Christians are easily startled, but they'll soon be back. And in greater numbers 36:11

[Gethelred]

Welcome to the Ask an Atheist thread II.

Previous part:

Win Prizes - Ask an Atheist - Shoe's on the other foot now!

Alright, we're going to have a change of tack. As I'm sure you can see, the thread title has been changed to Ask an Atheist. People who have a question to ask of the atheists who populate this thread - more than the christians do - should feel free to ask questions of them. If you've still got...

www.bigfooty.com

Standard board rules apply.

 

[Rusty Brookes]

I believe that Jesus existed. Are you denying that a man called Jesus ever existed or was never crucified or are you denying His divinity?

I honestly don't know if Jesus existed. The evidence looks pretty thin (one book as far I can tell).

And before anyone comes back with Josephus as collaborating evidence - he was born after Christ supposedly died. Tacitus even later. I don't deny the possibility that Jesus existed - I don't deny the possibility of his divinity. I do raise the issue of probability though.

 

[Rusty Brookes]

You can believe what you like, but I see no good reason for myself to accept that belief is in fact true.

More importantly, the burden of evidence is on the positive claim. We're stuck in the what is claimed to be extra-ordinary requires extra-ordinary evidence. Without that evidence it can be dismissed. The same evidence provided by vdubs could be claimed by any follower of any religion. Since, by definition, religions are not compatible based on their claims, it is sensible to dismiss any claim of personal relationships with God/Gods as evidence for their existence.

BTW - I don't think vdubs is making it up. I just think vdubs is misinterpreting an inner dialogue which they believe is them talking to God. Occam's razor and all that.

As for evidence, well if a number of non-believers could hear God talking and we all agreed we heard the same thing, etc we could at least discuss the evidence.

 

[Total Power]

More importantly, the burden of evidence is on the positive claim. We're stuck in the what is claimed to be extra-ordinary requires extra-ordinary evidence. Without that evidence it can be dismissed. The same evidence provided by vdubs could be claimed by any follower of any religion. Since, by definition, religions are not compatible based on their claims, it is sensible to dismiss any claim of personal relationships with God/Gods as evidence for their existence.

BTW - I don't think vdubs is making it up. I just think vdubs is misinterpreting an inner dialogue which they believe is them talking to God. Occam's razor and all that.

As for evidence, well if a number of non-believers could hear God talking and we all agreed we heard the same thing, etc we could at least discuss the evidence.

Most religions seek to establish a relationship with the divine. Christianity is not special in that regard. VD's claims are not unique, there's a whole lot of scientific research on this.

but where is the relationship? You're supposed to follow the dude obediently and blindly so you'll be saved from hell from the curse that he has given us to that he can save us from himself. Where is the relating in that? I call it absolute subservience.

Nein, danke!

 

[evolved2]

Religion to me just seems silly and illogical.

But if someone wants to believe in that and it makes them happy then fair play. As long as they dont annoy or upset other people with it of course.

I don't care if believers are annoying. All I ask is that they don't infect politics with their beliefs.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

Viewed through the prism of ethical principles, Christianity is the original protection racket.

“Knock knock”
“Who’s there?”
“My name is Jesus. Let me in so I can save you”
“Save me from what?”
“From what I’ll do to you if you don’t let me in”

 

[Ghost Patrol]

 

[Cyber_punk]

View attachment 2435531

Which of our resident rwnjs is this?

 

[CD Xbow]

Peter Theil is lecturing about the Antichrist through this month and early next month. It's a quiet affair, bring your bible, there will be tea and cake etc. Unfortunately applications have closed otherwise I might have frocked up for this one. Sounds riveting.

The Antichrist: A Four-Part Lecture Series · Luma

*IMPORTANT* This ticket includes ALL FOUR EVENTS - Monday Sept 15, Sept 22, Sept 29, and Oct 6. Your ticket is non-transferrable and…

luma.com

I have read elsewhere Peter the Great has mused that Greta Thunberg is the antichrist, I would have thought the most obvious candidate is the orange liar sitting on the throne.

 

[Festerz]

...mysterious ways. Apparently does a tag team with Santa.

 

[Deliverance]

I honestly don't know if Jesus existed. The evidence looks pretty thin (one book as far I can tell).

And before anyone comes back with Josephus as collaborating evidence - he was born after Christ supposedly died. Tacitus even later. I don't deny the possibility that Jesus existed - I don't deny the possibility of his divinity. I do raise the issue of probability though.

The new book in 2000 years

 

[schneebly111]

First woman to lead the Church of England in history:

Loading…

www.reuters.com

Former nurse, self described feminist, somewhat pro LGBT (although not 100% on gay marriage), pro choice, pro asylum Seekers.

When appointed Bishop of London 7 years ago it pissed off a lot of conservative Anglicans.

I think this will probably lead to quite a schism in the Anglican Church.

 

[sdfc]

Atheists are a funny bunch. Obsessed with other people's beliefs I can't remember ever getting harassed by a Christian but had the odd unwanted discussion about religion with atheists. They don't seem to like agnostics either.

Imagine being certain of anything.

 

[sdfc]

Chance of us being here is so unlikely that nothing is off the table. Except the "god" is a petty old man in the sky thing.

 

[Rusty Brookes]

Atheists are a funny bunch. Obsessed with other people's beliefs I can't remember ever getting harassed by a Christian but had the odd unwanted discussion about religion with atheists. They don't seem to like agnostics either.

Imagine being certain of anything.

Ever had an atheist berate you for 30 minutes as a 13 year old? Ever had an atheist thrust a copy of the God Delusion in your face? Knock on your door to talk atheism? Scream at you through a megaphone about how you are going to spend the afterlife? Attempt to get the music you like banned? Attempt to ban the innocent role playing game you love as a 10 year old banned? Drop unsolicted mail off at your house telling you how you are going to spend your afterlife? Stand outside the train station trying to convince you to attend an atheist meeting?

Being an atheist doesn't mean we are certain there isn't a God. Most of us accept the possibility. But the evidence as it stands overwhelmingly points to a natural origin of the Universe and until there is any evidence that suggests otherwise, I'm going with the natural origin.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

Ever had an atheist berate you for 30 minutes as a 13 year old? Ever had an atheist thrust a copy of the God Delusion in your face? Knock on your door to talk atheism? Scream at you through a megaphone about how you are going to spend the afterlife? Attempt to get the music you like banned? Attempt to ban the innocent role playing game you love as a 10 year old banned? Drop unsolicted mail off at your house telling you how you are going to spend your afterlife? Stand outside the train station trying to convince you to attend an atheist meeting?

Being an atheist doesn't mean we are certain there isn't a God. Most of us accept the possibility. But the evidence as it stands overwhelmingly points to a natural origin of the Universe and until there is any evidence that suggests otherwise, I'm going with the natural origin.

Yep. I am absolutely willing to be convinced there is a god. So far there is zero evidence, so I proceed through life with what we do know.

And what we do know is expanding by the minute.

So if we ever get to the point that we can show for certain that there is a god, I will read the evidence and be convinced.

The only time I get exercised by religious people in day to day life is when they try to claim superior morality (and even worse, commit horrific crimes against children and young adults and protect the perpetrators), or when they demand special privileges for indoctrinating our children (ie public funding for unaccountable private schools, public schools in NSW not being allowed to mention that they offer Ethics classes as an alternative to Scripture - that shit is way ****ed up!). Then they can all get ****ed.

 

[Chief]

I can't remember ever getting harassed by a Christian

You don't get out of the house enough.

 

[Total Power]

Atheists are a funny bunch. Obsessed with other people's beliefs I can't remember ever getting harassed by a Christian but had the odd unwanted discussion about religion with atheists. They don't seem to like agnostics either.

Imagine being certain of anything.

Generally, it's because we grow up in / are surrounded by / are forced to conform to a Christian culture that we feel pressures us without any justification for its existence. If you were in the Middle east you are way worse off and you can even get killed for your opinion. You should try living in a culture (like the Christian community i grew up in) where a large percentage of people believe something you find absurd and attempt to push that absurdity onto you based on that belief.

Yet you are here picking on atheism which is actually an absence of belief. But not on religious posters here who "speaks" to their deity on a daily basis and attempts to 'educate' us about life, sin and forgiveness (oh the irony really!). But if we say anything back, then it's a massive problem hey?

I have read your posts for a while now, why don't you admit you're a closet Christian? No shame being a cult member.

 

[Vdubs]

Generally, it's because we grow up in / are surrounded by / are forced to conform to a Christian culture that we feel pressures us without any justification for its existence. If you were in the Middle east you are way worse off and you can even get killed for your opinion. You should try living in a culture (like the Christian community i grew up in) where a large percentage of people believe something you find absurd and attempt to push that absurdity onto you based on that belief.

Yet you are here picking on atheism which is actually an absence of belief. But not on religious posters here who "speaks" to their deity on a daily basis and attempts to 'educate' us about life, sin and forgiveness (oh the irony really!). But if we say anything back, then it's a massive problem hey?

I have read your posts for a while now, why don't you admit you're a closet Christian? No shame being a cult member.

He's hardly picking on atheists. Jumping at shadows again. But you true atheists have come in to this thread with the express purpose of ridiculing Christians and their beliefs, to the extent that not many Christians are left to discuss with. Yet here you guys are on a daily basis decrying Christianity and many of its followers. A fellowship of Atheists. Cute really.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

He's hardly picking on atheists. Jumping at shadows again. But you true atheists have come in to this thread with the express purpose of ridiculing Christians and their beliefs, to the extent that not many Christians are left to discuss with. Yet here you guys are on a daily basis decrying Christianity and many of its followers. A fellowship of Atheists. Cute really.

LOL no-one is ridiculing Christians. We're criticising them.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

He's hardly picking on atheists. Jumping at shadows again. But you true atheists have come in to this thread with the express purpose of ridiculing Christians and their beliefs, to the extent that not many Christians are left to discuss with. Yet here you guys are on a daily basis decrying Christianity and many of its followers. A fellowship of Atheists. Cute really.

Also since when aren't atheists allowed to enjoy fellowship?

 

[Vdubs]

LOL no-one is ridiculing Christians. We're criticising them.

Semantics.
Labelling beliefs and prayer, and practicing as a Christian as ridiculous, farcical, deluded and unbelievable is ridicule, but we do expect that sort of reaction- it has been commonplace since the genesis of Christianity in fact.

 

[Total Power]

He's hardly picking on atheists. Jumping at shadows again. But you true atheists have come in to this thread with the express purpose of ridiculing Christians and their beliefs, to the extent that not many Christians are left to discuss with. Yet here you guys are on a daily basis decrying Christianity and many of its followers. A fellowship of Atheists. Cute really.

Mate, i live a very normal life. I don't meddle in other peoples beliefs/affairs. Online i am here to have a discussion, unlike your mob i am not here to force my opinion and beliefs on you. I go on about my life as if religion doesn't exist yet sometimes i have to take notice cause it affects me and my life (for example abortion of my mate in US, which itself was a very painful experience).

You are one here calling me a sinner, when i refute that and ridicule that then i am making fun of you? Why can't you just keep your personal beliefs and name calling to yourself? but here's the kicker, you guys can't. Cause Abrahamic religions will be dead without proselytizing.

 

[Vdubs]

Also since when aren't atheists allowed to enjoy fellowship?

Do you think Christians would come into a Thread for Atheists and try and "criticise" your fellowship, your science, your need for evidence, even if all the atheists left the thread? On a daily basis. Indefinitely?

 

[Total Power]

Semantics.
Labelling beliefs and prayer, and practicing as a Christian as ridiculous, farcical, deluded and unbelievable is ridicule, but we do expect that sort of reaction- it has been commonplace since the genesis of Christianity in fact.

That's why you had blasphemy laws in place. Kill them if they make fun of you! Islam is even more so now.

You must be proud, your beliefs need special protection

 

[Total Power]

Do you think Christians would come into a Thread for Atheists and try and "criticise" your fellowship, your science, your need for evidence, even if all the atheists left the thread? On a daily basis. Indefinitely?

Cause there's no one kind of atheist. Buddhism is also atheistic in nature, so what? atheists can believe in all sorts of stuff (minus deity). So ask an atheist can be very interesting but for all you 'know it all' types with a special hotline to the creator of the universe, it might be irrelevant.