New Atheist to the forum ,, ding ding ding get your lynching ropes

Ah but he is still young and knows not what he does LOL

 

I'm crawling in here at a late hour with my first post...

I would like to announce that "I am a ____________(fill in the blank) but since I find myself evolving from one second to the next, I haven't had the time to figure out which side of the spiritual world (or non-spiritual world) I belong in. It seems that I am forever switching sides and perhaps always and forever will be in a state of flux which ultimately will result in ? and curiously I find this ? to be a constant source of fascination.

 

I filed in your blank with the word anti-theist…. I’m sure you will love it.

 

To some extent you are right. I really don't know what I am doing. I just live life by the second not really knowing what is going to happen. For some things like my religious beliefs, I am sure of. But for the most part I wonder if I will even last the day. I have my highs and lows , but maybe one day if ever, I will know what I am doing. Thanks! And I am being serious this time, because today I didn't even feel like going on, but for some wierd reason I feel better all of a sudden. I may only be 18 but my mind is far much older (not wiser, mind you) and weary. I feel like I have traveled a million miles and have been jerked around too much. I think just a few more straws just may break my back. Well...gotta go to work! See y'all later.

 

Ok now that was rather deep not sure if the guy's are ready for that sort of stuff LOL On to the new, new Guy LOL Welcome to our house of Madness and how about Doughnut as the missing word?

 

I could accept that..a doughnut could be a great symbol to illustrate the universe...space and non-space, something and nothing..

Good pick!

 

But only if it has Jam in the center, got to have JAM

 

I am not an atheist but an agnostic. One of the many reasons why I am not an atheist is because of Dawkins. He is all that is wrong with atheism as well as any other belief system. He is a pompous know it all who belittles people for their beliefs. He is no better than any Christian who pushes his religion on others and looks down on those who believe differently than himself and he is so damn sure he is right, so superior minded. Mr. Dawkins makes the classic mistake of pushing his opinions as empirical and bashing all others...there are no answers save the ones he holds. His intolerance of religion and those who believe do not set him apart from anything...intolerance of others beliefs is age old...same old. When it comes to his arguments he makes to support his position, they are not new or of his own mind...they are regurgitated from other brave men who expressed them long before him...he just makes sure that they are presented in the most intolerant and belittling manner possible.

If one does not believe in God...this is indeed your right. If one is positive they are right...again, your right...it is even your right to belittle the beliefs of others and to be intolerant of all other beliefs...but his manner of expressing his opinions is so abrasive and insulting, he is destined to remain forever simply an abrassive jack-ass. Even if atheism grows, I hope he is not considered a major player because if atheism looks to him as a role model...I would rather be christian. Jesus is a much better role model than he will ever be. IMO, if your beliefs and opinions are strong and valid, you need not belittle others to make them...they should stand on their own.

After hearing this man so filled with his own smug sense of self importance, with such spite and venom for all other beliefs, I realized what was wrong with my own stance on these issues. I looked at him with the same disdain I have for all people who belittle others and try to force the fact that they are right down our throats...I didnt want to be like him. I thought 'who am I to say these people are wrong? what kind of great revelation have I brought to the table?' and even if Christians and those who profess a religious belief are wrong...who the hell am I to call them stupid? or say they are wrong? In my mind, they are wrong...but who am I to call some strongly held belief they hold stupid...thats just not my place and to be honest...I cannot say for sure if there is or isnt a god, certainly I will never prove it...so why attack peoples beliefs...Since I cannot say for sure, because, in the end, I cannot know if there is anything of a divine nature out there...I decided to withhold my belief...I decided that the answer could not be known...and if it can be, it will reveal itself one way or the other...until then...I withhold my judgment...and I will try my best never to be an intolerant prick like Mr. Dawkins.

 

In response to Drusus-

I am of course, an athiest, but I wouldn't dare belittle someone because they think differently than me. Because of Dawkins, Athieism is considered a bad word, so I guess that is why more and more people are calling themselves Agnostic. At one time I even called myself an Agnostic, and at times I still do. Some people think that we don't have any morals and look down to anyone else but that is not entirely true. I respect anyones point of view, it is your own right to believe in what you will. And as you said Drusus, in my mind you may be wrong, but who am I tell these people otherwise and insult them and their beliefs.

 

Most of you know my beliefs.

I have a question for Byrd740 and Drusus, and for all who might agree with them. And I mean it in the nicest way. There is no condemnation intended. I am genuinely interested in your answers Both of you have said that, in essence, you get annoyed, to put it mildly, by those who push their own beliefs and demean and insult those who don't share them. What if those two things could be seperated? Seperating the pushing and the insulting, I mean. My beliefs hold that I should push my beliefs, but in a way that doesn't demean or insult those who (in my hopeful opinion) may not yet agree. Thoughts?

 

I get annoyed at the pushing...I get angry at the insulting. I slip sometimes like anyone but I try my best never to demean a personal belief whether it be Christian, atheist or scientology. If it is brought up and I am pushed, I WILL be frank about WHY I do believe...but I will not insult them. I understand that Christians are told to spread the word, that's just part of the belief system...it is there so the religion can grow. Thats why the Jews are my favorite as I have never had a Jew approach me and try to convert me though I have had Christians approach me on the street, at the laundry matt and at my door asking me if I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior.
I once had some Jehovah's witnesses come to my door (in the Texas summer heat) to tell me about their religion. They looked hot, tired, and frustrated. I told them they could come into the air-conditioning and have a drink as long as we are clear I am not interested in what they were offering. They agreed, came in, had a drink and some small talk...and went on their way. A pleasant encounter.

I am past being antagonistic towards religion, I am WAY past trying to convince anyone my way is right...IMO belief is personal and best kept to ones self, especially in mixed company...

I find most Christians congregate and gather with people of like belief...Christians mostly have Christian friends, those who do not believe in god often have like minded friends. I have had problems with Christians in the past, like I related in another thread, I was let go from a small east Texas company because they only wanted Christians working there, when they realized I wasn't, I was told they wouldn't need me. I think this is wrong but I refuse to blame all Christians as I know Christians who make no issue of their beliefs and seem to confine the expression of their religion to private times like at home or in one of the many many many churches that exist for this purpose.

If you must push your believes...then do so in a way, like you say, that doesn't come off pompous and demeaning...IMO you might even get more interest if you put it forth as another option they could think about but not as the only way or you will burn in hell and that there must be something wrong with the person because they got 'get' it. Don't say you pity them if they do not come over to your way of thinking...they don't want your pity.

I think my problem is I spent a lot of time in east Texas and many there not only push religion but they are antagonist to any other way and make it very clear they look upon people like me with pity. I don't need pity and it is insulting to say you pity me...I am an adult and have spent quite a bit of time studying religion, and I am a former Christian so I am very familiar with the bible.

Sometime I DO envy Christians. My sister and others in my family are devout Christians...and those who are in my wife's family who are Muslim. They have a support group in their congregation. With church they get a community I do not get as a non-believer. My family does not talk about religion (at least while I am there) but I know they are kind people, and the people they are friends with are all nice, kind, helpful, and friendly...none have ever tried to convert me or change my views.

Its all about the people...not the religion. Its how they approach the religion and incorporate it into their daily lives that matters.

 

Sorry it took me so long to respond, I have been busy with rewiring the house and putting up some ceiling fans.

I am not good with words so I don't really know how to answer your question. Drusus put a good esay, I surely can't compete. But to say the least I do get annoyed at people who do try to push their religion on people, and at times I get furious. I try to keep to myself most of the time, and keep my mouth shut. I have even been spit on because I said that I hold no interst in joining a church. I have one man that comes to my business every week that is a Mormon. I will not say his name, but he is one the highest (how would you put it?) rank. All he does is rant and rave about "if you don't convert to our religon you will go to hell". He is always trying to pass off tapes and pamphlets and books, trying his damndest to convert me. And if I don't pay him attention, even if I am busy with a paying customer, he will go beserk and stomp around like a little kid(and mind you he is 70 something years old). I would have long ago gotten rid of him but I share a building with my 'adoptive' parents and he is at times a customer of theirs.

Even right know, I am living with two devoted Christians. They are just like a mother and father to me, and we never have any quarels over religion. They at one time tried to get me to be a Christian but they finally gave up. It is kinda funny seeing that I come from a family of Mormons, Baptists and Catholics, and here I am the black sheep of the family. The reason I guess I never believed in god is that I never had a reason to believe.

I hope I answered your question with satisfaction. As I said I am not good with words.

 

Sounded fine to me Chase I will just say that what I believe in is between me and myself and of no concern to anyone else I wont ask what you are if you dont ask what I am LOL Seen too much hate in the name of religion and non religion to last me.

 

Thanks! I agree with you. I usually don't go flaunting around my beliefs, like I said I just keep to myself. I think it is better that way. I figured I didn't know how to introduce myself to the forum and I saw the post, so I said "What the hey".

 

probably the best policy...though on the internet I feel free to be open about my beliefs.

 

So what do atheists do when they die? Do you believe in a heaven or hell Weryon? Do you think you will be reincarnated? Do you think you will turn into a tree?
I'm just curious to know...

 

No one knows. The only way to find out is to, well...die.

I may be a little (or a lot) late, but welcome T$. I do more looking than doing on here, but I will see ya around.

 

Well how will the atheists tell us, if they are already dead? How could we come into contact with them?
And thanks for the welcome...

 

T$ -

You talk to dead athiests the same way you talk with dead Christians - you eat too many 'special' mushrooms.

 

Only time I've ever talked to a dead christian is at a grave site.