Ask me, an atheist

[NiceAtheist]

Hello all, I would like to educate people, and clear up any misconceptions on general atheism, and my beliefs. There's probably another thread on this subject, but I'd like to answer people's questions more personally, and no two beliefs are the same, as they say. Now to tell you a little bit about what I believe. I believe that it's highly improbable that a god exists, not impossible exactly, but most likely not. I also believe in the general atheist science beliefs, such as evolution, big bang, ect. Also, I'd like to keep this thread as civil as possible, so please reframe from flaming and the like.

Now, feel free to ask me any question regarding my atheistic beliefs. Ask away. (If this thread isn't in the right section, I'll be happy for a staff member to move it to the correct section"

 

[Suggestion Box]

what's your favorite type of communism?

 

[NiceAtheist]

What exactly does that have to do with anything?

 

[Suggestion Box]

just being obnoxiously stereotypical - kidding, sorry!

i dont think i have any misconceptions - although a lot of atheists out there would be angry about your usage of the word 'atheist' to describe a belief system rather than a lack of one. i do have a question about your life that indirectly relates to your personal belief system:
what makes you happiest?

 

[NiceAtheist]

I didn't really mean to come across as describing it as a belief system. I was saying something more along the lines of my own belief system, which is generally similar to most atheists, but not all. Now, to answer your question, I would say my family makes me the happiest.

 

[maxbigwood]

just being obnoxiously stereotypical - kidding, sorry!

i dont think i have any misconceptions - although a lot of atheists out there would be angry about your usage of the word 'atheist' to describe a belief system rather than a lack of one. i do have a question about your life that indirectly relates to your personal belief system:
what makes you happiest?

Atheist implies a belief system in which the universe came into existence from nothing, or self causing, which is impossible...

 

[Nathan45]

Atheist implies a belief system in which the universe came into existence from nothing, or self causing, which is impossible...

Did God come from nothing, or is he self-causing?

 

[NiceAtheist]

Atheist implies a belief system in which the universe came into existence from nothing, or self causing, which is impossible...

Atheism implies no belief system. The only thing it implies is that an atheist doesn't believe in a god. Atheists can have any belief they want other than that. Also, that wasn't a question. It was an assumptive statement.

 

[Ayersy]

Atheist implies a belief system in which the universe came into existence from nothing, or self causing, which is impossible...

Uh, no. It doesn't.

Alot of atheists, including myself, would be perfectly happy to say "I don't know.", as thats the simple truth, mankind hasn't developed the means to find out about the origins of the universe, and probably never will.

If you're talking about earth however, then yes, there are theories for that.

The is no 'belief system' we all adhere to, though, people can think whatever they want to think. Who are we to tell them its wrong?

 

[NiceAtheist]

Please reframe from coming in here solely to debate with those that come into this thread and differ from your opinion. I can handle the rebutting of false statements posed in this thread, and questions posted towards me just fine on my own. This is solely a thread for me to educate, and clear misconceptions among any of the religious members of this site, and occasionally respectfully debate.

 

[Zebra1552]

Hello all, I would like to educate people, and clear up any misconceptions on general atheism, and my beliefs. There's probably another thread on this subject, but I'd like to answer people's questions more personally, and no two beliefs are the same, as they say. Now to tell you a little bit about what I believe. I believe that it's highly improbable that a god exists, not impossible exactly, but most likely not. I also believe in the general atheist science beliefs, such as evolution, big bang, ect. Also, I'd like to keep this thread as civil as possible, so please reframe from flaming and the like.

Now, feel free to ask me any question regarding my atheistic beliefs. Ask away. (If this thread isn't in the right section, I'll be happy for a staff member to move it to the correct section"

Ooo, this sounds like fun. Why is it funner to laugh at Christians than to seriously debate with them? Why can't we be taken seriously?

Or how about this one: how come evidence isn't really evidence unless it's scientific or philosophical? Why can't it be historical?

Or how about this one: how come people can rip on Christians but not atheists?

Okay, I'm done being a stereotypical Christian now. I'm anything BUT stereotypical...

But seriously, I'm sorry for the way we Christians treat you, both here in the forums and otherwise. Just because we see your beliefs as a threat doesn't give us the right to attack you or be ignorant when it comes to logical discourse.

 

[Brother Cavil]

But seriously, I'm sorry for the way we Christians treat you, both here in the forums and otherwise. Just because we see your beliefs as a threat doesn't give us the right to attack you or be ignorant when it comes to logical discourse.

I don't mean to take this too off-topic, but do you really see beliefs as a threat?

 

[Zebra1552]

I don't mean to take this too off-topic, but do you really see beliefs as a threat?

Beliefs as a threat, most certainly I do. If you want to discuss it, feel free to PM me. I'm not interested in starting a 'ask a Christian' thread.

 

[Wiccan_Child]

Ooo, this sounds like fun. Why is it funner to laugh at Christians than to seriously debate with them? Why can't we be taken seriously?

You can. But it's funnier to laugh than seriously debate because a serious debate doesn't lend itself to comedy (unlike, say, an overview of Scientology).

Or how about this one: how come evidence isn't really evidence unless it's scientific or philosophical? Why can't it be historical?

It can: how else do we know Queen Elizabeth I existed?

Or how about this one: how come people can rip on Christians but not atheists?

Various freedoms allow A to rip on B. I think your confusing atheism with over-zealous liberals (I'm a liberal, but political correctness can bite my bum).

Okay, I'm done being a stereotypical Christian now. I'm anything BUT stereotypical...

...

But seriously, I'm sorry for the way we Christians treat you, both here in the forums and otherwise. Just because we see your beliefs as a threat doesn't give us the right to attack you or be ignorant when it comes to logical discourse.

Me love you longtime

 

[Notedstrangeperson]

Here is a question for both atheists and Christians:
Why do all debates between Christians and atheisst devolve into the users obnoxiously mocking one another?

 

[Zebra1552]

Here is a question for both atheists and Christians:
Why do all debates between Christians and atheisst devolve into the users obnoxiously mocking one another?

If you look up any discussion between myself and WiccanChild here you will note that we haven't mocked one another in quite some time. There's exceptions to your rule. So, I'd say you're generalizing.

 

[Notedstrangeperson]

If you look up any discussion between myself and WiccanChild here you will note that we haven't mocked one another in quite some time. There's exceptions to your rule. So, I'd say you're generalizing.

I would have to disagree. I won't go into detail but I assure you I am not generalizing.

 

[nolongerhome]

I would say it ends up in mockery because the two sides are completely incompatible. In most arguments there is some common ground that can form the basis for a compromise. There isn't a compromise position between Christianity and Atheism.

That, along with the fact that metaphysical arguments can't be proven through reason and experience and the fact that atheists won't accept arguments based purely on faith, means that in the end each side generally ends up talking past each other or engaging in name calling because the conversation has, at that point, degenerated as both sides feel that their opponents aren't understanding their arguments or a being purposefully difficult.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Okay, here are my questions in response to the OP...

Why do you hate God so much?

And if you answer, "God doesn't exist", then why do you hate nonexistent things so much? Huh? Huh? What did nonexistent things ever do to you? I mean, they are very small and harmless, you big bully!



Okay, seriously, here are my questions:

1. Does anything "above" the natural universe exist?
2. Is the universe conscious as a whole?
3. Do you believe in life after death? What about ghosts?
4. Do you believe in magic (direct conscious control of reality)?
5. Do you agree with the theory of natural selection?
6. Which cosmological theory do you favor, if any?
7. Does time extend infinitely into the past, or only finitely?
8. How optimistic are you about the future of humanity?
9. How do you feel about humanity and its place in the universe?
10. What is your basic ethical stance?
11. Is there a natural standard of human values?
12. How do you feel about religious people and the future of religion?

eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Zebra1552]

I would have to disagree. I won't go into detail but I assure you I am not generalizing.

So you're going to make a claim that every time an atheist debates with a Christian it gets heated, then you don't care to elaborate and give evidence of such a claim. Then you question my claim that I've debated with one without it getting heated upon no basis whatsoever. Your credibility just went down the toilet.