|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 9:18 am
I suppose I could be described as one of those young, know-it-all Athiests this thread is seeming to center around... But I've never thought myslef to be smarter than most. I just care about equality. I really don't care what religion you are, and I won't try to change you (because your guess on what relgion is right is as good as mine). But if I ever hear someon talking to someone else as though they are inferior because of some twisted belief, I will not hesitate to tell that person exactly how horrible they are, because SOMEONE needs to tell them.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 10:16 am
AmandaTheCatLady I hated it when they use to make me say the pledge in school, and I got suspended in high school for refusing to say the "under god". I don't think they can legally do that. Unless you were being excessively disruptive with your protests. I never said "under god" either after a particular point in my youth. Never once got called out on it. neutral
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 12:40 pm
garra_eyes Semiremis I see this a bit more with the younger atheists and it's a thought process that seems to be prevalent at least based on my experiences but many atheists seem to think they are smart for: a. telling a theist (often times many years older then them) that they should question their faith, going on the assumption that the theist already has not put any thought into it (enter ignorance on the atheist part, and/or just plain hubris). As others have said, this kind of behavior isn't exactly exclusive to Atheists, but the "thinking it makes them smarter" seems to be more prevalent among Atheists. I generally see religious people telling people that they need to consider their religion as a way for them to feel like they have stronger faith, than to necessarily feel like they're smarter, but I guess that could be the reason in some cases. But yeah, I hate this too. People assume that because you don't agree with them, you've never really thought about agreeing with them. Because, obviously, if you considered it, you'd definitely agree with them. There's just no other possibility, because they are so smart, and there is no way they could be wrong. rolleyes Semiremis b. telling the theist to be reasonable. (enter extreme small mindedness on the atheist part) An atheist does not have a monopoly over reason, sorry to burst your bubble if you thought otherwise, although who's to say that we should spend our short stint on this world being reasonable in the first place. Agreed, and I'm glad you added that last one in there. There are some things I do or believe that are not based on reason, and I know that. So why don't I care? Because I don't believe that human beings are solely rational creatures. We have emotions and things that just don't mesh well with reason all the time. Everybody does it, they just don't always admit to it. Of course, as soon as I admit to it, people start disregarding everything I say. Apparently, if you're not 100% rational, you must be 100% irrational, and nothing you say can be believed. I'd roll my eyes again, but if I don't restrain myself a bit, this post is going to be 50% eye rolls. Semiremis c. reminding us how backward and anti- science we are. (enter just plain stupidity on the atheists part) Most of the scientific advances out there came from those who believed in some sort of God. I also hate it when people hear I'm Catholic and make entirely wrong assumptions about what I believe about scientific theories and the like. Ignorant person: You're Catholic. You don't believe in evolution. Me: Um, actually, I do believe in evolution (though there are still some holes that need to be filled in, but that's pretty much the case with a lot of science, so whatevs), and the Catechism of the Catholic Church specifically states that evolution does not contradict any Church teachings, so we can believe whatever the hell we want about it. Ignorant person: Actually, that's not true. I know, because I was raised Catholic. I spent every Sunday sitting in Church, ignoring sermons and readings and what my CCD teachers said for twelve whole years before realizing it was all crap and leaving the Church. Me: rolleyes And honestly, this pet peeve goes way beyond just science stuff. I hate hate hate it when someone tries to say they know something about the Church because they're Catholic or, even worse, because they used to be Catholic. There are a lot of people in the first group and a ton of people in the second group who have never learned anything about the Church other than what they were told, and that's just not grounds enough to make a definitive statement about what the Church believes. Unless you got your information from a reliable source on what the Church believes, don't claim you know what they believe. *end rant*Semiremis I don't know how this applies to any in this Guild but honestly, I think that whole IQ high has been leaned on far too much. Some of the most idiotic things I've ever heard have come out of the mouths of atheists (it definitely rivals some of the most idiotic things I've heard from theists.) So why do so many atheists seem to think that they are special and smart and the only ones capable of critical thought? or is this not prevalent and I'm for some reason just lucky in coming across those who fit this stereotype? I think it's really prevalent. I mean, there are a lot of religious folks that are just as arrogant, but in my experience, this type of religious based arrogance (namely, I'm smarter than you are, na-na-na-na-na-na!) occurs more often in atheists. Well put, I agree completely. This is another big one for me as well: "And honestly, this pet peeve goes way beyond just science stuff. I hate hate hate it when someone tries to say they know something about the Church because they're Catholic or, even worse, because they used to be Catholic. There are a lot of people in the first group and a ton of people in the second group who have never learned anything about the Church other than what they were told, and that's just not grounds enough to make a definitive statement about what the Church believes. Unless you got your information from a reliable source on what the Church believes, don't claim you know what they believe. *end rant*"I get on CARM once in a while to discuss Roman Catholicism but there is no real discussion there just people who think they know what the Church teaches. It's frustrating, I can easily use the Catechism to overturn their claims but they're too far gone to see the truth about what the Church actually professes. It's as if they want us to worship Mary, and create and pray to idols...some how that thought seems to make them feel better (or at least that's the impression I get). emo Enough ranting for me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 8:50 am
In all honesty, if we get to the popular idea, I feel Atheism is kind of frowned upon as do others because of the BAD members in it. You know, people who give Atheism a bad name.
Like how Pat Robertson gives Christianity a bad name.
I also feel Atheism gets the most attention from how opposing it's views are from others' religions.
I hate that a lot of people are saying Atheism is a fad. These young people who give it such a bad name is so annoying, it's sad.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:32 pm
My brother is an atheist and he is most definitely one of the people who thinks that they're "smarter" or "better" than people who believe in a religion. I happen to be a Christian but I still respect y'alls opinion and I don't go around trying to hit people on the head with a bible, telling them to repent, but.... My brother always tells me that there is no God, he bashes Christianity, and believes that all Christians are stupid (he especially hates Christians for some reason...). I find it VERY rude that he does and believe that being an actual atheist (from what I can tell) means that you respect what people believe in but that you yourself don't agree or believe in it. Am I wrong? Plus, I have met people on gaia who have bashed me for believing in God, and I have seen these "atheists" (I put quotations for what they believe they are) bash other religions, too. I'm glad to know that there are atheists who actually respect people and their views, because so far, all the atheists that I have ever met have bashed people for their beliefs. P.S. Have any of y'all ever heard people (who are against Christianity) say that you can't have sex because the Bible says so (they are trying to make us feel stupid and weak) even though they have never even READ the Bible. Annoying.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:34 pm
firenerd My brother is an atheist and he is most definitely one of the people who thinks that they're "smarter" or "better" than people who believe in a religion. I happen to be a Christian but I still respect y'alls opinion and I don't go around trying to hit people on the head with a bible, telling them to repent, but.... My brother always tells me that there is no God, he bashes Christianity, and believes that all Christians are stupid (he especially hates Christians for some reason...). I find it VERY rude that he does and believe that being an actual atheist (from what I can tell) means that you respect what people believe in but that you yourself don't agree or believe in it. Am I wrong? Plus, I have met people on gaia who have bashed me for believing in God, and I have seen these "atheists" (I put quotations for what they believe they are) bash other religions, too. I'm glad to know that there are atheists who actually respect people and their views, because so far, all the atheists that I have ever met have bashed people for their beliefs. P.S. Have any of y'all ever heard people (who are against Christianity) say that you can't have sex because the Bible says so (they are trying to make us feel stupid and weak) even though they have never even READ the Bible. Annoying.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WickedRentSpringAwakening
|
Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:38 pm
I respect religion, but I don't handle it with kid gloves either. There is no stepping away quietly, religion needs to be hard hit.
Having said that, I do not go around hitting people on the head and saying that they need to be an atheist because frankly, I don't give a damn what everyone else believes. I believe that religion is very harmful and that it will eventually stop existing, but I also believe that what someone believes about religion is none of my business.
Now if someone asks me what I believe about religion or if someone feels the need to try to convert me than I will logically rip religion to shreds and hand it back to them in taters. I will never do that un provoked however.
Basically I try to follow the golden rule. I don't appreciate people trying to convert me so I don't go around telling people to deconvert.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 3:42 am
I am going to start this off the same way I will start every post in this guild by saying that I am neither Atheist, nor Theist. I am a Scientist, not in the sense that my line of work is in a field of science (the fact that it is is PURELY coincidence and it's not a 'physical science field'), but that I believe only in what science can prove to me. That being said, any atheist that says that god is anti/against science is an Idiot. I will say this as bluntly as possible. Calling a theist out by saying that god defies science in any form, makes you an Idiot.
What truly makes me a 'scientist' is my open mindedness. In the sense that you cannot prove god exists, I cannot disprove it either. What I CAN do is prove that in my life and in lives prior to mine that are properly documented, that a divine power didn't step in and change anything in any way. This is the basis of my disbelief. I can explain 99% of things that Theists say had to have been god, with a scientific theory or explanation. DESPITE ALL OF THIS, I still toy with the thought that there could be a deity. Since I can't disprove it in any way, there will always be a chance that it does exist and I will accept this as an argument, HOWEVER I will not fully accept it (and will continue to disbelieve) until it's proven scientifically.
My last point here (for this thread anyways) is that despite there always being a chance that a god exists, I will NEVER believe that a being is omnipotent. The idea of omnipotence is impossible for one key reason. There will always be a logical fallacy. Your god can create anything and lift any boulder? Than let him create a boulder he himself cannot lift. If he cannot either lift the boulder he created, or create one that he cannot lift, than he is not omnipotent, merely powerful.
On this subject, I will not accept 'well he could make the boulder, and then make himself able to lift it later' as an argument, merely because that would mean he was always capable of lifting the boulder. Also, replies along the lines of 'he wouldn't need to lift a boulder/he's all powerful and can do anything' will get you no where in any argument.
But that's it from me on this one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 10:31 am
Semiremis a. telling a theist (often times many years older then them) that they should question their faith, going on the assumption that the theist already has not put any thought into it (enter ignorance on the atheist part, and/or just plain hubris). b. telling the theist to be reasonable. (enter extreme small mindedness on the atheist part) An atheist does not have a monopoly over reason, sorry to burst your bubble if you thought otherwise, although who's to say that we should spend our short stint on this world being reasonable in the first place. c. reminding us how backward and anti- science we are. (enter just plain stupidity on the atheists part) Most of the scientific advances out there came from those who believed in some sort of God. For A. I see my friends abuse the Atheist name. Even though they think they are going about this the intelligent way, they are just insulting our name. They tell a lot of people to question a theist's religion, and they are ver immature. We have an anatomy teacher who is also a religious man. Whenever he shows us a video about how a part of our body works, my friends tend to have their first note as "evolution is real". and then they laugh about it. For B. Also my friends. They pull the ridiculous "sum up - makes perfect sense" (if you guys know what I'm talking about) of Christians, when Atheists have our own version of those. Neither of the religions have anything that makes too much sense. Every last person has a flaw. It's what makes us human, and also, that's what faith is. Our personal reason for something (to sum it up into what can relate to the reason topic) For C. A lot of advances in science also came from Atheists. But intelligence is of the human mind. Not the religions view giving them so much intellect. Atheists can't say that a theist is blinded because of their views. Some theists helped out in the science advancement. Theists can't say Atheists are too ignorant to learn. They did their own share of work to help. My good friend, I can clearly relate on the part that there are some people who are just too self-minded and unwilling to actually learn, in which they make us look stupid and childish. Two of them happen to be my friends. They actually got a bible for stupid reasons. Find "errors" in the writing, or to find something negative about Christians works. When they do find something, they become childish about that too. Saying it in a "haha, in your face" attitude. They don't research, they just want to make the theist seem stupid. Even then they only want to beat up on Christians. So Semiremis, I do know what you are looking upon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 10:55 am
Mythos Maleficarum I am going to start this off the same way I will start every post in this guild by saying that I am neither Atheist, nor Theist. I am a Scientist, not in the sense that my line of work is in a field of science (the fact that it is is PURELY coincidence and it's not a 'physical science field'), but that I believe only in what science can prove to me. That being said, any atheist that says that god is anti/against science is an Idiot. I will say this as bluntly as possible. Calling a theist out by saying that god defies science in any form, makes you an Idiot. What truly makes me a 'scientist' is my open mindedness. In the sense that you cannot prove god exists, I cannot disprove it either. What I CAN do is prove that in my life and in lives prior to mine that are properly documented, that a divine power didn't step in and change anything in any way. This is the basis of my disbelief. I can explain 99% of things that Theists say had to have been god, with a scientific theory or explanation. DESPITE ALL OF THIS, I still toy with the thought that there could be a deity. Since I can't disprove it in any way, there will always be a chance that it does exist and I will accept this as an argument, HOWEVER I will not fully accept it (and will continue to disbelieve) until it's proven scientifically. My last point here (for this thread anyways) is that despite there always being a chance that a god exists, I will NEVER believe that a being is omnipotent. The idea of omnipotence is impossible for one key reason. There will always be a logical fallacy. Your god can create anything and lift any boulder? Than let him create a boulder he himself cannot lift. If he cannot either lift the boulder he created, or create one that he cannot lift, than he is not omnipotent, merely powerful. On this subject, I will not accept 'well he could make the boulder, and then make himself able to lift it later' as an argument, merely because that would mean he was always capable of lifting the boulder. Also, replies along the lines of 'he wouldn't need to lift a boulder/he's all powerful and can do anything' will get you no where in any argument. But that's it from me on this one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 7:58 pm
Mythos Maleficarum I am going to start this off the same way I will start every post in this guild by saying that I am neither Atheist, nor Theist. I am a Scientist, not in the sense that my line of work is in a field of science (the fact that it is is PURELY coincidence and it's not a 'physical science field'), but that I believe only in what science can prove to me. That being said, any atheist that says that god is anti/against science is an Idiot. I will say this as bluntly as possible. Calling a theist out by saying that god defies science in any form, makes you an Idiot. What truly makes me a 'scientist' is my open mindedness. In the sense that you cannot prove god exists, I cannot disprove it either. What I CAN do is prove that in my life and in lives prior to mine that are properly documented, that a divine power didn't step in and change anything in any way. This is the basis of my disbelief. I can explain 99% of things that Theists say had to have been god, with a scientific theory or explanation. DESPITE ALL OF THIS, I still toy with the thought that there could be a deity. Since I can't disprove it in any way, there will always be a chance that it does exist and I will accept this as an argument, HOWEVER I will not fully accept it (and will continue to disbelieve) until it's proven scientifically. My last point here (for this thread anyways) is that despite there always being a chance that a god exists, I will NEVER believe that a being is omnipotent. The idea of omnipotence is impossible for one key reason. There will always be a logical fallacy. Your god can create anything and lift any boulder? Than let him create a boulder he himself cannot lift. If he cannot either lift the boulder he created, or create one that he cannot lift, than he is not omnipotent, merely powerful. On this subject, I will not accept 'well he could make the boulder, and then make himself able to lift it later' as an argument, merely because that would mean he was always capable of lifting the boulder. Also, replies along the lines of 'he wouldn't need to lift a boulder/he's all powerful and can do anything' will get you no where in any argument. But that's it from me on this one. i like ur logic for the first couple paragraphs i believe people who use science to prove/ disprove god are ignorant because all religion is based around faith not biased opinions about science that prove nothing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 9:54 pm
To start this off, I will tell you that I am Agnostic. smile
I don't say the Pledge in school (and haven't for five years and counting) because even though it carries a nice ideal, the ideal is often times not met (plus I don't necessarily believe in "God").
I have absolutely no problem with people being theists or atheists because I am on the fence when it comes to religion, as I am Agnostic. I don't try to convince people that their religious or non-religious beliefs are wrong, because: Where is the definitive proof that any religion or non-religion is right or wrong? I am open to all possibilities, good and bad.
The only problems I have with people in regards to religion or non-religion is when:
1. they say that I am evil, immoral, etcetera and will go to Hell just because I am Agnostic. I do not necessarily believe in Heaven or Hell, but still, that's a very RUDE thing to say to someone. Who has the right to judge my character when they hardly know me?
2. they ridicule me for being open to the possibilities. Who has the right to make fun of me for my beliefs? I could just as easily diss their religious or non-religious beliefs.
3. they are / say something prejudiced. I just can't stand it when religious people say that someone will go to Hell or is evil or immoral or something just because of the person's race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, etcetera. I also can't stand it when non-religious people do the same thing. It isn't as though someone is a better person just because they are or are not religious. Also, I don't see anything wrong with the differences in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etcetera. In regards to race, how can someone say that one race is better than another? In regards to gender, how can someone say that one gender is better than another? In regards to ethnicity, how can someone say that one ethnicity is better than another? And in regards to sexual orientation, how can someone say that one orientation is better than the other?
As an Agnostic, I do not claim to know what is the truth in regards to matters of religion. I do find religion to be interesting, and am willing to listen to what a person has to say about it, so long as they don't try to force their beliefs on me or do one of the three things I have a problem with (that I listed above).
Thankfully I am able to have friends of different races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and religions. I have friends that are white, black, native american, hispanic, asian, middle eastern, and pacific islander. I have male friends, female friends, and a hermaphrodite friend. I have no problem being friends with transexuals / transgendered people either. I have friends that are heterosexual, friends that are homosexual, friends that are bisexual, friends that are pansexual (which is similar to bisexual except it is based off of liking a person for who they are without giving a damn about their gender, rather than being attracted to both sexes), and have no problem being friends with an asexual. I have / had friends that are / were Christian, Catholic, Protestant, Mormon, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Pagan, Wiccan, Atheist, and Agnostic. I have no problem with befriending someone of some other religion either.
(Huh. This sure got lengthy.) smile
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 10:42 am
Agnosticism is about claiming knowledge. I don't claim that I know that there's no deities, but I don't believe there are. Atheism / theism and agnosticism / gnosticism are answers to two separate questions: what you claim to know, and what you believe. I'm an agnostic atheist, because I don't claim absolute knowledge (nor do I think anyone should or could). Atheism is the default position, simply because there is no evidence of deities. If I get presented with evidence, I'll believe it, if not - I have no reason to believe. You "I'm agnostic, because I'm open to other possibilities" types get on my nerves, because that implies that there aren't any atheists open to other possibilities - I'd go as far as saying that most of them are, because most atheist took this position because of the lack of evidence. Oh and: Quote: Who has the right to make fun of me for my beliefs? Everyone. smile
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 10:23 am
Artto Agnosticism is about claiming knowledge. I don't claim that I know that there's no deities, but I don't believe there are. Atheism / theism and agnosticism / gnosticism are answers to two separate questions: what you claim to know, and what you believe. I'm an agnostic atheist, because I don't claim absolute knowledge (nor do I think anyone should or could). Atheism is the default position, simply because there is no evidence of deities. If I get presented with evidence, I'll believe it, if not - I have no reason to believe.You "I'm agnostic, because I'm open to other possibilities" types get on my nerves, because that implies that there aren't any atheists open to other possibilities - I'd go as far as saying that most of them are, because most atheist took this position because of the lack of evidence. Oh and: Quote: Who has the right to make fun of me for my beliefs? Everyone. smile I'm pretty sure this is the stance of many Atheists.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 5:23 pm
Artto Agnosticism is about claiming knowledge. I don't claim that I know that there's no deities, but I don't believe there are. Atheism / theism and agnosticism / gnosticism are answers to two separate questions: what you claim to know, and what you believe. I'm an agnostic atheist, because I don't claim absolute knowledge (nor do I think anyone should or could). Atheism is the default position, simply because there is no evidence of deities. If I get presented with evidence, I'll believe it, if not - I have no reason to believe. You "I'm agnostic, because I'm open to other possibilities" types get on my nerves, because that implies that there aren't any atheists open to other possibilities - I'd go as far as saying that most of them are, because most atheist took this position because of the lack of evidence. Oh and: Quote: Who has the right to make fun of me for my beliefs? Everyone. smile This is not so. In fact, that is IGNORANT. Just because theists don't agree with a stance you take DOESN'T give you the right to make fun of them. A person's beliefs are a PART of them and that is a very personal thing to mock. No, it can't be proven that there are gods / a god. It can't be proven that there are aren't either. It's all a matter of FAITH.And if you're curious, i'm a Pagan. Not a fundamentalist of any sort. I am not at all offended by your beliefs, but instead offended by your lack of respect towards others.Stop acting so high and mighty. You're no better than anyone else.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
