Why do/don't you believe in a higher power? (Any HP)

[Neanderthaland]

I find it weird that on threads like this, a small group of Atheists like to play thought police and try to deconvert people.

As a member of the Atheist thought police, I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you to room 101 and hold rats to your face until you repent your point.

Or rather not, because that's what "thought police" do. Whereas this... this is a debate forum. You are finding it weird that people are debating in a debate forum. And you're calling it Orwellian to engage in that debate. Which... I don't know what to say about that. Other than that it is a very very silly thing to do.

[Widdle Fae]

I find it weird that on threads like this, a small group of Atheists like to play thought police and try to deconvert people.

As a member of the Atheist thought police, I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you to room 101 and hold rats to your face until you repent your point.

Or rather not, because that's what "thought police" do. Whereas this... this is a debate forum. You are finding it weird that people are debating in a debate forum. And you're calling it Orwellian to engage in that debate. Which... I don't know what to say about that. Other than that it is a very very silly thing to do.

I don't think people's concept of a higher power should be a thing that is a morally good thing to debate about. The completely two different schools of philosophical thoughts makes the debate incompatible leading to both sides unable to make an argument that the other side will listen to.

[Neanderthaland]

As a member of the Atheist thought police, I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you to room 101 and hold rats to your face until you repent your point.

Or rather not, because that's what "thought police" do. Whereas this... this is a debate forum. You are finding it weird that people are debating in a debate forum. And you're calling it Orwellian to engage in that debate. Which... I don't know what to say about that. Other than that it is a very very silly thing to do.

I don't think people's concept of a higher power should be a thing that is a morally good thing to debate about. The completely two different schools of philosophical thoughts makes the debate incompatible leading to both sides unable to make an argument that the other side will listen to.

Ironically, your effort to constrain the dialog, and define any criticism as inherently "immoral" is... very Orwellian. Big Brother would be proud.

[Widdle Fae]

I don't think people's concept of a higher power should be a thing that is a morally good thing to debate about. The completely two different schools of philosophical thoughts makes the debate incompatible leading to both sides unable to make an argument that the other side will listen to.

Ironically, your effort to constrain the dialog, and define any criticism as inherently "immoral" is... very Orwellian. Big Brother would be proud.

Not really. Most atheists debate here to try and expand atheist school of thought. It is rare to see religious people do the same. I'm just sick of Atheists telling me what I should believe.

[Neanderthaland]

Ironically, your effort to constrain the dialog, and define any criticism as inherently "immoral" is... very Orwellian. Big Brother would be proud.

Not really. Most atheists debate here to try and expand atheist school of thought. It is rare to see religious people do the same. I'm just sick of Atheists telling me what I should believe.

Yeah really. In fact, I just explained how.

I will renew my objection that a debate forum is a weird place to complain about people voicing their opinions. This is explicitly why people come here. If you don't like it, you probably shouldn't have.

But I tell you what: I've never knocked at someone's door while they're at home to tell them what they should believe. Religious people have done that to me. So I don't think you really have the high ground there.

[The New California Republic]

I find it weird that on threads like this, a small group of Atheists like to play thought police and try to deconvert people.

As a member of the Atheist thought police, I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you to room 101 and hold rats to your face until you repent your point.

Or rather not, because that's what "thought police" do. Whereas this... this is a debate forum. You are finding it weird that people are debating in a debate forum. And you're calling it Orwellian to engage in that debate. Which... I don't know what to say about that. Other than that it is a very very silly thing to do.

My dear Neanderthal, all of us atheists are honorary members of the Stasi; didn't you know? We are getting ready to unleash some Zersetzung on the asses of the theists.

[The Xenopolis Confederation]

As a member of the Atheist thought police, I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you to room 101 and hold rats to your face until you repent your point.

Or rather not, because that's what "thought police" do. Whereas this... this is a debate forum. You are finding it weird that people are debating in a debate forum. And you're calling it Orwellian to engage in that debate. Which... I don't know what to say about that. Other than that it is a very very silly thing to do.

I don't think people's concept of a higher power should be a thing that is a morally good thing to debate about. The completely two different schools of philosophical thoughts makes the debate incompatible leading to both sides unable to make an argument that the other side will listen to.

Why is it morally bad to debate the existence of God?

[Korhal IVV]

I don't think people's concept of a higher power should be a thing that is a morally good thing to debate about. The completely two different schools of philosophical thoughts makes the debate incompatible leading to both sides unable to make an argument that the other side will listen to.

Why is it morally bad to debate the existence of God?

Because it breeds conflict and death

As a member of the Atheist thought police, I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you to room 101 and hold rats to your face until you repent your point.

Or rather not, because that's what "thought police" do. Whereas this... this is a debate forum. You are finding it weird that people are debating in a debate forum. And you're calling it Orwellian to engage in that debate. Which... I don't know what to say about that. Other than that it is a very very silly thing to do.

My dear Neanderthal, all of us atheists are honorary members of the Stasi; didn't you know? We are getting ready to unleash some Zersetzung on the asses of the theists.

You will taste Exterminatus in return.

[The New California Republic]

Why is it morally bad to debate the existence of God?

Because it breeds conflict and death

Religion has a history of doing that all on its own, so striking it out is entirely justified.

[Page]

I find it weird that on threads like this, a small group of Atheists like to play thought police and try to deconvert people.

It's called debating.

You know, like how you might have a thread about gun control and there are some who say gun control is good and others who say it's bad and each group tries to disprove the claims of the other. Same thing goes here, except it's about gods instead of guns.

[Korhal IVV]

Because it breeds conflict and death

Religion has a history of doing that all on its own, so striking it out is entirely justified.

Last time I checked, World War II and wars over oil and freedom killed more people than all religious wars combined.

Nevermind that state atheist, Communist regimes kill way more people than the Inquisition and the Crusades. Because, reasons.

[The New California Republic]

Religion has a history of doing that all on its own, so striking it out is entirely justified.

Last time I checked, World War II and wars over oil and freedom killed more people than all religious wars combined.

Nevermind that state atheist, Communist regimes kill way more people than the Inquisition and the Crusades. Because, reasons.

Some nice whataboutism there.

Doesn't really refute what I said though.

[Korhal IVV]

Last time I checked, World War II and wars over oil and freedom killed more people than all religious wars combined.

Nevermind that state atheist, Communist regimes kill way more people than the Inquisition and the Crusades. Because, reasons.

Some nice whataboutism there.

Doesn't really refute what I said though.

The root problem is not the religion itself, unless if it is early Islam with the explicit command to wage war against the unbelievers.

The root problem are assholes inside the religion. Christianity’s Bible has exactly zero commands to Christians to purge the heretics or to crush the Saracen.

[Tarsonis]

Hold on while I laugh.

AHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHH

The “contradictions” you people invent are no more than things being taken out of context, things being forcefully aligned with the atheist worldview, wrong interpretation that violates one or two rules of Biblical intepretation, and assumes that every English word is to be taken at face value when they are, in fact, translated from ancient Hebrew and Koine Greek.

Plus, the “contradictions” are easily explained.

How are they being taken out of context?
You do realise as human society has adapted, so too has religion, and therefore the interpretations?
That's what religion has to survive in the modern day.

So no, we have already had this discussion. You are using your interpretation amongst others. There are still Christians who believe women should be silent, homosexuals should be stoned to death, people should be allowed to keep slaves, etc. Every Christian interprets it differently.

Athiest did not invent these contradictions, they are there, in the text, both new and old, plainly to see.

I also recommend this highly in depth and researched 22 part video series of one person leaving the Christian faith and cites so many problems with it.

Athiests simply see it for what it is, an old book of ancient laws mixed with stolen myths that are no longer needed in the modern day. In fact I would go as far as to say they were not even needed then.

But please, enlighten me how I am wrong.

highly in depth and researched is a bit of a stretch there. The 50% speech rhythm, clued me in immediately, but damn is that not one of the most vacuous bit of sophistry I've seen in a while. What you have there is someone who never new much about theology to begin with, they just had an identity of being Christian. An identity which quickly collapsed due to poor foundation. It was painfully evident in their first video, when they classify belief in God as a "megabelief" (it's not) and then when they highlighted the points about believing in God they were going to "take down," not a single one had anything to do with God.

[Thuzbekistan]

I find it weird that on threads like this, a small group of Atheists like to play thought police and try to deconvert people.

It seems in debates about the existence of gods, small groups of atheists try to convince the opposing side of their case.

Fascinating.

[The New California Republic]

Some nice whataboutism there.

Doesn't really refute what I said though.

The root problem is not the religion itself, unless if it is early Islam with the explicit command to wage war against the unbelievers.

The root problem are assholes inside the religion. Christianity’s Bible has exactly zero commands to Christians to purge the heretics or to crush the Saracen.

When war and death has followed in its wake for millennia, it becomes a harder and harder sell to convince people that the problem is the result of just a few bad eggs.

[Tarsonis]

The root problem is not the religion itself, unless if it is early Islam with the explicit command to wage war against the unbelievers.

The root problem are assholes inside the religion. Christianity’s Bible has exactly zero commands to Christians to purge the heretics or to crush the Saracen.

When war and death has followed in its wake for millennia, it becomes a harder and harder sell to convince people that the problem is the result of just a few bad eggs.

People don't need excuses for war and death, Religion just gave them one.

[Greater Loegria]

As a member of the Atheist thought police, I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you to room 101 and hold rats to your face until you repent your point.

Or rather not, because that's what "thought police" do. Whereas this... this is a debate forum. You are finding it weird that people are debating in a debate forum. And you're calling it Orwellian to engage in that debate. Which... I don't know what to say about that. Other than that it is a very very silly thing to do.

My dear Neanderthal, all of us atheists are honorary members of the Stasi; didn't you know? We are getting ready to unleash some Zersetzung on the asses of the theists.

Well you'll be pleased to know that some of us who believe in deities thank you for helping us sharpen our swords, as I'm sure you do for yours.

[Korhal IVV]

The root problem is not the religion itself, unless if it is early Islam with the explicit command to wage war against the unbelievers.

The root problem are assholes inside the religion. Christianity’s Bible has exactly zero commands to Christians to purge the heretics or to crush the Saracen.

When war and death has followed in its wake for millennia, it becomes a harder and harder sell to convince people that the problem is the result of just a few bad eggs.

Then that is your own fault.

My dear Neanderthal, all of us atheists are honorary members of the Stasi; didn't you know? We are getting ready to unleash some Zersetzung on the asses of the theists.

Well you'll be pleased to know that some of us who believe in deities thank you for helping us sharpen our swords, as I'm sure you do for yours.

Or, you know, for helping us develop weaponry capable of blowing up entire solar systems...

[The New California Republic]

When war and death has followed in its wake for millennia, it becomes a harder and harder sell to convince people that the problem is the result of just a few bad eggs.

Then that is your own fault.

The fuck? That response doesn't even make sense.

[Korhal IVV]

Then that is your own fault.

The fuck? That response doesn't even make sense.

That you don’t take time to see if the religion itself is the root problem.

You ar just like, “Oh My ChRiStIaNiTy Is EvIl BeCaUsE oF a PoLiTiCalLy MoTiVaTeD cRuSaDe”

[Widdle Fae]

I don't think people's concept of a higher power should be a thing that is a morally good thing to debate about. The completely two different schools of philosophical thoughts makes the debate incompatible leading to both sides unable to make an argument that the other side will listen to.

Why is it morally bad to debate the existence of God?

It accomplishes little and nobody will change their mind.

Because it breeds conflict and death

Religion has a history of doing that all on its own, so striking it out is entirely justified.

So has many poltical systems but you are not trying to kill them off.

[The New California Republic]

The fuck? That response doesn't even make sense.

That you don’t take time to see if the religion itself is the root problem.

You ar just like, “Oh My ChRiStIaNiTy Is EvIl BeCaUsE oF a PoLiTiCalLy MoTiVaTeD cRuSaDe”

It pretty much was though.

And you have broken out the creepy words with alternating capitalized letters. Wonderful. A mature argument to be sure.

[Widdle Fae]

That you don’t take time to see if the religion itself is the root problem.

You ar just like, “Oh My ChRiStIaNiTy Is EvIl BeCaUsE oF a PoLiTiCalLy MoTiVaTeD cRuSaDe”

It pretty much was though.

And you have broken out the creepy words with alternating capitalized letters. Wonderful. A mature argument to be sure.

Evil is subjective and deosn't exist. If you drop that low to using the word evil, it's not worth debating.

Not really. Most atheists debate here to try and expand atheist school of thought. It is rare to see religious people do the same. I'm just sick of Atheists telling me what I should believe.

Yeah really. In fact, I just explained how.

I will renew my objection that a debate forum is a weird place to complain about people voicing their opinions. This is explicitly why people come here. If you don't like it, you probably shouldn't have.

But I tell you what: I've never knocked at someone's door while they're at home to tell them what they should believe. Religious people have done that to me. So I don't think you really have the high ground there.

Individualistic approaches never work on a case to case level. In China, they basically abolished religion by "doorknocking" during the cultural revolution, it's not representative of all atheists.

[Korhal IVV]

That you don’t take time to see if the religion itself is the root problem.

You ar just like, “Oh My ChRiStIaNiTy Is EvIl BeCaUsE oF a PoLiTiCalLy MoTiVaTeD cRuSaDe”

It pretty much was though.

And you have broken out the creepy words with alternating capitalized letters. Wonderful. A mature argument to be sure.

Okay, let’s just ignore that Christ specifically told the disciples to be pacifists. And then your premise is valid. K.