General Discussion

So I found myself in a discussion about religion the other day. For the record, I don't run around announcing to the world that I'm an atheist or insulting religious people at every opportunity. Yet, if someone asks me point blank about my religious leanings then I reply plainly and honestly. It's usually at this point that the bullshit occurs.

Once a religious person finds out that I'm an atheist they usually proceed to try and call me out on my "beliefs." I use scare quotes because atheism is the lack of belief altogether. I don't believe. I've tried to believe. At one time I really, really wanted to believe. But I don't believe.

This fundamental misunderstanding is what brings me to this topic. Theists always want non-believers to answer for their point of view. They demand explanations. The problem with this is that atheists don't have answers in regard to religion. Atheists only have question about religion that have never been adequately answered.

Here's a short list:

Where did God come from? This is a big one. This is a question so simple that most five year olds jump right on it. To clarify, if the universe is so large and complex that it requires an intelligence that is an order of magnitude more complex to design it, who made that intelligence? And who made the maker's, maker's, maker? This question leads to an infinite loop. As far as I'm concerned, this is the knockout punch. Theists go to great lengths to avoid this issue for a reason.

If God loves us so futher mocking much, why does he inflict pain and death on us? Pushing on past the first question, we reach for the all knowing / loving / powerful aspect. It's the Epicurean question. Is God willing and able to prevent evil? Your average theist will answer yes right off the cuff, but then why is there evil. Theists will then counter with man's free will which means that God is indeed unable and therefore not omnipotent. Theists will then revise their answer that God chooses not to interfere with man's free will which means that God is unwilling and therefor malevolent. You can have one or two, but not all three.

Why only one God? Why not a thousand, or even a million? Whenever this issue comes up I'm usually asked to prove that there is no God. But this cuts both ways. Why don't you prove that there are no other Gods than your God...? Exactly!

Why doesn't God heal amputees? God heals tumors, mental illness, blindness, deafness, paralysis, etc., yet no amputee has ever regrown a limb at a faith healers tent. WTF?!

And the questions go on from there. While different people have different reasons for being atheists, many of us simply don't believe because religion provides nothing but unanswered questions. It's that simple.

Originally posted by Jimmy_Scythe

So I found myself in a discussion about religion the other day. For the record, I don't run around announcing to the world that I'm an atheist or insulting religious people at every opportunity. Yet, if someone asks me point blank about my religious leanings then I reply plainly and honestly. It's usually at this point that the bullshit occurs.

Once a religious person finds out that I'm an atheist they usually proceed to try and call me out on my "beliefs." I use scare quotes because atheism is the lack of belief altogether. I don't believe. I've tried to believe. At one time I really, really wanted to believe. But I don't believe.

This fundamental misunderstanding is what brings me to this topic. Theists always want non-believers to answer for their point of view. They demand explanations. The problem with this is that atheists don't have answers in regard to religion. Atheists only have question about religion that have never been adequately answered.

Here's a short list:

Where did God come from? This is a big one. This is a question so simple that most five year olds jump right on it. To clarify, if the universe is so large and complex that it requires an intelligence that is an order of magnitude more complex to design it, who made that intelligence? And who made the maker's, maker's, maker? This question leads to an infinite loop. As far as I'm concerned, this is the knockout punch. Theists go to great lengths to avoid this issue for a reason.

If God loves us so futher mocking much, why does he inflict pain and death on us? Pushing on past the first question, we reach for the all knowing / loving / powerful aspect. It's the Epicurean question. Is God willing and able to prevent evil? Your average theist will answer yes right off the cuff, but then why is there evil. Theists will then counter with man's free will which means that God is indeed unable and therefore not omnipotent. Theists will then revise their answer that God chooses not to interfere with man's free will which means that God is unwilling and therefor malevolent. You can have one or two, but not all three.

Why only one God? Why not a thousand, or even a million? Whenever this issue comes up I'm usually asked to prove that there is no God. But this cuts both ways. Why don't you prove that there are no other Gods than your God...? Exactly!

Why doesn't God heal amputees? God heals tumors, mental illness, blindness, deafness, paralysis, etc., yet no amputee has ever regrown a limb at a faith healers tent. WTF?!

And the questions go on from there. While different people have different reasons for being atheists, many of us simply don't believe because religion provides nothing but unanswered questions. It's that simple.

I explained this about 30 times throughout 5 years being here. I have an answer for everyone of thos questions. You can search if you wish but I do not wish to get in a long drawn out debate on this again lol.

If you want to discuss this feel free to PM me. I was a priest for years so I can explain this but in PM this time.

Originally posted by Jimmy_Scythe

So I found myself in a discussion about religion the other day. For the record, I don't run around announcing to the world that I'm an atheist or insulting religious people at every opportunity. Yet, if someone asks me point blank about my religious leanings then I reply plainly and honestly. It's usually at this point that the bullshit occurs.

Once a religious person finds out that I'm an atheist they usually proceed to try and call me out on my "beliefs." I use scare quotes because atheism is the lack of belief altogether. I don't believe. I've tried to believe. At one time I really, really wanted to believe. But I don't believe.

This fundamental misunderstanding is what brings me to this topic. Theists always want non-believers to answer for their point of view. They demand explanations. The problem with this is that atheists don't have answers in regard to religion. Atheists only have question about religion that have never been adequately answered.

Here's a short list:

Where did God come from? This is a big one. This is a question so simple that most five year olds jump right on it. To clarify, if the universe is so large and complex that it requires an intelligence that is an order of magnitude more complex to design it, who made that intelligence? And who made the maker's, maker's, maker? This question leads to an infinite loop. As far as I'm concerned, this is the knockout punch. Theists go to great lengths to avoid this issue for a reason.

If God loves us so futher mocking much, why does he inflict pain and death on us? Pushing on past the first question, we reach for the all knowing / loving / powerful aspect. It's the Epicurean question. Is God willing and able to prevent evil? Your average theist will answer yes right off the cuff, but then why is there evil. Theists will then counter with man's free will which means that God is indeed unable and therefore not omnipotent. Theists will then revise their answer that God chooses not to interfere with man's free will which means that God is unwilling and therefor malevolent. You can have one or two, but not all three.

Why only one God? Why not a thousand, or even a million? Whenever this issue comes up I'm usually asked to prove that there is no God. But this cuts both ways. Why don't you prove that there are no other Gods than your God...? Exactly!

Why doesn't God heal amputees? God heals tumors, mental illness, blindness, deafness, paralysis, etc., yet no amputee has ever regrown a limb at a faith healers tent. WTF?!

And the questions go on from there. While different people have different reasons for being atheists, many of us simply don't believe because religion provides nothing but unanswered questions. It's that simple.

You are asking questions humans have been asking since we first conceived the notion of God(s)

Are you at conflict with religion or the concept of God or the ideal of spirituality? They are and at the same time are not interchangeable.

Most of your questions seem to grounded in religion. Religions are made by humans. Humans have no clue thus they are the least reliable as a source of information.

What does your heart tell you?

Originally posted by Enigma

Originally posted by Jimmy_Scythe

So I found myself in a discussion about religion the other day. For the record, I don't run around announcing to the world that I'm an atheist or insulting religious people at every opportunity. Yet, if someone asks me point blank about my religious leanings then I reply plainly and honestly. It's usually at this point that the bullshit occurs.

Once a religious person finds out that I'm an atheist they usually proceed to try and call me out on my "beliefs." I use scare quotes because atheism is the lack of belief altogether. I don't believe. I've tried to believe. At one time I really, really wanted to believe. But I don't believe.

This fundamental misunderstanding is what brings me to this topic. Theists always want non-believers to answer for their point of view. They demand explanations. The problem with this is that atheists don't have answers in regard to religion. Atheists only have question about religion that have never been adequately answered.

Here's a short list:

Where did God come from? This is a big one. This is a question so simple that most five year olds jump right on it. To clarify, if the universe is so large and complex that it requires an intelligence that is an order of magnitude more complex to design it, who made that intelligence? And who made the maker's, maker's, maker? This question leads to an infinite loop. As far as I'm concerned, this is the knockout punch. Theists go to great lengths to avoid this issue for a reason.

If God loves us so futher mocking much, why does he inflict pain and death on us? Pushing on past the first question, we reach for the all knowing / loving / powerful aspect. It's the Epicurean question. Is God willing and able to prevent evil? Your average theist will answer yes right off the cuff, but then why is there evil. Theists will then counter with man's free will which means that God is indeed unable and therefore not omnipotent. Theists will then revise their answer that God chooses not to interfere with man's free will which means that God is unwilling and therefor malevolent. You can have one or two, but not all three.

Why only one God? Why not a thousand, or even a million? Whenever this issue comes up I'm usually asked to prove that there is no God. But this cuts both ways. Why don't you prove that there are no other Gods than your God...? Exactly!

Why doesn't God heal amputees? God heals tumors, mental illness, blindness, deafness, paralysis, etc., yet no amputee has ever regrown a limb at a faith healers tent. WTF?!

And the questions go on from there. While different people have different reasons for being atheists, many of us simply don't believe because religion provides nothing but unanswered questions. It's that simple.

 

I explained this about 30 times throughout 5 years being here. I have an answer for everyone of thos questions. You can search if you wish but I do not wish to get in a long drawn out debate on this again lol.

If you want to discuss this feel free to PM me. I was a priest for years so I can explain this but in PM this time.

You have an answer to every one of those questions, but can't seem to find it possible to give them in this reply.

Well, that's extremely helpful.

Your examples assume one particular form of religion as a basis, and beyond the first question fail to generate any discord to a faith that does not fall into the particular category you challenge.

-Where did God come from: Instead ask where did anything come from. Atheism and Relgion offer different options for the same, unanswerable question.

-If God loves us: According to which faith and what view? If I say my faith says that God is apathetic to the plight of mankind, it destroys the validity of your question.

-Why only one God: Again, if my faith preaches there are many deities, your argument has no bearing.

-Why doesn't God heal amputees: Back to the conception of divinity as a singular loving entity. If I say my God doesn't care, your argument has lost power.

I am an atheist, but I really wouldn't ask any of those questions, all I would really ask is, If a god existed then where is it?  I would want physical evidence of a god.  Thing is most people's concept of gods make them incorporal, so we really couldn't prove if one existed by definition, making god a claim that can never be backed up by evidence.

Really though I don't care if one existed or not.  I wouldn't change my behavior and I would still have my own value system.  If it wants to reward or punish me for my actions whatever.  I am the sole judge of what is right and wrong for me.

Most of the stories I have read from the bible are of a loving and caring nature. I believe the teachings of Jesus will help fulfill and add peace to your life, should you choose to practice them. i also believe that if I were to say "Joe Schmo wants you to be a loving and caring individual, and if you don't he will be displeased" it wouldn't carry near as much weight as "God wants you to be a loving and caring individual, and if you don't you're going to burn in eternal damnation".

Just my thoughts.