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

[Rolling_Stone]

Originally Posted by kaat

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.

I understand this position reflects an addiction.

[mball1297]

Originally Posted by Rolling_Stone

I understand this position reflects an addiction.

In other words, you don't understand it.

[Father Heathen]

Originally Posted by Heneni

Our souls need a good scrubbing every now and then. Stinking thinking is not just an atheist condition, its an epidemic.

Those of your persuasion are of the opinion that all thinking is stinking.

[Father Heathen]

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.

You might want to crawl out of your dark, lonely cave and take a long look around the real world, and perhaps pick up a history book or two. What are some of the heinous things atheists have done without fear of sky daddy spankings? Invent the light bulb? Speaking of repercussions, what holds an atheist in check is his brain; understanding cause and effect, self-preservation and rational self-interest. Our choices have earthly consequences to deter us from making bad decisions (such as prison, reputation, etc), regardless if someone believes in a horned boogyman or not. Humans are a social animal where love, concern and compassion are innate, natural traits. They're not beamed down from the clouds exclusively into the heads of believers only. And do I even need to get into some of the atrocities and injustices that have stained the hands of religion over the course of history?

[Rolling_Stone]

Originally Posted by Father Heathen

You might want to crawl out of your dark, lonely cave and take a long look around the real world, and perhaps pick up a history book or two. What are some of the heinous things atheists have done without fear of sky daddy spankings? Invent the light bulb? Speaking of repercussions, what holds an atheist in check is his brain; understanding cause and effect, self-preservation and rational self-interest. Our choices have earthly consequences to deter us from making bad decisions (such as prison, reputation, etc), regardless if someone believes in a horned boogyman or not. Humans are a social animal where love, concern and compassion are innate, natural traits. They're not beamed down from the clouds exclusively into the heads of believers only. And do I even need to get into some of the atrocities that have stained the hands of religion over the course of history?

Like I said in another thread: Stalin acted in the name of an atheistic ideal. Should I therefore blame atheists or atheism? Please. How about a little consistency of thought?

"Our choices have earthly consequences to deter us from making bad decisions." Cool. I thought fear being used as a deterrent was an argument against theism. Does this mean it can be used against atheism, too?

[mball1297]

Originally Posted by Rolling_Stone

Like I said in another thread: Stalin acted in the name of an atheistic ideal. Should I therefore blame atheists or atheism? Please. How about a little consistency of thought?

This has been said many times before. It is not an atheistic ideal. There is no such thing. A lack of a belief in God does not cause one to do anything. You might associate some other ideas with atheism, but that doesn't mean they are a necessary by-product.

"Our choices have earthly consequences to deter us from making bad decisions." Cool. I thought fear being used as a deterrent was an argument against theism. Does this mean it can be used against atheism, too?

If you want to hold rational fear due to consistent results of actions which can be perceived and logged, then sure. the fear that is used as an argument against theism is the fear of consequences that have no basis in reality, and won't ever be perceived or logged in this life.

[Father Heathen]

Originally Posted by Rolling_Stone

Like I said in another thread: Stalin acted in the name of an atheistic ideal. Should I therefore blame atheists or atheism? Please. How about a little consistency of thought?

I wasn't blaming religion as a whole. Because Edward was portraying atheism as some great evil, I was only pointing out that religion hasn't exactly been squeaky clean itself.

"Our choices have earthly consequences to deter us from making bad decisions." Cool. I thought fear being used as a deterrent was an argument against theism. Does this mean it can be used against atheism, too?

That's not what I meant. I probably could've worded my post a bit better. Edward said atheists like go on blind, lust fueled, murderous rampages without regard to consequences and repercussions, as if god and hell were the only things to deter people. It's not just fear of obvious reactions, but rationale and ethics.

[Rolling_Stone]

Originally Posted by Father Heathen

I wasn't blaming religion as a whole. Because Edward was portraying atheism as some great evil, I was only pointing out that religion hasn't exactly been squeaky clean itself.

Okay. I won't dispute that. Even so, however, much (not all) of the bad religion is supposedly guilty of has secular motivations.

That's not what I meant. I probably could've reworded my post a bit better. Edward said atheists like go on blind, lust fueled, murderous rampages without regard to consequences and repercussions, as if god and hell were the only things to deter people. It's not just fear of obvious reactions, but rationale and ethics.

Of course that's silly. My son is an atheist and one of the most compassionate I know. But even he readily admits that there is no rational reason for an atheist not to do those things if it is his pleasure and to his advantage to do so. (Being caught is a disadvantage.)

Ethics and morality are value-judgments and therefore non-rational (not irrational).