Calling all atheists, new-age, against the norm thinkers

[smooth]

I can only answer for myself. I think it's respectful to those that believe it. Please don't bundle my beliefs or actions in with those of others.

Fair enough. Do you agree or disagree with cale's position that theists' lives are governed by religious rules and regulations thereby limiting them doing what they want or might want to enjoy?

[slaterd]

I can only answer for myself. I think it's respectful to those that believe it. Please don't bundle my beliefs or actions in with those of others.

Exactly, it's out of respect to others because it's what they believe and I don't want to offend anyone by degrading their beliefs andGod by not even giving him recognition that he exists in their beliefs.

[slaterd]

Fair enough. Do you agree or disagree with cale's position that theists' lives are governed by religious rules and regulations thereby limiting them doing what they want or might want to enjoy?

No, like a said before. I'm a good person and I try to because I believe it's the right thing to do. Just because one has no religion doesn't mean they are immoral and have no "code of ethics" they abide by.

[cale]

Pointless fighting aside...there have been some good posts in here. There was a point made about satisfaction in praying and belonging to a community that religion, not just Christianity, offers. I absolutely agree with that, having a sense of not knowing quite where you belong is extremely wearing on the mind. It has been something that has been on my mind most of the day for months now.

If you were given absolute knowledge that no deity exists, yet that community still offers positivity to your life is it worth staying with them and continuing to believe in the deity? For me acquisition of truth outweighs personal desire or comforting thoughts.

[smooth]

No, like a said before. I'm a good person and I try to because I believe it's the right thing to do. Just because one has no religion doesn't mean they are immoral and have no "code of ethics" they abide by.

How do you come to define "good" or even what constitutes a "right" thing to do?

Where would this "code of ethics" come from?

[slaterd]

If you were given absolute knowledge that no deity exists, yet that community still offers positivity to your life is it worth staying with them and continuing to believe in the deity? For me acquisition of truth outweighs personal desire or comforting thoughts.

One of the most difficult questions posted yet.

[Turf1600]

Fair enough. Do you agree or disagree with cale's position that theists' lives are governed by religious rules and regulations thereby limiting them doing what they want or might want to enjoy?

I have no way to determine the happiness of others or the logic that drives their actions. I will say, however, that I get the impression that many christians are "unenlightened". I believe this to be the result of rote learning - where they are taught behaviors rather than reasons and have no clue what the desired end result is supposed to be except for the avoidance of hell. If your priorities are out of perspective you can't expect to make quality decisions. I think this is where combative/judgemental christians come from.

[slaterd]

How do you come to define "good" or even what constitutes a "right" thing to do?

Where would this "code of ethics" come from?

From being raised by a loving family who taught me the right thing and knowing how people like to be treated. I know I want to be treated and I expect others would like to be treated the same

[Turf1600]

One of the most difficult questions posted yet.

It's not difficult. You shouldn't have to make the decision. The nucleus of a community shouldn't be a shared rigid belief. We should question the validity of any "community" where this is the case.

[Turf1600]

How do you come to define "good" or even what constitutes a "right" thing to do?

Where would this "code of ethics" come from?

If your actions are the result of love, empathy and good will then you will not need a rule book to do the right thing. It's really pretty simple.

[smooth]

From being raised by a loving family who taught me the right thing and knowing how people like to be treated. I know I want to be treated and I expect others would like to be treated the same

Your family taught you that if you don't capitalize the word god you'll offend people?

Did you know that by capitalizing the word god you are offending many more jews and pagans than if you refuse to capitalize it thereby risking offending christians?

If your actions are the result of love, empathy and good will then you will not need a rule book to do the right thing. It's really pretty simple.

Where would the definition of love, empathy, and good will come from if not from the community around you?

[joshh]

If you were given absolute knowledge that no deity exists, yet that community still offers positivity to your life is it worth staying with them and continuing to believe in the deity? For me acquisition of truth outweighs personal desire or comforting thoughts.

This I agree with. Finding out there is or is no god would change nothing for me. But I'm already an atheist.

[tjts1]

As for myself here's how I figure:
If I die as a non-christian and there is no god, my belief on the matter is inconsequential
If I die as a non-christian and there is a god, I will incur negative consequences

If I die as a christian and there is no god, my belief on the matter is inconsequential
If I die as a christian and there is a god, I will incur positive consequences

Congratulations, they got you with the fear mongering. Same logic got us into a war not too long ago. Good thing you weren't born into some other culture otherwise you might be worshiping the wrong god! Using the same logic you could have ended up a Muslim or a Hindu or who knows what. Heaven's gate maybe? I mean what are the chances that you were born into the right culture which worships the right god?

[slaterd]

Your family taught you that if you don't capitalize the word god you'll offend people?

Did you know that by capitalizing the word god you are offending many more jews and pagans than if you refuse to capitalize it thereby risking offending christians?



Where would the definition of love, empathy, and good will come from if not from the community around you?

No, school and the dictionary taught me that proper nouns (names) should be capitalized. Like you're just trying to disect this into the most minute of things that is just making you come off cocky and arrogant. We both told you exactly where we received our morals and then you're trying to twist into something different.

[Turf1600]

Your family taught you that if you don't capitalize the word god you'll offend people?

Did you know that by capitalizing the word god you are offending many more jews and pagans than if you refuse to capitalize it thereby risking offending christians??

You're proposing an impossible standard. You can't do both and you most certainly can't please everyone. Besides, the use of the word and resulting capitalization relates to the context - which in this case is the Judeo-Christian God which is rightfully capitalized. You're stirring the pot here.

Where would the definition of love, empathy, and good will come from if not from the community around you?

If you're trying to get me to deny that the development of an individual is completely unrelated to the "community" then you're barking up the wrong tree. Every person is a direct result of their experiences. However, most develop to the point that they can draw their own conclusions outside of the values and mores of the communities that they are physically present in.

As for definitions - they are all a construct. Humans made the words and therefore have the ability to change their meanings. None of this is binding.

Also, if your faith is derived from extremely specific semantics then you have some soul searching to do.