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Topic: Why do Atheists Hate Religion? - page 439. (Read 901367 times)

legendary
Activity: 3906
Merit: 1373
May 12, 2015, 12:11:46 PM
neither side has proof of their position.  One side claims God exists, but has no proof.  the other claims God does not, but has no proof.

Let me stop you there. Before I even read the rest of your post you need to understand something *real* fucking important, something that theists struggle to even acknowledge, which is the fact atheism does not make the claim, "God does not exist".

Atheism is the rejection of the theist assertion, "God exists", on the basis that the assertion requires logical fallacy and is intellectually dishonest.

Atheists do not seek to prove the non-existence of 'God' any more than we seek to prove the non-existence of invisible pink unicorns protecting us from mischief-making green pixies each day.

Theists assert something. Atheists dismiss that assertion because it is not a reasonable or supported assertion, not because they need to prove it to be wrong.

Big difference. Learn it. Accept it.





Atheists may not attempt to prove that God does not exist. But if atheists believe as the dictionary definition of the word "atheism" suggests, then they believe that God does not exist. See http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/atheism?s=t:
Quote
atheism
[ey-thee-iz-uh m]

noun
1. the doctrine or belief that there is no God.
2. disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings.

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legendary
Activity: 2240
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Thread-puller extraordinaire
May 12, 2015, 12:04:44 PM
I think it is more threatening to think that someone does not need religion than it is to think that they don't want religion. If you believe that all morality and goodness comes from a God, then you see someone who is happy, ethical, loved; but without any religion... That could start things crumbling.  

Considering that one of the most frequent objections to atheism is the notion, "Well what would stop you from raping and murdering everybody then?", it amazes me that it never occurs to the theist just how bad they come across practically admitting the only thing stopping them from going on a rape/murder spree is the thought they are being watched and judged by an omnipotent super-being.

legendary
Activity: 2240
Merit: 1254
Thread-puller extraordinaire
May 12, 2015, 11:59:53 AM
neither side has proof of their position.  One side claims God exists, but has no proof.  the other claims God does not, but has no proof.

Let me stop you there. Before I even read the rest of your post you need to understand something *real* fucking important, something that theists struggle to even acknowledge, which is the fact atheism does not make the claim, "God does not exist".

Atheism is the rejection of the theist assertion, "God exists", on the basis that the assertion requires logical fallacy and is intellectually dishonest.

Atheists do not seek to prove the non-existence of 'God' any more than we seek to prove the non-existence of invisible pink unicorns protecting us from mischief-making green pixies each day.

Theists assert something. Atheists dismiss that assertion because it is not a reasonable or supported assertion, not because they need to prove it to be wrong.

Big difference. Learn it. Accept it.



legendary
Activity: 3906
Merit: 1373
May 12, 2015, 11:36:43 AM
neither side has proof of their position.  One side claims God exists, but has no proof.  the other claims God does not, but has no proof.  

It all comes down to probability.  It's a lot more probable that there is no god rather than there is a god.

Actually, there is intelligent design in everything we see in nature. Because we don't understand why the design is there, we use the word "God." God may be an entity, or God may be simply the way things unfolded. But because we and the animals have self and consciousness in many ways, probably God has self and consciousness way advanced of what we are. It's in the design.

Smiley
legendary
Activity: 3906
Merit: 1373
May 12, 2015, 11:33:34 AM
I find it interesting how religious people want to believe that religion is essential and so atheists must also have religion.

That is an interesting notion. Do you think that the reason theists try to fallaciously claim atheism to be equal to a religion because they actually can't understand the concept of moral sentience without religion?

Actually, come to think of it, back when I was a fence-sitting agnostic, I actually believed it was impossible to be a genuine atheist, with the associated 'the end is the end of me' acceptance, without losing one's mind. I now know that, actually, once you become an intellectualised atheist, by way of reaching that position through much thought and consideration coupled with objective reasoning and critical thinking, it becomes absolutely natural a concept.

I didn't exist before I did and that wasn't a problem, so why would not existing after I do be any different?



Perhaps atheists have their own personal religion, but atheism in general is religion. Its god is the human mind.

I guess you are expanding the meaning of the word too far. Believing in something (which is what you are evidently trying to say) doesn't necessarily constitute a religion...

From the dictionary definition listed in https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.11350691:
Quote
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience:
to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
Seems to me that an atheist who responds to anti-atheism posts zealously is not only a zealot, but he is a religious zealot, as well.

If someone attacks your home and you desperately defend it and your family with arms in your hands, would this go for religious zealotry? If not, why then "passionately seeking to refute bullshit theism" (or anything, for that matter) should necessarily be considered as such?

It absolutely would, and so would NOT protecting and defending your home and family. It is your personal religion.

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legendary
Activity: 3906
Merit: 1373
May 12, 2015, 11:30:52 AM

Quote
2.
Quote
fine, superior to the other person who holds the opposing point of view.
it's ego on both sides of the equation.
I'm right, they're wrong.  I'm the smart guy.

Except that isn't at all what the objectively reasoned challenges to theist assertions actually is. Sure, if we were to employ the same theist versus theist tactics of subjectively spinning our own interpretations as being correct over your subjectively spun interpretations then, yes, you might have a point. But when a theist position is dismantled by way of critical analysis and objective reasoning, namely, the employment of valid argument which exposes the theist position to be the arbitrary baseless fallacy it is then, no, we are right because our argument is right while yours fails, not because we are simply declaring that we right and you are wrong.



neither side has proof of their position.  One side claims God exists, but has no proof.  the other claims God does not, but has no proof.  

you can parse an individual argument and say 'look the theists say this, which is clearly absurd' so they're wrong, but their core assertion, that there is a God, is not disprovable based on any such example.

at the end of the day neither side can prove anything and yet both puff their chests out and claim the other is wrong.

This is the same in political discussions.  "I'm right, they're wrong".  

Two things you don't talk about in bars - politics and religion, for the simple fact that people often take these things so personally as to make them flash points for a debate that devolves into an argument.  They are beliefs, aka opinions, not provable facts in both cases, so there is no 'winner', ever.

The hardcore bible thumpers could never deal with devoting their lives to something which is wrong, so they refuse to believe there is no God, or even allow for the possibility in many cases.  They have no proof and have claimed that 'faith' is the key.  Problem there is that this faith is to be taken without proof and they have conveniently asserted that this is the core of faith itself.

The Athiests are simply the polar opposite.  They've staked out another position and refuse to believe they could be wrong either, or even allow for the possibility in many cases, as allowing for the unknown would nudge them toward being an agnostic.  They don't have any proof either and many times will conveniently claim that lack of proof is the proof, which is almost as good as the reasoning behind the faith argument.  

I go back to my basic premise that this is about ego.  The need to believe in one's own core beliefs.  Anything that may run counter to it is to be killed at all costs, not for the sake of being correct, but for the sake of sense of self, for sake of one's own ego.




Nobody has much proof of anything without great pain or great joy. Strong evidence for the existence of God can be found here https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.10718395.  But without great pain or great joy in some way, we can all deny the proof, making it non-proof for us.

Smiley
legendary
Activity: 3514
Merit: 1280
English ⬄ Russian Translation Services
May 12, 2015, 11:27:57 AM
I find it interesting how religious people want to believe that religion is essential and so atheists must also have religion.

That is an interesting notion. Do you think that the reason theists try to fallaciously claim atheism to be equal to a religion because they actually can't understand the concept of moral sentience without religion?

Actually, come to think of it, back when I was a fence-sitting agnostic, I actually believed it was impossible to be a genuine atheist, with the associated 'the end is the end of me' acceptance, without losing one's mind. I now know that, actually, once you become an intellectualised atheist, by way of reaching that position through much thought and consideration coupled with objective reasoning and critical thinking, it becomes absolutely natural a concept.

I didn't exist before I did and that wasn't a problem, so why would not existing after I do be any different?



Perhaps atheists have their own personal religion, but atheism in general is religion. Its god is the human mind.

I guess you are expanding the meaning of the word too far. Believing in something (which is what you are evidently trying to say) doesn't necessarily constitute a religion...

From the dictionary definition listed in https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.11350691:
Quote
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience:
to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
Seems to me that an atheist who responds to anti-atheism posts zealously is not only a zealot, but he is a religious zealot, as well.

If someone attacks your home and you desperately defend it and your family with arms in your hands, would this go for religious zealotry? If not, why then "passionately seeking to refute bullshit theism" (or anything, for that matter) should necessarily be considered as such?
Vod
legendary
Activity: 3668
Merit: 3010
Licking my boob since 1970
May 12, 2015, 11:26:31 AM
neither side has proof of their position.  One side claims God exists, but has no proof.  the other claims God does not, but has no proof.  

It all comes down to probability.  It's a lot more probable that there is no god rather than there is a god.
hero member
Activity: 700
Merit: 500
May 12, 2015, 11:23:16 AM

2.
Quote
fine, superior to the other person who holds the opposing point of view.
it's ego on both sides of the equation.
I'm right, they're wrong.  I'm the smart guy.

Except that isn't at all what the objectively reasoned challenges to theist assertions actually is. Sure, if we were to employ the same theist versus theist tactics of subjectively spinning our own interpretations as being correct over your subjectively spun interpretations then, yes, you might have a point. But when a theist position is dismantled by way of critical analysis and objective reasoning, namely, the employment of valid argument which exposes the theist position to be the arbitrary baseless fallacy it is then, no, we are right because our argument is right while yours fails, not because we are simply declaring that we right and you are wrong.


[/quote]

neither side has proof of their position.  One side claims God exists, but has no proof.  the other claims God does not, but has no proof.  

you can parse an individual argument and say 'look the theists say this, which is clearly absurd' so they're wrong, but their core assertion, that there is a God, is not disprovable based on any such example.

at the end of the day neither side can prove anything and yet both puff their chests out and claim the other is wrong.

This is the same in political discussions.  "I'm right, they're wrong".  

Two things you don't talk about in bars - politics and religion, for the simple fact that people often take these things so personally as to make them flash points for a debate that devolves into an argument.  They are beliefs, aka opinions, not provable facts in both cases, so there is no 'winner', ever.

The hardcore bible thumpers could never deal with devoting their lives to something which is wrong, so they refuse to believe there is no God, or even allow for the possibility in many cases.  They have no proof and have claimed that 'faith' is the key.  Problem there is that this faith is to be taken without proof and they have conveniently asserted that this is the core of faith itself.

The Athiests are simply the polar opposite.  They've staked out another position and refuse to believe they could be wrong either, or even allow for the possibility in many cases, as allowing for the unknown would nudge them toward being an agnostic.  They don't have any proof either and many times will conveniently claim that lack of proof is the proof, which is almost as good as the reasoning behind the faith argument.  

I go back to my basic premise that this is about ego.  The need to believe in one's own core beliefs.  Anything that may run counter to it is to be killed at all costs, not for the sake of being correct, but for the sake of sense of self, for sake of one's own ego.


legendary
Activity: 3906
Merit: 1373
May 12, 2015, 11:21:47 AM
I find it interesting how religious people want to believe that religion is essential and so atheists must also have religion.

That is an interesting notion. Do you think that the reason theists try to fallaciously claim atheism to be equal to a religion because they actually can't understand the concept of moral sentience without religion?

Actually, come to think of it, back when I was a fence-sitting agnostic, I actually believed it was impossible to be a genuine atheist, with the associated 'the end is the end of me' acceptance, without losing one's mind. I now know that, actually, once you become an intellectualised atheist, by way of reaching that position through much thought and consideration coupled with objective reasoning and critical thinking, it becomes absolutely natural a concept.

I didn't exist before I did and that wasn't a problem, so why would not existing after I do be any different?
I think it is more threatening to think that someone does not need religion than it is to think that they don't want religion. If you believe that all morality and goodness comes from a God, then you see someone who is happy, ethical, loved; but without any religion... That could start things crumbling.  
It is why even obvious facts, like the fact there was no global flood, are defended. If the garden of Eden is provably impossible by DNA analysis then it calls into question the entire Bible. So DNA must be false, or a trick of the devil.
Minds are interesting things.

Just because somebody creates an AI program in a computer, doesn't mean the AI will necessarily realize that it was created by a form of intelligence that is greater than itself. But, if it is informed of such by its creator(s), will it believe? Will it believe if the option to believe is taken away, and it is instructed firmly, so that it knows rather than believes?

Smiley
legendary
Activity: 3066
Merit: 1147
The revolution will be monetized!
May 12, 2015, 11:14:32 AM
I find it interesting how religious people want to believe that religion is essential and so atheists must also have religion.

That is an interesting notion. Do you think that the reason theists try to fallaciously claim atheism to be equal to a religion because they actually can't understand the concept of moral sentience without religion?

Actually, come to think of it, back when I was a fence-sitting agnostic, I actually believed it was impossible to be a genuine atheist, with the associated 'the end is the end of me' acceptance, without losing one's mind. I now know that, actually, once you become an intellectualised atheist, by way of reaching that position through much thought and consideration coupled with objective reasoning and critical thinking, it becomes absolutely natural a concept.

I didn't exist before I did and that wasn't a problem, so why would not existing after I do be any different?
I think it is more threatening to think that someone does not need religion than it is to think that they don't want religion. If you believe that all morality and goodness comes from a God, then you see someone who is happy, ethical, loved; but without any religion... That could start things crumbling.  
It is why even obvious facts, like the fact there was no global flood, are defended. If the garden of Eden is provably impossible by DNA analysis then it calls into question the entire Bible. So DNA must be false, or a trick of the devil.
Minds are interesting things.
legendary
Activity: 3906
Merit: 1373
May 12, 2015, 11:12:56 AM
I find it interesting how religious people want to believe that religion is essential and so atheists must also have religion.

That is an interesting notion. Do you think that the reason theists try to fallaciously claim atheism to be equal to a religion because they actually can't understand the concept of moral sentience without religion?

Actually, come to think of it, back when I was a fence-sitting agnostic, I actually believed it was impossible to be a genuine atheist, with the associated 'the end is the end of me' acceptance, without losing one's mind. I now know that, actually, once you become an intellectualised atheist, by way of reaching that position through much thought and consideration coupled with objective reasoning and critical thinking, it becomes absolutely natural a concept.

I didn't exist before I did and that wasn't a problem, so why would not existing after I do be any different?



Perhaps atheists have their own personal religion, but atheism in general is religion. Its god is the human mind.

I guess you are expanding the meaning of the word too far. Believing in something (which is what you are evidently trying to say) doesn't necessarily constitute a religion...

From the dictionary definition listed in https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.11350691:
Quote
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience:
to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
Seems to me that an atheist who responds to anti-atheism posts zealously is not only a zealot, but he is a religious zealot, as well.

Smiley
legendary
Activity: 3514
Merit: 1280
English ⬄ Russian Translation Services
May 12, 2015, 11:10:20 AM
Here we see a clear case of zealotry (and therefore ignorance of such), but it is not necessarily religious in its roots...

LOL. Yes, sure, passionately seeking to refute bullshit theism by way of intellectually dismantling the theist position is clearly the mark of a 'zealot'.

Careful now, you are one step away from the 'tone complaint' fallacy.

Now I'm more interested why it is such a pain in your ass ("passionately seeking to refute bullshit theism"). How old are you really? I could just say that bullshit in someone else's head is money in your pocket. If you cannot monetize (on) it, then all your bigotry is futile and not worth a fuck...

A true hypocrite would first care for his ego & keep it safe, monetizing inevitably comes next but isnt always a necessity.

Well, it may not indeed be a top necessity, but how can it otherwise be proved truly authentic? The proof of the pudding is in the eating...
legendary
Activity: 3514
Merit: 1280
English ⬄ Russian Translation Services
May 12, 2015, 11:08:07 AM
I find it interesting how religious people want to believe that religion is essential and so atheists must also have religion.

That is an interesting notion. Do you think that the reason theists try to fallaciously claim atheism to be equal to a religion because they actually can't understand the concept of moral sentience without religion?

Actually, come to think of it, back when I was a fence-sitting agnostic, I actually believed it was impossible to be a genuine atheist, with the associated 'the end is the end of me' acceptance, without losing one's mind. I now know that, actually, once you become an intellectualised atheist, by way of reaching that position through much thought and consideration coupled with objective reasoning and critical thinking, it becomes absolutely natural a concept.

I didn't exist before I did and that wasn't a problem, so why would not existing after I do be any different?



Perhaps atheists have their own personal religion, but atheism in general is religion. Its god is the human mind.

I guess you are expanding the meaning of the word too far. Believing in something (which is what you are evidently trying to say) doesn't necessarily constitute a religion...
hero member
Activity: 1778
Merit: 764
www.V.systems
May 12, 2015, 11:07:01 AM
Here we see a clear case of zealotry (and therefore ignorance of such), but it is not necessarily religious in its roots...

LOL. Yes, sure, passionately seeking to refute bullshit theism by way of intellectually dismantling the theist position is clearly the mark of a 'zealot'.

Careful now, you are one step away from the 'tone complaint' fallacy.

Now I'm more interested why it is such a pain in your ass ("passionately seeking to refute bullshit theism"). How old are you really? I could just say that bullshit in someone else's head is money in your pocket. If you cannot monetize (on) it, then all your bigotry is futile and not worth a fuck...

A true hypocrite would first care for his ego & keep it safe, monetizing inevitably comes next but isnt always a necessity.
legendary
Activity: 3906
Merit: 1373
May 12, 2015, 11:05:17 AM
I find it interesting how religious people want to believe that religion is essential and so atheists must also have religion.

That is an interesting notion. Do you think that the reason theists try to fallaciously claim atheism to be equal to a religion because they actually can't understand the concept of moral sentience without religion?

Actually, come to think of it, back when I was a fence-sitting agnostic, I actually believed it was impossible to be a genuine atheist, with the associated 'the end is the end of me' acceptance, without losing one's mind. I now know that, actually, once you become an intellectualised atheist, by way of reaching that position through much thought and consideration coupled with objective reasoning and critical thinking, it becomes absolutely natural a concept.

I didn't exist before I did and that wasn't a problem, so why would not existing after I do be any different?



Perhaps atheists have their own personal religion, but atheism in general is religion. Its god is the human mind.

Smiley
legendary
Activity: 3906
Merit: 1373
May 12, 2015, 11:03:45 AM
Here we see a clear case of zealotry (and therefore ignorance of such), but it is not necessarily religious in its roots...

LOL. Yes, sure, passionately seeking to refute bullshit theism by way of intellectually dismantling the theist position is clearly the mark of a 'zealot'.

Careful now, you are one step away from the 'tone complaint' fallacy.



You may be laughing on the outside, but your posts show that you are finally coming to realize that all people have religion on the inside.

Smiley
legendary
Activity: 3906
Merit: 1373
May 12, 2015, 11:01:50 AM


Atheism is one of the few religions that seeks to make its members believe that they are not religious, and, more importantly, that it is possible that religion doesn't exist.

Atheism is simply another religion that is attempting to drown itself in religion ignorance.

EDIT: "Religion ignorance" means a religious intent to remain numb to the fact that they are religious.

I wouldn't call this ignorance religious. Here we see a clear case of zealotry (and therefore ignorance of such), but it is not necessarily religious in its roots...

I would rather call this the impetuousness of youth (notwithstanding the actual age)

Obviously, you are free to call it whatever you desire. And it may fall under other other categories than religion. But the truth remains, according to the dictionary definitions of "religion," atheism is religion.

Smiley
legendary
Activity: 2240
Merit: 1254
Thread-puller extraordinaire
May 12, 2015, 11:01:36 AM
I find it interesting how religious people want to believe that religion is essential and so atheists must also have religion.

That is an interesting notion. Do you think that the reason theists try to fallaciously claim atheism to be equal to a religion because they actually can't understand the concept of moral sentience without religion?

Actually, come to think of it, back when I was a fence-sitting agnostic, I actually believed it was impossible to be a genuine atheist, with the associated 'the end is the end of me' acceptance, without losing one's mind. I now know that, actually, once you become an intellectualised atheist, by way of reaching that position through much thought and consideration coupled with objective reasoning and critical thinking, it becomes absolutely natural a concept.

I didn't exist before I did and that wasn't a problem, so why would not existing after I do be any different?

legendary
Activity: 3514
Merit: 1280
English ⬄ Russian Translation Services
May 12, 2015, 10:56:20 AM
Here we see a clear case of zealotry (and therefore ignorance of such), but it is not necessarily religious in its roots...

LOL. Yes, sure, passionately seeking to refute bullshit theism by way of intellectually dismantling the theist position is clearly the mark of a 'zealot'.

Careful now, you are one step away from the 'tone complaint' fallacy.

Now I'm more interested why it is such a pain in your ass ("passionately seeking to refute bullshit theism"). How old are you really? I could just say that bullshit in someone else's head is money in your pocket. If you cannot monetize (on) it, then all your bigotry is futile and not worth a fuck...
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