odd things some atheists believe

[xxthecapnxx]

In most public places I feel like any attempt to seriously challenge the beliefs of an atheist end up being moot. As a new christian I've come to accept the fact that the vast majority of people don't really believe in Christianity, even if they call themselves Christians. Its really hard to debate with a non-christian, also because their beliefs might be very easy for them to stand behind. For example a strict materialist will say "I don't believe in anything that I can't sense" ... of course any attempt to sway their opinion would then be met with, "okay well then prove it, show me." I think sometimes atheists actually choose their beliefs based on what is easily defended, because its safe. Christians on the other hand, have essentially wagered their lives on that which they believe in, making debates of this kind feel like a personal attack. Indeed its tough to have a fair discussion about such matters, nevertheless I wanted to present some things that I think seem funny from my point of view, in regard to atheists.

Many atheists out there like to read books like "Eat Pray Love" and they thinks its totally cool to meditate/pray, just so long as your not praying TO anyone in particular. Some believe in "Karma," not because they follow Hinduism, but just because it sounds fair. They think that somehow good "karma" will benefit a person in unexpected ways, but they don't believe that there is any specific force that works to reward those who are diligent. They think it's silly to worship someone that died 2000 years ago, but they don't think it's silly to worship someone who happens to be a good football player. They often concede that religion is generally beneficial, promoting ethics, morals, and community outreach, yet they show little respect for those that "actually believe that stuff."

Of course these are just some vague generalizations, I'm not trying to start a debate of "just exactly who believes just exactly what." I'm merely trying to point out a very tragic irony: Every person on this earth has a desire to be filled with love and a higher purpose. Christians usually acknowledge this and then react by turning to God, the one and true means of being filled by something that is not perishable. Atheists, sadly, seem to ignore this fact, and in turn fill their lives with things that are fleeting, such as money, pets, and sports.

 

[The Nihilist]

And some christians think the king james bible was written by god himself or that Obama is the antichrist or that the earth is 6,000 years old and evolution is an atheist conspiracy. People sometimes believe dumb things. What's your point?

 

[William_0]

In most public places I feel like any attempt to seriously challenge the beliefs of an atheist end up being moot. As a new christian I've come to accept the fact that the vast majority of people don't really believe in Christianity, even if they call themselves Christians. Its really hard to debate with a non-christian, also because their beliefs might be very easy for them to stand behind. For example a strict materialist will say "I don't believe in anything that I can't sense" ... of course any attempt to sway their opinion would then be met with, "okay well then prove it, show me." I think sometimes atheists actually choose their beliefs based on what is easily defended, because its safe. Christians on the other hand, have essentially wagered their lives on that which they believe in, making debates of this kind feel like a personal attack. Indeed its tough to have a fair discussion about such matters, nevertheless I wanted to present some things that I think seem funny from my point of view, in regard to atheists.

Many atheists out there like to read books like "Eat Pray Love" and they thinks its totally cool to meditate/pray, just so long as your not praying TO anyone in particular. Some believe in "Karma," not because they follow Hinduism, but just because it sounds fair. They think that somehow good "karma" will benefit a person in unexpected ways, but they don't believe that there is any specific force that works to reward those who are diligent. They think it's silly to worship someone that died 2000 years ago, but they don't think it's silly to worship someone who happens to be a good football player. They often concede that religion is generally beneficial, promoting ethics, morals, and community outreach, yet they show little respect for those that "actually believe that stuff."

Of course these are just some vague generalizations, I'm not trying to start a debate of "just exactly who believes just exactly what." I'm merely trying to point out a very tragic irony: Every person on this earth has a desire to be filled with love and a higher purpose. Christians usually acknowledge this and then react by turning to God, the one and true means of being filled by something that is not perishable. Atheists, sadly, seem to ignore this fact, and in turn fill their lives with things that are fleeting, such as money, pets, and sports.

But despite what any crackpots might say, it's not our place to coerce them into adopting a Christian doctrine.

 

[variant]

In most public places I feel like any attempt to seriously challenge the beliefs of an atheist end up being moot. As a new christian I've come to accept the fact that the vast majority of people don't really believe in Christianity, even if they call themselves Christians. Its really hard to debate with a non-christian, also because their beliefs might be very easy for them to stand behind. For example a strict materialist will say "I don't believe in anything that I can't sense" ... of course any attempt to sway their opinion would then be met with, "okay well then prove it, show me." I think sometimes atheists actually choose their beliefs based on what is easily defended, because its safe. Christians on the other hand, have essentially wagered their lives on that which they believe in, making debates of this kind feel like a personal attack. Indeed its tough to have a fair discussion about such matters, nevertheless I wanted to present some things that I think seem funny from my point of view, in regard to atheists.

What is wrong with believing the simplest, most straight forward and most easily defended answer?

It's basically how I choose what to believe on most other things, why, would it be an inferior tact when getting into existential and metaphysical questions?

I favor intellectual consistency so it would make little sense to take pragmatic and straight forward approaches in the rest of my life and reserve a stratagem of "faithfully clinging to whatever I needed to believe" with respect to God.

 

[Tielec]

Its really hard to debate with a non-christian, also because their beliefs might be very easy for them to stand behind. For example a strict materialist will say "I don't believe in anything that I can't sense" ... of course any attempt to sway their opinion would then be met with, "okay well then prove it, show me." I think sometimes atheists actually choose their beliefs based on what is easily defended, because its safe.

Well at least this is not a strawman

 

[Eudaimonist]

Many atheists out there like to read books like "Eat Pray Love" and they thinks its totally cool to meditate/pray, just so long as your not praying TO anyone in particular.

While prayer may be a form of meditation, meditation is not a form of prayer. One can meditate without praying in any sense. I'm not sure I understand how this would be funny to you. There's nothing inconsistent in valuing meditation, but not valuing prayer.

Some believe in "Karma," not because they follow Hinduism, but just because it sounds fair.

I'd like to hear the atheist's own words here. This sounds like a biased rewording of someone else's views.

They think that somehow good "karma" will benefit a person in unexpected ways, but they don't believe that there is any specific force that works to reward those who are diligent.

That's because karma, in essence, refers to psychological cause and effect. Intentional actions lead to psychological consequences later on. While some people who believe in karma may place a theistic spin on the concept, there are nontheistic views on what karma is, such as in Buddhism.

They think it's silly to worship someone that died 2000 years ago, but they don't think it's silly to worship someone who happens to be a good football player.

This is an equivocation on the word "worship". There is a substantial difference between worshipping a deity and "hero-worship" of a sports star.

And I don't find it silly to hero-worship someone 2000 years ago. I hero-worship Socrates, who lived just a few hundred years before that. However, it would be silly for me to worship Socrates as a deity, because I have no good reason to think he was one. Same for Jesus.

They often concede that religion is generally beneficial, promoting ethics, morals, and community outreach, yet they show little respect for those that "actually believe that stuff."

How do you know? Respecting someone does not mean holding them above reproach. In fact, debating someone can be a sign of respect. Why debate someone you don't respect at all?

I'm merely trying to point out a very tragic irony: Every person on this earth has a desire to be filled with love and a higher purpose. Christians usually acknowledge this and then react by turning to God, the one and true means of being filled by something that is not perishable. Atheists, sadly, seem to ignore this fact, and in turn fill their lives with things that are fleeting, such as money, pets, and sports.

And Christians don't?

I think you'll find that atheists, in general, do no worse than Christians in filling their lives with love and purpose. Christians have no monopoly on such things.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[SithDoughnut]

I think sometimes atheists actually choose their beliefs based on what is easily defended, because its safe.

If something is easy to defend, then it has a stronger argument going for it. Why would I not choose the better argument?

Many atheists out there like to read books like "Eat Pray Love" and they thinks its totally cool to meditate/pray, just so long as your not praying TO anyone in particular. Some believe in "Karma," not because they follow Hinduism, but just because it sounds fair. They think that somehow good "karma" will benefit a person in unexpected ways, but they don't believe that there is any specific force that works to reward those who are diligent. They think it's silly to worship someone that died 2000 years ago, but they don't think it's silly to worship someone who happens to be a good football player. They often concede that religion is generally beneficial, promoting ethics, morals, and community outreach, yet they show little respect for those that "actually believe that stuff."

Of course these are just some vague generalizations

Then why mention them them? Generalisations are almost always wrong.

I'm not trying to start a debate of "just exactly who believes just exactly what." I'm merely trying to point out a very tragic irony: Every person on this earth has a desire to be filled with love and a higher purpose. Christians usually acknowledge this and then react by turning to God, the one and true means of being filled by something that is not perishable. Atheists, sadly, seem to ignore this fact, and in turn fill their lives with things that are fleeting, such as money, pets, and sports.

We don't ignore that "fact" (which is doubtful), we just recognise that there are multiple ways to achieve that desire. I stick to things that I love and care about instead of turning to imaginary friends. That's what the decision looks like from my point of view.

 

[quatona]

Atheists, sadly, seem to ignore this fact, and in turn fill their lives with things that are fleeting, such as money, pets, and sports.

How many atheists do you know personally?

 

[Tielec]

Atheists, sadly, seem to ignore this fact, and in turn fill their lives with things that are fleeting, such as money, pets, and sports.

Pets.
The root of all evil.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Pets.
The root of all evil.

Yeah.

Considering just how much pets may be loved as honorary members of one's family, I don't see why having pets in one's life should be counted as shallow.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[jayem]

Every person on this earth has a desire to be filled with love and a higher purpose. Christians usually acknowledge this and then react by turning to God, the one and true means of being filled by something that is not perishable.

This idea of "purpose" seems peculiar to me. Why do you need an outside entity for this? The purpose of any man's life is what he gives it. The purpose of my life is firstly, to be the best husband, uncle, brother, friend, neighbor, and citizen I can be. Secondly, to practice my chosen profession to the best of my ability. And thirdly, to do what I can--even if it's limited and temporary--to make this world a better and happier place. What higher purpose does anyone need?

 

[DaisyDay]

I like the idea of Karma, but I think "No good deed goes unpunished" is probably more accurate.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

I think people migh say "bad karma" etc non-literally. Rather, it's a sign of being educated, in the know, culturally aware, cool...

 

[SithDoughnut]

I think people migh say "bad karma" etc non-literally. Rather, it's a sign of being educated, in the know, culturally aware, cool...

Really? I just say it occasionally when bad things happen to bad people.

 

[HappyApostate]

What is wrong with believing the simplest, most straight forward and most easily defended answer?

It could very well be wrong. Simple, straightforward, and easy to defend aren't necessarily attributes of 'right'.

 

[brightlights]

You haven't met many atheists have you?

 

[variant]

It could very well be wrong. Simple, straightforward, and easy to defend aren't necessarily attributes of 'right'.

Not necessarily right but in the absence of any evidence to the contrary I don't see a problem with it.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

Really? I just say it occasionally when bad things happen to bad people.

True but I think the allusin to Budhism or Hinduism (karma) shows that people are culturally aware. Its called being clever.

 

[Roscoe1989]

Just a random point here... Since you say atheism is often paired with some other new-age fad... I think we can all agree that japan is one of the most technologically and scientifically advanced countries in the world... There me be no connection whatsoever, but it's funny that japan also has one of the highest population percentage of atheists... Just a thought! They have gotten rid of the epic time wasting distraction of religion, and have found better things to do with their time! Eeesh... If heaven is going to be full of Christians I'm kind of looking forward to the apparent 'fact' that I will be burning in hell for all eternity...

 

[Wiccan_Child]

It could very well be wrong. Simple, straightforward, and easy to defend aren't necessarily attributes of 'right'.

Naturally, which is why science doesn't deal in proofs or 100% certainest. But being the simplest, most straightforward, and well-defended explanation are traits that define that explanation as more likely than its peers. Obviously there will always be a chance, however remote, than any explanation is wrong. But that fact alone doesn't mean we should through out science - what we can't know to 100% certainty, we can know to 99.999% certainty.

That's good enough for me.