Theists: Why do you think Atheism exists?

[Mestemia]

Originally Posted by tariqkhwaja

It doesn't matter if you do not worship God. You believe He exists. Why do Atheists not believe that? Because either Theists have a corrupted version of Theism OR because Atheists are dishonest and reject the truth that God exists. Which part of this was so complicated? Kai!

Again with that "truth" claim.

[tariqkhwaja]

1. Religion has long been used to control people. Simply put, it's the strongest motivating component to humanity, for better or worse.

No comment.

2. No one likes to have an invisible force interfere with what they want to do. And the invisible part gives them a good reason to continue on as they always have.

No, no one likes it. The problem being Atheists can't distinguish between interference and guidance. Like going to visit downtown New York and ditching the map claiming "I don't like interference" and I would rather "do it my own way".

3. Most people are hypocrites and poor ambassadors for their deity. With an invisible deity, what example do the masses have to change their mind?

Hypocrites of the highest order too. Fooling themselves into thinking God loves them. Good point.

4. Friends. Atheists tend to hang out in groups and people generally take on the opinions and thoughts of friends/acquaintances whom they hold in high esteem. This is equally true for theists, I think, though.

I think I did not understand this point. But if you mean company you hang out with influences ... that is mostly true.

5. Almost good arguments that lead to bad conclusions.

For Theists who does not know what they are talking about, yes.

6. Some people just don't think that faith is a logical decision.

True. And that is baaaad. And a real turn off for any person who believes in using common sense to evaluate religions. Faith is blind many Theists would tell you. But why would God punish us for not believing blindly? Makes no sense.

7. Personal experience (loss, etc.) has biased them against God.

That is no excuse for anyone to become an Atheist. The Why God makes us suffer so He must not exist argument is a fallacy.

[Mestemia]

Originally Posted by tariqkhwaja

No comment.

Why not?

Originally Posted by tariqkhwaja

No, no one likes it. The problem being Atheists can't distinguish between interference and guidance. Like going to visit downtown New York and ditching the map claiming "I don't like interference" and I would rather "do it my own way".

Of course, the same could be said of theists, no?

Originally Posted by tariqkhwaja

Hypocrites of the highest order too. Fooling themselves into thinking God loves them. Good point.

Seems to me that there is no hypocrite like a religious hypocrite.

Originally Posted by tariqkhwaja

I think I did not understand this point. But if you mean company you hang out with influences ... that is mostly true.

I suspect he means something like: "Birds of a feather flock together."

Originally Posted by tariqkhwaja

For Theists who does not know what they are talking about, yes.

I would add that the differing religions greatly contribute to the problem.

Originally Posted by tariqkhwaja

True. And that is baaaad. And a real turn off for any person who believes in using common sense to evaluate religions. Faith is blind many Theists would tell you. But why would God punish us for not believing blindly? Makes no sense.

That ain't the only thing that doesn't make sense.
Ever heard anyone try to 'explain' the Trinity concept?

Originally Posted by tariqkhwaja

That is no excuse for anyone to become an Atheist. The Why God makes us suffer so He must not exist argument is a fallacy.

So fallacies are no excuse to leave theism?
does that mean that fallacies are no excuse to become a theist?

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Originally Posted by Mestemia

Of course, the same could be said of theists, no?

Considering how often I come across theists whose gods apparently agree with everything the theist thinks is right and wrong, I think that in many cases, religion is a matter of picking and choosing between maps until you find the one that points you where you feel like going anyway. Simply throwing the map away would be somewhat more honest, IMO.

Edit: whoops - I didn't realize that this was in the Same Faiths Debate section. I'm out.

[Mestemia]

Originally Posted by 9-10ths_penguin

considering how often i come across theists whose gods apparently agree with everything the theist thinks is right and wrong, i think that in many cases, religion is a matter of picking and choosing between maps until you find the one that points you where you feel like going anyway. Simply throwing the map away would be somewhat more honest, imo.

frubals for you!!!

[tariqkhwaja]

So fallacies are no excuse to leave theism?
does that mean that fallacies are no excuse to become a theist?

Of course. To become an Atheist/Theist after being shown it is logically incorrect is just dishonesty and blind faith.

Simply throwing the map away would be somewhat more honest, IMO.

But the better option would be to search for the map with the correct directions and not the directions that you "feel like going". Find the best map and if you are honest you should find it. But to throw all maps away?

Thiests who choose maps based not on finding God but based on where they "feel like going" are another reason why Atheists exist. Seeing such Theists makes Atheists realize that some people wrongly use religion to justify the bad things they want to do.

[gnostic]

Have anyone consider that atheists might have read the "holy" scripture and found that they don't believe in the "hocus-pocus" that they have read?

They probably found the prophets, saints or whoever wrote these scriptures to be dishonest.

[Aupmanyav]

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Why do you think, as theists, that people are atheist or choose to become atheist?

I became an atheist after much study and deliberation. I rever hindu Gods/Goddesses as the icons in my culture and mythology. They make us hindus.