@Boobztwo, GirlFriendTess, Neilo
Oh my, where to start? Rather than individual quotes I'll try to lump them for saving time and space. Uh, this is going to be long and my throbbing head is tapioca right now. Sure what the hell why not?
It has been my experience that it is normally the theologians who try and blend the two together, not to prove their case … only to try and disprove the opposition case???
It has been my experience that it is normally the atheists who try and blend the two together, not to prove their case … only to try and disprove the opposition case???
Steven Hawking
Hawking guest starring for a chat with us on Joe User? I'd love that! Count me in. +1
So Hawking, when asked about why he believes in the nonpossibility of God despite factors like The Big Bang, humanity's continued existence versus xenolife and mathematical Chaos Theory calculating God does exist, he answered that he doesn't believe that such a God if existed could care about our small existence therefor must not exist. His answer was very brief, short and simple though in that special S.Hawking genius sort of way. Remarkable how he sums up so much into so little.
Maybe Hawking is a bitter old man who despite the physical failings that helped propel him to greatness is still bitter about it causing his views to reflect that. Is that an ad-hominess attack? Admittedly yes and I did so because here it was very relevant to this argument and I apologize in advance, nor was is it directed at anyone here.
Sadly I've lost respect for the man save his accomplishments because he has publicly endorsed a website that utilizes an illegitimate system removing discussion through downvoting, reducing all thinking to a human hivemind. A mind that continuously censors itself to the point of self destructiveness and has no place in an open forum. I fear having such a system in any decision making process for society's future. That is not something you endorse unless you don't want any open discussion with any thoughts not in agreement to your own. That has no place for an open forum.
Why is this subject not popularly discussed?
At this point what else is there to talk about?
Boobztwo, I can't speak for the others but IIRC I was the first one to bring it up and eventually we both mutually disagreed on the matter and agreed it was too much a boring subject that should stay on JoeUser. Lately you brought it back up and all I can do is reiterate points that have already been said. Since you stepped up once again, called us out again, I'll dance with you.
The purpose of my last thread on the subject was to start discussion to teach Theists and Atheists alike about the scientific mind and its relation to Agnosticism. Throughout my life, the message heard by Atheist preachers is how smart, scientific and intelligent they are above those who disagree and that makes them right, see below. Atheism is a very proud viewpoint, resultingly it's also an obnoxiously loud one. Agnosticism by comparison is a bit more humble by taking the scientific route of not completely ruling out the possibility. That attitude is a big turn off. "Oh noes, there they go again."
Nobody here really wants to be loud unless a nerve has been touched. I'll be the first to admit it happens to me at times.
"Man upon inventing the megaphone found he had nothing to say." -G.K. Chesterton
Atheism is like saying not collecting stamps is a hobby?
Way way too much time, resources and energy is spent here on not collecting stamps. It's like saying to someone how in the world can you work so hard to be so lazy? Maybe a more accurate statement would be collecting stamps versus collecting blank stamps.
When Christians get together they talk about us and God. When Atheists get together they talk about us and God. One side talks about someone known as God in a positive manner while the other talks about theists and God in a negative manner. Atheists and Atheism isn't a discussed subject because it is not in the bible and theists feel they have much more important things to talk about (God) instead of Atheists which is central to the bible. Me? I'm a jokingly bad Christian. Hope that clarifies.
The wisdom and knowledge of the Bronze Age actually controls the complete life structure of most Christians today
I'll leave that one for Lula but I'll say this. Christianity has grown with more experience from many different time periods over a great length. Judaism included.
This is about as real as someone from the first century going into a cave and proclaiming the cavemen had the right of things
Some Atheists believe in natural laws of the world, not by a divinity but through evolution sometimes referred to as a natural order.
Note: If you're saying anyone who is not progressive is a primitive caveman well...
Religion, Seperation of Church and State. I
-Let's live in a world where Boobztwo, GirlFriendTess, Neilo are right for a moment and see what happens?
Okay let's say for a moment you're right and I'm wrong and the world reoriented itself to meet your vision. What are the consequences to me and the rest of humanity of you being right that Atheism is not a religion?
Here is a (legal) scenario under the law of separation of Church and State in a USA public institution.
Atheist: There is no God.
Theist: That is nice that you believe that.
Atheist: There is no God.
Theist: *yawn* I heard you the first time.
Atheist: There is no God
Theist: Will you just knock it off please?
Atheist: There is no God
Theist: Well I believe there is a God who created the universe.
Atheist: HELP! HE'S PREACHING TO ME! VIOLATION OF SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE! SOMEONE ARREST THIS PERSON! I'M BEING OPPRESSED!
Atheist: Ha, I gotcha you theist tard. I knew if I kept attacking your religion with my non-religion Atheism you would get tired and be stupid enough to defend it, eventually. Now you're going to jail and I'm gonna sue.
See the problem? That is the way the law is currently written.
Atheism is a religion and there are consequences otherwise. It's a silver bullet because if I'm wrong there are serious consequences. This is why one reason among many why Theists are so adamant that Atheism is a religion. Anyone who knows this and still supports Atheism is not a religion is suspect in my book. Something is very wrong there.
Religion, Seperation of Church and State. II
Normally when you start an organization, it first starts with an idea. Then it goes through a vetting process. When it becomes an organization it starts generally small, people participate and it builds its way up. Well that is how it's supposed to be. Here we have a case where state run mandatory institutions have been hijacked for the purpose of spreading the Atheism. Even going so far as imposing it on others using a law on the books to make it easier. No oppositional viewpoints can be made. The institution is paid for by mandatory taxes whether you use it or not. You can choose to use an expensive private school but the public school taxes must still be paid.
Atheist States generally assert themselves as the higher power along with the leaders. Making them both the highest authority and the highest moral authority so any action can be justified. Part of the process to achieve this is some form of ethnic cleansing. The Peoples Republic of China did it under Mao, the Soviet Union did it under Stalin and others. Right now Hugo Chavez of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is executing a problem starting with little children to indoctrinate into these ideals.
Teacher: Okay class, we will play a game. Every close your eyes.
Kids: *close eyes*
Teacher: Now pray to God for milk and candy. Open your eyes.
Kids: no milk, no candy *sad faces*
Teacher: Close your eyes. Now pray to Hugo Chavez.
Kids: there's candy! there's milk! *happy faces* Mmmm, it tastes so good!
Normally all these activities would be a violation of seperation of church and state but since No God Atheism is not a religion it is justified and very beneficial to the common welfare, the greater good of all.