Freethought & Rationalism Archive

TomboyMom · 08-06-2003, 10:00 AM

Quote:

The problem with this Rene is that the truth you are seeking already exist within your mind (or you would have no idea of its existence) and so you have a lot of examining to do.

Could it be that this means two things: first, that for the most part you are unhappy, and second, that you do not know who you are?

So how about calling yourself 'Rene the lost sojourner.'

What the h*** are you talking about?

Since I am not a solipsist, I do not believe that the truth I am seeking is in my own mind. I believe that there exists an objective reality which I have the opportunity to use my own mind to learn about.
Yes, I have a lot of learning to do, and I do it every day.

No, for the most part I am quite happy, thank you very much.
No, I think I know who I am, in the normal meaning of those words.

Well, we're all lost to a certain extent, castaways on the island of existence trying to figure out who we are and how we got here, or in emotional's case, how to enjoy ourselves while we're here. Trying to figure it out adds to my enjoyment as well, because it's interesting.

Rene, happy and self-aware

08-06-2003, 10:26 AM

Good for you Rene and I am glad you can see the brighter side of life. I agree with what you wrote and admire your courage.

How about 'Rene the courages partaker of life.'

joedad · 08-06-2003, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by emotional
<magus>Atheists think they're free, but they're actually slaves of Satan.</magus>

Tut tut. We're only Satan's subjects. He only tempts us. No commands. No commands.

ashe · 08-06-2003, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by emotional
Certainly not! When I was told, at the age of eight, that death is the end of existence, it did not make me happier, it made me scared and miserable for the rest of my life. Only now that I believe it is not so, I am happy.

I value happiness far above truth. If it were conducive to my happiness to believe in a flat earth, I'd believe in a flat earth.

If 'you believe X', I would understand that to mean 'you think X is likely to be true.'

That is the most common definition I have seen. Since you eschew truth, what do you mean when you use the word belief?

emotional · 08-06-2003, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ashe
If 'you believe X', I would understand that to mean 'you think X is likely to be true.'

That is the most common definition I have seen. Since you eschew truth, what do you mean when you use the word belief?

ashe, I'm not a rational person, so there's no point in posing such a rationalistic question before me.

TomboyMom · 08-06-2003, 03:25 PM

Quote:

ashe, I'm not a rational person, so there's no point in posing such a rationalistic question before me.

Well, thatwas consistent.

trekbette · 08-06-2003, 09:03 PM

I just ate some good Chinese food, I'm reading a great book by my favorite author and my bills are paid. I have a great husband and beautiful dog and the world's greatest Dad and in-laws.

I'm an atheist and I'm happy.

Barcode · 08-07-2003, 07:47 AM

It's not my atheism that makes me happy or unhappy - the *real* problems come from religious people pushing their beliefs as *facts* or presuming I must be denying God, or I just need to open my heart to Jesus.

This kind of babble makes me want to carry out some distinctly un-Christian like acts towards such people ...

Of course I don�t *know* why the world is the way it is ... or how to explain the Universe ... that would be an incredibly arrogant position ... but a belief seems to give people this kind of certainty ... which seems far more arrogant than any claims I could ever make regarding the veracity of various claims.

I'm happy in the sense I base my conclusions on what has been tested and proven ... I'm happy that I don't need to resort to religion whenever I feel down ... I'm happy that my life is not governed by meaningless rituals, nonsensical doctrine and myths ...

08-07-2003, 08:42 AM

Why shouldn't they be happy. They don't have to answer to anyone.

emotional · 08-07-2003, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Laci
Why shouldn't they be happy. They don't have to answer to anyone.

Is this another "atheists have no basis for morality" accusation I see here?

08-07-2003, 08:42 AM	#69
Laci Guest Posts: n/a	reply Why shouldn't they be happy. They don't have to answer to anyone.

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08-06-2003, 10:26 AM	#62
Amos Guest Posts: n/a	Good for you Rene and I am glad you can see the brighter side of life. I agree with what you wrote and admire your courage. How about 'Rene the courages partaker of life.'

08-06-2003, 09:03 PM	#67
trekbette Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 533	I just ate some good Chinese food, I'm reading a great book by my favorite author and my bills are paid. I have a great husband and beautiful dog and the world's greatest Dad and in-laws. I'm an atheist and I'm happy.

08-07-2003, 07:47 AM	#68
Barcode Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Portugal Posts: 633	It's not my atheism that makes me happy or unhappy - the real problems come from religious people pushing their beliefs as facts or presuming I must be denying God, or I just need to open my heart to Jesus. This kind of babble makes me want to carry out some distinctly un-Christian like acts towards such people ... Of course I don�t know why the world is the way it is ... or how to explain the Universe ... that would be an incredibly arrogant position ... but a belief seems to give people this kind of certainty ... which seems far more arrogant than any claims I could ever make regarding the veracity of various claims. I'm happy in the sense I base my conclusions on what has been tested and proven ... I'm happy that I don't need to resort to religion whenever I feel down ... I'm happy that my life is not governed by meaningless rituals, nonsensical doctrine and myths ...

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