The Atheism Topic

[Lyoko Wario offline]

I have just been reminded of the Christian thread, so Imma start an atheist thread.

Atheists are the most hated and distrusted minority in America, (51% of all Americans would not vote for an atheist in a political election, circa 1999) for no reason other than petty misunderstandings, erroneous stereotypes, and religious indoctrination that frequently instills fears in people that are not easy to let go of. Thus, people are very distrustful of irreligion, even though it's been statistically proven that very few convicted felons are atheists. (there's a number, but I don't have it with me; I'll find it soon, I hope) Typically, they / we are a very non-violent people.

Atheism is the belief that (God / gods) (does / do) not exist. This belief can be inherent or arrived at through scientific learning. The reason for this belief is that, given the qualities and acts of God mentioned in our culture, many of them are self-contradictory or proven to be impossible. It is very important to note that atheists only disbelieve in God as he has been described: It would not be difficult for an atheist to accept the existence of a higher intelligence if the qualities they / we disbelieve in were removed from the equation.

I myself do not consider myself a typical atheist. In fact, I'm sure neither the religious band nor the atheistic band would want me. In my mind / point of view, there is some kind of higher power, but I do trust science with all my Truths. In my mind, if it turns out that God didn't create life on Earth, does not judge the souls of the dearly departed, et cetera, he does not get any less godly. I don't believe that there's much truth in the Bible at all, but I attribute this to the book's long history of being messed with by people and to human error in general. I do not think there's much truth to the qualities assigned to God in the Bible, assuming he exists.

So, time for some chat about atheists / atheism.

Imperative Note: This is not a thread for throwing tomatoes at the opposite camp. This is not a thread for insults, threats, and name-calling. There will inevitably be debate, but let's all do our part to keep it polite and mature. Remember that we are united by Code Lyoko, not divided by political and religious difference. Should you feel the need to start dissing out the opposition, go to the clown topic and scream at the clowns instead. They are the minority we can all be united in hating. Thank you.

Edit: Atheists do not worship the devil (that's Satanism) or hate God. (that's maltheism)

[knifey offline]

...

Atheists are the most hated and distrusted minority in America...

...

I think many would agree a citation is needed here.

And I'm a Atheist myself, but it disgruntles me that I have to be grouped; I prefer to just say "I don't believe in a high power."

Also, watch the episode "Go God Go" of South Park, and the one following it.

[Lyoko Wario offline]

I think many would agree a citation is needed here.

Here ya go, laddie.

Granted, that's more about discrimination than hate per se, but they go hand in hand.

Also, watch the episode "Go God Go" of South Park, and the one following it.

Is that the one with the otters? Seen it. Love it. Has a point, I suppose.

[TheAppleFreak]

I am not technically atheist, as I am Christian. However, sometimes I don't really think about God in my everyday life. For example, while <goofing off</s> doing my homework, I don't think of him while I am plunking away on my keyboard.

Yes, I do almost all of my homework on mah Mac. 'Cept for math. Math is my fatal flaw in my digitilization program.

[JesusFreak offline]

Apple, the average person doesn't about God exclusively 100% of the time. Heaven knows not anyone with a working social life.


As for something not directed at a singular person, I have a speech I've been wanting to make, and now can. Yippee.

Ahem...


I've had to do a bit of soul-searching over the years, and this is what I came up with.

It's not my job to evangelize the internet. What I mean, is that I've been trying on my own strength to save y'all singlehandedly. That's not mah job. That's God's. How he does it isn't my concern.

What I'M supposed to do is present the option and live my life as an example of how awesome it is to have Jesus. This does NOT mean that I shouldn't swat back when challenged. It means I don't want to be Oral Roberts.


Thank you and goodnight.

[SilverPrince offline]

I do believe that there is a higher power in the Universe. I consider myself a Christian by default because I was raised that way and follow some Christian beliefs. However, I do not regularly attend church services, pray, or think about God in my daily life. I think that He is there, but I don't need to constantly look to Him for guidance.

I see nothing "wrong" with Atheists. they simply have different beliefs, and that's just fine. If you don't believe in a higher power, and that works for you, then that's great. But I don't like it when Atheists advocate for the erasure of all religion or discriminate on theists because of their beliefs. Discriminating against someone because they have a religion is just as bad as doing so against people that don't.

Separation of Church and State is a very good thing. Religion has no place in politics, I agree with this. But Freedom of Religion in the 1st Amendment guarantees a person's right to freely practice their religion- or not to- and in my opinion it is wrong to discriminate against anyone's opinion about religion, whether for it or against it.

[Lyoko Wario offline]

It's not my job to evangelize the internet. What I mean, is that I've been trying on my own strength to save y'all singlehandedly. That's not mah job. That's God's. How he does it isn't my concern.

What I'M supposed to do is present the option and live my life as an example of how awesome it is to have Jesus. This does NOT mean that I shouldn't swat back when challenged. It means I don't want to be Oral Roberts.

See, that's why Jeff is a good Christian. He doesn't go out of his way to tell me how much I'm going to hell for being a semi-atheist. (remember, I describe myself as one only very loosely) That's more than I can say for a great number of people I've met, who seem to believe that harassing, threatening, and insulting is the thing to do when encountering an atheist in the same sense that "stop, drop, and roll" is the thing to do when encountering fire on your clothes. It's the violent folks that give religion a bad name. It's folks like JF that renew my hope that harmony is possible.

[DeadViolet offline]

I am a christian, but do not attend church. I beleive in Christ as my savior, but I disagree with some things in the bible. I also don't have a "denomination". Some Sects would call me atheist because of the last part, which I am not.

[JesusFreak offline]

I am a Christian, but do not attend church. I beleive in Christ as my savior, but I disagree with some things in the bible. I also don't have a "denomination". Some Sects would call me atheist because of the last part, which I am not.

Sounds...vaugely Amish...

[DeadViolet offline]

I am a Christian, but do not attend church. I beleive in Christ as my savior, but I disagree with some things in the bible. I also don't have a "denomination". Some Sects would call me atheist because of the last part, which I am not.

Sounds...vaugely Amish...

If I was Amish, why the heck would I has a computer?

[. offline]

I'm an agnostic. Cause quite honestly I was raised with out religion in my life, I mean beyond the fact I'd ask the question of like a typical human and my mother always just say there was a God and he loved me. She had a grand dislike for organize religion in general, so yeah.

Actually it's kinda f'ed up, cause I think all extentisially about things and I always end up leaning toward the side with a God for various reason, but sometimes I wonder if thats just because I'm afraid to cease to be which I am. Any form of existance seems like a heaven to me.

My best friend is an Atheist, though my Christian friend believes that he only doesn't believe in God because he's views of who goes to heaven and who goes to hell is so strong that like... Not only does my Atheist friend insist that if it did exist he would go to hell but his deceased father would too. Now this is where I cry bullshit, because this mofo' is like my freaking hero in life and I owe a lot to him.

riight

Apple, the average person doesn't about God exclusively 100% of the time. Heaven knows not anyone with a working social life.


As for something not directed at a singular person, I have a speech I've been wanting to make, and now can. Yippee.

Ahem...


I've had to do a bit of soul-searching over the years, and this is what I came up with.

It's not my job to evangelize the internet. What I mean, is that I've been trying on my own strength to save y'all singlehandedly. That's not mah job. That's God's. How he does it isn't my concern.

What I'M supposed to do is present the option and live my life as an example of how awesome it is to have Jesus. This does NOT mean that I shouldn't swat back when challenged. It means I don't want to be Oral Roberts.


Thank you and goodnight.

Thank God, cause like 2 years ago you where an annoying bugger you got a better balance now.

[Malkmusian offline]

I'm a Christian and most Christians are very immoral.

[JesusFreak offline]

I'm a Christian and most Christians are very immoral.

Sad but true.

We all have our vices, and (if you're doing it right) God deals with you about them, so It's not as dumb as it sounds,