Ask an Ex-Theist anything!

[Ration]

So as the title states, feel free to ask me anything (within reason). Be it my favourite colour/song, or my thoughts on Nietzsche's interpretation on nihilism. All the way through to why I changed my personal beliefs.

 

[Resha Caner]

So as the title states, feel free to ask me anything (within reason). Be it my favourite colour/song, or my thoughts on Nietzsche's interpretation on nihilism. All the way through to why I changed my personal beliefs.

So you're a deist now? I take it that means you no longer believe God is found through revelation, but rather through nature, reason, etc. For what reasons, then, do you believe a god exists?

 

[Ration]

So you're a deist now? I take it that means you no longer believe God is found through revelation, but rather through nature, reason, etc. For what reasons, then, do you believe a god exists?

I was very christian about 8 years ago, I went to mass, took communion, prayed, all that jazz. I did however begin to question various beliefs and changed. However, despite my use of logic and reason throughout daily life and using them to view the universe, I couldn't quite reconcile the fact that I wasn't comfortable without something having set off the beggining. That and the idea that the universe is all one giant experiment is rather appealing to me.

Whether this something is a deity or other omnipotent being, I don't, and probably never will, know.

 

[jayem]

G'day mate! Enjoying some nice spring weather down under, I hope.

Since you've become godless (at least as regards a personal God) do you now have no compunction about robbing a convenience store, beating your girlfriend, or abusing small animals and children?

 

[AlexBP]

Have you read any books of Christian apologetics? If so, which ones?

 

[Tuddrussell]

I have never in my life been a Christian. What are the pros and cons of Christianity?

Also, why does the universe need something to start it but not the something that started it? Has that just always been around, and why is that better than the universe having always been around?

 

[Ration]

Since you've become godless (at least as regards a personal God) do you now have no compunction about robbing a convenience store, beating your girlfriend, or abusing small animals and children?

I love my cat too much to hurt her. However, I hate children with a passion. Interestingly this hatred only developed after I stopped believing in the christian god. Who knew? Never robbed a convenience store, and most of the girls I've dated probably would have beaten me up instead.

Have you read any books of Christian apologetics? If so, which ones?

I have read no books, but have looked into the subject. It was interesting, but not for me.

I have never in my life been a Christian. What are the pros and cons of Christianity?

Free booze every sunday before lunch, reasonable company and the occasional bake sale are some pretty good pros. Cons: A constant feeling of guilt, less money, the occasional insane friend.

Also, why does the universe need something to start it but not the something that started it? Has that just always been around, and why is that better than the universe having always been around?

It doesn't need to have had something to start it, and that something doesn't need to interfere. But I choose to believe that something set it in motion. I like to think it's like the creature from the end of Joe Haldeman's Forever Free.

It is no better than the universe having always been around, and I can certainly say my belief is no better than any other (apart from maybe YEC).

 

[Eudaimonist]

My questions:

1) What is behind your choice of avatar?

2) What does "Certified Brony" mean?

3) Are you from New Zealand? Have you lived your whole life there? Did you meet any hobbits there?

4) Have your views on ethics changed with your change of worldview? In what ways?

5) What are your views on Nietzsche's interpretation of nihilism?

6) Do you experience life as having meaning and purpose? If so, how do you view those issues?

7) Do you fear death?

8) What is most important to you in life?


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[SithDoughnut]

My questions:

1) What is behind your choice of avatar?

2) What does "Certified Brony" mean?

Don't ask. Seriously, just... don't.

 

[Antarctika]

Do you pray/worship God?

 

[Ration]

1) What is behind your choice of avatar?

2) What does "Certified Brony" mean?

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic | Know Your Meme


3) Are you from New Zealand? Have you lived your whole life there? Did you meet any hobbits there?

Australia. I have not lived my whole life here, and we have kangaroos rather than hobbits.

4) Have your views on ethics changed with your change of worldview? In what ways?

No.

5) What are your views on Nietzsche's interpretation of nihilism?

I agree with the fact that throughout the 20th century nihilism has become much more prevelent in western culture, especially the existential kind.

6) Do you experience life as having meaning and purpose? If so, how do you view those issues?

I do not believe that life has an intrinsic meaning or purpose. I've always viewed life to be what we choose to make it.

7) Do you fear death?

Yes.

8) What is most important to you in life?

My friends.

Do you pray/worship God?

I don't pray to, or worship any form of deity.

 

[Nooj]

Do you think Rainbow Dash was intentionally designed to become a symbol for LGBT?

 

[Ration]

Do you think Rainbow Dash was intentionally designed to become a symbol for LGBT?

No.

 

[Nooj]

That's disappointing. When I was growing up, there were no positive LGBT role models on children's shows.

 

[Ration]

That's disappointing. When I was growing up, there were no positive LGBT role models on children's shows.

Unfortunately, it wasn't generally accepted even 20 years ago. But I don't think that a children show's character thats a little bit boyish was intentionally designed to be an LGBT role model.

 

[Eudaimonist]

2) What does "Certified Brony" mean?

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic | Know Your Meme

I wasn't aware of this Internet phenomenon. Interesting. The meme I was addicted to for a time was:

Loituma (leekspin)

I was already a fan of the anime "Bleach", and so it was a surprise to see Orihime in this clip.

5) What are your views on Nietzsche's interpretation of nihilism?

I agree with the fact that throughout the 20th century nihilism has become much more prevelent in western culture, especially the existential kind.

I agree with you there.

6) Do you experience life as having meaning and purpose? If so, how do you view those issues?

I do not believe that life has an intrinsic meaning or purpose. I've always viewed life to be what we choose to make it.

Do you feel existential angst about that? Or do you feel that your chosen values are fully "meaningful" to you?

7) Do you fear death?

Yes.

That's good, because death can ruin your whole day.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Ration]

Do you feel existential angst about that? Or do you feel that your chosen values are fully "meaningful" to you?

I feel no angst at all. I use my view on life to drive me. I feel that all meaning is man made, so a person has to make their own.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

What about bricks, turtles and planes? (in that order please, or any other order, or any other words you choose in any order)

 

[AlexBP]

Another question: how do you feel about social reformers who were motivated by their religious views, such as George Fox, John Wesley, Mahatma Gandhi, and Rev. Martin Luther King? Do you feel that their religious views produced good things despite being factually false?

 

[rambot]

What do Australians think of The Flight of the Conchords? In lieu of a national survey, what do you think of TFOTC?