Active Atheism

[133794m3r]

Originally Posted by Rissa

how can you be active at doing nothing? sorry... just a thought.

Should I be so disgusted by these back handed tactics?
A: It's a part of life. No matter what religion, organization, whatever, you are going to have to put something in, whether it is financial or not.

Shouldn't these Atheists be better than this?
A: ...No. What makes atheism higher than other religions? I'm just saying that all religions have their faults, because all take part in the infamous "sin,"
whether categorized as so or not. So to say that atheists have to live up to certain expectations is hypocritical to the matter itself. Oh, and none of this is a direct attack on you, so don't get me wrong.


Or is it all the same anyways?
A: There you go. Answered your own question. People are people, regardless of beliefs or ranks. We all make mistakes... so yeah.

How is aethism a religion. If you don't believe in anything, then how can you techinally have a belief system?

I mean come on.

[Trogdor's lame friend]

Any religion can be taken away from its roots and put to use for the benifit of man. It's human nature. People will always look for a higher cause, and people will always be there with the "answer" that person is looking for. . . with a catch.

[Gow616]

Originally Posted by 133794m3r

How is aethism a religion. If you don't believe in anything, then how can you techinally have a belief system?

I mean come on.

You believe in nothing...sounds like a religion to me since it has belief.

[Trogdor]

A: There you go. Answered your own question. People are people, regardless of beliefs or ranks. We all make mistakes... so yeah.

You might as well say Active Believing In Not Believing and Religion is Belief and trust in something, Athiesm is another Religion.

[dustingrey]

While I don't consider Atheism a religion, you could twist the words to be so, like, "Joe makes a religion out of studying Atheism." But that's stretching it. And Atheists do have beliefs, the belief that there is no god.

[carnealse]

Originally Posted by dustingrey

Apparently you don't know what the difference between being an Atheist and being Agnostic are. By definition, an Atheist is, "a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings." An Agnostic, by definition, is, "a person who holds that the existence of the ultimate cause, as God, and the essential nature of things are unknown and unknowable, or that human knowledge is limited to experience." This test proves nothing, and certainly does not make Atheism impossible. While an Atheist can admit that he/she cannot know everything, the fact that he/she believes there is no god is what make him/her an Atheist. Agnostics say no one can know for sure, but they don't believe one way or the other.



Perhaps I forgot the point in time where America fell to Anarchism and every way of life was acceptable. Because if that did indeed happen, I totally agree with you. But the fact of the matter is that today's society doesn't pride itself in believing there is no wrong way to live. If that were true, why on Earth would it have laws set up, and punishments for those who do not participate? Oh, and perhaps I also forgot that there was no purpose to life if there is no afterlife. Except...maybe... living?



I brought the bible into this because of just what you said. There are so many other beliefs and books to choose from. I don't recall saying the "Christian bible" or "Jewish bible". Once again, I think you're confused on the actually meaning of the word. By definition, a bible is "(often lowercase) the sacred writings of any religion."



When it comes down to it, I think you're confused about a lot of things. In this case, it seems to be Atheism as a whole. Being Atheist does not mean you are free from any sort of punishment for your actions. After death, maybe, but in reality, we are subject to the same moral laws of Theists. Being Atheist does not mean one doesn't have a conscience after all. Because you seem to have difficulties with definitions, a conscience is defined as being, "the inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action: to follow the dictates of conscience."

And, as far as the brainwashing bit goes, well, it seems you wouldn't understand anyways. How's the clean brain treating you by the way?

Well agnostic is not exactly as you described it. Agnostic belief of God or higher power is that it is unknown or, depending on the form of agnosticism, inherently unknowable due to the nature of subjective experience perceived by that individual. So they do not accept anything empirical nor claim that God is real or not real.
I am not confused as I study religions and theology. So do not assume I am uneducated or make claims off of speculation.
I see that you do not take the test seriously since you know that knowing all information is impossible, and that there is a possibility of the existence of some higher intelligence. This is typical of hardened belief without open mindedness to possibility presented by logic.
You are right. I did assume the Christian bible, since when people say the bible, typically in America it is the Christian version referred to. The Jewish bible...you mean the Torah? The Islamic bible, the Quran? The Christian bible...the ...bible? That is why I assumed it. The Jewish bible..that was funny though since it is the old testament and is apart of the Christian bible haha, good one.
I also think that was a negative vibe about me being brain washed. Especially since you have zero idea what my beliefs are. Quite assuming and unaware to say something so personal against another when you have no foundation to argue against me with. Saying I would not understand, yet I have plenty of study in the subject, is not a fair assessment.
Not very Zune of you man, especially against another Zuner.
I was trying to give you reasons to chill and not worry about the others you have a problem with. You took it way too personal and brought that to a personal level with a verbal slash.
I was not intending on a hit on your thoughts, merely a reasoning why you can live your way and not worry about those others.
I did not know I struck a nerve in a bad way. It was not why I posted what I did.
My fault, but do not bash others like that when you have no idea yourself about the other person, their background, their knowledge, and their intent without clarifying first.

[dustingrey]

Originally Posted by carnealse

Well agnostic is not exactly as you described it. Agnostic belief of God or higher power is that it is unknown or, depending on the form of agnosticism, inherently unknowable due to the nature of subjective experience perceived by that individual. So they do not accept anything empirical nor claim that God is real or not real.
I am not confused as I study religions and theology. So do not assume I am uneducated or make claims off of speculation.
I see that you do not take the test seriously since you know that knowing all information is impossible, and that there is a possibility of the existence of some higher intelligence. This is typical of hardened belief without open mindedness to possibility presented by logic.
You are right. I did assume the Christian bible, since when people say the bible, typically in America it is the Christian version referred to. The Jewish bible...you mean the Torah? The Islamic bible, the Quran? The Christian bible...the ...bible? That is why I assumed it. The Jewish bible..that was funny though since it is the old testament and is apart of the Christian bible haha, good one.
I also think that was a negative vibe about me being brain washed. Especially since you have zero idea what my beliefs are. Quite assuming and unaware to say something so personal against another when you have no foundation to argue against me with. Saying I would not understand, yet I have plenty of study in the subject, is not a fair assessment.
Not very Zune of you man, especially against another Zuner.
I was trying to give you reasons to chill and not worry about the others you have a problem with. You took it way too personal and brought that to a personal level with a verbal slash.
I was not intending on a hit on your thoughts, merely a reasoning why you can live your way and not worry about those others.
I did not know I struck a nerve in a bad way. It was not why I posted what I did.
My fault, but do not bash others like that when you have no idea yourself about the other person, their background, their knowledge, and their intent without clarifying first.

-Sigh-
I'm not even going to go into the whole thing because, well, it's not worth it. The brainwashing part (as in assuming you're religious) is indeed a slip on my part, but I think I made pretty decent arguments for the rest of it. But the Atheist vs. Agnostic part I am still holding on strong.

I know that there is no way of telling what's in the universe, or whether there is no god or Invisible Pink Unicorn (both seem to be on the same level for me ; )) or whatever, but Atheists believe that there is no god. They believe that despite all of this missing information, if all the blanks were filled in people would find no god as a divine power does not exist. If this is being close-minded, than it is no more close-minded than believing in a divine power. The test only works if the definition of an Atheist is confused. Obviously we don't know for sure--no one does, and to say so would be unreasonable. But it's the fact that we believe (despite all of the missing blanks) that there is absolutely NO divine power controlling the creation and function of the universe.

I also hold strong on the point that if the test WERE true, than there would be no such thing as a religious person either.

And, just for fun, I'm going to try to guess your religion (should you indeed be religious)...
Christian? Or perhaps Catholic?
(not meant to be a slam towards you).

[carnealse]

Your guess is close. I am Christian but very different that what you might expect.
I am very much against the whole organized religion, as anyone who studies religion finds out that it is a failure because of the human factor.
I wholly dislike denominations and cannot stand that divide with people of any faith or belief, but I do not worry myself with them unless it is completely hypocritical to their values.
I also, this might be a shocker, do not push myself/beliefs on others nor expect others to change beliefs by my words or opinions.
Point and case, my lesbian friend considered me to be the best Christian she ever knew for never judging her or slamming her even though she knew what I believed in. She really did hate the other Christians in my command. Boy, those were some nasty confrontations between her and them....anyway....
Thats free will and if God (for those of us who think there is one ) made it that way then I see no reason why I should think I can or have the right to force someone else out of it.
Either that or we are the best sim game ever designed and the computer programmer has one hell of a sense of humor!

[dustingrey]

Hey, I can't argue with anyone who doesn't press their beliefs on me. That's really my only problem with religion--most religious people I meet are put off by the fact that I am blatantly Atheist and try to "save" me or are utterly disgusted that I don't have the same views as them. The way I figure, show my beliefs respect and I'll send it right back. But disrespect me, and I'll send it back tenfold. :P

[Trogdor's lame friend]

People of any religion who try to press it upon you often going against the roots of their belief.
For example, it's not Christian's place to barrage people into believing in Christ. They should instead lead by example, trusting in God to do the rest.

But this is too little the case. Every religion basically looks to "unbelievers" as recruits, instead of a lost soul.

So like Carnealse said, the human aspect often ruins religion. For them and for the people they are trying to reach.

Just lead by example, and if you're sincere people will catch on.

[FauxCivility]

I don't understand why we should believe in a deity that would leave everything up to humans. If there's something higher that wants boatloads of believers...lets let them do the work to create a church for themselves.

Especially if they're the most powerful entity in the universe.

[Rissa]

yeah. i mean, leave everyone to believe what they want. as long as they dont compromise another's belief, then who cares? as long as people are happy with the way they are living, then i dont see what the big fuss is about.

and thanks to the people who agreed with me.

[ferguson]

i too have been an atheist since i was introduced to religion and i hate it when kids at my school come up to me and they act like freakin missionary for jesus or something. i seriously can't go one day without someone trying to converted my faith and get me to beleive in jesus. But sometimes i kind of enjoy it cause if they bother me then i bother them back. i end up getting them to question theirselves and their faith.