You're an atheist just like me.

[LogDog]

SO let me get this straight he or she is saying that because I don't believe in the christian God but I do believe in the Pagan Gods that makes me an athiest??


Right........

Correct. An atheist of the christian god.

 

[lilithu]

But tell me, what makes the experience of god any different from that of an imaginary childhood friend?

I think... that is Guitar's Cry's point. It is also Gentoo's point.

But you're gonna think that this proves that God isn't real. As opposed to considering it possible that both are real.

 

[LogDog]

I think... that is Guitar's Cry's point. It is also Gentoo's point.

But you're gonna think that this proves that God isn't real. As opposed to considering it possible that both are real.

Both are falsely real within the confines of the individual having the "experience".

 

[LogDog]

A child certainly experiences that imaginary friend, even if it's just a fantasy.

So by choosing to experience god I'm choosing to embrace fantasy and shun the opposite of fantasy?

 

[matthew.william]

LOL, Wisconsin has produced a fair number of serial killers now that you mention it...

I'm from Manitowoc.

oooh, lake life, huh? Pretty la-tee-da. Just kidding, I've only been to Mantiwoc a few times, but I here it ain't too shabby. Ever been inside the JFK Prepatory school? That place freaks me out.

Anyways, back to the subject at hand though, why is the defintion of atheist being ignored? LogDog, I see the point you're trying to make, but you're just arguing semantics.

~matthew.william~

 

[Bishka]

I'm an atheist and so are you. Here's why. If you're Christian, you (more than likely) deny the existence of the god of Islam and visa versa. Welcome to the team.

No, I don't deny them.


I see the god of Islam as my God. They are one inthe same with to me, with a different perspective on God.

 

[Comprehend]

Everyone is an atheist in that there is always some god in which they don't believe. What we usually call an atheist just believes in one less than everyone else.

That just means you do not understand what the word atheist means.

You are not an atheist simply because you do not believe in every god. That is silly, atheism means you deny the existance of ANY and ALL gods. Therefore, if one believes in just one God, they cannot be an atheist.

Where does anyone (logdog) get the idea that if you deny the existance of a particular god, you are an atheist (which means to deny the existance of ALL gods)???

it is only an interesting question if you don't know what the word means...

 

[James the Persian]

That just means you do not understand what the word atheist means.

You are not an atheist simply because you do not believe in every god. That is silly, atheism means you deny the existance of ANY and ALL gods. Therefore, if one believes in just one God, they cannot be an atheist.

Where does anyone (logdog) get the idea that if you deny the existance of a particular god, you are an atheist (which means to deny the existance of ALL gods)???

it is only an interesting question if you don't know what the word means...

Whilst I agree with you entirely, his misuse of the term atheism is not without historical precedent. One of the accusations Rome brought against the early Christians was that they were immoral atheists, not because they belived in no gods, but because they would not honour the gods of Rome nor worship the Emperor.

James

 

[Comprehend]

Whilst I agree with you entirely, his misuse of the term atheism is not without historical precedent. One of the accusations Rome brought against the early Christians was that they were immoral atheists, not because they belived in no gods, but because they would not honour the gods of Rome nor worship the Emperor.

James

Those who do not learn from history...

 

[Omdo]

atheist is man/woman who's make himself is god.

 

[James the Persian]

atheist is man/woman who's make himself is god.

No, that's a megalomaniac. People like Alexander the Great and Nero tried to make themselves gods, but I see no evidence that they disbelieved in the gods of their respective cultures. If anything Alexander, as was not uncommon for the Greeks, seems to have believed in any and all gods.

James

 

[Comprehend]

Enlighten me.

ok. you don't know what an atheist is.

 

[LogDog]

Anyways, back to the subject at hand though, why is the defintion of atheist being ignored? LogDog, I see the point you're trying to make, but you're just arguing semantics.

~matthew.william~

I guess I did get hung up on semantics but it just makes me wonder how, with such an assortment of gods to choose from, one comes to grips with the consequences of what making the wrong choice really means. It's a life after death and a no life after death situation and I'm constantly struck by how everyone is so confident in the side they chose. Two things are for sure though. 1. I'm not going to heaven. And 2. There's a good possibility you won't be either.

 

[James the Persian]

I guess I did get hung up on semantics but it just makes me wonder how, with such an assortment of gods to choose from, one comes to grips with the consequences of what making the wrong choice really means. It's a life after death and a no life after death situation and I'm constantly struck by how everyone is so confident in the side they chose.

Not necessarily (though I am sure). Take my faith - everyone lives after death and not being a member of the Church does not condemn one to hell (we don't even think of hell in comparable terms to western Christians anyway). Honestly making the wrong choice, as far as we're concerned is likely to give some heterodox or non-Christians an easier ride than choosing Orthodoxy gives to us - more is asked from those who receive more.

Two things are for sure though.

I'm afraid neither are for sure if we're right.

1. I'm not going to heaven.

Actually in our view you are, as is everyone else. Whether you will experience that as bliss or torment, though, is entirely up to you and your attitude toward God.

And 2. There's a good possibility you won't be either.

Only if we're wrong, otherwise my situation is identical to yours, except that I received more in this life and hence know that I need to work on myself and my attitude towards God.

James

 

[darkpenguin]

I'm an atheist and so are you. Here's why. If you're Christian, you (more than likely) deny the existence of the god of Islam and visa versa. Welcome to the team.

Not a christian. But I am a atheist/logicalist! I dismiss all gods but respect all peoples rights to have them! Doesn't mean I have to agree though.
What exactly is the point you are trying to make? Are you trying to get people to change their minds about their religion? If so it's really not going to work and is pretty pointless!

 

[lilithu]

That just means you do not understand what the word atheist means.

Dude, chill... as I said in my first post it's a SEMANTIC argument. It's a redefinition of the word in order to make a point. And logdog has said several times already what his point is... to get theists to understand how it is that atheists can be atheists. He's not trying to convert anyone here. There's no need for people to be so annoyed.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

Perhaps you just misquoting Richard Dawkins say “You are just as much of an atheist as I am, I just happen to believe in one less god than you do. When you realize why you reject all the other gods and religions, you will realize why I reject yours.”

Fantastic.

 

[LogDog]

Dude, chill... as I said in my first post it's a SEMANTIC argument. It's a redefinition of the word in order to make a point. And logdog has said several times already what his point is... to get theists to understand how it is that atheists can be atheists. He's not trying to convert anyone here. There's no need for people to be so annoyed.

Good to know someone's got my back.

 

[Green Gaia]

I don't deny the existence of anyone's god. I'll admit that I am agnostic regarding other people's gods. But then again, I am agnostic regarding my own god.

What she said. ^^^

 

[painted wolf]

I guess I'm not an athiest like you... my religion doesn't make a distinction between anyones god we are all children of the same Creator... the only distinction is the paths we walk.

wa:do