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OK, so you're an atheist. What next?

13567…11

Comments

  • #62
    Faz6r
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 239 ✭✭Faz6r


    they cant get abused by pedophile priests while serving as altar boys


  • #63
    Penn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 36,583 ✭✭✭✭Penn


    J C wrote: »
    God is loving and just ... so you condemn yourself (or not) to Hell.

    God is like an infinitely merciful and just judge ... repent and ask for forgiveness ... and He will pay your fine and discharge you ... defy Him and tell Him you have no intention of reforming ... and He will 'send you down' ... and who can blame Him??

    ... and another thing that Atheists can't do because they don't (or won't) believe in God ... is to become Saved.:)

    Considering most of his rules basically boil down to "WORSHIP ME OR BURN IN HELL!", I'd rather burn in Hell ... and who can blame Me??


  • #64
    Gordon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,522 ✭✭✭✭Gordon


    J C, will you be upset if you find out that when you die, there isn't a god or a heaven or a hell, just blankness, but you would be aware of that blankness? If so, would you be upset at yourself for believing in a god, or other people for telling you that there is a god? Obviously you would be upset at the constant awareness of blankness, but aside from that, how would you react to the fact that there is no such thing as any of the hundreds of gods?


  • #65
    robindch
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 24,473 Mod ✭✭✭✭robindch


    J C wrote: »
    God is loving and just

    289968.jpg


  • #66
    Brian Shanahan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,232 ✭✭✭Brian Shanahan


    I've thought up of another one:

    I can't take a dump in the woods.









    Oh, wait, that's because I'm not a bear!


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  • #67
    A. Rasher
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 39 ✭A. Rasher


    Gordon wrote: »
    J C, will you be upset if you find out that when you die, there isn't a god or a heaven or a hell, just blankness, but you would be aware of that blankness? If so, would you be upset at yourself for believing in a god, or other people for telling you that there is a god? Obviously you would be upset at the constant awareness of blankness, but aside from that, how would you react to the fact that there is no such thing as any of the hundreds of gods?
    for some, that would be the definition of hell....


  • #68
    J C
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,615 ✭✭✭✭J C


    Penncil Dick wrote: »
    Considering most of his rules basically boil down to "WORSHIP ME OR BURN IN HELL!", I'd rather burn in Hell ... and who can blame Me??
    I'm not going to blame or judge you ... but you are confirming that if you burn in Hell ... it will be because you have decided to do so.

    ... sounds a bit pyrrhic to me ... but that's just me.

    As a fellow Human Being I can empathise with you ... authority (and infinite authority in the case of God) is something of an affront to my pride and my autonomy ... but I'm prepared to accept authority over my life because the alternatives are significantly worse.


  • #69
    J C
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,615 ✭✭✭✭J C


    Gordon wrote: »
    J C, will you be upset if you find out that when you die, there isn't a god or a heaven or a hell, just blankness, but you would be aware of that blankness? If so, would you be upset at yourself for believing in a god, or other people for telling you that there is a god? Obviously you would be upset at the constant awareness of blankness, but aside from that, how would you react to the fact that there is no such thing as any of the hundreds of gods?
    If there isn't a God ... its likely that I will cease to have any awareness, when I die (even an awareness of blankness).
    ... and I won't need to worry one way or the other about anything as I will simply have ceased to exist ... and all of your questions will be mute.

    For the sake of argument, if I still remained aware (and there isn't a God) and only 'blankness' I'd be 'bored out of my tree' ... and the least of my worries would be blaming myself or anybody else for believing in God.

    In any event, my belief in God doesn't adversely affect my full enjoyment of life ... and I would have the brilliant memories of a full life lived well with friends and family to remember, for the eternity of 'blankness' that you have postulated.


  • #70
    duckman!!
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 488 ✭✭duckman!!


    randomperson12 wrote: »
    plus jesus is coming sooner than we think


    http://www.takecontrol.ie/ this will help him with that!!!


  • #71
    moc moc a moc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,298 ✭✭✭moc moc a moc


    I'm curious - why are religious trolls such as J C tolerated on this forum? If the tables were turned and one of us spent all day on the Christianity forum or whatever banging the atheism drum, I bet we'd be banned in a flash.


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  • #72
    J C
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,615 ✭✭✭✭J C


    Doctor Jimbob wrote: »
    If more people had your attitude to life, the world would be run by tyrants. 'Ah yeah sure what he does is awful, but if I rebel sure I'll be killed.'
    I was talking about positive fair and just authority.
    It can still 'rankle' with our pride and our desire for total autonomy ... but we all benefit from it.

    Negative tyrannical authority benefits nobody (not even the tyrant ... ultimately) and it should, of course, be resisted by peaceful means.


  • #73
    Sarky
    Closed Accounts Posts: 31,967 ✭✭✭✭Sarky


    I think the official line is that letting people like J C talk not only denies them their favourite "OMG YOU'RE OPPRESSING ME" line*, but causes far more damage to religion than any number of rational arguments.

    *This hasn't stopped J C trying to draw parallels between people disagreeing with his daft claims and backing up said disagreement with evidence and Nazi Germany. A determined creationism, um, enthusiast, will find anything less than total agreement to be oppression of their lunatic belief. He's such a little trooper like that.


  • #74
    duckman!!
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 488 ✭✭duckman!!


    moc moc a moc wrote: »
    I'm curious - why are religious trolls such as J C tolerated on this forum? If the tables were turned and one of us spent all day on the Christianity forum or whatever banging the atheism drum, I bet we'd be banned in a flash.

    if he was'nt here we would of stop commenting a few pages back!!!


  • #75
    J C
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,615 ✭✭✭✭J C


    moc moc a moc wrote: »
    I'm curious - why are religious trolls such as J C tolerated on this forum? If the tables were turned and one of us spent all day on the Christianity forum or whatever banging the atheism drum, I bet we'd be banned in a flash.
    I'm not a troll ... Atheists routinely visit the Christianity Forum and express strong opinions on Christianity and religion in general.
    ... and that's the way it should be ... if one's religion (or indeed irreligion) needs to be protected from questioning and fair comment ... it's not much of a religion (or indeed irreligion).


  • #76
    J C
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,615 ✭✭✭✭J C


    Doctor Jimbob wrote: »
    Entertainment, probably.
    I thought it was something to do with the Secular pride in questioning all ideas and promoting diversity of opinion.


  • #77
    Sarky
    Closed Accounts Posts: 31,967 ✭✭✭✭Sarky


    It's simply adorable that you think your viewpoint has any merit whatsoever, J C.


  • #78
    J C
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,615 ✭✭✭✭J C


    Doctor Jimbob wrote: »
    'Obey me or suffer for eternity' = Positive and fair authority?
    Its more like "repent and ask for forgiveness - and you will be Saved".
    It's the ultimate amnesty ... and we all can avail of it ... but Atheist's can't ... because they don't believe in God.


  • #79
    Sarky
    Closed Accounts Posts: 31,967 ✭✭✭✭Sarky


    I'm telling you. Beaten Wife Syndrome.


  • #80
    J C
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,615 ✭✭✭✭J C


    Sarky wrote: »
    It's simply adorable that you think your viewpoint has any merit whatsoever, J C.
    Merit is in the eye of the beholder ... especially when it comes to matters of faith in the existence/non-existence of God.
    Once you start making judgement calls on who should speak and make fair comment ... you have lost the concept of openess to new ideas, freedom of speech and promotion of diversity.


  • #81
    Gordon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,522 ✭✭✭✭Gordon


    J C wrote: »
    If there isn't a God ... its likely that I will cease to have any awareness, when I die (even an awareness of blankness).
    ... and I won't need to worry one way or the other about anything as I will simply have ceased to exist ... and all of your questions will be mute.

    For the sake of argument, if I still remained aware (and there isn't a God) and only 'blankness' I'd be 'bored out of my tree' ... and the least of my worries would be blaming myself or anybody else for believing in God.

    In any event, my belief in God doesn't adversely affect my full enjoyment of life ... and I would have the brilliant memories of a full life lived well with friends and family to remember, for the eternity of 'blankness' that you have postulated.
    I find it strange that you've been so devout in your specific beliefs, that few people share, in the face of extreme evidence to the contrary and possible ridicule amongst society around you, that you wouldn't look back at your position because you'd be 'too bored' when you'd have all the time in the world.

    Maybe you'd just not want to admit you were wrong, so would try hard not to think about the trees you've been barking up wrongly or something.

    If the tables were turned, I'd be kicking myself and wondering what else I got wrong, thinking about how my past was actually so different considering the actual truth, as opposed to what I thought the truth was.

    I'm glad that your god hasn't adversely affected your enjoyment of life, that's nice for you, because I imagine if that is the case, then the opposite is true for others and their god.


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  • #82
    J C
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,615 ✭✭✭✭J C


    duckman!! wrote: »
    if he was'nt here we would of stop commenting a few pages back!!!
    Think of me as helping you guys to 'up your game'!!!:)


  • #83
    Sarky
    Closed Accounts Posts: 31,967 ✭✭✭✭Sarky


    If anything J C, you make people dumber when you post. You haven't had a single original idea in ten years. Your bunk was torn apart back then, and time has not been kind to it.


  • #84
    J C
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,615 ✭✭✭✭J C


    Doctor Jimbob wrote: »
    Seriously?
    Yes, I believe in openess to new ideas, freedom of speech and promotion of diversity.

    ... some of you guys (the ones who want to ban me) don't seem to be truly open to such concepts.:)


  • #85
    J C
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,615 ✭✭✭✭J C


    Sarky wrote: »
    If anything J C, you make people dumber when you post. You haven't had a single original idea in ten years. Your bunk was torn apart back then, and time has not been kind to it.
    No gain ... without pain, Sarky!!!:D


  • #86
    Sarky
    Closed Accounts Posts: 31,967 ✭✭✭✭Sarky


    J C wrote: »
    Yes, I believe in openess to new ideas, freedom of speech and promotion of diversity.

    And when were you planning on becoming open to new ideas, exactly? You've done little but spam the same old lies for years. When we show you how why your claims are untrue, you just repeat them. You are demonstrably terrified of new ideas.


  • #87
    obplayer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,190 ✭✭✭obplayer


    J C wrote: »
    That's not the OP ... one thing that Atheists can't do because they don't believe in God is to pray ... except in 'foxholes' during war ... or so I'm reliably informed.:)

    Who 'reliably informed you' may I ask? How many people have you spoken to who have been in foxholes?


  • #88
    J C
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,615 ✭✭✭✭J C


    Gordon wrote: »
    I find it strange that you've been so devout in your specific beliefs, that few people share, in the face of extreme evidence to the contrary and possible ridicule amongst society around you, that you wouldn't look back at your position because you'd be 'too bored' when you'd have all the time in the world.
    There would be no point in 'crying over spilled milk'.
    I don't believe in living in the past ... the past is often a 'different country' ... and the future is where we're all headed.
    Gordon wrote: »
    Maybe you'd just not want to admit you were wrong, so would try hard not to think about the trees you've been barking up wrongly or something.
    If I ended up in 'blankness' of course I'd know I was wrong and would have no problem accepting that I was.
    Gordon wrote: »
    If the tables were turned, I'd be kicking myself and wondering what else I got wrong, thinking about how my past was actually so different considering the actual truth, as opposed to what I thought the truth was.
    You only hurt yourself, when you kick yourself ... so I wouldn't bother engaging in such self-harm!!!:)
    Gordon wrote: »
    I'm glad that your god hasn't adversely affected your enjoyment of life, that's nice for you, because I imagine if that is the case, then the opposite is true for others and their god.
    I can't speak for others ... but my belief in God has been an entirely positive experience.
    Its something that Atheists can't share ... because they don't believe in God ... but perhaps they have other things that they do that Christians don't ... but I can't think of any that I would want to do myself.:D


  • #89
    Quatermain
    Closed Accounts Posts: 243 ✭✭Quatermain


    I found this fairly illuminating.
    “Maybe there are only atheists in foxholes. If the faithful truly and fully believe in a protective deity, why would they dive into a foxhole to protect themselves from the bullets whizzing by? A part of their brain knows damn well that if they do not protect themselves, the bullets will hardly discriminate between those who claim faith and those who reject it.”
    - J. Anderson Thomson, Jr., MD


  • #90
    J C
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,615 ✭✭✭✭J C


    Sarky wrote: »
    And when were you planning on becoming open to new ideas, exactly? You've done little but spam the same old lies for years. When we show you how why your claims are untrue, you just repeat them. You are demonstrably terrified of new ideas.
    If I was terrified of new ideas I wouldn't have become a scientist.
    There is a difference between being open to new ideas ... and blindly accepting every 'ropey' invalid new idea that comes along.:)


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  • #91
    J C
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,615 ✭✭✭✭J C


    Quatermain wrote: »
    I found this fairly illuminating.
    “Maybe there are only atheists in foxholes. If the faithful truly and fully believe in a protective deity, why would they dive into a foxhole to protect themselves from the bullets whizzing by? A part of their brain knows damn well that if they do not protect themselves, the bullets will hardly discriminate between those who claim faith and those who reject it.”
    - J. Anderson Thomson, Jr., MD
    An interesting perspective.

    However, God helps those who help themselves ... but this doesn't mean that we shouldn't ask for and accept God's help ...

    ... but, of course this is yet another thing that Atheists can't do ... because they don't believe in God!!:pac::p
    ... except perhaps, if they find themselves in a foxhole???.:D


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