They say that there is no god, well in order to make a bold accusation which they cannot prove means that you are using a lot of faith. And to be an anthiest you can not have faith!
For example a christian if he gets it wrong it means not that much, but if an atheist get it wrong it means everything.
2006-09-08 03:03:02 · 28 answers · asked by j2daesus 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
yeah, half the time they spend more time than any other denomination on here answering questions saying people are desulional and getting offended when told that they are that they are going to hell by other Christians. Well here's my question why would you get offend at something you don't believe in?
2006-09-08 23:11:37 · answer #1 · answered by RP 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There are two types of atheism. The one you describe is "strong" or "affirmative" atheism. It's a firm conviction that no gods exist, and it's actually far less common than the other type.
The second is "weak" atheism, which is actually a form of agnosticism -- it says that there is no credible evidence for any gods, and in the absence of evidence, the most reasonable default position is that there are none. The classical argument for this is that you can't disprove that there's an invisible unicorn in your room, but since there is no reason to think there IS one, it makes no sense to believe iot's there.
The last sentence you have is what's known as "Pascal's Wager" -- that is, if you don't believe and you're wrong, there are consequences, but not the reverse; ergo it's better to believe.
The incompleteness of the argument is known as "Pascal's Flaw." The flaw is comprised of three parts:
1. It ignores the question of what the truth actually is, and renders it meaningless;
2. It ignores the question of if the specific god in question is, in fact the correct and/or only god, and if disbelief if incorrect would have consequences; and
3. It assumes that belief may be arbitrarily chosen.
The third one is of particular interest to me -- would the Christian god take as heartfelt a "belief" based solely on the logic of risk-avoidance? Assuming that he is omniscient, he would know the motivations.
It's worth noting that Pascal didn't even believe in the argument -- he was a rationalist. The example of Pascal's Wager was simply a characature of a Christian argument.
2006-09-08 10:25:26 · answer #2 · answered by rorgg 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is unfortunate that many people do not understand what the word atheist means. Contrary to today's belief it does not mean that one doesn't believe in God. It means that one is anti-theistic, meaning against the structure and strictures of the religious order and dogma imposed by the various religious sects. One can be spiritual without being religious, just as one can have faith in man rather than a perceived myth. I for one resist the idea that faith in a deity of any kind is necessary to ones existence. However, I would never try to convert someone to my way of thinking, nor would I condemn them for their beliefs as is so often the case where Christian and Atheist beliefs cross.
We as humans must get away from the good and bad of our ideals. God however worshiped should never be a subject of division. This defeats the purpose of his/her existence. No matter how, when or where it is seen, the basic philosophy is the same. Peace, love and understanding.
2006-09-08 10:32:19 · answer #3 · answered by Tom H 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First off being an Atheist means not believing in God, an Atheist can still have faith. Plus you can prove God doesn't exist, here is how, if we look in the bible and it says that God did certain things like creating Earth in six days. We can look for evidence that Earth was made in six days and since its been proved that Earth wasn't made in six days we can conclude that God doesn't exist.
2006-09-08 20:45:32 · answer #4 · answered by jetthrustpy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you make two wrong assumptions.
First, atheists don't believe in god which doesn't mean that it's impossible for him to exist, we just choose not to believe in him because we see no evidence or logic reason for us to believe.
Second, Atheists can have faith...I have faith that human beings will start to act more logically and stop being so bad to each other, I have no proof that they are going to do this but I have faith that they can change. Of course we have faith in more logical things and in things that are more reasonable to happen, but every human has faith, if not in others at least in himself.
And just to finish my answer, the last sentence in your question is implying that you are religious because you want to cover your *ss and prevent yourself from going to hell, just in case. I don't think God is gonna be happy with that...
2006-09-08 10:13:24 · answer #5 · answered by Filipe F 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No bold accusations are made, the lack of belief in a god is based on the fact there is no evidence for a god. Are you making claims that zeus doesnt exist? Is that your faith now?
2006-09-08 10:12:03 · answer #6 · answered by Rob 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, not faith. I have read enough religious texts to convince me there is no god. Again, not faith. Do you make the bold accusation that you cannot prove, like there is a god? Believers have faith. More power to them. I do not.
2006-09-08 10:09:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am an athiest, but I do believe in a higher power, but who is to say that power is God? Just as much no one can prove that he does exist, you cannot prove that he doesnt exist. Until someone comes up with definitive proof that God exists , then the doubt will always be there.
2006-09-08 10:16:18 · answer #8 · answered by Julius L 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"gods doen't exist" isn't an accusation, nor is it particularly bold. It's merely an assesment of reality.
But suppose you're right and I really do have faith in no gods. If faith is valid, then my position is just as valid as yours. Of course, faith isn't valid.
You have to have faith to believe in the nonexistence of Santa and leprechauns too by your line of argument. I suspect you would also say Thor doesn't exist. My, what a bold accusation that is.
2006-09-08 10:09:06 · answer #9 · answered by lenny 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes, Atheism is a religion based on Faith in something unknown to them. They don't like that. I will now read other's answers because I know you'll get some nasty responses...which proves you hit a nerve!
I think Atheism is based on fear of the truth. Like you said, if we are wrong not that big a deal (I could have picked up that topless dancer ten years ago after all! Dang!). That would be the extent of my penalty for believing. However...
..there was a story on the news yaers ago about a guy in pennsylvania who crashed his private airplane and lived almost unscathed. The news guys asked him what was he thinking about on the way down and he said
"I don't believe in God or anything but I prayed"
That says it all!
So, if the atheist can convince himself and others that there is no God, he feels better about it. That's why they dislike believers so much...we remind them of what they may face. God made man..man does not make god.
2006-09-08 10:15:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Very good point. I, personally, have had the misfortune of debating a number of atheists on the subject of God's existence.
They refute God's existence, but don't seem to have natural explanations for: who created the universe ? Why ? And what's our purpose on this earth ?
Religion might have inconsistencies, yet it is the most natural system to explain the above question. If anyone knows of more natural reasons, I'd be very interested.
2006-09-08 10:22:08 · answer #11 · answered by Gypsy Catcher 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋