</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />
Originally Posted by (buliwuf,) </span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Spyder Jerusalem,)
Atheism is NOT a religion, dammit!
Atheism is NOT a religion!<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
Sure it is - all religions define reality in one shape or way. As an atheist, you must do this since God doesn't. You may not call this religion, but it is. You assert "facts" with no proof.
You would think that if religion was inherently false (especially Christianity), atheists would just ignore it and move on. Instead, we have to suffer through the ridiculous proselytizing you've done in favor of godlessness.
And btw, if there is really no God of the Bible, then why are you whining about slavery? What makes slavery so morally repugnant, as if you could even define what a moral is? You don't like it - so what.
Argue logically, not existentially.
</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by
Human beings do not "rely" on faith either.
They are imprisoned by it.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
No more imprisoned than you are by materialism - nothing can exist outside of that which can be measured in a test tube, proverbially speaking? And you call Christianity limited...
</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by
Only the foolish believe in something for which their is no evidence.
<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
Hmmm...like your own existence? In a world that arose from time plus chance plus nothing, you can't even account for your own thought processes or clearly define anything approaching objectivity without borrowing from the Biblical POV.
You need an argument here...<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
Let's see, where do I start?
How 'bout at the freakin' top!
</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />
Originally Posted by all religions define reality in one shape or way. As an atheist, you must do this since God doesn't. You may not call this religion, but it is. You assert "facts" with no proof.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
How about a definition?
Merriam-Webster
</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />
Originally Posted by Main Entry: re·li·gion
Pronunciation: ri-'li-j&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English religioun, from Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back -- more at RELY
1 a : the state of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of religion> b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
Atheism doesn't fit any of these definitions of a religion.
It is not a "commitment or devotion to a religious faith" nor is it "service to "god" or the supernatural.
It is not a "cause held to by ardor or faith" either, as atheism requires no "faith" only a sense of reality and reason.
"Faith" by definition is unreasonable.
Seems as if it doesn't fit as a religion.
Lets try "philosophy".
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Originally Posted by Main Entry: phi·los·o·phy
Pronunciation: f&-'lä-s(&-)fE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -phies
Etymology: Middle English philosophie, from Old French, from Latin philosophia, from Greek, from philosophos philosopher
1 a (1) : all learning exclusive of technical precepts and practical arts (2) : the sciences and liberal arts exclusive of medicine, law, and theology <a doctor of philosophy> (3) : the 4-year college course of a major seminary b (1) archaic : PHYSICAL SCIENCE (2) : ETHICS c : a discipline comprising as its core logic, aesthetics, ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology
2 a : pursuit of wisdom b : a search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly speculative rather than observational means c : an analysis of the grounds of and concepts expressing fundamental beliefs
3 a : a system of philosophical concepts b : a theory underlying or regarding a sphere of activity or thought <the philosophy of war> <philosophy of science>
4 a : the most general beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group b : calmness of temper and judgment befitting a philosopher <hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
Well, well, looky there.
Seems as if atheism fits this definition quite well!
Point one demolished!
Point two:
</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />
Originally Posted by You would think that if religion was inherently false (especially Christianity), atheists would just ignore it and move on. Instead, we have to suffer through the ridiculous proselytizing you've done in favor of godlessness.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
You christers are so freakin' funny!
You assume that just because I am atheist, that my disgust is rerserved exclusively for your puny "god".
Nope, sorry, wrongo bub!
I despise every concept of "god" ever invented, yes invented, by man for the purpose of controlling other men's actions.
That christers get their panties in a wad is incidental.
I submit that Yahweh, Allah, and all the rest are equally invalid and figments of the fevered dreams of empire-builders.
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Originally Posted by And btw, if there is really no God of the Bible, then why are you whining about slavery? What makes slavery so morally repugnant, as if you could even define what a moral is? You don't like it - so what. <hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
That is yet another limitation of the theist.
His inability to conceive of a positive moral outlook without a "god" to enforce it.
What a maroon.
My moral center is quite well, thanks, and has no need of an imaginary enforcer to keep me "honest".
Slavery IS morally repugnant to anyone with even a little compassion about them, and therefore is wrong.
Yet, not even the "god of israel" thought so, nor his followers.
What does that say about the christers' "moral center", huh?
The Catholic Church were some of the biggest slave traders in Europe, and went deep into Africa to claim new, warm bodies, yet none of them thought that "god" might not like it, did they?
Hypocrits and liars.
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Originally Posted by Argue logically, not existentially.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
There is nothing logical about "faith" in a "god", bub, yet the argument against it is infinitely logical.
Try arguing from an existential point of view, and you might understand.
But, I doubt it.
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Originally Posted by No more imprisoned than you are by materialism - nothing can exist outside of that which can be measured in a test tube, proverbially speaking? And you call Christianity limited...<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
Nothing exists for which there is no proof, it can only be "supposed" or "theorized", then we strive to prove the theory.
The existence of a "deity" cannot be proved, therefore does not exist, until it can be.
Simple.
Primitive men believed the Earth was flat, till it was proved it wasn't.
They also believed the Earth was the center of the universe, till it was PROVED otherwise.
The christers must "prove" the existence of their "god" otherwise it does not exist.
Again, simple.
</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />
Originally Posted by Hmmm...like your own existence? In a world that arose from time plus chance plus nothing, you can't even account for your own thought processes or clearly define anything approaching objectivity without borrowing from the Biblical POV.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
Was this supposed to mean something?
Try again, and this time try to actually say something that means something.
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Originally Posted by You need an argument here..<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
An argument only exist where there are two VALID theses.
Your argument for "god" contains no valid thesis, therefore it cannot contend with the truth of non-deity.
</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />
Originally Posted by Main Entry: val·id
Pronunciation: 'va-l&d
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French valide, from Medieval Latin validus, from Latin, strong, from valEre
1 : having legal efficacy or force; especially : executed with the proper legal authority and formalities <a valid contract>
2 a : well-grounded or justifiable : being at once relevant and meaningful <a valid theory> b : logically correct <a valid argument> <valid inference><hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />
Originally Posted by Main Entry: the·sis
Pronunciation: 'thE-s&s, British especially for 1 'the-sis
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural the·ses /'thE-"sEz/
Etymology: in sense 1, Middle English, from Late Latin & Greek; Late Latin, lowering of the voice, from Greek, downbeat, more important part of a foot, literally, act of laying down; in other senses, Latin, from Greek, literally, act of laying down, from tithenai to put, lay down -- more at DO
1 a (1) : the unstressed part of a poetic foot especially in accentual verse (2) : the longer part of a poetic foot especially in quantitative verse b : the accented part of a musical measure : DOWNBEAT -- compare ARSIS
2 a : a position or proposition that a person (as a candidate for scholastic honors) advances and offers to maintain by argument<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
Now, go back to school and learn something.