As you should know I've described myself as a "rational atheist" which is to say I don't believe in any Gods based on reason, but I honestly cannot rule out my believing in Gods based on emotion.
I think it's possible that God belief can occur without indoctrination.
I didn’t say it couldn’t.
So? How exactly does that make you even partly theist?
This makes you an atheist and only an atheist.
Yes you can. An emotional response to the concept isn't assent to the belief that the concept is true.
Not fear, anger. The study clearly shows this, by asking the participants their opinion before the body repsonse. Which is NOT a “fear response” according to the study. It is an “emotional arousal.” Anger also arises the emotions, as does disgust.
We know they don’t - the study asked them what they thought about a god statement.
Well that’s one person’s opinion, then. One who harbors god-thoughts by his own admission.
”Many”?
Did you not read it? They don’t mention “fear” at all.
Yes.
There is no fear. It’s anger. Or maybe it’s disgust or even humor. Prove me wrong. The study does not support your baseless conclusion. The word fear comes from you.
Since atheists do not believe in a god, all manifestations of godly harm are known to come from godly people. We know that. You don’t?
So what?
What's not the issue?
What's not the issue?
What's was never the issue?
Where's the rest of that list? I'm sure it's a long list.
I'm obviously an expert on that scene.
I'm another Uri Geller!
They've been very popular.
In that case you may wish to start a thread entitled "Preach to the atheistic choir--Independent thinking is strictly prohibited."
A related topic for another thread and forum, 'Is love real?' 'Do you BELIEVE in love?
OK. Then let's just move on if you're not going to clarify.
Yes, it's possible that "religion" is what's upsetting those atheists, but religion is not what they're being told has harmed their parents. "God" is specifically mentioned.
LOL--OK, here's the proof: I say so.
Then those atheists are angry with God and disgusted with Him. You're making progress.
But a "God statement" can make atheists upset with God.
Sure. Are you saying that I'm very unusual as an atheist as I honestly admit my possible theism?
More than what is acceptable.
You mean that some "religionists" honestly, fairly, and morally seek the truth?
What is an "atheist statement"?
I believe atheism exists if that's what you mean.
I read the article I linked to.
Fear is obvious when considering having one's parents paralyzed. You honestly can't see that?
Again, the actual emotion aroused in the atheist doesn't matter. You are arguing a red-herring fallacy by distracting attention away from the issue of God-belief in atheists to quibbling over what emotions atheists are experiencing.
You're begging the question here by assuming what you need to prove.
No, I can't honestly say I know that all "godly harm" comes from "godly people." I never pretend to know what I don't know or can't know.
OK. Then it just looks like there is great anger on the opposing side.
God is an ancient invention, often created in the image of humans, with all of the positive and negative qualities of humans as a species. But, that's all god is, just something that lives in the brains of a lot of humans. God is an imaginary friend to many and that figment of their imagination probably helps some cope. I know some people like that, including a sweet friend who has lots of problems, but never complains. I think her religious beliefs provide her with community, and purpose, as well as hope. That doesn't mean that what she believes is true. So far, I haven't had the heart to tell her I'm an atheist. I just avoid discussing religion with her, so I don't say anything when she uses typical Southern religious terms. I know quite a few atheists that are in the closet when they are with Christians, but they enjoy getting together to socialize with other atheists, as a temporary escape from the Bible Belt.
No. It’s atheists angry with the HUMANS who call upon a god. This is a common feeling among people who are subjected to abuse at the hands of those who profess to have a god. It doesn’t mean you believe in the god. It means you are well aware that people who think there is a god do shitty things to you because of their nutty belief.
I can't help but to be skeptical of any claim that a person absolutely and completely lacks any theistic belief. If it makes you feel any better, I'm also skeptical about the claims of theists who say they completely lack doubt about God's existence. The human psyche is way too complex to be judged in such simplistic ways. I think it is part of our culture to see each of us as single persons, but people in other cultures allow for multiple personalities. I think the latter view is more credible. One of personalities can be an atheist and another personality a theist.
Thanks for admitting that US. That says it all to me. You have a problem ridding yourself of the god belief. Fine. I'm sorry that you have this problem, but please stop projecting it on all atheists. Sure, there probably are some other atheists who still have doubts regarding the possibility of the existence of god and if they were severely indoctrinated like I assume you were and like I was, they might have some fear or even anger regarding gods. I suspect that the anger may be related to having resentment for being indoctrinated into believing some horrific things, like the things that the so called god of the OT did. I'm over that. I've forgiven my late parents for the horrible indoctrination because I saw them as victims of it too. it did cause me some emotional damage as a child, but I'm long over it now, as an older adult. There are some atheists, known as weak or agnostic atheists. They don't believe that any of the known gods are real, but they say they haven't ruled out the possibility that some god, that hasn't been discovered yet, is out there in the universe.
I'm a strong atheist. To me, god is just like any other fictional character that has supernatural powers, including Superman.
I think that a lot of religion has to do with humans having difficulty accepting their own mortality, or even the mortality of their pets. We now have the myth of the Rainbow Bridge, which promises us we will be reunited with our pets when we die. I get it. Heaven would be hell to me if my pets weren't there too. My late sister, who wasn't a Christian did believe that her pets crossed over the Rainbow Bridge into an afterlife and she would eventually join them. While to me that is nonsense, I guess it made it easier for her, whenever one of her little dogs died.
I doubt we have much control over what we believe or don't believe. There is obviously something in your brain that isn't in my brain that has made it difficult for you to totally rid yourself of the god belief. I don't think it's your fault because I don't believe in absolute freewill. Considering all of the the influences on our brains, both environmental and genetic, it makes sense that some atheists have the problem that you do. I consider myself fortunate not to have a god living in my brain.
My husband and I do joke about the concept of god. We live in the Bible Belt, so we deal with outspoken Christians on almost a daily basis. So, for comic relief, we say things like, "God is good to atheists" when we get a good parking spot. Or "We are so blessed" when something positive happens. We don't literally mean these things. We are just using humorous sarcasm as a coping mechanism. I love the South, so I must love Christians, at least the good, moderate and liberal ones who don't try to force their beliefs on me. In return, while I am often open about my lack of belief in the gods as real entities, I have never evangelized and I'm careful not to be offensive, unless someone is attacking me for being an atheist. Character and values are all that matter to me.
I live in a town dominated by Christians, so I do my best to accept that as part of the local culture. T Not once have I feared that there might be a god out there. It's not possible for me to believe in an invisible supernatural creature that controls things on earth. It left my brain many decades ago, but I still find some aspects of religious mythology interesting and I still try to understand why so many people take these myths as truth. I think Joseph Campbell does a pretty good job of explaining it in his book or PBS series, "The Power of Myth".
I think there are a lot more atheists out there, then most people think, including in the pews of churches. I've met at least three atheists who also never left their Methodist church. They enjoyed the community, and the philosophy of the Gospel. I used to know a kind atheist man in Atlanta who went to church with his wife, just to be supportive of her. He met up with us once a month for our monthly group. We had lots of interesting speakers from all different backgrounds. We just no longer are up to driving to ATL for those meetings.
I don't know if you are here to have serious discussions or if you're here to antagonize others or project your own beliefs and feelings on others. I just hope you will find a way to feel more secure and content. I hope that the god in your psyche doesn't cause you distress.
I do wonder why you frequently imply that the atheists here aren't being truthful when they tell you that they don't believe any gods. Sorry for being so wordy. It's just my nature.
That's all I have to say. I was just attempting to give you some food for thought from my perspective, as a strong atheist who has no fear of fiction.
I remember feeling outright rage at God when I left Christianity. I cursed Him out loud and called Him a child rapist and anything else I could think of that was vile. I literally wanted to murder God. When I was on AOL one of my member names was "GodKiller." You can imagine the discussions I had with Christians in the chat rooms over that name.
Ok. I don't see it that way at all. In fact, it's hard for me to understand how you have come to that conclusion, but as I've said previously, we are all products of the influences in our lives, so apparently the things that have influenced you to have a hard time accepting what others say when it comes to their beliefs are very different compared to how I see it. No problem. I think I have a better understanding of how you feel, even if I disagree.I can't help but to be skeptical of any claim that a person absolutely and completely lacks any theistic belief. If it makes you feel any better, I'm also skeptical about the claims of theists who say they completely lack doubt about God's existence. The human psyche is way too complex to be judged in such simplistic ways. I think it is part of our culture to see each of us as single persons, but people in other cultures allow for multiple personalities. I think the latter view is more credible.
Thanks for admitting that US. That says it all to me. You have a problem ridding yourself of the god belief. Fine. I'm sorry that you have this problem, but please stop projecting it on all atheists. Sure, there probably are some other atheists who still have doubts regarding the possibility of the existence of god and if they were severely indoctrinated like I assume you were and like I was, they might have some fear or even anger regarding gods. I suspect that the anger may be related to having resentment for being indoctrinated into believing some horrific things, like the things that the so called god of the OT did. I'm over that. I've forgiven my late parents for the horrible indoctrination because I saw them as victims of it too. it did cause me some emotional damage as a child, but I'm long over it now, as an older adult. There are some atheists, known as weak or agnostic atheists. They don't believe that any of the known gods are real, but they say they haven't ruled out the possibility that some god, that hasn't been discovered yet, is out there in the universe.
I'm a strong atheist. To me, god is just like any other fictional character that has supernatural powers, including Superman.
I think that a lot of religion has to do with humans having difficulty accepting their own mortality, or even the mortality of their pets. We now have the myth of the Rainbow Bridge, which promises us we will be reunited with our pets when we die. I get it. Heaven would be hell to me if my pets weren't there too. My late sister, who wasn't a Christian did believe that her pets crossed over the Rainbow Bridge into an afterlife and she would eventually join them. While to me that is nonsense, I guess it made it easier for her, whenever one of her little dogs died.
I doubt we have much control over what we believe or don't believe. There is obviously something in your brain that isn't in my brain that has made it difficult for you to totally rid yourself of the god belief. I don't think it's your fault because I don't believe in absolute freewill. Considering all of the the influences on our brains, both environmental and genetic, it makes sense that some atheists have the problem that you do. I consider myself fortunate not to have a god living in my brain.
My husband and I do joke about the concept of god. We live in the Bible Belt, so we deal with outspoken Christians on almost a daily basis. So, for comic relief, we say things like, "God is good to atheists" when we get a good parking spot. Or "We are so blessed" when something positive happens. We don't literally mean these things. We are just using humorous sarcasm as a coping mechanism. I love the South, so I must love Christians, at least the good, moderate and liberal ones who don't try to force their beliefs on me. In return, while I am often open about my lack of belief in the gods as real entities, I have never evangelized and I'm careful not to be offensive, unless someone is attacking me for being an atheist. Character and values are all that matter to me.
I live in a town dominated by Christians, so I do my best to accept that as part of the local culture. T Not once have I feared that there might be a god out there. It's not possible for me to believe in an invisible supernatural creature that controls things on earth. It left my brain many decades ago, but I still find some aspects of religious mythology interesting and I still try to understand why so many people take these myths as truth. I think Joseph Campbell does a pretty good job of explaining it in his book or PBS series, "The Power of Myth".
I think there are a lot more atheists out there, then most people think, including in the pews of churches. I've met at least three atheists who also never left their Methodist church. They enjoyed the community, and the philosophy of the Gospel. I used to know a kind atheist man in Atlanta who went to church with his wife, just to be supportive of her. He met up with us once a month for our monthly group. We had lots of interesting speakers from all different backgrounds. We just no longer are up to driving to ATL for those meetings.
I don't know if you are here to have serious discussions or if you're here to antagonize others or project your own beliefs and feelings on others. I just hope you will find a way to feel more secure and content. I hope that the god in your psyche doesn't cause you distress.
I do wonder why you frequently imply that the atheists here aren't being truthful when they tell you that they don't believe any gods. Sorry for being so wordy. It's just my nature.
That's all I have to say. I was just attempting to give you some food for thought from my perspective, as a strong atheist who has no fear of fiction.
