The origins of atheism

[Davian]

We're still waiting on God to make Himself evident to all.

God is hiding?

Have you found Jesus?

• Davian
• Sep 29, 2015
• 1

 

[Davian]

I explained that I had my own proof, but could not prove it to you. It doesn't work that way. You will get nowhere questioning others...the matter is personal, between you and our Creator. You can take it up with Him anytime.

Do you write letters to Santa?

 

[Cearbhall]

I explained that I had my own proof, but could not prove it to you. It doesn't work that way. You will get nowhere questioning others...the matter is personal, between you and our Creator. You can take it up with Him anytime.

Why would someone do that without already believing that the being exists?

 

[Davian]

You know Davian, today, I was encouraged after reading your posts. I was encouraged and my faith was strengthened by not only the things you have written, but the way you have written them. Yes, not only you, but several others here have greatly encouraged me and strengthened me and I want to say I am grateful to God for causing our paths to cross! Have a great weekend!

I am raising a glass of red wine to you in your honor. Here's to you Davian my friend!

I have read about this, how the religious entrench when challenged, rather than rationally addressing the challenge. Interesting to see it in action.

 

[Ana the Ist]

I choose to be a slave of righteousness as opposed to choosing to be a slave to sin.

Either way, we are all slaves to whatever we obey and are led by.

I could choose to be hateful and cynical towards you right now but I choose not to. I choose to be understanding, compassionate, and kind.

With regards to your last, please read my post here, http://www.christianforums.com/xfa-blog-entry/the-end-of-myself.198587/

Well...if you want to say we're all slaves, that kind of eliminates any meaningful definition of "slave". I would say that a slave satisfies several conditions...

1. A slave is told what to do.
2. A slave faces punishment (usually severe) for not doing as told or trying to escape slavery.
3. A slave is viewed as "less than" or unequal to his master. Usually, this is done by the master claiming ownership over the slave.

Now, it may seem incomprehensible to Americans that a slave might enjoy his position as slave. That he may love his master and believe everything his master says. It's hard to imagine that a slave may give his master credit for anything good that is done and accept blame for any wrong that is done. It wasn't all that unusual though...especially if the slave grew up in his master's house, was taught by the master, and accepted that he was property of his master.

It's a sad situation, because such a slave doesn't even really comprehend freedom. He doesn't understand the world outside of his master's house...so he believes it when he's told there's nothing better for him and that freedom isn't worth what he would lose.

That's the nature of slavery though.

 

[Cearbhall]

I have read about this, how the religious entrench when challenged, rather than rationally addressing the challenge. Interesting to see it in action.

Agreed, but I'd be even more interested to hear what it was that encouraged him.

 

[Davian]

The key words here are "I" [have] "my" own proof.

I have my own proof that I have a million dollars in the bank. My bank manager, he remains sceptical. I feel your pain.

 

[Davian]

Nah, I meant just love in the good old fashioned and simple meaning of the term.

Then I still do not know what you meant by that word in your post.

 

[seashale76]

OP: I'm sure it's been addressed, but I am an atheist when it comes to any god but the Holy Trinity. I don't believe they exist. That's how atheism originated. People simply don't believe in the existence of gods.

 

[Davian]

Nah that is not what I meant.

By willfully ignorant I mean ignorant by choice.

Belief is not a conscious choice, is it?

 

[anonymous person]

I have read about this, how the religious entrench when challenged, rather than rationally addressing the challenge. Interesting to see it in action.

Hey bud, whatever it is you wanna call it is ok with me.

I call it a breakthrough.

 

[anonymous person]

Belief is not a conscious choice, is it?

I ask that if you actually want to talk about this, then define your terms for me. What do you mean by belief. What do you mean by conscious?

 

[quatona]

Hey bud, whatever it is you wanna call it is ok with me.

I call it a breakthrough.

After having eaten all that chalk, how would you answer the OP question today?

 

[Cearbhall]

OP: I'm sure it's been addressed, but I am an atheist when it comes to any god but the Holy Trinity. I don't believe they exist. That's how atheism originated. People simply don't believe in the existence of gods.

Thank you. I don't know why I'm expected to give the benefit of the doubt to someone's god when he or she would never dream of doing the same for any other god.

 

[anonymous person]

Then I still do not know what you meant by that word in your post.

You've never used the word love before? No one has ever loved you? You have never loved anyone?

I like Merriam Webster's take on it.

Unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another

 

[anonymous person]

After having eaten all that chalk, how would you answer the OP question today?

I do not understand what you mean by eaten all that chalk.

 

[Cearbhall]

You've never used the word love before? No one has ever loved you? You have never loved anyone?

Perhaps we're just taking ourselves too seriously, but it felt rather like if someone piped up during a standard discussion in my philosophy class and said "Time out! Let's all love each other!" You would get a lot of confused looks, at best. I respond better to relevant and constructive contributions.

 

[quatona]

I do not understand what you mean by eaten all that chalk.

My bad. I wasn´t aware that this German idiom didn´t translate into English (it´s taken from a Grimm´s fable, where the wolf eats chalk in order to soften his voice). Dictionary says you call it "eating humble pie".

 

[Chriliman]

How can you have truth without evidence?

How can you know something is true without personally experiencing the demonstrated truth?

Are you able to go outside your personal self to see a demonstrated truth?

 

[ScottA]

Why would someone do that without already believing that the being exists?

Because there are millions of people who have attested to it since the beginning of recorded history, and the topic of concern is, "Do I want to be in on everlasting life, the next phase of humanity...or am I satisfied with the shorter experience of only living in my physical body?" "A"theist or "B?"