We Never Know
No Slack
It doesn't matter any more than it matters if someone believes in a god. Thats my thought on it.
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Does it really matter that atheists do not believe in existence of God?
- Thread starter Spirit of Light
- Start date
It doesn't matter any more than it matters if someone believes in a god. Thats my thought on it.
A Vestigial Mote
Well-Known Member
I find it so interesting that there is always this base assumption that ANYONE'S beliefs about God matter. You know the only reason I feel they matter? Because, if God is real, then it means there are people out there, keeping an eye out and looking for it. To the point that it means that maybe someone will finally find this thing - if it is real. Just like the Lock Ness Monster - if it is real, then at least maybe there is someone out there who believes and is looking. But if it isn't real (an entirely plausible possibility), then all you have is a bunch of people who have wasted their time.
So, basically, these types of things - Bigfoot, The Loch Ness Monster, God - should only really be sought after in proportion to the evidence there is or has been and the quality of said evidence. If the evidence isn't forthcoming or is in a poor state (for example, all you can muster is a bunch of thought experiments and baseless assertions based on texts that could be entirely fictional for all we know for sure), then a person who is concerned with how their time is spent would likely just give up the search. People who do not care about how their time is spent however? Well... apparently there are a lot of those.
So, basically, these types of things - Bigfoot, The Loch Ness Monster, God - should only really be sought after in proportion to the evidence there is or has been and the quality of said evidence. If the evidence isn't forthcoming or is in a poor state (for example, all you can muster is a bunch of thought experiments and baseless assertions based on texts that could be entirely fictional for all we know for sure), then a person who is concerned with how their time is spent would likely just give up the search. People who do not care about how their time is spent however? Well... apparently there are a lot of those.
wandering peacefully
Which way to the woods?
You were doing fine and even frubal worthy in your first paragraph.
But then, as most believers do, you converted to is there anyway atheists can come around to the good side if they somehow recognize my god?
We don't need to 'discover' the "Good' side in order to do good deeds and be good people. We also do not need to be 'saved' by God thoughts. We dont need nor want eternal living if there were any such thing. So no, it doesn't matter one iota to anyone other than ourselves that atheists don't believe in the supernatural God ideas of believers.
Belief does not matter. Even the Bible Matt 7:24 says that Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
And to me, that "will" is to act with kindness and compassion, help those in need as best you can and so forth.
Brainwash, yes. Practice what is called enticing people to become "rice Christians" with handouts, yes. Coerce people with violence, certainly.
When someone truly walks the talk, then others will notice and some will ask "how did you get to be such a wonderful, loving human being" and some may choose that path.
It is their choice. No problem there
Yes, since it has happened before. Cases abound.
5 Atheists That Found God in Miraculous Ways
Spirit of Light
Be who ever you want
There is no reason to debate those who do not believe, there is no believer who can ask others to become something they are not.
I think what matters most is the quality of the heart and mind of a person and not their beliefs on difficult theological questions.
Non-believers and believers can only convert themselves. But that does happen,
I feel the bigger and clearer question than 'theism/atheism' is whether there is a spiritually significant individual life after death.
Atheists can benefit from a hive mind in a good religion.
wandering peacefully
Which way to the woods?
Right. Except that you use your superior stool, (closeness to God)s, to force your god ideas onto the rest of humanity no matter how cruel, sadistic, bigoted, unfounded and ridiculous they may be to a thoughtful society or reasonable human beings.
So again, partial frubal for "there is no reason to debate those who do not believe ", but total failure on the reason or explanation of your next comment; There is no believer who can ask atheists to step it up to our superior level of God belief.
Them atheists just don't get it so why bother discussing the matter with them?
Except you forgot most of them atheists you keep asking questions of were once believers just like you.
Hmm you ask? Well, if you are like most unmovable believers, you probably are uninterested in those answers. Np. We actually are not looking for your belief in our ways of thinking or living. We dont care what you believe. So if you don't want our answers, stop asking.
Trailblazer
Veteran Member
I don't think it matters as long as they have virtues and morals. Belief in God is not necessary for that.
No, I do not think that a theist can change the mind of a nonbeliever unless that nonbeliever is a seeker. If they don't want to believe in God they are not going to make a sincere effort to believe. I think it is all about motivation and desire.
I am not saying that atheists "should" make an effort yo believe, I am just responding to your OP.
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Heyo
Veteran Member
Attacking atheism or theism is perfectly fine. Attacking atheists or theists is not.
Knowing the one from the other saves you much trouble.
If the unbeliever is a critical thinker and is content with his life, then no, not without compelling evidence, which doesn't exist.
But, if the atheist hits rock bottom, he may leave critical thought behind and turn to religion for comfort and in the hope of a major life change. Religion prospers where people feel vulnerable and disempowered, or feeling shame or in need of absolution, or some similar very undesirable situation. It's a lot easier to convert people on Skid Row or Death Row, who need a do-over, than those on Restaurant Row.
Nothing, usually. Amused, perhaps, since it's a little pretentious to offer unsolicited life advice to somebody about whom you know nothing, but I don't mind it.
To the world I think it matters because we are what we believe. You know the saying “what you eat today walks and talks tomorrow”? I think that applies equally to thought, belief and mindset.
I believe we are not alone and that we are a progressive species. That is, our civilisations grow and develop throughout the ages.
And in order to assist us in that growth and development God sends us Prophets with teachings and a plan for that age which will help us make a smooth transition to the next stage in our development.
Now an atheist would ignore that plan and go his own way. As would every religionist ignore the latest Messenger. The result being, a society in chaos and confusion without the necessary wisdom or guidance to help solve its problems.
So humanity’s progress towards a golden age of peace and a spiritual world civilisation gets put on hold because people choose to ignore the guidance given to mankind for this age by God. You can see the result. Mental illnesses abound, suicide, drug addiction, domestic violence, homicide, wars, a huge gap between the rich and poor.
The failure to trust in God and implement His Plans can only invite disaster. People have become too proud to admit they got it wrong and it’s time to try God’s ways for this time.
So who will be responsible if humanity suffers another catastrophe? It will be us who chose to ignore God’s counsels for this age. But there is no force. We are free to choose however there is a vast difference between man’s wisdom and God’s.
On one side are all the calamities and crises and on the other a golden age and a world spiritual civilisation. The choice is ours.
Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
It doesn't matter to me in the slightest if someone does not believe in God, and while I'm sure God would very much like all of us to acknowledge Him as our Creator, I don't believe He's so petty as to punish a person who just doesn't find enough evidence to believe in Him. His existence will be made plain to all of us at some point, I believe.
As to your second question, I don't believe anyone can be converted to anything against his will. It's that simple. (The reverse, however, is also true. I don't think there is anything an atheist could say that would change my mind about God.)
Kooky
Freedom from Sanity
Nope.
Does it matter to who? (Sorry, whom?)
God? Nah, He probably doesn't care, because if He did, He could do something about it.
Does it matter to people who do believe in God? You betcha! You know, the only really good clubs are the ones everybody wants to belong to, so people who don't want to belong to your club bring down the value.
To atheists? Of course it matters. We're busy trying to figure out the best way to live our lives, just like everybody else. And for us, it might even be harder, since we have to do it without having an imaginary friend to make everything better.
Suave
Simulated character
I don't know God's criteria for being a reanimated/re-simulated character living in a virtual-world paradise by God who I presume to be the controller of sims, a reality-based virtual reality programmer of human consciousness , so I don't know if a person's irreligiousness really makes any difference to God.
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Suave
Simulated character
Maybe it's indeed lights out and game over for everybody after ionic currents stop flowing across their brains' neurons, but who among us know for sure their characters won't be reanimated or re-simulated by God?
Who's behind the Door?
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Is there a door?