Why can't atheists understand that somethings are true for me?

Question

This does not mean that I am afraid of reality. I accept evolution and I even welcome science. I know these things are real partly because I am studying them (studying for RN degree), plus I work in a hospital. Despite that a belief in God, doesn't not erase my ability to conceptualize reality.

Jeff:
Grammar mistake. Thanks for pointing it out.

Your belief that you are handsome is true for you. Hell, it may even be a reality and you probably can prove that scientifically. However I might argue that what is true for you may not be true for me. This is true even if your mother, father, lover, and a whole slew of scientist said that you were handsome.

By the way Jeff, have you proof read your posts? I did.....tisk tisk.

If someone wants to believe that a fairy did something. I won't stop them, because that is true for them. They still can think that something else did it too.

Answer 1

I love your belief.....your entitled to whatever you wanna believe...
matter of fact...i have several friends who are atheist and we really enjoy each ones company and companionship....however....i believe if people disagree.....they shouldnt spend time and effort trying to sway others opinions......we all make choices.....good luck with nursing!!

Answer 2

Right on. I consider myself an atheist, but I really have no objection whatever to the abstract concept of "God" - if only because there's nothing to object to. Theists are quite correct to argue that you can't disprove the existence of an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent Being any more than you can prove it. (Of course, that doesn't mean that it's just as rational to believe as not; simply replace "God" with "centaurs" or "leprechauns" and you begin to see why the mere fact that you can't disprove something isn't a valid argument for believing in it.)

What I object to is the religious take on "God." If you believe in the literal, historical truth of the Adam and Eve legend, e.g., then you really can't simultaneously believe in evolution. The fact that many "Christians" claim that there's no discrepancy between their religious beliefs and their acceptance of the premises of science only indicates that there's a disconnect somewhere.

Answer 3

I distrust the phrase "true for me" full stop.

It's not equivalent to "I believe", and is too often used as a technique to avoid discussion of issues.

"The gun is loaded" is not subject to "true for you, but not for me". It either is or isn't. Similarly for almost everything else.
God is there or isn't. The existence of God cannot be true for you, and not true for me.

The belief in such, yes, now that's something else.
But that means some beliefs are a lot more correct, more nearly in accord with reality, than others.
An awkward truth.

Answer 4

"True for me" just means "I believe this".

What atheists are pointing out is that your belief in god is false.

It does sound like you have a pretty good, solid worldview, for example in your willingness to accept evolution, and I have no problem with your belief in god in that light. But that doesn't change the fact that the belief is false.

Answer 5

True for you? As in, they are not true in the same way for me?

Something cannot be true for one person and not for another.

truth
1. the true or actual state of a matter: He tried to find out the truth.


true
adjective, tru·er, tru·est, noun, adverb, verb, trued, tru·ing or true·ing.
–adjective 1. being in accordance with the actual state or conditions; conforming to reality or fact; not false: a true story.
2. real; genuine; authentic: true gold; true feelings.
3. sincere; not deceitful: a true interest in someone's welfare.
4. firm in allegiance; loyal; faithful; steadfast: a true friend.
5. being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something: the true meaning of his statement.
6. conforming to or consistent with a standard, pattern, or the like: a true copy.
7. exact; precise; accurate; correct: a true balance.
8. of the right kind; such as it should be; proper: to arrange things in their true order.
9. properly so called; rightly answering to a description: true statesmanship.
10. legitimate or rightful: the true heir.
11. reliable, unfailing, or sure: a true sign.
12. exactly or accurately shaped, formed, fitted, or placed, as a surface, instrument, or part of a mechanism.
13. honest; honorable; upright.
14. Biology. conforming to the type, norm, or standard of structure of a particular group; typical: The lion is a true cat.
15. Animal Husbandry. purebred.
16. Navigation. (of a bearing, course, etc.) determined in relation to true north.
17. Archaic. truthful.
–noun 18. exact or accurate formation, position, or adjustment: to be out of true.
19. the true, something that is true; truth.
–adverb 20. in a true manner; truly; truthfully.
21. exactly or accurately.
22. in conformity with the ancestral type: to breed true.
–verb (used with object) 23. to make true; shape, adjust, place, etc., exactly or accurately: to true the wheels of a bicycle after striking a pothole.
24. (esp. in carpentry) to make even, symmetrical, level, etc. (often fol. by up): to true up the sides of a door.

Answer 6

I can understand that fully. But there is a significant difference between something being true for you and being actually true.
I would never begrudge you having your own truth. What I object to is those who would force all of us to live under the rules and restrictions of their own personal truths.

Answer 7

Good for you.

I have no problem with your beliefs, so long as you don't try to force everyone else to share them. Do you have a problem with mine?

(I don't recall ever saying I was against the First Ammendment... Nor do I recall any atheist saying that.)

Answer 8

Yes, we understand this ... but why do you want to accept 3/4 of the truth, and not the rest of it?

Answer 9

the biggest issue with this open forum is broad generalizations. i understand that perfectly well, and i have no belief in a god. each to his/her own as long as it doesn't directly effect my life.

Answer 10

There are many wonderful intelligent Christians, I am pleased that you are one of them.

If you offer respect, you will receive it.

Some fundies do not deserve respect, because they do not offer it, even to other Christians, and they do not receive it, as you can see.