The Atheist - Agnostic - Non religious thread

I'll put this here rather than in the Ranting Room.

Epignosis wrote: stonebeard wrote: I'll put this here rather than in the Ranting Room.     On my campus (Purdue University), we have the Society of Non-Theists. They organize events related to atheism, nontheism, and all that. But there's that undercurrent of new atheist ethos to do with the Flying Spaghetti Monster, scarlet letter A's, worshipping PZ Myers and basically being pugilistic, smug trolls. I think these people have made the right choice in their worldview, as I hold the same atheistic opinion about the universe, but they take it upon themselves to be dicks about it. There's no such thing as polite to a lot of these people. I don't want anyone to avoid discussing religion and science, but there are good ways to go about it. Among them however, is not taking every chance you get to call your opponent an ignorant idiot. Call me what you will ("nice," "polite," "not a smug prick" spring to mind) but this is common sense. Maybe I just haven't taken enough biology courses to feel confident in calling opinions other than mine only worthy of idiots (or maybe I've just taken too many philosophy classes....) I share your sympathy. This is what it feels like (as a Christian) to be lumped together with the likes of Fred Phelps and Jerry Falwell.

That's why Deism is great! You can only be lumped with the Founding Fathers and Philosophers!

^ I knew you were going to post that

Slartibartfast wrote: Dean wrote: ^ I knew you were going to post that   There are a-holes in every walk of life, in every sector, at every level, in every club, society and fellowship. Unfortunately a-holes have a shorter digestive tract than the average humane bean so their physical a-holes are closer to their mouths, hence the terminology, they also have an ingrained need to be heard because their opinion is not only right, it is important and necessary and for the betterment of mankind and anyone who holds an opposing view is not just wrong, they are stupid with it.   The Atheistic a-holes are special because they are not just Atheists, they are Confirmed Atheists - they have been baptised into the unchurch and bestowed with the atheistic charismata - the gift of talking without listening.   Well, that's my theory anyway. Much better to just admit that you just might not know, you know... There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don't know we don't know. Donald Rumsfeld One of the more sensible things the guy has said in a weird kind of way. I dunno.

It's much more fun pretending you know what you know because you know you knew it once, even though you're not sure you know it now.

The thing is, you have to take a stance on something. It's implied throughout life that we actually are 100% sure of practically nothing (except perhaps some mathematical concepts), so unless you want to qualify everything you say, just say something in the affirmative.

The problem with the extremely vocal atheists is that they act really really sure that there's no God in any sense and seem to think that gives them the right or duty to act like asses. I hope most anybody would be humbled by their utter lack of certainty, not to qualify every sentence they make or be wimps regarding taking stances for things they believe in, but in not being overt dickholes to anyone who thinks otherwise. It's a problem with a lot of the faithful, but probably even a higher percentage of confirmed atheists do it, because of their superiority complexes from book-learnin' (FYI, I struggle with my superiority to others on a day-to-day basis. It's tough.) and because science seems to be on their side. Oh well, have your superiority stroke your ego internally, but it does no one any good to call names, brag, and be douchebags.

JJLehto wrote: I don't see why. I guess this is one of those points that there's no reason in arguing Maybe I feel this way because I am not a christian (or anything) but I think faith should be a personal thing is all. Between you and your god. Or lack of.

That's fine. But I get a lot out of having discussion of this nature.

Plus, let's be honest, I think it's perfectly natural to get an ego satisfaction out of changing another's opinion to your own, and if you can do that in such a crucial area as a worldview major self-satisfaction.

Man, today was pretty hilarious. Many people in my school just realized that I'm an Atheist this week so one kid decided that he is going to make fun of me or turn me into a Christian and it's pretty laughable. This kid is known as the local douche which makes it twice as funny. He comes up to me and says, "Damn you Atheist!". We start having a discussion about religion and he says, "stop making fun of my religion!". Now I'm confused. He refers to me as "Damn Atheist" yet he accuses me of making fun of his religion.

Edited by mystic fred - November 08 2009 at 05:14

Xanthous wrote: If I ever have a child I am not going to expose any religion to him/ her and see what occurs.

Doesn't mean much....once we get old enough we DO develop our own minds. I was exposed to it and left on my own free will. I know others whose parents were very devout, some continue with some rebel against. I am sure they are some out there who were not exposed to it and later on went to religion.

Unless you meant what would happen to them as a person, if never exposed to it.

Silverbeard McStarr wrote: You kinda should expose your child to different views and opinions. As long as you don't force one particular set of beliefs on him/her.

Quoted for truth