Why can't people accept that life has no inherent purpose or meaning? (quote, God)
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didn't specify the "Christian" God. You guys really have it out for that God. And describing biological predispositions doesn't tell us how we "ought" to live. some people do not value what you value, on atheism you develop your own values.
No we don't. Logic, reason and common sense, love, compassion, empathy, conscience, morals etc are universal values usually adhered to except if the individual has some major personality disorder.
You were initially making the claim that theism in practice was wasteful. I didnt say atheism in practice was wasteful. Im just saying if the religious person chooses to value church culture because he finds comfort in it, then how is this wasting? What ought they be doing? If we make up our own purpose, then he ought to be doing what he wants, right?
On atheism, the universe doesn't issue out commands like a God would. We are free to choose what we value, no matter what it is.
I reread the post I responded to and initially took it that you meant atheism is a waste of time. I see now you meant something else. It does not read like you meant it should. Nonetheless, my comments remain valid on their own.
No we don't. Logic, reason and common sense, love, compassion, empathy, conscience, morals etc are universal values usually adhered to except if the individual has some major personality disorder.
these things may persist throughout time but that doesn't mean I ought to value them. Logic is a very daunting subject when you actually delve into the field, if i am predisposed to enjoy lots of alcohol, then why ought i value logic? Why spend time assessing the truth-value of random propositions, many people do not value this sort of stuff. Again, on atheism there are no absolute moral obligations, oneis free to choose.Essentially you are saying everyone should value what I value out of life. Why?
Me: We are not immortal. This life is all you get then it is game over, fade to black and then nothing
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmiej
That is not a known fact, as you infer.
What is not factual about it?
The theist position is not based on facts merely hope of an afterlife.
There have been numerous studies into the claims of theists like NDEs and OOBEs and nothing conclusive was arrived at in controlled experiments. These claims were able to be replicated with external stimuli and in all cases the brain was still alive.
The contention of theists that there is an independent soul has never been proven and thus the burden of proof remains with the theist.
In the scientific reality realm, we use Occam's Razor and strip the waffle to arrive at the most likely scenario, in this case, life ceases to exist at death. Ergo, we are NOT immortal.
these things may persist throughout time but that doesn't mean I ought to value them. Logic is a very daunting subject when you actually delve into the field, if i am predisposed to enjoy lots of alcohol, then why ought i value logic?
Don't understand what you mean.
Quote:
Why spend time assessing the truth-value of random propositions, many people do not value this sort of stuff. Again, on atheism there are no absolute moral obligations, oneis free to choose.
No. Evolution favors cooperation and social interaction because organisms who cooperate have a better chance of surviving. Cooperation develops a set of codes called morals applicable to everybody to facilitate cooperation. Such as The Golden Rule. Religions and justice systems adapt and incorporate these moral codes. Religions ascribe these codes to a deity with the power to send people to hell if they are not followed, justice systems have the authority to send people to jail if they are not followed. Same principle, same result: hopefully better adherence to the codes. Atheist or theist or whatever doesn't matter.
Quote:
Essentially you are saying everyone should value what I value out of life. Why?
Everyone should follow the codes because that enhances everyone's chance of survival.
I imagine life to be like a blank sheet of paper. I am the author of my life and am free to write my story in any way I want to.
What is unacceptable about this point of view?
To me? Nothing..
That's not saying that you shouldn't live within boundaries but those boundaries should be set by yourself and the society in which you choose to live. Anything within that is of your own choosing.
I imagine life to be like a blank sheet of paper. I am the author of my life and am free to write my story in any way I want to.
What is unacceptable about this point of view?
So you believe if you are driving along, going through a green light and a mack truck doesn't stop for his red light and runs his big rig right over you, that you authored that event? Wow!
Hey, can you write on my blank paper? I need a few million dollars!
Me: We are not immortal. This life is all you get then it is game over, fade to black and then nothing
What is not factual about it?
The theist position is not based on facts merely hope of an afterlife.
There have been numerous studies into the claims of theists like NDEs and OOBEs and nothing conclusive was arrived at in controlled experiments. These claims were able to be replicated with external stimuli and in all cases the brain was still alive.
The contention of theists that there is an independent soul has never been proven and thus the burden of proof remains with the theist.
In the scientific reality realm, we use Occam's Razor and strip the waffle to arrive at the most likely scenario, in this case, life ceases to exist at death. Ergo, we are NOT immortal.
Nothing you said proves your point. Where are the facts?
So you believe if you are driving along, going through a green light and a mack truck doesn't stop for his red light and runs his big rig right over you, that you authored that event? Wow!
Hey, can you write on my blank paper? I need a few million dollars!
Deal with adversity as it comes. To the extent that you have control over your life, live it in a way that gives you the greatest purpose and meaning.
Nothing you said proves your point. Where are the facts?
Here you go again, asking for proof and facts about something of which you know there isn't any, so what's your point? Can you prove otherwise? What's the big deal and why make things complicated when you don't have to. Anybody is free to believe what they want to without having to prove anything to anybody. You believe what you want and others will believe what they want, what's so hard about that......
Last edited by ptsum; 06-25-2012 at 01:15 PM..
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