Are you an atheist, but not an arsehole to religious people?

IronHide wrote:I'm not religious but I would never be arsey to anyone who is, nor say they were stupid.

So if a devout Christian asked you your opinion on the theory that the Earth is around five-thousand years old, you would lie to them and say that it's perfectly reasonable? This is where we differ, then, for I see no reason why I shouldn't have my opinion heard when there are threads (such as this one) made specifically for such a debate.

Lucien wrote:My belief is that a lot of Atheists are as deluded as the religious people they claim are the deluded ones.

For this reason; anyone who believes in a religion believes they have a real reason to live. A lot of Atheist's believe there's no reason yet continue to live and breed which, if you continue that logic to it's utmost point makes no sense.

That's strawberry floating ridiculous. No atheists believe that there is no reason to live. Atheists believe that there is no final outcome to having lived. Living is the reason itself.

Lucien wrote:My belief is that a lot of Atheists are as deluded as the religious people they claim are the deluded ones.

For this reason; anyone who believes in a religion believes they have a real reason to live. A lot of Atheist's believe there's no reason yet continue to live and breed which, if you continue that logic to it's utmost point makes no sense.

All I can to a comment like that is pfft.

Mind Crime wrote:

IronHide wrote:I'm not religious but I would never be arsey to anyone who is, nor say they were stupid.

So if a devout Christian asked you your opinion on the theory that the Earth is around five-thousand years old, you would lie to them and say that it's perfectly reasonable? This is where we differ, then, for I see no reason why I shouldn't have my opinion heard when there are threads (such as this one) made specifically for such a debate.

I'd just point out that there's been significant scientific evidence which proves that to be untrue, that's not being arsey or calling them stupid.

IronHide wrote:

Mind Crime wrote:

IronHide wrote:I'm not religious but I would never be arsey to anyone who is, nor say they were stupid.

So if a devout Christian asked you your opinion on the theory that the Earth is around five-thousand years old, you would lie to them and say that it's perfectly reasonable? This is where we differ, then, for I see no reason why I shouldn't have my opinion heard when there are threads (such as this one) made specifically for such a debate.

I'd just point out that there's been significant scientific evidence which proves that to be untrue, that's not being arsey or calling them stupid.

Fair enough. That's pretty much what I would do as well, which is what I meant by "have my opinion heard". I wouldn't call them stupid, however I would probably say that the belief itself is stupid if I was pressed. Does that constitute arseyness in your opinion? I am of the belief that everything is open to criticism and that people have a right to voice an opinion.

Lucien wrote:

Mind Crime wrote:

Lucien wrote:My belief is that a lot of Atheists are as deluded as the religious people they claim are the deluded ones.

For this reason; anyone who believes in a religion believes they have a real reason to live. A lot of Atheist's believe there's no reason yet continue to live and breed which, if you continue that logic to it's utmost point makes no sense.

That's ******* ridiculous. No atheists believe that there is no reason to live. Atheists believe that there is no final outcome to having lived. Living is the reason itself.

Ans the reason for Athiests to bring life is?

It's what we're here for.

Lucien wrote:

Mind Crime wrote:

Lucien wrote:My belief is that a lot of Atheists are as deluded as the religious people they claim are the deluded ones.

For this reason; anyone who believes in a religion believes they have a real reason to live. A lot of Atheist's believe there's no reason yet continue to live and breed which, if you continue that logic to it's utmost point makes no sense.

That's ******* ridiculous. No atheists believe that there is no reason to live. Atheists believe that there is no final outcome to having lived. Living is the reason itself.

Ans the reason for Athiests to bring life is?

Because it's desirable (whether through instinct or whatever) to raise a family, and to let others enjoy the life you have so far experienced.

Mind Crime wrote:

Lucien wrote:

Mind Crime wrote:

Lucien wrote:My belief is that a lot of Atheists are as deluded as the religious people they claim are the deluded ones.

For this reason; anyone who believes in a religion believes they have a real reason to live. A lot of Atheist's believe there's no reason yet continue to live and breed which, if you continue that logic to it's utmost point makes no sense.

That's ******* ridiculous. No atheists believe that there is no reason to live. Atheists believe that there is no final outcome to having lived. Living is the reason itself.

Ans the reason for Athiests to bring life is?

Because it's desirable (whether through instinct or whatever) to raise a family, and to let others enjoy the life you have so far experienced.

Aye. Being an atheist doesn't mean they don't enjoy life.

CosmoKramer wrote:

Mind Crime wrote:

Lucien wrote:

Mind Crime wrote:

Lucien wrote:My belief is that a lot of Atheists are as deluded as the religious people they claim are the deluded ones.

For this reason; anyone who believes in a religion believes they have a real reason to live. A lot of Atheist's believe there's no reason yet continue to live and breed which, if you continue that logic to it's utmost point makes no sense.

That's ******* ridiculous. No atheists believe that there is no reason to live. Atheists believe that there is no final outcome to having lived. Living is the reason itself.

Ans the reason for Athiests to bring life is?

Because it's desirable (whether through instinct or whatever) to raise a family, and to let others enjoy the life you have so far experienced.

Aye. Being an atheist doesn't mean they don't enjoy life.

Indeed . That was a bizarre little argument.

I'm an Atheist who works in a Church. But, as I found out, most people like me are.

I'd be quite interested to see how many of you guys who are Atheists have been married by a priest or had their child Christened.

Lucien wrote:

Mind Crime wrote:

Lucien wrote:My belief is that a lot of Atheists are as deluded as the religious people they claim are the deluded ones.

For this reason; anyone who believes in a religion believes they have a real reason to live. A lot of Atheist's believe there's no reason yet continue to live and breed which, if you continue that logic to it's utmost point makes no sense.

That's ******* ridiculous. No atheists believe that there is no reason to live. Atheists believe that there is no final outcome to having lived. Living is the reason itself.

Ans the reason for Athiests to bring life is?

Steady on me lad-o, you seem to be heading towards a rather bigoted opinion here, displaying an ignorance over the nature, and spelling, of atheism from the off. Firstly, there is no set belief structure of atheism, it is merely a lack of faith in the supernatural - aside from that you have no need to adopt science, Humanism, any thought structures or cultural behaviour - so please don't start off with stating that all atheists believe 'there's no reason yet continue to live and breed', because that is not true.

Humanism, for example, looks towards humanity as a whole to better the existence for everyone - their reason to live is to live a happy, good, intellectually fulfilling existence together peacefully and try to make the world a better place for future generations. A nobler aim than some of religion's.
And yet, I have a similar outlook, but I wouldn't describe myself as a Humanist. Atheism is a broad church (I use that term tongue in cheek) and you'd be unwise to try and sum up the atheist's life aims so clumsily.

Skarjo, do you follow Ayer with that version of the Verification principle or some other Wittgensteinian Logical Positivism?

Luke_25 wrote:I'd be quite interested to see how many of you guys who are Atheists have been married by a priest or had their child Christened.

What would it prove if they had and did? For the non-commited agnostic and potential atheist, cultural traditions can often outweigh scepticism over the alleged reason for a tradition.

I've been Christened, but as we all know, it makes no difference to me as a person (well, as much as a splash of water makes on any forehead) and nor does Christening a child changes that child in any way. I would agree that any atheist who does Christen their child is, on the face of it, acting hypocritically; but there may be other factors at play - avoiding family conflict, partner wishes etc., and these may over-rule an atheist's objection to the appealing to the supernatural... after-all, a Christening has no adverse effect on a child.

But personally, I would not get married in a church or christen a child of mine.

Mayne, I ain't even read any of this, but going by past religion topics I'd need a gooseberry fool load of and .

Mayne, Ima say this, do your thing. If you don't believe in religion then don't believe, if you religious be religious. As long as you ain't hurting nobody then it's all good. Ima guess that people have said organised religion is bad etc, but generally it's only the extremists which are bad which happen to represent a small minority of whatever religion they are a part of.

Life doesn't have to have meaning, just be blessed that you're alive and breathing, life is breath taking and you shouldn't waste it worrying over things like this.

Lucien wrote:It's desirable to you to raise a family, and for you to think you are doing justice by creating other little you's. Your reason is not in itself a more widespread reason to live in general. Another Atheist may commit suicide for example.

But you asked me specifically why atheists bring others into the world! If an atheist commits suicide purely because he thinks there is no point to being alive then he is (in my opinion, lest you forget) an idiot.

It makes no sense to say the reason of living is living anymore than it makes sense to say the reason for breathing is breathing or the reason for sleeping is sleeping. Atheists no doubt agree in the end one day everyone will perish correct? So there isn't exactly a greater reason or greater purpose as religious types [wrong or right] at least believe they have.

Yes it does make sense. Breathing is breathing and sleeping is sleeping, but living is a hell of a lot more than just being alive. Living is experiencing things and enjoying yourself (as well as not experiencing things and not enjoying yourself!). Yes, atheists believe that in the end everyone will perish, how does this prove that there is no reason to live?

Lucien wrote:I'm aware the view is broad, hence my careful choice of words. 'A lot of Atheists'

That's still a hell of an assumption, I would say the vast majority of atheists can be inspired by the natural world and, occasionally, by the achievements of humanity and very, very few would have such a bleak outlook as you try and paint onto them.

BobbyDigital wrote:Mayne, I ain't even read any of this, but going by past religion topics I'd need a gooseberry fool load of and .

Mayne, Ima say this, do your thing. If you don't believe in religion then don't believe, if you religious be religious. As long as you ain't hurting nobody then it's all good. Ima guess that people have said organised religion is bad etc, but generally it's only the extremists which are bad which happen to represent a small minority of whatever religion they are a part of.

Life doesn't have to have meaning, just be blessed that you're alive and breathing, life is breath taking and you shouldn't waste it worrying over things like this.

Deep mayne, real deep.

BobbyDigital wrote:life is breath taking and you shouldn't waste it worrying over things like this.

Lucien, if you can't see how an Atheist would find meaning in living life, here's your answer.

Personally, when I think of the mere fact that I'm alive (when you consider the massively unlikely chance of such an event occurring, taking into account all the factors for life we know are necessary in this universe) that's enough for me.

Lucien wrote:

Slartibartfast wrote:

Lucien wrote:I'm aware the view is broad, hence my careful choice of words. 'A lot of Atheists'

That's still a hell of an assumption, I would say the vast majority of atheists can be inspired by the natural world and, occasionally, by the achievements of humanity and very, very few would have such a bleak outlook as you try and paint onto them.

That's a hell of an assumption too [joke]. You're really saying I shouldn't assume something when right after you did. What we're bickering about is the use of words and personal opinions which is useless. I said 'a lot of' but what is the measuring stick for 'a lot of Atheists'? A few thousand? 80% of them... Had I said some Atheists, or a number of Atheists it still makes no difference as no number has been presented.

You find me a handful of atheists that are genuinely considering killing themselves purely because they don't think there are any pearly gates to go to after they die and I might start taking your point a little bit more seriously...