endlessabyss Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Forgot, science was founded on Christianity. Isaac Newton (the greatest scientist of all time, might I add) Descartes Sir Francis Bacon John Ray Carl Linnaeus John Locke Gregor Mendel Lord Kelvin This list goes on..................and on. Certainly, Christianity couldn't of stifled critical thought and intellectual progress. 1
maiden of rohan Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Conveniently missed out Galileo, I see. 4
pickflicker Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Didn't even watch, but from the title, I kind of get of picture of what to hear Maher ramble about. Funny thing is, he probably fails to mention all the great 20th century, atheistic dictators who took it upon themselves to slaughter hundreds of millions of people. Please, don't act as if atheism is the ultimate cure for the worlds woes. Are you aware of recent history? Stalin, Lenin, Pol-Pot, Moa. The funny thing, to me is, specifically with Stalin, as an atheist, I wonder what his purpose was for shaking his fist at the heavens, before his death, if God didn't exist to him. He knew the truth deep down. Personally, I see all sorts of hypocrisy after going through this thread, but this was just one of the more poor arguments I see bandwagon atheists use. Another one that I think is funny is when one claims they hate it when Christian's push their beliefs on people, and yet the public school system is pushing secular values on masses of children, with no regards to if that is what their parents want or not. Like whoever stated above, it really isn't religion, nor atheism that is evil. It's people. They ultimately have the decision on what to act on. We all know that theism is a better worldview, because it gives purpose, objective morality, meaning to life, and hope. But, if atheism does it for you, knock yourself out. God gave us free will, take advantage of it while you're here. I love this argument. These guys weren't immoral because they rejected God. They were immoral because they created a religion in sheep's clothing. Instead of getting people to worship a deity, they made themselves deity. While we're on the subject of human atrocities... Crusades? Read about that? 4
pickflicker Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Forgot, science was founded on Christianity. Isaac Newton (the greatest scientist of all time, might I add) Descartes Sir Francis Bacon John Ray Carl Linnaeus John Locke Gregor Mendel Lord Kelvin This list goes on..................and on. Certainly, Christianity couldn't of stifled critical thought and intellectual progress. No one said it did. But it is always Christians that believe that they cannot co-exist. 3
KathyM Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Well, I'm glad the 5 or 6 people you know don't try to convert people. However, MOST Christian charities and organizations DO. And I'm sorry, but when you meet someone who is hungry, who is sick, who is destitute and you say to them, "You know what we're going to do? We're going to make it so you can have clean water in this town for your children.....BUT, we want you to also help us build a church here. And we're even going to build you some schools! BUT, we want to put a bunch of bibles in them and teachers that are going to brainwash your children into a religion you have no interest in. That's the price of our 'help.' You can turn us down, of course, but then you'll probably all die. Think of your children." You don't see anything incredibly manipulative and innately immoral about that? When I give, I give. I don't give with one hand and take with the other. I know many Christians, not just my immediate family members. They are predominantly Evangelical Christians. And they do spread the gospel, but not in the way you are claiming. They are not forcing their beliefs on anyone. They invite their friends and neighbors to church. No pressure. They set up tables in parks, street corners, or college campuses, and hand out Bibles and talk about the gospel to people who approach their table and are open to hearing what they have to say. Sometimes they give concerts in the park or on college campuses or other venues, and people come to listen to them. Usually it is followed by a message and people are invited to become a follower of Christ. Kind of like Christ himself spread God's word. He invited people to become His followers. He preached God's word to those who gathered to hear it. As far as Christian charities, I think you have a rather skewed view of them. They do not withhold food and supplies and medical help, only giving to those who become Christians. That is a false contention. They provide those things for all in need with no strings attached. They build houses for those in need, with no strings attached. You are implying that they only give to those who convert to Christianity, but that is not the case. They do establish churches sometimes in places they go, but there is no requirement for people to attend services in order to get food and medical supplies. No requirement for people to attend religious services. Christians ARE called to witness to others. To spread the gospel, to those who are open to hearing it. 1
maturityassets Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Didn't even watch, but from the title, I kind of get of picture of what to hear Maher ramble about. Funny thing is, he probably fails to mention all the great 20th century, atheistic dictators who took it upon themselves to slaughter hundreds of millions of people. Please, don't act as if atheism is the ultimate cure for the worlds woes. Are you aware of recent history? Stalin, Lenin, Pol-Pot, Moa. The funny thing, to me is, specifically with Stalin, as an atheist, I wonder what his purpose was for shaking his fist at the heavens, before his death, if God didn't exist to him. He knew the truth deep down. Personally, I see all sorts of hypocrisy after going through this thread, but this was just one of the more poor arguments I see bandwagon atheists use. Another one that I think is funny is when one claims they hate it when Christian's push their beliefs on people, and yet the public school system is pushing secular values on masses of children, with no regards to if that is what their parents want or not. Like whoever stated above, it really isn't religion, nor atheism that is evil. It's people. They ultimately have the decision on what to act on. We all know that theism is a better worldview, because it gives purpose, objective morality, meaning to life, and hope. But, if atheism does it for you, knock yourself out. God gave us free will, take advantage of it while you're here. Actually this story for Stalin is quite exaggerated. This comes from the memoirs of his daughter in which it states he pointed his finger and it was interpreted he was disappointed that his doctors could not keep him alive. Christians say the same thing of Karl Marx. As if everybody against religion suppressed the truth in unrighteousness as it states in Romans. No I'm sorry but theism does not provide the best worldview. If you are holding unto theism because of fear of nihilism that's your thing. But you can overcome nihilism as a Free spirit 4
xxoo Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 It always surprises me when I read stereotypes of atheists. I choose no religion, and spend no time concerned with religion during the average month. By not participating, the religious have ascribed characteristics to me that fit their paradigm, and I'm blissfully ignorant to it the vast majority of the time. I don't hate religion, but I hate being judged by the religious paradigm. And in my experience, only Christians have done so (largely because I live in a predominantly Christian culture). 1
pickflicker Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 It always surprises me when I read stereotypes of atheists. I choose no religion, and spend no time concerned with religion during the average month. By not participating, the religious have ascribed characteristics to me that fit their paradigm, and I'm blissfully ignorant to it the vast majority of the time. I don't hate religion, but I hate being judged by the religious paradigm. And in my experience, only Christians have done so (largely because I live in a predominantly Christian culture). I don't use the word atheist anymore. I don't like what atheism is beginning to represent - a destruction of religion, instead of a personal rejection of it. I call myself a "non-believer". 3
writergal Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 My theme song...sort of...but I am happy... The Happy Nihilist- The Classic Crime lyrics - YouTube
UpwardForward Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 I don't quite get what your point has to do with what I was saying... You were saying Hitler was supposed to be a Catholic. What does that have to do with anything?? Hitler was supposed to be a Catholic? - yet a killer of the Jewish. Obama is supposed to be a 'Christian' (or says he is), yet he believes in baby killing (abortion, incl partial birth) So What? You will know them by their fruits. 2
writergal Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 And THIS one too... Lumberjack Song - Monty Python - YouTube 1
Keenly Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Personally, I see all sorts of hypocrisy after going through this thread, but this was just one of the more poor arguments I see bandwagon atheists use. We all know that theism is a better worldview, because it gives purpose, objective morality, meaning to life, and hope. But, if atheism does it for you, knock yourself out. God gave us free will, take advantage of it while you're here. Holy ironic hypocrisy batman. So you claim you see all this hypocrisy... and then you say we have free will... but then you say " we all know theism is better " Uhhhh.... no we don't. You believe its better. I don't. You BELIEVE it gives you mean. I don't. There is absolutely nothing that makes my opinion more correct than your opinion, and vice versa. Religion, in my experience, has been the stagnant eater that the mosquitoes of intolerance breed in. 3
Haydn Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Stephen Fry dismantles the Roman Catholic Church - YouTube The cleverest man in Britain. 3
UpwardForward Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 I don't use the word atheist anymore. I don't like what atheism is beginning to represent - a destruction of religion, instead of a personal rejection of it. I call myself a "non-believer". Disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God = Atheism.
pickflicker Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 And THIS one too... Lumberjack Song - Monty Python - YouTube I've loved Monty Python since I was a teen. I belonged top a drama group in high school, and one of the guys introduced us to Monty Python. Before long, we were performing the skits on stage for the school. Ahhh...memories... 2
pickflicker Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God = Atheism. I can call myself whatever i like. That's the beauty of it. I'm not bound by a set of rules. I'm bound by my own interpretation, my own definitions of who I am. 1
writergal Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Yes, he is. My hero! I listen to his podcasts on iTunes a lot. He's brilliant! Stephen Fry dismantles the Roman Catholic Church - YouTube The cleverest man in Britain.
pickflicker Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Stephen Fry dismantles the Roman Catholic Church - YouTube The cleverest man in Britain. I have such an intellectual crush on him. 1
UpwardForward Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 I can call myself whatever i like. That's the beauty of it. I'm not bound by a set of rules. I'm bound by my own interpretation, my own definitions of who I am. Was giving you the Definition , not a 'set of rules'.
pickflicker Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Was giving you the Definition , not a 'set of rules'. And? I can still call myself whatever I like. 1
xxoo Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God = Atheism. Atheism is a label based on the religious paradigm. If I choose not to participate in a religion, there is no need for me to identify as anything in religious terms. It's only significant to theists. 1
UpwardForward Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Yes, he is. My hero! I listen to his podcasts on iTunes a lot. He's brilliant! I have such an intellectual crush on him. Let's hear it for more false gods - and quotations of such. 1
Keenly Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 If we look at the concept of faith, we are that its very personal. Personal in the sense that it is yours, and no one can take it away from you. If you are strong in your faith, then there is no reason why you should feel threatened or offended when some one says they do not believe. I've seen it on the internet and I've seen it IRL, when a non believer tells a believer " I don't believe in god, religion, etc " they react like you just told them that Jesus liked to eat babies. Its okay to be different than you are. Trust me... we aren't going to kill you or corrupt your children or rob your grandma. All we want is the same mutual respect that you'd give a fellow human being, assuming you actually follow what your own religion teaches. I went to catholic school for six years, and when I passed the age of reason I decided the concept of god and religion wasn't for me. Sometimes I like to show these people that I know more about their religion than they do. Yahoo actually posted an article within the last few months of a study where atheists were are to answer more questions correctly about Christianity than Christians were. You bet your ass I laughed at those results. 5
Keenly Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Let's hear it for more false gods - and quotations of such. I guess liking some one is the equivalent of declaring them a god and worshipping them now. Hope you don't like anyone , ever, or look up to anyone. Gotta stay consistent. 4
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