What do you feel is wrong with atheism? (beliefs, atheist)

[Edward Newman]

listen man think about how complex and precise life is. from the atom to the molecule the dna strand right to the galaxy and beyond. its far too complex to be accident. im not here to push religion but its like non beleivers are in the dark. heres a parable. gods house is in the middle of a huge feild. its pitch black outside but theres a door open in the house. lights shining through it. theres some people in the house theres some people just outside that can see the light and know its there but some people are so far in the dark they dont even know the house is there. im personally to afraid to go that far into the dark because i want god to know where i am. on the flip im afraid to go into the house because i think i might be uncomftorble and frankly i think id be afraid in the presence of god. its important to try to reach to the creator so that gods work might be done through you its not really about going to church everyday and some times its not even about obeying the law its about a connection with god. all kinds of work needs done here. sometimes even sin. i think that church congregation is important because it gets a clearer connection with god. i dont even think it really matters which church the important thing is that people are congregating with the intention of making connection with god. its like this. a single beleiver is like a single flame but when congregated all those flames create an inferno. it really is powerfull stuff man. im kind of in torment myself searching for the truth of christ. i mean the real truth, i dont think that the truth is the same thing that the church feeds the general congregation. the truth is hidden deep in the annals of the church. with the wolves. not the sheep. i see the singing choir as the innocent beleiver. the sheep. the child. it is important to protect them but keep them deceived for their own good. but in the eyes of the truth they are lambs to the slaughter. then among the crowd are the soldiers the souls in balance looking for a leader. they must not be givin the truth in its full extent because i beleive that anarchy would ensue. the preist is the leader and the crowd the perpetual yes men. sometimes a leader emerges from the crowd. but this is dangerous. its always most dangerous for the leader. the church as a whole represents the race as one. the will of the people. the beast. as an individual one must be carefull. because if the beast wills it will simply bury that individual. clip it off like a dirty firgernail. but the truth boy. the truth lies in the wolves. the deceptive. the cunning and charismatic. the truth can only be trusted to the strongest soul, and the individual capable of directing the beast. actions have power, but words inspire action. words are dangerous and it takes a seasoned soul to master their art. as for aethism its far too dangerous. if a man beleives he only has one mortal life this one he is the will of the beast pure. willing to do anything in order to obtain the pleasures of the flesh. at any cost. without fear of reprocussion. yet he is weak and less likely to stand up for anything. a follower in the crowd the truest sheep for fear of losing his own mortal life. good only for taking orders.ive no use for you souless feinds.

[texan1]

Hello Edward. Welcome to the forum!

Originally Posted by Edward Newman

as for aethism its far too dangerous. if a man beleives he only has one mortal life this one he is the will of the beast pure. willing to do anything in order to obtain the pleasures of the flesh. at any cost. without fear of reprocussion.

No, no. I don't think it's like that at all. I think you are confusing atheism with immorality. That's a common misconception that I think has been hashed over in this long thread already. There are plenty of good, decent people who happen to be atheists. I used to be a Christian but now question the whole idea of God. But I am the same person I always was. Believe it or not, it is possible for people to be compassionate and moral even if they don't believe in God. I mean, if you were suddenly given proof that there was no God, would you go out and start raping and murdering or have a sudden urge for "the pleasures of the flesh" at any cost? Lol I hope not ! I would assume that you would still love your neighbor, etc. because it's the right thing to do - whether or not a God is watching you.

Originally Posted by Edward Newman

ive no use for you souless feinds.

I am not a souless feind. Hehe. Well, I'm sorry you feel that way. I may not believe in God ( or at least the Christian version of who and what God is), but I certainly feel no hatred towards people like you who are certain in their belief in God.

[crystalonyx]

SInce when does religion stop people from doing harmful things? All actions can be rationalized if need be.

[kaat]

Originally Posted by .lava

in my opinion what's wrong is UNAVOIDABLE LACK OF MEANING.

Fair enough, but you should know that some think the "unavoidable lack of meaning" is the uncomfortable psychological condition that led to the creation of theism, by us, in the first place, thus making it akin to superstition - blind hope for some unknown power that makes sense of things. I think anyone can accept that as a potential reason not to believe.

[kaat]

Originally Posted by GadFly

I do not like it when atheist ridicule Christians. In fact, I do not like it when Christians ridicule atheist either. When you ridicule someone else you only show your ignorance of the facts. I think most atheist would agree with me about this and I think that most atheist believe in the Golden Rule in principle; what do you think?

Sorry, I don't agree with this, because to me, in this discussion, there ARE no facts. It's about people's beliefs and choices. What facts?

[kaat]

Originally Posted by Missionary

I think the problem with atheism is it causes some to forget their divine heritage. We are all children of a loving Heavenly Father. I respect the opinion of others and their right to practise religion according to their own conscience, but for those who are atheist and feel their is something more, look to Christ. I know he is our redeemer and a light to the world.

You KNOW He exists. We THINK He does not.

[kaat]

Originally Posted by idea

I will try to describe several different manifestations of the Spirit, my guess is that most people have experienced some level of His presence, but were unaware of what was happening to them…

One way is a warmth fills you perhaps to comfort you in a time of need, or in response to asking a question. You ask a question, like “Are you there God?” and the answer “yes” not spoken in words, but instead you feel a warmth come over you, in your heart, in your mind… a baptism of fire – not hot burning flames, but a warmth that fills you… Acts 2:37 (2:41) they were pricked in their heart… there is often an emotional response – I don’t want to say that being emotional is feeling the Holy Spirit, I am not an emotional person, but the Spirits presence can make you emotional.


Matt 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

The Spirit “fills” you with joy, with awe

Acts 13: 52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

The Spirit can open your mind, enlighten you, flood you with a torrent of information, reveal a depth of what is around you that you have not seen before, opening your eyes,

1 Thes 1: 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

Not in word only – not just in reading the Bible – testimony comes through a witness from the Holy Ghost, an actual being opens your mind and bears powerful witness to you that God is real, that we are not alone.

1 Cor. 2:11 things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God
1 Cor. 12:3 no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost

You have to be open to the Spirit, the difference between unto and into, will not come in unless invited… We have agency, we choose who to follow, who to allow into our heart. If we do not want the Spirit, or God to exist, They will respectfully stay away.
Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

The scriptures are not just words to read and ponder, they are words to experience. Not just read about the Holy Spirit, but feel the presence.

Other accounts…

1 Cor 6: 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.


Acts 19: 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve.

John 7: 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

1 Cor 2: 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath bprepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Kings 19:11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

so... what do I feel is wrong with atheism? It closes people off from the Holy Spirit. It hardens their heart and mind, and keeps them from experiencing anything spiritual, it keeps them from experiencing God.

I don't mean to be too personal, but supposing an atheist thinks this is a load of crap; a function of poor logic and vulnerable psychology that oddly gives only you this experience. Tell me you at least understand this position.

[Heneni]

Originally Posted by Papersock

It's not that hard. Take some paper, cut out two sock-shapes and tape them together, leaving an opening at the top. If you actually want to wear the thing, trace your foot, cut those out and tape the pieces over your foot.
What does this have to do with souls malfunctioning?

How long do you think the sock will last? A spirit is not designed to function properly without god.

Originally Posted by Rolling_Stone

Heck, someone who doesn't know the difference between contingent and non-contingent being is already so confused they couldn't find their way out of a paper sack.

Air bags are useful too, except when you use comments to like this to lighten the blow.

[quote=Edward Newman;1161007] it really is powerfull stuff man. quote]

You right!

Originally Posted by crystalonyx

SInce when does religion stop people from doing harmful things? All actions can be rationalized if need be.

You will only try to rationalise your behaviour if you think your free will is doing you any good.

Originally Posted by kaat

Sorry, I don't agree with this, because to me, in this discussion, there ARE no facts. It's about people's beliefs and choices. What facts?

Serving god is a choice, the only reasonable choice to make. The FACT is atheist cant prove that there isnt a god either. Is that reasonable? Not to me. Too much evidence and facts in my life suggest otherwise.

[kaat]

Originally Posted by PureX

For me, what's wrong with atheism is that it's unprovable and meaningless, while theism is unprovable, too, it's at least hopeful. I remain agnostic so that I can have the better of both concepts.

Seriously, how do you have the benefit of theism as an agnostic?