Religion and Atheism

[KanadaHye]

Re: Religion and Atheism

Perhaps the history is irrelevant to their decision to subscribe?

E.g.
If the problem is that there is insufficient evidence for believe and/or the advocacy of faith-based belief, then how would the history behind the religion be relevant?

Destruction of evidence over a period of time doesn't make the event false. It just means that records of the event may have been destroyed or manipulated. The records themselves may have been tampered with. In any event, one shouldn't believe anything they hear and only half of what they see which is why they should form their views from their own experiences or from studying the world. We rely too much on the word of others when we know people tend to embellish the truth or downright lie for their own benefit. It's the nature of mankind. Some claim travel is the best form of education since that's the only way you can truly learn the truth about the world.

[Siggie]

Re: Religion and Atheism

Many people who claim to be religious or anti-religion know little about the history behind the religion they claim to support/denounce. For example, Israel isn't described as place but rather a person. An Israelite is a child of the patriarch Israel (Jacob). Much like the patriarch Haik/Hayk is to Armenians.

Perhaps the history is irrelevant to their decision to subscribe?

E.g.
If the problem is that there is insufficient evidence for believe and/or the advocacy of faith-based belief, then how would the history behind the religion be relevant?

[KanadaHye]

Re: Religion and Atheism

Did I say something about historical accuracy or passover?
Just state your point plainly. You're trying to say you're not arguing about belief, but about "historical accuracy" instead?

Many people who claim to be religious or anti-religion know little about the history behind the religion they claim to support/denounce. For example, Israel isn't described as place but rather a person. An Israelite is a child of the patriarch Israel (Jacob). Much like the patriarch Haik/Hayk is to Armenians.

[Siggie]

Re: Religion and Atheism

What does historical accuracy of events have to do with belief? Do you know why J3ws celebrate passover?

Did I say something about historical accuracy or passover?
Just state your point plainly. You're trying to say you're not arguing about belief, but about "historical accuracy" instead?

You're referring to agnostics, not atheists.

The term is inclusive of agnostics (and atheists), but not exclusive to them.

[KanadaHye]

Re: Religion and Atheism

I think this (unproductive) back and forth is futile. Everyone will defend their belief instead of trying to understand how someone can not be a believer and what, if any, impact that has on their life.

What does historical accuracy of events have to do with belief? Do you know why J3ws celebrate passover?

People equate atheist with believing that god doesn't exist and I don't think this is accurate.
The skeptics and scientists that I know (myself included) would be better described as non-theists.

You're referring to agnostics, not atheists.

[Siggie]

Re: Religion and Atheism

I think this (unproductive) back and forth is futile. Everyone will defend their belief instead of trying to understand how someone can not be a believer and what, if any, impact that has on their life.

For instance, I find why people believe to be far more interesting a question than what they believe.

Doesn't seem like you have been following this thread much .. I am not an atheist.

People equate atheist with believing that god doesn't exist and I don't think this is accurate.
The skeptics and scientists that I know (myself included) would be better described as non-theists.

[KanadaHye]

Re: Religion and Atheism

Yes, similarly when people move away from a pile of poop, the pile continues to smell like poop while you can start to enjoy some fresh air

As far as Christianity, I feel the same about Islam. At least Islam is much less focused on the hocus pocus ghost, spirit, miracle stuff. Their religion is faaar more focused on the practical day to day, mundane stuff. As I have said before, I admire the teachings of Jesus and how he lived a lot. That part of "turn the other cheek" mentality of Christianity I think is far more superior to the "eye-for-an-eye" attitudes of Islam. But considering that most of the religious posts here have been about Christianity, it has ended up being the main focus of what "religion" means (in this thread).

I wouldn't say that. All the religions have their stories of miraculousness. David and Goliath from the Hebrew Bible. Mohammad was said to have defeated a large military force with a tiny army. Lots of similarities of overcoming the odds. Christianity contains miracles which focus on reducing human suffering and celebrate life. Also a lot of what Christianity teaches is the spread of good news. For example, if the media were to report on good news instead of glorifying all the unfortunate events in the world, think how much more positive the world would be. The negativity that permeates society today has a lot to do with the focus on the cult of death and deception by the media and pop culture.

[KanadaHye]

Re: Religion and Atheism

If I had to pin-point certain aspects, it's probably the part where Christians think they are somehow better than everyone else.

How would you know what they think? I doubt they think they are better than everyone else since they would be snobbish rather than sacrificing their selfish needs for the betterment of others.

[Sip]

Re: Religion and Atheism

Doesn't seem like you have been following this thread much .. I am not an atheist.

[Armanen]

Re: Religion and Atheism

If I had to pin-point certain aspects, it's probably the part where Christians think they are somehow better than everyone else.

Atheist types like you reek of that attitude more so than Christians. Idiot fundamentalist/zionist/evangelical 'Christians' do not count.