The only abs I have are abnormalities...

[Kharisym]

Howdy! I'm an atheist who enjoys challenging my beliefs and ideas. I try to live by the phrase, a belief unchallenged is not worth believing. To that end my life's path through religion, philosophy, and belief has been quite the chaotic path. I'm happy to admit when I don't know something, and happy to change my mind given appropriate evidence.

I grew up Christian (Church of the Brethren) ended up Wiccan, then agnostic before becoming a potato in the atheist couch. In terms of particular morals (atheism isn't very descriptive normally...) they've gone through a great deal of adjustment since I shed the theist coils. Right now I have my own religion that I developed myself: Altruanism.

I consider Altruanism to be an atheistic religion in that it doesn't assume any god or deity, and doesn't rely on the assumption on any reality outside the natural world. Altruanism is a religion, however, because it does have certain articles that can only be accepted on faith. Basically (and now we're gonna get a little cuckoo) I believe that humanity will create their own mechanism for an afterlife sometime in the distant future--we're talking generations--and by the application of time manipulation our consciousnesses can be transferred forward to it. There are three *huge* assumptions in this belief: 1) Can the mind be transferred without failing the transporter paradox? 2) Is it possible to send and receive information between the past and future (My answer to the transporter paradox requires bi-directional communication)? 3) Will a civilization exist sometime in the future willing to put the effort into making this man-made afterlife?

The answers to 1 and 2 are beyond our control, but the third is something we can exert influence on right now. For a sufficiently altruistic civilization to exist that would be interested in helping us out here in the past, we must work towards laying the foundations for it today by trying to make the world a better place. That's what it means to be Altruan.

So tl;dr: Chaotic, crazy, a bit obsessive.

 

[The Hammer]

Welcome welcome.

There might be cake. But you have to prove it exists first.

 

[Kharisym]

Welcome welcome.

There might be cake. But you have to prove it exists first.

The cake exists because we can say the cake does not exist. For the cake to not exist requires it to not reside within the realm of conceived thought. Since we can comprehend the concept of the cake not existing, the cake must therefore exist.

 

[The Hammer]

The cake exists because we can say the cake does not exist. For the cake to not exist requires it to not reside within the realm of conceived thought. Since we can comprehend the concept of the cake not existing, the cake must therefore exist.

Does that mean the Gods exist, since I can conceive of them? That anything I can think of is ultimately true?

 

[Kharisym]

Does that mean the Gods exist, since I can conceive of them? That anything I can think of is ultimately true?

So serious talk: Yes, for a specific definition of exist. Just because something can exist in the realm of conceptualization does not mean it exists in the natural world. We can say the 'concept' of spiderman exists, but spiderman is not flesh and blood (Spiders don't have blood. If you ever step on a spider and it bleeds red, call an exorcist.)

 

[The Hammer]

So serious talk: Yes, for a specific definition of exist. Just because something can exist in the realm of conceptualization does not mean it exists in the natural world. We can say the 'concept' of spiderman exists, but spiderman is not flesh and blood (Spiders don't have blood. If you ever step on a spider and it bleeds red, call an exorcist.)

"Of course this is all happening inside your head. But that doesn't mean it isn't real." - Albus Dumbledore (J.K. Rowling)

 

[Brickjectivity]

I grew up Christian (Church of the Brethren)

I knew somebody who joined that church about 30 years ago. He was pentacostal nondenominational before that. I don't know what happened to him after that. Probably he became a Mennonite or perhaps a gym teacher. Gym teachers are the most religious of all.

ended up Wiccan

Seems to have been a fad that a lot of people went through. Some people still believe its happening, but I'm not certain. I think we have a few (Wicca) claimants here, but we aren't sure what the definition of Wiccan is.

before becoming a potato in the atheist couch

We have lots of spudlians and spaghetti monsterians. We don't, however, have a lot of ontological discussions, except that lately we have had a spate of reverse ontological arguments where someone wants to prove ontologically that there is no God. Its not a very religious forum, lately. More like an ecto philosophical one. No its not a real phrase.

In terms of particular morals (atheism isn't very descriptive normally...) they've gone through a great deal of adjustment since I shed the theist coils. Right now I have my own religion that I developed myself: Altruanism.

Famous quote from altruanist scripture: "If you altru me, you must altru my friend, too!"

1) Can the mind be transferred without failing the transporter paradox?

I am unfamiliar with the transporter paradox, unless you are referring to the question of whether a transporter beam murders the person being transported.

2) Is it possible to send and receive information between the past and future

Doubt it, because the information that you and I use is not information separate from entropy. What we use as information is formed of the entropy of particles, and entropy is part of time. Without the flow of time there is no entropy and no transfer of what we consider to be information. There could be information that is not made of particles, and it could be something like our information in form but not really something you and I can manipulate. That information would already exist at all times I think and would not need to be transferred. The entire problem for us with that information is that we cannot access it and can only imitate it partially.

3) Will a civilization exist sometime in the future willing to put the effort into making this man-made afterlife?

It can exist in faith. That is, you can believe it will exist; and therefore it exists for you so long as you are working to make it real.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

The cake exists because we can say the cake does not exist. For the cake to not exist requires it to not reside within the realm of conceived thought. Since we can comprehend the concept of the cake not existing, the cake must therefore exist.

Playing fast and loose with the word "exist" is what makes so many arguments end up in endless loops, causing local collapse of all possible logical thought processes -- and the cake. Sorry, you'll have to do without, or try to enjoy a very flat cake. Nobody could possibly enjoy such a thing!

Welcome anyway -- have fun.

 

[The Hammer]

I think we have a few (Wicca) claimants here, but we aren't sure what the definition of Wiccan is.

Definition of Wicca

: a religion influenced by pre-Christian beliefs and practices of western Europe that affirms the existence of supernatural power (such as magic) and of both male and female deities who inhere in nature and that emphasizes ritual observance of seasonal and life cycles.

Definition of WICCA

 

[Valjean]

Welcome, Kharisym

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

Hello Kharisym, and welcome to Religious Forums.

 

[Revoltingest]

Greetings!

There might be cake, but there's pie for dessert
in the staff lounge tonite...

 

[Kenny]

Howdy! I'm an atheist who enjoys challenging my beliefs and ideas. I try to live by the phrase, a belief unchallenged is not worth believing. To that end my life's path through religion, philosophy, and belief has been quite the chaotic path. I'm happy to admit when I don't know something, and happy to change my mind given appropriate evidence.

I grew up Christian (Church of the Brethren) ended up Wiccan, then agnostic before becoming a potato in the atheist couch. In terms of particular morals (atheism isn't very descriptive normally...) they've gone through a great deal of adjustment since I shed the theist coils. Right now I have my own religion that I developed myself: Altruanism.

I consider Altruanism to be an atheistic religion in that it doesn't assume any god or deity, and doesn't rely on the assumption on any reality outside the natural world. Altruanism is a religion, however, because it does have certain articles that can only be accepted on faith. Basically (and now we're gonna get a little cuckoo) I believe that humanity will create their own mechanism for an afterlife sometime in the distant future--we're talking generations--and by the application of time manipulation our consciousnesses can be transferred forward to it. There are three *huge* assumptions in this belief: 1) Can the mind be transferred without failing the transporter paradox? 2) Is it possible to send and receive information between the past and future (My answer to the transporter paradox requires bi-directional communication)? 3) Will a civilization exist sometime in the future willing to put the effort into making this man-made afterlife?

The answers to 1 and 2 are beyond our control, but the third is something we can exert influence on right now. For a sufficiently altruistic civilization to exist that would be interested in helping us out here in the past, we must work towards laying the foundations for it today by trying to make the world a better place. That's what it means to be Altruan.

So tl;dr: Chaotic, crazy, a bit obsessive.

Join this cake we call RF

fruit cake

 

[ChristineM]

Hi there, welcome to RF. Enjoy.

When people challenge beliefs here they do it in style.

Oh and did someone meantion cake?

 

[England my lionheart]

Welcome to the RF

 

[Aupmanyav]

3) Will a civilization exist sometime in the future willing to put the effort into making this man-made afterlife?

First a welcome to Religious Forums from another atheist. Have a good time here.
They are trying that now and they will keep on trying in future too. What they will be able to put in an elongated human life is uncertain. Will it be a preferred option, or humans will say enough is enough. In future we may not have the same desire for elongating our life since we will understand things better.
Now, I am 80 years old, beyond my sex years. Would like take testosterone or viagra (and suffer their side effects)? No, I am through and OK with it.

 

[danieldemol]

Welcome to RF @Kharisym

 

[VoidCat]

Welcome to RF

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

The cake exists because we can say the cake does not exist.

Three quick points:

1. The map is nor the territory.
2. Kushtaka do not exist.
3. Welcome to RF.

 

[Nimos]

Howdy! I'm an atheist who enjoys challenging my beliefs and ideas. I try to live by the phrase, a belief unchallenged is not worth believing. To that end my life's path through religion, philosophy, and belief has been quite the chaotic path. I'm happy to admit when I don't know something, and happy to change my mind given appropriate evidence.

I grew up Christian (Church of the Brethren) ended up Wiccan, then agnostic before becoming a potato in the atheist couch. In terms of particular morals (atheism isn't very descriptive normally...) they've gone through a great deal of adjustment since I shed the theist coils. Right now I have my own religion that I developed myself: Altruanism.

I consider Altruanism to be an atheistic religion in that it doesn't assume any god or deity, and doesn't rely on the assumption on any reality outside the natural world. Altruanism is a religion, however, because it does have certain articles that can only be accepted on faith. Basically (and now we're gonna get a little cuckoo) I believe that humanity will create their own mechanism for an afterlife sometime in the distant future--we're talking generations--and by the application of time manipulation our consciousnesses can be transferred forward to it. There are three *huge* assumptions in this belief: 1) Can the mind be transferred without failing the transporter paradox? 2) Is it possible to send and receive information between the past and future (My answer to the transporter paradox requires bi-directional communication)? 3) Will a civilization exist sometime in the future willing to put the effort into making this man-made afterlife?

The answers to 1 and 2 are beyond our control, but the third is something we can exert influence on right now. For a sufficiently altruistic civilization to exist that would be interested in helping us out here in the past, we must work towards laying the foundations for it today by trying to make the world a better place. That's what it means to be Altruan.

So tl;dr: Chaotic, crazy, a bit obsessive.

Welcome

I think most atheists are in favour of humanism, and from what you write, it seems you are as well, that you believe certain things about the future, I don't really see changing that. Because it might be a possibility, simply given humans constantly expanding our technological capabilities and scientific knowledge in general.

So I don't really see why a "religion" is needed for holding such views, as it seems to be more about being uncertain in regards to what humans might be capable of in the future.