Ask an Atheist

[AV1611VET]

I wouldn't use the term mutant copy-errors.

Because it's not a part of evolutionist terminology?

Have you been an atheist all your life? a Christian-turned-atheist? or some other?

 

[TheFriendlyAtheist]

Because it's not a part of evolutionist terminology?

Have you been an atheist all your life? a Christian-turned-atheist? or some other?

No it's because that isn't the mechanism that drives most of the change. They are just small natural changes like how litters of cats for example all look different. I'm not a biologists so there are plenty of things I'm unsure of.

I didn't grow up with religion. Neither of my parents are but some of my family are Christians. For most of my life I didn't really think about it. I've looked into Christianity, went to church a few times. Actually quite a few times. It just never took, and the more I thought the more I realized that I am an atheist.

 

[TheFriendlyAtheist]

They're pretty straightforward yes-or-no questions.

I think I answered them. If I don't believe in God then I don't believe he can choose anyone. And if it was a promise by God then that would also be a no.

 

[AV1611VET]

It just never took, and the more I thought the more I realized that I am an atheist.

Okie-doke! Thanks for your time!

Nice to meet you.

I hope you're planning to stick around awhile!

Just one more question:

Have you read the Bible and/or Darwin's, The Preservation of Favoured Races?

 

[AV1611VET]

I think I answered them. If I don't believe in God then I don't believe he can choose anyone. And if it was a promise by God then that would also be a no.

Okay. Thank you.

 

[TheFriendlyAtheist]

Okie-doke! Thanks for your time!

Nice to meet you.

I hope you're planning to stick around awhile!

Just one more question:

Have you read the Bible and/or Darwin's, The Preservation of Favoured Races?

I haven't read Dawkins book, no. But I am currently reading through the Bible now.

 

[AV1611VET]

I haven't read Dawkins book, no.

That would be Darwin.

But I am currently reading through the Bible now.

Good deal!

 

[tansy]

What do you think of what may be termed supernatural or spiritual occurences? Apart from those that have been obviously exposed as fake, like the sham seance organisers, who have used special affects to produce 'phenomena', and apart from those who have mental illnesses?
Have you, yourself, ever experienced anything which seems 'supernatural', paranormal' or 'otherworldly'? Something which, on the face of it, seems unexplainable or a bit 'weird'.

 

[TheFriendlyAtheist]

That would be Darwin.

Good deal!

Ah, yeah I misread that. The answer is still no though.

 

[TheFriendlyAtheist]

What is your philosophical foundation for your ethics?

Well I guess if I'm understanding your question right, I would have to say first and foremost my own feelings, emotions, impulses and thoughts. But those were developed by how my parents raised me and the society in which I was raised.

 

[TheFriendlyAtheist]

What do you think of what may be termed supernatural or spiritual occurences? Apart from those that have been obviously exposed as fake, like the sham seance organisers, who have used special affects to produce 'phenomena', and apart from those who have mental illnesses?
Have you, yourself, ever experienced anything which seems 'supernatural', paranormal' or 'otherworldly'? Something which, on the face of it, seems unexplainable or a bit 'weird'.

I don't think there are any supernatural occurrences. Or better said I don't see any evidence for those occurrences that have been claimed. Personally no, I can't remember having an experience like that. I've had things happen to me that I can't explain but nothing that far out of the ordinary that they couldn't have happened naturally.

Supernatural events in and of themselves aren't really explanatory. To put it simply, if something strange and seemingly paranormal happened to me it would only tell me that something strange happened, I wouldn't have any way of knowing why or what caused it.

 

[SkyWriting]

So then what do you say about experiences like this that support other religions? What about when a Muslim prays to Allah for a miracle and a miracle happens?Or Hindu to Vishnu?

There is only one God. God is not offended by name-calling.
He is only offended by not following the leading of His Spirit:

37 Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’d
38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’e
40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.”

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I don't know if I can answer that directly. I can mention some of the people who helped me form my worldview on these matters. When it comes to these philosophical questions I like to listen to people like Michael Shermer, Matt Dillahunty, Eugenie Scott and yes Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins. That isn't to say I agree with them on everything but generally I'm in their corner so to speak. Of course there are others I admire but that is all I can think of off the top of my head.

I can appreciate your exploratory approach to these things, but when you refer to "these matters" as they relate to your worldview (and atheism is not a worldview from what atheists here at CF tell me), what are you referring to, TFA? Would you say, then, that you don't have a solid and/or developed ethical stance as to what may best constitute human morality?

Peace,
2PhiloVoid

 

[SkyWriting]

I don't think there are any supernatural occurrences. Or better said I don't see any evidence for those occurrences that have been claimed. Personally no, I can't remember having an experience like that. I've had things happen to me that I can't explain but nothing that far out of the ordinary that they couldn't have happened naturally.

Supernatural events in and of themselves aren't really explanatory. To put it simply, if something strange and seemingly paranormal happened to me it would only tell me that something strange happened, I wouldn't have any way of knowing why or what caused it.

Right. So when my prayers were answered, I knew it was not natural.
No person standing nearby could know. But I knew, becasue of my prayer.

 

[tansy]

I don't think there are any supernatural occurrences. Or better said I don't see any evidence for those occurrences that have been claimed. Personally no, I can't remember having an experience like that. I've had things happen to me that I can't explain but nothing that far out of the ordinary that they couldn't have happened naturally.

Supernatural events in and of themselves aren't really explanatory. To put it simply, if something strange and seemingly paranormal happened to me it would only tell me that something strange happened, I wouldn't have any way of knowing why or what caused it.

Ok, thanks. But if something slightly weird happened, would you try and explain it, or get to the bottom of it?

 

[TheFriendlyAtheist]

I can appreciate your exploratory approach to these things, but when you refer to "these matters" as they relate to your worldview (and atheism is not a worldview from what atheists here at CF tell me), what are you referring to, TFA? Would you say, then, that you don't have a solid and/or developed ethical stance as to what may best constitute human morality?

Peace,
2PhiloVoid

When I say these matters, I mean things related to philosophy. It's true that atheism isn't a worldview, it is only a view on the existence of God or gods. An atheist can believe anything short of a deity. The people I mentioned are people I agree with on a wide range of issues.

Not to be quaint but I think the golden rule is a pretty solid foundation. Treat others like how you want to be treated. But I believe morality on a base level was developed as a result of our evolution as a species. Without it I believe we would be just another one of those extinct species lost to history. We see the foundations of morality in a lot of other animals, especially mammals. Ours have just been more refined due to our intellect. In short I do think we have a solid foundation to base our morals and ethics on but I believe it is natural and innate.

 

[TheFriendlyAtheist]

Ok, thanks. But if something slightly weird happened, would you try and explain it, or get to the bottom of it?

If I could think of a way to go about figuring it out I would try. If I couldn't I would just have to say "I don't know."

 

[TheFriendlyAtheist]

There is only one God. God is not offended by name-calling.
He is only offended by not following the leading of His Spirit:

37 Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’d
38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’e
40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.”

To be fair, she was just doing a thought experiment. I think it was just a hypothetical question.

 

[AV1611VET]

Are you open to not-too-personal general questions?

If so, what is your favorite holiday?

 

[TheFriendlyAtheist]

Are you open to not-too-personal general questions?

If so, what is your favorite holiday?

Yeah sure, why not.
I think I would have to say Christmas. All major holidays are a reason to spend time with family so I can't single any holiday out for that. I think I like it because when I see all the lights and hear the collective planning rush it reminds me of how when thing look dark we band together. I mean Christmas comes right before the heavy blast of the long cold dark winter and the lights and the atmosphere just makes me feel like we're all together.