A
alphawoman
Guest
Haha! Yes, some of my best friends are atheists, and they all have graduate degrees. I wonder if they can read… 

Well, please do.I have never noticed this.
Who are these people?but having been exposed to thousands of hours of anti-religious bigotry off all sorts.
I suspect many atheists are quite or even closeted. For instance, I’m unlikely to discuss my lack of faith irlAnd, again, best reflection of such is utter poverty in the supposed “atheists” discourse reflecting only the most common places in the most uncritical manner.
@0Scarlett_nidiyilii did the best of jobs in this thread at establishing the ubiquitous of anti-religious sophistry in media, again without specific formation in contrary you’d hardly expect the average person to acquire analytical refutations needed to contradict such overwhelming influences. And yes, there is a long history of political interests that being outright opposed to religion went to great lengths at attacking the common man’s faith.Who are these people?
There are some who are quite knowledgeable and some that are not. The same goes for atheists.You do realize a significant number of CAF’ers despite being laity (without any formal academics in religious sciences) have done an amazing job at educating themselves and are considerably above the cut knowledgeable.
What is this methodology you speak of that you believe a vast majority of following? Also, why the scare quotes around atheists?As for “atheists” there is a formal methodology regarding the matter that isn’t exclusive to Catholics but actually transverse to philosophy, sociology, anthropology, even history. I would say, you don’t seem to follow that well established method and thus stand to gain yourself and improve the discussions you get involved in researching and reflecting on the exact definitions of faith and belief in the divine.
Personally, I find the study of belief fascinating whether it is a majority or minority opinion.You do realize that over 90% of the world population claim some belief in the divine and that makes the study quite worthy in itself.
First thing, there are quite a few atheists who have had to endure hardships for being an atheist, especially so in predominantly Muslim countries. The tale of Raif Badawi, if you feel like looking it up, is a perfect example.Moreover, “atheists” “come on strong” but experience shows that on the 2nd and 3rd interview some form of belief actually emerges, the outright negation of religion seeming trendy is just an illusion of first glance.
I’ve been around CAF for a few years and more than once I’ve presented hard evidence (historical, Church, or Biblical documents) and been met with assorted vagaries. Eventually as the counter-arguments wither on the vine I’m told that I’m fixated too much on the faith. In other words, I’ve done too much research and presented too many facts. For the non-believer it’s damned if you read, damned if you don’t. A few believers (and I stress a few) can’t wrap their heads around the idea that many non-believers have done the research and found the faith wanting. (Cue the meme of Principal Skinner deciding it is the children who are out of touch )Reflecting foremost an almost total absence of prior study of the subject which does not mean the absence of inner unconfessed reflections. You will also notice the self-described “atheists” lack any formal reading on the matter, never actually having read a single book but having been exposed to thousands of hours of anti-religious bigotry off all sorts.
Can any of what you said be backed up?And, again, best reflection of such is utter poverty in the supposed “atheists” discourse reflecting only the most common places in the most uncritical manner.
assorted vagaries
Let’s count:Can any of what you said be backed up?
One, didn’t see any “scare”.why the scare quotes
Two, OP (and thread) in scope of western secularized (your example is derailing as broadening.)The tale of Raif Badawi
Three, that’s your subjective reading, both a judgement and accusation btw (neither of which objectively fit what I said.)somewhat distasteful to try and undercut
Four, religion isn’t grounded on feelings.(especially one grounded more in feelings than facts like the one of religion)
Five, you’re the only saying that so it must suit you best.putting one’s fingers in his ears and shout “LALALA!”
CCC 27-49 [The catechism starts so, for a reason]. Also, starting with Durkheim, if you deem sociology as “science” and “sociology of religion” as part of it, you have 100 years of that scientific field on the “religious phenomenon” with both pearls and nonsense mixed in. Yes, there is a methodology and the CCC follows it.Can any of what you said be backed up?
So in a sense when atheists reject the existence of God, they are rejecting a part of themselves? Makes sense. At least with the ONE atheist I know and am speaking about now, he has a disdain for himself as well as the non-existent God.But atheists are still made in the image of God, so they have the capacities He has, including the capacity for love even if they turn away from God.
I agree. God is in all of us. The Holy Spirit is what guides ALL our morals, whether you are a believer or not. So humans really can’t get away from what is inside of them, no matter how much they rationally say otherwise. I lived this. While I was never an atheist, I was an agnostic for many, many years and when I tried to live my life on my terms only thinking “God, has nothing to do with my life because he probably doesn’t exist anyways.” there was this continual unhappiness that I couldn’t shake. It was like God was telling me “you fool, you can’t do it all on your own, and you know I exist.”Moreover, “atheists” “come on strong” but experience shows that on the 2nd and 3rd interview some form of belief actually emerges, the outright negation of religion seeming trendy is just an illusion of first glance.
@FiveLinden you asked for a peer reviewed article in the other thread so here it is:
I think this is a lovely post @Nap66, I so enjoyed reading it thank you for sharing. I fell away from religion for a time and the voice of the Holy Spirit accompanied me in my conscience and heart the same way you now described. A fine line indeed. This story is shared by so many, the story of the prodigal son, of the Lord’s calling, of divine Providence in our lives, of pilgrimage and conversion, of faith, of falling, of sin and repentance, of freedom, of being lost and seeking, and finding.adgloriam:![]()
I agree. God is in all of us. The Holy Spirit is what guides ALL our morals, whether you are a believer or not. So humans really can’t get away from what is inside of them, no matter how much they rationally say otherwise. I lived this. While I was never an atheist, I was an agnostic for many, many years and when I tried to live my life on my terms only thinking “God, has nothing to do with my life because he probably doesn’t exist anyways.” there was this continual unhappiness that I couldn’t shake. It was like God was telling me “you fool, you can’t do it all on your own, and you know I exist.”Moreover, “atheists” “come on strong” but experience shows that on the 2nd and 3rd interview some form of belief actually emerges, the outright negation of religion seeming trendy is just an illusion of first glance.
I specifically remember the day when God’s existence was solidified in my life, he said to me “I was here all along.” Maybe MOST atheists don’t have the nudging of God in their lives, but I think they do - it’s called morals and the will to do and be good people. Admitting God is the root of that nudging is the only difference between believers and nonbelievers. A fine line.
Exactly. My thinking is that even the most hardened atheist (of the immoral, uninformed variety) still has a tie to God by dint of being human. There’s always that divine spark within, even if it isn’t understood or believed to exist.So in a sense when atheists reject the existence of God, they are rejecting a part of themselves? Makes sense. At least with the ONE atheist I know and am speaking about now, he has a disdain for himself as well as the non-existent God.
OK - would be better t start another thread but this paper entirely agrees with my position: people think miracles occur. It doesn’t mean they do.“Burden-of-proof” is now inverted as “the tables turn”, can you find a “peer reviewed” article that objectively refutes the panel juries of medical doctors who attest to cures that were miraculous. Please, do find a single such valid instance with medical examinations enclosed. [Again, it’s a risky mistake to discuss science with authors who haven’t published or having done so haven’t a critical overview of the internal logic governing the field and criteria.]
Please find me a “peer reviewed” paper that proves God doesn’t existOK - would be better t start another thread