i feel really bad for you then, because it's something you're definitely going to have to get used to. we're humans with prototypical brains. brains that actually have a greater tendency toward nonsense than rational thought. we just have to debunk where we can and let all the other suckers lose their money on faith healers and ear candles.
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Being An Atheist Isnt Enough
- Thread starter jarofthoughts
- Start date
i feel really bad for you then, because it's something you're definitely going to have to get used to. we're humans with prototypical brains. brains that actually have a greater tendency toward nonsense than rational thought. we just have to debunk where we can and let all the other suckers lose their money on faith healers and ear candles.
jarofthoughts
Empirical Curmudgeon
I know, I know...
People are generally ignorant and incapable of doing even the most rudimentary research into what they are about to spend time, money and effort on. And if they bloody kept their nonsense to themselves maybe I wouldn't be so annoyed by it. But as it is now this exploitation of the credulous has become mainstream and psychics and ghost-hunters are for some reason prime-time TV, being interviewed and listened to without the shadow of a critical question in sight.
Imagine how far we might have got if science had the same coverage?
evolved yet?
A Young Evolutionist
I'm changing the name of my religion.Alright, Im going to posit a claim that may or may not offend some people, but there you are.
Some atheists Ive met have acted proud and somewhat superior with regards to those backwards theists who still believe in Bronze-Age myths. And I guess that is fine and all. But when those same atheists go on to believe in crystal healing, wacky nutritionists and support things like vaccine opposition and homeopathy Im still left feeling that they have somehow missed the point.
Now, Im not accusing anyone in particular, but I assure you, I have met these people and they are out there. Therefore my position is not so much one of atheism but rather one of empiricism. In short, if we have no evidence that it exists or that it is real Im not willing to allow it into my world-view. The fact that this also makes me an atheist is more or less just an effect of my adherence to empiricism.
Am I the only one feeling this way or are there more of us out there?
evolved yet?
A Young Evolutionist
I tried theist forums too and I pwned.
jarofthoughts
Empirical Curmudgeon
^_^
Yeah, although at times it felt as if I was shooting fish in a barrel.
Trouble is that some of these people are utterly unable to face the logical consequences of their ideology.
For instance, at the last Christian forum I logically showed that their view of reality would consequentially mean that our best cause of action would either to never mention Jesus to anyone ever again or to murder babies...
That was when they pulled out the ban-hammer...
we need to be the ones to create a market for it. if people can make money producing scientifically educated television, they will. so far the only ones watching TV seem to be those interested in fortune tellers and "paranormal researchers". it doesn't have to be that way forever. i dont realistically believe that will happen any time in the near future, if ever, but it's the technically correct answer - and it sounds more hopeful than "take apart your television and learn how it works, it will probably be the only thing you ever learn from TV."
jarofthoughts
Empirical Curmudgeon
Sure, I realize that the networks are in this for the money. The thing I've never understood is why these obviously fake fairy-tales appear more interesting to so many people than the amazing REAL facts about the universe we find ourselves in...
when you find this answer, please let me know. i'd really like to stop banging my head against the wall someday. =)
dust1n
Zindīq
Alright, Im going to posit a claim that may or may not offend some people, but there you are.
Some atheists Ive met have acted proud and somewhat superior with regards to those backwards theists who still believe in Bronze-Age myths. And I guess that is fine and all. But when those same atheists go on to believe in crystal healing, wacky nutritionists and support things like vaccine opposition and homeopathy Im still left feeling that they have somehow missed the point.
Now, Im not accusing anyone in particular, but I assure you, I have met these people and they are out there. Therefore my position is not so much one of atheism but rather one of empiricism. In short, if we have no evidence that it exists or that it is real Im not willing to allow it into my world-view. The fact that this also makes me an atheist is more or less just an effect of my adherence to empiricism.
Am I the only one feeling this way or are there more of us out there?
Just because you are an atheist doesn't mean you can formulate thoughts logically.
jarofthoughts
Empirical Curmudgeon
The Bright Beast
*Insert Witty Title Here*
firstly, sorry to drop in if I'm not wanted XD
Most importantly, Agreed with the above statement. I know plenty of 'Atheists' who couldn't come up with a reply to 'why don't you believe in god(s)?' with anything but a grunt, and a "Because you can't see him."
St Giordano Bruno
Well-Known Member
Atheism just draws attention to one certain entity I do not believe in, namely an Abrahamic God, but what about the things I do believe in such as evolution through natural selection and the great age of the universe spanning billions of years, and even some more speculative beliefs such as the Earth not being alone in the universe and the possibility of parallel universes. I don't think atheism has anything to do with those beliefs. I also do not believe in homeopathy but I would not define myself as an ahomeophatist, period. So just being an atheist just simply isn't enough for me too.
blackout
Violet.
Some of us don't watch TV, or read science journals.
We're busy living our own lives,
doing the things we like and need to do,
as opposed to the things you,
or anyone else likes and needs to do.
I do not have the time or the interest
to go around "researching" "researchers".
I also don't think any of it
is really that important.
I personally don't care.
I live I die, I have I dunno how many years here as me...
I just want to ENJOY my life,
Be Me,
make my music,
get a little sleep,
do a few nice things with my kids.
Maybe manage to leave them
some kind of inheritance in this
mess of an economic system.
I don't "listen" to politicians,
I don't "listen" to "experts"
I don't "listen" to television
I don't "listen" to scientists
or church leaders
or pop culture
or societal norms.
I'm just out to be me,
for a handful of years.
I really don't think it all matters so much.
You do your thing,
I'll do mine,
very good.
whatever.
We're busy living our own lives,
doing the things we like and need to do,
as opposed to the things you,
or anyone else likes and needs to do.
I do not have the time or the interest
to go around "researching" "researchers".
I also don't think any of it
is really that important.
I personally don't care.
I live I die, I have I dunno how many years here as me...
I just want to ENJOY my life,
Be Me,
make my music,
get a little sleep,
do a few nice things with my kids.
Maybe manage to leave them
some kind of inheritance in this
mess of an economic system.
I don't "listen" to politicians,
I don't "listen" to "experts"
I don't "listen" to television
I don't "listen" to scientists
or church leaders
or pop culture
or societal norms.
I'm just out to be me,
for a handful of years.
I really don't think it all matters so much.
You do your thing,
I'll do mine,
very good.
whatever.
Last edited:
Imperative
New Member
I think that people tend to forget that atheism is not a philosophy in itself but rather a by-product of rational thought. Most people seem to think rationally about some aspects of reality while evading reason altogether in others. For example, any muslim who turns on a light switch.
The goal, I would say, is to seek a consistency of rationality. So I agree with your thread title: being an atheist is in fact not enough at all.
jarofthoughts
Empirical Curmudgeon
My point exactly.
And going beyond atheists, you are of course right.
Most people, including theists, can think of scenarios or claims that they would consider impossible, unfounded and untrue, but they forget that the reasons they think so are the same kinds of reasons employed by atheists when they reject their claims.
jarofthoughts
Empirical Curmudgeon
Would you say that being a theist is important?
Bacause...it seems as if huge parts of the world's population think that it is.
Yerda
Veteran Member
Maybe.
jarofthoughts
Empirical Curmudgeon
Then why would you consider being a theist to be more important than being an atheist, as your statement would imply?
Yerda
Veteran Member
It was a vague answer to a vague question.
On the whole I agree that the OP is onto something. See here: http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/atheism-dir/77557-i-dont-care.html
I think there is maybe some complimentarity between the frames of mind that produced that thread and this one. No?