Why Atheism?

[naomi24]

“Properly read, the Bible is the most potent force for atheism ever conceived.” Isaac Asimov

[grasscarp]

Well Pixie says those with faith cannot be true and Dunitall saying neither side can prove anything.
I go with the latter live and let live.
And Jomifl not much is closed on a Sunday anymore. Also you can ignore Christmas and Easter if you like. If you want to have an Atheist festival nothing to stop you. Can't see much imposition going on.

[jomifl]

grasscarp, you are in denial, perhaps you should consider other parts of the world than the relatively liberated UK where by the way, trains don't run on christmas day. As for festivals.... you just don't get it do you?

[grasscarp]

So you are disgruntled about lack of public transport on Christmas Day. No you right I dont get it!

[jomifl]

Don't be silly Grasscarp you know I'm right but you can't admit it.

[grasscarp]

Yes I am credulous, naive, in denial and now silly!

[jomifl]

Grasscarp, if you want to reduce what could have been a rational argument to silliness then you are well, silly. Did you see my link re. parents imposing their beliefs (along with sexual mutilation) on their children? you need to open your eyes..though you may see things that you really wouldn't want to.

[grasscarp]

Jomifl you are widening the scope somewhat to widen this conversation about what religion imposes on you to include sexual mutilation;
(I have actually done a bit to try and support eradication of this barbaric act)
No need to tell me to open my eyes or to call me names.

[jomifl]

Grasscarp, I hadn't realised that this argument only covers what religion has inposed on me. I was taking a more general view, covering those things that religion imposes on non believers on a large scale. So you don't support parents imposing their religious views upon their children? glad to hear it. I used the adjective 'silly' because you were attempting to reduce the discussion to a 'silly' level and attempting to dodge the issue. The only option available to you I suppose.

[atalanta]

Dunitall - you make the common mistake of assuming that atheism is a belief system. It isn't. It is simply the absence of any belief - creed - scriptures - fairytales - dogma - ritual objects - ceremonies - importance of funny clothes - processions - festivals - sermons - bogus bonhomie. It is this absence in which I rejoice. I'd like everyone to throw off these trappings and be free - free to think for themselves instead of being told what to think, believe, say and how to behave. The relief of being able to stop trying to make sense of religion was wonderful when I finally managed to do it, and I'd just like everyone to feel as free as I do.

[ll_billym]

But as it is the Bible is actually the most potent force for religion ever conceived. I'd suggest that that book is a bad place to start for a discussion about anything.

[grasscarp]

Atalanta but some of them do not revel in the freedom you have found. They endlessly lurk in R&S trying to convince themselves they are on the right track.

[Cannedgranny]

I liked your last post grasscarp. Well said.

[agchristie]

'When one person suffers from a delusion it's called insanity. When many people suffer from delusion it's called religion'.

R.Persig.

[goodlife]

The history of religion is as old as the history of man himself.

That is what archaeologists and anthropologists tell us. Even among the most “primitive,” that is to say, undeveloped, civilizations, there is found evidence of worship of some form.

In fact The New Encyclopædia Britannica says that as far as scholars have discovered, there has never existed any people, anywhere, at any time, who were not in some sense religious.

[jomifl]

Fascinating GL, what does the EB have to say about evolution, or is that bit rubbish.

[DTCwordfan]

The divorce rate in the USA is lower for atheists than any other religious group. 1990 sample of 4000 folk in the contiguous states, by Barna, a Christian research group. That's good evidence for 'why atheism' - truer relationships perhaps.

[grasscarp]

So 4000 people in USA were sampled 14 years ago. mmmmmm

[naomi24]

Grasscarp. //They [Atheists] endlessly lurk in R&S trying to convince themselves they are on the right track.//

That erroneous notion has already been addressed – see my post at 08:51 Wed 29th Oct. Would you care to explain why you persist?

Cannedgranny, the invitation extends to you too.

[vulcan42]

grasscarp \\So 4000 people in USA were sampled 14 years ago. mmmmmm//
A 14 year period doesn't invalidate the evidence, after all you still believe "evidence" that's 2000 years old.

[DTCwordfan]

the same was true for 2008 on 35000 people, carpy...