As an atheist...

[Disciple of Christ]

When you want to post a reply to someone you go to their post and find the "Quote" button. It's located at the bottom right of a post. To reply to multiple posts at one time you can click the "+" button on each post you wish to respond to and the click the "quote" button on the last post you wish to respond to i.e if you want to reply to 5 posts you click "+" on 4 posts and "quote" on the last post

p.s. first

thankyou

 

[waitasec]

As long as energy & matter don't cross the boundary (even moving boundaries), it's a closed system.
But being a closed system is only an assumption....& a shaky one at that.

considering the increasing amount of space (within the expanding closed system), i would think that would affect the interaction between energy and matter

 

[Revoltingest]

considering the increasing amount of space (within the expanding closed system), i would think that would affect the interaction between energy and matter

As long as it stays within the boundaries, it's a closed system.
Am I beginning to look pedantic yet?

 

[Caladan]

What do you focus on that makes you an atheist?

Naturalistic understanding of the world.
Archaeological explanations as opposed to traditional assumptions about ancient history.
Evolutionay biology.
Understanding the phenomenon of religion and tracing it's environmental drives, rather than taking spiritual dogmas at face value, also understanding the cultural rationale behind religious practices.
Appreciating ecology over anthropocentrism.
Enlightening myself about the Bible so that this piece of world heritage will not be monopolized by religious establishments and literalists.

 

[waitasec]

As long as it stays within the boundaries, it's a closed system.
Am I beginning to look pedantic yet?

if you do then maybe i am too...

 

[Orias]

Wow I made this thread twelve hours ago and it already generated so much response, so much that I can't even keep up with it

 

[Sir Doom]

Wow I made this thread twelve hours ago and it already took, so much that I can't even keep up with it

I think it got derailed on page one. I blame the Disciple of Christ for arguing against atheism (which I don't think was the purpose of the thread). And I blame you for absentee thread-ownership. Haha

 

[Caladan]

Wow I made this thread twelve hours ago and it already took, so much that I can't even keep up with it

Here is my reply to your thread from a few pages back:

What do you focus on that makes you an atheist?

Naturalistic understanding of the world.
Archaeological explanations as opposed to traditional assumptions about ancient history.
Evolutionay biology.
Understanding the phenomenon of religion and tracing it's environmental drives, rather than taking spiritual dogmas at face value, also understanding the cultural rationale behind religious practices.
Appreciating ecology over anthropocentrism.
Enlightening myself about the Bible so that this piece of world heritage will not be monopolized by religious establishments and literalists.

 

[Orias]

Thats a good way to put it, but couldn't this also lead one to find a spiritual comfort in God (it doesn't have to the Abrahamic God)?

 

[Caladan]

Thats a good way to put it, but couldn't this also lead one to find a spiritual comfort in God (it doesn't have to the Abrahamic God)?

Which post specifically are you referring to?

 

[Orias]

No, he didn't. God said that the day that they ate the fruit, they would die. The serpent told them that they would continue to live. Lo and behold, they didn't die. God lied. The serpent told the truth.

Hey, I've been saying that for a long time now

 

[Orias]

Which post specifically are you referring to?

Yours, #145

 

[Orias]

I think it got derailed on page one. I blame the Disciple of Christ for arguing against atheism (which I don't think was the purpose of the thread). And I blame you for absentee thread-ownership. Haha

I honestly didn't think it would take off like this, but I think you're right about the Disciple of Christ.

And yea, I basically just woke up haha

 

[Caladan]

Yours, #145

Can you elaborate more on why it may lead to spiritual comfort in a God? as opposed to personal comfort without a God?

 

[Orias]

Can you elaborate more on why it may lead to spiritual comfort in a God? as opposed to personal comfort without a God?

The whole thing about the naturalistic perception, it involves both sides it seems (atheist and theist), so it would make sense that naturally, both sides are probably right to a certain extent.

I understand how realizing religions drive can essentially take away from the face value of spiritual, also including the number of religions that also claim to just be "spiritual" and not religious.

Though at the same time its also understandable that different people find comfort in different things, even if it logically opposes the mechanics (on the inside) that determine the individuals belief.

My problem with atheism (it can be personal sometimes) is that many of them pick and chose the history and evolutionary story of one God, and then apply it to all Gods.

 

[Caladan]

The whole thing about the naturalistic perception, it involves both sides it seems (atheist and theist), so it would make sense that naturally, both sides are probably right to a certain extent.

My problem with atheism (it can be personal sometimes) is that many of them pick and chose the history and evolutionary story of one God, and then apply it to all Gods.

On both accounts, we don't need God in order to reach a conclusion. For example, Dawkins memorably addressed the lack of need to discuss a God when we are talking about evolution. So my question is, why does a God needs to be part of naturalistic phenomenon or evolutionary biology? what need is there for God in understanding the processes?

 

[tumbleweed41]

Mod Post

This thread has undergone quite a bit of cleanup to remove off topic Rule 8 violations,
If your post is missing, it is either because of a Rule violation, or a response to a Rule violation.
8. Proselytizing
The forums were set up for the purpose of sharing and understanding other religions and faiths, by discussion and debate. It is not to be used for converting others to your own faith. Or to place links or copy material from elsewhere, intended for this purpose. Such posts will be edited or removed and subject to moderation.
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[9Westy9]

What do you focus on that makes you an atheist?

I guess the lack of reason to believe in a deity

 

[Orias]

On both accounts, we don't need God in order to reach a conclusion.

We do, as both sides arguments have been essentially molded around the, "God" process.

For example, Dawkins memorably addressed the lack of need to discuss a God when we are talking about evolution.

It only lacks it when the topic doesn't concern it.

But as soon as God becomes evolution, it is completely necessary. Creation and evolution don't exist in contrast, unless its perceived to be so, but logically speaking they don't actually contradict each other.

So my question is, why does a God needs to be part of naturalistic phenomenon or evolutionary biology?

It doesn't need to, but it essentially is.

what need is there for God in understanding the processes?

Some need it, some don't. But on both sides, they have their understanding because of the concept, regardless of if they view it as being nonexistent or not.

 

[Orias]

I'm not sure I understand the question.
Are you asking why I consider myself an atheist, as in how I reached that conclusion?
If so, then the answer is simple; there is no evidence to support the existence of a god or gods.
That's what it really boils down to.

Is it apathy or is truly a matter of evidence?

It's not "focusing" that makes a person an atheist; it's just lack of belief in God.

Or are you talking about how some people use the label "atheist" to identify themselves?

I guess I am talking more about how they use the term to identify themselves, but even then its not as simple as a lack of belief in God, because the focus requires the understanding and discipline to uphold one's lack of belief.

I mean I understand the simplicity behind it, but I also understand that things that are simply described have often been built upon for many complex years and thoughts.