Why do atheists post on the Religion forum?

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]New poster. If we are to extrapolate from fifteen pages of comments from posters claiming to be atheists, their reasons for posting on DCUM (to address the actual question) would seem to be that most derive a sense of moral and intellectual superiority about their place in the world, and perhaps secondarily that it seems to assuage their sense of anxiety and insecurity that a Christian nationalist-fueled political movement has given them.

What they are unwilling or unable to accept or, perhaps, comprehend, is that only some people of faith have an interest in proselytizing. Only some people of faith have an interest in translating a set of practices that are nominally rooted in that faith on others. And that private revelation, which can form much of the experiential basis of belief for many people of faith, is not something that most wish to share.

The people of faith on this thread do not seem to be offended by atheism, for the most part.

Ironically, it is the atheists who seem to be the most ardent proselytizers. And that is why this subset of them posts on DCUM.[/quote]

You really think “get TF out of my uterus” is proselytizing? Interesting.
[/quote]

+1. I’m pretty sure that atheists are asking to be left the f alone. Not sure why that’s so hard to understand.

Also it is so disingenuous to say that the religious people in this thread aren’t offended by atheism. What else motivates religious posters to pick fights like this?[/quote]

I think that some religious posters want to prove (or at least show) that atheists are wrong about religion, then get frustrated when they can't.[/quote]


Au contraire - most mainstream religious posters appear to have sought to explain why religion and science are not necessarily in conflict .

They also get frustrated when ontological experiences and cultural practices are reduced to ridiculous oversimplifications and they are held responsible for all the problems in the world. There would not even be western science without the evolution of theological logic.

Religious beliefs and practices (including atheism) cannot be validated or invalidated by the scientific method. That does not mean they do not have deep value to many people. [/quote]

I could correct nearly every line of your post but i will limit this to the most important one:

Atheism is not a religious practice. It is the state of an absence of one.

[b]Just as not collecting stamps is not a hobby.[/b][b][/quote]

That last line reflects your myopic world view. For many people, including my grandfather, stamp collecting is a hobby. Just because you do not share their interest or enthusiasm does not negate its value to others. [/quote]

Strawman. We’re talking about your definition of atheism as a religious practice, not the value of it.

Are you claiming not collecting stamps is, in fact, a hobby?

Then nor is atheism a religious practice.[/quote]

From a philosophical perspective, one could use the scientific method to prove whether someone collects stamps or not. The same is not true for proving the existence or non existence of God, which is metaphysical .[/quote]

Again, you are purposefully misrepresenting the question, which I request you answer:

Is not collecting stamps a hobby?[/quote]

If someone dedicates themselves to not collecting stamps than it is arguably a hobby. But that is beside the epistemological point. Collecting or not collecting stamps can be proven by employing the scientific method of empirical observation. The validity of believing or not believing in the existence of God cannot be proven via the scientific method. Therefore atheism is also a faith based belief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry for the bad cut and paste above.

Again, you are purposefully misrepresenting the question, which I request you answer:

Is not collecting stamps a hobby

If someone dedicates themselves to intentionally not collecting stamps than it is arguably a hobby.

But that is beside the epistemological point. Collecting or not collecting stamps can be proven by employing the scientific method of empirical observation. The validity of believing or not believing in the existence of God cannot be proven via the scientific method. Therefore atheism is also a faith based belief.

[Anonymous]

QUOTED PART:

If someone dedicates themselves to not collecting stamps than it is arguably a hobby. But that is beside the epistemological point. Collecting or not collecting stamps can be proven by employing the scientific method of empirical observation. The validity of believing or not believing in the existence of God cannot be proven via the scientific method. Therefore atheism is also a faith based belief.

RESPONSE:

This kind of illogical thinking, twisting something so obvious into something so ridiculous just to fit your narrative, is pathetic and transparent. Not collecting stamps is not a hobby. End period

We are not discussing whether or not someone collects stamps. We're talking about your MIS-definition of Atheism as a religion or a religious practice. It is not, not matter how you wish it to be so. The only overlap is that it is a position on a belief in god. A theist has one, and atheist does not.

No, you're wrong again, as atheism (as defined by most atheists) is the lack of a belief in a god or gods, not the claim that one absolutely does not exist.

You can keep repeating your misinformation, and we will keep correcting it. I suggest you go back to your hobbies of not believing in Vishnu or Leprechauns?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find this to be a very curious post. I grew up in a nominally Christian home with a family that did not truly understand Christianity. I became an atheist for more than 20 years before converting and becoming an evangelical about two years ago. It was the most unexpected turn of events in my life.

Living in the DC area and working in a very secular workplace, never, not once, in my time as an atheist did I feel out of place with religion. In fact, I assumed that the default was that nobody believed that stuff anymore. Everyone I worked with openly mocked evangelicals.

I have actually found it much harder when I swung back the other way. I realized that I didn’t know a single other person outside of my church who believed what I believed now. Yet I believe it as truth and so I couldn’t just ignore it. It has become core to my identity. I have since formed a lot of networks through social media and other venues and it isn’t as lonely as it once was.

But I say all this because — I don’t know why you would feel like you need to come to this message board (of all message boards!) to find a sense of community as an atheist. There are atheists everywhere, and they far outnumber Christians or people of other faiths who take their faith seriously and openly, at least in the DMV (maybe not in other parts of the country though).

Another recent mid-life convert here, and I could have written this post. I don't understand why some atheists (in the DMV of all places) want to feel embattled and persecuted.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]QUOTED PART:

If someone dedicates themselves to not collecting stamps than it is arguably a hobby. But that is beside the epistemological point. Collecting or not collecting stamps can be proven by employing the scientific method of empirical observation. The validity of believing or not believing in the existence of God cannot be proven via the scientific method. Therefore atheism is also a faith based belief.

RESPONSE:

This kind of illogical thinking, twisting something so obvious into something so ridiculous just to fit your narrative, is pathetic and transparent. Not collecting stamps is not a hobby. End period

We are not discussing whether or not someone collects stamps. We're talking about your MIS-definition of Atheism as a religion or a religious practice. It is not, not matter how you wish it to be so. The only overlap is that it is a position on a belief in god. A theist has one, and atheist does not.

No, you're wrong again, as atheism (as defined by most atheists) is the lack of a belief in a god or gods, not the claim that one absolutely does not exist.

You can keep repeating your misinformation, and we will keep correcting it. I suggest you go back to your hobbies of not believing in Vishnu or Leprechauns?
[/quote]

The ironies in your hostile rigid thinking are interesting.

Please I am waiting for proof that God does not exist using the scientific method . Oh wait you can’t because it is a metaphysical belief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:QUOTED PART:

If someone dedicates themselves to not collecting stamps than it is arguably a hobby. But that is beside the epistemological point. Collecting or not collecting stamps can be proven by employing the scientific method of empirical observation. The validity of believing or not believing in the existence of God cannot be proven via the scientific method. Therefore atheism is also a faith based belief.

RESPONSE:

This kind of illogical thinking, twisting something so obvious into something so ridiculous just to fit your narrative, is pathetic and transparent. Not collecting stamps is not a hobby. End period

We are not discussing whether or not someone collects stamps. We're talking about your MIS-definition of Atheism as a religion or a religious practice. It is not, not matter how you wish it to be so. The only overlap is that it is a position on a belief in god. A theist has one, and atheist does not.

No, you're wrong again, as atheism (as defined by most atheists) is the lack of a belief in a god or gods, not the claim that one absolutely does not exist.

You can keep repeating your misinformation, and we will keep correcting it. I suggest you go back to your hobbies of not believing in Vishnu or Leprechauns?

[Anonymous]

[quote]Please I am waiting for proof that God does not exist using the scientific method . Oh wait you can’t because it is a metaphysical belief. [/quote]

Since I don't make the claim a god does not exist, I do not have the burden of proof.

Since you make the claim a god does exist, you do have the burden of proof.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]QUOTED PART:

If someone dedicates themselves to not collecting stamps than it is arguably a hobby. But that is beside the epistemological point. Collecting or not collecting stamps can be proven by employing the scientific method of empirical observation. The validity of believing or not believing in the existence of God cannot be proven via the scientific method. Therefore atheism is also a faith based belief.

RESPONSE:

This kind of illogical thinking, twisting something so obvious into something so ridiculous just to fit your narrative, is pathetic and transparent. Not collecting stamps is not a hobby. End period

We are not discussing whether or not someone collects stamps. We're talking about your MIS-definition of Atheism as a religion or a religious practice. It is not, not matter how you wish it to be so. The only overlap is that it is a position on a belief in god. A theist has one, and atheist does not.

No, you're wrong again, as atheism (as defined by most atheists) is the lack of a belief in a god or gods, not the claim that one absolutely does not exist.

You can keep repeating your misinformation, and we will keep correcting it. I suggest you go back to your hobbies of not believing in Vishnu or Leprechauns?
[/quote]

The ironies in your hostile rigid thinking are interesting.

Please I am waiting for proof that God does not exist using the scientific method . Oh wait you can’t because it is a metaphysical belief. [/quote]

I can’t prove that fairies don’t exist either, but I don’t believe in them, do you?

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]QUOTED PART:

If someone dedicates themselves to not collecting stamps than it is arguably a hobby. But that is beside the epistemological point. Collecting or not collecting stamps can be proven by employing the scientific method of empirical observation. The validity of believing or not believing in the existence of God cannot be proven via the scientific method. Therefore atheism is also a faith based belief.

RESPONSE:

This kind of illogical thinking, twisting something so obvious into something so ridiculous just to fit your narrative, is pathetic and transparent. Not collecting stamps is not a hobby. End period

We are not discussing whether or not someone collects stamps. We're talking about your MIS-definition of Atheism as a religion or a religious practice. It is not, not matter how you wish it to be so. The only overlap is that it is a position on a belief in god. A theist has one, and atheist does not.

No, you're wrong again, as atheism (as defined by most atheists) is the lack of a belief in a god or gods, not the claim that one absolutely does not exist.

You can keep repeating your misinformation, and we will keep correcting it. I suggest you go back to your hobbies of not believing in Vishnu or Leprechauns?
[/quote]

The ironies in your hostile rigid thinking are interesting.

Please I am waiting for proof that God does not exist using the scientific method . Oh wait you can’t because it is a metaphysical belief. [/quote]

I can’t prove that fairies don’t exist either, but I don’t believe in them, do you?[/quote]

I think those fairies are called saints.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Please I am waiting for proof that God does not exist using the scientific method . Oh wait you can’t because it is a metaphysical belief.

Since I don't make the claim a god does not exist, I do not have the burden of proof.

Since you make the claim a god does exist, you do have the burden of proof.

Some of the “objective evidence” would work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New poster. If we are to extrapolate from fifteen pages of comments from posters claiming to be atheists, their reasons for posting on DCUM (to address the actual question) would seem to be that most derive a sense of moral and intellectual superiority about their place in the world, and perhaps secondarily that it seems to assuage their sense of anxiety and insecurity that a Christian nationalist-fueled political movement has given them.

What they are unwilling or unable to accept or, perhaps, comprehend, is that only some people of faith have an interest in proselytizing. Only some people of faith have an interest in translating a set of practices that are nominally rooted in that faith on others. And that private revelation, which can form much of the experiential basis of belief for many people of faith, is not something that most wish to share.

The people of faith on this thread do not seem to be offended by atheism, for the most part.

Ironically, it is the atheists who seem to be the most ardent proselytizers. And that is why this subset of them posts on DCUM.

This is wrong. See the following recent news headlines why it matters. Its the theists trying to indoctrinate:

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/education/2024/11/14/ryan-walters-says-more-than-500-bibles-were-purchased-for-oklahoma-schools/76310395007/
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/18/us/texas-bible-school-curriculum.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New poster. If we are to extrapolate from fifteen pages of comments from posters claiming to be atheists, their reasons for posting on DCUM (to address the actual question) would seem to be that most derive a sense of moral and intellectual superiority about their place in the world, and perhaps secondarily that it seems to assuage their sense of anxiety and insecurity that a Christian nationalist-fueled political movement has given them.

What they are unwilling or unable to accept or, perhaps, comprehend, is that only some people of faith have an interest in proselytizing. Only some people of faith have an interest in translating a set of practices that are nominally rooted in that faith on others. And that private revelation, which can form much of the experiential basis of belief for many people of faith, is not something that most wish to share.

The people of faith on this thread do not seem to be offended by atheism, for the most part.

Ironically, it is the atheists who seem to be the most ardent proselytizers. And that is why this subset of them posts on DCUM.

It is interesting isn’t it? They tend to be way more sanctimonious, dogmatic and tiresome than the religious posters in this forum.

To be fair, Christian Nationalists who are using religion to justify an extreme and distinctly non-Christian agenda are far worse. We just do see them much on DCUM

You’re just not getting it. Being respectful of these beliefs has not only not worked, it has been a disaster for human rights. It has not worked. I am tired of being respectful only to see the religious trample over the rights of others. As some on the other side famously say, “F your feelings”.

If you support these myths being worthy of respect in our society you are just as much a part of the problem as the fundamentalists you pretend to dis-associate with. You empower them. Give up the mythology and join the modern world. The world will be a much better place when you all do.

Fear not - very few signs of atheists being overly respectful towards people with different views to their own in this forum.

I actually believe that your type of black and white overly simplistic and angry style of communication is much more a part of the problem in modern society than you realize: dogmatic extremism and not listening to others in thoughtful ways is what has got us into this ideological hell hole/ shouting match where both liberals and conservatives find themselves.

I feel bad for the PP, it is clearly the same individual posting style in pages and pages of comments, with little break. It must be very hard to have nothing else to do with her life but fight with internet strangers for days on end.

I would say she needs Jesus, but clearly that isn’t a solution. Maybe she can find help through a therapist or secular humanist group or something.

The problem is theists who have the dogmatic views.

Also, why would she need Jesus? Why not Krishna, Zeus, or Zoroaster? What makes Jesus special?

And some therapy would likely do you good PP to get over your brain-washing from your childhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New poster. If we are to extrapolate from fifteen pages of comments from posters claiming to be atheists, their reasons for posting on DCUM (to address the actual question) would seem to be that most derive a sense of moral and intellectual superiority about their place in the world, and perhaps secondarily that it seems to assuage their sense of anxiety and insecurity that a Christian nationalist-fueled political movement has given them.

What they are unwilling or unable to accept or, perhaps, comprehend, is that only some people of faith have an interest in proselytizing. Only some people of faith have an interest in translating a set of practices that are nominally rooted in that faith on others. And that private revelation, which can form much of the experiential basis of belief for many people of faith, is not something that most wish to share.

The people of faith on this thread do not seem to be offended by atheism, for the most part.

Ironically, it is the atheists who seem to be the most ardent proselytizers. And that is why this subset of them posts on DCUM.

It is interesting isn’t it? They tend to be way more sanctimonious, dogmatic and tiresome than the religious posters in this forum.

To be fair, Christian Nationalists who are using religion to justify an extreme and distinctly non-Christian agenda are far worse. We just do see them much on DCUM

You’re just not getting it. Being respectful of these beliefs has not only not worked, it has been a disaster for human rights. It has not worked. I am tired of being respectful only to see the religious trample over the rights of others. As some on the other side famously say, “F your feelings”.

If you support these myths being worthy of respect in our society you are just as much a part of the problem as the fundamentalists you pretend to dis-associate with. You empower them. Give up the mythology and join the modern world. The world will be a much better place when you all do.

Fear not - very few signs of atheists being overly respectful towards people with different views to their own in this forum.

I actually believe that your type of black and white overly simplistic and angry style of communication is much more a part of the problem in modern society than you realize: dogmatic extremism and not listening to others in thoughtful ways is what has got us into this ideological hell hole/ shouting match where both liberals and conservatives find themselves.

I feel bad for the PP, it is clearly the same individual posting style in pages and pages of comments, with little break. It must be very hard to have nothing else to do with her life but fight with internet strangers for days on end.

I would say she needs Jesus, but clearly that isn’t a solution. Maybe she can find help through a therapist or secular humanist group or something.

The problem is theists who have the dogmatic views.

Also, why would she need Jesus? Why not Krishna, Zeus, or Zoroaster? What makes Jesus special?

And some therapy would likely do you good PP to get over your brain-washing from your childhood.

Has that poster investigated any other denominations, let alone any other religions, or the no religion option? Did that person happen to have the amazing luck to be born into the right church, in the right country, as the right race/sex to the right family?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New poster. If we are to extrapolate from fifteen pages of comments from posters claiming to be atheists, their reasons for posting on DCUM (to address the actual question) would seem to be that most derive a sense of moral and intellectual superiority about their place in the world, and perhaps secondarily that it seems to assuage their sense of anxiety and insecurity that a Christian nationalist-fueled political movement has given them.

What they are unwilling or unable to accept or, perhaps, comprehend, is that only some people of faith have an interest in proselytizing. Only some people of faith have an interest in translating a set of practices that are nominally rooted in that faith on others. And that private revelation, which can form much of the experiential basis of belief for many people of faith, is not something that most wish to share.

The people of faith on this thread do not seem to be offended by atheism, for the most part.

Ironically, it is the atheists who seem to be the most ardent proselytizers. And that is why this subset of them posts on DCUM.

You really think “get TF out of my uterus” is proselytizing? Interesting.

+1. I’m pretty sure that atheists are asking to be left the f alone. Not sure why that’s so hard to understand.

Also it is so disingenuous to say that the religious people in this thread aren’t offended by atheism. What else motivates religious posters to pick fights like this?

I think that some religious posters want to prove (or at least show) that atheists are wrong about religion, then get frustrated when they can't.

Au contraire - most mainstream religious posters appear to have sought to explain why religion and science are not necessarily in conflict .

They also get frustrated when ontological experiences and cultural practices are reduced to ridiculous oversimplifications and they are held responsible for all the problems in the world. There would not even be western science without the evolution of theological logic.

Religious beliefs and practices (including atheism) cannot be validated or invalidated by the scientific method. That does not mean they do not have deep value to many people.

Similarly, Santa seems to hold a lot of value with children and merchants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New poster. If we are to extrapolate from fifteen pages of comments from posters claiming to be atheists, their reasons for posting on DCUM (to address the actual question) would seem to be that most derive a sense of moral and intellectual superiority about their place in the world, and perhaps secondarily that it seems to assuage their sense of anxiety and insecurity that a Christian nationalist-fueled political movement has given them.

What they are unwilling or unable to accept or, perhaps, comprehend, is that only some people of faith have an interest in proselytizing. Only some people of faith have an interest in translating a set of practices that are nominally rooted in that faith on others. And that private revelation, which can form much of the experiential basis of belief for many people of faith, is not something that most wish to share.

The people of faith on this thread do not seem to be offended by atheism, for the most part.

Ironically, it is the atheists who seem to be the most ardent proselytizers. And that is why this subset of them posts on DCUM.

You really think “get TF out of my uterus” is proselytizing? Interesting.

+1. I’m pretty sure that atheists are asking to be left the f alone. Not sure why that’s so hard to understand.

Also it is so disingenuous to say that the religious people in this thread aren’t offended by atheism. What else motivates religious posters to pick fights like this?

I think that some religious posters want to prove (or at least show) that atheists are wrong about religion, then get frustrated when they can't.

Au contraire - most mainstream religious posters appear to have sought to explain why religion and science are not necessarily in conflict .

They also get frustrated when ontological experiences and cultural practices are reduced to ridiculous oversimplifications and they are held responsible for all the problems in the world. There would not even be western science without the evolution of theological logic.

Religious beliefs and practices (including atheism) cannot be validated or invalidated by the scientific method. That does not mean they do not have deep value to many people.

Similarly, Santa seems to hold a lot of value with children and merchants.

Religion is the opiate of the masses. It's one big placebo effect.