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I'm all good with that. If not for the experiences I have had, i'd likely be in the same shoes as you. Alas, I have had those experiences and they are a part of me hence my position.
Just take into account that the experiences you have not had, that others have had doesn't invalid them for the individual who has had them. And, these individuals not all of them, are coming from a position whereby there is no deep seeded requirement to have or expectation for a god, but they still ocurred and shaped their view. For them, the possibility of god is the best explanation to circle the square of their experience.
One person I have personally met experiences talking to the biblical god, who helps with his shopping. Another experiences 2 meter tall lobster men. And one person I know of has experienced talking to a fictional character.
For me, an experience is not necessarily the best explanation.
One person I have personally met experiences talking to the biblical god, who helps with his shopping. Another experiences 2 meter tall lobster men. And one person I know of has experienced talking to a fictional character.
For me, an experience is not necessarily the best explanation.
Talk to more people who don't see 2 meter tall lobster men. I think individuals who are on a spiritual journey are a bit more grounded in reality than that. That said, you are under no obligation and can continue down your path. As i've said before, i respect an athiest thinking for himself, more than a hardcore fundamental theist believing every rule the bible tells him to follow and not thinking dynamically.
Essentially though, this will always be the fundamental chasm between theists and atheists. Although I suspect there is a spectrum from both. It is also human nature to fill in gaps of the unknown with inferences so we can make sense of our reality. Oddly it is easier and more necessary for us to do this than to simply say I don't know and that is ok I don't.
people may have reasons for their beliefs.
based on those reasons they choose what to believe.
think of it this way.
Do you believe that "a person chooses what to say" OR do you believe that "spoken words just happen" "a person does not have a choice what they say" "spoken words have a life of their own and what a person says is out of their control" "a person can't change what they say"
it's the same rationale.
do you believe that "a person chooses what to believe" OR do you believe that "beliefs just happen" "a person does not have a choice what they believe" "beliefs have a life of their own and what a person believes is out of their control" "a person can't change what they believe"
Could you choose to not believe in God if you wanted to?
Do studies and statistics and what other people say and indicate mean that much to you? Is that something that atheism requires? If nothing shows atheism growing, do you just give up?
I rely on no external source for approval or justification. Nothing outside of me is sought or needed.
Do studies and statistics and what other people say and indicate mean that much to you? Is that something that atheism requires? If nothing shows atheism growing, do you just give up?
I rely on no external source for approval or justification. Nothing outside of me is sought or needed.
No. Why would you assume otherwise of anyone else then?
No. Why would you assume otherwise of anyone else then?
Seems like people here would be above that type of thing, as a form of cheerleading. Some of the responses seem to be giving high-fives and kudos as such.
I didn't just hear someone talk about atheism and decide that was my bag on some particular day.
This argument on choice is a lot like what I hear when I tell people I don't want kids. I'm constantly asked why. There really is no why. I just don't want them because...I don't want them.
Likewise, I don't believe because I don't believe. But I'm not sure I ever believed anyway, and you can't really choose to not believe in something when you never really believed in it in the first place.
The reasons I posted were formed after growing up and finally being able to put my finger on why religion never attracted me, even when I was small and being indoctrinated by parents, clergy, and society.
Seems like people here would be above that type of thing, as a form of cheerleading. Some of the responses seem to be giving high-fives and kudos as such.
You didn't respond to anyone doing that specifically. If being an atheist was about bandwagoning or high fives or being cool we wouldn't be atheists. Atheism is a minority conclusion. This whole line of reasoning is akin to claiming people choose to be gay or straight.
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