The "Ask The Atheist/Agnostic/Non-Believer" Thread

[Dragonfly]

I think the only question deserving an answer was asked by you...and I agree with your answer...which is why it is OK to accept ALL peoples faith and belief system...even their faith and belief system which doesnt involve the existence of a God.

The OP is referring to a train-wreck of a thread, whose OP falsely claimed that "atheists don't answer questions." You replied to the OP of this thread by apparently making a statement against tolerance for the beliefs of others. I have no idea why you don't want to own up to it, but I can say that "tolerance is a virtue" and "people have a right to their beliefs" should be a more than sufficient answer.

Actually I think Vance is saying everyone should accept everyone regardless of belief, or lack of belief.

That’s how I read the quoted part.

I ignored the stuff he posted after that.

 

[Ginger Ale]

You reminded me of a quote from Gandhi: “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.“

Many Christians seem to be more into the rituals rather than true followers of Christ. Perhaps that’s because they’ve grown up in religious homes and old habits die hard. Idk.

Thanks for an honest answer.

I have a large family and they're all over the board. JW's, Caltholics, a few Mormons sprinkled in. All tell me different things. I envy those who have a secure belief, my mind isn't made for it. I find it all hard to believe so it wouldn't matter if they were particularly devoted to it or not.

I had no atheist epiphany, I just can't see it as a real thing, never could. I would have to lie to be a part of it.

I do appreciate the traditions and the community of the religious. I think a lot of the churches look amazing. I'm not too happy with extremists, of any kind. Christian base or not, all religion looks pretty much the same to me from where I'm standing. I would also like to get it out of politics completely.

 

[NolanVoyd]

ANOTHER good question....which could be partnered with "Who do you think is most likely to make sure other people know their lifestyle choices...atheists or vegans?"

Christians, in my experience (not all of them, but many) are the first to announce their belief system.

Vegans are definitely on that list too, especially in situations involving food.

 

[Dragonfly]

You should also add that "I don't know" isn't proof of a gods existence.

True.
No “god of the gaps” here please.

 

[watsup]

Is atheism such a big part of your identity that you'd post about it on a public forum?



.

Why not?

 

[Dragonfly]

Christians, in my experience (not all of them, but many) are the first to announce their belief system.

Silent announcements are made all the time.

Jesus fish on their car.
Crosses and crucifixes in their house.
Cross necklaces.
Rosary beads.
Crossing themselves before they eat.
Ashes on their foreheads.

On Facebook, I see many many many posts regarding Jesus, Bible quotes, asking for prayers for all kinds of things.

Religious bumper stickers and license plates are not hard to find.

Tattoos…
T-shirts…

Awards acceptance speeches and celebrations in sports…

But if coarse it’s not noticed as much by those who share the belief.

 

[VanceMack]

The OP is referring to a train-wreck of a thread, whose OP falsely claimed that "atheists don't answer questions." You replied to the OP of this thread by apparently making a statement against tolerance for the beliefs of others. I have no idea why you don't want to own up to it, but I can say that "tolerance is a virtue" and "people have a right to their beliefs" should be a more than sufficient answer.

Dragonfly clears it up for you. You only heard what you wanted to hear.

Tragic.

 

[Noodlegawd]

Wait, what?

Are you seriously asking people "why is it important to respect the philosophical and religious choices of others?"

I don't know if he was seriously asking that, but I would seriously like to know. Why are religious choices any more deserving of respect than, say, choices of whether to believe the Earth is flat?

 

[NWRatCon]

Can one be "spiritual" and agnostic at the same time?

I think that's a good question, and I have my answer to the question (many of you already know it), but I'd be interested in other perspectives.

 

[Josie]

So supposedly we're afraid to answer questions are we?

Go ahead.
Ask your question.

Now keep in mind, an answer "you don't like", or refuse to accept is still an answer.

If you ask me/us what was before The Big Bang, or what created/started The Big Bang, and I/we say "I don't know", that's an actual and honest answer.

So go ahead.
Ask the questions the we atheists/agnostics/non-believers are supposed to be afraid to answer.

(I wonder if this thread will last as long as the one that "inspired" it? Somehow I doubt it.)

Why do you ridicule people who believe something that you don't? What's in it for you?

 

[Dragonfly]

Can one be "spiritual" and agnostic at the same time?

I think that's a good question, and I have my answer to the question (many of you already know it), but I'd be interested in other perspectives.

I’d say absolutely yes. There’s no need for a god to be spiritual.

I think in terms of Taoism and Buddhism.

Those very much into nature and Mother Earth are another group that appear very spiritual, but not always in a traditional “god”/religion sense.

 

[Visbek]

Dragonfly clears it up for you. You only heard what you wanted to hear.

Good grief. Dragonfly "figured it out" by ignoring half of what you wrote. Rather than put words in your mouth, I asked you to clarify multiple times, and you refused.

Anyway. Tolerance is independent of one's religious beliefs. There are tolerant theists, tolerant materialists, intolerant theists, intolerant materialists. For example, in the thread he's referring to, the OP was a deeply intolerant theist.

Yeesh.

 

[Dragonfly]

Why do you ridicule people who believe something that you don't? What's in it for you?

On forums like DP, it can be very entertaining.

In the real world, I don’t. Would be rather silly since almost everyone has a religious belief.

 

[Visbek]

Can one be "spiritual" and agnostic at the same time?

Sure, why not. People believe contradictions all the time.

 

[CLAX1911]

So supposedly we're afraid to answer questions are we?

Go ahead.
Ask your question.

Now keep in mind, an answer "you don't like", or refuse to accept is still an answer.

If you ask me/us what was before The Big Bang, or what created/started The Big Bang, and I/we say "I don't know", that's an actual and honest answer.

So go ahead.
Ask the questions the we atheists/agnostics/non-believers are supposed to be afraid to answer.

(I wonder if this thread will last as long as the one that "inspired" it? Somehow I doubt it.)

Nope, believe it don't believe what you choose.

 

[Josie]

On forums like DP, it can be very entertaining.

In the real world, I don’t. Would be rather silly since almost everyone has a religious belief.

Interesting. You take delight in ridiculing real people with real beliefs on the internet, but you won't do it in person. Why do you think you don't do it in person?

 

[Daisy]

Can one be "spiritual" and agnostic at the same time?

I think that's a good question, and I have my answer to the question (many of you already know it), but I'd be interested in other perspectives.

Sure...some would consider Satanists spiritual...

 

[Dragonfly]

Interesting. You take delight in ridiculing real people with real beliefs on the internet, but you won't do it in person. Why do you think you don't do it in person?

No, not on the internet. Just here at DP, and mainly just here in this sub-forum designed for such debate.

 

[NWRatCon]

Lol. I forgot to turn off my ignore function, so I missed two pages of discussion!

I have always been a tolerant person whether as church goer or not. I'm not ignorant of religious books, and have read many of them (I know the difference between the Torah, Talmud and Mishna). I've gone through many stages of "belief" - it's a lot like grief, and not just in spelling. I suspect it applies to most of us that, outside of forums like these, and protests, religion doesn't "come up" in normal conversation all that often.

Except when it does. That is most often when either something of social import has happened - like a Supreme Court decision, or passage of a law. I'm intellectually fascinated by religious beliefs, traditions and history. But I do have a very firm line that I strongly believe should not be crossed - the one enshrined in the Constitution: keeping church and state separated. Once someone crosses that line, I get agitated.

 

[Josie]

No, not on the internet. Just here at DP, and mainly just here in this sub-forum designed for such debate.

...which is the internet. You’re also talking down and ridiculing real people with real beliefs. Why do you do it with frequency and delight here, but won’t do it in person?

 

[Dragonfly]

...which is the internet. You’re also talking down and ridiculing real people with real beliefs. Why do you do it with frequency and delight here, but won’t do it in person?

Am I doing anything different regarding religion than most here do regarding politics? Debating, pointing out absurdities, refusing to accept myths as facts?

Are you suggesting religion should have different sets of rules regarding the discussion and debate of it all?

 

[Josie]

Am I doing anything different regarding religion than most here do regarding politics? Debating, pointing out absurdities, refusing to accept myths as facts?

Are you suggesting religion should have different sets of rules regarding the discussion and debate of it all?

We're not talking about what other people do --- just you. That's what the thread is for, right?

My question is very simple. Why do you think it's fun to ridicule religious people here, but you won't do it in person?

 

[swing_voter]

Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ)

A psychological self-assessment measuring Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ for short), which is a measure of the expression of autistic traits in adults.

psychology-tools.com

What's your score?

 

[Josie]

Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ)

A psychological self-assessment measuring Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ for short), which is a measure of the expression of autistic traits in adults.

psychology-tools.com

What's your score?

Who are you asking this question to and why?

 

[Dragonfly]

We're not talking about what other people do --- just you. That's what the thread is for, right?

My question is very simple. Why do you think it's fun to ridicule religious people here, but you won't do it in person?

I use this forum for its intended purposes. If I was attacking people I’d get dinged and suspended.

Debating and challenging religion is fun. Period. It’s a unique exercise in dealing with a human condition that I don’t subscribe to.

I don’t do it in real life for the same reasons I don’t talk/debate politics in real life.