Is FE theory compatible with atheism?

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PastafarianGuy

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #30 on: November 20, 2008, 10:49:54 AM »
Reasons to preach atheism:
  • I don't like people saying 'God' all the time.


Anything more to add to the list?

There is so much more, but I don't feel like writing a manifesto right now to explain all of the reasons.  Mainly I strive for everybody to use reason, logic, and morality as much as possible, and religions often result in the opposite (i.e. magic, repressive rules, sexism (make me a sammich, wommin!), extremism/radicalism, the list goes on.)
"We must question the story logic of having an all-knowing all-powerful God, who creates faulty Humans, and then blames them for his own mistakes." - Gene Roddenberry

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Dead Kangaroo

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #31 on: November 20, 2008, 12:16:22 PM »
This topic should be moved to Religion and Philosophy.

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PastafarianGuy

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #32 on: November 20, 2008, 12:27:08 PM »
This topic is supposed to be about if FE theory can be explained without creationism, but all of my threads quickly turn into "stop being an atheist so much" and me going "no!".  Or "you spelled that wrong and that word is stupid" "is that really important?" "Yes, and you are dumb."
"We must question the story logic of having an all-knowing all-powerful God, who creates faulty Humans, and then blames them for his own mistakes." - Gene Roddenberry

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paddy

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #33 on: November 20, 2008, 01:03:06 PM »
This topic is supposed to be about if FE theory can be explained without creationism, but all of my threads quickly turn into "stop being an atheist so much" and me going "no!".  Or "you spelled that wrong and that word is stupid" "is that really important?" "Yes, and you are dumb."

If you are going to argue logic, argue logic.  Let the survival of the fittest ideas sort the rest out.  I am functionally an atheist myself.  Although I think agnosticism is the only logical conclusion, atheism is the fittest survival strategy so for all intensive purposes, I may as well be one.  It's silly though to be bothered by all the religiosity in the country. 

We only just transitioned in the last 150 years from a world where the superstitious model was the fittest, to one where the logical model was the fittest. (I mean this in a practical, day to day level where superstitions were used to give reasons to everything from what makes food spoil to what herbal remedies lowered fevers.)

You feel strain?  Good, adaptation is supposed to have that affect.  From my perspective, though, you may want to relax about it a bit more.  Your username suggested you'd be easily baited if you were accused of being an atheistic zealot, and you proved those people right.  This discussion what thus derailed.  I would recommend that, instead of finding ways to bring atheism into an argument, look for ways to factor all faith elements out.  If you want to "argue logic to win over those that invest in faith" then don't argue against their faith, just argue against the weaker constructs of their world view.  If they start a religious argument, decide first if you want to enter one right now.  I avoid those like the plague, instead argue that regardless of religion, the world should make sense, and debate what we find within it.  You are far more likely to soften a religious zealot that way than by blunt force arguments, though it is definitely still a lot harder than preaching to the choir.

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PastafarianGuy

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #34 on: November 20, 2008, 03:26:40 PM »
Why is it that almost every atheist I talk to is against striving to spread the idea?  Perhaps many become atheists because they were very pressured into conforming with one religion or another, and they decided to go to the extreme opposite (atheism/agnosticism) and be against spreading their newfound views.  Well, that's not how I choose to act.  As a matter of fact, it should be a GOAL to explain to people why atheism isn't as extreme or as crazy as it seems and actually makes much more sense.  Maybe some believe in belief, or think that society needs religion. I am an atheist who believes in atheism, if that makes sense.

Let's move this over to Religion, because I doubt there is any chance of this thread steering back to the original topic.
"We must question the story logic of having an all-knowing all-powerful God, who creates faulty Humans, and then blames them for his own mistakes." - Gene Roddenberry

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paddy

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #35 on: November 20, 2008, 03:56:01 PM »
I've never felt pressure to join a religion.  Nor is atheism/agnosticism in any way extreme.  I suppose it's because those annoying people that knock on my door to try and sell me a religion are... annoying, and I have no desire to annoy people. 

The way I see it, if someone wants to argue creationism over evolution, I will tromp them in the discussion on those terms.  It doesn't have to be about religion vs atheism, just creationism vs evolution.  If someone wants to argue a constitutional amendment that makes assumptions derived only from someone's holy book, I'll argue against that in those terms.

But honestly, faith itself doesn't bother me at all.  Diversity is good.  When someone's faith starts causing problems in legislation and the society I live in, then I attack those problems, not the faith.  If the faith goes down with it, so be it, if not, that's fine too. 

In short, I think religion is a dying idea, it can't compete in modern society.  It will be out performed and go the way of the horse and buggy.  But just as I am glad for the freedom to follow my own ideas (as long as they don't hurt others) I am happy to respect that religious people are following their ideas.  No matter how sure we are that we are correct, we have no right to pound it into others.  No one has a monopoly on thinking they are right.

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Emir Parkreiner

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #36 on: November 20, 2008, 05:40:30 PM »
This topic is supposed to be about if FE theory can be explained without creationism, but all of my threads quickly turn into "stop being an atheist so much"
Change your name, I suggest Techno Viking.

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Parsifal

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #37 on: November 20, 2008, 10:01:11 PM »
Why is it such a common ideal that once you become an atheist, you're never supposed to be excited about your newfound ideas and just keep it to yourself?  I'm a firm believer that promoting atheism promotes logic and science, among other things.  So excuse me if I question the idea of the magical being(s) that many were taught to believe in (and most likely from an early and vulnerable stage of life.)

Stop being such an asshole. With that attitude, you're just as bad as fundamentalist Christians. There's a difference between encouraging people to think for themselves and telling them that your belief is the only rational outcome of freethought. I once talked to someone who had come to their own conclusion that Christianity was true through a free thinking process... granted, she didn't understand the alternatives and was just as condescending towards evolutionists as you are towards theists, but that's not the point; to assume that everybody who thinks for themselves will automatically believe the same thing that you do is nothing short of arrogant.

Also, moved.
« Last Edit: November 20, 2008, 10:02:56 PM by Robosteve »
I'm going to side with the white supremacists.

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Wendy

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #38 on: November 21, 2008, 02:40:34 AM »
The majority of the world's population believe in a creator and a round earth.

That's because the majorit of the world's population are ignorant to scientific fact.
Here's an explanation for ya. Lurk moar. Every single point you brought up has been posted, reposted, debated and debunked. There is a search function on this forum, and it is very easy to use.

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britishgent

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #39 on: November 21, 2008, 06:21:29 AM »
Or from another perspective the minority of the world's population are ignorant of divine prescence. If God's existance could be proven the faith of his followers would be pretty meaningless.
Global warming: Liberal hoax
The earth is not getting warmer after all; the effect is really just the prevalence of air conditioning. It just seems warmer when we go outside.

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Daz555

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #40 on: November 21, 2008, 06:26:48 AM »
Or from another perspective the minority of the world's population are ignorant of divine prescence.
Actually the ALL the worlds population are ignorant of a devine presence.

Even those who believe have no actual knowledge of their god.

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britishgent

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #41 on: November 21, 2008, 06:35:57 AM »
If you could prove God's existance what significance/meaning would faith have?
Global warming: Liberal hoax
The earth is not getting warmer after all; the effect is really just the prevalence of air conditioning. It just seems warmer when we go outside.

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Wendy

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #42 on: November 21, 2008, 07:51:38 AM »
What signifigance does faith have now? I don't think belief is worth anything.
Here's an explanation for ya. Lurk moar. Every single point you brought up has been posted, reposted, debated and debunked. There is a search function on this forum, and it is very easy to use.

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ﮎingulaЯiτy

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #43 on: November 21, 2008, 11:06:46 AM »
What signifigance does faith have now? I don't think belief is worth anything.
Agreed. Well wait, faith is useful for determining which people can be convinced of something they like without any evidence, or having the concept obey the laws of physics.

I dare say that (other than those indoctrinated) nobody believes in the magic invisible pink elephant in the clouds, until he promises eternal paradise. Yes, invisible pink.
If I was asked to imagine a perfect deity, I would never invent one that suffers from a multiple personality disorder. Christians get points for originality there.

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Wendy

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #44 on: November 21, 2008, 01:53:12 PM »
I like that colour. It's pretty. I think God has that on his robes, if he has any. If he is even a he. Nobody knows. :P
Here's an explanation for ya. Lurk moar. Every single point you brought up has been posted, reposted, debated and debunked. There is a search function on this forum, and it is very easy to use.

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britishgent

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #45 on: November 21, 2008, 03:51:00 PM »
There's always Pascal's wager but that's not really faith, why do you assume all religious people have been indoctrinated?
Global warming: Liberal hoax
The earth is not getting warmer after all; the effect is really just the prevalence of air conditioning. It just seems warmer when we go outside.

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General Douchebag

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #46 on: November 21, 2008, 04:14:56 PM »
Nobody that wasn't indoctrinated would believe in it.
No but I'm guess your what? 90? Cause you just so darn mature </sarcasm>

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britishgent

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #47 on: November 21, 2008, 04:21:10 PM »
I can't imagine Punisher was indoctrinated unless he lives in Ethiopia. I doubt Einstein was either. I'm religious and come from a free thinking anti-christian environment. To believe Creationism or to believe the Bible literally certainly requires indoctrination but there is an entire spectrum inside every religion you cannot simply say they're all indoctrinated that's a massive assumption.
Global warming: Liberal hoax
The earth is not getting warmer after all; the effect is really just the prevalence of air conditioning. It just seems warmer when we go outside.

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General Douchebag

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #48 on: November 21, 2008, 04:22:41 PM »
If you had never heard of religion in your childhood, and somebody tried to explain it to you, would you want to punch them?
No but I'm guess your what? 90? Cause you just so darn mature </sarcasm>

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Wendy

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #49 on: November 21, 2008, 04:42:21 PM »
Not really. I would like to know more. Then, when I caught up with my present self, I would probably want them to see my point in all of it, which they of course wouldn't, and then we'd agree to disagree.
Here's an explanation for ya. Lurk moar. Every single point you brought up has been posted, reposted, debated and debunked. There is a search function on this forum, and it is very easy to use.

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paddy

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #50 on: November 21, 2008, 06:18:26 PM »
There's always Pascal's wager but that's not really faith, why do you assume all religious people have been indoctrinated?

It does seem a little suspect as to if free will plays a real role when religions are so tied to geography and cultural borders.  If there is a "right religion" it seems a bit off that there would be a genetic lottery as to whether you were born in an area with "the good religion" or "one of the many bad ones" since it's so heavily divided along those lines.


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ﮎingulaЯiτy

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #51 on: November 24, 2008, 06:48:25 AM »
I can't imagine Punisher was indoctrinated unless he lives in Ethiopia. I doubt Einstein was either. I'm religious and come from a free thinking anti-christian environment. To believe Creationism or to believe the Bible literally certainly requires indoctrination but there is an entire spectrum inside every religion you cannot simply say they're all indoctrinated that's a massive assumption.
Religious indoctrination stems from the previous generation. I think everybody agrees that at some point, another cause created the first generation of religious people. It has been said many times that the primary cause may simply be called 'comfort'. Indoctrination just keeps religion alive through generations but there are always people who surcome to the emotional benefits without being brainwashed first when the parents didn't.
If I was asked to imagine a perfect deity, I would never invent one that suffers from a multiple personality disorder. Christians get points for originality there.

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britishgent

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #52 on: November 29, 2008, 08:19:37 AM »
rebellion against the older generation has always occurred within society so ,by your logic, i could claim atheism is just some kevin-like character saying mum and dad are christian, REBEL YELL there is no God!!!!
Global warming: Liberal hoax
The earth is not getting warmer after all; the effect is really just the prevalence of air conditioning. It just seems warmer when we go outside.

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ﮎingulaЯiτy

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Re: Is FE theory compatible with atheism?
« Reply #53 on: November 29, 2008, 06:35:53 PM »
rebellion against the older generation has always occurred within society so ,by your logic, i could claim atheism is just some kevin-like character saying mum and dad are christian, REBEL YELL there is no God!!!!
There are exceptions to every rule, and probably examples as well. I'm sure there are atheists somewhere who converted for the wrong reasons.
If I was asked to imagine a perfect deity, I would never invent one that suffers from a multiple personality disorder. Christians get points for originality there.