So why are you an athiest?

[Allie]

I have always wondered at people's stories, and I would like to hear yours. What would make a person so angry, sorrowful, or unconvinced as to not believe in God?

I come to you in the most humble of circumstances, I am still very young. I probably have less knowledge of the Bible than most people on this site do, but I would still like to contribute to these interesting conversations; Won't you please tell me your story?

[OnceConvinced]

So can I ask the Agnostics/Atheists here (just because I am inexperienced, forgive me) who do you think Jesus was?
I might be mistaken, but there was enough evidence to prove He was there, right?

Don't apologise for asking questions. That's what message boards like this are all about.

If Jesus did exist (and I don't dispute that really) then the stories about him are most likely exagerated and he was simply a charismatic type of man who genuinely wanted to have a positive affect on people. It really is hard to know exactly what's true about him and what isn't. It's hard to know what the motivations were of the people who wrote about him. I very much doubt he was the son of God though, but even if he was I doubt he has any interest in the lives on individuals here. I also don't think he'd be the type of guy to hurl people into Hell because they didn't believe in him.

[Allie]

Just want to let you know Ms. Allie, the folks here who don't agree with you don't hate you, or wish you harm, or anything like that. Most of us feel as strongly about our positions as you do yours. If I may speak for atheists (and most would prefer I don't) we accept values like morality, and being honest, and being kind to one another. Its just that we don't feel it necessary to find these values in a god or what have you.

We will fervently defend our positions, and we expect you to do the same. But in the end, what is most valued, and most important, is ain't that joeyknuccione a fine human being

I will defend my position, for sure. Perhaps good will come out of it. I'm very glad that you guys aren't out to get me! Hah, that would be scary. It's interesting about morals and agnostics/atheists, most do seem to have them. Like you, for instance... I'm glad that you have morals, but it's interesting because it seems there is no reason for you to have morals. Do you get what I'm saying?



And for everyone who replied to my Jesus question, thank you. I did some research myself after I posted that question, and found that I agree with how Wikipedia sums it up:

Nevertheless, non-historicity is still regarded as effectively refuted by almost all Biblical scholars and historians.

I found that there were different historians who recorded Jesus (or mentioned Him, sometimes obscurely) into their works, and that the Bible(the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) is considered by many (most?) good proof. I agree that the Gospels are good proof--why shouldn't they be?

All of you posted interesting replies; many debatable things have come about, I see, just from one simple question. Veryyy interesting.

[OnceConvinced]

I'm very glad that you guys aren't out to get me! Hah, that would be scary.

We do have one or two paranoid Christian members here who think many of us are out to destroy people's faith, but we tend not to take them too seriously. As a child I was brought up by my parents and Sunday school teachers to believe that atheists were fowl and evil people who were working for the devil. But I have come to see that the majority of them are as nice as anyone else.

I'm glad that you have morals, but it's interesting because it seems there is no reason for you to have morals. Do you get what I'm saying?

Without morals what sort of world would we live in? They are still necessary if we all want to live safe and confortable lives. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is the motto of unbelievers as well as believers. Morals should not be something we have just to keep God happy or to get ourselves into Heaven.

Keep on asking questions if you like. People are only too happy here to impart their knowledge and opinions on things.

[Allie]

We do have one or two paranoid Christian members here who think many of us are out to destroy people's faith, but we tend not to take them too seriously. Smile As a child I was brought up by my parents and Sunday school teachers to believe that atheists were fowl and evil people who were working for the devil. But I have come to see that the majority of them are as nice as anyone else.

Really? Wow, I was never taught that Atheists were anything other than people that believe there is no God. What a strange Sunday school, to teach something like that! How very wrong. Humph.

Without morals what sort of world would we live in? They are still necessary if we all want to live safe and confortable lives. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is the motto of unbelievers as well as believers. Morals should not be something we have just to keep God happy or to get ourselves into Heaven.

Keep on asking questions if you like. People are only too happy here to impart their knowledge and opinions on things.

That's true, it wouldn't be a very good world. It's so odd, hearing a Bible verse as a motto for non-Christians. Maybe I will ask more questions ..

For the Atheists/Agnostics: Do you think Christianity looks binding? Or, do you think it looks like as if it would restrict your freedom?

[McCulloch]

Enough chit-chat! When are you going to start debating?

[McCulloch]

It's so odd, hearing a Bible verse as a motto for non-Christians.

The way I see it, if the Bible was completely full of crap, it would have been forgotten a long time ago. Therefore, there must be some good stuff in it, even if the overall story is false.

Do you think Christianity looks binding? Or, do you think it looks like as if it would restrict your freedom?

Of course True Christianity restricts one's freedom.

You are My [Jesus'] friends if you do what I command you.

Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

No fighting for civil rights for Biblical Christians!

If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame.

No freedom in this instruction.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

Yes, this would restrict my freedom.

[Allie]

The way I see it, if the Bible was completely full of crap, it would have been forgotten a long time ago. Therefore, there must be some good stuff in it, even if the overall story is false.

I can see what you're saying.

Of course True Christianity restricts one's freedom.

Ah, that is where I would disagree with you. To be sure there are commandments for our well being (yes, given to us for our own well-being because Jesus loves us), but those are to set us into the deeper freedom given to us by Christ. Ahaha, I feel like starting a debate on this right now. I suppose I shouldn't unless I make a real board about it, neh? Hmm...

Enough chit-chat! When are you going to start debating?

Hah! I guess I should, but I'm afraid I might not live up to your standards. Don't expect too much of me, when I finally do make an official debate board. (yes I will, I will, and I think the topic just bonked me on the head, too.)

Alrighty. Here I go. I'm going to hold my breath and close my eyes and jump into the world of debate.


Here's the board, for those who are interested:
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... php?t=8403

[OnceConvinced]

We do have one or two paranoid Christian members here who think many of us are out to destroy people's faith, but we tend not to take them too seriously. Smile As a child I was brought up by my parents and Sunday school teachers to believe that atheists were fowl and evil people who were working for the devil. But I have come to see that the majority of them are as nice as anyone else.

Really? Wow, I was never taught that Atheists were anything other than people that believe there is no God. What a strange Sunday school, to teach something like that! How very wrong. Humph.

I went to many different sunday schools as a kid. That was back in the 70s.. maybe it was even a New Zealand thing, I don't know, maybe it was more prevalent thinking at the time. I can't recall what sunday schools taught what but I remember stories of evil people who did horrible things to Christians and they were always referred to as atheists. It made me afraid of atheists and it became a dirty word up there alongside such words as "Nazi", "Satanist", "Paedophile" etc etc.

That's true, it wouldn't be a very good world. It's so odd, hearing a Bible verse as a motto for non-Christians. Maybe I will ask more questions ..

I don't think the go around quoting that scripture, but I think most live by that philosophy.

[Loffler]

I have always wondered at people's stories, and I would like to hear yours. What would make a person so angry, sorrowful, or unconvinced as to not believe in God?

People are born not believing in God. I want to know what would make a person so lonely, so desperate, so rejected, and so gullible that one would want to believe in a loving and divine parent figure that will never abandon you, and believe so without evidence?

[nygreenguy]

I found that there were different historians who recorded Jesus (or mentioned Him, sometimes obscurely) into their works, and that the Bible(the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) is considered by many (most?) good proof. I agree that the Gospels are good proof--why shouldn't they be?

Firstly, a historian writing about someone doesnt make that person real. It takes much more than that!

As for the gospels, they were written up to 100 years after the death of Jesus. How well could you tell a story after 100 years?

I would hardly count that as good proof!