Do atheists have souls?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

For most atheists, their "beliefs" are very simple -- they don't believe in god. Other than that, they have all the same sorts of beliefs about things that other people have. They do not believe in the supernatural.

While I might not know exactly where YOU are coming from, many atheists, having once been religious themselves, know a lot about where religious people are coming from and don't want or need to hear about it in depth. Even atheists who were raised without religion, live in a society permeated by religion so know more about it the religious people know about atheism. Plus many religions say false things about atheists -- no morals, etc, so religious people can have a false and negative impression of atheists.

Thanks for the civil post. As I said earlier, I'm not working to sway or convert anyone. And as it is a mistake to lump all atheists together, it is also a mistake to lump all believers together. What keeps me coming back here is the hope that adults can have a conversation about faith (organized or otherwise) or moral constructs (organized or otherwise) and leave the petty name-calling and nastiness aside.

You're welcome -- I'm well aware there are differences among religious people, not only in the set of beliefs that specific denominations profess, but how individuals interpret beliefs in their own lives. Many atheists realize this, again having studied religion or once been religious.

People being people, I suppose there will always be some who insist that atheists have meaningless lives that will culminate in internal hellfire and others who insist that religious people are illogical fairly-tale believers. I doubt if they will go away -- certainly not on an open forum like DCUM. However,a forum like this is also an opportunity for people who are open to it, to hear and understand other points of view.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

For most atheists, their "beliefs" are very simple -- they don't believe in god. Other than that, they have all the same sorts of beliefs about things that other people have. They do not believe in the supernatural.

While I might not know exactly where YOU are coming from, many atheists, having once been religious themselves, know a lot about where religious people are coming from and don't want or need to hear about it in depth. Even atheists who were raised without religion, live in a society permeated by religion so know more about it the religious people know about atheism. Plus many religions say false things about atheists -- no morals, etc, so religious people can have a false and negative impression of atheists.

Thanks for the civil post. As I said earlier, I'm not working to sway or convert anyone. And as it is a mistake to lump all atheists together, it is also a mistake to lump all believers together. What keeps me coming back here is the hope that adults can have a conversation about faith (organized or otherwise) or moral constructs (organized or otherwise) and leave the petty name-calling and nastiness aside.

You're welcome -- I'm well aware there are differences among religious people, not only in the set of beliefs that specific denominations profess, but how individuals interpret beliefs in their own lives. Many atheists realize this, again having studied religion or once been religious.

People being people, I suppose there will always be some who insist that atheists have meaningless lives that will culminate in internal hellfire and others who insist that religious people are illogical fairly-tale believers. I doubt if they will go away -- certainly not on an open forum like DCUM. However,a forum like this is also an opportunity for people who are open to it, to hear and understand other points of view.

Agreed. I realize there are forum instigators who are here to stay, but it's encouraging to confirm there are others here, as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

For most atheists, their "beliefs" are very simple -- they don't believe in god. Other than that, they have all the same sorts of beliefs about things that other people have. They do not believe in the supernatural.

While I might not know exactly where YOU are coming from, many atheists, having once been religious themselves, know a lot about where religious people are coming from and don't want or need to hear about it in depth. Even atheists who were raised without religion, live in a society permeated by religion so know more about it the religious people know about atheism. Plus many religions say false things about atheists -- no morals, etc, so religious people can have a false and negative impression of atheists.

Thanks for the civil post. As I said earlier, I'm not working to sway or convert anyone. And as it is a mistake to lump all atheists together, it is also a mistake to lump all believers together. What keeps me coming back here is the hope that adults can have a conversation about faith (organized or otherwise) or moral constructs (organized or otherwise) and leave the petty name-calling and nastiness aside.

You're welcome -- I'm well aware there are differences among religious people, not only in the set of beliefs that specific denominations profess, but how individuals interpret beliefs in their own lives. Many atheists realize this, again having studied religion or once been religious.

People being people, I suppose there will always be some who insist that atheists have meaningless lives that will culminate in internal hellfire and others who insist that religious people are illogical fairly-tale believers. I doubt if they will go away -- certainly not on an open forum like DCUM. However,a forum like this is also an opportunity for people who are open to it, to hear and understand other points of view.

Agreed. I realize there are forum instigators who are here to stay, but it's encouraging to confirm there are others here, as well.

Instigation is not inherently negative, in my opinion -- it can make for an interesting, lively discussion. Granted, this has not traditionally been the case in discussions about religion, but hopefully that is changing -- in part, I would say, because of more awareness that non-religious points of view are not inherently wrong and evil and more willingness among non-religious people to speak out, instead of remaining respectfully silent or implicitly accepting of religion -- which was the status quo until the last few years.

Think about how discussions and attitudes regarding homosexuality have changed in the past 20 years. Religion seems to be going down the same road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

For most atheists, their "beliefs" are very simple -- they don't believe in god. Other than that, they have all the same sorts of beliefs about things that other people have. They do not believe in the supernatural.

While I might not know exactly where YOU are coming from, many atheists, having once been religious themselves, know a lot about where religious people are coming from and don't want or need to hear about it in depth. Even atheists who were raised without religion, live in a society permeated by religion so know more about it the religious people know about atheism. Plus many religions say false things about atheists -- no morals, etc, so religious people can have a false and negative impression of atheists.

Thanks for the civil post. As I said earlier, I'm not working to sway or convert anyone. And as it is a mistake to lump all atheists together, it is also a mistake to lump all believers together. What keeps me coming back here is the hope that adults can have a conversation about faith (organized or otherwise) or moral constructs (organized or otherwise) and leave the petty name-calling and nastiness aside.

You're welcome -- I'm well aware there are differences among religious people, not only in the set of beliefs that specific denominations profess, but how individuals interpret beliefs in their own lives. Many atheists realize this, again having studied religion or once been religious.

People being people, I suppose there will always be some who insist that atheists have meaningless lives that will culminate in internal hellfire and others who insist that religious people are illogical fairly-tale believers. I doubt if they will go away -- certainly not on an open forum like DCUM. However,a forum like this is also an opportunity for people who are open to it, to hear and understand other points of view.

Agreed. I realize there are forum instigators who are here to stay, but it's encouraging to confirm there are others here, as well.

Instigation is not inherently negative, in my opinion -- it can make for an interesting, lively discussion. Granted, this has not traditionally been the case in discussions about religion, but hopefully that is changing -- in part, I would say, because of more awareness that non-religious points of view are not inherently wrong and evil and more willingness among non-religious people to speak out, instead of remaining respectfully silent or implicitly accepting of religion -- which was the status quo until the last few years.

Think about how discussions and attitudes regarding homosexuality have changed in the past 20 years. Religion seems to be going down the same road.

I disagree with your last assertion, but that could make another important thread!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

For most atheists, their "beliefs" are very simple -- they don't believe in god. Other than that, they have all the same sorts of beliefs about things that other people have. They do not believe in the supernatural.

While I might not know exactly where YOU are coming from, many atheists, having once been religious themselves, know a lot about where religious people are coming from and don't want or need to hear about it in depth. Even atheists who were raised without religion, live in a society permeated by religion so know more about it the religious people know about atheism. Plus many religions say false things about atheists -- no morals, etc, so religious people can have a false and negative impression of atheists.

Thanks for the civil post. As I said earlier, I'm not working to sway or convert anyone. And as it is a mistake to lump all atheists together, it is also a mistake to lump all believers together. What keeps me coming back here is the hope that adults can have a conversation about faith (organized or otherwise) or moral constructs (organized or otherwise) and leave the petty name-calling and nastiness aside.

You're welcome -- I'm well aware there are differences among religious people, not only in the set of beliefs that specific denominations profess, but how individuals interpret beliefs in their own lives. Many atheists realize this, again having studied religion or once been religious.

People being people, I suppose there will always be some who insist that atheists have meaningless lives that will culminate in internal hellfire and others who insist that religious people are illogical fairly-tale believers. I doubt if they will go away -- certainly not on an open forum like DCUM. However,a forum like this is also an opportunity for people who are open to it, to hear and understand other points of view.

Agreed. I realize there are forum instigators who are here to stay, but it's encouraging to confirm there are others here, as well.

Instigation is not inherently negative, in my opinion -- it can make for an interesting, lively discussion. Granted, this has not traditionally been the case in discussions about religion, but hopefully that is changing -- in part, I would say, because of more awareness that non-religious points of view are not inherently wrong and evil and more willingness among non-religious people to speak out, instead of remaining respectfully silent or implicitly accepting of religion -- which was the status quo until the last few years.

Think about how discussions and attitudes regarding homosexuality have changed in the past 20 years. Religion seems to be going down the same road.

And there is value in instigation, but not when someone drops a string of insults and refuses to engage in the actual topic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

For most atheists, their "beliefs" are very simple -- they don't believe in god. Other than that, they have all the same sorts of beliefs about things that other people have. They do not believe in the supernatural.

While I might not know exactly where YOU are coming from, many atheists, having once been religious themselves, know a lot about where religious people are coming from and don't want or need to hear about it in depth. Even atheists who were raised without religion, live in a society permeated by religion so know more about it the religious people know about atheism. Plus many religions say false things about atheists -- no morals, etc, so religious people can have a false and negative impression of atheists.

Thanks for the civil post. As I said earlier, I'm not working to sway or convert anyone. And as it is a mistake to lump all atheists together, it is also a mistake to lump all believers together. What keeps me coming back here is the hope that adults can have a conversation about faith (organized or otherwise) or moral constructs (organized or otherwise) and leave the petty name-calling and nastiness aside.

You're welcome -- I'm well aware there are differences among religious people, not only in the set of beliefs that specific denominations profess, but how individuals interpret beliefs in their own lives. Many atheists realize this, again having studied religion or once been religious.

People being people, I suppose there will always be some who insist that atheists have meaningless lives that will culminate in internal hellfire and others who insist that religious people are illogical fairly-tale believers. I doubt if they will go away -- certainly not on an open forum like DCUM. However,a forum like this is also an opportunity for people who are open to it, to hear and understand other points of view.

Agreed. I realize there are forum instigators who are here to stay, but it's encouraging to confirm there are others here, as well.

Instigation is not inherently negative, in my opinion -- it can make for an interesting, lively discussion. Granted, this has not traditionally been the case in discussions about religion, but hopefully that is changing -- in part, I would say, because of more awareness that non-religious points of view are not inherently wrong and evil and more willingness among non-religious people to speak out, instead of remaining respectfully silent or implicitly accepting of religion -- which was the status quo until the last few years.

Think about how discussions and attitudes regarding homosexuality have changed in the past 20 years. Religion seems to be going down the same road.

And there is value in instigation, but not when someone drops a string of insults and refuses to engage in the actual topic.

You can't "engage" in this topic; neither side can.

Souls aren't part of the scientific world unless you're a follower of the paranormal investigations and their EVPs!

Religious and spiritual folks believe in souls. It's their BELIEF.

What's insulting, however, is to hear some religious adherents knock down atheists by claiming they have no soul. translation -"You're evil down to the core and basically not human." It's judgment.

And while atheists judge, too, calling the bible a book of fairy tales, they are at least using some historical evidence to back up their assertions.

bottom line - It's hard to prove what we can't experience through our senses. And until science defines the "sixth sense," these two parties will always be at war.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
You can't "engage" in this topic; neither side can.

Souls aren't part of the scientific world unless you're a follower of the paranormal investigations and their EVPs!

Religious and spiritual folks believe in souls. It's their BELIEF.

What's insulting, however, is to hear some religious adherents knock down atheists by claiming they have no soul. translation -"You're evil down to the core and basically not human." It's judgment.

And while atheists judge, too, calling the bible a book of fairy tales, they are at least using some historical evidence to back up their assertions.

bottom line - It's hard to prove what we can't experience through our senses. And until science defines the "sixth sense," these two parties will always be at war.

Atheists don't think that anyone has a soul -- nothing insulting about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

For most atheists, their "beliefs" are very simple -- they don't believe in god. Other than that, they have all the same sorts of beliefs about things that other people have. They do not believe in the supernatural.

While I might not know exactly where YOU are coming from, many atheists, having once been religious themselves, know a lot about where religious people are coming from and don't want or need to hear about it in depth. Even atheists who were raised without religion, live in a society permeated by religion so know more about it the religious people know about atheism. Plus many religions say false things about atheists -- no morals, etc, so religious people can have a false and negative impression of atheists.

Thanks for the civil post. As I said earlier, I'm not working to sway or convert anyone. And as it is a mistake to lump all atheists together, it is also a mistake to lump all believers together. What keeps me coming back here is the hope that adults can have a conversation about faith (organized or otherwise) or moral constructs (organized or otherwise) and leave the petty name-calling and nastiness aside.

You're welcome -- I'm well aware there are differences among religious people, not only in the set of beliefs that specific denominations profess, but how individuals interpret beliefs in their own lives. Many atheists realize this, again having studied religion or once been religious.

People being people, I suppose there will always be some who insist that atheists have meaningless lives that will culminate in internal hellfire and others who insist that religious people are illogical fairly-tale believers. I doubt if they will go away -- certainly not on an open forum like DCUM. However,a forum like this is also an opportunity for people who are open to it, to hear and understand other points of view.

Agreed. I realize there are forum instigators who are here to stay, but it's encouraging to confirm there are others here, as well.

Instigation is not inherently negative, in my opinion -- it can make for an interesting, lively discussion. Granted, this has not traditionally been the case in discussions about religion, but hopefully that is changing -- in part, I would say, because of more awareness that non-religious points of view are not inherently wrong and evil and more willingness among non-religious people to speak out, instead of remaining respectfully silent or implicitly accepting of religion -- which was the status quo until the last few years.

Think about how discussions and attitudes regarding homosexuality have changed in the past 20 years. Religion seems to be going down the same road.

And there is value in instigation, but not when someone drops a string of insults and refuses to engage in the actual topic.

You can ignore it and respond only to posts you choose to respond to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
You can't "engage" in this topic; neither side can.

Souls aren't part of the scientific world unless you're a follower of the paranormal investigations and their EVPs!

Religious and spiritual folks believe in souls. It's their BELIEF.

What's insulting, however, is to hear some religious adherents knock down atheists by claiming they have no soul. translation -"You're evil down to the core and basically not human." It's judgment.

And while atheists judge, too, calling the bible a book of fairy tales, they are at least using some historical evidence to back up their assertions.

bottom line - It's hard to prove what we can't experience through our senses. And until science defines the "sixth sense," these two parties will always be at war.

OK, I hear what you're saying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
You can ignore it and respond only to posts you choose to respond to.

You're right.

[Anonymous]

Atheists are judging themselves as having no soul...not me. I do think they have a soul. I don't think atheists are evil...I just think they are illogical and kind of dumb. It seems like it hurts their feelings for everybody to think they don't have a soul when that is exactly what they believe. Like they haven't even thought through what they are so adamant about.

so instead of smart... they appear very low IQ...flailing about with hilarious reasoning as to why they are more valuable than a worm when the logical core of their conclusions is obvious to any impartial scientific observer is that they are not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Atheists are judging themselves as having no soul...not me. I do think they have a soul. I don't think atheists are evil...I just think they are illogical and kind of dumb. It seems like it hurts their feelings for everybody to think they don't have a soul when that is exactly what they believe. Like they haven't even thought through what they are so adamant about.

so instead of smart... they appear very low IQ...flailing about with hilarious reasoning as to why they are more valuable than a worm when the logical core of their conclusions is obvious to any impartial scientific observer is that they are not.

LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Atheists are judging themselves as having no soul...not me. I do think they have a soul. I don't think atheists are evil...I just think they are illogical and kind of dumb. It seems like it hurts their feelings for everybody to think they don't have a soul when that is exactly what they believe. Like they haven't even thought through what they are so adamant about.

so instead of smart... they appear very low IQ...flailing about with hilarious reasoning as to why they are more valuable than a worm when the logical core of their conclusions is obvious to any impartial scientific observer is that they are not.

LOL.

It's not a "judgment" it's a logical conclusion of accepting that humans are animals with a finite life. the ONE person above was not hurt because religious people thought they didn't have a should, but rather because of the implications of not having a soul -- being evil, etc.

as for being low IQ -- that seems like a rash judgment based on one piece of information. Some atheists probably are low IQ, but not because they don't think they have a soul.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You can't "engage" in this topic; neither side can.

Souls aren't part of the scientific world unless you're a follower of the paranormal investigations and their EVPs!

Religious and spiritual folks believe in souls. It's their BELIEF.

What's insulting, however, is to hear some religious adherents knock down atheists by claiming they have no soul. translation -"You're evil down to the core and basically not human." It's judgment.

And while atheists judge, too, calling the bible a book of fairy tales, they are at least using some historical evidence to back up their assertions.

bottom line - It's hard to prove what we can't experience through our senses. And until science defines the "sixth sense," these two parties will always be at war.

Atheists don't think that anyone has a soul -- nothing insulting about it.

You don't get it.

OK so an atheist may not believe in a soul. However, someone who does believe and who then blatantly tells the atheist s/he lacks a soul is indeed saying the atheist is heartless/not human/not worthy of love - you name it.

And it may not bother many atheists b/c it's not their belief. Nevertheless, it's still - by Christian standards of "love they neighbor" - a huge slap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You can't "engage" in this topic; neither side can.

Souls aren't part of the scientific world unless you're a follower of the paranormal investigations and their EVPs!

Religious and spiritual folks believe in souls. It's their BELIEF.

What's insulting, however, is to hear some religious adherents knock down atheists by claiming they have no soul. translation -"You're evil down to the core and basically not human." It's judgment.

And while atheists judge, too, calling the bible a book of fairy tales, they are at least using some historical evidence to back up their assertions.

bottom line - It's hard to prove what we can't experience through our senses. And until science defines the "sixth sense," these two parties will always be at war.

Atheists don't think that anyone has a soul -- nothing insulting about it.

You don't get it.

OK so an atheist may not believe in a soul. However, someone who does believe and who then blatantly tells the atheist s/he lacks a soul is indeed saying the atheist is heartless/not human/not worthy of love - you name it.

And it may not bother many atheists b/c it's not their belief. Nevertheless, it's still - by Christian standards of "love they neighbor" - a huge slap.

different pp. It goes both ways with parties not putting themselves into each other's shoes before posting rude comments. A good reminder to keep that in mind.