Are Atheists Unsure And Worried?

[naomi24]

According to some of the religious people here, the reason atheists argue religion is because they ‘are not sure and are a bit worried’ (Keyplus’ words). Religion is an option available to all – atheists choose to reject it. What then, do those who say this think we are unsure or worried about? The question has been asked several times on different threads, but as far as I’m aware, no one has given their reasons for thinking that. Can someone please explain?

[Khandro]

jomifl; //.......abuses of human rights carried out in the name of religion rather than do any thing to contradict your fellow (sic) theists.//
I'm certain I could find something or other to contradict in all religions, but I fail to see such a display of 'ego' among the few people upholding some form of religious position on this site as I witness of that demonstrated by the atheist cohort, and if you perceive your attitude is a demonstration of 'intellect'[ual] thought and that it negates all things that religion once answered, then I would point out that at this point its voice is faint on human suffering, and it barely speaks about death, and has little if anything to say about human forgiveness or reconciliation.
If you keep asserting your tight-arsed mantra that everyone is living in a meaningless world in a meaningless universe, you might just find yourself living a vacuous life in a hollow culture, - but maybe you already are.

[joko]

the fact that, if asked, millions of people would list themselves as belonging to a religion, despite the fact that they have never been to church, read the bible, prayed etc etc in their lives, shows that the ones full of worry and uncertainty are the ones claiming to be theists simply to hedge their bets.

[jomifl]

This is fascinating stuff Khandro, but do try to maintain a veneer of civilisation and intellectial superiority.

[naomi24]

Khandro, I see you’ve ignored me – yet again. You remind me of a playground bully who runs up behind someone, punches them in the back, and then, true to cowardly form, runs away again. You talk about ‘ego’, but the compassionate voice of the atheist would not be quite so faint if people who support religion, ignoring the horrors it inflicts upon this world, weren’t so utterly self-obsessed. And what is there to be said about death? Human beings die. As for forgiveness, people don’t need need religion in order to be capable of forgiving. If anything is tight-arsed and vacuous, it’s religion – and that’s not an airy-fairy manufactured notion - it's demonstrable.

[jomifl]

Naomi, I've had a smile on my face ever since reading Khandro's most recent and vituperative post, he seems to be a bit too loose-arsed and has temporarily lost his carefully cultivated urbanity..
As for the egotism of some believers, I can't help but think that if someone thinks they have direct communication with, or understands the creator of the universe then there must be a degree of inflated ego along with a touch of delusion.

[naomi24]

Jom, indeed. ‘I know God’ has got to be the ultimate in name-dropping! Beat that if you can! ;o)

[Octavius]

That would be an acknowledgement of his existence then.

As I see it, you need religion, otherwise what would you talk and argue about? Perhaps that is your worry.

[naomi24]

Yes - Khandro's acknowledgement of his existence.

[Khandro]

Among your shortcomings you both now demonstrate your inability to read; please point to where I have claimed "to understand the creator of the universe" or even once mentioned the word God in order to "name-drop", and I find it strange how you seem to need the support of one another, could it be my post actually has some resonance? Do you in fact feel that you are living a "vacuous life in a hollow culture" ?

[naomi24]

Khandro, you’re right. You said he’s unknowable – implying that you know he exists. A contradiction, of course, but we’ve been here before and have discovered that reason doesn’t appear to be your greatest attribute.

[keyplus90]

Khandro ////You sound very troubled naomi, why do you spend so much energy attacking people who are offering no threat to you or your convictions?///

May Allah now save Khandro from Naomi and Co. Because Naomi does not likes to be corrected. Because she is always right (at least that is what she firmly believes). How dare a fellow atheist refused to agree with her.

Jomifl ////An ego is no substitute for an intellect and ego is all a lot of religion is about, surely even you can see that.///

Same Intelligence = atheism stuff. Slef-obsessed you people are, aren’t you? Sometime this attitude reminds me the attitude of Home-pathic doctors. They are always so sure about their ability. You talk to them about any disease and they would say, “yes we have treatment for that” and all they will give you is a pack of sugar quoted tablets.

Finally when I said that atheists are worried and unsure I really meant that in their heart they are not satisfied whether they really believe in what they say they believe. In the end I have no intention to change anyone as Allah has given every single soul freedom of choice and you are using that freedom. Here I would say again what I have said so many times before that instead of wasting time and effort on same thing again and again why not just wait and see. Life is short and no one knows if s/he would be around tomorrow. Once you (and of course me too) are gone then you are either bound to find the other side exists or it does not. I am quite happy to wait and see if you aren’t then it’s fine as even for these kind of things my 1400 years old book has given me some guidance.

Surah 109. The Disbelievers,
1. Say : O ye that reject Faith!
2. I worship not that which ye worship,
3. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
4. And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship,
5. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
6. To you be your Way, and to me mine.

[Octavius]

keyplus...you forgot the golden rule of R&S threads, but nevermind.

I note you take the "To you be your Way, and to me mine." as an affirmation to accept the infidels spiritual freedom, but was this not originally excalimed when the muslims were just about to be slaughtered at the sword in Mecca, therefore merely a plea for mercy?

[modeller]

How can an Atheist be unsure or worried about somEthing that does not exist ?
If they do they are not Atheists in the first place.

[naomi24]

Keyplus, several issues with your post. Firstly, I have no idea who Naomi & Co are. Secondly, if you’d care to read my post to Khandro – the one above yours – you will see that I said Khandro is right. Reading the constant bleating accusation from those who have no sensible argument to offer that I always think I’m right becomes rather tedious. Of course I do – you think you’re right too – and so does everyone else who argues against anyone. They wouldn’t argue if they didn’t. I can only assume that simple, rational, fact, passes you and the rest of the whingers by. It clearly doesn’t apply if I’m involved, that’s for sure. If your arguments fail to stand up to scrutiny, blame yourself. MTH. ;o)

On to the rest of your post. You are disingenuous. You don’t believe the prattle about “To you be your Way, and to me mine.” You stated categorically that the reason Muslims come to the west is not for a better life, but to show us the way – and you also stated that “As far as the domination of Islam is concerned. Truth always come out on top, sooner or later. You believe it or not. Your problem.” Your fellow Muslim, Lightbulb, posted a link the other day, which included a quiz entitled ‘How Muslim are You?’ Perhaps you can tell me why this quote that is generally attributed to Gandhi, is considered to be a question, and what it means to Muslims. Lightbulb answered my question, but his answer made no sense.


Question 10. "Be the change you want to see in the world."

http://www.areyoumuslim.com/

Additionally, perhaps you can answer a very simple question that Lightbulb has failed to respond to completely. The Koran instructs men to beat their disobedient wives. Is that wrong?

And finally, so you didn’t really mean that atheists are worried and unsure? Good. That’s that one sorted.

ps. You obviously latched on to my reference to the ‘self-obsessed’ then? I take that as a compliment – even though you posted it with the opposite intention. ;o)

[joko]

khandro - why do you assume atheists live shallow and hollow lives?

what is it about your life that makes its so full and interesting and wonderful?
what do you actually 'do' to make it so?

or is merely the label of being a believer enough in your mind...?
does that instantly make your life so full and wonderful?
if so... how exactly?

[joko]

well octavious - thats me convinced!

what better reason to accept religion into your life - to give you something to argue about!

and course god 'exists' ... in the sense that everyone knows about him, everyone has heard of him, everyone has some influence of him in their lives...

its much the same way that harry potter 'exists' ...

[Octavius]

Why would I expect you to accept religion in your life?

[Khandro]

joko; //why do you assume atheists live shallow and hollow lives?//
I made no such assumption, I said, if your continuing outlook is that "everyone is living in a meaningless world in a meaningless universe, you might just find yourself living a vacuous life in a hollow culture,".

[naomi24]

Khandro, you also said 'but maybe you already are'....

... but just to clarify for you, we're not.