Causes of atheism

[Liberalsaved]

whatevergirl:

If you are an aethiest, do you have inner peace? Just curious.
Thx,
WG

As a coda, I think inner peace comes from knowing what it is you’re here for. I’m here to write. Took me years to figure it out. Some people are here to invent things. Some to preserve nature. Some to make sure people have enough to eat. Relying on the spiritual to the rejection of the importance of the physical world will only ever bring you halfway.

 

[whatevergirl]

I think just the fact that you’re (not you but ppl in general) questioning your faith…or even don’t want a relationship with God…that in and of itself, is a relationship with God. I think that we’re all on a journey, and I lost both of my parents, (dad to lung cancer, and my mom in a car accident) before I turned 10–so I know about life’s hurts and pains…and believe me, I’ve questioned God and my own faith before. I’ve turned my back on Him, although, never became atheistic, but I hear you.

I think that even though you are at a different place than me…we are essentially on the same path–in search of deeper meaning, and typically, the path leads people back to God. But, all in due time…as I said…even if we are opposed to thinking that there is a God, that in and of itself is a relationship with Him. Not sure if I’m making sense!

Thanks for your reply…though.

Also–for anyone who is interested…a GREAT book on all of this is ‘Mere Christianty,’ by CS Lewis. He was a self-proclaimed atheist, and became a devout Christian…He will do the ‘debate’ better justice than me, and he’s an amazing writer! Please…I encourage you all whether you believe or not, to read it…The fact that he has ‘been where atheists’ have been is what brings his book to life.

We’re all on a journey together…and if you don’t believe in anything…why bother discussing ‘nothing’ with us, right?

God bless…and if you pick the book, I’d be interested in learning what you think of it!

Have a great day,
WG

 

[R_McGeddon]

*Look for the signs that you have been visited. God bless.*I want something that is up front and not open to interpretation.

 

[IanS]

R McGeddon:

I want something that is up front and not open to interpretation.

Could you give an example?

 

[R_McGeddon]

IanS:

Could you give an example?

An appearance in person on the evening news, doing something that couldn’t be done, even with trick camera work.

 

[whatevergirl]

R McGeddon:

An appearance in person on the evening news, doing something that couldn’t be done, even with trick camera work.

That doesn’t require any faith from us. That is partially what faith is about. And, there are many miracles that have documentation…

God’s not a magician. LOL

 

[Grandtheftcow]

Ted CharlotteNC:

Glad to meet you. Thank you for starting this thread.

Why do you care what Catholics think?
The Nicene Creed starts off with “We believe…”
What does the Atheists Creed start with? What do you believe in?

I was curious as to the reasons there’s a distrust of atheists and in many cases a strong hatred towards a group who’s only real connection to each other is a lack of belief in a God.

There is no atheist creed.

What do mean by what I believe in?
Gilbert Keith:

If other people think my values have to be just like theirs, then they are missing out on a lot of interesting diversity in the world.

In the moral world lines have to be drawn. Sooner or later a moral glue has to be agreed upon or there is moral anarchy. For example, it cannot be allowed that parents can marry their children and have children with them. Or that brothers and sisters should have the right to marry and have their own children.

Homosexuals want to marry their own kind. They do not want children, because they cannot have children together, but they want the right to adopt other peoples’ children (pedophilia should also be legalized?) They are appalled that heterosexuals find this objectionable.

Would the same homosexuals find it objectionable if animal lovers wanted to marry their pets and have carnal intercourse with them?
More to the point, would they consider carnal intercourse with a dog, a cow, or a sheep, … natural, harmless, and entirely admirable? If they would think so, then you can easily see why they think the rest of us “are missing out on a lot of interesting diversity in the world.”

Not my loss.

How many of you agree with the views expressed here? I know it doesn’t quite relate to the thread topic but I am curious.

whatevergirl:

If you are an aethiest, do you have inner peace? Just curious.
Thx,
WG

Inner peace is an odd concept and has varying definitions, however I am inclined to say yes if I do understand what you mean.

whatevergirl:

I think I addressed this in my post…
You cannot solve the world’s problems, either. I think we all want to make the world a better place.

Before you give up completely on believing in God…I encourage you to read Mother Theresa’s life story…there are many books out there about her. She was extraordinary. A regular person like you and me…but had faith that moved mountains, and she helped soooo many people…this tiny little lady, had she not believed in God’s love and grace…I’m not sure if she could have accomplished so much.

So, please…I hear what you’re saying, but it wouldn’t hurt to read a book about her life. It might not change your mind, but it might enlighten you to something more. Food 4 thought.

God bless,
WG

Do you think one needs a faith in God in order to carry out acts of kindness and charity?

 

[whatevergirl]

Grandtheftcow:

I was curious as to the reasons there’s a distrust of atheists and in many cases a strong hatred towards a group who’s only real connection to each other is a lack of belief in a God.

There is no atheist creed.

What do mean by what I believe in?

How many of you agree with the views expressed here? I know it doesn’t quite relate to the thread topic but I am curious.

Inner peace is an odd concept and has varying definitions, however I am inclined to say yes if I do understand what you mean.

Do you think one needs a faith in God in order to carry out acts of kindness and charity?

No necessarily, but in order to not be consumed with the acts of kindness and charity, yes–what I mean is, that we pat ourselves on the back for the kindness and charity. God provides a medium to not be so consumed with self, that we ultimately view ourselves as ‘mini Gods.’ To not believe in God, puts you in total charge…and I think there is something borderline arrogant about living my life, only for me…and even if I’m giving to others in charitable ways…where does this source of compassion and grace come from, ultimately? Am I so enamored with myself to think I’m so giving, kind, and charitable? We are all sinners, and by God’s grace, are we able to accomplish His purpose–which is to be loving and kind to our fellow man. Not because I’m so darn good! LOL

That’s a question that my sister in law throws at me sometimes…LOL She’s an atheist, and this somewhat helps her to see a different view of God.

When you stop to think about it, atheists must find God to be a bad thing to believe in, because why would you not believe in something good? So, I wonder…do you feel He’s more bad than good? That He brings more pain…than gain?

 

[IanS]

R McGeddon:

An appearance in person on the evening news, doing something that couldn’t be done, even with trick camera work.

I pray it’s not too late for you and others when this happens.

** “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” John 20:29**

 

[Gilbert_Keith]

grandtheftcow

*If other people think my values have to be just like theirs, then they are missing out on a lot of interesting diversity in the world.
*
In your post # 107 you cited one of my posts, but you made it appear as though the first part of that post was from me since you did not distinguish the first sentence from my commentary on it. This will confuse your reader and leave me appearing to say something a didn’t.

I stand by my remarks, but you must play fairly or get out of the forum.

 

[Gilbert_Keith]

McGeddon

I want something that is up front and not open to interpretation.

---

You mean something more up front than the Big Bang or the Theory of Evolution or the Theory of Relativity or Quantum Mechanics?

I have to marvel at the stubborn demands of atheists for more “up front” from God than they demand from science.

Do they have to see the Big Bang in person before they can believe in it? Do they have to see millions of years of evolution “up front” before their own eyes before they can believe in it?

Darwin “interpreted” his observations of nature that brought him to the theory of evolution. He never saw evolution before his very eyes.

 

[R_McGeddon]

whatevergirl:

I think there is something borderline arrogant about living my life, only for me…

That’s being selfish not arrogant.

whatevergirl:

even if I’m giving to others in charitable ways…where does this source of compassion and grace come from, ultimately?

You’re not saying that only the faithful can be charitable, compassionate and graceful are you?

whatevergirl:

Am I so enamored with myself to think I’m so giving, kind, and charitable?

I donate from my pay every week to an animal charity, not for personal glory, but because animals are innocent and most, if not all, of their unnecessary suffering is because mankind arrogantly and wrongly puts itself above them.

whatevergirl:

We are all sinners,

Not all of us.

whatevergirl:

and by God’s grace, are we able to accomplish His purpose–which is to be loving and kind to our fellow man. Not because I’m so darn good! LOL

I think the reason to those things is because it’s the right thing to do.

whatevergirl:

When you stop to think about it, atheists must find God to be a bad thing to believe in, because why would you not believe in something good?

Atheists just don’t believe at all. Good, bad or indifferent it’s irrelevant.

whatevergirl:

So, I wonder…do you feel He’s more bad than good? That He brings more pain…than gain?

In the atheist’s mind he is in the same class as the tooth fairy or santa claus, so there can be no bad or good.

I’ll tell you all my beliefs:

I believe that we are born, we live, we die. The only purpose to our existence is to eat, survive and reproduce. Nothing more.

 

[R_McGeddon]

Gilbert Keith:

You mean something more up front than the Big Bang or the Theory of Evolution or the Theory of Relativity or Quantum Mechanics?

However scant, you may think, the evidence for these is, it is still more evidence than there is for a god.
Gilbert Keith:

I have to marvel at the stubborn demands of atheists for more “up front” from God than they demand from science.

I demand equal evidence for everything. Evidence for a god can’t be researched anywhere, but there are countless sources to see and touch the results of scientific studies.
Gilbert Keith:

Darwin “interpreted” his observations of nature that brought him to the theory of evolution. He never saw evolution before his very eyes.

No-one sees evolution before their very eyes, it takes thousands and millions of years.

 

[Gilbert_Keith]

*No-one sees evolution before their very eyes, it takes thousands and millions of years.*So there it is. You can only interpret the evidence. Nothing up front about it.

 

[Gilbert_Keith]

McGeddon

In your BIO you identify yoursel under under “Religion” as “Existentialist.” In what sense would you call existentialism a religion? I had the impression you are an atheist or agnostic.

 

[Grandtheftcow]

Gilbert Keith:

grandtheftcow

If other people think my values have to be just like theirs, then they are missing out on a lot of interesting diversity in the world.

In your post # 107 you cited one of my posts, but you made it appear as though the first part of that post was from me since you did not distinguish the first sentence from my commentary on it. This will confuse your reader and leave me appearing to say something a didn’t.

I stand by my remarks, but you must play fairly or get out of the forum.

I hand code my posts when I multiquote. As a result of copying and pasting your post the italic tags were left out.

Normally you would have placed the name above the part you were quoting but you had left that out of your post that I had quoted.

Also I suggest you bring a better attitude to the thread. Our fellow members have been rather patient with your attacks so far and I think its time someone said something to you.

 

[IanS]

R McGeddon:

I find this interesting, I’ve never known ANY atheist try to convert somebody but I have seen countless religious people try to convert the atheist.

Just an observation.

Sometimes atheists do try to convert Christians and here is a true story of what can happen:

I one heard a priest tell a story about when he went to a Bishop’s conference, which is usually a big snoozefest, but one time he heard a Bishop actually tell a very good story. The Bishop said that in the 60’s there was a young college student, who every Sunday would stand outside of the Catholic Church near campus and yell at people as they were walking in, telling them they were stupid for believing in Jesus and atheism is the only truth. After a few weeks of this the parishioners went to the pastor of the church and told him he needed to do something about this obnoxious kid.

The next Sunday as the people walked up to the church they noticed that the young man was not standing outside. However, when they walked in they saw him standing up next to the pulpit with the priest. The priest told the people, “I told this young man that instead of trying to state his case for atheism to one parishioner at a time I would invite him in to state his case to everyone at once for a whole hour, uninterrupted. But first, he has agreed to make a public proclamation of what he believes before he begins his talk”. The priest then led him over to the crucifix behind the altar and told him, “I want you to point at that crucifix and say in a loud clear voice three times, “You did this out of love for me, and I don’t care”.

The young man was able to say it once on a soft voice. The second time he only got half way through. By the third time, he started sobbing and ran out of the church. None of the parishioners ever saw him again. The Bishop at the conference then said, “You may be wondering whatever became of that college student, well I happen to know, because I was that college student and now I’m your Bishop”.

I know atheist only deal with the concrete facts. So here are a few for you:

Fact 1 - Jesus suffered, and died on a cross out of nothing but pure love for you.

Fact 2 - If you were the only person who needed Him, He would have done it just for you and you alone.

Fact3 - Out of hardness of heart, You DON’T care!
http://www.jesus-passion.com/JesusChristScourged.jpg

 

[R_McGeddon]

Gilbert Keith:

McGeddon

In your BIO you identify yoursel under under “Religion” as “Existentialist.” In what sense would you call existentialism a religion? I had the impression you are an atheist or agnostic.

Existentialism is about the closest to what I believe in. I wouldn’t call it a religion but I think the religion field was mandatory for signing up, so I just put that down.

I’m not too keen on the term agnostic because it is taken from the Greek word agnostos, which means unknown. As nobody knows for sure, that means that everyone falls under the category of an agnostic.

I used to class myself as an atheist but I felt that it didn’t accurately desribe my beliefs.

 

[R_McGeddon]

IanS:

Fact 1 - Jesus suffered, and died on a cross out of nothing but pure love for you.

Or he was a rebel leader, a thorn in the side of the roman empire, was caught and crucified for his troubles.

IanS:

Fact 2 - If you were the only person who needed Him, He would have done it just for you and you alone.

This is only opinion not fact.

IanS:

Fact3 - Out of hardness of heart, You DON’T care!

This statement relies on the first two actually being facts.

 

[Gilbert_Keith]

grandtheftcow

Also I suggest you bring a better attitude to the thread. Our fellow members have been rather patient with your attacks so far and I think its time someone said something to you.

I think you just have. Temper, temper.

Bring a better attitude to the thread and stop misquoting me.

Thank you.