UPSB v3
Serious Discussion / Is it wrong to be an Atheist?
This is not a atheist vs theist thread
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Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 09:15:29
This is not a atheist vs theist thread, so I'm sure this thread is allowed.
I am sometimes discriminated because I am Atheist. Is it wrong to be Atheist? According to statistics, only 2.5% of the population of the world are Atheist. Does that make me wrong? -
Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 10:46:28
Its only wrong to be atheist if you're religious.
But seriously, its not wrong. People just believe religion is a must, but if its not right for you. Who give a fuck what everyone else thinks. -
Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 11:11:20
why would it be wrong?
its your choice to be religious or not -
Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 11:30:48
Where exactly are you being discriminated for being an atheist?
It's absolutely not wrong to be an atheist. people got so used to religion, that they find anyone who isn't believing in a god or w/e weird.. -
Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 11:59:35
It was a bit of a time ago, but there was a debate in one of the manga forums about whether euthanasia is right or wrong. Some guy talked about how life was given by God and stuff. I commented that not everyone believes God exist. Then the guy asked me if i am an atheist. I answered yes.
Then after that, everytime I debate about something, they say I'm atheist so i'm not allowed to debate or something, and I was like WTF. -
Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 13:10:51
Is there an error in grammar in the title is my question?
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Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 13:56:36
religion is like music; just some ppl just don't care about either of them, but others are really into it so they're shocked when you're not
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Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 14:17:20
It's not wrong at all. If somebody doesn't respect your belief, then they are the one that is wrong.
I have friend who is an atheist, and nobody thinks any worse of him, (although most people think he's pretty annoying
)
If you're an atheist, I don't care. You are no different than people that believe in deities. -
Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 14:32:37
btw theres a different between atheism, which is the opinion that God does not exist, and agnosticism, where you have no opinion on religion or you don't care or you say you don't know.
a slightly stronger opinion is to say, it is impossible to know if God exists. the weaker one says we don't know yet if God exists.
this is very different from atheism. -
Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 14:42:48
Yeah I dunno, true atheists to me seem a bit hypocritical, maybe I just don't understand them. But they say religious people are dumb for believing something with no facts or logic or evidence to back it up, but then they say unequivocalibly that a God DOES NOT EXIST, period. I don't understand where their logic comes from there.
But yeah, there's definitely a certain amount of discrimination in the US at least. I come from Texas, EVERYONE goes to church. Even if you don't really believe, you do it anyway. If someone flat out denied religion they were known as "that guy."
It's not as strong lately, with whatever counter-culture movements are going on, but in middle America, it's definitely still there. -
Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 15:10:07
If you are an Atheist you are an Atheist, If you are a Chistian, Monk etc.. you are who you are and that is not a wrong. Also UEDan said:
"Its only wrong to be atheist if you're religious.
But seriously, its not wrong. People just believe religion is a must, but if its not right for you. Who give a fuck what everyone else thinks."
I disagree with what he said. Religion is not a "must" for people, it is a given. Everyone has some form of Religion. Even Atheist have religion. The BIGGEST misconception with the word "Religion" is that it always points to a Higher power. IT DOES NOT! Religion is what you believe and have faith in. Atheist believe with all their heart and soul that there is no God at all. That is an Atheists belief, therefore it is their Religion. This applies to Christians, Satanists, Druids, Pagans etc..and many other forms of Religions. Everyone has Religion. Many people claim to not be affiliated with any Religious group or anything like that but all they ahve to do is delve deeper into themselves to see what they really believe.
Guys this is just my opinion, and if anyone was curious Im a Christian.
So guys please lemme know what you think of my view on this and I wanna hear what everyone else thinks! -
Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 15:14:51QUOTE (Josh_man @ Dec 12 2009, 10:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>. Everyone has Religion. Many people claim to not be affiliated with any Religious group or anything like that but all they ahve to do is delve deeper into themselves to see what they really believe.
I don't think that's really true. Lots of people either are just unconvinced by all religions, don't know which one is true, or just don't give a fuck.
In fact it's pretty much the opposite for me. I call myself religious, but only when I'm not feeling Philosophical lol. The more I sit and think and ponder about it, the more I realize I don't actually know anything about the universe, much less something as complicated as this. -
Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 15:21:14QUOTE (Josh_man @ Dec 12 2009, 10:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Atheist believe with all their heart and soul that there is no God at all.
thats why I stresses the difference between atheist and agnostic.
agnostic will not believe anything. they dont care or don't know. -
Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 15:23:10QUOTE (Mats @ Dec 12 2009, 10:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Is there an error in grammar in the title is my question?
You have an error in grammar in your post too.
Hey guys. So I take what you guys say as I'm not wrong. Okay. That makes me feel better.
I am not really an agnostic. I'm only agnostic during debates about stuff that doesn't do anything with religion (like abortion, war, and stuff like that.)
I fully think God/god does not exist. But I do not think theists are dumb neither. Actually, they are rather smart. Human are beings that wants to have something that leads them. Wants to feel they are special. Something to believe so that they know for fact they are not alone. By believing in religion and believing in God, they have something to live for. Though some people interpret religion in a "wrong" way and just rampage and stuff like that, most of the religion says not to kill people.
If you could make every single person in this world to think that killing is absolutely wrong no matter what, there is no reason whatsoever for me to stop that. Go ahead. Make everyone think that way. Peaceful future awaits them if such thing happen. (though reality doesn't work that way) Therefore, I don't believe God exist, but I never think religion is "wrong".
Though it does start to get annoying when some religious people think that they will be given good life, only by believing in God. To tell my view of how to believe in God is that to understand that God is not a tool of convenience. God helps you. But you do the hard part. I guess that's how religion SHOULD work (kinda ironic i'm saying this since I don't believe in God).
yea something like that. -
Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 15:27:09
Free thinker = atheist?
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Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 15:46:16
@strat your touching on the same thing zombo is about agnostics. I definately agree with that entirely. I dont know why i didnt bring Agnostics up. They are the one "group" of people who get around religion entirely. Agnostics reject everything, dont care, or dont know. They dont say there isnt a higher power or not. They have no real belief with or about anything.
@Zombo i agree with what your saying that there has to be a defining line drawn to separate the two. -
Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 15:53:53QUOTE (Josh_man @ Dec 12 2009, 10:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>@strat your touching on the same thing zombo is about agnostics. I definately agree with that entirely. I dont know why i didnt bring Agnostics up. They are the one "group" of people who get around religion entirely.
i'd say the majority of ppl who don't believe in God are agnostic, so that's a pretty big group of people to ignore. -
Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 16:00:39QUOTE (Zombo @ Dec 12 2009, 10:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>i'd say the majority of ppl who don't believe in God are agnostic, so that's a pretty big group of people to ignore.
well everyone makes mistakes man. i just did
And yes a good sized portion of the people who dont believe in God are Agnostic. -
Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 16:14:40
I heard agnostics are 12 percent or something. I forgot.
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Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 20:18:18
Problem is many people think that if you don't believe in god you're Atheist, and it gets quite tiring to explain people you're agnostic, and after that, explaining what being agnostic means...
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Date: Sun, Dec 13 2009 14:48:13
"I'm agnostic and here's a dictionary."
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Date: Sun, Dec 13 2009 15:44:20QUOTE (Strat)I come from Texas, EVERYONE goes to church.
On that note:
(I'm not saying that I believe their point, just posting it because it is somewhat relevant. Plus, they are good because they don't just edit it to show it completely in their favour.)
Of course Atheism isn't wrong. Atheism is just like an opinion, and an opinion can be argued but it cannot really be wrong. It can certainly be incorrect, but it can never be wrong to have that opinion even if others say that it is. -
Date: Mon, Dec 14 2009 03:30:35
i love the chaser, high class satire... and sometimes rather disgusting (like the whole "test out a bed" thing... and chaz... everything chaz does)
... what was my point again? i was too busy watching the doctor who spoof the chaser did
right, atheist
perfectly fine
but what i do think is wrong is atheists who try and convince religious people that there is no god, and vice versa -
Date: Mon, Dec 14 2009 03:37:39
Dude itsyour choice. Though it may not be the best one for you. Its YOUR choice. Freewill- the best thing about being human
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Date: Mon, Dec 14 2009 03:56:09
The idea that God implemented free will into everyone is taught in many religions I'm pretty sure, so it's pretty stupid in my opinion to hear someone hate another for not being religious when the person who is hating isn't staying true to his/her religion himself/herself anyways.
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Date: Thu, Dec 17 2009 23:28:41
if you dont beleive in god ....and you beleive in evolution or wutever ..thats fine people might give you crap saying you NEED a religion. but if you dont beleive in then y have one...
also athiests dont beleive in after life correct? -
Date: Thu, Dec 24 2009 05:50:49
Its fine to hold the position of atheism, just like it is fine to hold any position. Our thoughts are our own.
Its justified to harbor bad feelings towards a particular position, but not to harbor bad feelings towards the people who follow said position simply because they follow it. (For example, I don't dislike Muslims for following Islam, but I dislike the fact that the Islamic religion often condones acts of violence). It is unjustified to harbor bad feelings towards someone because of the position they follow, but if said positions cause them commit actions that you do not agree with, those bad feeling are justified. (For example, I wouldn't dislike a Christian for being a Christian; but if a Christian does something like blow up an abortion clinic because of their Christian beliefs, I would be justified in disliking that person and disliking that person because they were a christian).
In a secular democratic system of law, it is fine to vote for a bill because of your religious beliefs. It is also fine to make a bill because of your religious beliefs, so long as the bill can be reasonably justified secularly as well, for the sake of the people who would be affected by such a bill who do not follow that particular religious belief.
It is fine to debate someone about a particular religious position, but not too harass or insult. If someone wants to follow their belief because they want to, that's up to them, and if they do not want to discuss it, you shouldn't discuss it in consideration of them. If someone brings up a religious position, or justifies an action because of a religious position, then you are perfectly justified in discussing it to the extent that you both wish to discuss it.
Don't be an ass about your positions, but don't be a panzy about it either.
This video does a good job explaining why atheists are often militant for their position, even if that was not what it was directly addressing. -
Date: Thu, Dec 24 2009 06:27:12
there is nothing wrong with being a atheist
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. everyone has a right to a opinion and a belief so their is nothing wrong with it. Its your belief and no one else can say other wise. -
Date: Thu, Dec 24 2009 07:17:29
Until science says so (
) it's fine.
Wait, no one here doesn't believe in science.. right -
Date: Thu, Dec 24 2009 07:24:07QUOTE (Ktk @ Dec 23 2009, 11:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Wait, no one here doesn't believe in science.. right
?
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Date: Thu, Dec 24 2009 10:28:53
I'm gonna hafta go with SJ on this one.......wut are you saying?
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Date: Sat, Dec 26 2009 06:54:08
IMO, the part of the cause of the prejudice against atheists is due to the image created from some prominent atheists, especially Richard Dawkins. If you try watching videos of Richard Dawkins discussions regarding God and atheism on YouTube, you sense arrogance from his choice of words, almost like he thinks he understand the theists' perspectives and that they are all wrong. He is very educated and knowledgeable, there's no doubt about that. A good debater too. But that doesn't give him the right to go around blasting all theists, using words like "lunacy", "nonsense" and etc. Videos of the show, The Atheist Experience also give the same image.
That could be why people form the misconception that atheist are a group of arrogant people who hate believers outright and, as a result, don't want to be associated with them.
BTW, I'm an atheist. -
Date: Sun, Dec 27 2009 22:01:14QUOTE (yxTay @ Dec 26 2009, 02:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>IMO, the part of the cause of the prejudice against atheists is due to the image created from some prominent atheists, especially Richard Dawkins. If you try watching videos of Richard Dawkins discussions regarding God and atheism on YouTube, you sense arrogance from his choice of words, almost like he thinks he understand the theists' perspectives and that they are all wrong. He is very educated and knowledgeable, there's no doubt about that. A good debater too. But that doesn't give him the right to go around blasting all theists, using words like "lunacy", "nonsense" and etc. Videos of the show, The Atheist Experience also give the same image.
That could be why people form the misconception that atheist are a group of arrogant people who hate believers outright and, as a result, don't want to be associated with them.
BTW, I'm an atheist.
Some of its intentional
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Date: Mon, Dec 28 2009 12:50:09
Well, perhaps. But that doesn't help his cause does it?
Dawkin's hilarious response regarding this.QUOTE (Josh_man @ Dec 12 2009, 11:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I disagree with what he said. Religion is not a "must" for people, it is a given. Everyone has some form of Religion. Even Atheist have religion. The BIGGEST misconception with the word "Religion" is that it always points to a Higher power. IT DOES NOT! Religion is what you believe and have faith in. Atheist believe with all their heart and soul that there is no God at all. That is an Atheists belief, therefore it is their Religion.Religion is more than merely a set of beliefs. Accompanying the set of beliefs are scriptures, practices and teachings, which are all lacking in atheism. Moreover, as pointed out by Sadistic in the other thread, atheism isn't necessarily the belief that there is no god. A more accurate definition is the lack of belief (or disbelief) that there is a god. -
Date: Mon, Dec 28 2009 18:45:41
I'm Christian. I believe Atheism is not okay; however, I believe it is wrong to persecute atheists. Religion is a choice, not a command. I shall stick with my belief. If it is not okay with you, then don't follow it.
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Date: Mon, Dec 28 2009 19:25:56
Yes it is wrong.
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Date: Mon, Dec 28 2009 19:58:18QUOTE (yxTay @ Dec 28 2009, 08:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Well, perhaps. But that doesn't help his cause does it?
Well there is a fine line between getting publicity and getting good publicity and I think Richard realizes that. Now that he is so well known he doesn't make such aggressive comments nearly as often and more aims towards just refuting information. If you see one of his most recent creationist interviews, of Wendy Wright, he doesn't attack their ignorance nearly as much as he used to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US8f1w1cYvs -
Date: Mon, Dec 28 2009 21:11:22QUOTE (EssenceOfLife @ Dec 28 2009, 09:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Yes it is wrong.
I would love to hear why. -
Date: Wed, Dec 30 2009 06:00:36
Prejudice against Atheists are present not just in the society, but in politics too.
Watch this. -
Date: Wed, Dec 30 2009 16:46:48QUOTE (Resonance @ Dec 12 2009, 03:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Where exactly are you being discriminated for being an atheist?
It's absolutely not wrong to be an atheist. people got so used to religion, that they find anyone who isn't believing in a god or w/e weird..
When I lived in Oregon (pretty rural), I would get lots of crap for telling people I didn't believe in a higher power. I don't go after religious people telling them that they're wasting their time...except for Scientologists. -
Date: Wed, Dec 30 2009 16:49:08
my personal stance is:
i don't know, but i guess it would be cool if there's a god because it would make the world we know less boring -
Date: Tue, Jan 5 2010 08:31:05QUOTE (Zombo @ Dec 30 2009, 11:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>my personal stance is:
i don't know, but i guess it would be cool if there's a god because it would make the world we know less boring
I think it would be cool to have a heaven, a god doesn't seem needed. -
Date: Tue, Jan 5 2010 23:40:56
how is it wrong if it just simply a religious thing for you
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Date: Tue, Jan 5 2010 23:45:24QUOTE (unicorndog @ Jan 5 2010, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>how is it wrong if it just simply a religious thing for you
...someone doesn't get it.