DBT

I see belief itself as being largely irrelevant --- :huh:

Lola

Hey Coltsfan, :wave:

DBT has a good point to your question.

Many theists do think (or have been told by others) that atheists "hate" a certain god or have anger towards it. Actually, no, hatred has nothing to do with being an atheist. Simply and literally, atheism is the absense of theistic belief . There are various reasons why a person is atheistic, but I've never come across an atheist who is one because of hatred--it doesn't make much sense since there's nothing to hate.

For example, CF, if I tell you that I have a wonderful magical invisible dragon in my garage who I worship and sing praises to, why would you not believe me? Well, I can't see him, but I know he's in there. Would you say you don't believe me because you hate the dragon? Probably not, huh?

Have you checked out the Atheist Testimony Thread, yet? Very interesting testimonies in there.

Anyway, Go Colts! :thumbs:

Regards,
Lola

Lola

Hey Mace!

Cool post. Are you using belief and worship synonymously? (I think there's a difference to Christians). If you are, I do think the above is true for some believers, but of course, there're other factors why they believe with fear and upbringing (early indoctrination) being two "biggies."

I was thinking more about your post, and I think I'm going to contradict myself here....are we humans--theist or not--basically all selfish to some degree (some more than others, of course)? That's just our nature for survival, isn't it?

I see what you're saying, though. The most famous "selfless" person I can think of is Mother Teresa. She lived a life of poverty helping the poor and putting others first, but could you also say that she was selfish? She was doing her god's work which may have made her feel good about herself, helping the misfortunate to be in god's favor, and, like you said, she wanted to go to heaven. I wonder....would she still have lived that same life if she were an atheist? :huh:

Personally, speaking, when I lend a hand to someone in need, I do get a "nice feeling." For example, if I bake some cookies for the new neighbors, it's cool and it does make ME feel good. We chat, exchange conversation, etc. So, could you deem me as being selfish? :huh: For me, though, my "good works" has nothing to do with an afterlife since there is none.

-Lola

coltsfan

My point had nothing to do with why athiest are what they are. I was just replying to a moronic question with another. Christians believe for a variety of reasons. Fear may be one.