Rather than impose anything more than my dubious title suggests I would like to know what the point of a forum like this is? A refuge from insanity? A social and political haven? An island of the rational in a rolling sea of stupidity and superstition? A place to mock and belittle other's beliefs? A lyceum for rational thought and scientific advancement?
What is the point in even being atheist?
Quote from: Earthling on October 29, 2011, 02:44:14 AM
What is the point in even being atheist?
What's the point of having a point? I mean, why do I need a point? I just don't believe in god. As it worked out, at least in the U.S., most people do. So, I suppose I find it interesting to read the writings of others who share my disbelief.
QuoteRather than impose anything more than my dubious title suggests I would like to know what the point of a forum like this is? A refuge from insanity? A social and political haven? An island of the rational in a rolling sea of stupidity and superstition? A place to mock and belittle other's beliefs? A lyceum for rational thought and scientific advancement?
From what I've seen in my short time here, all of the above! Although there is less mocking than I expected...
I think one of the major points of being an atheist is a search for real, rational, provable truth (versus the "truth" that religions claim to have found).
Quote from: Earthling on October 29, 2011, 02:44:14 AM
What is the point in even being atheist?
Let's translate this to make it more clear.
Atheist = person whom lacks a belief in gods
so
What is the point in even being a person whom lacks a belief in gods?
Of course we could go down the path of simply believing everything that we are told. We could believe that ghosts roam the earth, shaking chains and moaning "ooooh" and saying "Boo!" once and a while. We could believe that fairys exist, hanging out in enchanted forests, fluttering around and just doing what fairies do. We could believe in an almighty invisible being whom created existence and all that is in it and wants us to pray to it and tell it how wonderful it is.
But the point of being a person whom lacks belief is that instead we will look for evidence and proof, we will search for the truth rather than know the "Truth" as we are told it is.
Critical thought is a powerful method of discovery and progress. Without it we would not understand much about our environment. We would likely still be burning or drowning mental patients thinking they are possessed, we would still be thinking the Sun revolves around the Earth, we would not have much of the medicine and technology that we have today. If we believed in god and believed we already knew the truth we would be content to not investigate the universe.
So,
The point of being an Atheist is to seek the truth about our environment, to seek progress and to engage our brains with regards to developing an inclusive, diverse, functional and fair society to live in.
Quote from: Earthling on October 29, 2011, 02:44:14 AM
What is the point in even being atheist?
Do you have any other way of describing not believing in deities?
Quote from: BullyforBronto on October 29, 2011, 02:54:55 AM
Quote from: Earthling on October 29, 2011, 02:44:14 AM
What is the point in even being atheist?
What's the point of having a point? I mean, why do I need a point? I just don't believe in god. As it worked out, at least in the U.S., most people do. So, I suppose I find it interesting to read the writings of others who share my disbelief.
That sounds like a good reason to me, thanks, Bully.
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on October 29, 2011, 03:56:53 AM
Quote from: Earthling on October 29, 2011, 02:44:14 AM
What is the point in even being atheist?
Do you have any other way of describing not believing in deities?
There seems to be a multitude of them though you can term it in a way most comfortable to you. I'm most interested in establishing what the point of participating as a vocal or even lurker (though I wouldn't expect comment from them) in a public place devoted to disbelief in deities?
Quote from: Good and Godless on October 29, 2011, 03:14:55 AM
QuoteRather than impose anything more than my dubious title suggests I would like to know what the point of a forum like this is? A refuge from insanity? A social and political haven? An island of the rational in a rolling sea of stupidity and superstition? A place to mock and belittle other's beliefs? A lyceum for rational thought and scientific advancement?
From what I've seen in my short time here, all of the above! Although there is less mocking than I expected...
I think one of the major points of being an atheist is a search for real, rational, provable truth (versus the "truth" that religions claim to have found).
Thanks, Good and Godless, and do you think that it is important to carefully consider the Bible and religion or are you simply saying in order to search out this knowledge you seek all of that just has to be avoided?
Quote from: Earthling on October 29, 2011, 02:44:14 AM
A refuge from insanity? A social and political haven? An island of the rational in a rolling sea of stupidity and superstition? A place to mock and belittle other's beliefs? A lyceum for rational thought and scientific advancement?
All of the above, and more. This forum has grown on me.
Quote from: Stevil on October 29, 2011, 03:45:54 AM
Let's translate this to make it more clear.
Atheist = person whom lacks a belief in gods
so
What is the point in even being a person whom lacks a belief in gods?
Of course we could go down the path of simply believing everything that we are told. We could believe that ghosts roam the earth, shaking chains and moaning "ooooh" and saying "Boo!" once and a while. We could believe that fairys exist, hanging out in enchanted forests, fluttering around and just doing what fairies do. We could believe in an almighty invisible being whom created existence and all that is in it and wants us to pray to it and tell it how wonderful it is.
You've been reading Dawkins again, haven't you. Tsk. tsk. tsk.
Quote from: Stevil on October 29, 2011, 03:45:54 AMBut the point of being a person whom lacks belief is that instead we will look for evidence and proof, we will search for the truth rather than know the "Truth" as we are told it is.
Critical thought is a powerful method of discovery and progress. Without it we would not understand much about our environment. We would likely still be burning or drowning mental patients thinking they are possessed, we would still be thinking the Sun revolves around the Earth, we would not have much of the medicine and technology that we have today. If we believed in god and believed we already knew the truth we would be content to not investigate the universe.
So,
The point of being an Atheist is to seek the truth about our environment, to seek progress and to engage our brains with regards to developing an inclusive, diverse, functional and fair society to live in.
Excellent sermon!
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on October 29, 2011, 06:35:34 AM
Quote from: Earthling on October 29, 2011, 02:44:14 AM
A refuge from insanity? A social and political haven? An island of the rational in a rolling sea of stupidity and superstition? A place to mock and belittle other's beliefs? A lyceum for rational thought and scientific advancement?
All of the above, and more. This forum has grown on me.
That's two all of the above. I must not be too far removed from observations in atheism. Thanks, Silver, good to hear from you as always.
Quote from: Earthling on October 29, 2011, 07:17:18 AM
You've been reading Dawkins again, haven't you. Tsk. tsk. tsk.
I have never read a Dawkins book or article. I know very little about the man.
Quote from: Earthling on October 29, 2011, 07:17:18 AM
Quote from: Stevil on October 29, 2011, 03:45:54 AMBut the point of being a person whom lacks belief is that instead we will look for evidence and proof, we will search for the truth rather than know the "Truth" as we are told it is.
Critical thought is a powerful method of discovery and progress. Without it we would not understand much about our environment. We would likely still be burning or drowning mental patients thinking they are possessed, we would still be thinking the Sun revolves around the Earth, we would not have much of the medicine and technology that we have today. If we believed in god and believed we already knew the truth we would be content to not investigate the universe.
So,
The point of being an Atheist is to seek the truth about our environment, to seek progress and to engage our brains with regards to developing an inclusive, diverse, functional and fair society to live in.
Excellent sermon!
It's interesting, you ask "What is the point in even being atheist?"
I give you my answer "The point of being an Atheist is to seek the truth about our environment, to seek progress and to engage our brains with regards to developing an inclusive, diverse, functional and fair society to live in."
and all I get is a silly little derogatory comment in response"Excellent sermon!".
It seems you are not interested in conversation.
Quote from: Stevil on October 29, 2011, 08:53:13 AM
I have never read a Dawkins book or article. I know very little about the man.
You might want to check out his Root of all evil/Virus of faith and "Enemies of reason" programmes. The vids are readily available on Google Videos. Reasonably interesting.
EDIT: Oh, they are both in two parts. The first, Root of all evil and Virus of faith are about religion the latter are about alternative "healthcare"
I'm an atheist because I dont believe in any god. (I believe we covered that already)
I hang out on this forum because in my real life I catch alot of grief from theists that are so narrow minded and intolerant that it is nice to read people's thoughts that are similar to mine. That's the problem with theism, they all think they need to convert me to their way of thinking instead of just leaving me alone. So I come here and it doesn't feel like I am the only person in the world that doesn't believe in a god.
Quote from: EarthlingThanks, Good and Godless, and do you think that it is important to carefully consider the Bible and religion or are you simply saying in order to search out this knowledge you seek all of that just has to be avoided?
I have considered the bible and religion (for about 30 years of my life) and found them to be lacking in the rational, provable truth I mentioned. So yes, religion should be considered. I'm still fascinated by religion and will continue to read about all types of belief. I've just settled on atheism as the most reasonable.
This forum has a mission statement, which I think, does a good job of describing why most of us are here.
Quote from: DeterminedJuliet on October 29, 2011, 03:24:41 PM
This forum has a mission statement, which I think, does a good job of describing why most of us are here.
ya, I'm not sure how many people see it since it's not well indexed anymore:
http://www.happyatheistforum.com/
What's the point in not believing in unicorns?
Quote from: Will on October 30, 2011, 02:53:27 AM
What's the point in not believing in unicorns?
Going to aunicornist hell. Because smoking is allowed there ;D
Quote from: Earthling on October 29, 2011, 02:44:14 AM
Rather than impose anything more than my dubious title suggests I would like to know what the point of a forum like this is? A refuge from insanity? A social and political haven? An island of the rational in a rolling sea of stupidity and superstition? A place to mock and belittle other's beliefs? A lyceum for rational thought and scientific advancement?
What is the point in even being atheist?
Being an atheist really only means one thing, lack of beliefe in a diety. I think most atheists tend to be liberals (not all) and I think that's probably more because of the fact that most conservative views are imposed by religion and on close examination aren't very logical in nature. Sorry if that sounds biased and I have no problem being corrected on this if you feel I'm wrong.
I think everyone adequately answered your silly 'what is the point of being an atheist' question.
Now as to why I come to this forum, it's great to feel like you aren't surrounded by idiots every now and again.
Quote from: Heisenberg on November 01, 2011, 12:01:43 PM
I think everyone adequately answered your silly 'what is the point of being an atheist' question.
Now as to why I come to this forum, it's great to feel like you aren't surrounded by idiots every now and again.
What is the point of being an atheist? Think of the alternative.
It's like asking what's the point of being black. Asking if there's a point is assuming it's a choice. It's not. If I were re-born 1000 times, it would be as an atheist 1000 times.
Quote from: Heisenberg on November 01, 2011, 12:57:33 PM
If I were re-born 1000 times, it would be as an atheist 1000 times.
I like that quote. It's sig-worthy. Mind if I borrow it?
Quote from: Xjeepguy on November 01, 2011, 01:00:46 PM
Quote from: Heisenberg on November 01, 2011, 12:57:33 PM
If I were re-born 1000 times, it would be as an atheist 1000 times.
I like that quote. It's sig-worthy. Mind if I borrow it?
Go for it. It's a line I've used when people have implied that I stumbled upon atheism or something to that effect. Shockingly, it doesn't do much to sway them.
Quote from: Heisenberg on November 02, 2011, 12:04:27 AM
Go for it. It's a line I've used when people have implied that I stumbled upon atheism or something to that effect. Shockingly, it doesn't do much to sway them.
Not "shockingly", HSB,
predictably. You cannot dialogue with people who wish to believe something for which there is no evidence. The whole point of "faith" as opposed to "reason" is that you never have to change you mind.
What's the point in not having an imaginary friend?
Quote from: Attila on November 02, 2011, 04:22:23 AM
Quote from: Heisenberg on November 02, 2011, 12:04:27 AM
Go for it. It's a line I've used when people have implied that I stumbled upon atheism or something to that effect. Shockingly, it doesn't do much to sway them.
Not "shockingly", HSB, predictably. You cannot dialogue with people who wish to believe something for which there is no evidence. The whole point of "faith" as opposed to "reason" is that you never have to change you mind.
Yea, I gotta stop using sarcasm on the internet.
Faith just might be the most absurd creation of mankind.
I have to say, from where I stand, I don't think atheists need to justify their beliefs, frankly. Just so you understand, I am not an atheist (yet, don't know if/when that'll happen), but I find comfort in people who ask questions from a skeptical standpoint. I haven't discussed the recent traumatic circumstances going on in my life lately, but I was disappointed when I tried to discuss my issues on a christian forum. No one answered, except for some nutbar with his own problems, and pretensions of being the voice of the spirit of God. I tried a Deist forum, and was disappointed by the severe lack of activity there in general. The atheist members of this forum don't need me to stand up for and defend them; nevertheless I will stand up anyway, and say how grateful I am for this place, because I can talk about my issues, and God is out of the equation. Because all that awakens in my mind when God and religion come up is burning rage!
Quote from: Xjeepguy on October 29, 2011, 11:38:22 AM...the problem with theism, they all think they need to convert me to their way of thinking instead of just leaving me alone.
I hope you'll pardon me for singling out this part of your post Xjeepguy. Here's the thing, I am forced to fight through my issues with a lot of human support withdrawn. I'm isolated. I already disliked God (or the idea of God) for a long time, and even when I called myself a christian, I still had a lot of trouble with the behavior that is described in the Bible. Now, where I'm at, being forced to fight desperately to survive, with no feeling of support, and no trust in God, and being asked to trust in him...well, I have no trust. It's a pretty simple thing that God should understand from having observed humans for thousands of years; if a trust that is given is squandered, that trust is withdrawn. God is supposed to know everything about me, therefore he should have known my personal threshold for when I would need to withdraw my trust to protect myself. He either doesn't exist, or is a jerk, or is like a harmfully negligent manager/supervisor. As hard as I've been struggling to survive, it would be like poison for me to accept someone suggesting that I trust him again (when he's too unreliable to be trusted) and to give Him any credit for having a role in making sure I survive, when I did all the work.
My point is, after all that's happened to me, I want to be left alone by such as Him. And I want to be left alone by his followers, too, since they're more preoccupied with winning converts, and practicing their "Witnessing" narrative and rhetoric rather than listening to what's going on. Getting away from Him, the idea of Him, and his followers is good for my health! I've got better things to do in this life, on this planet. I don't want to hate him, but I don't think it's unreasonable to want Him to f*** off so that I'm not wasting energy in hating him.
I'm not sure where I was going with this. I got lost again in my own monologue/rant. But this place is somewhere that I can communicate, and not be judged or persuaded, or "converted". That's validation enough for atheism and a forum for atheists; it's also fairly damning of the "God Agenda." I might as well ask what the point of the "God Agenda" is.
Tristan, that was a wonderful post.
Quote from: Tank on November 02, 2011, 03:38:06 PM
Tristan, that was a wonderful post.
Thanks for saying that...and for you and everyone else here, for just being here. :)
Quote from: Tristan Jay on November 02, 2011, 04:19:32 PM
Quote from: Tank on November 02, 2011, 03:38:06 PM
Tristan, that was a wonderful post.
Thanks for saying that...and for you and everyone else here, for just being here. :)
D'awwww <3!
That's a good post, as always Tristan Jay.
The way I see it (sorry for the overly clichéd few words that come next), you're either going to come out of this process trusting in yourself and believing in some spiritual/theistic/deistic/etc. philosophy, or trusting in yourself and more humanist-ish. Keep us posted :)
The good thing about these forums is that there are people who understand what you're going through (unfortunatly I couldn't count myself as one of them, having always been an atheist).
QuoteWhat is the point in even being atheist?
At first, I was going to blow this thread off, but it kept bugging me and I had to come back.
*heavy sigh*
This discussion board speaks for itself through the atheists members. Spend a little time reading in the forums:
Life As An Atheist
Social Issues and Causes
Philosophy
Religion
Creationism/Intelligent Design
...and you may begin to understand
Quote from: Earthling on October 29, 2011, 02:44:14 AM
Rather than impose anything more than my dubious title suggests I would like to know what the point of a forum like this is? A refuge from insanity? A social and political haven? An island of the rational in a rolling sea of stupidity and superstition? A place to mock and belittle other's beliefs? A lyceum for rational thought and scientific advancement?
What is the point in even being atheist?
I knew this would come to the public eye sooner or later. All right, the agenda of atheists and scientists, who have been working together in secret for years, is to convert every last kid...
...to the metric system. ;D
My reason for joining atheist/secular communities is because we're still an openly persecuted minority. Christians in the US have ultimate power.
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2011/11/04/michigan-law-its-ok-to-bully-gay-kids-if-youre-a-christian/ (http://www.addictinginfo.org/2011/11/04/michigan-law-its-ok-to-bully-gay-kids-if-youre-a-christian/)
For me to have a place to go and have actual discussions with large groups of people without worrying about being physically harmed, losing my job, getting harassed, detained, driven out of a community, or getting disowned by family is unreasonably important.
Quote from: MinnesotaMike on November 06, 2011, 07:20:58 PM
Quote from: Earthling on October 29, 2011, 02:44:14 AM
Rather than impose anything more than my dubious title suggests I would like to know what the point of a forum like this is? A refuge from insanity? A social and political haven? An island of the rational in a rolling sea of stupidity and superstition? A place to mock and belittle other's beliefs? A lyceum for rational thought and scientific advancement?
What is the point in even being atheist?
For me to have a place to go and have actual discussions with large groups of people without worrying about being physically harmed, losing my job, getting harassed, detained, driven out of a community, or getting disowned by family is unreasonably important.
I agree. I live in a pretty tolerant place, but I still feel it's very important that I have an anonymous "happy place".