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As I learned more and more, especially from science, and as I improved my reasoning skills with math, religion seemed less and less credible. Then I read the Bible from cover to cover! The Bible is the atheist's best friend!
With respect to knowledge about the real world, the scientific approach is golden. As I pointed out in the thread "On Converting Atheists," the demand for empirical evidence is both reasonable and carries no bias against theism as some claim. Serious arguments about the real world must ultimately be rooted in empirical evidence, and inductive reasoning connects that evidence to a conclusion (model) about some aspect of the real world. The refinement of this process is what the "scientific method" is all about.
Evidence that is so extraordinary that it is more believable than the laws of nature. A prolonged visit from such a god or gods, demonstrating that they can upend natural law, would be such evidence. A demonstration that natural laws are being upended would, at least, make me sit up and notice.
Theism acts as a kind of balm against various hurts and worries, including the cold fact that we live in a meaningless universe as minor "fuzz" on the third big rock from the sun, a star lost in an inconceivably vast universe that is generally hostile to life. The question is not whether theism can play good roles, the answer being "Yes," but whether it does more harm than good. If the harmful aspects of theism, especially the usual claim that it is the sole road to some kind of salvation, that it is the only true religion and everyone should join it, can be eliminated then I think that would be a huge improvement. But can lies every really be good, especially if they interfere with good education and reasoning? There is a lot of bad stuff to avoid, but some enlightened versions of theism might find a way.
If theism stops claiming to be the only road to salvation, thus making critics dangerous people who might sabotage that road for others and, therefore, people who should be silenced, and if theism stops spreading lies about atheism, then I think theism and atheism could happily coexist.
In general, the scientific triumph of natural principles is my single biggest reason for rejecting theism. A close contender is the total lack of credible evidence for theism. As to the major monotheistic religions, the sheer absurdity of their obviously man-made doctrines and stories destroys their credibility.
The success of the scientific method which has not only allowed fantastic engineering (think moon landing or gene sequencing) but has lead to a deep and testable understanding of reality. The great benefit of science is that you can check the results to a high degree.
Presently, nothing so worries me.
TBWM: "In brief points if you can, what lead you to athiesm -" "What is you single biggest reason for disbelieving -"
I stopped believing the believers.
"What would genuinely sway you to believe in a god or gods -"
I started believing in the '80's after a few years of psychedelic use. After the drugs wore off I was an atheist again.
"What is your standard for evidence -"
I don't worry about evidence. I am not a scientist.
"What encourages you to believe you are correct -""What worries you that you may be wrong -"
I don't worry about being an atheist and don't seek encouragement for my lack of belief. There are far more important things I worry about and need encouragement for.
"I started believing in the '80's after a few years of psychedelic use. After the drugs wore off I was an atheist again."
It must be my age, but that made me laugh out loud. People are staring now. My apologies as it might well be a genuine assertion, it just struck me as quite funny.
From now on when some smug eager apologists is giving me a condescending lecture and pretending to be interested in what "evidence" I'd accept to believe something for Which they can demonstrate no evidence, I'm going to grin broadly and say hallucinogenic drugs might work a treat.
Well, let me finally answer the questions instead of referring to the answers of others.
In brief points if you can, what lead you to atheism?
Other than to say I was born that way, I truly do not know the true answer. I do remember me mom using the Bible to teach me to read when I was 3½ years old. I just did not believe/comprehend the stories in the Bible. For me they, just did not make any sense whatsoever. When I was 5, me mom gave the novel Childhood's End by Sir Arthur C. Clarke. Two months later Star Trek: The Original Series premiered on TV. As I kept watching Star Trek, I adopted Spock's logic and skepticism. I loved the bantering between Spock and McCoy because it reminded me of the banter I had with between the church and myself. I was just not expecting the violence Christians used back then to make children behave like "good little Christians." And yes. That is where my hatred for religion derives. For religion is nothing more than violence, hatred, bigotry, etc., etc. coated with sugar and honey.
What is your standard for evidence?
Objective Empirical Evidence. I must be able to subject the evidence to mine own tests to either verify or falsify the data derived from those tests. If it cannot be tested, then it is not evidence.
What would genuinely sway you to believe in a god or gods?
To be completely honest... I do not know.
Does theism have a good role to play in the world?
No. Ultimately, theism, or religion, actually causes more harm than good. It is nothing more than a form of enslavement where each and every person must sacrifice everything that makes them a Homo sapiens.
Can Athiesm and Thiesm eventually coexist happily?
No. They are incompatible and irreconcilable.
What is you single biggest reason for disbelieving?
No evidence.
What encourages you to believe you are correct?
No evidence.
What worries you that you may be wrong?
Honestly, nothing. However, if proper evidence were given, I shall change my opinion.
rmfr
Even the Bible says that the fairy tale is BS.
Outside of the movies how many zombies have you seen? Have any of the people you've known who have died ever returned to visit you?
As it says in 1 Corinthians 15:13-19 (Voice) = "13 Friends, if there is no resurrection of the dead, then even the Anointed hasn’t been raised; 14 if that is so, then all our preaching has been for nothing and your faith in the message is worthless. 15 And what’s worse, all of us who have been preaching the gospel are now guilty of misrepresenting God because we have been spreading the news that He raised the Anointed One from the dead (which must be a lie if what you are saying about the dead not being raised is the truth). 16 Please listen. If you say, “the dead are not raised,” then what you are telling me is that the Anointed One has not been raised. Friends, 17 if the Anointed has not been raised from the dead, then your faith is worth less than yesterday’s garbage, you are all doomed in your sins, 18 and all the dearly departed who trusted in His liberation are left decaying in the ground. 19 If what we have hoped for in the Anointed doesn’t take us beyond this life, then we are world-class fools, deserving everyone’s pity."
Zombies, ghosts, demons, angels, gods, devils. What a bunch of superstitious crap.
In brief points if you can, what lead you to athiesm - 0 real world evidence of God.
What is your standard for evidence - Material evidence of supernatural God, like the one they demand in courts.
What would genuinely sway you to believe in a god or gods - Dunno.
Does thiesm have a good role to play in the world - Yes. Even if theism provokes anger in us, atheists.
Can Athiesm and Thiesm eventually coexist happily - Who knows.
What is you single biggest reason for disbelieving - 0 evidence.
What encourages you to believe you are correct - Maybe God exists, but does it change anything? It doesn't means that I want to be His "slave".
What worries you that you may be wrong - God, if he exists might also don't give a f about what his creations thinks and he just tortures them sometimes.
Sorry. A little late to this party. Been tied up on dealing with an issue on another thread. Anyway.....
1. In brief points if you can, what lead you to atheism? The fact that none of the bible stories ever made sense to me as a kid. Also, whenever I asked questions about god and Jesus and other related matters, the grown-ups were never able to give me any solid answers. And those answers often varied depending on the adult asked. As I became better educated and more experienced in life, the whole religion thing made even LESS sense.
2. What is your standard for evidence? In regards to believing in any god(s), my view is that any god that is reportedly omniscient and omnipotent should already know exactly what would convince me to believe in it. And since I do not currently believe in any god(s), then it/they either: A. Have some reason(s) it/they do not want me to believe in it/them. OR, B: It/they do not exist.
3. What would genuinely sway you to believe in a god or gods? I have absolutely no idea. Not a freakin' clue. (See #2)
4. Does theism have a good role to play in the world? Believing in some type of god brings comfort and peace of mind to many people. At the same time, it is the main cause of many wars and various other atrocities. Personally, religion never caused me anything but dread and self-doubt. It even caused me to think badly about people that did not deserve my judgment. Now that I have finally escaped its clutches, I am able to see that the negative far outweighs the positive.
5. Can Atheism and Theism eventually coexist happily? As somebody else has already said, it is possible as long as people keep their beliefs to themselves. I do not care what a person believes as long as it does not harm others or infringe upon on my own rights/freedoms. Sadly, a couple of religions in particular make it all too clear that it is “their way, or the highway (to hell).” And far too many who follow those religions are more than happy to help send you to their respective hells.
6. What is you single biggest reason for disbelieving? (See #1 and #2)
7. What encourages you to believe you are correct? The fact that I see/think more clearly now than I ever have before. I have a better outlook on my life in general. I treat people better and am more willing to accept people for who/what they are. Overall, I believe I am a much better person ever since I broke away from the chains and took off the blinders of religion.
8. What worries you that you may be wrong? Can’t think of anything right off hand. If I am wrong, then obviously I will end up facing some type of “supreme being” when I die. If that happens, then I have many questions for that entity, given the opportunity to ask them. Still will not bow to it, though, regardless. But, then, if that being truly exists, it already knows this, right? And there is absolutely NOTHING I can do about whatever it decides to do with me. So why would I worry about it?
In brief points if you can, what lead you to atheism - The debunking of one religious claim after another. (Logic, reason, and rational thinking.)
What is your standard for evidence - (Atheism is not an evidence based position. It is the lack of evidence for religions in the world that support the atheist position. If you think you have evidence for your religion or your version of god, prove it and I will be happy to alter my beliefs.
What would genuinely sway you to believe in a god or gods - (Evidence. It is not up to me to be swayed. If your version of a God exists, ask him what would sway me and then let me know.
Does theism have a good role to play in the world - It depends on your definition of good. Typically, theism has served to keep groups of people together under a shared ideology. Human beings are herd animals. We do not survive well in the wild alone. We lack claws, teeth, armor skin, speed, and more. In the wild we are fleshy little hamburgers waiting to be eaten. Our children take 8 to 10 years to even be mature enough to recognize danger. Longer than any other animal on the planet. We survive because we have the ability to form groups. Forming groups around belief systems was once a useful survival tool and we continue to use it today regardless of its utility for survival or TRUTH.
Can Athiesm and Thiesm eventually coexist happily - It depends on the theism. The abrahamic faiths are "in-group / out - group" faiths. You are in the group and saved or outside the group and damned. The religious texts state that those outside the group are to be murdered. How does that lend itself to peaceful coexistence? If, like the modern Christians, the religious in these sorts of groups are willing to ignore the basic tenets of their faiths, coexistence may be possible. At the same time, someone has always been around and will always be around to point out the bullshit contained in religious thinking.
What is you single biggest reason for disbelieving - Lack of evidence. No evidence what so ever that can stand against critical inquiry. NONE
What encourages you to believe you are correct - The continuing bad arguments, ignorant assertions, and outright lying religions must engage in to convert people to membership.
What worries you that you may be wrong - Nothing at all. All evidence to date suggests that I am correct and not a single argument anywhere holds enough validity or truth value to even make me question whether or not it may be correct. If you think you know of such an argument or position, please post it. I would love to hear it.
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