Atheists to start 1-800 hotline for doubters

[The Rich Port]

OP, could you stop being incoherent for 5 seconds and help me out here?

I don't understand your objections to this.

Are you not an atheist if you don't like other religions?

What DO you believe, OP?

My beliefs is science-creationism. I believe at the moment of the big bang, a god or deity was born. The deity built the first building blocks of galaxies, stars, planets, moons and of course life and BAM! Everything goes automatic like the biggest contraption to exist. Yes, a deity is involved, but there is a lot of science after that.

That is why I believe in.

No churches, no worships, no gospel.
No ridiculing, no stubbornness, and no atheism.

That's really all.

So, you're NOT OK when other people espouse their beliefs, but you're OK when you do it?

[Tarsonis Survivors]

My beliefs is science-creationism. I believe at the moment of the big bang, a god or deity was born. The deity built the first building blocks of galaxies, stars, planets, moons and of course life and BAM! Everything goes automatic like the biggest contraption to exist. Yes, a deity is involved, but there is a lot of science after that.

That is why I believe in.

No churches, no worships, no gospel.
No ridiculing, no stubbornness, and no atheism.

That's really all.

So, you're NOT OK when other people espouse their beliefs, but you're OK when you do it?

Evangelism 101

[Vareiln]

Considering that some of the more... devout... families in countries like the US would feel very strongly about their children being possibly atheist, homosexual, etc., I can see how this would be useful.

[Hurdegaryp]

So, you're NOT OK when other people espouse their beliefs, but you're OK when you do it?

Evangelism 101

Or just vulgar hypocrisy. The two are very much alike.

[Tarsonis Survivors]

Considering that some of the more... devout... families in countries like the US would feel very strongly about their children being possibly atheist, homosexual, etc., I can see how this would be useful.

yeah, I mean, cigarette companies have done similar things for years.

[The Sector Union]

My beliefs is science-creationism. I believe at the moment of the big bang, a god or deity was born. The deity built the first building blocks of galaxies, stars, planets, moons and of course life and BAM! Everything goes automatic like the biggest contraption to exist. Yes, a deity is involved, but there is a lot of science after that.

That is why I believe in.

No churches, no worships, no gospel.
No ridiculing, no stubbornness, and no atheism.

That's really all.

So, you're NOT OK when other people espouse their beliefs, but you're OK when you do it?

The problem is,

Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Atheism are going to be causing another war soon. If they aren't all eliminated by then, there can be no peace.

[The Ferret Revolution]

Not before handing out ample redtext across the board like Christmas candy. *smiles more evilly*

With that being said... hey guys any of you here about that new Quantic Dream game Beyond Two Souls coming out it looks fucking awesome!!!

No one... seriously... that game looks amazing. Better than the Last of Us even. Maybe even better than Heavy Rain which is seriously saying something.

[Vareiln]

Considering that some of the more... devout... families in countries like the US would feel very strongly about their children being possibly atheist, homosexual, etc., I can see how this would be useful.

yeah, I mean, cigarette companies have done similar things for years.

Ummm... How is that at all relevant to what I was saying?

[Divair]

So, you're NOT OK when other people espouse their beliefs, but you're OK when you do it?

The problem is,

Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Atheism are going to be causing another war soon. If they aren't all eliminated by then, there can be no peace.

Yea, I remember when Sweden declared war on Norway and Finland in order to create the 2nd Kalmar Union based on atheistic purposes. This, of course, led to World War 3.


Wait. Nope.

[Tarsonis Survivors]

So, you're NOT OK when other people espouse their beliefs, but you're OK when you do it?

The problem is,

Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Atheism are going to be causing another war soon. If they aren't all eliminated by then, there can be no peace.

Peace is a natural fallacy.

[Tsuntion]

While I do believe that there needs to be a helpful hotline for people having doubts, I do believe that it shouldn't be a biased party. And, yes, Athiests are biased, as are religious folks. There should be a third person party that is completely unbiased to talk to these people, and lead them to their own conclusions about it.

... What views do you suggest that the third party hold?

The hotline does not intend to push people towards atheism; it intends to let them explore doubts, talk to someone non-judgmental, and perhaps put them in touch with local groups of atheists or theists who might be able to help. And so on.

Lots of people. When you have a very religious upbringing, dealing with doubts about your religion can be incredibly hard and painful and confusing and scary. Trust me on this.

Your whole world is religious; there is nobody neutral you can talk to, nobody who will listen and not condemn you for doubting, nobody who will help you come to your own conclusions about religion rather than forcing their conclusions onto you.

You've never heard that it's okay to be an atheist -- why, to even think of thinking of beginning to get out of religion is wrong and bad and sinful and you are a horrible person for considering it.

You fear being shunned by friends and family if they find out you've got doubts.

You might not believe in Hell any more, but you still think you're going there for asking questions, because that's what's been drummed into your head all your life.

A period of questioning your religion can feel like your world is falling apart. Sometimes, someone whose world is falling apart needs a hotline. I think that's understandable. Talking to someone else about questioning or losing your faith can help you find new perspectives, prod your beliefs deeper, and work through your doubts and questions and confusions. Not everybody needs this, but some do, and it should be available to those people. It's not bad or unnecessary or silly.



How?



The hotline is very specifically not aimed at deconverting people.



It's a great initiative; I wish someone had made it earlier; I expect it will help many people; I would like to donate or help out in another way; when is it coming to my country?

They are deconverting people. The fact that they ask for people who are having doubt is an easy initiative to lure them into atheism.

The main part of my post was in answer to why doubters might need a hotline. Way to ignore it.

Anyway, that's like saying that the Samaritans asking for people who want to kill themselves is an easy way to knock off a few teenagers. Or that Childline asking for abused kids to call in is to berate them further and convince them they deserve it. Or that the Trevor Project asking for LGBT youth is because it's run by perverts who want hookups with insecure teens.

They want to help people, and the specific group they want to help are doubters. Doubters sometimes need help, so it's good that Recovering from Religion is reaching out to them.

Many of these people will probably become atheists, yes. A good number also probably won't. The Hotline Project aims to help people figure out their doubts and come to their own conclusions, theistic or atheistic, which is something that few people do. It aims to give people practical help and set them up with real networks, religious or irreligious. It does not aim to deconvert them.

[Pillea]

So, you're NOT OK when other people espouse their beliefs, but you're OK when you do it?

The problem is,

Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Atheism are going to be causing another war soon. If they aren't all eliminated by then, there can be no peace.

No you're right, the only sensible thing to do is to ban all religion that doesn't see Earth as a sentient floating rock that actively fights against those who harm it.

[Tarsonis Survivors]

yeah, I mean, cigarette companies have done similar things for years.

Ummm... How is that at all relevant to what I was saying?

Oh just postulating on the side effects of undercutting parental influence.

[Hurdegaryp]

The problem is,

Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Atheism are going to be causing another war soon. If they aren't all eliminated by then, there can be no peace.

Yea, I remember when Sweden declared war on Norway and Finland in order to create the 2nd Kalmar Union based on atheistic purposes. This, of course, led to World War 3.


Wait. Nope.

So it's still too early to roar "LET THE KILLING BEGIN!"? I'll inform the others.

[Aequalitia]

Serious, I begin to see more and more that atheism today is more a religion then the pure, non-religious believing.

I don't honestly see why that would be a bad thing.

Am I missing something?

And - isn't it what the theists have been claiming, anyway, for years?

Hotlines, blaming all bad things to religion, saying that the world is better if there was only atheism on it...

I'm an atheist. I'm pro-religion. Generalisations are rarely helpful.

Yep, atheism today is more like any other religion today.

That... seems unlikely. You're going to have to explain that one.

Well, first of all. I see a lot of people with the 'new atheist' view that there serious see religion as something bad, and atheism is the solution for everything. There see atheism as something great, awesome with meet-ups, minutes of discussion about things as religion, and will spread the word of atheism towards the world.

This hotline makes it closer towards the step that atheism not become atheism anymore it was. Maybe in the USA, atheism is not really super-accepted. But I don't see a point to have a hotline for it in Europe.

Look, I got no problem with atheists or theists, but it don't must become too fundamental.

[Tarsonis Survivors]

The problem is,

Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Atheism are going to be causing another war soon. If they aren't all eliminated by then, there can be no peace.

No you're right, the only sensible thing to do is to ban all religion that doesn't see Earth as a sentient floating rock that actively fights against those who harm it.

Hippies are a religion now?

[The Orson Empire]

So, you're NOT OK when other people espouse their beliefs, but you're OK when you do it?

The problem is,

Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Atheism are going to be causing another war soon. If they aren't all eliminated by then, there can be no peace.

Yeah, no thanks, I think I will be keeping my religion.

[The Rich Port]

So, you're NOT OK when other people espouse their beliefs, but you're OK when you do it?

The problem is,

Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Atheism are going to be causing another war soon. If they aren't all eliminated by then, there can be no peace.

You mean Christianity, Juadism, and Islam. Atheists in the world are miniscule in number. I doubt they'd be involved in this alleged religious war.

And, yes, while religion is a main source of conflict, it's not the ONLY one. There are many things keeping this alleged WWIII on hold.

You're making assumptions. And being a hypocrite.

What's to say what YOU believe won't cause WWIII?

[Neo Art]

Wow.

You really are incapable of starting a thread that isn't utter shit.

[The Ferret Revolution]

With that being said... hey guys any of you here about that new Quantic Dream game Beyond Two Souls coming out it looks fucking awesome!!!

No one... seriously... that game looks amazing. Better than the Last of Us even. Maybe even better than Heavy Rain which is seriously saying something.

Well... I did my best. Good day to all *tips hat*

[Mike the Progressive]

GET A BLOG.

Or don't. Just stop posting stuff on the internet.

Again, it's kinda sad I'm saying "this" while quoting Divair's post, but THIS.

[Hurdegaryp]

No you're right, the only sensible thing to do is to ban all religion that doesn't see Earth as a sentient floating rock that actively fights against those who harm it.

Hippies are a religion now?

Don't be daft. Hippies make way more sense than our friend The Sector Union.

[The Sector Union]

The problem is,

Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Atheism are going to be causing another war soon. If they aren't all eliminated by then, there can be no peace.

No you're right, the only sensible thing to do is to ban all religion that doesn't see Earth as a sentient floating rock that actively fights against those who harm it.

No no no. You misunderstood me. It doesn't matter what you believe in. The fact that these beliefs are organized is the problem. Religious churches, atheist organizations need to be gone. It's not the belief, it's the collective.

[Of the Free Socialist Territories]

So, you're NOT OK when other people espouse their beliefs, but you're OK when you do it?

The problem is,

Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Atheism are going to be causing another war soon. If they aren't all eliminated by then, there can be no peace.

Just to let you know, "militant atheists" don't throw pipe bombs at clinics or shoot the leaders of their own country in the head for brokering peace or fly aircraft into skyscrapers or anything like that.

That might be the misconception whence this tired shite came.

And fundies of all stripes are a minority.

[Neo Art]

No one... seriously... that game looks amazing. Better than the Last of Us even. Maybe even better than Heavy Rain which is seriously saying something.

Well... I did my best. Good day to all *tips hat*

Here's the problem I had with heavy rain, it has virtually no replayability. Although there were a myriad of paths to take, they all basically lead to the same place. Some of the details changed, but that's it.