question for athiests athiests only please please a question, a question for athiests only please?
365792
My icon rocks. First, its says that Islamic threats have not intimidated, I hold free speech highest in the pecking order of civil rights.\n\nNext, Ive receieved more death threats as a result of my Icon which must be a good thing coming from religious wacko freaks.\n\nAlso, I show respect for the brave Danish cartoonist who knowingly, IN ADVANCE, risked his life for free speech and will be looking over his should for life.\n\nFinally, Islamic insanity is the eptiome of religious insanity and thus to mock Islam, with all its intimidation, is to put me on the top of the agnostic/atheist pecking order by a long shot.
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Last night I went to a great agnostic and atheist websit with 20,000 articles, let me see if I can find it...\n\nOh, and d man, being agnostic is not so simple. I am one too, you should open your mind up slightly.
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I have realized that no one reads this when I just link to it, so here is my response to an earlier similar question:\n\n I believe that I have been nothing but courteous to the people of faith here. I openly deny their belief-system. They openly deny mine. That's fine. We have, however, engaged in some very respectful debate, much to the benefit (I hope) of both sides. I know that my beliefs have not changed, but my preconceptions about young-Earth Christians have been shattered by some of the people I have found here. I think that they are wrong, but I am thrilled to have the opportunity to debate with them without resorting to name-calling or rudeness.\n\nGranted, this requires an openness on both our parts. I think that their faith is "wrong." They think that my lack of faith is "wrong." This is where most people get hung up and debate can go no further. If someone disagreeing with you is "offensive," you're stuck. Once you accept this disagreement, you are quite free to exchange ideas. This is what I have found here (for the most part.)\n\nAs for why I spend so much time in the religion and spirituality forum, I see faith as playing a huge role in the lives of everyone in the world, be they moderate Muslims, fundamentalist Christians, Pagans, or Atheists like myself.\n\nIn my supposedly free country I see gays discriminated against due to faith. People who would never think of using the N-word openly hate and criticize homosexuals for what they are, not who they are. \n\nI see medical advances that could help millions of people stymied by arguments that have their basis in faith. Stem cell research could potentially ease the suffering of billions around the globe, but people of faith stand in the way.\n\nWe are currently involved in what may or may not be a holy war. This is an issue of faith.\n\nOur current government supports "faith-based initiatives" in what may be a breach of The Constitution itself.\n\nI know that faith helps people sleep at night. This doesn't undo the tremendous amount of suffering it has inflicted at every turn of history. \n\nI see faith as a problem, and would like to encourage people to put aside their myths and embrace reason. However, I realize that this is futile. As Jonathan Swift said, "It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into."\n\nThat said, I think that Yahoo Answers provides a wonderful opportunity to try to see where other people are coming from. I disagree with the Christians (and Muslims and Pagans...), but I think it is very important for me to try to understand them. I would hope that they will try to understand me. Once we find some common ground and some mutual respect, we can truly start to talk about things.\n\nI hate the name-calling. The largest problem I have with religion is that it is divisive. I feel that this is the most important aspect of faith that needs to be removed from the equation. Name-calling is also divisive and does not fit into my attempts to act reasonably.\n\nI feel that I deny, but do not scoff. I embrace and enjoy open debate. I think that the things discussed here are important. I'd like to think that some of the things I have to say are pertinent. \n\nIf you want a place for only Christians (for example) to exchange ideas, there are plenty of places on the web for that. However, I think that this exclusion of other mindsets and worldviews does a disservice to those who would seek such a closed system.\n\nThat's why, as an atheist, I show up on the religion thread.
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Will only address the first, initial question.\n\nI personally believe that many religious people try to convert, not only athiests, but people of all religions -  as there own personal religion has commanded them to do by either there saviour, or teacher, or prophet, etc.  Many, honestly are not even comfortable with sharing there faith in God,  Allah,  YHWH,  or  whatever name they have for God, or there saviour, or teacher.\nMany they try to convert, are forced, or at least feel pressured to do so, in order to please there deity, other people or possibly themselves.\nSome feel, according to there scriptures, or holy book, that if everyone does not hear about there faith, and/or there saviour that  their saviour, or prophet/teacher  will not return to take them away from persecution on earth.\n\nAthiests make the decision to choose there own destiny, not leaving it in the hands of a deity.  a  prophet/teacher,  or  any  other  person.  An athiest knows he or she is totally responsible and takes that  responsibility for his or her own thought-life,  words he or she speaks, and  his or her  own\nbehaviour/actions.\n\nHope this helps a little.  \n\nThat was an  Excellent  Question.  Thank You.
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Actually, my child, atheists SHOULD be in this category. The believe in nothing, which is still a belief. They provide a negative view to the views of the Christians and other believers of God. They have freedom of speech and within that is the freedom to disagree. I don't always approve of the language they use, but that goes the same for some of the Holier-than-Thou Bible Thumpers. For an accurate look, you need more than one view.
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If God does not exist, how does that for one second make my life a lie?  If I found out that God did not exist, I would not feel stupid or tricked.  I would feel disappointed, but I think I'd be rather philosophical about it.  After all, I LIKE the life I lead.  It's not as though I suffer through it because I'm afraid of hell, and if I found out that God didn't exist, I don't think I would live all too much differently.  Unless you're suggesting that loving people and helping others has no merit?  You say that at least in hell you'd be surrounded by nice people, but try reading through your question again.  There's nothing nice in that.  Quite frankly, you're giving good atheists a bad name.
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Makes sense to me.\n\nActually...under that definition, I might be the only person here who ISN'T an atheist.\n\nWow. That's a strange thought...
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As an atheist, I have tried to grasp how believers in a god can actually believe. Many religious people have deemed this annoying and respond with hostility because their faith comes under question. And contrary to what people above me have said, we DO have beliefs. Just different (which to some people means none at all). I believe in science and proven fact. I have discussed my beliefs, and come under attack, because if people of faith can understand where I stand, they can further help me understand where THEY stand.
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You know, I get the impression that many of your questions in this catagory are simply meant to provoke others for your amusement in their answers. \nI'm not attacking your beliefs--and I say beliefs because I've seen that it takes as much faith to be an athiest as it does a Christian. \nIf you have a genuine purpose to asking these questions other than laughing at the people who take them seriously, I'd like to know... actually I'd be pretty interested.\nthanks,\nJB
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Who states that they do not push their less than Faith?\nEvery time a Christian question is posted the first to answer is usually a Atheist when the question is directed at other Christians\n\nTo me some are just as bad as Fanatical Christan's,Muslims and all other Religions who are Fanatical
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I am sorry to not be able to offer better company. If it is of any relief, I did meet one guy a long time ago who was a true atheist. His belief was that mankind would be better off the sooner they realized that a higher power was neither existant nor necessary. I was intrigued to find someone of such a like and opinion. Although I do not agree, I did respect his thoughts and beliefs. Unfortunately, the rest of the class overheard and went off on him. I had to apologize for it was not my intention when I first asked. So, no, you're not alone.
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You can just add details to your question, so people can see what you're talking about.\n\nAnd also, as I said in my other post, if you can believe that god came from nothing why can't others believe that something else has just always been?
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well.. i suppose you're referring to us atheists.. \n\nwhy be in this category? why spend so much time? because the questions and answers in this category are often tickling my curiosity, and if it hits the right spot - i'll answer.\n\nboth christian and atheist questions are very interesting to read or answer\n\nusually, it's about the need of expressing yourselves. atheisme is not about disbelief, it's about rejection of organized religion and their hidden agendas - it's about the need not to be controlled and the celebration of free will.\n\nwhich is why Q & A's from closed-minded, robotic, conceited religious fanatics always drew a great amount of interest from the atheists\n\nif there is a category called non-religion and non-spirituality, do you think the die-hard christians will not show up there? they will.
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Why do people always assume that athiests are nonbelievers out of ignorance? A lot of us are learned enough about various religions to have the capacity to question the beliefs man has created for himself.
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Copied from my blog for this very popular question.  I tell you, I am shooting up to level 6 just cuz of this question!  :-D  Yeaaa!\n\nOh, ummm, it's Atheism for the philosophy and atheist for one who practices atheism.  :-)\n\nI, as only one spiritual atheist, am here to learn about the various religions, philosophies and spiritualities of the world.  I always held fascination with religions in general (not just christianity---ALL religions, old and new).   I do not seek a "god" belief, but here to seek how people attain inner-peace, self-knowledge, inner-wisdom and how they attain peace in their lives in general---and that I might learn a thing or two. :-)   I seek to find and improve on my own atheistic spirituality, to improve upon myself. Isn't that what spirituality is basically about? I believe so! \n\nI also hang out here NOT to "defeat religion" but mainly to give the "other side" of the equation, to give information, and to let others know that there are more than one valid way to see, learn and experience the world.   R/S section is not "just reserved for the theists". It is reserved for all.
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haha I asked the same question but about fundalmental christians.  For someone trying to figure out my own sprituality I find both sides rather annoying and superfical.  I think the reason both Atheists and Fundalmentals are on here so much is because their point of view is very simple to give a easy answer.  Beleive and don't question for the fundalmentals and don't beleive at all for the Atheists.  To answer many of the deep questions posted on here a lot of thought has to go into those answers.  Even with lots of thought, a good answer is hard to communicate.  Whole books have been written to answer some of these questions.  So it only appears to be narrow minded people in the population but in fact its just easier for them to give their narrow minded answers because to them everything is black and white
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What do you propose they do?  Atheists believe in nothing so what do you want the services to conjure up for them?  Sorry,  but this is a silly question.  If they don't believe in any superior being, there is no clergy for them...just the way life is and no one ever said it was fair.