The Atheist Alliance 2.0 Page 3

Started by Phantom April 25th, 2014 8:34 PM
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  • 140 replies

GreyBidoof

You used a Master Ball on the GreyBidoof!

Age 26
Male
Goldenrod City, Johto
Seen June 14th, 2020
Posted November 29th, 2018
774 posts
9 Years
Hey guys,
I'm not looking to join, but I do have some questions I'd like to respectfully discuss with anyone that's willing. Is that allowed?



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Mana

Age 31
Male
UK
Seen March 25th, 2023
Posted August 18th, 2021
10,075 posts
14.3 Years
Join me up please! :) I was a member of the old club. I've been an atheist as far as I can remember, in primary school I was very confused by the idea of praying every morning / thanking God or Jesus for things. It never really clicked with my ideals.

Have you ever run into an issue because of your disbelief? Discrimination?

Nope, here in the UK atheists are a majority faction and on the rise~

You do not need to be atheist/agnostic to join this club. And member of any religion can post here if they have questions if done so in a respectful manner. If someone PMs you in a rude way regarding your lack of faith, please report them to the staff.
^ GreyBidoof - looks like you can go ahead! :)

GreyBidoof

You used a Master Ball on the GreyBidoof!

Age 26
Male
Goldenrod City, Johto
Seen June 14th, 2020
Posted November 29th, 2018
774 posts
9 Years
^ GreyBidoof - looks like you can go ahead! :)
Sweet! Well, then my first question would be as follows:

How would you define your atheism? Do you believe that it is impossible/illogical for a God or deity to exist? Or do you simply choose based on what you have experienced not to believe in one? (Or perhaps another explanation I haven't expressed?)



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Mana

Age 31
Male
UK
Seen March 25th, 2023
Posted August 18th, 2021
10,075 posts
14.3 Years
Sweet! Well, then my first question would be as follows:

How would you define your atheism? Do you believe that it is impossible/illogical for a God or deity to exist? Or do you simply choose based on what you have experienced not to believe in one? (Or perhaps another explanation I haven't expressed?)
For me, it's a bit of both.

I don't feel the need to have a god, I am comfortable with my life without one. I understand, I think, that some people need a god to comfort them or encourage them through life. I just find my motivation in the physical world I suppose.

I also don't see the logic behind a god. The world is too chaotic and diverse to be maintained or associated with an almighty or perfect being. I also find the contradictions between teachings and what happened in the real world to be incredibly ironic - god wants us to love everyone, but also declares people sinners. We are all gods children, yet he 'created' things that harm and kill us.

Just my two cents :)
Male
United Kingdom
Seen February 3rd, 2022
Posted July 19th, 2014
46 posts
8.9 Years
Hi there, I'd like to join & take part in some off the discussions. Strictly speaking I'm an agnostic atheist because I accept that I can never know for certain if a deity could exist or not; however because I lead my life with the assumption that a deity does not exist I am in effect just an atheist.

How would you define your atheism? Do you believe that it is impossible/illogical for a God or deity to exist? Or do you simply choose based on what you have experienced not to believe in one? (Or perhaps another explanation I haven't expressed?)
I wouldn't say impossible, but with my understanding of how things work I just find it highly unlikely. To the general idea of a higher power or influence I wouldn't even necessarily say illogical, as it is something we couldn't possibly prove at this point in time.

What I do personally find to be illogical is the notion of any specific deity cited by any particular religion. With so many conflicting religions and denominations I can't believe that any single one could be true, and I especially can't believe that any of them could care about us.

I'm an atheist because to me it seems more likely that there aren't any deities/gods than that any do exist.


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GreyBidoof

You used a Master Ball on the GreyBidoof!

Age 26
Male
Goldenrod City, Johto
Seen June 14th, 2020
Posted November 29th, 2018
774 posts
9 Years
Well, it's cool to get some different responses, especially since I had no idea what was going to be said. I hope you guys won't mind if I add some comments of my own.

For me, it's a bit of both.
I also don't see the logic behind a god. The world is too chaotic and diverse to be maintained or associated with an almighty or perfect being. I also find the contradictions between teachings and what happened in the real world to be incredibly ironic
While the world is certainly very chaotic (even though a large percentage of the chaos is caused by people themselves), I would say that the world is also very intelligently designed (ex- the earth's delicate life-supporting planetary conditions, the functionality of the human body). I find it much easier to believe that someone purposed for these things to be this way, rather than just randomly occurring (which, in terms of probability, is incredibly slim). I would also venture to say that the "contradictions" you mentioned are not actually so, and can be explained.

For me, it's a bit of both.
god wants us to love everyone, but also declares people sinners. We are all gods children, yet he 'created' things that harm and kill us.
Could it be that God does want us to love everyone, but calls people sinners because they fail to do so? And could it also be that the things that harm people could be a result of (excuse the religious reference) sin in the world?

Hi there, I'd like to join & take part in some off the discussions. Strictly speaking I'm an agnostic atheist because I accept that I can never know for certain if a deity could exist or not; however because I lead my life with the assumption that a deity does not exist I am in effect just an atheist.
This makes a lot of sense to me. I've always wondered why people would claim that there is no God when they could really never know it to be true, but your explanation, which leans more toward agnosticism, is logical.

I wouldn't say impossible, but with my understanding of how things work I just find it highly unlikely. To the general idea of a higher power or influence I wouldn't even necessarily say illogical, as it is something we couldn't possibly prove at this point in time.
Again, I agree with you on this point. There is no way to prove the existence of a God, or at least (like you said, at this point). That's not to say that you couldn't experience and/or have faith in a God, it just means that there's no way to factually prove it. That's why it's called faith.

What I do personally find to be illogical is the notion of any specific deity cited by any particular religion. With so many conflicting religions and denominations I can't believe that any single one could be true, and I especially can't believe that any of them could care about us.

I'm an atheist because to me it seems more likely that there aren't any deities/gods than that any do exist.
I don't think that the idea of a specific deity being real or true is illogical. Different people interpret things differently, so that explains why there can be so many denominations within a religion. Assuming the possibility that one of these could be true, you could also make a case for one of them caring for people, based on their teachings.

It's incredibly hard for me to believe in a god. He says everything but tells nothing. Personally, I've never had even so much as an verbal argument with somebody over religion.
Not quite sure what you mean......? If you don't believe in a God then how does he "say everything?" :)

By the way, just wanted to put it out there that I'm not looking to argue with you guys, just wanted to share my opinion on some of the things that were said. I'm actually enjoying learning about atheism :)



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Phantom

Uh, I didn't do it

Age 32
Female
Minnesota
Seen September 18th, 2017
Posted September 18th, 2017
1,182 posts
11.8 Years
Hi there, I'd like to join & take part in some off the discussions. Strictly speaking I'm an agnostic atheist because I accept that I can never know for certain if a deity could exist or not; however because I lead my life with the assumption that a deity does not exist I am in effect just an atheist.
Welcome, and added.

And of course, anyone who is willing to respectfully join in is welcome.

MurkMire

Toxic Terror

Age 31
Male
Somewhere dark, cold, and quiet.
Seen April 3rd, 2023
Posted October 10th, 2022
901 posts
11.6 Years
New drama? I've been gone longer than I thought. I can only imagine what they are, but... tell us anyway. ;P

Shiny Bunnelby

Tolerated, but never celebrated.

Age 31
Female
Oklahoma, United States
Seen November 1st, 2015
Posted April 20th, 2015
362 posts
8.8 Years
Hey. Relatively new to the site and stumbled upon this! So, hi! I am an atheist. I live in Oklahoma, the notorious "buckle" of the Bible Belt. While atheism is underrepresented for the most part, there are a few groups that I have joined, such as Oklahoma Atheists, so I do not feel alone as I did while a teenager amongst my peers.

My family is spiritual and not religious, but as far as I know, I am the only one who doesn't believe in the divine. Fortunately, they aren't judgmental of other people. I've met a fair share of incredible Christians, Catholics, and Mormons who have absolutely no hateful bones in their bodies. On the other hand, I have faced public ridicule by complete strangers for not believing as they do. I tried church. I really tried to experience God. It ended pretty quickly when one of my friends came out as gay any not only got kicked out of church, but they ridiculed him behind his back during services. It was cruel and hateful. I did some "soul searching" and did heaps of reading before I came to my own conclusion.

I keep my views to myself these days unless asked, so issues rarely spring up. c:
"I call dis 'Flight of the Bunnelby'."
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Neil Peart

Learn to swim

Age 32
Male
Helsinki, Finland
Seen April 10th, 2021
Posted March 7th, 2021
753 posts
13.1 Years
I've identified as an atheist since I was 15, so seven years now. Before that, I can't say I ever really believed in anything. I just sort of parroted the religious nonsense and platitudes everyone else was spewing. George Carlin was the one who started my brain in the counterculture way it's been spinning for some time now, and he taught me how to question everything, especially religion. Seems kind of silly to some of you, but I never had a "father figure" or anyone in my life to guide me in my youth.

I'm one of the biggest skeptics you'll ever meet, and an even bigger cynic. I don't tolerate the mixing of science with religion, and I have an even lower tolerance for religious folk who castigate me for talking about my lack of belief, yet find it perfectly OK to lull me and anyone else to sleep with their drivel.

All in all, I'm glad to be here, and I hope to have some nice discussions.
If you’ve got a problem, take it out on a drum.

Hackenfall Backslash

The weirdest mofo you'll ever meet . . . seriously!

Non-binary
Florida, USA
Seen May 21st, 2017
Posted April 8th, 2015
67 posts
8.9 Years
I'm not an atheist but I get on well with them, so here I am!
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Phantom

Uh, I didn't do it

Age 32
Female
Minnesota
Seen September 18th, 2017
Posted September 18th, 2017
1,182 posts
11.8 Years
Hey. Relatively new to the site and stumbled upon this! So, hi! I am an atheist. I live in Oklahoma, the notorious "buckle" of the Bible Belt. While atheism is underrepresented for the most part, there are a few groups that I have joined, such as Oklahoma Atheists, so I do not feel alone as I did while a teenager amongst my peers.

My family is spiritual and not religious, but as far as I know, I am the only one who doesn't believe in the divine. Fortunately, they aren't judgmental of other people. I've met a fair share of incredible Christians, Catholics, and Mormons who have absolutely no hateful bones in their bodies. On the other hand, I have faced public ridicule by complete strangers for not believing as they do. I tried church. I really tried to experience God. It ended pretty quickly when one of my friends came out as gay any not only got kicked out of church, but they ridiculed him behind his back during services. It was cruel and hateful. I did some "soul searching" and did heaps of reading before I came to my own conclusion.

I keep my views to myself these days unless asked, so issues rarely spring up. c:

Welcome, and added.

I've identified as an atheist since I was 15, so seven years now. Before that, I can't say I ever really believed in anything. I just sort of parroted the religious nonsense and platitudes everyone else was spewing. George Carlin was the one who started my brain in the counterculture way it's been spinning for some time now, and he taught me how to question everything, especially religion. Seems kind of silly to some of you, but I never had a "father figure" or anyone in my life to guide me in my youth.

I'm one of the biggest skeptics you'll ever meet, and an even bigger cynic. I don't tolerate the mixing of science with religion, and I have an even lower tolerance for religious folk who castigate me for talking about my lack of belief, yet find it perfectly OK to lull me and anyone else to sleep with their drivel.

All in all, I'm glad to be here, and I hope to have some nice discussions.
Welcome, also added.

Neil Peart

Learn to swim

Age 32
Male
Helsinki, Finland
Seen April 10th, 2021
Posted March 7th, 2021
753 posts
13.1 Years
Have you ever run into an issue because of your disbelief? Discrimination?
My ex-girlfriend's parents really resented the fact that I was an atheist dating their Protestant daughter. At first, they blackballed me from their house, and then I had a discussion with them about the ordeal and they became a bit more tolerant.

When I was living in Texas, a secular humanist group wanted to put up a billboard that stated "Don't believe in God? You're not alone." That's all. A group of radical Christians got together to pressure the advertising company to take it down. Sure enough, about a mile down the road there was a billboard with an ad for some megachurch.
If you’ve got a problem, take it out on a drum.

Hackenfall Backslash

The weirdest mofo you'll ever meet . . . seriously!

Non-binary
Florida, USA
Seen May 21st, 2017
Posted April 8th, 2015
67 posts
8.9 Years
Have you ever run into an issue because of your disbelief? Discrimination?
It's silly when you say you're a non-believer and the first thing the creationist say is "No you're not!" like just being a non-believer in and of itself is worse than paedophilia. What I'd like to know is where the obsession with praying comes from. I know a Buddhist (great people, religion isn't even a religion) who was told to pray about their issues. I thought humans were responsible for their own lives. Maybe I'm wrong though. I am insane, after all.

If you're interested, the conversation went a little something like this (Buddhist acquaintance in blue; Baptist/Jehovah's Witness in green).

"But you believe in a god, right?"

"No. Buddha isn't really seen as a deity."

"Yeah, but people pray to him. So pray."

"I don't see the point."

"Just pray. The point is prayer. Talk to god -- whatever god you believe in."

Are they trying to change the foundation of every religion now? Buddhism isn't even a religion and they want to change it! Why?!

GreyBidoof

You used a Master Ball on the GreyBidoof!

Age 26
Male
Goldenrod City, Johto
Seen June 14th, 2020
Posted November 29th, 2018
774 posts
9 Years
"Just pray. The point is prayer. Talk to god -- whatever god you believe in."
That is pretty silly. Why would someone tell another person to pray to a deity that they themselves don't believe in?

I do know a lot of people of faith who aren't "obsessed" with praying, though. It's one thing to believe in some thing, and another to try and force it down someone's throat.



Friends for Infinity
RPT | Titans | Theme Song | Pair

"Doofin' it up."

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Phantom

Uh, I didn't do it

Age 32
Female
Minnesota
Seen September 18th, 2017
Posted September 18th, 2017
1,182 posts
11.8 Years
Hey there atheist joining in! Just coming to say there are more Atheists in the world than what some people think.
Hi there I'm an Atheist and I'd like to join this club.
Welcome to both of you!

General topic question, away~!

Are you 'out' with your atheism? Do you mention it in your real life, outside the internet? Or are you a closet 'internet' atheist?

Shiny Bunnelby

Tolerated, but never celebrated.

Age 31
Female
Oklahoma, United States
Seen November 1st, 2015
Posted April 20th, 2015
362 posts
8.8 Years

Are you 'out' with your atheism? Do you mention it in your real life, outside the internet? Or are you a closet 'internet' atheist?
Every person, who knows me well enough, is aware of my stance on religion. Otherwise, I won't mention it unless it is relevant.
"I call dis 'Flight of the Bunnelby'."
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Neil Peart

Learn to swim

Age 32
Male
Helsinki, Finland
Seen April 10th, 2021
Posted March 7th, 2021
753 posts
13.1 Years
Normaly I'm quiet about it. But if someone starts a conversation about why I should beleive in god I usualy tell him where I stand on the matter.
I love when a Christian jams their beliefs down the throats of anyone they can and claims their religion is being attacked daily.
If you’ve got a problem, take it out on a drum.

Raging Umbreon

Pkmn Trainer

Age 32
Male
Canada
Seen January 8th, 2015
Posted August 7th, 2014
48 posts
8.8 Years
I hate it when Christians do that. It's scary how many of them will attack someone simply for having a different opinion. Many of them think everyone should beleive in god simply because they beleive in god. But we are all individuals and we each have our own beleifs and different ways of thinking and seeing things. Some of them don't seem to understand this and respond with anger when someone other then them does not beleive in god.

Hackenfall Backslash

The weirdest mofo you'll ever meet . . . seriously!

Non-binary
Florida, USA
Seen May 21st, 2017
Posted April 8th, 2015
67 posts
8.9 Years
Christians are too dramatic for me. I went to one of their schools once. I couldn't mention Pokemon without being seen as a "demon summoner".

"Don't summon those demons here!"
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