Quote:
|
Originally Posted by pigglet
All I'm saying is that if atheists are wrong, then no holds barred. If an agnostic is one who believes that proof of God is impossible, but lo and behold he's in front of you creating shit out of nothing and through whatever mechanisms he has at his disposal (nothing implied by adoption of masculine gender, just easier) it's all hyper rational or what have you...then you have your proof, and thus you can now prove the existence of God. I think that would make you gnostic. Perhaps I'm not right on this one either. Ergo, reason why I asked. Are the four definitions I put up correct, individually?
|
Well, it sounds like you're using your own, personal definitions here, which is fine but then you can't expect me to correct them, can you?
Webster's definition of "gnostic" is kind of vague and specific, if you can believe that.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by raeanna74
No it was not my only reason. "If this sounds coldly logical, it was not my main reason for the choice that I made. But it was something to consider." It only made it easier to choose the one that I believed. If I do follow my belief I am no worse off except for having to excercise a little more restraint in my life. Nothing wrong with some restraint - in MODERATION of course.
|
You're right, you did say that it was not your only reason. However, that it can be a factor at all against an omnicient being is still silly...
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by ustwo
I realized there was no god when I was 8 years old, in Church, by myself.
That doesn't mean I see nothing good in religion, but just that the good in it is solely due to human work, no divine intervention.
As such I don't see a reason to shove atheism down anyone’s throat. Most people who are 'true believers' won't be swayed and what do I gain by convincing someone on the fence that there is no magic candy land when they die, and there is no reason to be good beyond their own morality? Nothing, I just bring them into my world of pure logic and no comfort.
|
You have a surprisingly sober view on religion. I disagree with some aspects of your claim but I do think that some (if not most) people need some type of religion to help them through...
Let me ask you, when did you stop believing in Santa Claus? ...the Tooth Fairy? ...the Easter bunny? ...or any other of the bizarre things we try to get kids to believe...
Lastly, I'm going to guess that the largest contributing reason why you don't mind people in the US (or even the government) practicing the Christian religion is because you just happen to hold the same values as Christians, only as an atheist... If you don't mind a personal question, when the subject of your faith comes up, do you tell anyone that you're an atheist? What does your family think?