Athiests - Who cares

TheBeardedLady · 08-01-2015 10:12PM

Candie wrote: »

I'm an atheist and the only atheists I can't stand are those who insist people with faith are universally stupid. I've met and worked with far too many clever theists to think there's any merit in that position.

I don't believe in a deity, that's it. It doesn't entitles me to preach my absence of belief any more than a theist has a right to preach about their belief, it doesn't make me a being of superior logic, and it doesn't validate me being obnoxious to people who do believe. It just means I don't believe in a deity.

How atheists can discuss something they don't believe in, at great length and in great depth, is a mystery to me. I can't sustain a conversation about my atheism, in the same way that I can't sustain a conversation about my lack of belief in unicorns or fairies.

It's a boring conversation and one I've never been subjected to, thank fook.

The_Captain · 08-01-2015 10:41PM

I'd be pretty athie, probably athier than most people, but I wouldn't say I'm the athiest.

One eyed Jack · 08-01-2015 11:28PM

kneemos wrote: »

What do atheists say instead of ohh God when having sex.

"Tá mé ag teacht"?

Shìt! Sorry, was saving that for the upcoming Irish language thread (because we're due another one any day now).

I ain't sure about Judgment Day, but every day feels like judgment day (of other people that aren't the same as meee!) in AH, it's great!

I got as far as page 20 in this thread before I simply gave up and skipped to the last few pages... It's just the bloody same thing on every single page! Pages after pages of this -

One eyed Jack wrote: »

With regard to the OP and the whole idea of "religion in AH", this has been discussed numerous times in Feedback already, (just do a search like I did, plenty of threads on it) and the general consensus seems to be that it's perfectly acceptable to disseminate and discuss religions and the various religious beliefs, and the argument made for it was that religious beliefs are intrinsically intertwined in Irish society and have an impact on Irish society.

That's a perfectly reasonable point of view and I think we should discuss these issues, and I think they can be discussed in AH. That rarely ever happens though, discussion I mean. Instead what seems to happen is the threads end up in a muck slinging match and who can appear to be the most morally superior and humanitarian, all the while insulting people left, right and centre. It really does appear like the basic rules of Boards ("attack the post, not the poster", "don't be a dick") are completely abandoned and I imagine the Mods drawing straws amongst themselves as to who's going to intervene in the shìtstorm.

Civil discussion just doesn't happen, it's just the usual rabble rousing, petty insults for thanks, finger wagging moralising, ill informed generalisations, mouthing off on social media, and no attempt made to understand where other posters are coming from (if you're not entirely with us, you're against us), mob mentality, group think, and if anyone is expecting nuanced discussion, fcuk that craic, extremist opinion is where it's at apparently.

Like I said, I'm all for discussion of religion and religious beliefs and how they impact upon society in AH, but I can completely understand if someone wanted the discussion moved out of AH to another forum where posters would have to raise their game and discuss the actual issues, instead of merely trading insults and snide remarks aimed at each other which gets nobody anywhere and is just tiresome to read for anyone who isn't an extremist, or simply anyone who isn't interested in trolling other posters looking for thanks.

I'm glad Boards isn't like Facebook, but jesus christ AH isn't far bloody off it at times. It's one of my favourite forums, and just to keep things in perspective - these threads are only a tiny amount of what's posted in AH, but they're clearly the most contentious time sinks.

Stealthfins · 09-01-2015 12:41AM

Which came first the A or the theist ?

Sisko · 09-01-2015 12:58AM

Candie wrote: »

How atheists can discuss something they don't believe in, at great length and in great depth, is a mystery to me. I can't sustain a conversation about my atheism, in the same way that I can't sustain a conversation about my lack of belief in unicorns or fairies.

I'm not an atheist but I am non religious.

I don't understand the mystery. Every single day the stupidity of religion and its followers is thrown in our faces. Look at Paris. Religion is one of the massive weights that holds back human society and progress. The constant stream stupid things in modern society that shouldn't be, but are, due to religion is...well, constant.

When your the only kid in class who knows santa isnt real, yet everyone in the class is constantly behaving and handling every day deeds in the context that there is a magical man in the north poll who sees all, well its very easy for that kid to have a lot to talk about.

COYVB · 09-01-2015 01:10AM

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

I believe that an in between does exist.

How can you both believe in something and not believe in it?

xLisaBx · 09-01-2015 01:29AM

COYVB wrote: »

How can you both believe in something and not believe in it?

Theoretical physics! Many people do not believe in a deity but do have hopes for an afterlife. It's all really decided with one question: is time infinite or not? If time is infinite, then infinite possibilities exist. Therefore, we will technically live again. If time is finite, there is no afterlife.

The Bould Rabbit · 09-01-2015 01:41AM

kneemos wrote: »

What do atheists say instead of ohh God when having sex.

shruikan2553 wrote: »

ohh dawkins or ohh science.

Ah, but what if you're one of the millions of atheists who can't stand Dawkins or millions more who never heard of him, and, like me couldn't give a stuff about science? :P

Sisko · 09-01-2015 01:45AM

xLisaBx wrote: »

Theoretical physics! Many people do not believe in a deity but do have hopes for an afterlife. It's all really decided with one question: is time infinite or not? If time is infinite, then infinite possibilities exist. Therefore, we will technically live again. If time is finite, there is no afterlife.

We are all made of star dust and energy cannot be destroyed only converted.

So maybe consciousness does move on to some higher plane of existence once we pass on. This is why I don't call myself atheist. I think whatever the answer is, is 'probably' currently greater than anything man kind can come up with, never mind something man from 2000 years ago can invent. Which is why I'm not religious.

xLisaBx · 09-01-2015 01:45AM

The Bould Rabbit wrote: »

Ah, but what if you're one of the millions of atheists who can't stand Dawkins or millions more who never heard of him, and, like me couldn't give a stuff about science? :P

"Oh Scientific Method" "OH SCIENTIFIC METHOD!"

xLisaBx · 09-01-2015 01:48AM

Sisko wrote: »

We are all made of star dust and energy cannot be destroyed only converted.

So maybe consciousness does move on to some higher plane of existence once we pass on. This is why I don't call myself atheist. I think whatever the answer is, is 'probably' currently greater than anything man kind can come up with, never mind something man from 2000 years ago can invent. Which is why I'm not religious.

That's really interesting, I sometimes think the same. Particles of us still exist. For me it's not whether god exists or not, it's the duration of time

shruikan2553 · 09-01-2015 01:57AM

The Bould Rabbit wrote: »

Ah, but what if you're one of the millions of atheists who can't stand Dawkins or millions more who never heard of him, and, like me couldn't give a stuff about science? :P

Everyone knows all atheists love Dawkins and worship him as a God.

If you dont like him you arent a real atheist, just a Christian going through a phase. :pac:

Sisko · 09-01-2015 02:02AM

For me, even the idea of "God" is simplistic and dated.

There probably is some super beings out their in the universe that might fit some old ideas of "a god". Hell, we might even be destined to "create god" in the next few hundred years what with the singularity and what not which would be ironic.

A higher power? Maybe, as that could mean more than just the idea of a single mind belonging to a single super alien being that created everything in the universe just so "he" can watch every single minute of everyone's lives and get angry if people stop hating on the gays, have sex before marriage or say bold naughty words that he doesn't like.

I can say will 100% confidence that such a being does not exist.

But meaning behind the universe and existence itself? A collective consciousness maybe? I don't know. Maybe. Hence the non-atheist thing.

The Bould Rabbit · 09-01-2015 02:09AM

shruikan2553 wrote: »

Everyone knows all atheists love Dawkins and worship him as a God.

Ah, but what did atheists do in the years BD ?

Or was Dawkins always there since the beginning of time and still be always there till the end of time?

Bootros Bootros · 09-01-2015 02:59AM

I am thirsty and have to piss. At the same time.

Where's your Dawkins now Atheists?

Maximus Alexander · 09-01-2015 03:00AM

COYVB wrote: »

How can you both believe in something and not believe in it?

Cognitive dissonance baby.

endacl · 09-01-2015 03:13AM

Bootros Bootros wrote: »

I am thirsty and have to piss. At the same time.

One obvious solution does present itself. Do you practice yoga at all...?

BlaasForRafa · 09-01-2015 03:28AM

Bootros Bootros wrote: »

I am thirsty and have to piss. At the same time.

Where's your Dawkins now Atheists?

Why here he is! Speaking about the evolutionary "design" of the body.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAVyktynD_I

mrsbyrne · 09-01-2015 08:48AM

Candie wrote: »

I'm an atheist and the only atheists I can't stand are those who insist people with faith are universally stupid. I've met and worked with far too many clever theists to think there's any merit in that position.

I don't believe in a deity, that's it. It doesn't entitles me to preach my absence of belief any more than a theist has a right to preach about their belief, it doesn't make me a being of superior logic, and it doesn't validate me being obnoxious to people who do believe. It just means I don't believe in a deity.

How atheists can discuss something they don't believe in, at great length and in great depth, is a mystery to me. I can't sustain a conversation about my atheism, in the same way that I can't sustain a conversation about my lack of belief in unicorns or fairies.

Thats because you don't have an overwhelming urge to impress on others how clever edgy well read and generally ssuperior you are.
Because you dont have selfesteem confidence and self image problems .

Grayson · 09-01-2015 09:29AM

mrsbyrne wrote: »

Thats because you don't have an overwhelming urge to impress on others how clever edgy well read and generally ssuperior you are.
Because you dont have selfesteem confidence and self image problems .

Just because an atheist expresses an opinion doesn't mean they have low self esteem. Inferring that I or any other atheists on this thread are like that is a low blow.

AudreyHepburn · 09-01-2015 09:52AM

I couldn't care less what people do or don't believe, your personal beliefs, or lack thereof are your own business and if you want to go around advertising your position to all and sundry off you go. Just don't go shoving it down people's throats or acting as though you are some-how morally and/or intellectually superior to those who don't share your beliefs.

09-01-2015 09:59AM

mrsbyrne wrote: »

Thats because you don't have an overwhelming urge to impress on others how clever edgy well read and generally ssuperior you are.
Because you dont have selfesteem confidence and self image problems .

No, ironically it's because I don't need to put down others or imply they're lacking in some way, because of what they do - or don't - believe.

You're doing what you accuse others of.

Grayson · 09-01-2015 09:59AM

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

I couldn't care less what people do or don't believe, your personal beliefs, or lack thereof are your own business and if you want to go around advertising your position to all and sundry off you go. Just don't go shoving it down people's throats or acting as though you are some-how morally and/or intellectually superior to those who don't share your beliefs.

I wouldn't call myself an aggressive secularist/atheist. Unless it impinges on the freedoms of others. Take gay rights. Until recently it was illegal to have gay sex. You could be arrested just for having sex. Likewise with contraception. Just because some people believed that using a condom was killing babies that weren't even conceived, people were stopped from from buying them.
This stuff is wrong. Fair enough if you don't want to use a condom. You don't have to but don't stop anyone else from doing it.

Zubeneschamali · 09-01-2015 10:15AM

Sisko wrote: »

So maybe consciousness does move on to some higher plane of existence once we pass on. This is why I don't call myself atheist.

Atheists disbelieve in gods, but not necessarily afterlives. I think some Buddhists are atheists who believe in an afterlife.

Do you believe in any gods? No? You're an atheist.

osarusan · 09-01-2015 10:16AM

Candie wrote: »

How atheists can discuss something they don't believe in, at great length and in great depth, is a mystery to me. I can't sustain a conversation about my atheism, in the same way that I can't sustain a conversation about my lack of belief in unicorns or fairies.

Unless they're talking about religion's influence in society, which is a topic that could generate a long long chat.

But otherwise, yeah, how can you talk at length about the absence of belief.

Zubeneschamali · 09-01-2015 10:22AM

osarusan wrote: »

But otherwise, yeah, how can you talk at length about the absence of belief.

See, the people who just have an absence of belief line up on one side, while those of us who actively disbelieve line up on the other. Then we call each other names for a while, and then there's a huge mill.

Then the guy who thinks it's impossible to know either way laughs at everyone else, and we join forces and chase him out of the park.

Michael OBrien · 09-01-2015 11:35AM

Candie wrote: »

How atheists can discuss something they don't believe in, at great length and in great depth, is a mystery to me. I can't sustain a conversation about my atheism, in the same way that I can't sustain a conversation about my lack of belief in unicorns or fairies.

Well there is a rich history of religious dissent that goes back thousands of years, a long list of issues with religion, a lot of counter arguments to theistic claims, a lot of other issues not linked directly to atheism, including morality, creativity, motivations, etc. Atheists don't generally go on about ATHEISM, they go on about life and what it means to live as an atheist. I have a brother like you, an atheist that does not care one wit about discussing it, so I do understand your perspective, but his apathism towards the subject does not mean there is nothing to discuss.

irish coldplayer · 09-01-2015 11:37AM

Candie wrote: »

How atheists can discuss something they don't believe in, at great length and in great depth, is a mystery to me. I can't sustain a conversation about my atheism, in the same way that I can't sustain a conversation about my lack of belief in unicorns or fairies.

I think the reason some atheists can talk at length about religion and/or their lack of it is that most of them started out as theists.

Born into their parents religion, eventually they begin to question it. This can lead to someone doing a lot of research and reading etc in trying to gather as much information as possible in a quest to make up their own minds on what they personally believe.

Its funny because you can end up with a situation where an atheist has far more knowledge about religion than many theists as many theists will never have really researched and questioned their own religion or beliefs.
Some people relish the philosophical debate others just have no interest in debating it.

Michael OBrien · 09-01-2015 11:41AM

Stealthfins wrote: »

Which came first the A or the theist ?

The theism term came first. However people didn't always have gods in their minds, so there was implicit atheists before that (and still are).
The A means 'without' so you naturally have to have something first before you have a term for not having it. In this case a belief in god must exist before people notice other people don't have that belief or reject the belief.

Michael OBrien · 09-01-2015 11:48AM

xLisaBx wrote: »

Theoretical physics! Many people do not believe in a deity but do have hopes for an afterlife. It's all really decided with one question: is time infinite or not? If time is infinite, then infinite possibilities exist. Therefore, we will technically live again. If time is finite, there is no afterlife.

You can have an afterlife technically without a god, unless that afterlife includes a god in its description like the christian and muslim one does. All it means is that something of you continues on after your body dies. I don't believe in one, but being atheist does not exclude the possibility. Heck the transhumanist singularity might be seen as an atheist afterlife of sorts where the mind transcends the body it previously inhabited.

Athiests - Who cares

Comments