Atheists Anonymous

reply to post by Serdgiam

I think that is an extremely powerful question. I hope that some will read it and ponder it for a while.

hey, Serdg.

Could you expand on what you think 'ponderers' will find? (Specifically, 'atheist ponderers'...although I'll say that people who are adamant atheists seem to not want to ponder any further about it - AfterInfinity excepted.)

IMO, any form of 'no-way-jose' thinking is restrictive.

reply to post by wildtimes


I would say that specifics of what is "Found" would be up to the individual.

In my case, I felt compelled to speak out against religion in any and all forms, with the general exception of eastern-based religions. I dont find this to be too uncommon of a stance, even for how special I thought I was at the time!

Instead of actually using my time for things that made a difference, I used much of it simply denouncing others perspectives. It really didnt matter if a good point was made, or if something made me question things either. I was under the control of a counter-culture, essentially. My entire world view was controlled by the inverse of those I interacted with.

My entire worldview had been shaped by being a contrarian. In looking back on it, my stance was significantly more predictable than any religion, and the actions I took were that of a zealot. I WANTED people to convert to what I thought was the "Truth." I WANTED people to feel bad/stupid about believing in a God.

None of those were actually me, or who I wanted to be.. when I actually sat down and thought about it. I was entirely controlled by my atheism, but was under the delusion that it was the other way around (I was the only one "free," and anyone who believed in a God was "controlled and simple").

I got into science specifically to be better "armed" in what I felt was the most pressing matter facing the world. Everything I did was compelled by the background hum of my title of "atheist." Given that I am just one person amongst many, I suspect that others might be doing exactly the same.

What does "recovery from atheism" even mean? Are we supposed to renounce our heathen ways and rush to the bosom of theism? Or are we supposed to be disciplining our atheism-driven actions?

reply to post by AfterInfinity

What does "recovery from atheism" even mean?

Well...
I would think it's the reaction to the "recovery from religion" movement.

reply to post by wildtimes


Excellent

If we could view the interactions between the zealous of opposing ideologies in a silent movie, would one even be able to tell the difference?

reply to post by Serdgiam

If we could view the interactions between the zealous of opposing ideologies in a silent movie, would one even be able to tell the difference?

Erm, NO!

(We 'can' do that, (of course you know), by watching 'debates' and turning off the sound.)

Did you watch Billy Nye vs Ken Ham???
Lots of very revealing "facial expressions" could be seen, even though it was in front of an audience already hostile to Nye. I could feel his frustration every time he stepped up to the plate....
and could also feel Ham's refusal to even entertain the ideas.

(Witnessing the repeated 'argument' of "there is a book" - I wanted to slap him. But - that's just me.)

wildtimes
reply to post by Serdgiam

 

If we could view the interactions between the zealous of opposing ideologies in a silent movie, would one even be able to tell the difference?

Erm, NO!

We 'can' do that, (of course you know), by watching 'debates' and turning off the sound.

Did you watch Billy Nye vs Ken Ham???
Lots of very revealing "facial expressions" could be seen, even though it was in front of an audience already hostile to Nye. I could feel his frustration every time he stepped up to the plate....
and could also feel Ham's refusal to even entertain the ideas.

(Witnessing the repeated 'argument' of "there is a book" - I wanted to slap him. But - that's just me.)

And who didn't see that coming?

reply to post by wildtimes


I didnt watch that. Maybe if it was five minutes or something.

I am not a huge fan of shoveling that type of creationism as the full story though. I think Nye just took it because he knew it would be very easy, and would increase his publicity.

reply to post by Serdgiam


So, basically from the perspective of this Christian, you went from being a militant atheist, someone who seems to spend as much, if not more time, obsessing about God and matters of theism then many religious folks, to someone who is more of a philosophical atheist. I appreciate philosophical atheists. You can have some good discussions with them.

Ok, I'll leave your atheist thread and retreat to my own little corner now.

ketsuko
reply to post by Serdgiam

 

So, basically from the perspective of this Christian, you went from being a militant atheist, someone who seems to spend as much, if not more time, obsessing about God and matters of theism then many religious folks, to someone who is more of a philosophical atheist. I appreciate philosophical atheists. You can have some good discussions with them.

Im not a huge fan of labels, as they are far too often used as "the whole truth about someone." Christianity is the closest though, in its simplest form of Love God, and Love one another through both mind *and* action.

Plenty of people have no issue calling me a heretic, or at best, "intentionally misleading," because I do not tend to fit the generalized stereotypes of a "Christian."

I could be an atheist in the sense that my own conception of God could never possibly encompass the topic, and so, I do not believe that my perception is the "absolute Truth." I do, however, feel that it is a valid part of what is.

Ok, I'll leave your atheist thread and retreat to my own little corner now.

I dont get it

reply to post by Serdgiam


Meh, never mind the comment above this (your) post.

Plenty of people have no issue calling me a heretic, or at best, "intentionally misleading," because I do not tend to fit the generalized stereotypes of a "Christian."

I could be an atheist in the sense that my own conception of God could never possibly encompass the topic, and so, I do not believe that my perception is the "absolute Truth." I do, however, feel that it is a valid part of what is.

And, it IS a valid part of what is.....
I get what you're saying. Thanks for your post.
Food for thought.

reply to post by AfterInfinity

And who didn't see that coming?

Wait.....
What "that" are you talking about?

Ham's repeated "there's this book", or

Nye being frustrated??

wildtimes
reply to post by AfterInfinity

 

And who didn't see that coming?

Wait.....
What "that" are you talking about?

Ham's repeated "there's this book", or

Nye being frustrated??

Yes, to that and more.

reply to post by AfterInfinity


About silent movies?
Honestly, I don't get your meaning.

reply to post by wildtimes


Never mind. Not even worth getting into. Honestly, what's the point of this thread?

AfterInfinity
reply to post by borntowatch

 

so you have faith that God doesnt exist
You cant prove there is no God or there is a God but by faith you say
NO

How very religious of you

If I can burn a Bible and curse God's name and legacy while standing over the pile of smoldering pages and walk away from it without having received so much as a whispered word of reproach for my insolence, God either does not exist or is the biggest coward in the universe. Considering all the power he has, it's a trice for him to pop up and offer to buy me a coffee. But if going so far as to spit in his face doesn't get a reaction from him, then those are my only two options.

When, and only when, science has concretely and irrevocably nailed God's sorry posterior to the wall like a dead butterfly, then I'll believe. And that's when I'll have a chance to tell him what I think of him to his face. But until that point, it's just as practical and logical to conclude that he doesn't exist.

edit on 9-2-2014 by AfterInfinity because: (no reason given)

And bless you for that

I am not here to argue with you and your choice to do what you want

I was just pointing out the religious ferver of your beliefs. Belief that is unscientific, science does not teach there is no god/gods

I see agnostics as the true unbelievers, you are just a believer in a religion without a god

What you think and do is your business, just wanted to point out your hypocrisy


Oh and interestingly enough they spat on Jesus face and He didnt react, he didnt come to react, Christ came to serve, He did.

reply to post by Serdgiam



Great post and great intuition, wish I was that deep
I think thats a trap many religious people fall into as well
Hope they read your wise words and ponder them Mr Serdgiam

reply to post by Serdgiam


Honesty. Such a rare quality Serdgiam. Thx for sharing.

reply to post by borntowatch


Then maybe you should look at this too.


Linky