Atheists-- Perceptions

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sage
  • 49 comments
  • 1,373 views
Originally posted by Pako


That very nice information, thank you very much. Could you please stay on the topic at hand, or find a different thread that might better suit your interest?
Click to expand...

Like I said I hate them.
 
Wee! Love those religious threads! ;)

I'm an atheist, whoopdy-do. I agree with Jordan's first post. People (Christians) don't like Atheists for the same reason Hitler didn't like the Jews. Because they weren't the same.

I don't need a 'God' to blame for the problems in the world. I don't need a 'God' to forgive me, or to comfort me. I don't need to look to a 'God' for guidance. I live my life, and that's it.

Religion is for people who need it, just like crack. And it's about as addicting. I've watched my step-father damned near destroy my family because he joined an 'alliance' church. For those of you unfamiliar with one of this type, they are commonly referred to (at least around here) as "The Cult Church". They have a nearly fanatical dedication to their church. He was swearing away entire paycheck to the church, even before he got them. If you didn't belong to to this church, you were going to 'hell', plain and simple.

Sorry folks, but I thought Christianity was all about 'brotherly love' and all that. Love thy neighbor, etc. Yeah, right. The one sermon I was forced to attend (while still living there) was 2 hours about the evils of role-playing. :|

Needless to say (as an avid RPGer, playing with a group weekly) I didn't ever go back.

Sorry about the long rant. These are all my opinions, and I'm sure there are some nice Christians out there somewhere. :)
 
Well, as Pako says, all I can truly discuss are my own experiences.

Yes, my life is as truly great to me as I say it is. Why would it not be? You say you felt joy when you found Christ/God as the director of your life, and you seem to be expressing pity or sympathy that I do not share that joy. My joy is all the greater to me, because I have found myself as the director of my own life.

Some people feel lost in the real world, and need the rock of religion to stand upon, to give them firm footing. There are many reasons people feel this way; some stemming from religion itself, some not. There are an infinite number of reasons people feel this way, but ultimately it boils down to their mistrust of their own mind and its ability to understand what their senses show them.

I, however, and others who I am like do not feel lost in the real world. We feel at home, and the world we see is firm enough footing for our minds to operate upon. To us, the 'rock' of religion is not something to stand upon, but an unneccessary burden to bear. It interferes with our preception of reality, and our living within that reality. The joy that you felt as the influence of Christ was opened up to me on the night that I realized I didn't need to accept that burden, or any burden, that I didn't choose to accept. I am free to determine what I want, what I will need to do in order to get it, and to act accordingly.

You speak of a great transformation - I too felt a great transformation that gave me great peace and joy. It was not the relief of handing over control of my life to someone or something else, but the relief of knowing that I control my own life, myself, and that I possess the tools required to make my own life happy and satisfying.

The more I learn that reality is real, that my existence exists, that I am entitled to that existence and that I am free to make the way I choose through that reality, the happier and more at peace I become. I too have great reserves to draw upon, but those reserves come from within, not from above. I gain strength from the knowledge that I am the final arbiter of what I value, and of what I am willing to trade to gain that value.

I am strong in direct proportion to the extent that I refuse to fake reality. If I steal, I am faking the reality that I have earned that money. If I lie, I am faking the truth. If I live with the final goal of a supernatural 'heaven', I am faking the idea that I do not have to determine my own morality.
The more I do these things, the more I fake myself, and the weaker and unhappier I am. The more that I acknowledge reality, and my right to a place within reality, the stronger, happier, and more moral I become. Everything I need as a foundation, everything that I need to be happy, is contained in the following sentence:

"I swear - by my life, and my love for it - that I will never live for the sake of another person, nor ask another person to live for mine." --Ayn Rand
 
Originally posted by AltF8
Religion is for people who need it, just like crack. And it's about as addicting. I've watched my step-father damned near destroy my family because he joined an 'alliance' church. For those of you unfamiliar with one of this type, they are commonly referred to (at least around here) as "The Cult Church". They have a nearly fanatical dedication to their church. He was swearing away entire paycheck to the church, even before he got them. If you didn't belong to to this church, you were going to 'hell', plain and simple.
Click to expand...

I went to a Jahova's Witness service once where they preached down upon all the rest of the religions and denominations, saying that their religon is the one "True" religion and that all other religions were false. I can't honestly see how any "one" religion could be the only "true" religion.

Sorry folks, but I thought Christianity was all about 'brotherly love' and all that. Love thy neighbor, etc. Yeah, right. The one sermon I was forced to attend (while still living there) was 2 hours about the evils of role-playing. :|
Click to expand...

I think it is about all that....;) So what's wrong with RPG's? I can see in isolated cases where people forget who they are and run through the streets with their swords drawn, yelling, "Kill the black elven knights, kill them alll!!!" Ok, yeah....maybe that person should stay in reality, but beyond that, what's wrong with it?

Needless to say (as an avid RPGer, playing with a group weekly) I didn't ever go back.
Click to expand...

Don't think I'd go back either...:)

Sorry about the long rant. These are all my opinions, and I'm sure there are some nice Christians out there somewhere. :)
Click to expand...

No problem, and the rant wasn't all that long.. :)

:cheers:
 
Originally posted by GilesGuthrie
Perhaps some religious people put aside their own sense of morality, preferring to act in a way which they feel will please their god. Of course, this is often the same way that a morally-sound atheist will also behave, although they will not attribute the same behavioural patterns to a desire to please a deity.
Click to expand...
Giles - I don't quite follow. Why would a morally-sound atheist put aside their own morality?

If they are already morally sound, that would make them immoral, by accepting another person's judgement and ethics above their own.

Or am I missing something here?
 
i'm not a fan of organized religon, in fact, i hate it. it manipulates people and makes those same people do some ugly things to other people. but i'm no athiest either, more advances made in science, the more i believe there is more than meets the eye.

we as a species have been doing this civilization thing for what, 5,000 years? not a long time in the grand scope of things. the universe is 15 BILLION years old, and we've been aware of ourselves for only an instant compared to that. so its my understanding that we have a long way to go as sentient beings. i don't think we're far along yet to say there isn't more than what we know, and to say there is no intelligence behind it all (nature for me, (a) god for someone else).

and as long as we still ram planes into buildings and "holy" men steal from hard working families and molest young children, i don't think we, as a specious have the right to say whats what. people should be judged by the severity of their worst actions, i still say we're animals and have the understanding of such.

in any event, some people need something to believe in, and you can't change what a person thinks no matter how hard you try. I can't make a Ku Klux Klan member like black people, although it might be in my best interest.

its as hackneyed saying, but we all need to have a little understanding of each other, let one another alone and continue to seek truth

I put it to you, author of this thread, the people who don't not tolerate you are the minority.

a comedian, Mark Martin, i thinks somes up my point, "I think we believe in god...just in case..."
 
All in all, I think it's just a misunderstanding. Religious people dont like non-religious people, because most of them have grown up their whole lives with a certain belief system which is integral to their lives. They cannot understand how one would so seemingly easily live without it.

I grew up christian. At the moment, I'm a pseudo atheist. I also kinda fit some of the descriptions people are making. I am very stuck up in myself. I am THE most important person in the world to me, and I am an extreme individual. If i were religious, I would practice it on my own time in my own house or place of worship...because i dont like to associate myself with the masses...which tends to hint that you are not special...you're just apart of a larger group of people. Nobody can either prove, nor disprove anything. That is why it is called religion.....that is why it is based on BELIEFS, not hardcore facts. If it were based on lots of tangible evidence, everyone would follow it, because it is physically, clearly the right way. Im not saying there isnt a god or God or Creator or whatever....im just saying that there is no physical proof, and yet.....no physical disproof.

I recently gave a really long, slightly confrontational speech about christians at my school. I live in Houston Texas. Deep in the bible-belt. There are more baptist churches around here than there are waffle houses. I wasnt met with anger or hostility after my speech (which was quite surprising), and people actually, truly thought about what I had to say. They didnt think I was a bad person for it. So...i guess my point is...if u have a point, make it by not being confrontational, and by using facts, because those open peoples eyes more than anything (except maybe a big blinding light from the sky that begins reigning fire).
 
Oh and one thing.. What ever happened to god supposedly coming in the year 2000 and armageddon?

You want to know what happened? Bull**** happened.

Im done.
 
Christianity is a fool-proof religion. It says the apocalypse will come when nobody expects it....well fellas, it only takes one person to go 'i wonder if the world will end today' to make it NOT that day. Im sure at least one person thinks that once a day. And hello.....then only relevance 2000 had is in comparison to jesus' life/death. Thats IT! I also dont really agree on basing our years on the life of someone who was supposedly God...but oh well.

Also, it's fool proof in you can do ANYTHING you want, ask for forgivenes...truly feel sorry for it....and get it....and go to heaven. Thats what makes it sooo appealing. Because jesus died for you....therefore...u dont have to go to hell just as long as u accept him and beg for forgiveness.....yeah.....mmhmm. I dont agree with all that...which is the basis of christianity.
 
Originally posted by ShobThaBob
Christianity is a fool-proof religion. It says the apocalypse will come when nobody expects it....well fellas, it only takes one person to go 'i wonder if the world will end today' to make it NOT that day. Im sure at least one person thinks that once a day. And hello.....then only relevance 2000 had is in comparison to jesus' life/death. Thats IT! I also dont really agree on basing our years on the life of someone who was supposedly God...but oh well.

Also, it's fool proof in you can do ANYTHING you want, ask for forgivenes...truly feel sorry for it....and get it....and go to heaven. Thats what makes it sooo appealing. Because jesus died for you....therefore...u dont have to go to hell just as long as u accept him and beg for forgiveness.....yeah.....mmhmm. I dont agree with all that...which is the basis of christianity.
Click to expand...

I'll have to agree with you on that one, shob.
 
Yeh...big pet peeve (thats why i gave the speech....pet peeve speech). I dont post a lot around here, but I lurk all time. There are few things that get me riled up, and this is one of them.

Base your life on YOU. For YOU are the ONLY thing that will always...no matter what...be there for you. Dont mess yourself up, because you only have one you. Do things for others, because they can help you, but in the end....only do it...for YOU.
^ my belief system in a very short blurb....VERY short
 
Originally posted by skynyrd
Well, for one thing, I only know 3 true athiests, and all 3 of them are complete and total @ssholes.

<EDIT FOR SPACE>

There's more, but that's all I can remember for now. The point is, these 3 are probably not typical of all Athiests, but they're the only ones I've really been exposed to.
Click to expand...

This probably wasn't your intention, but as someone who doesn't believe in any religion's concept of god, I found this REALLY offensive. Why would you post this, except to imply that atheists are like this?

I find the idea that if I don't believe in god, my life is therefore 'empty and meaningless' and of 'less worth' extremely offensive.

Perhaps people should try actually meeting people and judging them on their merits, rather than trying to categorise them on some nonsensical basis.
 
I agreeee! Plus, doesnt christianity....and most other religions.....teach acceptance, and tolerance for people who may not think or believe exactly the same things as you? I believe so......
 
Originally posted by ShobThaBob
Also, it's fool proof in you can do ANYTHING you want, ask for forgivenes...truly feel sorry for it....and get it....and go to heaven. Thats what makes it sooo appealing. Because jesus died for you....therefore...u dont have to go to hell just as long as u accept him and beg for forgiveness.....yeah.....mmhmm. I dont agree with all that...which is the basis of christianity.
Click to expand...
I don't think a real Christian would do that.
 
Naturally of course...but it's something that the bible allows for...and is based upon.....ultimate forgiveness, no matter what. But yes, real christians...not hypocrites...are very nice and loving people. The bible...as a rulebook...is a very good one, if you follow it's basic meaning, you will be a well rounded person that most people will like.
 
Neon: got your pm just in time, I was about to reply in the sep of ch an st thread....Sorry it's been so long I was not trying to dodge you are anything, just with school football and my truck getting stolen I haven't had much free time to be on gtplanet.

Okay, I'm glad you didn't take my post as offensive because I wasn't trying to be at all. And to hit a note, the only assumption that I have clearly made in my mind is this: Athiests believe that there is no god and believe nothing supernatural that is found in the Bible. And as far as I can tell that is all or atleast mostly correct.

Now, I never "said" your life was not worth living. Who would I be to say that? And maybe it was hinted to that that's what I thought, but it's not. I will not weigh another's life, no matter what they believe or who they are.

You then go on to ask what is it about my existene that makes me see it only as a means of getting on to something else? I'll answer this but I don't think I fully understand the question but...I believe, quite blindly, that there is a heaven and a hell. In my life or existence, I have been taught that there is a heaven and a hell. So, going along in my theological mind set, life can be good, but it is nothing compared to the divine life in heaven, and mortal life is far better than the life in hell. Therefore, this life is a means to get to heaven, because I "know" that life in heaven is far better than life on earth. And because I believe in Heaven and Hell, I would much rather live in Heaven then I would hell.

It's not that I feel this life is a means to get anywhere, I look at it like this: I will live this life and inevitably die. (I think you will agree with that.) when I die I (soul) will be judged on the earth bound life I have lived, and I will either go to heaven or hell. Because I really want to go to heaven, I'm going to live my earthbound life, in accordance with the guidlines given to me, by the bible.

I'd love to finish but I need to get ready for my football game. I'll be back on in a day or to, sorry I couldn't finish but i promise I will.
 
Originally posted by AltF8
He was swearing away entire paycheck to the church, even before he got them. If you didn't belong to to this church, you were going to 'hell', plain and simple.

Sorry folks, but I thought Christianity was all about 'brotherly love' and all that. Love thy neighbor, etc. Yeah, right.
Click to expand...

"The God I believe in isn't short on cash" - Paul Hewson :D
 
Originally posted by infallible
You then go on to ask what is it about my existene that makes me see it only as a means of getting on to something else? I'll answer this but I don't think I fully understand the question but...I believe, quite blindly, that there is a heaven and a hell. In my life or existence, I have been taught that there is a heaven and a hell. So, going along in my theological mind set, life can be good, but it is nothing compared to the divine life in heaven, and mortal life is far better than the life in hell. Therefore, this life is a means to get to heaven, because I "know" that life in heaven is far better than life on earth. And because I believe in Heaven and Hell, I would much rather live in Heaven then I would hell.
Click to expand...
I have highlighted two points that are rather off-subject on what I wanted to talk about, but nonetheless important... as you can see, you have implied (or I have inferred) that you are unsure of your belief in a Heaven/Hell. So, the question I would like to pose, is: Why would you go on believing that without examining anything first? What is the point of living when you're living your life blindly?
 

Latest Posts

Back