Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Andrew_theist · 01-25-2002, 11:32 PM

Hello Wyrdsmyth

Thanks for the pre-made multiple choices. They actually reveal more of what you think of theists than they do of what theists may think of atheists.

I think many atheists spend a great deal of time, effort, considerable intelligence and imagination convincing and reassuring themselves this world is free for us to do as we please with no meddlesome God to interfere. I think the atheists who participate in boards like this are less sure of their convictions and do so to help shore up their beliefs.

<a href="http://pub22.ezboard.com/bgwnn" target="_blank">Challenging Atheism</a>

kwigibo · 01-25-2002, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrew_theist:
Hello Wyrdsmyth

Thanks for the pre-made multiple choices. They actually reveal more of what you think of theists than they do of what theists may think of atheists.

I think many atheists spend a great deal of time, effort, considerable intelligence and imagination convincing and reassuring themselves this world is free for us to do as we please with no meddlesome God to interfere. I think the atheists who participate in boards like this are less sure of their convictions and do so to help shore up their beliefs.

<a href="http://pub22.ezboard.com/bgwnn" target="_blank">Challenging Atheism</a>

i'm not worried about my beliefs, there are none to worry about

. This is just one of the few places where i can consistently have intelligent conversations. Is that so wrong?

HelenM · 01-26-2002, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrew_theist:
Hello Wyrdsmyth

Thanks for the pre-made multiple choices. They actually reveal more of what you think of theists than they do of what theists may think of atheists.

Hi Andrew

Regarding what you said above - you think so, huh? I thought they were a pretty good summary of what I've seen Christians say online and heard them say, 'in real life', about atheists.

I think many atheists spend a great deal of time, effort, considerable intelligence and imagination convincing and reassuring themselves this world is free for us to do as we please with no meddlesome God to interfere.

I suggest you read the thread in <a href="http://iidb.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=55&t=000065" target="_blank">Secular Lifestye and Support forum</a>: "How long is it since you've thought about religion?" If you don't mind gathering evidence for whether you're right or not, that is!

I think the atheists who participate in boards like this are less sure of their convictions and do so to help shore up their beliefs.

That's quite something for someone who joined yesterday, to have figured that out already. Actually I've been here almost a year and that's not my experience here. Most people here are very sure of their atheism. They come here to discuss what angers them about religions, to find other people who understand their worldview so they can talk about it without being 'labelled' unfairly, to discuss the practical side of living with loved ones or friends or a community who strongly believe(s) in God.

I think you've projected the reason why Christians get together onto atheists, actually, when you say that atheists get together here to shore up their beliefs, because they aren't convinced.

It's interesting to see your opinions though; thanks for sharing them. I noticed you joined yesterday and went to your site. It's a nice looking site. Feel free to visit <a href="http://home.att.net/~shmildenhall/" target="_blank">mine</a> if you like

. Or if you want to see where I am a church member - <a href="http://www.calvarymemorial.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.

love
Helen

Wyrdsmyth · 01-26-2002, 06:55 AM

Hello 'Andrew Theist,'

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrew_theist:
Thanks for the pre-made multiple choices. They actually reveal more of what you think of theists than they do of what theists may think of atheists.

What, specifically, do they reveal about what I think of theists?

Quote:

I think many atheists spend a great deal of time, effort, considerable intelligence and imagination convincing and reassuring themselves this world is free for us to do as we please with no meddlesome God to interfere. I think the atheists who participate in boards like this are less sure of their convictions and do so to help shore up their beliefs.

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion. But I challenge you to think about why you hold it. Do you hold this opinion because other people, theists whom you perhaps respect and admire (ministers, relatives, friends, etc.) have told you this is what atheists are about? Or is it something you have learned through observation and experience? Do you know any atheists who state the primary reason for their atheism is that they want to "do as the please with no meddlesome God to interfere"? Have you ever once heard an atheist state that?

[ January 26, 2002: Message edited by: Wyrdsmyth ]

HelenM · 01-26-2002, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wyrdsmyth:
Do you know any atheists who state the primary reason for their atheism is that they want to "do as they please with no meddlesome God to interfere"? Have you ever once heard an atheist state that?

Oh, I've heard that a lot. I can tell you where it's from. Christians often say that about themselves when they are describing their pre-Christian days. It goes something like this "I knew God was speaking to me about my life, but I wanted to continuing doing as I pleased with no meddlesome God interfering".

Of course an atheist wouldn't say that because they don't believe in God. Right?

love
Helen

Wyrdsmyth · 01-26-2002, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by HelenSL:
Oh, I've heard that a lot. I can tell you where it's from. Christians often say that about themselves when they are describing their pre-Christian days. It goes something like this "I knew God was speaking to me about my life, but I wanted to continuing doing as I pleased with no meddlesome God interfering".

Good point, Helen. But the question is whether they make that claim while they are atheists, not after they are atheists.

HelenM · 01-26-2002, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wyrdsmyth:


Good point, Helen. But the question is whether they make that claim while they are atheists, not after they are atheists.

Once they are Christians they can view things differently...

love
Helen

Jesus Tap-Dancin' Christ · 01-26-2002, 10:56 AM

C)
I know because I WAS THERE. But, I want to say this: atheists don't refuse to see that they need faith--in fact, they see that they need it, but they do not see the necessity, nor the logic of it.

Of course, I don't hold that you will go to hell for not believing, but I seem to be the minority in most opinions...

Eudaimonist · 01-26-2002, 11:39 AM

So far, Helen wins the contest on understanding we atheists. (Okay, this topic isn't intended as a contest, but still.) I congratulate her for her sincere attempt to understand where we are coming from.

Eudaimonist · 01-26-2002, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jesus Christ:
atheists don't refuse to see that they need faith--in fact, they see that they need it, but they do not see the necessity, nor the logic of it.

What do you mean by faith? There are several common meanings. I'd be very surprised if atheists commonly thought they need faith as they usually define the term.

[ January 26, 2002: Message edited by: Eudaimonia ]

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01-25-2002, 11:32 PM	#11
Andrew_theist Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Washington State Posts: 272	Hello Wyrdsmyth Thanks for the pre-made multiple choices. They actually reveal more of what you think of theists than they do of what theists may think of atheists. I think many atheists spend a great deal of time, effort, considerable intelligence and imagination convincing and reassuring themselves this world is free for us to do as we please with no meddlesome God to interfere. I think the atheists who participate in boards like this are less sure of their convictions and do so to help shore up their beliefs. <a href="http://pub22.ezboard.com/bgwnn" target="_blank">Challenging Atheism</a>

01-26-2002, 10:56 AM	#18
Jesus Tap-Dancin' Christ Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Heaven Posts: 6,980	C) I know because I WAS THERE. But, I want to say this: atheists don't refuse to see that they need faith--in fact, they see that they need it, but they do not see the necessity, nor the logic of it. Of course, I don't hold that you will go to hell for not believing, but I seem to be the minority in most opinions...

01-26-2002, 11:39 AM	#19
Eudaimonist Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Sundsvall, Sweden Posts: 3,159	So far, Helen wins the contest on understanding we atheists. (Okay, this topic isn't intended as a contest, but still.) I congratulate her for her sincere attempt to understand where we are coming from.

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