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TheTruth · Nov 16, 2006, 02:30 am

If athiests believe there is no God then why do they care so much about religion, they clearly know more about scripture than most christians. I just dont understand the point in constantly talking about God if you dont believe in him. its like athiests are just athiests for attention or something.

JohnMK · Nov 16, 2006, 02:44 am

Can you offer evidence for your assertions?

another day · Nov 16, 2006, 03:03 am

Yeah, atheists might do that on an internet DEBATE site in the RELIGION DEBATES section.

Do you think atheists walk around in their everyday lives, bringing up religion any time they can? An atheist will almost never discuss that kind of stuff in real life because it makes the sheeple uncomfortable.

Osborn F Enready · Nov 16, 2006, 03:16 am

Quote:

The Truth said:
If athiests believe there is no God then why do they care so much about religion, they clearly know more about scripture than most christians. I just dont understand the point in constantly talking about God if you dont believe in him. its like athiests are just athiests for attention or something.

I say:
I am not an athiest, but often called one. I am agnostic, if I have to pick a label.

So, to your question about why do non believers always talk about religions?

For myself, I am compelled to understand more about what would compel someone to have faith in something so controlling, hard to prove, and that induces so much guilt and denial of nature. (not all religions equally, just many of them, though there are exceptions.)

I like to analyze the mentalities involved.

Does a person "find" religion?
Does a person become "indoctrinated" into religion?
Does a person "choose" religion?
Does a person conveniently "use" religion?

There are clear examples of all of the above, in all religions. I like to study them to try to understand their "reasoning" for placing such faith (at whatever level) into something.

I put faith in things, with equal dedication as some religious fundamentalists put into their "god", but the things I put faith in are provable facts, properties, entities or repeatable experiments, showing any of the above on command to some finite level of comparison, analytical as well as manipulable.

However......

In any society that exists, for the most part, people are marginalized for laying claim to facts that aren't readily available, provable or repeatable. People have been conditioned into accepting and expecting some form of "credibility" on any thing spoken, shown or applied. Great examples are how so called "9-11 conspiracy theorists" are treated by a large portion of the public, because not every single piece leads to the same conclusions, and not every single shred of evidence is available. Yet, some of these same people preach on about God and religion and expect non-believers to accept them as rational, competent, equal beings, while they speak to condemn and marginalize people who exhibit the exact same traits about their religion.

I have many good questions to ask any religious people who put up with my questioning, most don't.

Most people when questioned, even if THEY bring up the subject, refuse to veer to far from their pre-decided course of belief, because they "fear" the reprecussions. Is fear a valid barrier to reason, especially when the fear resides only in the mind, since heaven or hell can't be proven to any average observer, at any given time, or even a fair amount of the time?

I'm sorry, but for me it is mainly about learning what types of minds resign themselves to something they don't know, don't understand, and can't prove exists until they no longer are alive, at which point it is too late to say "ooops, I made a mistake", if they did.

A+ for commitment.
F for foolishness.

I think there could be a God, but I don't think any known religion that is documented and worshipped has a clue as to what it really is, nor do I think it would make a bit of difference if they did.

If any of us were created in some Gods image, that God was a very, very imperfect, far from omnipotent being. If that is the case, why would I worship him, and he not worship me?

Many questions....

That is my 2 cents.

CoffeeSaint · Nov 16, 2006, 03:30 am

Quote:

Quote by: TheTruth

If athiests believe there is no God then why do they care so much about religion, they clearly know more about scripture than most christians. I just dont understand the point in constantly talking about God if you dont believe in him. its like athiests are just athiests for attention or something.

How many atheists have knocked on your door and given you a pamphlet? How many atheists invite you to join their logic circle, perhaps for this week's reading of Locke?
When you sneeze, does an atheist say, "Even though there is no rational reason to comment on the bodily function you just performed, society's standards deem it rude to let it pass unnoticed, so consider it noticed. You have sneezed."

Actually, I only have one question.

Did an atheist start this thread?

Kuldeep · Nov 16, 2006, 05:16 am

Quote:

Why do athiests care so much about religion?

[
They are eager to know to mistery about this universe and higher power but rationally and not with blind faith!!

Quote:

Quote by: Osborn F Enready

If any of us were created in some Gods image, that God was a very, very imperfect, far from omnipotent being. If that is the case, why would I worship him, and he not worship me?

Defintely, you should not worship imperfect identity!!! But there is a problem: How to judge whether someone is perfect or not???? What parameters are to be set and then the person who would set those, itself should be perfect. To my mind, it is turning to the question whether egg came first or the hen????

Putting a bit of rationality from myside, different idols are created by hindus representing different powers symbolically. Sum total of all the idols is considered as perfect power. By the time real perfect power is manifested, felt, realised, common hindus manage their worship with symbols only as long as every atheists do believe in existence of a perfect living being !!!! Are they wrong??? I do not think so!!!

Quote:

Quote by: CoffeeSaint

Did an atheist start this thread?

True, they do not but bother more than theists due to the reason I mentioned above as my answer to the OP question!!!

Osborn F Enready · Nov 16, 2006, 05:20 am

Quote:

Kuldeep said:
Defintely, you should not worship imperfect identity!!! But there is a problem: How to judge whether someone is perfect or not???? What parameters are to be set and then the person who would set those, itself should be perfect. To my mind, it is turning to the question whether egg came first or the hen????

Putting a bit of rationality from myside, different idols are created by hindus representing different powers symbolically. Sum total of all the idols is considered as perfect power. By the time real perfect power is manifested, felt, realised, common hindus manage their worship with symbols only as long as every atheists do believe in existence of a perfect living being !!!! Are they wrong??? I do not think so!!!

I say:
Right or wrong, who would I be to say? To each his own.

I did notice you only addressed that one point of the many that I made.

Kuldeep · Nov 16, 2006, 05:31 am

Many questions....

Those many points or questions are put as dots ... by you !!!

Please tell those points, I would redress then as well if I can!!!

Lotharia · Nov 16, 2006, 08:09 am

Speaking only for myself, I love a heated debate and religion is something that almost always gets heated. I'm fascinated by the ways people can find for rationalizing their beliefs.
Secondly, religion is dangerous and interfers with my life. I'd like to be of some use to the world in helping to eradicate religion.

RickSp · Nov 16, 2006, 09:42 am

Why do atheists care so much about religion? Perhaps because they have had to address the fundamental questions. Choosing not to believe requires more effort and thought. I don't necessarily think that atheists necessarily care about religion only that they have considered it at some length. In an overwhelming theistic society most folks are raised as "believers" without question. It is much easier to simply believe what one is taught.

**Jack** · Nov 16, 2006, 10:57 am

If Americans don't believe in terrorism, why do they care about it so much?

Cephus · Nov 16, 2006, 02:48 pm

Quote:

Quote by: TheTruth

If athiests believe there is no God then why do they care so much about religion, they clearly know more about scripture than most christians. I just dont understand the point in constantly talking about God if you dont believe in him. its like athiests are just athiests for attention or something.

It's easy. Many atheists talk about and debate religion because the religious won't LEAVE US ALONE! We have religion imposed on us and pushed on us and forced on us every day of our lives and we're sick of it. If the religious fanatics would just shut up and leave us alone, we'd never say a word. We've usually got better things to do than talk about farsical father figures in the sky, but so long as you people insist on shoving it in our faces constantly, we've got to do something to fight back. This is it.

So the choice is yours. You either want atheists to debate (and almost always win), or you want to treat them fairly and keep your beliefs out of their face. You decide.

brien · Nov 16, 2006, 02:59 pm

Quote:

Quote by: TheTruth

If athiests believe there is no God then why do they care so much about religion, they clearly know more about scripture than most christians. I just dont understand the point in constantly talking about God if you dont believe in him. its like athiests are just athiests for attention or something.

Perhaps it has something to do with religious influence in the political affairs of nation states throughout history leading up to today's world state of affairs.

lsbskins1 · Nov 16, 2006, 03:20 pm

Speaking for myself, an agnostic who usually is lumped with athiests, I am interested because I was raised in a church and questioned what I was taught. I sought answers. I sought different perspectives. My doubts lead me to explore and learn, not simply reject.

Hostile55 · Nov 16, 2006, 03:53 pm

Quote:

"Even though there is no rational reason to comment on the bodily function you just performed, society's standards deem it rude to let it pass unnoticed, so consider it noticed. You have sneezed."

Classic... Just Classic.

Quote:

So the choice is yours. You either want atheists to debate (and almost always win), or you want to treat them fairly and keep your beliefs out of their face. You decide.

I say; "Lets have the debate!" They can spew their illadvised, illogical, fairy sories at us, and we can offend them with blastphemous cartoons and talk of evolution. Sound good to me.

TheTruth · Nov 16, 2006, 11:34 pm

Quote:

I say; "Lets have the debate!" They can spew their illadvised, illogical, fairy sories at us, and we can offend them with blastphemous cartoons and talk of evolution. Sound good to me.

hey i can debate without illogical fairy stories. for me i didnt need the stories all i needed was to feel the power of God the moment i got saved and i didnt believe, i KNEW. maybe you atheists should stop overanilizing and thinking so much and actually experience God for yourself (at a real church not some dead catholic or somthing like that) then maybe you would believe.

**Jack** · Nov 17, 2006, 12:48 am

Quote:

maybe you atheists should stop overanilizing and thinking so much and actually experience God for yourself (at a real church not some dead catholic or somthing like that) then maybe you would believe.

Been there, done that, got over it. It's hard to know what church you might approve of, but I'm sure between penticostal and Catholic I've been involved with at least one group you might consider properly christian.

Kuldeep · Nov 17, 2006, 12:56 am

Quote:

Quote by: Isherwood

If Americans don't believe in terrorism, why do they care about it so much?

Terrorism is dangerous for the peaceful functioning of society. But I do think that religions are that dangerous. Although some terrorists do take religions as base.

Somehow I liked your eqation!!!:)

**Jack** · Nov 17, 2006, 01:27 am

I just meant that one doesn't have to be a subscriber to a particular point of view to make a comment on it.

The concept of religion fascinates me on several levels. The fact that so many people accept as reality something that is so obviously not real. How humans have created religious ideals so far beyond their own ability to adhere to. Superstition and belief in the supernatural as a coping mechanism when the mind cannot comprehend or cope with what it can. Why humans invent the gods they do. Why the many beliefs about god's qualities are so diverse (note to theists: if you really want to convince me that there is a god, convince me first why the god you perceive is the "real" god while the ones perceived by others isn't/aren't). Why are so few people willing to face life without the support of a theistic belief system.

It all fascinates me in a venue like this where I can talk about my POV, your POV... But in every day life, the topic rarely comes up.

another day · Nov 17, 2006, 03:23 am

Quote:

Quote by: TheTruth

hey i can debate without illogical fairy stories. for me i didnt need the stories all i needed was to feel the power of God the moment i got saved and i didnt believe, i KNEW. maybe you atheists should stop overanilizing and thinking so much and actually experience God for yourself (at a real church not some dead catholic or somthing like that) then maybe you would believe.

What you are describing is spiritual emotion. It doesn't prove anything. You can have profoundly mystical and life changing experiences and feelings on acid, that doesn't make it meaningful or real in the real world.

It's not about belief. We don't WANT to "believe", we want to KNOW. As in know, the TRUTH about our reality. Not some comfort story to make us feel warm and cozy inside.

Ignorance is bliss. Religion is bliss because it is practiced ignorance. Ignorance of the true state of reality in the hope of attaining inner peace.

Nov 16, 2006, 02:30 am	#1 (permalink) (top)
TheTruth Sedimentary Rock Posts: 14	Why do athiests care so much about religion? If athiests believe there is no God then why do they care so much about religion, they clearly know more about scripture than most christians. I just dont understand the point in constantly talking about God if you dont believe in him. its like athiests are just athiests for attention or something.

Nov 16, 2006, 02:44 am	#2 (permalink) (top)
JohnMK Laissez-Faire Location: Seattle Posts: 539	Can you offer evidence for your assertions? "I can't listen to that much Wagner. I start getting the urge to conquer Poland." - Woody Allen

Nov 16, 2006, 09:42 am	#10 (permalink) (top)
RickSp Volcanic Erupter Posts: 9,589	Why do atheists care so much about religion? Perhaps because they have had to address the fundamental questions. Choosing not to believe requires more effort and thought. I don't necessarily think that atheists necessarily care about religion only that they have considered it at some length. In an overwhelming theistic society most folks are raised as "believers" without question. It is much easier to simply believe what one is taught. Rick "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." Sinclair Lewis

Nov 16, 2006, 10:57 am	#11 (permalink) (top)
Jack formerly Isherwood Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,209	If Americans don't believe in terrorism, why do they care about it so much? The Forum Rules Radical Atheist Heathen Queer Let's agree to respect each others views, no matter how wrong yours may be. (Ashleigh Brilliant)

Nov 16, 2006, 03:20 pm	#14 (permalink) (top)
lsbskins1 Redskins Rule Location: South-Western Virginia Posts: 2,564	Speaking for myself, an agnostic who usually is lumped with athiests, I am interested because I was raised in a church and questioned what I was taught. I sought answers. I sought different perspectives. My doubts lead me to explore and learn, not simply reject. All I see when I look down, something jumpin' on the ground, Scratchin' dirt, cluckin' in the barnyard - Tell me, could that be you? John Kay

Nov 16, 2006, 03:03 am	#3 (permalink) (top)
another day slipping sand Posts: 1,996	Yeah, atheists might do that on an internet DEBATE site in the RELIGION DEBATES section. Do you think atheists walk around in their everyday lives, bringing up religion any time they can? An atheist will almost never discuss that kind of stuff in real life because it makes the sheeple uncomfortable.

Nov 16, 2006, 05:31 am	#8 (permalink) (top)
Kuldeep Kuldeep Location: Bhopa, M.P, India Posts: 1,721	Many questions.... Those many points or questions are put as dots ... by you !!! Please tell those points, I would redress then as well if I can!!!

Nov 16, 2006, 08:09 am	#9 (permalink) (top)
Lotharia Molten Ash Posts: 68	Speaking only for myself, I love a heated debate and religion is something that almost always gets heated. I'm fascinated by the ways people can find for rationalizing their beliefs. Secondly, religion is dangerous and interfers with my life. I'd like to be of some use to the world in helping to eradicate religion.

Nov 17, 2006, 01:27 am	#19 (permalink) (top)
Jack formerly Isherwood Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,209	I just meant that one doesn't have to be a subscriber to a particular point of view to make a comment on it. The concept of religion fascinates me on several levels. The fact that so many people accept as reality something that is so obviously not real. How humans have created religious ideals so far beyond their own ability to adhere to. Superstition and belief in the supernatural as a coping mechanism when the mind cannot comprehend or cope with what it can. Why humans invent the gods they do. Why the many beliefs about god's qualities are so diverse (note to theists: if you really want to convince me that there is a god, convince me first why the god you perceive is the "real" god while the ones perceived by others isn't/aren't). Why are so few people willing to face life without the support of a theistic belief system. It all fascinates me in a venue like this where I can talk about my POV, your POV... But in every day life, the topic rarely comes up. The Forum Rules Radical Atheist Heathen Queer Let's agree to respect each others views, no matter how wrong yours may be. (Ashleigh Brilliant)