"Choosing" to Go to Hell (punishment, choice, atheist)

[Mr Spinkles]

"The Invisible Pink Unicorn wants us to brush her long, flowing mane and tail. But she wants us to brush her hair because we want to, not because we've been forced to. Her holiness the Invisible Pink Unicorn let's us choose whether we want to live in bliss brushing her hair or suffer eternal damnation shoveling her manure in the afterlife. It's up to us to choose. People who choose not to believe in the existence of the Invisible Pink Unicorn have made their choice, and with a heavy heart, she will respect their decision."

Arguments of the same vein coming from theists sound every bit as silly, and here's why:

1) A nonbeliever cannot "choose" to be apart or against something whose existence he/she disputes. Only those who believe in the existence of the Invisible Pink Unicorn in the first place can make a decision as to their loyalty to her.
2) "Free choice" is negated by offering reward in the afterlife for obedience and punishment for disobedience.

Still, even thoughI have no reason to believe the Invisible Pink Unicorn exists, I go around saying she does, just in case. After all, I have nothing to lose and everything to gain by believing in her!

[Lightkeeper]

Originally Posted by Mr_Spinkles

"The Invisible Pink Unicorn wants us to brush her long, flowing mane and tail. But she wants us to brush her hair because we want to, not because we've been forced to. Her holiness the Invisible Pink Unicorn let's us choose whether we want to live in bliss brushing her hair or suffer eternal damnation shoveling her manure in the afterlife. It's up to us to choose. People who choose not to believe in the existence of the Invisible Pink Unicorn have made their choice, and with a heavy heart, she will respect their decision."

Arguments of the same vein coming from theists sound every bit as silly, and here's why:

1) A nonbeliever cannot "choose" to be apart or against something whose existence he/she disputes. Only those who believe in the existence of the Invisible Pink Unicorn in the first place can make a decision as to their loyalty to her.
2) "Free choice" is negated by offering reward in the afterlife for obedience and punishment for disobedience.

Still, even thoughI have no reason to believe the Invisible Pink Unicorn exists, I go around saying she does, just in case. After all, I have nothing to lose and everything to gain by believing in her!

You assume that there is only one right way to think and go through life.

[Ronald]

Mocking God, will not look good on your resume'! Undoubtably, you do not fear God!

[Mr Spinkles]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

You assume that there is only one right way to think and go through life.

I don't understand. Could you explain what you mean here?

[robtex]

Wow good stuff. Great points. Frubars for that post. I think I just had a similar experince online chatting with a writer friend of mine two days ago. Somehow religion came up and I told her I was an atheist (but not that I just converted) and she said, "Wow" " I didn't know that" "interesting" "Whatever makes you happy",

It isn't about what makes one happy ,sad, glad or mad. just a preception of reality that points away from a divine prescence. Truth be told a gracious loving God watching over us sounds like a great deal and if were completly up to me I would vote yes without a second delay. But it isn't a vote. And like you pointed out Spinkles, belief isn't a choice it is a realization independant of wants and desires.

[Mr Spinkles]

Originally Posted by Ronald

Mocking God, will not look good on your resume'! Undoubtably, you do not fear God!

Ronald, I can no more mock God than you can mock the Invisible Pink Unicorn. One can neither mock nor fear that which they do not believe exists.

[Mr Spinkles]

Originally Posted by robtex

Truth be told a gracious loving God watching over us sounds like a great deal and if were completly up to me I would vote yes without a second delay. But it isn't a vote. And like you pointed out Spinkles, belief isn't a choice it is a realization independant of wants and desires.

Exactly my point! I would have given you frubals for this, but I have to "spread them around" some more.

[Ronald]

I knew that, Mr_Spinkles, my post was for God fearers.

Make sure you don't immulate, Mr_Spinkles!

[Mr Spinkles]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

You assume that there is only one right way to think and go through life.

Lightkeeper, did this have something to do with my post, or was this just about me in general?