Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Evoken · 11-30-2004, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill B

The "truth" can be very humbling. The "truth" does not give a damn about re-inforcing our arrogant, deluded, inflated image of self importance in this universe. The truth just is what it is. And no amount of belief or faith will ever change the truth, or bring about a personal god or afterlife. Deep down inside, I suspect every religious person knows this. But, out of groundless fear and shameful lack of courage, most would rather live a lie than confront the humbling, but awe-inspiring journey into this black hole of the unknown---but unless we make this journey, we have no hope of ultimately understanding our natural universe.

Post removed by Asimis,

Evoken · 11-30-2004, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtype_alpha

There are alot of reasons to believe in a god and alot of reasons not to. The problem--if you can even call it a problem--is that everyone has different experiences and everyone percieves the world in different ways. So the only reason anyone would ever "want" to be an atheist is if they had never had any reason to believe in a deity (in which case they are, by default, an atheist) and the only reason anyone would "want" to be a theist is if they actually had a reason to believe in the existence of a deity (in which case they are, by default, theists). Everyone has their reasons, after all.

Then again, there's always that flaky crowd who'll switch back and forth between theism and atheism just to please whatever clique they happen to be part of at any given time

Very nice post, finally some common sense in this topic. :thumbs:

mirage · 11-30-2004, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAsimisI

Please keep your weaknesses to yourself nobody is interested in hearing them..you are only spouting mental masturbation to cover up your own insecurrities. You have proven yourself to be arrogant, deluded and possesing the overly-inflated sense of self-importance you acuse theists of. Too bad your post is lacking on that which you say you uphold the most (i.e. rational thinking).

What's the call for this pure vitriol? It was a nice, well written post. I don't see much rational thinking in this poisonous outburst either.

Evoken · 11-30-2004, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mirage

What's the call for this pure vitriol? It was a nice, well written post. I don't see much rational thinking in this poisonous outburst either.

Well yeah, I guess..looking at it now I think I crossed the line a bit and Bill B didn't deserve such a response. So I would like to apologize to him in advance, today has not been a good day.

anonymite · 11-30-2004, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2 Corinthians 6

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

Honestly, I've been done with religion for a good long time. I don't preach athiesm, and I live my life as separate from religion as practical. But the arrogance of religon touches everyone's life whether they like it or not. It legislates its way into your life. It terrorizes its way into your mindset.

After a while away from religion, I think, even my disdain for it washed away. I didn't even care enough about it to protest it. But religion pushes its way into influence over other people. That reeks of arrogance, and so I find myself rebuilding my defenses.

I'll make a truce with the religious world at any time. I'll live a life defined by my own principles and I promise to the best of my abilities to not offend your moralities when I interact with you (minus whatever disdain you may have for my disbelief). In turn I'd like God out of any worldly entity that desires to rule me, threaten me or otherwise restrict my life. Absent that, I think I'll have to restart defending myself against the arrogance of religion.

Cyprus · 11-30-2004, 10:12 PM

It's not a matter of wanting to be an atheist at all. If I had a choice, I'd be a christian. The idea that there is a perfect place waiting for you when you die where you'll see all of your dead loved ones and you'll live happily ever after is a comforting thought. I would love to believe in miracles and that God helps us out when we need it and there is somebody we can always talk to when we need it.

But I KNOW that it's all a bunch of junk, and I can't force myself to believe in something I know is false. So maybe atheism isn't as romantic and doesn't give me comfort, but it's just what I believe (or don't believe) and it wasn't a simple matter of choice.

newtype_alpha · 11-30-2004, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyprus

It's not a matter of wanting to be an atheist at all. If I had a choice, I'd be a christian. The idea that there is a perfect place waiting for you when you die where you'll see all of your dead loved ones and you'll live happily ever after is a comforting thought. I would love to believe in miracles and that God helps us out when we need it and there is somebody we can always talk to when we need it.

But I KNOW that it's all a bunch of junk, and I can't force myself to believe in something I know is false. So maybe atheism isn't as romantic and doesn't give me comfort, but it's just what I believe (or don't believe) and it wasn't a simple matter of choice.

Sounds like an older man wishing he was young enough to dream like he did in his youth... Emerson maybe?

Don't take this the wrong way, but some reason that reminds me of of a bit from Mad Magazine,

Quote:

"Yes, beer kills brain cells. I know that. That's the whole point. My plan is to kill so many brain cells that I'm too stupid to realize that I'm a fat ugly slob who will never get laid again."

TollHouse · 11-30-2004, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spuleeah

People deny God because the idea of Him violates their sense of "arrogant, deluded, inflated image of self imporance."

Why are some people so offended that they must insult those that don't believe in their magical tales?

For some, a belief in God can be quite limiting, I suppose. :huh:

Cyprus · 11-30-2004, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtype_alpha

Sounds like an older man wishing he was young enough to dream like he did in his youth... Emerson maybe?

Hehe, yeah it does kind of sound like that.

inquisitive01 · 11-30-2004, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anonymite

Honestly, I've been done with religion for a good long time. I don't preach athiesm, and I live my life as separate from religion as practical. But the arrogance of religon touches everyone's life whether they like it or not. It legislates its way into your life. It terrorizes its way into your mindset.

After a while away from religion, I think, even my disdain for it washed away. I didn't even care enough about it to protest it. But religion pushes its way into influence over other people. That reeks of arrogance, and so I find myself rebuilding my defenses.

I'll live a life defined by my own principles and I promise to the best of my abilities to not offend your moralities when I interact with you (minus whatever disdain you may have for my disbelief). In turn I'd like God out of any worldly entity that desires to rule me, threaten me or otherwise restrict my life. Absent that, I think I'll have to restart defending myself against the arrogance of religion.

Wow! Wouldn't me-centered speaking, writing, or views seem to define some form of arrogance also?

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11-30-2004, 10:12 PM	#16
Cyprus Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 6	It's not a matter of wanting to be an atheist at all. If I had a choice, I'd be a christian. The idea that there is a perfect place waiting for you when you die where you'll see all of your dead loved ones and you'll live happily ever after is a comforting thought. I would love to believe in miracles and that God helps us out when we need it and there is somebody we can always talk to when we need it. But I KNOW that it's all a bunch of junk, and I can't force myself to believe in something I know is false. So maybe atheism isn't as romantic and doesn't give me comfort, but it's just what I believe (or don't believe) and it wasn't a simple matter of choice.

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