Atheism
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Re: Atheism
Post #12You need more than that?Beyonder wrote:I'm actually trying to get more information my friend is atheist and he stated he believe in "Human Evolution" and such and I'm trying to find out all the different types/views/definition of atheism because all I know of is that they don't believe in a god.Divine Insight wrote:If you are attempting to shove all atheists into a single box then you will most certainly fail miserably at that.Beyonder wrote: So we got 2 different opinions but one main subject?
The term "atheist" doesn't define anyone.
Just as I had pointed out, even you are an atheist with respect to thousands of religions and their Gods, like it or not.
Christians try very hard to paint everything in black & white:
1. Either their religion is true or there is no God.
2. Either a person believes in the "Christian God" or they are an atheist.
It's just an attempt to create an "US verses THEM War". Which is what the Abrahamic religions are infamous for doing. The Abrahamic religions create "US versus THEM wars" even among themselves.
But in truth Christians are just as much atheists as everyone else. We are all atheists with respect to many theologies.
There are atheists who reject all theological claims. And those are the atheists that point out that they simply believe in ONE LESS GOD than you.
Pretty simple. How do you look at Zeus? Just extend the same concept to one more god.
Post #13
Usually when someone says, I'm an atheist I believe in human evolution what they usually mean is: I am an atheist, I don't believe in God AND I believe in things like science and biology and that those things explain how we came to be. Creationism is what some Christians believe is how we humans came to be here. If he is young and just starting to get a handle on who he is and what he believes it explains his not being able to explain things exactly. Given time he will pin down what he thinks and who he is.Beyonder wrote:I'm actually trying to get more information my friend is atheist and he stated he believe in "Human Evolution" and such and I'm trying to find out all the different types/views/definition of atheism because all I know of is that they don't believe in a god.Divine Insight wrote:If you are attempting to shove all atheists into a single box then you will most certainly fail miserably at that.Beyonder wrote: So we got 2 different opinions but one main subject?
The term "atheist" doesn't define anyone.
Just as I had pointed out, even you are an atheist with respect to thousands of religions and their Gods, like it or not.
Christians try very hard to paint everything in black & white:
1. Either their religion is true or there is no God.
2. Either a person believes in the "Christian God" or they are an atheist.
It's just an attempt to create an "US verses THEM War". Which is what the Abrahamic religions are infamous for doing. The Abrahamic religions create "US versus THEM wars" even among themselves.
But in truth Christians are just as much atheists as everyone else. We are all atheists with respect to many theologies.
There are atheists who reject all theological claims. And those are the atheists that point out that they simply believe in ONE LESS GOD than you.
If you are good friends, you will accept his beliefs and his views and try to understand without making him feel like he has to know everything about everything or his beliefs are not real or good. It takes a while for us to have it all figured out, and then it takes a while longer after that. My views change as things are brought into my orbit so I reserve the right to change my mind. Everyone has that right. Good luck to you.
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Post #15
What is it with Christians trying to claim Atheism is a religion? Is it because they feel insulted when people refer to Christianity as a religion? So want to get back at those people?
I never considered myself Atheist until recently, but it was still obvious to me even before, that Atheism is not a religion. The only thing they have in common is that they don't believe in God. Nothing more, nothing less. There is nothing else that makes a person an Atheist, nor do they have any sacredly held beliefs. It may be that many of them tend to also believe in Evolution and stuff like that, but that's irrelevant when it comes to the moniker of Atheist.
I never considered myself Atheist until recently, but it was still obvious to me even before, that Atheism is not a religion. The only thing they have in common is that they don't believe in God. Nothing more, nothing less. There is nothing else that makes a person an Atheist, nor do they have any sacredly held beliefs. It may be that many of them tend to also believe in Evolution and stuff like that, but that's irrelevant when it comes to the moniker of Atheist.
Society and its morals evolve and will continue to evolve. The bible however remains the same and just requires more and more apologetics and claims of "metaphors" and "symbolism" to justify it.
Prayer is like rubbing an old bottle and hoping that a genie will pop out and grant you three wishes.
There is much about this world that is mind boggling and impressive, but I see no need whatsoever to put it down to magical super powered beings.
Check out my website: Recker's World
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Post #16
[Replying to post 15 by OnceConvinced]
Isn't that enough to qualify as a religion? Atheists do disagree on a lot of other issues but the same thing is true of the adherents of any religion.The only thing they have in common is that they don't believe in God. Nothing more, nothing less.
His invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.
Romans 1:20 ESV
Romans 1:20 ESV
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Post #17
[Replying to post 16 by puddleglum]
How not believing in God a religion anymore than believing in a God a religion. Theism, in of itself, is not a religion either.
How not believing in God a religion anymore than believing in a God a religion. Theism, in of itself, is not a religion either.
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Post #18
Do I need to post a definition on what Religion is? It's more than just a belief or a lack of belief. It also includes religious practices; things like communion, prayer, baptism etc etc. It includes doctrines and rules to follow. Where are the Atheists holy books and the rules that they must follow?puddleglum wrote: [Replying to post 15 by OnceConvinced]
Isn't that enough to qualify as a religion? Atheists do disagree on a lot of other issues but the same thing is true of the adherents of any religion.The only thing they have in common is that they don't believe in God. Nothing more, nothing less.
Would you call "not collecting stamps" a hobby? Would you consider "unemployed" as a career? I'm guessing you do.
Society and its morals evolve and will continue to evolve. The bible however remains the same and just requires more and more apologetics and claims of "metaphors" and "symbolism" to justify it.
Prayer is like rubbing an old bottle and hoping that a genie will pop out and grant you three wishes.
There is much about this world that is mind boggling and impressive, but I see no need whatsoever to put it down to magical super powered beings.
Check out my website: Recker's World
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Post #19
[Replying to post 18 by OnceConvinced]
Most religions contain many the practices you listed but they are not necessary for the existence of a religion. A religion is a belief regarding the ultimate truth about reality. Adherents of the same religion may express their belief in different ways or may choose simply to believe without any outward expression of their belief.Do I need to post a definition on what Religion is? It's more than just a belief or a lack of belief. It also includes religious practices; things like communion, prayer, baptism etc etc. It includes doctrines and rules to follow. Where are the Atheists holy books and the rules that they must follow?
His invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.
Romans 1:20 ESV
Romans 1:20 ESV
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Post #20
Your definition does not line up with standard accepted definitions:
ie. Actual belief in a God. Atheism is an absence of belief in a god so does not fit with this definition"the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods."
synonyms: faith, belief, divinity, worship, creed, teaching, doctrine, theology;
Atheism is not a positiion of faith in fact it's an absence of faith. It definitely does not involve worship."a particular system of faith and worship."
Once again Atheism does not involve devotion or following of anything. The only thing it is, is an absence of a belief of God."a pursuit or interest followed with great devotion."
Society and its morals evolve and will continue to evolve. The bible however remains the same and just requires more and more apologetics and claims of "metaphors" and "symbolism" to justify it.
Prayer is like rubbing an old bottle and hoping that a genie will pop out and grant you three wishes.
There is much about this world that is mind boggling and impressive, but I see no need whatsoever to put it down to magical super powered beings.
Check out my website: Recker's World