I have some questions for Atheists & Agonistics....?

Question

First let me say this: I'm not a Christian, but a Deist guy :-) And I completely respect your beliefs (Or non-beliefs, to be exact)
Ok there are the questions:
1- What would, in your opinion, make committing suicide wrong? And is it a personal freedom, or a crime?
2- Would you be offended if someone said :"Bless you" when you sneeze? And how about "In God we trust" printed on money, does it offend you?
3- Do you believe that we have a purpose in this world? (Not assigned by a god or a higher power) Or does that conflict with the concepts of evolution and the big bang (Events took place by chance without a godly control)?
4- Do you think that sexualities (Hetero, homo & bi sexuality) are all natural, and normal? Or does it conflict with your personal ethical system?
5- Let's say that you would believe there's a god. What qualities should He/She have to earn this title? And what should this god do to let all people believe that He/She exists?
6- From where do you take your ethical system? Why do you think you should be a good person?

Sorry if I offended anyone, I'm asking these questions out of curiosity.

Answer 1

1- The people you hurt when you leave them behind.
2- In god we trust shouldn't be there and someone blessing me is done out of habit, even for the atheist. In fact I had to break myself of it.
3- No reason for being here, we just are. Be happy about it. If it make you feel special that we are some super being's 6,000 year old play toy (that he stopped playing with in your view) then be happy with that. I'm not going to follow some ancient laws that someone said he gave them though.
4- I have absolutely no problem with the gay community. The world is overpopulated as it is.
5- It wouldn't be anything like the gods of organized religions, I could subscribe to the deist position that a god created everything and walked away (this was the "atheist" of the day before we had the big bang theory) but there is nothing an active god could do to prove itself to me now as it has done nothing up to this point. it is all speculation.
6- I do anything I like as long as it hurts no other and expect no one to bother me.

Do not apologize. it is freedom of speech and it is what this forum is for.

Answer 2

1 - Suicide is a personal choice and therefore it's not my place to say if it's right or wrong. If person A pushes person B into a situation where they feel they have nothing to live for an commit suicide, then person A may have done wrong.

2 - 'Bless you' is just a phrase with no real meaning and not offensive. 'In God we trust' is a silly thing to print on money, but not offensive.

3 - No specific purpose. You could argue our genes have purpose, I suppose. The conflict you talk of is not so much evolution and the big bang (which would be better put as science in general) but with not believing in gods. However everybody is able to put their own purpose in their life. If God gives you purpose, what is it? If you don't know, then how can you say you have it?

4 - All normal and no conflict.

5 - I don't believe in gods, so this question is pointless.

6 - Where do you take you ethical system from? It's not the bible, unless you go around stoning people for adultery, etc. You pick and chose your ethics - some from the bible, some from elsewhere. Most from society and from your own sense of right and wrong.

You should be a good person because it is good for you to do. You feel good when you do good things. And doing good to others leads to others doing good for you.

Answer 3

1. I don't believe it should be a crime. It should be a personal choice. However, I see it as an apalling waste unless the person is doomed to die a horrid death. When teens or young people do it, it's just despicable.

2. I'm not offended by either. As for the coins, I NEVER GAVE IT A THOUGHT until it was pointed out many times out here.

3. No particular purpose except that which we create for ourselves. I used to believe I had some sort of great destiny, but I think that was just wishful thinking.

4. I do believe all sexuality is normal in that people for the most part are not able to CHOOSE their preference. I have other thoughts on the matter that I'd rather not express. (But not that it's sinful or any nonsense like that).

5. I can't answer this because you can't create your own god. Ok, I know that's exactly what people HAVE done, but really, you can't build one to order and expect that he would then actually exist.

6. My parents, observing those around me.

Answer 4

1. Because life is sacred in and of itself. I don't randomly kill any animal. I wouldn't use the word "crime" but taking life is "serious". Any life.

2. No offended by "god bless you" when I sneeze. The money thing is just silly. We have seperation of church and state or NOT. Why is it on the money then? It seems supersticious and silly to me.

3. We can find a purpose. I have several purposes. Some people do not and I think their lives might not be as fulfilling. Sure you can find a purpose - it just isn't assigned to you by a sky pixie.

4. It's very well established that hetro and homosexualtity are all varients in the animal kingdom. We're no exception. There isn't a "morality" to gender, other than behaving sexually immorally (such as rape, pedophelia etc)

5. God would have to be moral. He would have to be all loving. Most importantly, She would have to not conflict with reality. To let all people know she/he exists - easy. Show up. We don't doubt that trees exist. Just show up with a physical presence.

6. I take my ethical system from society. Books I read, newspaper, Buddha, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas - all the elements of society that have evolved along with us humans to make us the Paris Hilton Worshipping Group that we are ;)

I should be a good person because I only have one turn on this little ball and I find more value in making it a better place than a worse place.

Answer 5

1. A suicide/homicide (like a bomber) would make suicide wrong. You have every right to remove yourself from existence, but you have none to remove other people. Or committing suicide in the heat of a strong emotion...you are under the rule of turbulent whims at this point and cannot rationally think. Not to mention the sorrow you may sow on others who care about you. Context matters for suicides appropriateness, but it's not something to casual about.
2. No. Not really..it's frivolous though...it merely shows the state of things as they exist now in Government and religion.
3. Yes, there is purpose, that which we give ourselves; what kind of change we wish to evoke in the world. I think that there are fundamental truths about "Everything" that can be found with in, that all is Mind, and that the base state, or nature, of existence is compassion (which I have not 100% concluded on, but it seems more and more plausible the more I look at it, gonna take a lot of time before I decide).
4. It's natural, animals do it. As long as that sort of behavior does not endanger the majority of people (which I don't see how it could) I have no problem with it. It's not even my business even, why should what I personally think is desirable or repulsive evoke law upon another if that other's behavior only effects themselves and other consenting adults?
5. Bottomless Compassion and Omnisciences. This being should help others become removed from suffering.
6. The Golden Rule; How would I feel were 'this' (whatever 'this' is) done or said to me.

Answer 6

1. Well, re: suicide, it's a personal freedom; I don't think it should be a crime. I think it's cowardly, but, is it wrong, well I don't have an absolute answer to that.

2. I don't get offended by "Bless you". I say it to people too, not for the inuendo, but just because it's a widespread practice and insinuates politeness. The "In God We Trust" doesn't bother me either. I'll spend whatever money I have.

3. I think we have an overall purpose in the world. Each person creates their own purpose. My goals and dreams, self-imposed and created, become my purpose.

4. I think all sexual preferences are fine. For instance, homosexuality doesn't apply to me, but I also don't care if someone else has that sexual preference. I think it's something that people are born with, not something they choose. To each his own.

5. That's a tough question. Better left to personal speculation.

6. I take my ethical system from my parents. I also get ethical cues from peers, educators, etc.

Answer 7

1 - You need to consider who you are affecting with your actions. If you're a parent and decide to take suicide as an escape...what happens to your children? In that case, it would be very wrong.

2 - It annoys me when people say these things without thinking about what it means, or considering that others may not feel the same. If I said "Satan Bless you" Christians get offended. Why should they be pushing their own god on people all the time when they themselves don't like it done to them?

3 - I do believe we have purpose in this world, and a large part of that is trying to find what that purpose is.

4 - They're all natural and all normal. I do take exception to bestiality and paedophilia. As long as there's two consenting adults involved, it's all good. When there's one person who has the power and another creature who is the victim...it's not cool.

5 - I don't believe in any gods. The very idea is ridiculous.

6 - Much of it is learned from society/parents/laws. Some of it is innate and instinctual. You don't really have to be told that you should treat others the same way you want to be treated. That's just common sense.

Answer 8

1. It's a personal choice, but not something that should be done lightly or on the spur of the moment.

2. No. "God bless you", yes. No gods have any business being on currency, and anybody who claims otherwise is an enemy of religious freedom.

3. Make your own purpose; there's no inherent one.

4. You will find very few atheist homophobes; obviously people act according to their nature.

5. There are so many gods it's difficult to see common traits. At the very least it should be immortal. Now if you're talking about *the* god... it should do something impossible by any other means.

6. Helping is good. Hurting is bad. Simple.

Answer 9

1- I think suicide is worng. I would not call it a crime, or an unforgiveable sin, but it is wrong. Death is not the answer!
2- Bless you is someone trying to be polite...so I don't mind. In God we Trust doesn't really matter to me, but I do think that it should be taken from the money! There are other religions who do not recognize God as well. Rather than trying to please everyone, I think religion should be fully removed from government.
3- I believe that we have a purpose. It is to do good for others, to make a positive impact. After we die, it would be nice to be remembered as a moral and good person.
4- I do not like homosexuality, but I am not going to condemn others who are. I think that people need to be straight or the human race would end. HOWEVER< some people have children and do not want them....that is where gays and couples who can not reproduce come in. They can adopt and care for those kids with love and understanding.
5- If there were a God, I would think that he/she would have to be tangible. I cannot se the wind, but I can actually TOUCH it. God would have to appear to me/people to prove existence.
6- I Take my ethical system from society, I guess. I do not do things that harm, kill, etc. All people should be treated with respect and love. DO not steal or cheat, do not kill animals for pleasure, do not harm Kids, ever. Just the basics. I do not need a God to tell me how to be a decent human being!



Good questions!!

Answer 10

1) As far as suicide wrong or not.....I can't answer that. I can't see myself as ever feeling that killing myself was the only way out. It is a personal choice.
2)No I'm not offended when someone says bless you, and not offended by "in god we trust" either.
3)I'm not sure as to the purpose of life, and if we do, or don't have a purpose I don't think it would really conflict with evolution either.
4)No type of sexuality offends me. Whatever floats your boat.
5)Well if there is really a god it doesn't matter what qualities i think they should have, as god is supposedly already there and i never had a choice as to who is hould be.
6) your ethical system i don't think should really have anything to do with your religious beliefs....every one should know the different between right and wrong regardless of what they believe.