Thread: This topic is for Atheists only!(Jesus isn't my saviour,etc.

HAHAHAHAHAH!!! LOLSLOLSLOLS.

oh wait, it's not funny. you've already joked about it in his thread, now you're just being a jerk. or rather, more of a jerk. shut the fuck up.

Paperdoll, i love you more every time you hit the <ENTER> key.

I suck at LD'ing, but I'm a strong Atheist.

So i'm not of much use.

Originally posted by bradybaker
By that I mean the kind that have had their lives changed by becoming a Atheist.... those that live the life.... not walk the walk only.

I just got so sick of the lies we tell ourselves just because we fear death. Or out of the fear of never seeing our loved ones again after we die. So now I don't stress so much about what's going to happen in the "hereafter", but rather just accept the fact that when we die, that's it. I enjoy life more now because of it.

I'm not sure I even began to coherently answer your question bradybaker. That was just my 1 1/2 cents.

Is nothing after this so bad? Is having faith and hope so bad?
Will science ever have an answer? Will god ever come?
I only know what I feel and not what I’ve been told,
Death is the final conclusion of our theories…that’s it and nothing more.

OpeheliaBlue wrote:

So now I don't stress so much about what's going to happen in the \"hereafter\", but rather just accept the fact that when we die, that's it. I enjoy life more now because of it. [/b]

Likewise...call me what you will, but I live my life one moment at a time and I try to make every conscious moment a valued one.

Well that's my 1 1/2 cents to add to Ophelia's...between the both of us we are well on the way towards a nickel worth of insight.

Originally posted by OpheliaBlue
So now I don't stress so much about what's going to happen in the \"hereafter\", but rather just accept the fact that when we die, that's it. I enjoy life more now because of it.

it's not important to you at all, to find out what happens to you after you die? life is short. after that, it's an eternity...wouldn't you like to know for sure how that eternity will be spent? I can't comprehend someone not caring, at all, and living happily with a simple guess of "maybe it's nothing".

Originally posted by Paperdoll EP+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Paperdoll EP)</div>

<!--QuoteBegin-OpheliaBlue

So now I don't stress so much about what's going to happen in the \"hereafter\", but rather just accept the fact that when we die, that's it. I enjoy life more now because of it.

it's not important to you at all, to find out what happens to you after you die? life is short. after that, it's an eternity...wouldn't you like to know for sure how that eternity will be spent? I can't comprehend someone not caring, at all, and living happily with a simple guess of \"maybe it's nothing\".[/b]

A wise man once said "I'm not interested in any philosophy that has this decidedly childish goal, for true sanity (and maturity) comes from the acceptance that life is utterly meaningless. What it "means," then, is as subjective as what one desires on their pizza."
And how is life short? Life is the longest thing anyone ever experiences.

Originally posted by Paperdoll EP
it's not important to you at all, to find out what happens to you after you die?

I used to care, seriously. But the moment that it \"clicked\" with me that there's no afterlife (in my opinion), I stopped caring about living my life with respect to something I don't even believe in. As for what happens after I die, I'm completely satisfied with the thought that I'll just \"turn off\" like a light switch, and my molecules return to the earth. Kinda transcendental and peaceful like.

life is short. after that, it's an eternity...wouldn't you like to know for sure how that eternity will be spent? I can't comprehend someone not caring, at all, and living happily with a simple guess of \"maybe it's nothing\".[/b]

It's not a "maybe" with me, it's a definite. I always knew there was no god, I just wanted to believe in one because it was soothing in a way, and my father was a shit. But I find so much more satisfaction and contentment now in just believing in myself. And believing that being kind to all living things in general attracts more kindness. I need nothing more.

ps. Hope this all made sense, I had wine.

pps. So incredibly off topic: how do you feel about the whole Santa Claus thing and kids?

Originally posted by baconmastermind
And how is life short? Life is the longest thing anyone ever experiences.

Going with an atheist view, this life would be the only thing anyone ever experiences... so how could it be short or long in itself? It has to be compared to the life of something else. The life of countries and societies usually greatly outlive the life of any individual. Nature will greatly outlive that (mountains, rivers, oceans, etc). And the life of the planet, solar system, also much greater than that.

So yes, the life of a human is generally short relative to society and nature. Compared to something that did not live as long, then it would be a long life, but most people I think feel that life is short because it is shorter than the life of many things in nature.

Originally posted by dream&#045;scape+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dream&#045;scape)</div>

Going with an atheist view, this life would be the only thing anyone ever experiences... so how could it be short or long in itself? It has to be compared to the life of something else.[/b]

Tomato, Tomoto.

<!--QuoteBegin-OpheliaBlue
It's not a \"maybe\" with me, it's a definite. I always knew there was no god, I just wanted to believe in one because it was soothing in a way

That's how it was for me too. I believed in God until I was about 14 or 15 and then asked myself, why? And I realized that it was only because it was what I had been told to believe and what made me feel good. It took me a while to actually admit that I didn't believe in God because it was a bit frightening at first (especially when you live in a 95% Catholic town). But now I think that I'm much more happy in life than I ever could've been before.

Originally posted by baconmastermind
\"I'm not interested in any philosophy that has this decidedly childish goal, for true sanity (and maturity) comes from the acceptance that life is utterly meaningless. What it \"means,\" then, is as subjective as what one desires on their pizza.\"

A great quote.

Originally posted by Paperdoll EP+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Paperdoll EP)</div>

it's not important to you at all, to find out what happens to you after you die? life is short. after that, it's an eternity...wouldn't you like to know for sure how that eternity will be spent?[/b]

When I'm sure that death is just about upon me, I'm not going to be scared like most other (religious) people. I'm gonna be pretty pumped to find out what actually happens. My gut feeling, most logical opinion and best guess are that nothing at all happens, you simply cease to be. But how the hell do I know that?

<!--QuoteBegin-OpheliaBlue
pps. So incredibly off topic: how do you feel about the whole Santa Claus thing and kids?

LOL. Like religion, it's just another way that kids are sheltered from reality.

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Wow, I'm pretty pleased at how this thread is turning out. I'm glad that no pure troublemakers have come to mess it up.

Originally posted by bradybaker+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bradybaker)</div>

<!--QuoteBegin-OpheliaBlue

pps. So incredibly off topic: how do you feel about the whole Santa Claus thing and kids?

LOL. Like religion, it's just another way that kids are sheltered from reality.[/b]

You're probably the first person I've ever met who agrees with me on that.

I have a 16 month old, so he doesn't grasp the whole Christmas thing yet. But it's so damn hard. On the one hand, I don't want to lie to him about the whole Santa thing, just to say "Ha ha, just kidding" when he's old enough to start questioning Santa's existance. On the other hand, it could alienate him in school if he's the only, or one of the few, that doesn't believe in Santa. I can just hear the phone ringing from all those pissed parents: "Your son told my little Charlie that there is no Santa!!!"

Plus I can't figure out which way he'll resent me more: if I deny him the whole Santa experience, OR if I lead him to believe Santa exists while at the same time raising him to be open-minded and scientific. It's a big fat contradiction.

Originally posted by OpheliaBlue
I have a 16 month old, so he doesn't grasp the whole Christmas thing yet. But it's so damn hard. On the one hand, I don't want to lie to him about the whole Santa thing, just to say \"Ha ha, just kidding\" when he's old enough to start questioning Santa's existance. On the other hand, it could alienate him in school if he's the only, or one of the few, that doesn't believe in Santa. I can just hear the phone ringing from all those pissed parents: \"Your son told my little Charlie that there is no Santa!!!\"

Plus I can't figure out which way he'll resent me more: if I deny him the whole Santa experience, OR if I lead him to believe Santa exists while at the same time raising him to be open-minded and scientific. It's a big fat contradiction.

Well, I asked my Mom why she -- and other adults -- perpetuate the whole Santa Claus myth when it's really just a blatant lie, and she said something like \"Well, it's fun\".

O...K. Hey, if that's acceptable, if I ever have kids -- which I probably won't, but if for some reason I do, and for some reason we celebrate Christmas, which we probably won't, but if for some reason we do -- I'm gonna make up my own explanation for who left presents, and ate the cookies, etc.

Hey, why not? It's the same thing -- just not as commercialized and popularized. Why? Because it'll be fun.

Oh, and bradybaker?

Originally posted by Paperdoll EP
HAHAHAHAHAH!!! LOLSLOLSLOLS.

oh wait, it's not funny. you've already joked about it in his thread, now you're just being a jerk. or rather, more of a jerk. shut the fuck up.

Agreed. You know, I used to at least respect you and your point of view until you started pulling this blatant attack and spite crud, like posting that stuff in Abstraction's thread and then creating this one with almost identical title.

Originally posted by Rakkantekimusouka
Agreed. You know, I used to at least respect you and your point of view until you started pulling this blatant attack and spite crud.

When was he spiteful or attacking?

Unless you mean another thread, I didn't get that from him in this thread. A little sarcastic at times, but sarcasm is more than generally used and accepted on these boards. Or so I've noticed.

Originally posted by OpheliaBlue
I can just hear the phone ringing from all those pissed parents: \"Your son told my little Charlie that there is no Santa!!!\"

Plus I can't figure out which way he'll resent me more: if I deny him the whole Santa experience, OR if I lead him to believe Santa exists while at the same time raising him to be open-minded and scientific.

Yeah, that's kind of a toughy. I think that the best way to go is to let the kid make up their own mind. I'm not going to push my children towards religion or science or Santa or the Easter Bunny, I'm just going to let them figure it all out for themselves. My parents did pull the whole Santa deal, but other than that they never really forced any kind of a belief structure on me. They took me to church (I actually got kicked out of Sunday school for asking too many questions), but never told me to believe anything.





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Originally posted by Ramu+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ramu)</div>

<!--QuoteBegin-Paperdoll EP

HAHAHAHAHAH!!! LOLSLOLSLOLS.

oh wait, it's not funny. you've already joked about it in his thread, now you're just being a jerk. or rather, more of a jerk. shut the fuck up.

Agreed. You know, I used to at least respect you and your point of view until you started pulling this blatant attack and spite crud.[/b]

Me ---> <--- 3 people

bradybaker

My parents did pull the whole Santa deal, but other than that they never really forced any kind of a belief structure on me. They took me to church (I actually got kicked out of Sunday school for asking too many questions), but never told me to believe anything.[/b]

Same here, except I went to a private Christian school up till about 5th grade and each Wed. we would have bible studies (basically Sun. school on a different day of the week). I was removed from the class when I asked the preacher a loaded question about Noah's Ark. He had just finished describing how Noah collected 2 of every specie of animal and put them aboard the Ark, where they would spend the next 40 days & 40 nigths (give or take).

I was infamous for asking questions (not too be a little ass, but because I just wasn't buying it). When asked what did the elephants eat while on the Ark he said "hay and straw of course...and before you ask your next question, YES there was plenty of room on the Ark to accommodate enough hay and straw to sustain the animals." I then asked "well what did the lions eat?"

I was promptly removed and disciplined (paddle to the butt in those days). Then they had the nerve to call my mom in and to question her parenting methods. She of course flipped and said some less than Holy words, disenrolled me and my brother and filed a lawsuit against the principle for the paddling that he had given my rear end.

Originally posted by OpheliaBlue
Same here, except I went to a private Christian school up till about 5th grade and each Wed. we would have bible studies (basically Sun. school on a different day of the week). I was removed from the class when I asked the preacher a loaded question about Noah's Ark. He had just finished describing how Noah collected 2 of every specie of animal and put them aboard the Ark, where they would spend the next 40 days & 40 nigths (give or take).

I was infamous for asking questions (not too be a little ass, but because I just wasn't buying it). When asked what did the elephants eat while on the Ark he said \"hay and straw of course...and before you ask your next question, YES there was plenty of room on the Ark to accommodate enough hay and straw to sustain the animals.\" I then asked \"well what did the lions eat?\"

I was promptly removed and disciplined (paddle to the butt in those days). Then they had the nerve to call my mom in and to question her parenting methods. She of course flipped and said some less than Holy words, disenrolled me and my brother and filed a lawsuit against the principle for the paddling that he had given my rear end.

ROFLMAO! Sorry, but I just found that incredibly hilarious...sounds like something out of a classic comedy -- and probably is, somewhere. Luckily, I never attended any parochial schools. I did take Religious Education classes at one point, and at the very end, where we all got our few moments with Sister Rosemary to ask last-minute questions, I said, "Do you think there could be other gods?". The look on her face was quite priceless.

Ramu - He honestly didn't do anything that offending. I don't see why people got so angry at him... if anything... it was the other people's fault because they escalated the VERY minor situation that bradybaker "brought up" (which I don't really think was anything, anyways).

Also... no offence... but it is kind of rude to apologize on another's behalf because you cannot really do that... it's not like it means anything anyways.

Sorry I had to jump in.

*Sigh* You're right, wasup...

*hangs head* I'm sorry, brady...

Im going to have to step in to just a little bit. I don't think Brady was being rude or anything. Sarcastic at the most(probably not wise to do it to a newbie since she/he wouldn't get it, but it was pretty harmless). I pretty much agree with what ophelia and wasup said so i won't repeat.

Besides this topic is now a serious one and is promoting good conversation and no spiteful attitudes.

Back on topic: Ophelia: I never knew how much we agreed on this matter. brady to

I used to care, seriously. But the moment that it \"clicked\" with me that there's no afterlife (in my opinion), I stopped caring about living my life with respect to something I don't even believe in. [/b]

I at first worried about it to when i was younger. It sorta bothered me that every action i did was to be judged upon my death. I dunno how, but i grew questionative and i came to the conclusion that people made up the idea of heaven just so that they can feel comfort that there is something after death and possibly feel more important. I just don't care anymore. Like what you said. \"I find so much more satisfaction and contentment now in just believing in myself. And believing that being kind to all living things in general attracts more kindness. I need nothing more.\" I feel much more complete when i help someone or be kind to a person than going to church on a sunday morning and listening to my priest about damnation and salvation. I just didn't like it how I HAD to worship, pray, go to church, and listen to a thousand year old book...and for what? For a guy whose existence can't be proven and sends everyone to hell who doesn't believe in him regardless that everyone is his child? Self-reliance and confidence is pretty much all i need to be satisfied with myself and how i live my life.

That's how it was for me too. I believed in God until I was about 14 or 15 and then asked myself, why? And I realized that it was only because it was what I had been told to believe and what made me feel good. It took me a while to actually admit that I didn't believe in God because it was a bit frightening at first (especially when you live in a 95% Catholic town). But now I think that I'm much more happy in life than I ever could've been before. [/b]

Same. Im 16, going onto 17 and at about that age i started really questioning everything. I, like you, haven been told what to believe without anyone asking me what I believe. My parents pushed their beliefs on me and still do. They don't know that i dont believe in god and if they found out, who knows what drastic measures they would inflict on me. Its obvious they don't like or accept any other religion to. I suppose I am happier now

As for what happens after I die, I'm completely satisfied with the thought that I'll just \"turn off\" like a light switch, and my molecules return to the earth. Kinda transcendental and peaceful like[/b]

Agreed. I'm pretty OK with that as well, just to die and become nothing. To me, it doesn't sound too bad. It's a LOT better than your soul being burned for eternity IMO. As long as i feel that I was a good person and helped others and believed in myself, then Im good to go

And ophelia as for the santa thing. I'll tell you my story. My parents never taught my brother and I about Santa claus so I'm probably the guy to talk to. Really, the whole thing didn't affect my life at school at all. People don't, or at least not to me, ask what santa get you. They all just said what you'd for christmas? If they did ask, the only thing that would probably happen is them say \"What? you dont know who santa is?!\" and then possibly just remain dumbfounded as to how he could not know. I dont think they'd go so far as to make fun of him though. Anyway I've never heard of Santa claus untill i was about 9 i think. I just accepted that it was a holiday to give gifts to the ones you love. Let me tell you though. I did believe in the tooth fairy and when someone else told me that she wasn't real I was pretty devastated, so imagine how your son would feel if he found out santa wasn't real. I dunno, take that as you will

I'm gonna make up my own explanation for who left presents, and ate the cookies, etc. [/b]

hmm..great idea!

InTheMoment: your story is hilarious

now i gotta go to driving school...i'll add more later though

Well, I am an atheist. My parents always sent me to Hebrew school, and I never liked it (well I loved learning about the culture and language) I can't say I ever believed I god. I remember when I was little that I told my mom I didn't believe in god and she got mad. So for years I just never said anything again. Then when I was 14 I really started not to care what people thought, so I was a declared atheists. I mean seriously, god seems so ancient, the idea I mean, and its useless now-a-days (to me at least) why people belvie in god, ill never know. But then again, I'm very unspiritual person, as in I don't belvie in astral projection or anything like that either...

Originally posted by InTheMoment
I then asked \"well what did the lions eat?\"
I was promptly removed and disciplined (paddle to the butt in those days).

Bastards.


My barbizzle friend...you just said a cotton-pickin' mouthful.

Originally posted by InTheMoment
bradybaker

My parents did pull the whole Santa deal, but other than that they never really forced any kind of a belief structure on me. They took me to church (I actually got kicked out of Sunday school for asking too many questions), but never told me to believe anything.

Same here, except I went to a private Christian school up till about 5th grade and each Wed. we would have bible studies (basically Sun. school on a different day of the week). I was removed from the class when I asked the preacher a loaded question about Noah's Ark. He had just finished describing how Noah collected 2 of every specie of animal and put them aboard the Ark, where they would spend the next 40 days & 40 nigths (give or take).

I was infamous for asking questions (not too be a little ass, but because I just wasn't buying it). When asked what did the elephants eat while on the Ark he said \"hay and straw of course...and before you ask your next question, YES there was plenty of room on the Ark to accommodate enough hay and straw to sustain the animals.\" I then asked \"well what did the lions eat?\"

I was promptly removed and disciplined (paddle to the butt in those days). Then they had the nerve to call my mom in and to question her parenting methods. She of course flipped and said some less than Holy words, disenrolled me and my brother and filed a lawsuit against the principle for the paddling that he had given my rear end. [/b]

Whoa, thats so lame, and so typical...
reminds me of this part of the song "the Decline" by NOFX

The story book's been read
And every line believed
Curriculum's been set
Logic is a threat
Reason searched and seized

Originally posted by OpheliaBlue+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(OpheliaBlue)</div>

Originally posted by bradybaker@
<!--QuoteBegin-OpheliaBlue

pps. So incredibly off topic: how do you feel about the whole Santa Claus thing and kids?

LOL. Like religion, it's just another way that kids are sheltered from reality.

You're probably the first person I've ever met who agrees with me on that.[/b]

Really? I was annoyed at my parents for lying to me about the whole fat man shiz.

I'm atheist. My mom dosen't like me doing that because she says "It's nice to believe in god." Infalliable reasoning... My views are pretty simple - no god. We have one big fat universe and it dosen't give a dick if you die or not. Still, it *does not* stop you from having a good time and enjoying your life.

Originally posted by Kaniaz
My mom dosen't like me doing that because she says \"It's nice to believe in god.\" Infalliable reasoning...

Tell your mom "it's nice" to let you go to the DV convention.