Religion: What it means to you

Originally Posted by RacinReaver

I defined it that way as to distinguish between people who simply don't believe because they don't know (agnostics) and those who actively deny the existence in some supernatural being.

But it's inaccurate to say atheists don't believe in anything outside of the realm of observation, man. At least I find it so. I may be in the minority

Originally Posted by LordSword

I was big on pot, but now I am high on God.

Am I the only one who saw this? This has to be quote of the year material. I'm starting to think LordSword is just some full-of-shit moron who's doing this to provoke us free-thinking logical people. No actual human being would say something so retarded and actually mean it.

Seriously, LordSword, just shut the fuck up already. Skip therapy and just kill yourself.

Originally Posted by JackyBoy

I stand for the Iliad, a document that has proven its worth, can be seen & researched by others and discussed openly to the benefit of all.

I stand for Das Kapital, a document that has proven its worth, can be seen & researched by others and discussed openly to the benefit of all.

I stand for Mein Kampf, a document that has proven its worth, can be seen & researched by others and discussed openly to the benefit of all.

At last, after my long journey someone who is actually grounded in something we can all check.

As you know the word "religion" has many definitions. These describe my view of atheism:

Dictionary.com-->Religion
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience

Please tell me what Atheism means to you? I have covered many aspects of my beliefs but the atheists here have not. The atheistic views of my religion have been made quite clear. Can you take this discussion in a different direction?

Originally Posted by JackyBoy

You're right, many of us only have those silly, unreliable things like reason and logic and intellectual honesty and literature and scepticism and morality and ethics and science and politics and economics, mere piffle when having a discussion about humanity and its role in the universe.

I can say the same. My book does not demand that I blindly accept what is written. Proverbs 4:5, Proverbs 4:7 & Luke 11:10 are just a start.
As a person who depends on the concept of a God, I am not without historical proofs. I stated that my book has true prophetic messages that have come true. I also have the lives of faithful people throughout history and in my current situation that say that prayers do get answered.

Originally Posted by JackyBoy

Even virtuous men can perform just acts for wicked reasons. If you need a religious warrant to keep you from murdering or stealing or to perform good deeds in the name of your faith, then very clearly this should not be confused with morality.

The bible does not teach believers to do good works by their own will but through the will of God. If a believer knows the will of God (by studying the bible) that person wouldnt do wicked things.

Originally Posted by JackyBoy

Science, reason and the others I listed above are to be wholly credited in finally giving humans the understanding and courage of stepping away from that horrible period we call the dark ages and leading us into the age of enlightenment. Something we can all be grateful for. Thanks to science we no longer have to burn women to death for casting spells on neighbours and people like J. K. Rowling can even make a very good career writing novels depicting fictional wizards.

Science started with God in mind->
"The laws of nature are but the mathematical thoughts of God." (Euclid, 365 - 275 BC)
Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Science as you know it only denys God these guys believed why wouldnt you?Famous Scientists Who Believed in God

You are not going to convince anyone LordSword. There is no reason to fight a war for God when nobody cares.

Originally Posted by LordsSword

Please tell me what Atheism means to you?

To me, atheism is having your own soul. As in, not believing in an invisible man in the sky that clouds my judgement and essentially runs my life based on ancient doctrines that do nothing but prevent the progression of human civilization.

Quote:

prayers do get answered.

Oh that is such fucking bullshit. You can spin the "prayers get answered" thing so easily it's mindblowing. I've had a recent string of good things happening in my life lately. If I were religious, I could easily scam you simpletons into thinking that I prayed for my good fortune. And you know what? Morons like you would believe me without a moment's hesitation. Show me proof that "prayers get answered."

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The bible does not teach believers to do good works by their own will but through the will of God.

WHY IS THIS A GOOD THING?? Do you realize that you are advocating not having a free will!? Are you a fucking lunatic?

Originally Posted by LordsSword

Please tell me what Atheism means to you? I have covered many aspects of my beliefs but the atheists here have not. The atheistic views of my religion have been made quite clear. Can you take this discussion in a different direction?

Look, you lunatic.

We've said over and over again: atheism is a lack of belief. We don't believe in ANYTHING. We live without deities.

We don't need deities. We can survive as your classic "good people" without the guidance of a deity.

The atheists I know are good, good people. They respect other peoples' religious beliefs, and never try to impose theirs on others. They realize it's fucking annoying - to mention disrespectful. They lead their lives the same way any other person does.

There is no "beliefs," LordSword. Thats why it's called "ATHEISM." Literally "without belief."

We don't look to the sky, hoping that something higher than us will guide us, give us strength, and help us through life.

We feel that all the thigns we do in life are OUR decisions. We are the masters of our own ship - we control our decisions, and we make them as best we can.

While we do not believe in a deity, we still strive to be HONEST, GOOD PEOPLE. Because every human DESERVES that.

I suppose it takes a HELL of a lot more strength to go through life knowing that you are making decisions ALONE. No one up there is watching out for us - we're watching out for both ourselves and those around us.

To go forth in life knowing that there is no guidance or love from a deity is more difficult, I think, than thinking Daddy God is up there to hug and kiss your boo-boos when you're down. We chose this way because we feel it's better to be honest with ourselves. I can see why people would turn to religion in times of pain or doubt; it's a very comforting thought. But to me, it's a lie. It makes you soft and warm thinking "golly gee, someone out there LOVES ME." But it's best not to delude yourself: you're just feeling down and out, and you need that feeling. You CRAVE that feeling. You want to feel loved and accepted.

But it's just a comforting device. And once it becomes more than that, wars can be waged in the name of My God X, and men will die over something so silly.

If you want to believe in a deity, no one can tell you that it's right or wrong, in the same fashion that you can't tell US what's right and wrong.

Originally Posted by Sassafrass

But it's inaccurate to say atheists don't believe in anything outside of the realm of observation, man. At least I find it so. I may be in the minority

I suppose you could talk about people that believe in mysticism and eastern religions/philosophies and all of that junk, but then we're kind of just clouding the whole argument of what a god actually is (after all, aren't we all atheists to someone).

Originally Posted by LordsSword

Science as you know it only denys God these guys believed why wouldnt you?Famous Scientists Who Believed in God

One needs to examine not how many scientists and professors believe something, but what their conviction is based upon.

I just want to clarify here that atheism is specifically a rejection of deities, not of any and all supernatural phenomena. One can easily be religious and still be atheistic; Buddhists do it all the time.

Originally Posted by Pangalin

Buddhists do it all the time.

Everyone loves a Buddhist, man.

Everyone except the Chinese government, of course.



Chairman Meow is merciless.

Well to be fair to everybody else he obviously was going to have 10,000 years to become that powerful.

Originally Posted by Sassafrass

Look, you lunatic.

We've said over and over again: atheism is a lack of belief. We don't believe in ANYTHING. We live without deities.

To go forth in life knowing that there is no guidance or love from a deity is more difficult, I think, than thinking Daddy God is up there to hug and kiss your boo-boos when you're down. We chose this way because we feel it's better to be honest with ourselves. I can see why people would turn to religion in times of pain or doubt; it's a very comforting thought. But to me, it's a lie. It makes you soft and warm thinking "golly gee, someone out there LOVES ME." But it's best not to delude yourself: you're just feeling down and out, and you need that feeling. You CRAVE that feeling. You want to feel loved and accepted.

I eagerly look forward to what Jackyboy has to say. Atheism is full of deities but to make yourselves look "smart" by using different terms.

Origin of the universe & life according to atheists: Chance (or probability) Despite the lack of proof.
Who controls the destiny of an atheist: The individual. This view is shared by some cults too.


I admit it my religion means support to me as well. My support does not come only from my God. My book calls for believers to rally together help one another & help the rest of the world under specific guidelines. You call yourself "good" but what does this term mean when ultimately you the atheist live in a world defined by no accountability.

Who says what is good when everyone is free to determine their own tastes under your system? Abuse of other people is condemned by the bible but how can you define abuse with the lack of a consistent authority?

My support by other people in my religion is much like the Power Rangers. We need each other for strength and we depend on a power beyond ourselves to overcome adversity which is proven again and again with successful social reforms throughout history in many different countries.

Originally Posted by sprouticus

Oh that is such fucking bullshit. You can spin the "prayers get answered" thing so easily it's mindblowing. I've had a recent string of good things happening in my life lately. If I were religious, I could easily scam you simpletons into thinking that I prayed for my good fortune. And you know what? Morons like you would believe me without a moment's hesitation. Show me proof that "prayers get answered."

Furthermore, its a proven scientific fact prayer has positive psychological benefits lending additional strength in times of hard work & persecution.
The Science of Prayer and Healing
This is outlined in biblical texts and repeated often in Christian history especially with missionaries.

You're seriously trying to convert people. Wow.

Originally Posted by LordsSword

I eagerly look forward to what Jackyboy has to say. Atheism is full of deities but to make yourselves look "smart" by using different terms.

Yea, I look really smart by saying "I don't believe in a deity."

So. You wanna tell me what I/we worship? I'd love to know, since you know me/us better than I/we know ourselves!

Quote:

Origin of the universe & life according to atheists: Chance (or probability) Despite the lack of proof.
Who controls the destiny of an atheist: The individual. This view is shared by some cults too.

Yea, thats a huge generalization and kind of inaccurate, too.

I recommend you have a conversation with some atheists (WITHOUT preaching to them) to get a little more educated about what different atheists think.

Quote:

I admit it my religion means support to me as well. My support does not come only from my God. My book calls for believers to rally together help one another & help the rest of the world under specific guidelines. You call yourself "good" but what does this term mean when ultimately you the atheist live in a world defined by no accountability.

You're a dumbass. Really. The only reason you can keep yourself in check is because of your belief in god, yet you have the audacity to imply that atheists can't be "good people" because we hold no accountability with a deity.

Whatever keeps you from murdering and raping, thats fine. If your god is personal leash, that's FINE. I don't CARE what you believe in. It's when you start running at the mouth, pointing your fucking fingers, judging and preaching. You need to exercise a little more tolerance and a little more understanding. Jesus wouldn't be proud of you.

Myself? I like to consider how my actions affect others before I do them. I try not to harm anyone in this life, and I live to help those who need it.

I don't need a religion to be a "good" person. Do you?

(of course, we've gone down THIS road before with you, LordSword. You like to just spout religious rhetoric and not listen to a word anyone but yourself says.)

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Who says what is good when everyone is free to determine their own tastes under your system? Abuse of other people is condemned by the bible but how can you define abuse with the lack of a consistent authority?

Some people, believe it or not, DONT BELIEVE IN A CONSISTENT AUTHORITY.

Why do you need that authority? Can't you decide for yourself?

Wait. Religion is AGAINST thinking for yourself. Now I see why you're having a hard time understanding this all.

Quote:

My support by other people in my religion is much like the Power Rangers. We need each other for strength and we depend on a power beyond ourselves to overcome adversity which is proven again and again with successful social reforms throughout history in many different countries.

O man. All I had to do was read "Power Rangers" and I had a laughter fit.

Life isn't a sci-fi childrens' show, LordSword. Maybe when you grow up and you see how the world really works, you'll start to understand what people around you are telling you:

Harm none. Help as many as you can. Love your brother. We're not all that different, you and I - you and anyone in the world. Humans GENERALLY hold the same things precious, and aim to protect them.

I just don't believe in god. You do.

Good for you, applause applause, now carry on.

Quote:

Furthermore, its a proven scientific fact prayer has positive psychological benefits lending additional strength in times of hard work & persecution.

Yea, PSYCHOLOGICAL benefits. But god ain't answering your call, buddy. Your BRAIN is.

Did you know that you can also WILL yourself into being ill?

The mind is a powerful thing. I recommend you start using it to think instead of to preach.

Originally Posted by Smelnick

You're seriously trying to convert people. Wow.

Sure my walk with God means doing just that. Sassafrass and everybody here are helping me with their contrasting views. Go back to the start of this thread and look at how this has come along. There are plenty of folks out there who read our posts but dont add their own statements.

My true aim is to reveal the natural outworking of my beliefs and coax the same from others. In doing this our audience has a chance to see what our beliefs are in action and Lord willing be persuaded by my stand to trust in Jesus Christ.

Originally Posted by Sassafrass

O man. All I had to do was read "Power Rangers" and I had a laughter fit.

I knew you would like that! I'm glad I can bring some happiness to you. The Christian is given figurative examples in the bible to live up to despite the pressure of the REAL world. By changing our perception of our circumstances we can become greater than the reality that is presented to us by others. (1 Samuel 17 & Ephesians 6:10-19)

On many occasions I had the chance to team up with folks from different denominations for one cause or another. Even though we came from different traditions be they old young or disabled my breast burned with pride as we stood shoulder to shoulder in prayer and clashed with the issues at hand with a unified front.
Even now I suspect that prayers have been fueling my efforts thus far.

Thanks to my unseen team out there, thank you for your support.