Ask a forty something Atheist

JAM2b · Dec 10, 2017

Sarah G said:
Many of the atheists I am friends with (or follow on social media) are depressive, anxious, addicted and or seem to lurch from one existential crisis to another. When life's disasters strike, or even threaten to, they seem somewhat anchorless and are tossed around on the waves of this material, dog eat dog reality that is all they believe and invest in. So, my question is: do you wish you could believe? To have that comfort, peace, hope and joy that can come with faith in a higher power, to never cry yourself to sleep in fear that you are on the verge of death, bankruptcy, homelessness, perpetual loneliness. Do you ever envy the simple bliss of the believer? (okay, that's two questions, if there's a limit take the second one )

uh.. I'm a Christian, and I find this offensive.

Many Christian live the exact same way you are describing here. Being a Christian does not make you immune to life's struggles, mental illness, or the influence of the rest of the world. We still live in the same fallen and self-destructive world that everyone else does, that includes all kinds of disasters, terrors, and personal weaknesses. Many Christians struggle to feel at peace all the time.

You can't qualify someone's faith based on the condition of their life. I think that this presumptuousness that many Christians take on is a turnoff for many atheist or those of other religious origins. It seems false, manipulative, prideful, arrogant.

Spikey · Dec 10, 2017

JAM2b said:
uh.. I'm a Christian, and I find this offensive.

Many Christian live the exact same way you are describing here. Being a Christian does not make you immune to life's struggles, mental illness, or the influence of the rest of the world. We still live in the same fallen and self-destructive world that everyone else does, that includes all kinds of disasters, terrors, and personal weaknesses. Many Christians struggle to feel at peace all the time.

You can't qualify someone's faith based on the condition of their life. I think that this presumptuousness that many Christians take on is a turnoff for many atheist or those of other religious origins. It seems false, manipulative, prideful, arrogant.

It's okay, I'm quite used to people having a negative impression of me because of my non belief.
It seems that some people think that if you don't believe in God then you are living some sort of pointless half life, I have already been told that without God I have no purpose, and am heading for the lake of fire, I beg to differ on both of these assertions.

JAM2b · Dec 10, 2017

what kind of bird or duck creature is that in your avatar?

Spikey · Dec 10, 2017

JAM2b said:
what kind of bird or duck creature is that in your avatar?

That's an Emu unplugging a TV aerial

majj27 · Dec 10, 2017

UK television series' seem superior to US series': better stories, better writing, etc.

Any ideas as to why this came about?

salt-n-light · Dec 11, 2017

Spikey said:
I'm a socialist basically, I have voted for the labour party in every election that I have been eligible to vote.
I think my views are pretty liberal and hopefully pretty mainstream (here in the UK at least)
I voted leave in the EU referendum, purely because of strains on the economy brought about by Europe's inability to function as a viable unit. Red tape upon red tape swallowing up millions.

Anyway I'm left of centre, if that answers your question

Interesting, I'm more of a moderate, my views for certain subjects are clear cut liberal, and for others more clear cut conservative. In the US, it would probably be more described as an independent. Another question, do you see socialism as a stable ideal structure for a government, or is there a possibility that it more serves as a transitional state for communism?

Spikey · Dec 11, 2017

majj27 said:
UK television series' seem superior to US series': better stories, better writing, etc.

Any ideas as to why this came about?

I don't know about that, I think some of our comedy series are better, the classics like Fawlty Towers etc.... But I have liked a few American dramas.

I think we are pretty even

Spikey · Dec 11, 2017

Mskriskris said:
Interesting, I'm more of a moderate, my views for certain subjects are clear cut liberal, and for others more clear cut conservative. Another question, do you see socialism as a stable ideal structure for a government, or is there a possibility that it more serves as a transitional state for communism?

I don't think there is an 'ideal' system but socialism would be my idea of the closest thing. Communism on the other hand is a different ball game it's an extreme variant of socialism and quite a few steps beyond. Communism being a political system and socialism is more economics based.

Par5 · Dec 11, 2017

Spikey said:
I don't think there is an 'ideal' system but socialism would be my idea of the closest thing. Communism on the other hand is a different ball game it's an extreme variant of socialism and quite a few steps beyond. Communism being a political system and socialism is more economics based.

From what you have said previously I get the impression that you are the kind of socialist I remember from the days of Wilson and Kinnock.
The Tories don't exactly inspire confidence, but I shudder to think what it would be like under a Labour government lead by what I call the unholy trinity of Corbyn, McDonnell and Abbott. They are much too far to the left for my liking.
I would be interested to know if you, as a lifelong Labour voter, are happy having Corbyn at the helm of the party?

Spikey · Dec 12, 2017

Par5 said:
From what you have said previously I get the impression that you are the kind of socialist I remember from the days of Wilson and Kinnock.
The Tories don't exactly inspire confidence, but I shudder to think what it would be like under a Labour government lead by what I call the unholy trinity of Corbyn, McDonnell and Abbott. They are much too far to the left for my liking.
I would be interested to know if you, as a lifelong Labour voter, are happy having Corbyn at the helm of the party?

In short no. I agree Corbyn is way too far left along with Abbott and I was hoping for a change of leadership and direction before the last election. Having said that I would never vote Conservative being from a working class background, but I might have to abstain next election if nothing changes within Labour.

_-iconoclast-_ · Dec 12, 2017

Spikey said:
Ask away, anything you would like to know, I will do my best to answer

Hello spike

Do you have complete trust in science - the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment?

Cheers

Spikey · Dec 12, 2017

_-iconoclast-_ said:
Hello spike

Do you have complete trust in science - the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment?

Cheers

I wouldn't say complete trust because that implies some sort of faith. I would say that I accept scientific knowledge knowing that scientific theories have been thoroughly tested and reviewed.

_-iconoclast-_ · Dec 12, 2017

Spikey said:
I wouldn't say complete trust because that implies some sort of faith.

Hey hey.

So if you are not certain does this mean you have doubt?

Cheers

Spikey · Dec 12, 2017

_-iconoclast-_ said:
Hey hey.

So if you are not certain does this mean you have doubt?

Cheers

We can never have complete certainty about anything, Like I said I accept scientific findings because science is tested and has advanced humanity without question. Which scientific findings do you disagree with?

_-iconoclast-_ · Dec 12, 2017

Spikey said:
We can never have complete certainty about anything

Thanks for the reply.

Im certain i saw my friend last night. Im certain that one day i will die.

Are you suggesting your position - point of view - is uncertain?

Spike - "We can never have complete certainty about anything,"

Cheers

Spikey · Dec 12, 2017

I'm certain that you twisted my words, we were talking science right? Uncertainty is a good thing, it's the driving force for science, wanting to find answers and explanations for things we DON'T know the answers to.
If everything was set in stone science would be redundant. There is nothing wrong with saying "I don't know." The problem is people need answers to the big questions, some people look at evidence and make judgements based on that, while others cough cough do not.

Radagast · Dec 12, 2017

Aryeh Jay · Dec 12, 2017

7+5=14 all day long

Radagast · Dec 12, 2017

_-iconoclast-_ · Dec 12, 2017

Spikey said:
I'm certain that you twisted my words, we were talking science right?

Hey hey.

Please excuse me. That was not my inention

Spike - "We can never have complete certainty about anything,"

This statement implies beyond science. Anything - used to refer to a thing, no matter what.

Lets rectify it friend.

Spike - "we can never have complete certainty about science".

Science is in a state of flux. I assume your belief system is based on or influnced by modern science - atheist - please correct me if im wrong.

Science can never have complete certainity. Is it incorrect to suggest your position is influenced by a form of uncertainity. Therefore your position is uncertain?

Cheers

Ask a forty something Atheist

Newbie

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Newbie

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Mr. Owl has had quite enough

Well-Known Member

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Well-Known Member

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I live by faith in the Son of God.

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I live by faith in the Son of God.

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I live by faith in the Son of God.

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comes and goes

Replaced by a robot, just like Biden.

comes and goes

I live by faith in the Son of God.

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