Is There a God?

[Tlaceceyaya]

Was it really unpleasant because you were a Atheist? Or was it just the time? I doubt being a Atheist makes you depressed.

I was one of those Nihilist Atheists who wax-poetic'd about how my life sucked and there was no meaning and couldn't sleep at night because "holy shit what if I didn't wake up tomorrow I am only a teenager".

I suppose it had a lot to do with the situation of the time, but hey.

EDIT: Also, to Tlaceceyaya -- I was not an Atheist for that reason. I was an Atheist because the Theists around me were jerks.

EDIT TWO: Also that "what if I don't wake up tomorrow" thing still sort of bugs me, but much less now, for reasons independent of Theism.

So, you didn't actually stop believing. You simply refused to associate yourself with the believers around you.

[Seperates]

It can be stressful realizing that life has no set purposea and that existence is meaningless. However, it's fairly easy to overcome that boundary. I really became an atheist when I realized one simple thing... Things do have meaning. But only when you've given it to them. So I decided to give my life some vague meaning, and boom, problem solved.

In simpler terms: existentialism.

Exactly. Although I didn't read about it... I was just lucky enough to reason it out for myself.

[Jerusalem and Damascus]

I was one of those Nihilist Atheists who wax-poetic'd about how my life sucked and there was no meaning and couldn't sleep at night because "holy shit what if I didn't wake up tomorrow I am only a teenager".

I suppose it had a lot to do with the situation of the time, but hey.

EDIT: Also, to Tlaceceyaya -- I was not an Atheist for that reason. I was an Atheist because the Theists around me were jerks.

EDIT TWO: Also that "what if I don't wake up tomorrow" thing still sort of bugs me, but much less now, for reasons independent of Theism.

So, you didn't actually stop believing. You simply refused to associate yourself with the believers around you.

No, for a while I was fairly certain that God didn't exist because if He was so loving then why were his followers like this?

[Mavorpen]

Your feeling is wrong. It's just annoying that someone becomes a theist for reasons that has nothing to do with atheism and saying it makes them feel good. The thing is, if you BELIEVE that your faith will make you happy, you will be happy. Faith doesn't make you less angry, you do.

Point noted.

My Buddhist side took over there.

[The Cummunist State]

I am not a follower of nihilism, thank you. But yeah, I guess if you need a god, go for it

Which is why I said for me and only me personally, mate. I know for certain it's not true for the majority of Atheists.

I don't know why they're so close to you, then?

[Seperates]

So, you didn't actually stop believing. You simply refused to associate yourself with the believers around you.

No, for a while I was fairly certain that God didn't exist because if He was so loving then why were his followers like this?

Because from a universal standpoint all humans are egomanical?

[Jerusalem and Damascus]

Point noted.

My Buddhist side took over there.

Fine enough. I usually don't like to participate in these sort of things directly because I know I'm stubborn and that it makes people I don't want to upset get frustrated and then end up going in circles.

[Mavorpen]

In simpler terms: existentialism.

Exactly. Although I didn't read about it... I was just lucky enough to reason it out for myself.

I like existentialism because it flows well with Buddhism.

[Desperate Measures]

Yep. Even scientists have found some truth from the bible that proved the universe was NOT billions of years old, but thousands.

I didn't think this thread could go further down but here you come with a shovel.

[Jerusalem and Damascus]

Which is why I said for me and only me personally, mate. I know for certain it's not true for the majority of Atheists.

I don't know why they're so close to you, then?

I'm not sure I understand?

The Atheists I know? Because I'm a nice guy I guess?

Oh God is my brain failing

[Free Austiana]

I do not understand atheists! They are so ignorant, believing in nothing!
The fact is, there is a god. Have you ever read the bible people?
It is cold, hard PROOF! There is a holy spirit up there, and all u
retarted non-believers are going to fucking hell!

[Jerusalem and Damascus]

I do not understand atheists! They are so ignorant, believing in nothing!
The fact is, there is a god. Have you ever read the bible people?
It is cold, hard PROOF! There is a holy spirit up there, and all u
retarted non-believers are going to fucking hell!

You know you're really not helping my case.

[The Cummunist State]

I don't know why they're so close to you, then?

I'm not sure I understand?

The Atheists I know? Because I'm a nice guy I guess?

Oh God is my brain failing

Uh, no.
Atheism and Nihilism. I'm wondering why they're so close for you?

[Seperates]

Exactly. Although I didn't read about it... I was just lucky enough to reason it out for myself.

I like existentialism because it flows well with Buddhism.

I don't really like the "higher plane of thought" concept that dwell within Buddism. And it still reeks of organization... Or maybe that's just me.

[Mavorpen]

My Buddhist side took over there.

Fine enough. I usually don't like to participate in these sort of things directly because I know I'm stubborn and that it makes people I don't want to upset get frustrated and then end up going in circles.

Eh, I prefer not to linger over it. So your belief is based solely on how it makes you feel, or are there other reasons?

[Jerusalem and Damascus]

I'm not sure I understand?

The Atheists I know? Because I'm a nice guy I guess?

Oh God is my brain failing

Uh, no.
Atheism and Nihilism. I'm wondering why they're so close for you?

Eh, personality quirk I suppose. I still carry on some traits of Nihilism even now.

[The Cummunist State]

I do not understand atheists! They are so ignorant, believing in nothing!
The fact is, there is a god. Have you ever read the bible people?
It is cold, hard PROOF! There is a holy spirit up there, and all u
retarted non-believers are going to fucking hell!

And we don't understand Theists.
Also, circular logic works because circular logic works because circular logic works because circular logic works
Also, don't flame.

[Norstal]

I don't know why they're so close to you, then?

I'm not sure I understand?

The Atheists I know? Because I'm a nice guy I guess?

Oh God is my brain failing

Your god won't save you now, mortal.

I do not understand atheists! They are so ignorant, believing in nothing!

Generalized insults are ignorant. Ironic.

The fact is, there is a god. Have you ever read the bible people?

Nope. I'm from Southeast Asia. I do not believe in your heretical scripture.

It is cold, hard PROOF! There is a holy spirit up there, and all u

My ceiling contains supernatural beings? There better be Night Elves.

retarted non-believers are going to fucking hell!

Spelled "retarded" wrong.

[Norstal]

Uh, no.
Atheism and Nihilism. I'm wondering why they're so close for you?

Eh, personality quirk I suppose. I still carry on some traits of Nihilism even now.

Go for Christian nihilism then.

[The Cummunist State]

Uh, no.
Atheism and Nihilism. I'm wondering why they're so close for you?

Eh, personality quirk I suppose. I still carry on some traits of Nihilism even now.

Hm. Doesn't make much sense, but a lot of personality quirks make no sense! Anyhow, as long as you're happy and not hurting anyone, 'ts all good.

[Seperates]

I do not understand atheists! They are so ignorant, believing in nothing!
The fact is, there is a god. Have you ever read the bible people?
It is cold, hard PROOF! There is a holy spirit up there, and all u
retarted non-believers are going to fucking hell!

I'm not sure what you mean by "believe in nothing"... could you contextualize it somehow?
I actually have read the Bible. Probably one of the best arguements against the existence of the Christian God.
A book is not proof. Afterall, Harry Potter isn't proof of wizards.

[New Emperica]

Probably. Probably a lot of them. I like that idea.

*nods*

Yeah, I like the idea that there isn't just one god - that there are a bunch of them, all in charge of one particular thing.

[Mavorpen]

I like existentialism because it flows well with Buddhism.

I don't really like the "higher plane of thought" concept that dwell within Buddism. And it still reeks of organization... Or maybe that's just me.

It's not just you. Everlasting peace and freedom from suffering, I don't believe in. I believe in nirvana in the sense that you become enlightened and thus suffering is reduced significantly, not completely degraded. I also don't believe in reincarnation, but then again the Buddha taught anatta or "no self" meaning that there is no such thing as a permanent you, that you are ever changing (basically there is no soul). I believe in rebirth in the sense that when you die, your karma doesn't disappear. The things you do in life persists even when you are dead.

So yeah, Buddhism isn't really about believing anything you are told. After all, Buddha said, “Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”

[Chinese Regions]

Does it make a difference if he exists?
God has done nothing as far as knowledge goes, God is nothing but a "+0" in an equation.

[Jerusalem and Damascus]

Fine enough. I usually don't like to participate in these sort of things directly because I know I'm stubborn and that it makes people I don't want to upset get frustrated and then end up going in circles.

Eh, I prefer not to linger over it. So your belief is based solely on how it makes you feel, or are there other reasons?

It is a lot of gut instinct, yes. Of course, gut instinct also tells me it is time to mate in the middle of the mall, so we all know how reliable that is.

Like I said with Tlaceceyaya about my Atheist phase, it's a lot like explaining a dream. While it might make perfect sense to me, it won't make a lick of sense to you. I'm not the type who has visions, or the kind of guy who subscribes to the Watchmaker Argument, but it inspires me. It feels a like a part of me. I do genuinely believe in God, even if I'm not a hundred percent sure and sometimes I'm not actually sure why but it's a feeling I can't seem to shake anymore. There are other crazy reasons, but in the end I figure I wouldn't regret me turning out to be wrong and having lived my life this way.

And if I keep going everything I say is slowly going to go all over the place.

I'm serious, there is something wrong with my thought processes to-- Ohhhh, I forgot to eat today, that's why.