Why do Atheists Debate Religion?

[LuisDantas]

It's a response to theism. It's only "parasitic" in the same sense that abolitionism is "parasitic" toward slavery.

This!

 

[Desert Snake]

This!

That's very negative.

 

[LuisDantas]

The prescience of George Orwell shows in 1984's Ministry of Truth's slogans...War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.

This is post 1984 and we now know he should have included...Atheism is Religion. As such, most Atheists here, imho, appear to feel the same as all other religious groups, and want to be recognized as a major player in shaping the world going forward,

You are crossing the wires and confusing the concepts quite a bit.

Nevertheless, while Atheism can never be religion, religion stands to benefit quite a bit from adjusting to atheism. It may well be that it needs to.

 

[LuisDantas]

That's very negative.

How so?

 

[Desert Snake]

How so?

..

Uh... lol he's comparing theism to slavery?


I think you meant organized constricting religion, but that wasn't specific.

 

[LuisDantas]

..

Uh... lol he's comparing theism to slavery?


I think you meant organized constricting religion, but that wasn't specific.

I don't think you understood his point.

 

[Desert Snake]

I don't think you understood his point.

hmm..

 

[NewGuyOnTheBlock]

..

Uh... lol he's comparing theism to slavery?


I think you meant organized constricting religion, but that wasn't specific.

It's a valid comparison. Leviticus gives specific instructions on who can own slaves, how many, when they can be traded, and even establishes prices that must be paid for slaves. The South stood on the non-condemnation of slavery to justify keeping slaves.

-- edit --

But, I could be wrong. Can you define for me what you mean by ... "organized constricting religion"?

 

[Desert Snake]

It's a valid comparison. Leviticus gives specific instructions on who can own slaves, how many, when they can be traded, and even establishes prices that must be paid for slaves. The South stood on the non-condemnation of slavery to justify keeping slaves.

-- edit --

But, I could be wrong. Can you define for me what you mean by ... "organized constricting religion"?

I make a big distinction between terms like 'theism', and laws from Scriptures that are outdated or not in use. Organized religion CAN be a problem, imo. Not always.

/edit/ i'm outta here, so organized religion explanation will have to wait I guess/

 

[NewGuyOnTheBlock]

I make a big distinction between terms like 'theism', and laws from Scriptures that are outdated or not in use. Organized religion CAN be a problem, imo. Not always.

So, I take it that you do not believe that the Bible is the holy, inspired, infallible word of God?

 

[LuisDantas]

hmm..

It involves exposing libel.

 

[LuisDantas]

I make a big distinction between terms like 'theism', and laws from Scriptures that are outdated or not in use. Organized religion CAN be a problem, imo. Not always.

/edit/ i'm outta here, so organized religion explanation will have to wait I guess/

That is completely outside the matter, though. The original statement was that atheism was "parasitic", which it just can't be.

 

[Ben Dhyan]

You are crossing the wires and confusing the concepts quite a bit.

Nevertheless, while Atheism can never be religion, religion stands to benefit quite a bit from adjusting to atheism. It may well be that it needs to.

Are you then suggesting the admin of this site are likewise confused, for there exists an 'Atheist DIR' (Discussion in Religion) forum....and it in turn is located in the 'Discuss Individual Religions (DIR)' Forum along with all the other actual religions?

If you are right, and I happen to agree with you, that Atheism is not a religion, Atheism only discussions should be located elsewhere...it would help to make RF less confusing to those coming here for the first time ......yes?

 

[samosasauce]

I as an apatheist/atheist love talking about religion because it opens my mind to other's perspectives, and helps me evolve my perspective and understanding of the world. It helps me drive my own compassion, and love everyone I can. But that's probably just me

 

[LuisDantas]

Are you then suggesting the admin of this site are likewise confused, for there exists an 'Atheist DIR' (Discussion in Religion) forum....and it in turn is located in the 'Discuss Individual Religions (DIR)' Forum along with all the other actual religions?

If you are right, and I happen to agree with you, that Atheism is not a religion, Atheism only discussions should be located elsewhere...it would help to make RF less confusing to those coming here for the first time ......yes?

No, I am saying that you are abusing the classification, as well as misrepresenting the true relationship between Atheism and Religion.

 

[Ben Dhyan]

No, I am saying that you are abusing the classification, as well as misrepresenting the true relationship between Atheism and Religion.

So what in your opinion is the true relationship between Atheism and religion?

 

[LuisDantas]

So what in your opinion is the true relationship between Atheism and religion?

Thanks for asking.

Atheism is inherently pretty much unrelated to religion. Atheism is disbelief in deities, religion is the discipline of dealing with that which is sacred.

Despite popular yet very misguided misconceptions, there is really not much of an affinity, nor of an opposition, between them. Deities are often mistaken for the source or origin of the sacred, but they are instead a tool for representing - and quite often, misrepresenting - it.

Atheism is however related to theism, in that it denies and potentially heals it and its excesses, which have become perhaps the single most noteworthy danger of religion to itself and to external entities.

So there is indeed a meaningful yet circunstancial relationship between atheism and religion, but only because theism bridges them. Atheism is a helpful potential cure for the excesses of theism, and for that reason became a valued if often unwanted asset to religion.

In and of itself, though, atheism is as irrelevant to religion as, say, hair color. It is impossible to have a "religion of atheism", because atheism simply lacks enough purpose to even begin to become a religion. Atheistic religions are however very workable, even spontaneous, and highly desirable.

 

[steeltoes]

Here's a question to debate. I'm on a road to search for knowledge, and I find something intriguing. When I joined, I expected a fair number of Spiritualists, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Agnostics, Pagans, etc. The one thing I didn't count on was the number of Atheists, I expected a few, but the number was much larger then I expected. I found that intriguing.

I understand people with a religion talking about their religion. I don't understand why some people talk so much about their lack of a religion. Am I wrong to not understand?

Why do Atheists debate religion?

I'm not going to take part in this debate, except to ask questions and dig further into ideas and thoughts.

Side Note: I grew up in a rather Christian community, and do not know many atheists. I expect that I could learn a lot about atheism from this discussion.

My guess is that some atheists wonder why people believe weird things so they debate theists to find out what is going on. Some atheists might think that by way of debate they can convince theists that they are mistaken about what they believe. Some atheists don't bother debating theists because they don't care what people believe as long as they don't infringe on their rights.

 

[LuisDantas]

My guess is that some atheists wonder why people believe weird things so they debate theists to find out what is going on. Some atheists might think that by way of debate they can convince theists that they are mistaken about what they believe. Some atheists don't bother debating theists because they don't care what people believe as long as they don't infringe on their rights.

It is pretty much a matter of how much we care about others, really.

 

[steeltoes]

In and of itself, though, atheism is as irrelevant to religion as, say, hair color.

Jesus had blonde hair, just so you know.