Ether

I was not sure where to post this.

I have noticed that the only goal atheist have is to try and contradict everything in the bible and deny anything about God and give reasons to explain why they don't follow God. In the end you are very similar to Christians who are very much the same just in an oposite direction.

Atheism depends on Christianity it must always use it as a reference point. Go figure...

Good Day

Vorkosigan

Been a while since you posted. Welcome back.

In case you haven't noticed, may I direct your attention to the Far East, where there are millions of atheists who pay no attention to Christianity.

Grizzly

Hi Ether - technically defined, atheism is merely a lack of belief in supernatural beings. If the religions of the world would vanish, we would all be atheists - but we probably wouldn't be very vocal about it. If we all agree that something doesn't exist, then there really isn't any need for discussion.

In any event, this thread will probably get better play in MRD, so I am moving it there.

Grizzly

[ August 11, 2002: Message edited by: Grizzly ]</p>

KnightWhoSaysNi

Hi Ether,

I figure that there's a number of difficulties with this view. First, it is a strawman version of what atheism is. Atheism is simply a "lack of belief" that Grizzly mentioned. I certainly don't try to contradict everything in the Bible in the same way I won't try to contradict everthing from I hear from ancient Cree or Babylonian legends. There's some stuff that's probably not true or is exaggerated, but there's probably some historical stuff that may have hints of truth. There's also much to learn anthropologically, culturally, and even philosophically about ancient mythology.

Also, you'd be assuming that if God exists, then Christianity must be true. Christianity is not the sole champion of theism. If Christianity was less popular, we'd be accused of denying the holy texts and refusing to follow the deity from Islam, Bahais, Zoroastrians, and others. To illustrate my point, let's modify your statement a little bit:

Eudaimonist

Untrue. It may appear this way, but there are plenty of atheists who are interested in taking a positive philosophical stand, not merely a reactionary stand against Christianity. <a href="http://www.secularhumanism.org/" target="_blank">Secular Humanists</a>, <a href="http://www.objectivistcenter.org/" target="_blank">Objectivists</a>, and <a href="http://www.fellowshipofreason.com/" target="_blank">Eudaimonists</a> have a life stance that can be discussed -- and certainly lived! -- independently of the subject of Christianity.

[ August 11, 2002: Message edited by: Eudaimonist ]</p>

Theli

Atheism doesn't need christianity to exist.
It needs theism to have meaning though.
If everyone would be atheists, "atheism" would not have any meaning.

mac_philo

What you have 'noticed' is what you want to notice. I never talk about the bible; you can check all of my posts here over the last two years and you won't find a single message that conforms to this observation.

You remember what you want to remember.

JL

To the contrary Ether while I am an atheist and disagree with the actual physical existence of a god I find many elements of religion, even religion itself (Christianity included), worth perserving as they can act positively upon society.

But sadly I also find much within modern religion that points to the hopelessness of trying to extricate the good from the rest. It's my belief that we need to turn away from religion before we should embrace it again so that we might see it differently.

So, take it how you will, maybe I am preoccupied with the overthrow of God. But don't mistake me for a rebellious teenager looking for something to bitch and moan about. Neither am I an atheist version of a conviction-possesed Christian.

But no doubt you'll find atheists who fit your description if you look.

Walter_Mitty

Ether,

My goal as a former Chrisitan is to thoroughly research everything relating to Christianty. This is due to my Church indoctrinated fear of hell. After being told for 15 plus years that atheists are bad and bound for hell, I thought it prudent to reasearch this decision to the best of my ability. I have and consequently I'm very atheistic in regards to the Christian version of God.

As for being the same as Christians, well, I would have to disagree. I do not actively witness to Christians the "wonders of atheism" unless asked. Even then, I present my beliefs in terms of rationalism and skepticism leading me to atheism and agnosticism.

Also, I know that many atheists focus on Christianity because:

1) They are former Christians.

2) Christianity teaches "in your face" witnessing(Go and make disciples...) so naturally when witnessed to, many atheists are going to counter.

My goal is to teach everyone (regardless of beliefs) how to critically think. If that leads them to Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, atheism, etc., so be it!

-RRH-

There were atheists before there were Christians.

Atheism is the only truly universal religious belief, that has appeared in all cultures, in all of history.