Hi Californian, I can honestly say I have no idea if any of the people I know are atheists. I know some who attend church for family reasons rather than faith. How does one know who is and isn't?
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"...only the shadow knows"
Registered: 03/22/00
Posts: 33855
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Not sure about "Myths" but I will say the same thing about Atheists as I do about anyone with an "absolute" belief system. Being absolutely positive about any "unknown" is hardly logical.
Just extending the myth there Paradude. Most atheist including myself came to that position from deductive logic and reason. There is no faith or absolute beliefs. I'll be the first one to jump into the bandwagon if god shows up. Deo
According to the bible when God shows up it will be too late to get on the bandwagon, Deo. Jesus will remove all who haven't accepted Him as God who died for their sins. Course if you follow other writings it won't matter what the bible says. I wish He would just take everybody and fix them but the bible doesn't hold that wish up as truth. Paul
Registered: 03/22/00
Posts: 33855
Loc: United Provinces of America
Originally Posted By: Deo
Just extending the myth there Paradude. Most atheist including myself came to that position from deductive logic and reason. There is no faith or absolute beliefs. I'll be the first one to jump into the bandwagon if god shows up. Deo
There can be no "logic or reason" when dealing with a subject with so many unknowns. Given the vastness and mysteries of the Universe a "logical" person will be able to "reason" that they haven't a clue about what will happen after we die.
The only certainty is that everyone will know one way or another when they die...and IF nothing happens after and athiest's are proven correct then they won't have an opportunity to say "I told you so".
I think it's ok...and even logical to simply say, "Ya know what, I don't have a clue...and neither do you" (in regards to religion and life after death).
Beg to differ paradude. Utilizing the principles of critical thinking tells me that I am a biological entity that will die someday and that will be that. This process of evaluating evidence works for me and I am not about proselyting it to anyone. "Told you so" is not part of this process so there you go again making assumptions. I also think it would be logical to say "Based on the evidence (not anecdotal)so far this might be the best explaination". This would work until someone comes up with something better-or god shows up. How are you Paulwa? Always good to hear from you. Thanks for your words. Might be planning a trip to Orlando this December. Deo
Registered: 03/22/00
Posts: 33855
Loc: United Provinces of America
Critical thinking does not equate to be absolutely correct theory. There are far too many unknowns and variables to make any kind of absolute assumption.
We all speculate using the information we have in hand, but given that we do not have all the information required our speculations are just that...guesses.
eta - not saying your wrong, not saying Paulwa is wrong, I'm simply saying that given that I don't have any evidence of what is right and what is wrong I can safely say, "I don't know".
Doing ok Deo. I am only right if the bible is the unerring truth of God. Which I of course believe it is. Whatever we hold as truth we will stand for our own actions and beliefs one day..unless the atheists are right, then nothing matters or is important at our death. Paul
There you go again paradude with the terminology absolute. Nobody is claiming to know the absolute correct theory-what is that anyway?. A theory is just an explaination of a phenomenon and it get thrown when a better explaination comes about. ps. Please note that I commented on your stated assumptions about atheists not on your theological beliefs.
Registered: 03/22/00
Posts: 33855
Loc: United Provinces of America
So...you are not absolutely sure your beliefs as an atheist could be wrong? If so, then we agree.
Unless my belief that no one can know is a theological belief then I have no theological belief as there isn't enough evidence available to formulate a belief.
When someone says, "I am an atheist as there is no God", then to me, that is an absolute.
When someone says, "I believe in the Bible and the God of the Bible is real", then that too (imho) is an absolute.
Anyone who says they know the unknowable cannot know this absolutely...
Absolutely my beliefs could be wrong. My "beliefs" are the cumulative results of my lifes' experience and they will keep changing as new evidence/explainations come about. Beliefs are in inverted commas because they are not the same as faith or belief in a deity. I got what you were trying to say paradude. Hope to visit AWS someday. Hoping to visit Florida and England in December when I'll be on vacation-don't know how well this man from the tropics can handle the winter. Deo
Registered: 03/31/04
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Loc: where the wild roadrunners roa...
Actually that is far from sure, Paul. It is just as likely that only atheists will be saved by a supreme being who despises religion as is that only Christians will be saved.
