Why I love Atheism....

[shineonu]

I would also like to add my point of view coming from an ex-theist perspective....

 

Some reasons I'm glad i gave up my god belief.

 

i can focus all my love on my family and friends. The people who I really see in life and need me as much as i need them.

 

I can loosen up and actually enjoy sex. I'm married, but some of the things we do...jeez, if god were real what would he think??

 

I don't have to carry the sins of men who came before me (think: adam). I'm my own person, responsible only for my own actions. Answerable only to my wife:p

 

I can sleep in on Sundays

 

On Christmas, I can just enjoy the presents and being with the family.

 

Freedom to do as I please as long as I'm respectful of others.

 

 

 

these are just a few i could whip up on the top of my head. there are many others also.

[RecordProducer]

I don't think you understand. Believers ask for something, and if they don't get it, they count their blessings.

I count my blessings, too. I just acknowledge that when I talk to myself - nobody listens.

 

One of the major criticisms from athiests here is they aren't getting what they want from God.

Your definition of an atheist is: disappointed in God. In order to be disappointed, one had to believe at some point.

 

Do you have a problem with God being omnipotent?

 

I don't have a problem with someone supporting me from the background. Is he more like a witness to you?

"He" is more like clean air to me.

Should the Christians of today be held accountable for events that occured hundreds of years ago?

I refuse to discuss the Christians, especially when you pose questions that imply that I have something against the people who identify themselves as Christians. In an attempt to be open-minded, I view religions as traditions or mentalities.

 

Using that same line of thought, should Athiests be held accountable for events that occured in the last 100 years?

Please name one violent event that occured because a person was attempting to impose atheism.

Does being an Athiest mean never having to say you are sorry?

Where did that come from?

 

You eqate atheism with lack of moral values: if I am an atheist, that means there is no one to stop me from hurting everyone I see, so I will. Don't you realize that I DO say "I am sorry" but it's not because I am afraid of God? I do it and strive to be a good person and raise my children in the same spirit - because it's the right thing to do. High values were instilled in my mind without threatening me with ending up as Satan's appetizer.

 

Atheism goes one step further than any religion by avoding the answer "Because God wants that." The correct answer is: because it's good to be good.

 

I don't think science is an issue for most athiests.

If I told you that I got pregnant without having sex, would you believe me?

[shineonu]

 

You eqate atheism with lack of moral values: if I am an atheist, that means there is no one to stop me from hurting everyone I see, so I will. Don't you realize that I DO say "I am sorry" but it's not because I am afraid of God? I do it and strive to be a good person and raise my children in the same spirit - because it's the right thing to do. High values were instilled in my mind without threatening me with ending up as Satan's appetizer.

 

Atheism goes one step further than any religion by avoding the answer "Because God wants that." The correct answer is: because it's good to be good.

 

i'd also like to add that being unethical in society has its drawbacks. major ones. if i decide that i can kill people because i no longer believe in a god, i will be outcast from society (prison). if i steal, same thing. if i cheat, i risk losing/hurting the ones i love...and thats a major risk to my happiness.

 

people need people. and given that we are social beings.... it pays to be ethical. you risk your safety, freedom and happiness when you're not.

[RecordProducer]

I made an error and didn't quote this sentence in my previous post.

Do you have a problem with God being omnipotent?

If you respect your own religion, respect or at least consider other religions as well. Are you able to defend religion without mentioning Christianity?

 

I can't deny that certain religions may have some value as lifestyles, but I retain my right not to believe in Santa and similar characters.

One thing athiests seem to share is the rejection of God's authority. They want to make rules. It must feel very liberating.

Again, you assume that we (atheists) somehow unchained ourselves and deserted from God's nest.

[lonelybird]

Not only count blessings, but also can watch how God works! prayers can change things supernaturally

 

By the way, whether you believe it or not, you think this belief will not affect you, that just a way to cover your own eyes, or cover ears to say that there isn't bell ringing. we ALL are under control of God, ALL have to face God one day. It is truth, it doesn't exist in your mind, it exists universally. Do you think that gravity is in your mind? that if you believe, you are controled by it; if you don't believe in gravity, you will not controlled by it? Truth of God is same, it exists no matter you believe or not. the more you embrace wisdom of God, the more you will have more chance have a peaceful and fulfilled life here on earth. and through Jesus we can have eternal life in heaven

[RecordProducer]

I found this out from my Dad when I was six (during the run-up to Christmas, a couple of older children at school had told me there was no such thing as Santa).

He explained to me that those children were Little Sh*ts.

This post is genial!

[disgracian]

One thing athiests seem to share is the rejection of God's authority. They want to make rules. It must feel very liberating.

No, the rejection of god's existence, and on very valid grounds. Humanity has been adamant of the existence of thousands upon thousands of different gods. Almost all of them are no longer believed in because the idea became simply too silly in light of increased understanding. Now only a few are left but will eventually go the way of their predecessors. Not one god has ever been shown to exist, ever.

Athiests don't seem to have a problem with abortions, euthanasia, or purges.

Do athiests of this type enjoy crushing the weak?

That is an incredibly stupid thing to say, but typical from somebody who trades in baseless generalisations. That's just like saying that Christians have no problem with genocides, dashing babies against rocks, crusades and inquisitions. Have a bit of a think before you post silly things next time.

 

Cheers,

D.

[Moai]

I am amazed at some of the recent posts on this thread. SO, I have a few comments.

 

First: Atheists postulate no diety. I think any atheist is open to evidence of some supreme being, but there isn't any--contrary to claims of its existence being "obvious" or having "authority".

 

This should be obvious given the fact that gods come and go. And all the god s that are worshipped now have different rules. If god is so obvious, and his authority is so well-founded, how can so many people get it wrong? The obvious answer is that it is made up, and the religious claim to know things that no human could possibly know.

 

Second: There is no religious system on Earth that is rational or fair. Not a single solitary one. Consider Christianity, for example (I will be broad, since even Christians cannot agree on what they believe). Man is born into sin, and must therefore be punished. God sent himself/his son to be sacrificed so we won't have to be punished, as long as we accept that such is a fact.

 

Sounds reasonable, no? Actually, no. In point of fact what that means is that there is a cosmic dictatorship that I have no choice in living under. I didn't ask to live under it, and there is nowhere in the Universe where I CAN live to escape its clutches. It is also worse than a human dictatorship, as it punishes thought-crime. No matter how nice I am to others, no matter how pure I live my life, I somehow fall short and deserve eternal punishment. Also, the idea of a Saviour is scapegoating, which every civilized nation on the planet has realized is unethical and immoral. Why hasn't religion followed suit?

 

Third: The nature of god. Is god omnipotent? If that is so, why doesn't he ever do anything? And, if he can truly change anything, why can'the change his own rules about damnation, since they are his rules to beign with? Is god omniscient? If that is so, then free will is impossible. If you want to have an amusing afternoon read some apologetics regarding this paradox. There are few better examples of twisted logic and inane rambling. Ask yourself why believers are STILL writing books in attempts to explain this away---in two thousand years no human has been able to adequately explain it, because it is impossible.

 

Fourth: Man has been on Earth for roughly 100,000 years (at least). If that is so, easily 98% of man's existence has been without salvation or the "right" idea about god. If you are Muslim that number is even larger--99% or so.

 

Fifth: Atheists share no moral position There are conservative atheists, liberal atheists, communist atheists, and anarchist atheists. The only thing they have in common is no belief in god. Also, the examples of Stalin (who was probably an atheist) and Hitler (who wasn't) are fallacious, as they did not exterminate people BECAUSE of their atheism. Contrast this with the Inquisition, say, where people were exterminated BECAUSE of their god-belief--be it different or non-existant. Such is known as "heresy".

 

Sixth: Religion and god-belief actually hurts the poor and weak, not atheism. There are countries on the Earth right now that are essentially theocracies. Look at how their people live. They are starving, oppressed, and sick. Their women are little more than slaves, and they are violent to other nations near them, and across oceans.

 

The next time you walk into your megs-church and give praise with 50,000 of your fellow believers, ask yourself how many poor people could be fed with the money that was used for your building.

[shadowofman]

Bravo Moai! Always the thoughtful and clear position.

Athiests don't seem to have a problem with abortions, euthanasia, or purges.

Do athiests of this type enjoy crushing the weak?

No, do theists?

I have no problem with abortion because fetus' are not people.

I don't have a problem with euthanasia because I WILL decide when I want to die, when I am ready. A if I'm in pain and can't do it myself, I will beg for someone to do it for me.

I don't know what you mean by purges, but I am against the death penalty, war, racism, sexism, and most everything else that is praised in the bible.

I'm also a socialist because I think we shouldn't have poor people.

Do theists enjoy crushing the weak palestinians? Gays and lesbians? Teenage unwed mothers with their whole lives ahead of them? Painfully, terminally ill?

One more comment about atheists having a lack of morals.

I don't care if God came to me and told me to kill my first born son as he did to Abraham, I would refuse because I am more moral than the God of the bible.

[underpants]

Those that control the religion ...control the masses.

 

Those that control the science...control the masses.

 

Those that control the law...control the masses.

 

It all boils down to power. How do you use your power?

[RecordProducer]

Those that control the religion ...control the masses.

 

Those that control the science...control the masses.

 

Those that control the law...control the masses.

 

It all boils down to power. How do you use your power?

Righto! Religion was invented to control people. You can choose to celebrate its concepts, but don't tell me that I am an idiot or I will burn in hell for NOT seeing what you... don't see either, but agree to imagine.

[Enema]

The emperor is wearing a fantastic new suit today! That tailor really is marvelous!

 

If you can't see how great his ability is, you're an idiot!

[RecordProducer]

The emperor is wearing a fantastic new suit today! That tailor really is marvelous!

 

If you can't see how great his ability is, you're an idiot!

I wouldn't call it an Emperor's-New-Clothes syndrome. These people are not pretending to believe, because otherwise they'll look dumb. They really believe! But they are brain-washed.

 

We are all brain-washed in many aspects. Why is it indecent to show off your boobs? Many tribes don't think so. Why do people spend so much money on clothes? Is that really a necessity? It's not even a matter of easthetics: a $500 coat is not necessarily prettier than a $100 coat.

Why do we have to write letters with no spelling mistakes? Why do we have to shower every day? Why do we have to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries or hildays? Or religious holidays? Because our parents and the society taught us to.

 

Almost all religious people brought their religion from home. Their parents dragged them to church every Sunday and told them to marry a Christian. I was never taught to be religious. So in a way I was brain-washed too by avoiding religion.

[lonelybird]

Almost all religious people brought their religion from home. Their parents dragged them to church every Sunday and told them to marry a Christian. I was never taught to be religious. So in a way I was brain-washed too by avoiding religion.

Not me! I was born in a communist country. It was Lord supernature power converted me. It is far from controling people. I cheris my relationship with him, he comforted me in tough times, teach me things. he never tried to control me. all Jesus do is out of love. If he tell me that don't-do-certain-things, I will obey him, because I know he is always right:bunny:. I can go to disobey him, but I learned that in a hard way, not a good idea:D.

[RecordProducer]

Not me! I was born in a communist country. It was Lord supernature power converted me. It is far from controling people. I cheris my relationship with him, he comforted me in tough times, teach me things. he never tried to control me. all Jesus do is out of love. If he tell me that don't-do-certain-things, I will obey him, because I know he is always right:bunny:. I can go to disobey him, but I learned that in a hard way, not a good idea:D.

Lonelybird, I love your posts, even the religious ones. They are so profound and free-spirited, just like you. You're a very smart girl and I view your religion as your religion. It takes the shape of you - you control it, you don't let it control you. If you see wisdom or beauty, you prescribe it to some super-natural power in a very interesting and unique way. I don't care if you call it Jesus or Lonelybird, I just hear your own wisdom interpreting things.

[lonelybird]

Lonelybird, I love your posts, even the religious ones. They are so profound and free-spirited, just like you. You're a very smart girl and I view your religion as your religion. It takes the shape of you - you control it, you don't let it control you. If you see wisdom or beauty, you prescribe it to some super-natural power in a very interesting and unique way. I don't care if you call it Jesus or Lonelybird, I just hear your own wisdom interpreting things.

Thank you so much, RecordProducer, you have a sweet heart. you made my day:D

anyway, the good part you saw in me is Lord acting, the bad part is my flesh, that means you love Lord and attracted to him as well

[shadowofman]

I agree with you RecordProducer.

lonelybird is very sweet.

But I think lonleybird should take some credit for herself.

The good part is you, not a Lord.

The bad part is also you, not your flesh.

It's like yin and yang.

 

You've all made me want to apologize for any venom I've spit on any of you.

I love you all, I just hate your beliefs.

[lonelybird]

shadowofman

thanks:love: but our belief made today's-us:p

I feel like big family here

[RecordProducer]

Ok, are we having a big I-love-you party with thank-yous, sorrys, tears and runny noses?