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To your first paragraph, i have to say that what one thinks about their origins, purpose in life, meaning to life , whether morals are manmade or absolute , etc....is inseperately linked to how one chooses to behave, talk, act, and develop personal idelogies . Would this seem logical to you ?
Re: Paragraph number 2 --- Why do you think many Atheists opt for a lifestyle of hedonism whether it be sexual or otherwise ? What do you think the driving catalyst for this choice is, specifically for atheists ?
I can see where you are going with this and you have a point. As I said, the atheist viewpoint does tend to result in a sameness of view in lifestyle as a result of that viewpoint. But that does not justify calling atheism by particular terms you choose to apply to some lifestyles that appear to you in a certain way.
It is tempting, for example for believers to regard abandonment of Bible - based restrictions as irrelevant as opting for a life of hedonistic pleasure. One might also (equally unfairly) apply the same argument to Christianity arguing that they just want to drink alcohol and eat pork. The viewpoint simply does not see good reason to observe certain restriction and is more to do with reason than with indulgence.
For example, as I said, atheism can often result in a more thoughtful morality than just 'going by the book'. Similarly, atheism may result in more application to social duty than otherwise might be the case. Doing what one feels is beneficial for one's fellows as a whole is certainly not hedonism.
Succinctly, there are always problems and objections to adding anything more to atheism than just 'no god - belief'.
Last edited by TRANSPONDER; 11-21-2011 at 12:15 PM..
To your first paragraph, i have to say that what one thinks about their origins, purpose in life, meaning to life , whether morals are manmade or absolute , etc....is inseperately linked to how one chooses to behave, talk, act, and develop personal idelogies . Would this seem logical to you ?
Re: Paragraph number 2 --- Why do you think many Atheists opt for a lifestyle of hedonism whether it be sexual or otherwise ? What do you think the driving catalyst for this choice is, specifically for atheists ?
No.
But more to the point, why don't you look at the evidence at hand. Why don't you look at rates of religious belief in the United States by region. Not surprisingly, you'll find the Bible Belt leading the way. Then why don't you examine violent crime rates by state?
14 states in the Bible Belt (28% of the states in the United States).
8 Bible Belt states ranked in the 13 most violent states (62% of those 13 most violent states).
If you're bored, go ahead and compare the violent crime rates in very-religious Latin American countries to comparatively non-religious European countries. You won't like what you find there, either.
I bet it's disappointing when the evidence just doesn't jibe with the way you'd like things to be...
But more to the point, why don't you look at the evidence at hand. Why don't you look at rates of religious belief in the United States by region. Not surprisingly, you'll find the Bible Belt leading the way. Then why don't you examine violent crime rates by state?
14 states in the Bible Belt (28% of the states in the United States).
8 Bible Belt states ranked in the 13 most violent states (62% of those 13 most violent states).
If you're bored, go ahead and compare the violent crime rates in very-religious Latin American countries to comparatively non-religious European countries. You won't like what you find there, either.
I bet it's disappointing when the evidence just doesn't jibe with the way you'd like things to be...
Youve cited Bible Belt states, but, are you aware that there are a good deal of non-Christians who live in these states , and, they are not exclusively Christian states ? Are you trying to link Followers of Christ who OBEY his teachings and who choose to live within the law, to lawless individuals who commit crimes ? Seems to me the lawless would be best represented by those who follow the ideology that they can do whatever thier mind dictates and follow whatever urges may arise so long as it benefits oneself . Wouldnt you agree with this common sense summation ?
Evidence for this claim? And do they do so more frequently than believers?
Who would you endorse your 16 year old precious Daughter enjoy the evening with :
A. An 18 year old hormone intensive High School Football Player who follows atheistic ideologies such as man decided morals (if he so chooses) and who views life as unpurposed, without meaning, and who sees no intrinsic value in himself, your daughter, or humanity in step with coming from accidental pond slime ... or....
B. An 18 year old hormone intensive High School Football Player who follows distinctively christian established morals and values and who is wanting to keep his sexuality in check and be a blessing to your Daughter because he feels he has been blessed by God and desires to serve him all his life ?
No, im not saying Christians dont make mistakes... but which mindset do you think is going to be more advantegous to your Daughter on a Date as well as a Nation in general ? Could the answer be the one that our original Founding Fathers favored ???
False analogy fallacy...You are ascribing characteristics to the first suitor that you THINK applies to atheists, when they do not apply at all.
Why you are being allowed to troll this forum continually bashing atheism is totally beyond me, but I do find your posts quite entertaining since you have absolutely no understanding of atheists and what we believe.
But more to the point, why don't you look at the evidence at hand. Why don't you look at rates of religious belief in the United States by region. Not surprisingly, you'll find the Bible Belt leading the way. Then why don't you examine violent crime rates by state?
14 states in the Bible Belt (28% of the states in the United States).
8 Bible Belt states ranked in the 13 most violent states (62% of those 13 most violent states).
If you're bored, go ahead and compare the violent crime rates in very-religious Latin American countries to comparatively non-religious European countries. You won't like what you find there, either.
I bet it's disappointing when the evidence just doesn't jibe with the way you'd like things to be...
Quick someone call the police and get some crime scene tape. I think that what you just did to statistics is a class 1 felony is most states.....it might even be a hate crime.
for the sake of clarity, lets then change from 'heathen' to : Immoralists and hedonists (by and large) . Are you ok with this as representing those with an atheistic mindset taking into account atheist social constructs ?
no
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I can see where you are going with this and you have a point. As I said, the atheist viewpoint does tend to result in a sameness of view in lifestyle as a result of that viewpoint. But that does not justify calling atheism by particular terms you choose to apply to some lifestyles that appear to you in a certain way. 
