AHHH, I see what you are getting at now... but I will still answer your questions....
who do you believe would ask such a question?
I see what you are getting at now, and not worth a debate here.....
n I didn't state it, I asked if it was.
You are Atheist and have morals, right? So a pointless question in my mind.
Probably another thread but most atheists contend that atheism is a lack of belief in a God. (ex footnote:
http://www.strongatheism.net/intro/lexicon/)
A lack of belief is the same as belief, for it takes faith to believe either side of what is (as to this point) not provable! Thus, I view Atheism as no different in any religion you should name - by the point that both take a "faith" in something that is unproven.
I would concur with that, but more importantly do you feel the above statement is true for you personally and if so why?
The golden rule: Treat others as you would have them treat you. That was taught long before Christians claimed it as thier doctrine. Thus, my life-vest analogy. If one can only understand such a concept via the man Jesus or Mohammed, why take that away from that person? Do you not wish for them to believe that practice? Would you have the way one of thier followers FORCE that upon you, when you see the same and difference? Why take somebody's life-vest when that is the only way they know to swim? Why be forced to wear a life-vest from any if you know how to swim already? (hope that answers two questions for you)
If it was truely pointless to you you would not have addressed it. I think it may be emotional to you. Not that the answer matters to any of the non-theists here, but for introspection if I am right on my speculation that it hit a nerve to even assess the merit of religion why would you find the idea of weather or not it is independant of religion a pointless inquiry?
Most things are pointless, but why would you not wish to teach one with a life-vest how to swim on thier own? The same reasone you wish not to take thier life-vest.....
My best friend is an Atheist. I love him very much. My family is all Monotheist. I love them very much. Everything is relative when it comes to a view on a situation, so why would I not take it "emotionally"? Humans view all things from thier subjective point of view and they are very emotional.
It all really depends on YOUR definition of religion. My definition says that it is any code of morals or ethics within a personal belief system. That makes both points of view the same to me...... though it gets at your point I see now. Either way, it wouldn't matter as humans evolve thier perceptions quickly to adapt.
Concur but which category do you fall into and why?
I fall into neither, I am a Monist. I see Atheists and Theists at opposite sides of the mirror and myself to the side watching them.
have no idea what life vests have to do with assessing the merit of a religion independant of the deity allocated to it
All are the same and can see themselves as swimming as opposed to those that need a life-vest. Hope it has been explained enough.