Atheist, are you one?? - Page 12

**billybunter** · April 15th, 2012, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davemetalhead

"Keep an open mind"?!? Rubbish, complete and utter tosh.

Atheists are as close minded as religious fundamentalists.

Atheists are the ones that say God does not exist - that is not keeping an open mind.

Atheists are far more likely in my experience to be the ones condemning others for what they believe.

Atheists do not say they don't beleive in god. That's why they have an open mind. Lots of atheists do believe in a "life" after death, just not the mumbo jumbo in the bible.

In order to participate in this thread it would be nice if you answered the question.

**Wendigo** · April 15th, 2012, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davemetalhead

"Keep an open mind"?!? Rubbish, complete and utter tosh.

Atheists are as close minded as religious fundamentalists.

Atheists are the ones that say God does not exist - that is not keeping an open mind.

Atheists are far more likely in my experience to be the ones condemning others for what they believe.

Everyone is entitled to their own take on things.
I am an atheist, I admit I do not believe in a sentient all powerful creator.
Whether there is a creative force out there that is a different thing, if so I don't think it needs to be worshipped, we are just part of its grand design and it will be as unaware of us as we are of individual microbes.
The universe is so vast and the Earth is so small, what makes so many us believe we are so special as to be God's chosen.

**Jeff Vader** · April 15th, 2012, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davemetalhead

"Keep an open mind"?!? Rubbish, complete and utter tosh.

Atheists are as close minded as religious fundamentalists.

Atheists are the ones that say God does not exist - that is not keeping an open mind.

Atheists are far more likely in my experience to be the ones condemning others for what they believe.

That might depend on where you grew up. I was raised in Ireland, grew up outside a small town and if you told people that you were not catholic you'd be harassed. I admitted in school one day that I couldn't see a logical need for a god. Cue mayhem. I had to have a chat with the school chaplain in an attempt to 'cure' me. This would have been about 1987-8. The priest was pretty ok about it, talked to me like I was an adult but some of the other teachers were confrontational.

I didn't try to convert anyone, I've no interest in making anyone agree with me or trying to disprove what you believe. IMO we each have to find our own way.

One thing I am pretty sure of, any zealot/fundamentalist can be a colossal pain in the neck. Whatever religion they espouse - or none - someone who won't listen and simply tries to be dogmatic and 'correct' you is annoying.

Richard Dawkins is a good example. I agree with a lot of what he believes, he has some well-constructed arguments, but he's so smug I want to disagree with him !

**billybunter** · April 15th, 2012, 05:50 PM

Reading Jeff's post above reminds me of when my homework went walkies. The guy in dog collar ignored the letter my dad wrote, and placed his hands on my shoulders and started to shake me. He had a west of Ireland accent and shouted "shake the devil out of you my child" evil bastard

**howerd** · April 15th, 2012, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davemetalhead

"Keep an open mind"?!? Rubbish, complete and utter tosh.

Atheists are as close minded as religious fundamentalists.

Atheists are the ones that say God does not exist - that is not keeping an open mind.

Atheists are far more likely in my experience to be the ones condemning others for what they believe.

Actually the vast majority of atheists do keep an open mind. If you read Dawkins or Hitchens or Harris or Dennet (4 of the world's most prominent atheist authors) each one says there might be a god but can see absolutely no good reason to assume any are likely but if empirical evidence comes to light will change their mind. What is 'fundamentalist' about saying there are probably no gods?

As for atheists 'Condemning others' this is pure nonsense. When have you ever seen a theist burnt at the stake (or any other death sentence) in the name of atheism? Never, but Christianity killed off most Pagans by saying they were witches & the Bible says 'Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live'. Don't give me that 'Hitler was an atheist murderer' bullsh!t. He killed in the name of National Socialism not atheism. Actually he invoked god in order to justify fascism. -Here's a direct quote from Mein Kampf:

'What we must fight is to safeguard the existence & reproduction of our race & our people, the sustenance of our children & the purity of our blood, the freedom & independence of the fatherland, so that our people may mature for the fulfillment of the mission allotted it by the creator of the universe'

(If you doubt this is in his book, it's on page 214)

**keefriff** · April 15th, 2012, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davemetalhead

"Keep an open mind"?!? Rubbish, complete and utter tosh.

Atheists are as close minded as religious fundamentalists.

Atheists are the ones that say God does not exist - that is not keeping an open mind.

Atheists are far more likely in my experience to be the ones condemning others for what they believe.

Quote:

Originally Posted by howerd

Don't give me that 'Hitler was an atheist murderer' bullsh!t. He killed in the name of National Socialism not atheism. Actually he invoked god in order to justify fascism.

Hey now!

Let's all play nice here! Everyone is entitled to their opinions without being referred to as "rubbish" and "tosh". And likewise I don't see why invoking Herr Schicklegruber was necessary to make your point. In fact what does he have to do with this conversation at all.

I understand and appreciate both your points but lets be respectful of each other.

What the hell, oops sorry wrong thread

, is the name of that theory about Herr Schicklegruber that Fleetwood77 brought to our attention awhile back? Anyone remember? I think it applies here.

So lets all be respectful of each other and play nicely. This thread has been very well tempered and quite interesting to hear everyone's opinions. Lets keep it that way.

**Jeff Vader** · April 15th, 2012, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billybunter

Reading Jeff's post above reminds me of when my homework went walkies. The guy in dog collar ignored the letter my dad wrote, and placed his hands on my shoulders and started to shake me. He had a west of Ireland accent and shouted "shake the devil out of you my child" evil bastard

That is probably something that many people would have seen, a priest or nun verbally abusing a child in school. I would like to emphasise that most of the religious people I've dealt with were just fine, but some of these did whatever they liked and got away with it due to wearing a crucifix. The chaplain that I dealt with was fine, quite understanding to be honest, his predecessor was a right-wing nutter, pretty fundamentalist really who wanted to revert to the Latin mass, probably weekly crucifixions as well. This might seem exaggerated to those of you who didn't grow up in a similar environment, but in Ireland, certainly in the rural small towns they had a very pronounced influence.

Oh and Howerd - can you switch bold font off - please ? You come across as someone shouting, which takes from your points. Thanks.

**billybunter** · April 15th, 2012, 08:04 PM

Thanks Keef

I did say when I opened this thread to play nice, or it will be trashed. Sometimes you have to agree to disagree.

BB

**uli12345** · April 15th, 2012, 08:35 PM

I do love porn....................

but I am a christian................

Best regards
ULI1234

**TCO95** · April 15th, 2012, 08:44 PM

So is there a perfect or nearly perfect religion?

Say for whatever reason you had to join a religion or church which would it be? My knowledge of Buddhism is limited, but what I do know seems appealing. I have never heard of Buddhist terrorism or violence of any sort. They seem to preach, and more importantly practice, peace and tolerance. Their emphasis on self realization and growth is also attractive.

What of Amish, Mennonite and Hutterite? They believe in a simpler life, free of violence and focused on family and community. They are ,for the most part, completely self sufficient for food, clothing and shelter. The most strict adherents have none of the modern world. They use no electricity, radio, television or powered vehicles. Some Hutterite sects have loosened the ties to the point they drive trucks and tractors, trade furniture and food with the outside world and even live outside the commune. Some of this I know from personal experience as I had the pleasure to attend college with some Hutterites and they were the nicest, least pretentious students at school.

I know there are a myriad of others, Hinduism, Shamanism, Rastafarian, et al. I'd be interested in hearing what other members think. When you became dissatisfied with your given religion did you investigate alternatives? What qualities would a religion have to have to entice / attract you or have you had your fill and nothing will suffice?

April 15th, 2012, 05:50 PM	#114
billybunter R.I.P. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Gone But Not Forgotten Posts: 14,404 Thanks: 51,687 Thanked 252,372 Times in 14,171 Posts	Reading Jeff's post above reminds me of when my homework went walkies. The guy in dog collar ignored the letter my dad wrote, and placed his hands on my shoulders and started to shake me. He had a west of Ireland accent and shouted "shake the devil out of you my child" evil bastard __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

April 15th, 2012, 08:04 PM	#118
billybunter R.I.P. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Gone But Not Forgotten Posts: 14,404 Thanks: 51,687 Thanked 252,372 Times in 14,171 Posts	Thanks Keef I did say when I opened this thread to play nice, or it will be trashed. Sometimes you have to agree to disagree. BB __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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April 15th, 2012, 08:35 PM	#119
uli12345 Sheriff Peppers Spokesman Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Bavaria Posts: 4,847 Thanks: 168,872 Thanked 213,357 Times in 5,257 Posts	I do love porn.................... but I am a christian................ Best regards ULI1234

April 15th, 2012, 08:44 PM	#120
TCO95 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: This member is not allowed in your country. Posts: 5,176 Thanks: 47,615 Thanked 64,797 Times in 5,130 Posts	So is there a perfect or nearly perfect religion? Say for whatever reason you had to join a religion or church which would it be? My knowledge of Buddhism is limited, but what I do know seems appealing. I have never heard of Buddhist terrorism or violence of any sort. They seem to preach, and more importantly practice, peace and tolerance. Their emphasis on self realization and growth is also attractive. What of Amish, Mennonite and Hutterite? They believe in a simpler life, free of violence and focused on family and community. They are ,for the most part, completely self sufficient for food, clothing and shelter. The most strict adherents have none of the modern world. They use no electricity, radio, television or powered vehicles. Some Hutterite sects have loosened the ties to the point they drive trucks and tractors, trade furniture and food with the outside world and even live outside the commune. Some of this I know from personal experience as I had the pleasure to attend college with some Hutterites and they were the nicest, least pretentious students at school. I know there are a myriad of others, Hinduism, Shamanism, Rastafarian, et al. I'd be interested in hearing what other members think. When you became dissatisfied with your given religion did you investigate alternatives? What qualities would a religion have to have to entice / attract you or have you had your fill and nothing will suffice?