Signs of the End of the Age & The Last Generation

[XD40scinNC]

Atheist,
I would be interested in knowing, what was the point or thing in your life that convinced you the there is no God. A point that you knew for a fact that God could not exist, and you were not going to believe, no matter what? Was it your parents teaching, a college professor, the loss of someone close to you? Be specific please.

I, like you, was born an atheist, I was not programmed (by well meaning but ignorant parents) to believe in fairy tales. Typically programming to believe in gods and deities begins even before potty training begins. Teaching silly little prayers "if I die before I wake" at an age when a child has no concept of death, just messing with Johnny's little mind.

After all, parents are the ultimate authority in a small child's world, and a small child is not going to question their parents, they merely blindly follow them down the rabbit hole of believing in a fantasy. The same can be said from the rabid racist environment such as the Charleston SC shooter probably grew up in. Not all "family values" need to be passed to the next generation, as many are nothing but willful ignorance and hate.

Sometimes this programming is child abuse, but of course because it is to program them to believe in god, even DSS will turn a blind eye.

Glenn Beck branched out on Wednesday from his usual political conspiracy crazy-making to dispense some terrible parenting advice. You see, Beck believes that parents should use verbal abuse and physical intimidation to teach their children that their rights “come from God” by getting “in their face” and making them cry.

Glenn Beck: Scream at your children until they believe in God - Salon.com

 

[Oldgrunt]

Atheist,
I would be interested in knowing, what was the point or thing in your life that convinced you that there is no God. A point that you knew for a fact that God could not exist, and you were not going to believe, no matter what? Was it your parents teaching, a college professor, the loss of someone close to you? Be specific please.

SR9: Old son, you are beating a dead dog in this argument with XD and his rationale for being an atheist. I ran across an interesting little article about Atheism 101, which gives a very elementary answer to your question and which has some interesting links which will explain further. Rather than try to argue with him (a battle you will not win) at least try to understand where he is coming from. It might save you a little heartburn and head-butting. Don't give up on him however. Prayer for him is something he can't fight against.

Atheism 101: Introduction to Atheism & Atheists

 

[nogods]

I often have believers in a god tell me that if they didn't believe in a god then they would have no reason not to rape, and murder, and pillage. First, that's a really good reason for me to be armed while around them. Apparently The only thing keeping them from killing me is their delusional belief in an imaginary being.

Second, their assertion is contrary to general human nature. We, like all species, survive through cooperation not confrontation. In fact, most of the confrontation in human history has been because of competing beliefs in imaginary supernatural beings. The golden rule, silver rule, bronze rule, and other similar humanitarian rules arose from humanistic cultures rather than religious ones. Kill your neighbor and take his virgin daughters is a god of the bible phenomena.

 

[SR9]

On the contrary, I am not going to argue for a change of minds with the atheist commenters is site. I just can't understand their view point, and was hoping they would be honest as to their own story. As of yet, I still have not seen what I would consider a true, down to the point reason for their ideology, and if they truly believe there is no God, what do they believe in. What is the guide of their life and what do they believe in to make life worth living for each of them. As I think they would each have a different view, or "rules to live by". What is the guiding force in a person that does no believe in anything?
You say?

 

[XD40scinNC]

On the contrary, I am not going to argue for a change of minds with the atheist commenters is site. I just can't understand their view point, and was hoping they would be honest as to their own story. As of yet, I still have not seen what I would consider a true, down to the point reason for their ideology, and if they truly believe there is no God, what do they believe in. What is the guide of their life and what do they believe in to make life worth living for each of them. As I think they would each have a different view, or "rules to live by". What is the guiding force in a person that does no believe in anything?
You say?

I was absolutely honest, I was born an atheist, just like you were, and ever other person on the planet. We are born a blank slate, with the instinct to breath and nurse. We cannot even control most of our muscles and other bodily functions.

I was not "educated" or "programmed" into believing in any religion and it baggage.

If you think that humans are born with a knowledge of any god, (I hear this nonsense from time to time) then please explain the child born in a Muslim household does not start praying to Jesus?

 

[Oldgrunt]

I often have believers in a god tell me that if they didn't believe in a god then they would have no reason not to rape, and murder, and pillage. First, that's a really good reason for me to be armed while around them. Apparently The only thing keeping them from killing me is their delusional belief in an imaginary being.

Second, their assertion is contrary to general human nature. We, like all species, survive through cooperation not confrontation. In fact, most of the confrontation in human history has been because of competing beliefs in imaginary supernatural beings. The golden rule, silver rule, bronze rule, and other similar humanitarian rules arose from humanistic cultures rather than religious ones. Kill your neighbor and take his virgin daughters is a god of the bible phenomena.

I don't doubt that there are those who might say that. Even if they discount God's laws, there are civil laws which preclude such activity and, unfortunately, there are some who ignore those laws also. Consequently, we do arm ourselves to protect our families from those who have little, if any, humanity. A noted psychologist, Carl Rogers, believed in the basic goodness of man and that we could rise above animalistic behavior. To an extent, he was right but there are still some throwbacks who are less than human in their actions and we see that everyday.

 

[XD40scinNC]

I often have believers in a god tell me that if they didn't believe in a god then they would have no reason not to rape, and murder, and pillage. First, that's a really good reason for me to be armed while around them. Apparently The only thing keeping them from killing me is their delusional belief in an imaginary being.

Second, their assertion is contrary to general human nature. We, like all species, survive through cooperation not confrontation. In fact, most of the confrontation in human history has been because of competing beliefs in imaginary supernatural beings. The golden rule, silver rule, bronze rule, and other similar humanitarian rules arose from humanistic cultures rather than religious ones. Kill your neighbor and take his virgin daughters is a god of the bible phenomena.

The willful ignorance of religion knows no bounds, as demonstrated by your statement. And what do you base it on other than ignorance and hearsay? Approximately 1 in 10 people you pass on the street is an atheist or non-believer. Given that statistic, why have you not been attacked, assaulted hundreds or thousands of times?

A natural morality is far more true and effective than a fear based morality (I won't kill because god will punish me) and absurd concepts like hell or lakes of fire.

Atheists and non-believers make up approximately 10% of the general population, yet atheists and non-believers make up only about 0.02% of prison population.

And remember OG, this atheist has a permit and is always armed. Sleep well........ :smile:

 

[Firefighterchen]

The willful ignorance of religion knows no bounds, as demonstrated by your statement. And what do you base it on other than ignorance and hearsay? Approximately 1 in 10 people you pass on the street is an atheist or non-believer. Given that statistic, why have you not been attacked, assaulted hundreds or thousands of times?

A natural morality is far more true and effective than a fear based morality (I won't kill because god will punish me) and absurd concepts like hell or lakes of fire.

Atheists and non-believers make up approximately 10% of the general population, yet atheists and non-believers make up only about 0.02% of prison population.

And remember OG, this atheist has a permit and is always armed. Sleep well........ :smile:

I think you quoted the wrong person

Sent from my D6616

 

[CaptHerp]

All I can say is if the Dome of the Rock mosque on Temple Mount is suddenly destroyed, clearing space for another Jewish temple to be built, atheists might want to give Christianity another look.

 

[Oldgrunt]

The willful ignorance of religion knows no bounds, as demonstrated by your statement. And what do you base it on other than ignorance and hearsay? Approximately 1 in 10 people you pass on the street is an atheist or non-believer. Given that statistic, why have you not been attacked, assaulted hundreds or thousands of times?

A natural morality is far more true and effective than a fear based morality (I won't kill because god will punish me) and absurd concepts like hell or lakes of fire.

Atheists and non-believers make up approximately 10% of the general population, yet atheists and non-believers make up only about 0.02% of prison population.

And remember OG, this atheist has a permit and is always armed. Sleep well........ :smile:

XD: I don't know whose post you are referring to, mine or no gods. Doesn't matter however. The natural morality you refer to is what Carl Rogers referred to when he postulated the theory of the basic goodness of man. The "believers" no gods made reference to, I submit, are not truly believers in a natural morality and any morality whatsoever if they would wantonly commit crimes if there were no laws to the contrary. They would merely be animals. It seems that there are a number of them emerging now which makes all citizens wary and increasingly arming themselves. I noticed in my NRA magazine that CCW applications have increased so much that one county has a backlog of 21,000 applications and has had to hire extra clerks to expedite the process. Finally, people are waking up to the necessity of being able to protect themselves and families. This is not sitting well with the Feds who have been trying eliminate weapons, not increase them.

I don't doubt your figures of atheists and non-believers. From what I see daily, those figures may even be increasing. I like the figure used for prison populations. It is amazing how fast one becomes a believer when they are confronted with the stark reality they denied prior to incarceration. Oh well, as my Dad always said, "Hard heads make soft azzez." And as one armed citizen to another, sleep well.......I always do. :smile:

 

[NotTwoShure]

Religion in America: U.S. Religious Data, Demographics and Statistics | Pew Research Center

XD: I don't know whose post you are referring to, mine or no gods. Doesn't matter however. The natural morality you refer to is what Carl Rogers referred to when he postulated the theory of the basic goodness of man. The "believers" no gods made reference to, I submit, are not truly believers in a natural morality and any morality whatsoever if they would wantonly commit crimes if there were no laws to the contrary. They would merely be animals. It seems that there are a number of them emerging now which makes all citizens wary and increasingly arming themselves. I noticed in my NRA magazine that CCW applications have increased so much that one county has a backlog of 21,000 applications and has had to hire extra clerks to expedite the process. Finally, people are waking up to the necessity of being able to protect themselves and families. This is not sitting well with the Feds who have been trying eliminate weapons, not increase them.

I don't doubt your figures of atheists and non-believers. From what I see daily, those figures may even be increasing. I like the figure used for prison populations. It is amazing how fast one becomes a believer when they are confronted with the stark reality they denied prior to incarceration. Oh well, as my Dad always said, "Hard heads make soft azzez." And as one armed citizen to another, sleep well.......I always do. :smile:

 

[Farmhood]

Religion in America: U.S. Religious Data, Demographics and Statistics | Pew Research Center

Thanks Bud...finally something to examine without all the twisting.

sinful nature is always hostile to God....

 

[nogods]

All I can say is if the Dome of the Rock mosque on Temple Mount is suddenly destroyed, clearing space for another Jewish temple to be built, atheists might want to give Christianity another look.

Uh...if that happens, Christians will want to give Judaism another look. You do know don't you that the people who wrote the book think your additions to the book are all BS?

 

[SR9]

You do know don't you that the people who wrote the book think your additions to the book are all BS?[/QUOTE]

Then that would make them wrong. When Jesus returns, they will see their long awaited Messiah, and will know they were wrong.

 

[XD40scinNC]

I think you quoted the wrong person

Oops, yea I did, OG is the one that pissed me off (and I believe has since edited that post) saying he carried to defend himself against atheists that had no morality because we did not fear a god to prevent us from killing, raping, etc..

But since this forum doesn't show if posts are edited or not, I have no proof he edited it. But my comment that I am an armed atheist.... sleep well.... was aimed directly at his ignorance about atheists and morality.

 

[XD40scinNC]

I don't doubt your figures of atheists and non-believers. From what I see daily, those figures may even be increasing. I like the figure used for prison populations. It is amazing how fast one becomes a believer when they are confronted with the stark reality they denied prior to incarceration. Oh well, as my Dad always said, "Hard heads make soft azzez." And as one armed citizen to another, sleep well.......I always do. :smile:

And I guess you also subscribe the ignorance that there are not atheists in foxholes.

Never in a foxhole (Navy doesn't issue trenching tools) but as a volunteer firefighter for 30+ years, I have been some places as dangerous and hotter than any foxhole, and I'm still an atheist, using my training and backup from fellow fighters to get me out of there safe, a much better option than wishing some imaginary friend would come to my aide. A couple of times the reality I could die right here and now in a burning building and I made it through by being properly trained and equipped, and not wasting time "wishing", or as y'all like to call it praying.

 

[XD40scinNC]

All I can say is if the Dome of the Rock mosque on Temple Mount is suddenly destroyed, clearing space for another Jewish temple to be built, atheists might want to give Christianity another look.

Yet again, when a christian has nothing they throw down the fear card, a.k.a. Pascal's Wager.

The moment you propose Pascal's Wager is the moment you've conceded the argument.

If you're relying on Pascal's Wager for your faith, you might as well believe in unicorns or elves, Zoroaster or Zeus, the or the Flying Spaghetti Monster who brought the world into being through his blessed noodley appendage. Pascal's Wager is every bit as good an argument for these beliefs as it is for any religion that people currently believe in.

 

[Farmhood]

sinful nature is always hostile to God....

 

[Ringo]

It Is Appointed For Men To Die Once And After This The JUDGEMENT.​

(Hebrews 9:27)​

An Atheists Only Hope Is That There Is No Afterlife - Their Greatest FEAR Is that There IS.​

~ Everyone In HELL Is A Believer...It's Just Too Late ~​

 

[Oldgrunt]

Oops, yea I did, OG is the one that pissed me off (and I believe has since edited that post) saying he carried to defend himself against atheists that had no morality because we did not fear a god to prevent us from killing, raping, etc..

But since this forum doesn't show if posts are edited or not, I have no proof he edited it. But my comment that I am an armed atheist.... sleep well.... was aimed directly at his ignorance about atheists and morality.

XD: Sorry I seemed to have pissed you off but you misinterpreted what I said. I made no reference to defending myself against atheists. As you can see, there was no reference made other than to agree with your statistics on the number of atheists, and my comment that their figures seem to be increasing. nogods made the comment about atheists taking a new look at Christianity if the Dome of the Rock fell. (#1253) Nor was I saying that those in prison cells were atheists. Atheists, from what I have seen, do have a system of morality which, whether they believe it or not, actually falls right in line with the Christian view. Those that I referred to as "animals" would be neither atheist nor Christian, and their numbers do seem to be growing. I do carry to defend myself against any who lack morality and would want to do me harm. However, I do not discriminate against any classification with which one would want to be identified if they meant to do me harm. Hope that clears up the confusion. :smile:

Quote Originally Posted by Oldgrunt View Post
XD: I don't know whose post you are referring to, mine or no gods. Doesn't matter however. The natural morality you refer to is what Carl Rogers referred to when he postulated the theory of the basic goodness of man. The "believers" no gods made reference to, I submit, are not truly believers in a natural morality and any morality whatsoever if they would wantonly commit crimes if there were no laws to the contrary. They would merely be animals. It seems that there are a number of them emerging now which makes all citizens wary and increasingly arming themselves. I noticed in my NRA magazine that CCW applications have increased so much that one county has a backlog of 21,000 applications and has had to hire extra clerks to expedite the process. Finally, people are waking up to the necessity of being able to protect themselves and families. This is not sitting well with the Feds who have been trying eliminate weapons, not increase them.

I don't doubt your figures of atheists and non-believers. From what I see daily, those figures may even be increasing. I like the figure used for prison populations. It is amazing how fast one becomes a believer when they are confronted with the stark reality they denied prior to incarceration. Oh well, as my Dad always said, "Hard heads make soft azzez." And as one armed citizen to another, sleep well.......I always do.