Serendipity

[PoopaSwoof]

I am Christian but I dont think that it is my duty to condemn those that dont believe the same way that I do.

Follow the path that calls to you.

 

[Minor Axis]

Bottom line:
There are two parts of the mind. Conscious and sub-conscious. Religion helps tame the unconscious through the use of imagination.

Bottom line there is really nothing that points to one powerful divine entity other than our imagination. Religion may sever a purpose in giving someone comfort, or a decent set of rules to live by so you could say it severs a good purpose. Unfortunately religions historically and today give humans a good excuse to kill each other.

In either case the matter regarding the proof of God might be settled if he/she/it just made a public appearance. However this may be over simplified as it might not be so easy. If we (humans) bumped into a vastly superior life form, one millions of years ahead of us, who might not have the same kind of physical forms as we are used to interacting with, would we be equipped to tell the difference between mortal and divine? I bet we would not...

 

[DoctorDisco]

That`s funny because Christians even put signs on busses ( here in Holland they do) which say "God is liefde" or in English God is love or translated more freely God loves you. So I don`t think that atheists are in that way worse then Christians.

(I am agnostic BTW so I don`t care about propaganda from either side.)

Darwin is not considered an eternal and all loving being according to atheists... so it is entirely different when they say that. They are mocking Christians and Christians are not mocking atheists in this specific instance.

 

[All Else Failed]

A billboard saying "there is no god" is harmless.

 

[Minor Axis]

A billboard saying "there is no god" is harmless.

But it is just as misguided as the "Repent and Be Saved!" billboard.

 

[DoctorDisco]

You do not need faith to not fear death. Why would an atheist fear death if he/she believes you just stop existing? That is pretty painless.


We in the information age know infinitely more than they ever had known.

As an atheist, I spent a great deal of time contemplating what death would be like. I valued this life like it was my only one, rendering me a coward. I repeated the same routines, enabled the same cycles, and remained stagnant in fixing relationships/problems/school. By saying this I am not asking you to say yes or no for yourself I am simply asking you to think about how that may and may not relate to yourself. If you answer immediately after I ask, you aren't giving it enough thought. Give it at least a day.


We do live in the information age, which is a great point, and a great segway as to why I believe what I believe. In the information age we have more information than ever but his also comes with more distractions than ever.

This leads to people not learning the information that is already there or misinterpreting it due to lack of experience.

"Knowledge is nothing without experience." Graduating from college transitioning into the business world this quote becomes clearer than ever.

How I can prove my point that we lack experience: People don't even know their next door neighbors. They walk down the hall in their apartment buildings not even making eye contact with whom they pass. In the old days everyone knew everyone in entire villages, it was considered strange if you didn't know everyone. We are now restricted to a couple select close friends and family.

Look up maslow's hierarchy of needs. You will find that you know very few if any people that have achieved consistent self-actualization.

What would we be forced to do without tv, computers, magazines, cars, jet-skis, porn, offtopicz, video games, etc? The list goes on.

 

[DoctorDisco]

Bottom line there is really nothing that points to one powerful divine entity other than our imagination. Religion may sever a purpose in giving someone comfort, or a decent set of rules to live by so you could say it severs a good purpose. Unfortunately religions historically and today give humans a good excuse to kill each other.

In either case the matter regarding the proof of God might be settled if he/she/it just made a public appearance. However this may be over simplified as it might not be so easy. If we (humans) bumped into a vastly superior life form, one millions of years ahead of us, who might not have the same kind of physical forms as we are used to interacting with, would we be equipped to tell the difference between mortal and divine? I bet we would not...

I don't really feel like you and I are communicating here. I mean we are talking AT each other.. but not WITH each other.

And your opening statement makes me feel like I have hit a nerve. So lets just agree to disagree.

I don't feel like you and I share the same positive experiences with a church, because it has brought me much joy, and perhaps you much frustration.

 

[Minor Axis]

I don't really feel like you and I are communicating here. I mean we are talking AT each other.. but not WITH each other.

And your opening statement makes me feel like I have hit a nerve. So lets just agree to disagree.

I don't feel like you and I share the same positive experiences with a church, because it has brought me much joy, and perhaps you much frustration.

No nerve has been hit. I'm just throwing out an alternate view.

 

[All Else Failed]

As an atheist, I spent a great deal of time contemplating what death would be like. I valued this life like it was my only one, rendering me a coward. I repeated the same routines, enabled the same cycles, and remained stagnant in fixing relationships/problems/school. By saying this I am not asking you to say yes or no for yourself I am simply asking you to think about how that may and may not relate to yourself. If you answer immediately after I ask, you aren't giving it enough thought. Give it at least a day.


We do live in the information age, which is a great point, and a great segway as to why I believe what I believe. In the information age we have more information than ever but his also comes with more distractions than ever.

This leads to people not learning the information that is already there or misinterpreting it due to lack of experience.

"Knowledge is nothing without experience." Graduating from college transitioning into the business world this quote becomes clearer than ever.

How I can prove my point that we lack experience: People don't even know their next door neighbors. They walk down the hall in their apartment buildings not even making eye contact with whom they pass. In the old days everyone knew everyone in entire villages, it was considered strange if you didn't know everyone. We are now restricted to a couple select close friends and family.

Look up maslow's hierarchy of needs. You will find that you know very few if any people that have achieved consistent self-actualization.

What would we be forced to do without tv, computers, magazines, cars, jet-skis, porn, offtopicz, video games, etc? The list goes on.

How is knowing that this life is the only one render you a coward? if anything it would make you the opposite of a coward.

Um, why shouldn't you fix problems with relationships/problems/school? Those are important.


I agree that we have more distractions than ever, however I do think that we know much more now than anyone from back then could ever dream to know.


I know what maslow's hierarchy of needs is, I'm an education major. I agree that not many people have met those things, but that has very little to do, if at all, with atheism.

 

[Minor Axis]

As an atheist, I spent a great deal of time contemplating what death would be like. I valued this life like it was my only one, rendering me a coward. I repeated the same routines, enabled the same cycles, and remained stagnant in fixing relationships/problems/school. By saying this I am not asking you to say yes or no for yourself I am simply asking you to think about how that may and may not relate to yourself. If you answer immediately after I ask, you aren't giving it enough thought. Give it at least a day.

Are you saying that when you were an Athiest you were too scared to take a chance as it might end this one and only Athiest life and then dirt forever? And now you *know* through Christianity there is a safe haven in Heaven and you can tear through life without fear because in the end you will be taken care of?

I'm kidding you a bit. Seriously Christianity does not have a monopoly on the afterlife. And IMO you don't have to be a Christian to get a shot at the afterlife if there is one. To make this conversion, something drew you to all the promises of Christianity, you know what they are: 1) someone looking over you and protecting you 2) a holiday for eternity in Heaven. What is not to be attracted to? Oh, yeah, don't follow the rules and you can "burn in Hell". It is so attractive, I think the really hard part is to evaluate the strength of these promises based on ancient scripture with absolutely no supporting evidence and come up with a contrary opinion. No evidence- it should be easy, but that is how strong these promises are to humans who at times are very afraid facing the end of their mortal lives. If it makes you feel good, I have no problem with it. But I will always counter anyone selling any religion as "truth" when there is nothing to support it as such.

 

[All Else Failed]

Read Thus spoke Zarathustra. its filled with ways to live life bravely and love everything in it all the while being an atheist.

 

[DoctorDisco]

How is knowing that this life is the only one render you a coward? if anything it would make you the opposite of a coward.

Um, why shouldn't you fix problems with relationships/problems/school? Those are important.


I agree that we have more distractions than ever, however I do think that we know much more now than anyone from back then could ever dream to know.


I know what maslow's hierarchy of needs is, I'm an education major. I agree that not many people have met those things, but that has very little to do, if at all, with atheism.

The following is not directed at you as an individual, don't take it personal. It is directed at your argument, I am open to being wrong.

I feel like you gave it enough introspective thought. We all procrastinate problems, you are no exception. It was a trick question to see how open minded and vulnerable you are willing to get. Now seeing your answer, this will be my last response to you, I am not trying to compete in a contest but an open exchange of ideas.

With all respect, I think you are wrong to an extent. Atheism is one belief of many beliefs, trying to convince others of your belief is feeding your ego, which is the thinking error of one with low self-esteem seeking validation through control, which is instant and irrefutable proof of non-self-actualization. Openly advertising atheism and arguing its validity is symptom of an anti-social. You can call me a hypocrite, although I feel I have different motives. I am here to further sharpen my critical thinking skills in my recreational time for my future career.

"Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional."

 

[All Else Failed]

The following is not directed at you as an individual, don't take it personal. It is directed at your argument, I am open to being wrong.

I feel like you gave it enough introspective thought. We all procrastinate problems, you are no exception. It was a trick question to see how open minded and vulnerable you are willing to get. Now seeing your answer, this will be my last response to you, I am not trying to compete in a contest but an open exchange of ideas.

With all respect, I think you are wrong to an extent. Atheism is one belief of many beliefs, trying to convince others of your belief is feeding your ego, which is the thinking error of one with low self-esteem seeking validation through control, which is instant and irrefutable proof of non-self-actualization. Openly advertising atheism and arguing its validity is symptom of an anti-social. You can call me a hypocrite, although I feel I have different motives. I am here to further sharpen my critical thinking skills in my recreational time for my future career.

"Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional."

I'm not trying to convince anyone of my beliefs, actually. I'm merely explaining them. By your logic you're an "anti-social" for even mentioning what you believe in. Drop the pseud-intellectual facade, it doesn't fit you well. You're coming off as high and mighty and what you say seems to drip with some sort of self imposed superiority complex or something.

Its not a mark of a person with low self esteem to argue for something. People with low self esteem do not have enough personal regard to even argue for what they believe in because they are so insecure. it takes secure people to argue for what they believe in. I'm not seeking validation. I'm not really seeking anything. I'm just responding to your initial posts that I find wrong.

 

[Minor Axis]

Read Thus spoke Zarathustra. its filled with ways to live life bravely and love everything in it all the while being an atheist.

And there is nothing proving that Athiesm is the truth either.

 

[All Else Failed]

And there is nothing proving that Athiesm is the truth either.

I know this. However, to me, all of the evidence points to there being no god.

 

[DoctorDisco]

Are you saying that when you were an Athiest you were too scared to take a chance as it might end this one and only Athiest life and then dirt forever? And now you *know* through Christianity there is a safe haven in Heaven and you can tear through life without fear because in the end you will be taken care of?

I'm kidding you a bit. Seriously Christianity does not have a monopoly on the afterlife. And IMO you don't have to be a Christian to get a shot at the afterlife if there is one. To make this conversion, something drew you to all the promises of Christianity, you know what they are: 1) someone looking over you and protecting you 2) a holiday for eternity in Heaven. What is not to be attracted to? Oh, yeah, don't follow the rules and you can "burn in Hell". It is so attractive, I think the really hard part is to evaluate the strength of these promises based on ancient scripture with absolutely no supporting evidence and come up with a contrary opinion. No evidence- it should be easy, but that is how strong these promises are to humans who at times are very afraid facing the end of their mortal lives. If it makes you feel good, I have no problem with it. But I will always counter anyone selling any religion as "truth" when there is nothing to support it as such.

Everyone has their own religious experience, Christians don't all think the same way. So let me explain what mine is for you.This is why I believe what I believe: In this world there is many beliefs. To some its considered black or white, you believe in science or religion. I through education have come to realize that science isn't as advanced as most people give it credit, and that we don't have the technology to yet possibly know if a being created all this. So what it comes down to is simply what do you want to believe in.

I chose Christianity because those churches are fun. I get a feeling of belonging and amusement when I relate on Christianity with others, comparable to those relating on a sport like football.

I will defend your right to have your belief and our right to have ours. When others say that we are mis-informed, I believe that is not only closed minded, but anti-social and just causing unnecessary drama. Because we all know deep down that no one is going to say "oh wow, you really know what you are talking about, I am dropping my belief because you are so insightful". And deep down that is what the attackers want to hear, they want to be appreciated for their intelligence in that certain field.

So I choose my belief through an educated guess. Not will-fully ignorant, not closed-mindedly, and not just because I was born into it. But because it brings me happiness and a wealthful life-style that works for me.

 

[All Else Failed]

Everyone has their own religious experience, Christians don't all think the same way. So let me explain what mine is for you.This is why I believe what I believe: In this world there is many beliefs. To some its considered black or white, you believe in science or religion. I through education have come to realize that science isn't as advanced as most people give it credit, and that we don't have the technology to yet possibly know if a being created all this. So what it comes down to is simply what do you want to believe in.

I chose Christianity because those churches are fun. I get a feeling of belonging and amusement when I relate on Christianity with others, comparable to those relating on a sport like football.

I will defend your right to have your belief and our right to have ours. When others say that we are mis-informed, I believe that is not only closed minded, but anti-social and just causing unnecessary drama. Because we all know deep down that no one is going to say "oh wow, you really know what you are talking about, I am dropping my belief because you are so insightful". And deep down that is what the attackers want to hear, they want to be appreciated for their intelligence in that certain field.

So I choose my belief through an educated guess. Not will-fully ignorant, not closed-mindedly, and not just because I was born into it. But because it brings me happiness and a wealthful life-style that works for me.

So your beliefs are no more important to you than allegiances to sports teams? Believing in a deity is a big deal. To just say you believe just because "it makes you feel good" is a weak reason. You don't have any other reasons why you believe in god?

 

[DoctorDisco]

I'm not trying to convince anyone of my beliefs, actually. I'm merely explaining them. By your logic you're an "anti-social" for even mentioning what you believe in. Drop the pseud-intellectual facade, it doesn't fit you well. You're coming off as high and mighty and what you say seems to drip with some sort of self imposed superiority complex or something.

Its not a mark of a person with low self esteem to argue for something. People with low self esteem do not have enough personal regard to even argue for what they believe in because they are so insecure. it takes secure people to argue for what they believe in. I'm not seeking validation. I'm not really seeking anything. I'm just responding to your initial posts that I find wrong.

I am embarrassed for looking so arrogant. I assure you it wasn't my original intention to attempt to talk down to you. My emotions ran away with myself, I will keep myself in check from now on. I apologize if I offended you.

 

[All Else Failed]

I am embarrassed for looking so arrogant. I assure you it wasn't my original intention to attempt to talk down to you. My emotions ran away with myself, I will keep myself in check from now on. I apologize if I offended you.

You didn't offend me. I don't get offended.

 

[DoctorDisco]

You didn't offend me. I don't get offended.

Ok. I hope all is well for you then. I am out for the day.