What Does Atheism Profit Atheists?

[just a believing guy]

Why does God not make it obvious for everyone? To those who have a personal conviction, where does that come from?

I don't know. It happens. Some have waited for something their whole life and its finally there.

 

[Mountain_Girl406]

I don't know. It happens. Some have waited for something their whole life.

And if you wait for something your whole life, and it never happens and thus you are unable to believe, then what?

 

[Shemjaza]

You know, common sense is a savage's metaphysics...

I wouldn't use the term "common sense" to describe my beliefs, it has connotations of simplicity and tradition that I wouldn't intend to imply.

When I said coherent and justifiable I meant that I was soul searching (if you'll pardon the phrase), to see that what I saw in the world and my attitudes towards it were not contradictory. I found that beliefs I had held onto for most of my life didn't ring true under any scrutiny.

Just on a sidenote:
I don´t agree that atheism is a belief system.
Actually, it´s neither a belief nor a system of beliefs.

I probably phrased that poorly. I didn't mean that atheism is my belief system, but atheistic is an accurate description of one aspect of my belief system.

Even if that were true, it wouldn´t be that different from your standard justification: "I am convinced...." or "It´s an obvious truth...".

It does seem inconsistent for just a believing guy to be anti common sense. I'd have thought he'd be all over that as a justification for his religion.

 

[just a believing guy]

I wouldn't use the term "common sense" to describe my beliefs, it has connotations of simplicity and tradition that I wouldn't intend to imply.

When I said coherent and justifiable I meant that I was soul searching (if you'll pardon the phrase), to see that what I saw in the world and my attitudes towards it were not contradictory. I found that beliefs I had held onto for most of my life didn't ring true under any scrutiny.

Everything changes, who knows -- maybe given time it will ring true under any scrutiny.

 

[section9+1]

Jesus said, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened; you will find me if you search for me with all your heart. Those sound like promises. So if you haven't found him, you are not looking.

 

[Shemjaza]

Everything changes, who knows -- maybe given time it will ring true under any scrutiny.

I don't like to rule out possibilities. But I just haven't seen good, reasonable arguments to convince me.

 

[Tolworth John]

To claim to be atheist, allows someone to ignore the lurking thoughts and worrying question, that there might be a God.
That and that if there is no God then there are no absolute moral rules so they can live for themselves.

 

[quatona]

To some it isn't conviction, to some it is personal conviction. To some it isn't an obvious truth, to some it is an obvious, personal truth.

...and once again you managed to let my point fly right over your head.

 

[just a believing guy]

I don't like to rule out possibilities. But I just haven't seen good, reasonable arguments to convince me.

No need to repeat it

 

[jacknife]

Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

 

[quatona]

To claim to be atheist, allows someone to ignore the lurking thoughts and worrying question, that there might be a God.

You find this thought worrying?

That and that if there is no God then there are no absolute moral rules so they can live for themselves.

Doesn´t follow.

 

[Tolworth John]

You find this thought worrying

No I find it laughable. After all if there is no God, then Christians etc are deluded and there is plenty in the bible for atheists etc to use to ensure that a 'Christian' country followed Christian morality without atheist needing to get hot under the coller at the foolish antics of Christians.

Christianity teaches that all sex outside of marriage is wrong, that we should not get drunk, or be dishonest, or lazy etc If there is no God then those rules donot apply.

 

[ToBeLoved]

Why does God not make it obvious for everyone? To those who have a personal conviction, where does that come from?

God's Word tells us that God has made it obvious.

Romans 1:20

20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,7 in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Another version:
Romans 1:18–21

18 a For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and b unrighteousness of men, who 4 suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because c what may be known of God is 5 manifest 6in them, for dGod has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world e His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and 7Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but f became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

God's Word says that to not believe is to SUPPRESS the TRUTH.

 

[Mountain_Girl406]

God's Word tells us that God has made it obvious.

Romans 1:20

20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,7 in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Another version:
Romans 1:18–21

18 a For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and b unrighteousness of men, who 4 suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because c what may be known of God is 5 manifest 6in them, for dGod has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world e His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and 7Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but f became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

God's Word says that to not believe is to SUPPRESS the TRUTH.

Sadly it's not obvious. ...

 

[essentialsaltes]

If you don't believe, you don't believe. That's it.

Some professed theists believe in the "fake it until you make it" school of belief. They are essentially lying to themselves.

Atheists are at least saved from that intellectual dishonesty.

 

[David Brider]

Any thoughts?

You seem to start a heck of a lot of threads about atheists on these forums. Why? Are atheists a particular concern of yours?

FWIW, on this particular matter, I don't think that atheists are atheists because atheism somehow profits them. They're atheists, purely and simply, because they don't believe that there's any good evidence for the existence of God/gods.

 

[quatona]

No I find it laughable.

Then why did you call it "worrying"?
The thought of a God existing doesn´t worry me, it doesn´t worry you - so on whose behalf are you trying to speak here?

Christianity teaches that all sex outside of marriage is wrong, that we should not get drunk, or be dishonest, or lazy etc If there is no God then those rules donot apply.

Unless there´s a good reason for those rules.

But, yeah right: When Christianity is wrong, then it is wrong.

You do not, however, make a case for Chritianity by means of insinuating doubtful motives for non-Christians.

On another note, you keep saying "atheists" when you actually talk about "non-Christian" (theists or atheists).

 

[bhsmte]

Intellectual integrity: The atheists I have spoken with believe that there is not enough evidence to justify a belief in God, and they do not want to believe something that does not have adequate justification.

Sums it up pretty well. I was a Christian for most of my life, until I acquired new knowledge that led me to believe my personal belief was wrong and it was a slow realization, that I was wrong. I have learned, that it is difficult for me, to pretend to believe something, even though it may have brought some sense of comfort. Being in as close a touch with well evidenced reality, has been very enlightening and that is how I roll.

For those that do believe, that may be the best thing for you and more power to you.

 

[bhsmte]

You seem to start a heck of a lot of threads about atheists on these forums. Why? Are atheists a particular concern of yours?

FWIW, on this particular matter, I don't think that atheists are atheists because atheism somehow profits them. They're atheists, purely and simply, because they don't believe that there's any good evidence for the existence of God/gods.

Lot of clues there, I would agree.

 

[bhsmte]

Jesus said, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened; you will find me if you search for me with all your heart. Those sound like promises. So if you haven't found him, you are not looking.

2/3 of the world's population don't buy the story and people of other religions, will claim those who disagree with them are not looking. And, round and round we go.