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It is expected that we have disagreements on various issues but please keep these disagreements within the bounds of common courtesy and respect each other's views.
If you find it to hard to do these, please feel free to ignore this section of the Forum.
Hmm...I'm not sure which poster Scheherazade is referring to, but as my post seemed curt in retrospect:
My apologies if my post offended, but I was hoping to make a light-hearted point of referring to the lyrics of the song, which seemed to fit astonishingly well with ChuckBukowski's described lifestyle.
This is the Atheist forum, correct? Of course I cant talk, I probablly posted some less than friendly remarks on the Christianity forum. I like Christians, usually. But Im from the south, our Christians are quick to make derogatory comment about gays, minorities and whoever we happen to be at war with. And you ever notice that Atheists never get mad when someone criticizes their atheistic views, thats becasue they are secure in their beliefs. We only get mad when Christians try to prove their point by pulling some ambiguous bible verse outta their...bible instead of supporting their ideas with facts. Atheist : "I dont think God cares if gays get married". Christians : "And who so ever drinketh from the cup of another man will suffer unto the waves of the river Canan". Atheist : "Oh, I never thought of it that way, I think you're right, pardon me while I blow my freegin brains out". Ok I made up that bible verse, but you get my point.
Um, Mr. Bukowski, you're not only making generalizations about Christians, you're also making generalizations about atheists. That's generally not a good combination.
Whats so wrong with generalizations? If I said , "generally Americans like french fries", would I be wrong? In the south Christians are genreally right leaning and conservative.
The problem is that, in your post, you didn't use "generally"--you simply gave the categorization "Christians" or "Atheists," which has an all-encompassing implication. You say that atheists never get mad when criticized, which I seriously doubt is true. You also suggest slightly that atheists are left-leaning, which not only approaches the political arena but is not without substantial exceptions, myself included.
And I'm almost afraid to ask: were you serious in your motives to become an atheist, as stated in your earlier post?
Yes, thats correct, I became an atheist so I could have orgies with christian women. Its kinda like joining a rock band so you can get chicks. Because we all know that girls love it when you say, "hey baby, I dont believe in God, Im a souless cynical heathen, Ill take you staight to hell." C'mon...are you serious. Being an atheist is way harder than being a Christian in modern society. You know of any self-proclaimed atheist presidents? Or any politicians for that matter? And Im sorry but in a converstaion about Atheism and Christianity how can you not bring up politics, religion and politics are two sides of the same coin. "But the post says....", ya I know what the post says, calm down, I'm not getting into politics, just reality. As far as my generalizations are concerned, If anyone reading this had to place their money on whether or not atheists were generally more left leaning or right leaning, where would you place your money? Generally, I would like to know the answer, but dont bother to respond because I already know.
Well I have never heard of that reason for being a athiest and guess there is nothing wrong with unless your hurt someone's feelings. I find it hard to believe though that a women Christian or not would fall for such a terrible line. No offense intended towards you but you gave the impression women with beliefs are naive when faith or not that is not the case. I felt that people always have the wrong ideals when it comes to the opposite sex. Besides you do not have to be atheist to have a orgies.
Um...I think he established that he was kidding.
Just because it's harder to be an atheist doesn't mean that it's fair to demean the arguments of Christians. Yes, they're ludicrous upon occasion, but in such cases, I find it best to at least try and help the other person understand that any generalizations that are made about atheists (and as I'm sure you probably already know, they are varied and plentiful) are not necessarily founded in reality. I know well enough not to expect to convert anyone by talking about my atheism, and I don't want to. It's against my philosophy to try and qualify myself as absolutely, undeniably right in anything beyond factual basis.
I'd say I'm more agnostic-leaning than atheist because I don't negate the possibility (not probability) of a God existing, but I'd definitely agree with that definition.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay
Atheists have many beliefs, they just don't happen to be theistic in nature. I do not believe in any God for the time being because no such entity has proven itself to be real to me, however I do believe the existence of such a God is possible. In addition, I do however respect the beliefs of others who happen to have faith in such an entity. I believe we all have the freedom to choose and that is something we should definitely cherish.
Furthermore, I do not believe (oh, there goes that word again) that one must submit to religious doctrine or tenets in order to be a moral and upstanding person in this society. I've all too often heard from religious people that you need God in your life to be a good person because only the Bible or other religious doctrine can provide you with morals. I think that's not representative of the truth. I've seen religious people as well as atheists say one thing and do another, so being religious doesn't dictate your morality.
Above all else, I believe works, not faith alone, proves one's self to be a good person.
Just my two cents. I did subscribe to Pascal's wager at one point, but I feel that it wasn't an honest acceptance of God so I decided not to subscribe anymore until I was assured that such a God existed. If He is real as He says He is, He will show me the "light".
I'm responding anyway. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by ChuckBukowski
Left, my friend, and usually against the death penalty. What did I win? :thumbs_up
I am an atheist and I believe that:
"The good I do is to my credit,
The evil to my shame,
No praise is due to God in heaven,
Nor Lucifer to blame."
And I hold this belief just as strongly as anyone of a religious persuasion holds theirs (and with just as many doubts, I dare say).
An agnostic doesn't believe in God but an atheist believes there is no God - it's an act of faith (believe it or not!)
Actually, an agnostic takes a neutral stance towards the presence of a deity. But yes, I'd say that pretty much sums it up.
I must disagree. Not with what you say but with your implication that this contradicts me, which it doesn't.Quote:
Originally Posted by RobinHood3000
An agnostic takes a neutral stance on God's existence, agreed - but this is not in contradiction to my point above - the agnostic does not believe - this is the key phrase - , either in God, or in the lack of a God, instead preferring to sit on the fence until such time as a convincing case is made either way. Neutrality on the point of God's reality is incompatible with any belief regarding the subject.
The atheist has been convinced and actively believes, albeit in God's non-existence. My whole point in responding to this thread was the initial premise (backed up by smilies) that any belief on the part of an atheist was laughable. I believe (there's that word again) that you cannot be an atheist without belief, merely an agnostic with pretensions.
You may well have gathered that I have a lower opinion of agnostics than I do any religious group! I hate people that can't make up their minds - lol.
Ehhh...I guess I can agree, but only when they're standing in line in front of me trying to decide on whether to get chicken or fish. Some agnostics might have the right idea in that they do not necessarily try to qualify themselves as absolutely right, which would be one of the first mistakes when debating religion.