The Atheist path; a path of liberation or of necessity?

[OldWiseGuy]

We thrive when we we are part of a well-functioning society.

We are a dysfunctional society.

And we realize that any society that kills off its members indiscriminately is not likely to last very long. So we have developed an instinct of justice.

We need to put this instinct into practice.

We want to prevent the violent and anti-social among us from harming our population.

The criminals among us are destroying us.

We don't want to maltreat those who are peaceful and pose no threat.

The 'peaceful' are suckers to be take advantage of.

Because if we do, then the survival of everyone is at risk. Do you see my point?

Our survival is at risk.

Edit: I forgot to add: You don't need any supernatural god for any of this. You only need an animal with social instincts, and a large brain with the ability to reason.

You need to be my age to see that people don't have the ability to reason (or they are saving it for some special occasion).

I think you are viewing the world through rose colored glasses.

 

[jayem]

We are a dysfunctional society.

In some ways. Too many greedy, selfish people. And too easy for the mentally unstable to get guns.

The criminals among us are destroying us.

So law enforcement should act the same way? I'd rather fear criminals than fear my own government.

The 'peaceful' are suckers to be take advantage of.

Spoken like a true psychopath.

Our survival is at risk.

You're being overly dramatic. In the words of a great thinker, "What...me worry?"

 

[Belk]

That's how I would be.

...Honestly, I was expecting to see a lot of atheists say that they felt liberated by their atheism. I'm actually saddened by the fact that nobody does.

Do you feel your religion is a burden? If not why would you feel liberated by not having it?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

In some ways. Too many greedy, selfish people. And too easy for the mentally unstable to get guns.

So we agree.

So law enforcement should act the same way? I'd rather fear criminals than fear my own government.

Both are to be feared.

Spoken like a true psychopath.

It's an observation.

You're being overly dramatic. In the words of a great thinker, "What...me worry?"

We are past the point of no return, so maybe we should just eat, drink, and be merry.

 

[Landon Caeli]

Do you feel your religion is a burden? If not why would you feel liberated by not having it?

It can be a burden. For instance, I am expected to take time out of my day for mass and tell a priest my sins -which means I have to actually look back and review my behavior looking for my flaws...which does not make me feel good at all.

...So in that aspect, to drop all that baggage could be liberating for me.

.. But then again, I know I would feel that great loss...That void...Which would rain all over my little parade of liberation.

 

[Belk]

It can be a burden. For instance, I am expected to take time out of my day for mass and tell a priest my sins -which means I have to actually look back and review my behavior looking for my flaws...which does not make me feel good at all.

...So in that aspect, to drop all that baggage could be liberating for me.

.. But then again, I know I would feel that great loss...That void...Which would rain all over my little parade of liberation.

That is a fair point. I do admit I am glad I don't have to bother to get up early on Sunday in order to go to church. I can see other areas where it would be difficult on a day to day basis. I would think that would be off set somewhat by the sense of community and the feeling of spiritual well being.

 

[Landon Caeli]

That is a fair point. I do admit I am glad I don't have to bother to get up early on Sunday in order to go to church. I can see other areas where it would be difficult on a day to day basis. I would think that would be off set somewhat by the sense of community and the feeling of spiritual well being.

I know..!

Today is Sunday, and last night, the kids were talking about how nice it would be to go to Church in the morning, and how they wanted look at all the statues, and walk around in the garden before mass...

Now we're all looking at each other, and I know nobody wants to follow through.

 

[HerCrazierHalf]

I was just curious to hear some peoples personal views on how they feel about their atheism.

It's kinda funny actually. Until I tried dating as an adult I never have it a lot of thought since more or less becoming a atheist as a child. Then as a young adult I was shocked by how big a deal it was for most women and the bizarre misconceptions.

...Do you feel liberated, free and happy in it?

...Or do you basically feel like it's just where life landed you?

I feel just fine about it. To me it is simply an opinion about the nature of existence. If it wasn't a big thing to others it would be a minor thing to me.

When I was younger and Christian I never felt restrained by my faith. Therefore there is little to be liberated from besides the weekly service. A great deal of the lessons make sense (The Golden Rule, etc) to me. Just not the supernatural.

 

[Non sequitur]

As someone who respects atheists and enjoys befriending them, I was just curious to hear some peoples personal views on how they feel about their atheism.

...Do you feel liberated, free and happy in it?

...Or do you basically feel like it's just where life landed you?

Thanks for sharing your story,
Landon

I can't adequately answer, with anything substantial, how it feels about a lack of belief in something.

I've always viewed religious people as seeing life as "Reality+". So, for me, it's "Reality".

I suppose I'm indifferent and feel... like my self.

 

[Ken-1122]

We are a dysfunctional society.



We need to put this instinct into practice.



The criminals among us are destroying us.



The 'peaceful' are suckers to be take advantage of.



Our survival is at risk.



You need to be my age to see that people don't have the ability to reason (or they are saving it for some special occasion).

I think you are viewing the world through rose colored glasses.

I think what you need to understand is all the claims you make are subjective; meaning they are true from your point of view. You and I can look at the same thing, and where you see dysfunction, I see well-functioning. Where you see chaos, I see order. Where you see antisocial and harm, I see social & harmony. It’s not a matter of someone looking through “rose colored” glasses, it’s just a matter of perspective of how things should be.

 

[Ken-1122]

That's how I would be.

...Honestly, I was expecting to see a lot of atheists say that they felt liberated by their atheism. I'm actually saddened by the fact that nobody does.

I think you make the mistake of assuming atheism is for the atheist, what theism is for the theist. Most religious people I know; their religion is a part of their culture; a major part of their lives. Most atheists I know; atheism is just an answer to one particular question; barely a ripple on their radar.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I think what you need to understand is all the claims you make are subjective; meaning they are true from your point of view. You and I can look at the same thing, and where you see dysfunction, I see well-functioning. Where you see chaos, I see order. Where you see antisocial and harm, I see social & harmony. It’s not a matter of someone looking through “rose colored” glasses, it’s just a matter of perspective of how things should be.

I see a species marching to hell in an organized manner.

 

[bhsmte]

I see a species marching to hell in an organized manner.

You are free to have that opinion.

When you can demonstrate this hell exists, let us know.

 

[Desk trauma]

I see a species marching to hell in an organized manner.

Outside of our personal feelings what do you base that assertion on?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

You are free to have that opinion.

When you can demonstrate this hell exists, let us know.

Hell = ruin.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Outside of our personal feelings what do you base that assertion on?

Observation.

 

[bhsmte]

Hell = ruin.

More opinion.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

More opinion.

I lost my rose colored glasses many years ago.

 

[Desk trauma]

Observation.

No data then? I understand as it's rather hard to hold to the doomed and gloom narrative when the facts show the exact opposite. Unless a decline in poverty, war/violence, and the eradication of once devastating disease are gloomy prospects to you.

 

[bhsmte]

I lost my rose colored glasses many years ago.

It would appear, you have your own personally colored glasses you look through.