Clarice

First, I don't really proselytize atheism - to that extent, I don't think you "should" be an atheist. Believe what you want, as long as you don't shove it down my throat or hurt anyone.

(However, in the same way that I think people "should" acknowledge that men walked on the moon, I think people should be atheists, because, fantastic theories aside, it seems to be the truth.)

I became an atheist at the moment I realized the following propositions had equal supporting evidence:

1. There is a god.
2. My classmate's brother's girlfriend's cousin knew a guy who had his kidneys stolen, and woke up in a tub of ice to find a note telling him to call 911 if he wanted to live.

TooBad

Plus (2) has the added advantage of being an intelligible claim.

[ August 07, 2002: Message edited by: TooBad ]</p>

Laera

If the first statement refers to the xian god, the person telling you the second statement would have to provide you with a clean sheet of paper with "call 911" typed on it and they'd have to claim that it's an "accurate and trustworthy translation" of the original note which was really written in french because the kidney theif was french, but the original was lost - but that's okay because it happened so long ago you should be convinced of its truth by the sheer odds against the story making its way to your ears so *accurately* after such an amount of time! (the actual date of the incident is unclear - it depends on who you ask)

Walross

Uh-Huh...

<a href="http://www.snopes.com/horrors/robbery/kidney.htm" target="_blank">Kidney Story</a>

kookiejar

Basically, I think atheism is better because we (freethinkers) can live our lives the way we see fit. We have the freedom to decide what is moral and what is not.

I don't like the idea that someone or something is up there frowning down on me everytime I enjoy a dirty joke or laugh my ass off at the hilarity in the photoshop competition thread. It's my life and I'll live it the way I choose, thank you very much.

If, in the end, there is a punishment for my attitude, I will deal with it then...but I'm not holding my breath.

Place your wager and spin the wheel, Solomon.

raindropple

Could you please share some of this evidence.

Thanks

raindropple

Would this diety not then be GOD?

What is the difference?

Arrowman

Well, the deity could be some sort of supernatural force which might (or might not) have been fully (or partly) responsible for the creation of all (or part) of the universe, and which has since been watching us (and the various other populated planets of the universe) with an interest in our development but with no compassion about our state, and no intervention in our affairs.

Not the Judeo-Christian God.

If you somehow knew - I mean, really knew - not just believed - that there was a deity out there, but without knowing the exact nature of that deity, it does not necessarily follow that that deity "must be God".

The trouble with many Christians is, they are so consumed by their personal belief that they cannot conceive of any other alternatives. Any mention of "deity" translates in their minds to "God".

You're not one of those, are you?

raindropple

I was just trying to indicate that the definition of GOD has been changed by the person who posted that comment.

Also now you have explained it better and backed my assumption.

I just dont get it why these people who believe these things still call themselves atheist.

Why not just say I dont believe in the Judeo-Christian God, as you mentioned for example.

Walross

Posted by raindropple:

Believe what things? Atheism is the lack of belief in a deity. People can be atheistic regarding specific deities (as I suspect most christians are regarding, say Odin) or can generally lack belief in any deity. The latter is usually what is referred to when one calls oneself an atheist. In any case, lacking belief in a deity (of any type) doesn't preclude you from admitting that such a deity could exist. Not unless one is a strong atheist, that is.

I believe that Arrowman was merely illustrating that "God" can have many meanings - I don't think he was really giving us a summary of what he believes. Regards,

Walross

[ August 09, 2002: Message edited by: Walross ]</p>