All Y’all Atheists.

[Raeyh]

The computers would share an ip adress.

If only there were such things as "public computers..."
Damn, i could make money off that idea!

They exist in public libraries.

[Amland]

If only there were such things as "public computers..."
Damn, i could make money off that idea!

They exist in public libraries.

Welcome to sarcasm...

[The Merchant Republics]

As a Christian, I've always been bothered by the depiction of God as "sky-daddies", or just some bearded guy in the clouds. Besides the concept of the Heaven being the sky, there really isn't any treatment of heaven as being "in the clouds", at least not since the middle ages, and even then it was metaphorical not literal.

Sorry, just had to say that.

Other than that, since I feel I should contribute, I'm often taken aback at how poorly atheists are treated by Christians. I may not like you're decision to not believe in God, but I understand that it is your decision, that it doesn't make you evil or indeed any less capable of good.

I do hope too that it wasn't Christians that led you away from Christ, since that is perhaps the worst thing a Christian can do.

No it wasn't. It was reading the book that did that.

It wasn't the unicorns was it? I got worried about that until I read up about it and realized unicorn is a modern appropriation of the word that meant Rhinoceros. Why it's never been changed to Rhino is beyond me.

Honestly, the hardest thing in the Bible for me to understand was the bears mauling the kids for mocking someone's (might have been Elijah, but I can't remember off-hand) lack of hair.

I mean sure, the guy was a prophet, but that seems a little brutal. I'm not going to pretend that I have a right to judge God, but it's a bit odd as far as retribution goes.

[Genivaria]

No it wasn't. It was reading the book that did that.

It wasn't the unicorns was it? I got worried about that until I read up about it and realized unicorn is a modern appropriation of the word that meant Rhinoceros. Why it's never been changed to Rhino is beyond me.

Honestly, the hardest thing in the Bible for me to understand was the bears mauling the kids for mocking someone's (might have been Elijah, but I can't remember off-hand) lack of hair.

I mean sure, the guy was a prophet, but that seems a little brutal. I'm not going to pretend that I have a right to judge God, but it's a bit odd as far as retribution goes.

See this?^ This is why your on my friends list.

[Johz]

As a Christian, I've always been bothered by the depiction of God as "sky-daddies", or just some bearded guy in the clouds. Besides the concept of the Heaven being the sky, there really isn't any treatment of heaven as being "in the clouds", at least not since the middle ages, and even then it was metaphorical not literal.

Sorry, just had to say that.

Other than that, since I feel I should contribute, I'm often taken aback at how poorly atheists are treated by Christians. I may not like you're decision to not believe in God, but I understand that it is your decision, that it doesn't make you evil or indeed any less capable of good.

I do hope too that it wasn't Christians that led you away from Christ, since that is perhaps the worst thing a Christian can do.

For me it was reason that "led me away". Then again, I don't think I ever truly believed in Christ, but merely eating what was spoonfed to me before I fully understood the concept.

I think this is probably a big one. I'm speaking as a Christian, remember, but there isn't much understanding of the reasoning behind Christianity in most 'congregational' forms of Christianity. It's fair enough - most people don't particularly feel the need to question their faith, in the same way most people don't feel the need to question gravity. Cleverer people than them (and I) understand it, and that's enough for them. Dawkins has a similar argument - he merely needs to understand biology. That the laws of physics that lead to his biology are not his realm of understanding.

However, there does come a point when certain people question their faith, and there is often a lack of support for these people. I was lucky - in my church a number of people started looking at things at a similar time, and we were able to join together to encourage* a couple of the newer trainee vicars into looking deeper at apologetics and the like. However, for most people, the answer they often receive is "go away and pray about it". While going away and praying is of course helpful in many situations (in a Christian sense, at least), it's not always best advice when you want to question whether prayer even works.

*Words like 'coerce' would be more accurate here, but for the fact that no good Christian would ever coerce anyone into doing anything else, would they?

[Ifreann]

No it wasn't. It was reading the book that did that.

It wasn't the unicorns was it? I got worried about that until I read up about it and realized unicorn is a modern appropriation of the word that meant Rhinoceros. Why it's never been changed to Rhino is beyond me.

Honestly, the hardest thing in the Bible for me to understand was the bears mauling the kids for mocking someone's (might have been Elijah, but I can't remember off-hand) lack of hair.

I mean sure, the guy was a prophet, but that seems a little brutal. I'm not going to pretend that I have a right to judge God, but it's a bit odd as far as retribution goes.

The moral of the story is that bears don't give a fuck, they will just ruin your shit.

[Genivaria]

It wasn't the unicorns was it? I got worried about that until I read up about it and realized unicorn is a modern appropriation of the word that meant Rhinoceros. Why it's never been changed to Rhino is beyond me.

Honestly, the hardest thing in the Bible for me to understand was the bears mauling the kids for mocking someone's (might have been Elijah, but I can't remember off-hand) lack of hair.

I mean sure, the guy was a prophet, but that seems a little brutal. I'm not going to pretend that I have a right to judge God, but it's a bit odd as far as retribution goes.

The moral of the story is that bears don't give a fuck, they will just ruin your shit.

[Orcoa]

It wasn't the unicorns was it? I got worried about that until I read up about it and realized unicorn is a modern appropriation of the word that meant Rhinoceros. Why it's never been changed to Rhino is beyond me.

Honestly, the hardest thing in the Bible for me to understand was the bears mauling the kids for mocking someone's (might have been Elijah, but I can't remember off-hand) lack of hair.

I mean sure, the guy was a prophet, but that seems a little brutal. I'm not going to pretend that I have a right to judge God, but it's a bit odd as far as retribution goes.

The moral of the story is that bears don't give a fuck, they will just ruin your shit.

The real moral of the story is a warning about the Dangers of that bear's great grandson...Manbearpig!

[Manahakatouki]

The moral of the story is that bears don't give a fuck, they will just ruin your shit.

Somehow, taking a lighter with me to my next camping trip doesn't seem like such a fun idea...

[Johz]

The moral of the story is that bears don't give a fuck, they will just ruin your shit.

I suspect I'd notice if a bear started hunting me through the metropolitan streets of Birmingham.

*burns a forest, safe in the knowledge that my house isn't next*

[Johz]

-double post-

[Veladio]

I suspect I'd notice if a bear started hunting me through the metropolitan streets of Birmingham.

*burns a forest, safe in the knowledge that my house isn't next*

What bear? All I see is a plumber with a gas can

[The Blaatschapen]

For me it was reason that "led me away". Then again, I don't think I ever truly believed in Christ, but merely eating what was spoonfed to me before I fully understood the concept.

I think this is probably a big one. I'm speaking as a Christian, remember, but there isn't much understanding of the reasoning behind Christianity in most 'congregational' forms of Christianity. It's fair enough - most people don't particularly feel the need to question their faith, in the same way most people don't feel the need to question gravity. Cleverer people than them (and I) understand it, and that's enough for them. Dawkins has a similar argument - he merely needs to understand biology. That the laws of physics that lead to his biology are not his realm of understanding.

However, there does come a point when certain people question their faith, and there is often a lack of support for these people. I was lucky - in my church a number of people started looking at things at a similar time, and we were able to join together to encourage* a couple of the newer trainee vicars into looking deeper at apologetics and the like. However, for most people, the answer they often receive is "go away and pray about it". While going away and praying is of course helpful in many situations (in a Christian sense, at least), it's not always best advice when you want to question whether prayer even works.

*Words like 'coerce' would be more accurate here, but for the fact that no good Christian would ever coerce anyone into doing anything else, would they?

Ah, but also, keep in mind that I was already pretty much lapsed before I decided to not 'be a christian' anymore. So I had no congregation to talk to. I had not seen the insides of a church besides for touristic or funeral reasons in about half my life (there's not set moment where I became an atheist, but I kinda realised it when I was 14/15... so 7 years since my communion). I simply reasoned for myself that there is no god, and if there is one, that She's quite irrelevant anyway for my daily life, my beliefs and my well-being. Ergo, I stopped seeing myself as a (lapsed) catholic and just as an atheist.

[Dyakovo]

You have the freedom to express your religion anywhere outside government property or other people's private property.

I know, I'm just saying that don't you think it is hypocritical that they removed religion from public places such as schools when the Constitution says we have the right to express our opinion?

No, I don't think it is at all hypocritical.
Just because you have the right to express your religion, does not mean that the government can endorse a religion.

[Johz]

I think this is probably a big one. I'm speaking as a Christian, remember, but there isn't much understanding of the reasoning behind Christianity in most 'congregational' forms of Christianity. It's fair enough - most people don't particularly feel the need to question their faith, in the same way most people don't feel the need to question gravity. Cleverer people than them (and I) understand it, and that's enough for them. Dawkins has a similar argument - he merely needs to understand biology. That the laws of physics that lead to his biology are not his realm of understanding.

However, there does come a point when certain people question their faith, and there is often a lack of support for these people. I was lucky - in my church a number of people started looking at things at a similar time, and we were able to join together to encourage* a couple of the newer trainee vicars into looking deeper at apologetics and the like. However, for most people, the answer they often receive is "go away and pray about it". While going away and praying is of course helpful in many situations (in a Christian sense, at least), it's not always best advice when you want to question whether prayer even works.

*Words like 'coerce' would be more accurate here, but for the fact that no good Christian would ever coerce anyone into doing anything else, would they?

Ah, but also, keep in mind that I was already pretty much lapsed before I decided to not 'be a christian' anymore. So I had no congregation to talk to. I had not seen the insides of a church besides for touristic or funeral reasons in about half my life (there's not set moment where I became an atheist, but I kinda realised it when I was 14/15... so 7 years since my communion). I simply reasoned for myself that there is no god, and if there is one, that She's quite irrelevant anyway for my daily life, my beliefs and my well-being. Ergo, I stopped seeing myself as a (lapsed) catholic and just as an atheist.

Fair enough. Coming from the Christian background, I wouldn't have called that reason, and more just a lapse of faith. Although I suppose lapse of faith has a tendency to imply that your faith can then be 'un-lapsed', which I'm sure you'd disagree with. But yes, I see your point.

[Dyakovo]

In an optional class which covers all religions equally and presents them as viewpoints, not facts, and is funded by fund-raisers, not my tax dollars?

Maybe. But that's a very unlikely 'maybe' because the teacher could easily be biased and ruin the point of teaching them independently.

I can see that. I am all for freedom of religion, but I am against freedom from religion.

If you are against freedom from religion then you aren't actually in favor of freedom of religion, as one is an integral part of the other.

[Dyakovo]

(Image)

That is not at all what atheism is.

[Dyakovo]

Which is not what Atheism actually is, but what else would we expect from you?

Yes it is.

No, it really isn't.
All atheism is is the lack of belief in a deity or deities.

[Johz]

I know, I'm just saying that don't you think it is hypocritical that they removed religion from public places such as schools when the Constitution says we have the right to express our opinion?

No, I don't think it is at all hypocritical.
Just because you have the right to express your religion, does not mean that the government can endorse a religion.

But if a particular government worker wore, say, a cross or a burqa, is the government endorsing a religion? If a child says in the classroom "But everyone knows God doesn't exist", can a teacher say "Well actually, I'd disagree with you here, here and here"?

[Dyakovo]

May I recommend we ignore the troll?


New topic to discuss: Pete Stark.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Stark

The only open atheist in Congress. Thoughts on why the number is so low relative to the number of atheists in the country?

Listen, I am not a troll. Also, the number of atheists in this nation is incredibly small, thus it is surprising that there is even one in congress. Also, people are smart enough to know that electing an atheist would be a bad idea, becuase they have no morals.

Uh-huh... Sure you're not trolling...

[Intonisia]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm im a christian who has afew athiest freinds that dont try to push athiesm on me and ive never pushed mine on them so we're pretty cool but this one guy just out of the blue came up to me and was like dude god is abuncha bull god is this or the belif in god is that and i was like OK good for you and just walked away thoughs athiests i cant stand, who hate christians and act like they have a head on there shoulders talking down my religion and every other that isnt athiest when realy they arent so special and there just like the rest of us
that go's for fellow christians to if you try to down someones belife and then feel high and mighty for it that aint very christian like now is it. threds like your opinon on god or anti athiesm are just created by sick wierdos who just want to see howmany people are at eachothers throught's before the thred dies. and i dislike people who try to make others feel sorry for there beliefs that includes these so called christans who make fun of others for not saying under god in the plegde of aleagance , so if any one agrees with me then say somthing to all of thoughs bone heads aathiest christian and any other religioun who try to make threds like your opinion on god or is there a god and things like that tell them that they need to stop making people go at eatchother in arguing and make peace

[The Blaatschapen]

Ah, but also, keep in mind that I was already pretty much lapsed before I decided to not 'be a christian' anymore. So I had no congregation to talk to. I had not seen the insides of a church besides for touristic or funeral reasons in about half my life (there's not set moment where I became an atheist, but I kinda realised it when I was 14/15... so 7 years since my communion). I simply reasoned for myself that there is no god, and if there is one, that She's quite irrelevant anyway for my daily life, my beliefs and my well-being. Ergo, I stopped seeing myself as a (lapsed) catholic and just as an atheist.

Fair enough. Coming from the Christian background, I wouldn't have called that reason, and more just a lapse of faith. Although I suppose lapse of faith has a tendency to imply that your faith can then be 'un-lapsed', which I'm sure you'd disagree with. But yes, I see your point.

Oh, I think for some people that their faith can be "unlapsed".

But I wouldn't call it a lapse of faith for me since I consider the time before I fully understood the concept to not really count. Like I said, I just ate what I was spoonfed, since I could not comprehend it yet anyway, and it gave me all kinds of nice presents

[The Blaatschapen]

Yes it is.

No, it really isn't.
All atheism is is the lack of belief in a deity or deities.

Dya, don't continue the feeding. His posts are only getting worse (including holocaust denial). It's not worth it

[Cu Math]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm im a christian who has afew athiest freinds that dont try to push athiesm on me and ive never pushed mine on them so we're pretty cool but this one guy just out of the blue came up to me and was like dude god is abuncha bull god is this or the belif in god is that and i was like OK good for you and just walked away thoughs athiests i cant stand, who hate christians and act like they have a head on there shoulders talking down my religion and every other that isnt athiest when realy they arent so special and there just like the rest of us
that go's for fellow christians to if you try to down someones belife and then feel high and mighty for it that aint very christian like now is it. threds like your opinon on god or anti athiesm are just created by sick wierdos who just want to see howmany people are at eachothers throught's before the thred dies. and i dislike people who try to make others feel sorry for there beliefs that includes these so called christans who make fun of others for not saying under god in the plegde of aleagance , so if any one agrees with me then say somthing to all of thoughs bone heads aathiest christian and any other religioun who try to make threds like your opinion on god or is there a god and things like that tell them that they need to stop making people go at eatchother in arguing and make peace

Get some periods, please.

[Veladio]

]

May I recommend we ignore the troll?


New topic to discuss: Pete Stark.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Stark

The only open atheist in Congress. Thoughts on why the number is so low relative to the number of atheists in the country?

Listen, I am not a troll. Also, the number of atheists in this nation is incredibly small, thus it is surprising that there is even one in congress. Also, people are smart enough to know that electing an atheist would be a bad idea, becuase they have no morals.

Are you fucking kidding me You can be moral without religion, just as you can be immoral WITH religion as well. I don't see every athiest up in arms shooting, stealing, killing, raping, eating babies, etc.