An interesting view of Atheism

[BilliardsBall]

This is a common misconception. And standard apologetics when they run out of arguments.

Unfortunately, not exercising your rights makes you lose them. Theists don't live quietly but tend to proselytize and shout about their respective gods. If I, as a non-believer, will not claim my rights, religion will be the main topic in schools. If I don't curb the boundless claims by theists, I will be silenced, just as non-believers were silenced before and still are in some countries. Theists would take over and suppress everyone else. And then go about killing each other.

In the 21st century I no longer defend myself with a gun against perpetrators, but my brain, using words, as long as is possible. So I welcome a forum, where religious people and non-religious people can discuss their reasons why and what and how. Better than shooting each other.

If theists would simply keep quiet and keep their beliefs to themselves and stop trying to impose their beliefs on those who don't want them, everyone would be quiet and most problems we have today eg with Islamist terrorism, would fall away.

If you would have compelling arguments why you believe what you believe I would want to know about that. That's why a forum such as this is important. More important than a weapons factory.

I can see where you would have theists keep quiet. You should know, since you asked about my beliefs, that I believe in the Great Commission to preach in and out of season, on many occasions and to all kinds of people. My Lord has asked me to be a witness, so I'm witnessing here and there, while trying to also respect the proselytizing rules here at these forums.

Unfortunately, however, your desire for me to be quiet and keep church hidden in a building on Sunday conflicts with my desire to do what my Lord asks. Will you support my right to free speech or use your free speech to fight against my free speech?

 

[BilliardsBall]

I COULD debate that ... but my point was that an atheist can be kind & compassionate just like a religios person can be kind & compassionate.

You don't need 2 have ANY belief to discover from your own experience that cultivating kindness & compassion leads 2 peace-of-mind. Do the opposite and you won't experience peace of mind.

All the best!

There are some kind and compassionate atheists. However, they are nowhere to be found on any atheist or religious forums worldwide!

 

[BilliardsBall]

I'm not here to deride anyone about their beliefs, but to learn, and hopefully occasionally teach. That's kinda the point of the website, in case you're under any mistaken illusions.
I live in a secular country, yet theism has more impact than atheism. I've never had my door knocked on by atheists, or contributed taxes to atheist groups, or fought against laws directly supported by atheist groups. Me posting on a website doesn't change that, unfortunately, but if just one person will stop pummelling that strawman you're currently engaged with, then my 'sacrifices' will have been worth it.

And if I think you're in a building that's afire, you want me to cease knocking on your door? That would be mighty unneighborly of me, don'cha think?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

And if I think you're in a building that's afire, you expect me to cease knocking on your door? That would be mighty unneighborly of me, don'cha think?

If you wake me up in the middle of the night with cries of "fire!" and get me to shiver on my lawn in my pajamas, expect me to be angry unless you can point to the smoke and flame that motivated your behaviour.

If you can't point to any smoke and flame or some other reasonable evidence to justify your claim to me, then yes, I would expect you to stop.

 

[rosends]

There are some kind and compassionate atheists. However, they are nowhere to be found on any atheist or religious forums worldwide!

Is it possible that one only finds what one is looking for? I have had many interactions over the years, on forums and IRL with atheists who are curious, kind and compassionate.

 

[ArtieE]

Interesting, so you are saying a new term has been coined for "angry, bitter atheist." I had no idea. I'll remember for the future that angry, bitter atheists who go on and on endlessly about a "fictional character" are not to be derided as degenerate, anti-God persons any longer, but "anti-theists". Perhaps I can also call such people, "loving-challenged" or "kindness-challenged"?

No you can't because being "loving-challenged" or "kindness-challenged" are not required for being an anti-theist. Feel free to call the THEISTS responsible for the atrocities in Paris and other places "loving-challenged" or "kindness-challenged" though.

 

[ArtieE]

I can see where you would have theists keep quiet. You should know, since you asked about my beliefs, that I believe in the Great Commission to preach in and out of season, on many occasions and to all kinds of people. My Lord has asked me to be a witness

How? God doesn't speak to people nowadays you know according to Christians... https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/595-does-god-speak-directly-to-man-today

 

[ArtieE]

And if I think you're in a building that's afire, you want me to cease knocking on your door? That would be mighty unneighborly of me, don'cha think?

If the only evidence you have for the existence of this fire is in a book written 2-3000 years ago I'll call the police...

 

[StopS]

since you asked about my beliefs

I did? I don't recall doing that.

My Lord has asked me

Interesting. Using what method? How did you verify what sender it was? Do you take other, non religious actions based on this type of request?

your desire for me to be quiet and keep church hidden in a building on Sunday conflicts with my desire to do what my Lord asks

If I remember correctly, the Bible says something along these lines too. I don't have a lord and don't need a lord and have no clue what being a "witness" is, so I can't comment on this. Yet I am sure you could, theoretically, do do whatever you are compelled to do quietly and without bothering others.

Will you support my right to free speech

I don't quite understand the question. Of course yes. If you need a god in your life, why should I care?
My reply was addressing the claim of derision. I will mock and deride claims of a hilarious nature and ridiculous, unsubstantiated ideas.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

And if I think you're in a building that's afire, you want me to cease knocking on your door? That would be mighty unneighborly of me, don'cha think?

I'd expect you'd probably point to flames/smoke, rather than hand me a pamphlet, so not sure the analogy quite works.

 

[viole]

There are some kind and compassionate atheists. However, they are nowhere to be found on any atheist or religious forums worldwide!

I think I am very compassionate, considering the claims that I hear. You never experienced the really uncompassionate atheist version of me

Ciao

- viole

 

[BilliardsBall]

Is it possible that one only finds what one is looking for? I have had many interactions over the years, on forums and IRL with atheists who are curious, kind and compassionate.

ONE is looking for those who obey. HE says that an atheist may put no other thing above Him, including self. Share these divine commands with your atheist friends? I have to do so, and indeed it is a privilege to do so.

 

[BilliardsBall]

I'd expect you'd probably point to flames/smoke, rather than hand me a pamphlet, so not sure the analogy quite works.

So if you smoke, I can only talk in generalities unless I show you your cancer cells? If you commit adultery, I can only get your attention once your marriage and children are destroyed? If you drink and drive, it's just talk until you drive over grandma?

All godly prophets warned people of future events.

 

[rosends]

ONE is looking for those who obey. HE says that an atheist may put no other thing above Him, including self. Share these divine commands with your atheist friends? I have to do so, and indeed it is a privilege to do so.

If that is the case, then ONE wants me to live by the statement "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. " HE says that I should treat others with respect and not accuse them of things like lacking compassion as I would not want someone to accuse me of the same.

 

[ArtieE]

ONE is looking for those who obey. HE says that an atheist may put no other thing above Him, including self. Share these divine commands with your atheist friends? I have to do so, and indeed it is a privilege to do so.

HE also allegedly says "You shall have no other gods before me" so why don't you go and pester other theists who believe in other gods such as Hindus?

 

[ArtieE]

If you commit adultery, I can only get your attention once your marriage and children are destroyed?

Then you should focus on THEISTS first not ATHEISTS. "Survey: Alarming rate of Christian men look at porn, commit adultery". http://www.onenewsnow.com/culture/2...of-christian-men-look-at-porn-commit-adultery

Luke 6:42
"How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

 

[lewisnotmiller]

So if you smoke, I can only talk in generalities unless I show you your cancer cells?

Nope. You'd have access to actual scientific studies. While this might not be 100% watertight in terms of 'proof', it would be enough to give me pause. This is much the same approach as one could take with something like 'evolution' I guess.

If you commit adultery, I can only get your attention once your marriage and children are destroyed?

You mean if I break my vows? Well, there is 2 scenarios there...if you know me at all, then I'd fully deserve to be taken to task for breaking my vows. This would apply to all vows. If you didn't know me, I'd tell you to bugger off, it's none of your business.

If you drink and drive, it's just talk until you drive over grandma?

Phht. You do yourself no favours with such ridiculous analogies. There are very clear and simple statistics linking drink driving with poor outcomes, for the driver, for passengers, and for pedestrians. Similarly with seatbelts. These laws were enacted based on studies, not on personal opinion.

All godly prophets warned people of future events.

Gets hard to listen to all of them though, doesn't it? Most people seem to pick their favourite flavour, and then ignore the ramifications this approach has on their arguments. For example, should I listen to Caligula's predictions? He was probably stark raving mad, but he was a (self-proclaimed) deity. But I guess 'godly' is your defining point there, right? Caligula wasn't godly, but the particular prophets you are talking of are, and are prophets of the one true God, etc. Like Joseph Smith. Or not.

Nope, I think I'll evaluate information I receive myself, if that's okay. You feel free to do the same. Just as you have concluded that certain prophets aren't godly, I'll feel free to do the same. But if you literally see my house on fire, see me with a cigarette in my mouth, catch me cheating on my wife, or have the unfortunate experience of watching me drive over grandma whilst sucking down a can of beer, feel free to point out my shortcomings. Not like ANY of those would be reliant on me simply accepting your interpretation of the world around you, after all.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

There are some kind and compassionate atheists. However, they are nowhere to be found on any atheist or religious forums worldwide!

By the way, this is complete bunkum. Atheists run the full gamut from kind and compassionate to people I'd cross over the road to avoid. Perhaps you don't like them talking about religion, which I get, to a certain point, but there are plenty of kind and compassionate atheists I have 'met' online over the years.

I have also met a lot of considered, worldly and rational theists.

 

[McBell]

Then you should focus on THEISTS first not ATHEISTS. "Survey: Alarming rate of Christian men look at porn, commit adultery". http://www.onenewsnow.com/culture/2...of-christian-men-look-at-porn-commit-adultery

Luke 6:42
"How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

Oh please.
Every True Christian knows that those men are not True Christians!

 

[ArtieE]

Oh please.
Every True Christian knows that those men are not True Christians!

Irrelevant. They are theists which is the point.