The Absurdity of Atheism

[Charlemagne_III]

Clem; Fair but morals themselves are not a strict Christian ideal.

A strictly Christian ideal does require morals. An unchristian ideal, such as atheism, does not.

“The main point of Christianity is that it is a religion for sinners. Jesus made that very clear. When the Pharisees asked his disciples, ‘Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?’ he said, “I come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Only a small fraction of sinners repent and do good things but only a small fraction of good people are led by their religion to do bad things.” Freeman Dyson

 

[tonyrey]

There is no proof of God. The burden of proof is on Christians who claim God exists.

There is no proof that God doesn’t exist. The burden of proof is on those who claim life is unreasonable yet use reason constantly in their daily lives.

As for purpose in life, make your own purpose in life. You, yes you make the purpose and the drive

.In a Godless universe you imagine you make your own purpose in life because you are merely a cog in a purposeless machine.

We only have this one life to live so might as well make the best of it.

That begs the question of our ability make the best of it.

 

[tonyrey]

Only one person uses this name here. I also did research and morals aren’t a strict Christian ideal. Many older cultures have had morals. It is how humans have survived.

Our blood-stained history and the constant threat of a nuclear holocaust hardly point to the survival of humanity. In a Godless universe morality is a luxury rather than a necessity.

 

[NM505StKate]

Charlemagne III: Morals are no solely a Christian idea. There that sounds better. As for your quote, I believe humans are not fallen nor are they damaged. The guilt brought on by thinking one is damaged, broken, or fallen is not healthy.

tonyrey: If you told an atheist “God exists” and they say “Prove it” you have to prove it. You are shifting the goal posts with your first statement. On your second point you sure are a negative Nancy, cheer up! I don’t know how that begs a question. I get the feeling you are a prepper. Sitting in a bunker listening to Alex Jones waiting for a cataclysm to hit. Need a tin foil hat?

 

[inocente]

I wonder how much the prevalence of depression these days is related to people having not bothered to look for their purpose, and accepting what society tells them is good.

Some psychologists say the exact opposite. In the past most people had less education, fewer or no career options and rarely traveled. They had far fewer life choices than now. Perhaps the increase in individual freedom, and the associated anxiety of getting life choices wrong, is responsible.

Assuming there is a real increase in depression of course, rather than just better recording and/or a greater willingness to see the doctor.

 

[inocente]

.In a Godless universe you imagine you make your own purpose in life because you are merely a cog in a purposeless machine.

That can be turned on its head though. Those naughty existentialists claim that religion lets you avoid the responsibility of finding your own purpose, by giving you a comforting off-the-peg answer.

 

[Aloysium]

My purpose is helping people smile. To be a shoulder for them to lean on. Nice belittling a mental illness Sir. That last sentence makes no sense. You seem to still be betting there is something after we die where an atheist doesn’t believe so and makes the most of now. The proof I exist is that I am here and I can trace my roots.

Most certainly brought a smile to my face and an urge to lean on you.
The response you intended, although not the one you claim is your purpose.



That I cannot take you seriously has been made clear by your recent responses.
So, I’m going to call it a day. Brush the sand off, as they say.

 

[jediliz]

“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.”

 

[Aloysium]

“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.”

When I think of St. Thomas, I usually think of long complicated arguments which you have to read and reread, and still it can slip away. As one-liners go, this is one of the best.

 

[Jerbear]

“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.”

Are you indicating that a person who has no faith is not able to explain why they do not have faith? I think there are many atheists who can clearly tell you why they don’t believe.

 

[Aloysium]

Are you indicating that a person who has no faith is not able to explain why they do not have faith? I think there are many atheists who can clearly tell you why they don’t believe.

Except that God does exist, and there is no way to convey that fact to someone who cannot hear it.

 

[Charlemagne_III]

As for your quote, I believe humans are not fallen nor are they damaged. The guilt brought on by thinking one is damaged, broken, or fallen is not healthy.

So I take it you don’t go to confession because you want to be healthy?

Just wondering whether you are a baptized Catholic but never properly catechized?

 

[ccmnxc]

Charlemagne III: Morals are no solely a Christian idea. There that sounds better. As for your quote, I believe humans are not fallen nor are they damaged. The guilt brought on by thinking one is damaged, broken, or fallen is not healthy.

Not sure why there has to be guilt, though. I believe I am fallen and broken, yet this does not perplex me at all (at least, over and above knowing that I do wrong sometimes). People are guilty for wrongdoing; they are not guilty for being born fallen, or, at least, not guilty in the relevant sense. It seems that for people who feel guilt or anguish over holding such a propositions, they are either absurdly holy and are anguished by their distance from God, or their problem lies somewhere other than acknowledging their brokenness.

 

[NM505StKate]

ccmnxc: But you are not broken or fallen.

Charlemagne III: I don’t go to confession anymore. To be fair I also don’t eat the Eucharist anymore either. I was baptized Catholic as a baby and went to Catholic school from K-12.

Aloysium:

Except that God does exist, and there is no way to convey that fact to someone who cannot hear it.

Prove that God exists.

 

[owr39]

ccmnxc: But you are not broken or fallen.

Charlemagne III: I don’t go to confession anymore. To be fair I also don’t eat the Eucharist anymore either. I was baptized Catholic as a baby and went to Catholic school from K-12.

Aloysium:

Prove that God exists.

The burden of proof doesn’t solely fall on a believers shoulders. If you don’t believe in God, prove to me why millions of people have who believe in God, and have for thousands of years, are wrong.

 

[NM505StKate]

The burden of proof doesn’t solely fall on a believers shoulders. If you don’t believe in God, prove to me why millions of people have who believe in God, and have for thousands of years, are wrong.

That is shifting the burden of proof. dictionary.com/browse/burden-of-proof I don’t have to prove anything. You made a claim and I am wanting proof.

 

[owr39]

That is shifting the burden of proof. dictionary.com/browse/burden-of-proof I don’t have to prove anything. You made a claim and I am wanting proof.

Your claim is God doesn’t exist right? Prove to me why he doesn’t exist. After all, it’s you making that claim.

That’s why I said it solely doesn’t fall on a believers shoulders. I can give you reasons, and my own versions of proof, but then what’s acceptable to you? It’s an endless merry-go round.

 

[NM505StKate]

Your claim is God doesn’t exist right? Prove to me why he doesn’t exist. After all, it’s you making that claim.

That’s why I said it solely doesn’t fall on a believers shoulders. I can give you reasons, and my own versions of proof, but then what’s acceptable to you? It’s an endless merry-go round.

Actually for this argument I will say I don’t know, there doesn’t seem to be any solid proof. Your assertion is God exists so please prove it.

 

[owr39]

Actually for this argument I will say I don’t know, there doesn’t seem to be any solid proof. Your assertion is God exists so please prove it.

So if you don’t have solid proof that God doesn’t exist, why are you an atheist?

I’m by no means an apologist, therefore my reasons for believing in God I’m sure you’d find reasons to pick apart. However, that doesn’t change my belief. I’m not looking for a debate either. However, I always see the “burden of proof” argument from atheists. It’s a double standard.

 

[NM505StKate]

So if you don’t have solid proof that God doesn’t exist, why are you an atheist?

I’m by no means an apologist, therefore my reasons for believing in God I’m sure you’d find reasons to pick apart. However, that doesn’t change my belief. I’m not looking for a debate either. However, I always see the “burden of proof” argument from atheists. It’s a double standard.

How is it a double standard? How about this. Your claim is extraordinary, to back up your claim I need some extraordinary proof. How would you react if I say every night I talk to a nymph that lives in my snow globe of Middle Earth? I believe I talk to her nightly and you have to disprove it.