Do you, my brother and sister atheists, ever stand in absolute amazement?

Question

Two or three minutes ago, having devoted a few hours in the living room of my flat, reading a novel and listening to Lady D., I glanced at posts here, from the top to round about Page 5. I was bloody amazed by the degree of the utter stupidity, utter ignorance, utter lack of understanding of the makeup of our species, this planet, the world around them. By no means am I a particularly smart chap, I sent my three children to university, and one has a Ph.D., but my brain has been nibbled and gnawed by a tumor and, during surgery, an unfriendly stroke. But...but I must say that I would be ashamed to display, as many religious people did here in only a scattered of posts, so high a degree of outright ignorance--there is no other way of describing it. You would think that this is not the 21st but the 12th century. It's as if these folks all were home-schooled in the south Alabama boondocks. What a loss.

Answer 1

Yes, but I try not to rub their noses in it because I've noticed that they seem to feel a similar way about us. My religious friends feel that I am the ignorant one, and I know they feel sorry for me and worry about my soul. We try to stay off the subject most of the time because we genuinely like each other. When I have problems and they say they will pray for me, I thank them. It makes them feel better, and it doesn't hurt me to say it. Actually, I usually feel sorry for them because they spend so much time, energy, and money on their respective religions. They do have one thing that I envy, however: peace of mind. Call it the placebo effect, but they really believe that their prayers are heard, that everything has a reason (even if they don't understand it), and that they are loved. It must be nice to feel that way. I believe we humans are essentially all alone in this world except for the connections we forge ourselves. Sometimes it feels a little lonely.

Ignorance truly CAN be bliss, don't you think?

Answer 2

Yes, I do. Actually I alternate between amazement at the staggering ignorance I see and hopeless resignation.
But I am encouraged that a forum like this even exists where ideas that run contrary to mainstream theological dogma can be openly presented without fear of serious retribution. Such was not the case even 50 or 60 years ago.
I believe that clearly humankind is beginning to evolve beyond the need for primitive superstition. That's why the zealots (fewer in number than they once were) are preaching fire and brimstone louder than ever. The wheels are beginning to come off and it's frightening them.

Answer 3

up until around the 1300's everyone thought the world was flat and would they would fall off the edge if they tried to find out other wise. One day someone show everybody that the world is not flat. The same Idea goes for religion. Everybody believes what the higher ups tell tehm to and then when someone prooves them wrong they are considered outcast.
But in the end the outcast was right.

Answer 4

Oh yeah. I am also astounded by the arguments some people put forth as incontrovertible. Like the donkey cross thing and the 100 times a day someone thinks Pascal's Wager makes so much sense.

I cannot believe how many people can't see any other possibilities than the one they want to be true. How did they get so well trained to only think inside their tiny little boxes? How did they get to the point that there's only ever one possibility? YEARGH!!!!

There's more than black and white! There's a whole spectrum out there! That people can't see this actually makes me want to cry sometimes. It's beyond my power to teach them to think. I will have to focus on my own kids.

Answer 5

You're giving people in southern Alabama credit.

Okay, I can't really say that as I've never been to southern Alabama but.. you can't either as you're from one of the many Commonwealth nations or from the Mother Country herself?

But, other than that, you're spot on.

Answer 6

You must think you are smart or intellegence. In other words, you are stupid too as a point of view if you feel you are intellegence and others are stupid, certain level you are already in stupid to tell. A learnt man will never tell others he is learnt.
Certain knowledgement are based on his education and background to establish. Certain intellegence things will be ruined after certain years. scientist will ruin the rules of few years ago due to certain point of view is ruined. If intellegence; I keep my mouth shut. I can say that the silence thunder will wake people up.

Answer 7

As an educated agnostic living in Alabama, let me be the first to say your bias is no more palatable than those you're whining about.

Not only do you adhere to stereotypes which, in my opinion, lumps you into the "high degree of outright ignorance" category, but you blather on with your intolerance, which is one of the biggest problems with religions of today.

You are nothing but another form of the persona you hate.

Answer 8

I read a question 'Is JZ a devil worshipper?'

Sometimes you have to take a breath and remember there are a lot of kids on here.. at least I hope they are kids.. 5 year olds.

*sigh*

Answer 9

Sounds like you're way too intelligent to come to God. The bible says people who think they are above the average person have a problem believing.

Answer 10

The donkey question was a very valid question, much more worthy of my time than this question, actually. You will be in much more amazement that I'll ever be when you stand in front of Saint Peter at Heaven's Gates and you are denied enterence. Think satan is your friend? You'll be his little ragdoll in hell.