Atheists, wouldn't it be better to believe...?

Question

...in Odin?

I mean, if I'm wrong and you're right, then I'll never know because I'll be dead.

But if you are wrong and I am right then....it won't really matter because if he does judge us, he'll judge us based on how we lived our lives, rather than on what we choose to believe.

Oh.

On to another question, is it true that no "real" atheist would commit a crime because they might get killed in the process, and this is the only chance at life that they get?

Desiree, that's Odie, but Odin would probably have been a lot funnier.

Monica, good point. I didn't think of that because it doesn't really seem very "criminal" to feed people, but I suppose technically it's still stealing. Very Les Mis. :)

Answer 1

The Pascal's Sucker Bet applied to Norse mythology is funny.


I disagree on the second part, though. It's possible an atheist would commit a crime (say, stealing a loaf of bread for his or her family) by reasoning that he or she gets caught, it's a sacrifice to help the family. It's not a common situation, but it's conceivable.

Answer 2

James 4 shows on both a bodily and a spiritual level what causes crimes. It's not "not wanting to" because of "what might happen."

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires [hedone, not epithumia of James 1:14] that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

Hedone means: "desires for pleasure from handano (to please)."

When one Christian wants to have a good time, it causes tensions. Where is the juice going to come from?

A word on 'asking'. Soliciting means asking. Soliciting does not means proselytising or encouraging fellow Christians using the Bible or offering counsel or warning the wicked or warning the righteous who've slipped (Ezekiel 18:18-20). 1 Timothy 6:4 says: "they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions."

Romans 3:10 says: "there is no one righteous, not even one." Ezekiel 13:10 says that there are those who proclaim peace when there is none. So does 1 Thessalonians 5:3. So things are really pretty terrible. I think atheists avoid crimes by saying the "right" things. Whether this avoids problems in the long-term is another question.

Answer 3

Odin, huh? Well, I should first mention that I'm not an athiest, I haven't chosen an official religion, and I personally think that the human element itself of religion (the "organized" part of organized religion) adds lots of politics and special interests that really mud up the whole idea of becoming a good person.

Second, lots of religions have rules that say there is one true god, and worshiping another is a sin. Might I refer you to the Ten Commandments? We really have no proof for or against the existence of a god, which is why they use the term faith. In an age when we can create animated images on computers of awesome power greater than that of god as described in the bible, lots of people find it hard to wrap their minds around faith. I personally have alot of respect for people who have strong faith, as it is something I find myself incapable of.

For your last question, some people are just plain stupid. Not only that, but lots of crimes are committed in the name of improving the criminal's quality of life. Not many bankrobbers do it for fun... at least not entirely. If there was a father who stole to pay for his child's operation, he might not consider his life worth saving over his child's, and that type of sacrifice has happened with religions too, like with Islam extremists.

Overall, I think atheists are people stuck between: religion, which can't prove it's claims and doesn't change with the times, and a world that doesn't have the answers either.

hope that gives you to a bit more insight to the mind of atheists

Answer 4

I'm not an Atheist so maybe I have no room to speak, but nor am I an active religious participant. But I believe being Atheist is more than you think. Some believe that the root of all wars orginate from religion. So, some of them just feel it is more negative then positive. Anyway, on that last thing you said about them being scared to commit crime because they are scared of not going to heaven is ridiculous. Heaven is not a factor to them, because in their eyes it does not exist. So why worry about something that isn't there? That's like saying someone who is religious wouldn't commit a crime because he is affraid that he is going to hell. That doesn't stop anybody. I know I sound sympathetic here, but.. I see their stance as much as I do with somebody who is religious. I don't judge . As long as a guy has got integrity and respect, I don't care who he preys to.

Answer 5

Odin? Now what kind of question is that? One had to get killed on a battlefield (and heroically at that) to please Odin and go to dwell in his Valhalla. Otherwise, you went to live with Loki's daughter, Hel, in the dark and cold realm of Niflheim.

No one should want to commit a crime because it is detrimental to society, to people, and of course themselves.

Is this the only chance at life we get? At physical life, quite probably, tho some believe there is a strong case for reincarnation. For me, one round on this planet is quite enough tho, thank you very much.

Why do Christians keep baiting the Atheists, and Atheists the Christians here? Don't either group ever get tired of all the bickering and debating? I do. I have about quit clicking on such questions.

Answer 6

Atheists are non-believers because they need scientific proof to believe something is real. Most act like they are intellectually superior to someone who does. I happen to be a science maniac and I believe in God. The Bible has some good stuff in it but it was written by a group of men not by God so I don't believe everything it says. I pray and choose the answer that comes to me and feels "right". In truth atheists are no more conscious about murder than a christian. Most serial killers have no belief system that includes God. I've watched a lot of real crime shows and the most cold killers are atheists. They don't believe in a soul so it has no more significance killing a person than squashing a bug. In fact, atheists believe they are so mentally superior than Christians and or other faiths that believe in God that they are more likely to commit a crime. No God, No Consequences.

Answer 7

I'm not to familar with Odin and I believe in living by good morals rather than religon. I don't think that its true that no real atheist would commit a crime because they might lose their only life because a "real" atheist doesn't believe in other lives. Well, I don't believe in other lives.

Answer 8

Odin's Wager

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Answer 9

Your first question is just Pascal's Wager revisited, and it is SOOOOOOO old here. It has been refuted ad nauseum already.

As to your second question, it's ALMOST insightful, yet still insulting to atheists. Why is it assumed that without a written moral code that people will automatically go on a crime spree? Is it so difficult to comprehend that a person would choose to live simple and happy, and that committing criminal acts would merely complicate the pursuit of said happiness?

Your question implies that people are criminals by nature and without "divine" guidance non-Christians must be horrible people by default; that is why it is insulting.

Answer 10

for your first question, I think it would be best of those of religious affilaitions did, seeing the fact their god is equal to Odin- and for your second question, in order to have a crime there has to be an assaliant and a victim. In order for these two to arrive at that point in time is a result of what BOTH PEOPLE were thinking. After all, the law of attraction says we attract what we are like.

I'm a freethinker and I feel your subconsicous never dies, it has been with you througout your multiple lives and I dont mean in a heaven or a hell.