Inconsistency of Thoughts and Belief

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TheCuriousCat

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I’ve read several posts on this site that seem to have a frankly bizarre attitude towards human motivation and desires. Often these posts will run along these lines, “If I didn’t believe in God I would… (insert some violently sociopathic behaviour here).” I want to ask the people who say these things, are they really hovering on the cusp of insanity with the the fear of eternal damnation holding them back? I find it even more bizarre when these comments are made by converts, people who had been atheists who believe, that should they revert to their former ways of thinking, that they would start undertaking a debauched spree of terror.

I would really love to know why people think this. Especially since they would be almost unique if they really did find no joy, comfort, and motivation in purely temporary rewards.

I welcome discussion, but for the record, I have absolutely no patience for people trying to put words in my mouth or claiming special insight into what I am thinking.
 
What is the point indeed (Atheists inserts their fantasy version of purpose and value here…)
 
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TheCuriousCat said:
I’ve read several posts on this site that seem to have a frankly bizarre attitude towards human motivation and desires. Often these posts will run along these lines, “If I didn’t believe in God I would… (insert some violently sociopathic behaviour here).”
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That is one level of morality. It’s a start.

There are all kinds of people here at CAF. Be patient and instruct the ignorant by putting forth your understanding of morality, and doing so with charity.
 
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People are different. Many people appreciate the discipline and insights and meaning and family belonging that a structured organisation or authority figure provides…whether that be the army, the church, the club, a flag, spouse or whatever.

Professional atheists in my limited experience tend to be communal loners who somehow find union with ideas rather than persons.
 
Have you heard of James Fowler and his 7 stages of faith; M Scott Peck waddled them down to 4. What you describe fits a stage in which faith alone takes one from chaos to structure.
 
Shakuhachi said:
Have you heard of James Fowler and his 7 stages of faith; M Scott Peck waddled them down to 4. What you describe fits a stage in which faith alone takes one from chaos to structure.
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So basically some people get stuck at stage 3? 😂
 
Salutations Curious,
I haven’t seen those posts. I never prescribe hate or violent actions. I think innocent. We all have a monster inside us. Jesus, definitely has a light in ya the removes the darkness. Sometimes, when something happens, our flesh can rise up and try to put our light out. God’s grace is our sufficiency.
Politically, I have seen this. I’m on twitter trying to challenge some NOT TO HATE. Pelosi is a Catholic. Is ProChoice. Said,” I pray for Pres. Trump every night for his safety and families safety.” I pray for his policies to work. Because if they work, it’s good for the country.” Almost verbatim.,I tweeted her, how do you expect his policies to work if you continue RESISTANCE! ( Which is treason). No answer.
If there are any Catholics hating Trump and resisting, they need to talk to God.,
It’s not a choice. We are to love our enemy. That is Satan. Which is why many of us voted for Trump b/c Satan’s working well in Congress.
I’m not sure what else You’ve seen that was hot?
But, poor Trump is getting the kitchen sink thrown at him.,
I’m Christs love
Tweedlealice
 
stupidisasstupiddoes said:
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Shakuhachi:
Have you heard of James Fowler and his 7 stages of faith; M Scott Peck waddled them down to 4. What you describe fits a stage in which faith alone takes one from chaos to structure.
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So basically some people get stuck at stage 3? 😂
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I think so. And that would be Peck’s stage 2.
 
Shakuhachi said:
Have you heard of James Fowler and his 7 stages of faith; M Scott Peck waddled them down to 4. What you describe fits a stage in which faith alone takes one from chaos to structure.

So basically some people get stuck at stage 3? 😂

I think so. And that would be Peck’s stage 2.
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I think it represents the fact that the more you learn, the less you know. It’s just that before your learn, you didn’t know what you didn’t know. So I am more open to different views now having read widely, i don’t agree with any old interpretation of things; there are still good interpretations and bad ones, but i see the uncertainty in the world that means we can’t just build entire theories based on a single quote in the bible (for example).
 
Yes, funny, the more we learn, the more we realize how much we don’t know.
 
Whoa, if we pray in the Spirit and walk in the flesh,
we are just hypocrites, St. James talks about a
fountain not producing both salt and fresh water.
And the Bible clearly says that the Righteous who
gives way before the wicked is like a polluted well
and a muddied spring.
As for loving satan, it will do him nor you any good.
He has already been condemned to hell(Jn 16:11).
I think Jesus was referring to those who ignorantly
oppose us and has a CHANCE for repentance.
 
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TheCuriousCat said:
Often these posts will run along these lines, “If I didn’t believe in God I would… (insert some violently sociopathic behaviour here).” I want to ask the people who say these things, are they really hovering on the cusp of insanity with the the fear of eternal damnation holding them back?
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I can tell you with absolute certainty that I would not run out and shoot up the public square if I didn’t believe in God. Now, I don’t speak for everyone on this forum (Heaven only knows), but I imagine most people are speaking tongue-in-cheek when they say such things. They’re proving a point–that without God, without a universal “good,” objective morality, etc there would be nothing prohibiting them from doing so. Sure, they’d likely be killed by law enforcement, but who cares? What makes it wrong? If life is absurd, nothing and nobody matters. Not ourselves and certainly not others.

One might argue that they’re an atheist and “still care about people.” Fair enough. Maybe it’s a biproduct of Darwinian evolution telling them to preserve their species by showing others kindness. But in short, if there’s no good to aspire to, even that is futile.
 
Well, I am certainly glad you don’t feel the urge to go on a killing spree, but I think you have missed the boat on whether life matters.

If you think that this life is merely the prelude to some other, richer experience, then yes, this life doesn’t matter. However, if this life is all you have, you are the only person you are ultimately accountable to, then it becomes all important. When I die, virtually everything I did and chose dies with me, but while I am alive, everything I do matters to the only person in the world whose opinion really affects me.

Oddly enough, lots of people who supposedly believe in Christianity act as if they don’t. Look around your home. What do you own that will help you get to heaven? What did you do today to build up heavenly riches? The real question is, why did you do anything else? Why do you own anything else?

When I was studying for the priesthood, you would be amazed to discover how much of our time was devoted that had absolutely nothing to do with pursuing heaven. Take sports, for instance. The good priests of the abbey had us taking part in an intermural basketball team. We had jerseys, teams, kept score, and the season winners won…I don’t remember…something temporary and unimportant. Sure, it helped our physical fitness, but it also bred moments of anger, jealousy, vanity, and pride. I believe that is called creating the occasion to sin, and yet, it was compulsory!

It makes sense for an atheist to pursue worldly pleasures, but it really does not make sense for Christians.
 
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