree in English (from a state university, for god's sake).

You missed them.
They were made, but you had a bannana in your ear.

Next time, drop the fruit and listen.

Good day sir!

Rob the Wop · Post by **Rob the Wop** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 12:13 pm

HughMungus wrote:
Kinetic IV wrote:Ok, what's it gonna take to kill this thread?
A logical argument that god does not exist that can't be picked apart by someone with nothing more than a bachelor's degree in English (from a state university, for god's sake).

For you to actually read a book on logic. Having an English major means you should have the reading comprehension to do this.

Rob the Wop · Post by **Rob the Wop** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 12:14 pm

HughMungus wrote:
bringer wrote:
So you're just a robot programmed by nature?

Yes.
We are all just robots programmed by nature.

There's more to it than that
So we're both just robots AND we're more than that? Pick one.

God exists or doesn't exist. Pick one.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 12:30 pm

bringer wrote:
HughMungus wrote:
Kinetic IV wrote:Ok, what's it gonna take to kill this thread?
A logical argument that god does not exist that can't be picked apart by someone with nothing more than a bachelor's degree in English (from a state university, for god's sake).

You missed them.
They were made, but you had a bannana in your ear.

Next time, drop the fruit and listen.

Good day sir!

:)

I did? Which page?