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So why is it that religion, which preaches love to its fellow man, typically responds to any opposition with violence?? ... Because stupid people do stupid things, and religion makes it ok to be stupid.
Because they can say "it's in the bible" so it has to be right or true. They don't look outside of their source, instead, they stay winthin the confines and claim it's ok while at the same time, they preach that they follow Christ. How can they be following Christ when they do the things they do?
Learning the origins of the hell and devil myth as well as the rest of church history really, to quote the bible, removed the scales from my eyes. The questions and research continue, but now it is met with wonder rather than consternation. It's nice.
Good point, history and Christianity (esp Catholicism) do not get along very well. Whether it be the Crusades, Spanish inquisition, witch trials etc. If someone actually looks at the track record for what Christianity has done over the last millennium its clear that they will do anything to preach gods word, even if it means breaking every rule in the bible. What is so hard about following a commandment that says thou shalt not kill, is that really ambiguous to some people ??
It took me 20 plus years to actually HAVE a life. The previous 20 was just about a complete failure seeking "first the kingdom of god." Talk about a waste of time.
When I finally accepted that I didn't believe in god last year, after years of struggling with the issue, it came as one of the most liberating if not the most liberating experience of my life.
When I was a believer in god, I was also a believer in many other supernatural phenomenon...mainly cryptozoology (such as bigfoot), ghosts, and ufos. After the fact, I started to question and critique these subject areas in much the same way that I did with my belief in god and found that there really is no evidence for any of it.
So, in what ways has atheism affected/changed your opinion on other subject matters?
Now, don't go crazy. There is a lot of stuff out there that we don't understand.
I don't believe in ghosts or ufos either, in the conventional sense, but I also can't prove they don't exist in some form. What if what we call "ghosts" are some funky crossover effect from a parallel universe, that manifests in cosmic weak spots, or that some people are more attuned to? "UFO" in the strictest sense, is obviously Unidentified Flying Object, and there are lots of those, even if they aren't visitors from other planets or galaxies. And while I personally don't believe aliens have been here, I believe they are out there, and I can't rule out the possibility that their teenagers like to "go cruising" and get spotted on occasion.
As for cryptozoology, some of the stories may have some basis in fact. Species are constantly evolving, and part of that process involves random mutation. A common animal with a mutation that doesn't give it an edge, but doesn't kill the individual right away might grow up and look strange. I think occasional mutated animal spottings form the basis for most of those myths.
My point is, there may be no evidence, but don't go overboard and close your mind to the infinite possibilities.
As for your question, I don't think atheism has changed or affected any of my views. It is another manifestation of the way I view the world as a whole. I have pretty much always been an atheist, so there was no "before" time when my ideas were different. I try to look at everything with an open mind, and see as many different sides to an arguement or problem as possible, and then take the one that makes the most sense, or has the most proof as my working theory. And then I still try to keep an open mind.
So why is it that religion, which preaches love to its fellow man, typically responds to any opposition with violence?? ... Because stupid people do stupid things, and religion makes it ok to be stupid.
I think Men in Black character "K" said it best: "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it."
Religion gives you "people".
Oh noes, I just realized... Verizon also gives you "people"!! Verizon must be a religion. Not only that, they are an evil religion bent on world domination. AHHHHH!!!!!!!!
<Runs away to hide from the oncoming Verizon apocalypse>
Now, don't go crazy. There is a lot of stuff out there that we don't understand.
I don't believe in ghosts or ufos either, in the conventional sense, but I also can't prove they don't exist in some form. What if what we call "ghosts" are some funky crossover effect from a parallel universe, that manifests in cosmic weak spots, or that some people are more attuned to? "UFO" in the strictest sense, is obviously Unidentified Flying Object, and there are lots of those, even if they aren't visitors from other planets or galaxies. And while I personally don't believe aliens have been here, I believe they are out there, and I can't rule out the possibility that their teenagers like to "go cruising" and get spotted on occasion.
As for cryptozoology, some of the stories may have some basis in fact. Species are constantly evolving, and part of that process involves random mutation. A common animal with a mutation that doesn't give it an edge, but doesn't kill the individual right away might grow up and look strange. I think occasional mutated animal spottings form the basis for most of those myths.
My point is, there may be no evidence, but don't go overboard and close your mind to the infinite possibilities.
As for your question, I don't think atheism has changed or affected any of my views. It is another manifestation of the way I view the world as a whole. I have pretty much always been an atheist, so there was no "before" time when my ideas were different. I try to look at everything with an open mind, and see as many different sides to an arguement or problem as possible, and then take the one that makes the most sense, or has the most proof as my working theory. And then I still try to keep an open mind.
Haha...I try to keep my sanity
Anyway, my point wasn't really whether or not these things exist but that since becoming agnostic, I've taken a more skeptical approach to evaluating whether there is enough evidence to ascertain their existence.
I remain open minded to any and all of life's mysteries...including god. I just want some proof.
You know, I can really relate to all of you. Although I'm a believer but not a bible believer, I remember when I first started my search for God. I was, at that time reading and studying the bible. I wanted so much to be not one of those that "went to hell" or "feared God". When I realized that what I was being taught didn't adhere to what I thought, I changed my whole attitude and finally found the one religion that doesn't adhere to hell, punishment, fear or hate. It was a religion that let people just be. Be in the life and in the moment with whatever they loved about themselves and life. This included all persons on the earth. When I let go of the fear of the unknown and let love rule my life, I saw so much that I was missing. I found a God that loved me for me even when I stumbled, even when I was being hard on myself, even when I was not at my best. He saw beyond the material person that I was and saw that inner part of my being. He knew I was here to experience life no matter where that took me.
I am now free of all fear of a hating God and a world dominated by negatives and prejudice.
Now I'm really intrigued...what religion is this? A 'recognized' religion (as they call it) or some construct of your own?
Now, don't go crazy. There is a lot of stuff out there that we don't understand.
I don't believe in ghosts or ufos either, in the conventional sense, but I also can't prove they don't exist in some form...My point is, there may be no evidence, but don't go overboard and close your mind to the infinite possibilities.
Pardon the edit to isolate this point.
I agree. There's a difference between not believing in things for which there is no good evidence (which is the only rational behaviour) and 'closing the mind' which is also not very rational.
Regrettably, though, believing in what is unsupported by evidence and closed - mindedness are modes of thinking which are frighteningly prevalent.
When I finally accepted that I didn't believe in god last year, after years of struggling with the issue, it came as one of the most liberating if not the most liberating experience of my life.
When I was a believer in god, I was also a believer in many other supernatural phenomenon...mainly cryptozoology (such as bigfoot), ghosts, and ufos. After the fact, I started to question and critique these subject areas in much the same way that I did with my belief in god and found that there really is no evidence for any of it.
So, in what ways has atheism affected/changed your opinion on other subject matters?
much evidence of bigfoot and UFO film is evidence.
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