Atheism

[QUOTE] [b]Panchgani wrote:[/b]

Trivia Time:

Which QZ'er stated the following on page 3 of this thread?

"I consider 'god' an imaginary being who humans lazily thank or curse, depending on circumstance, because they'd rather give control and responsibility to this magical being than accept it for themselves."

"There are many like myself who see religion as a crutch."

[/QUOTE]

The answer is ... ding ding ding ...

magicalfreddiemercury

[QUOTE] [b]GratefulFan wrote:[/b]

Huh. Religious leaders imparting life and power to machines to further their interests and the interests of religion. Meanwhile in 2013 the militant atheist sector and its evangelists slickly strip human beings of their experience, reason, intelligence and autonomy to impart on them the mindless function of machines slaved to their programming. Ironic.[/QUOTE]

Talk about a slanted, selective, downright silly reasoning.

You say "militant atheist sector and its evangelists slickly strip human beings of their experience, reason, intelligence and autonomy to impart on them the mindless function of machines slaved to their programming."

Apparently you've never heard of the protestant teachings of predestination. Orthodox Calvinism holds that you have no free will and all your decisions, religious and otherwise, are pre-determined by god. Talk about making people mindless slaves to their programming...

I thought about that video all night. I kept imagining the fear people must have felt when seeing those incredible happenings in their temples. In this, they would have been wide-eyed and innocent, like children, who are so easily influenced that such tremendous and terrifying displays would have been unnecessary. And like children, they would have looked to the people they trusted for answers. Instead of getting those answers, they would have been shown greater and more frightening illusions.

The average person would have had no reason to think what they witnessed was not by the hand of the gods, or had an idea those kinds of illusions were even possible, let alone being used by their spiritual leaders to purposely deceive them. It's so sad. And cruel. How could they possibly believe anything other than what they were being told – and shown – when there was that added element of unimaginable power? Who would dare question the existence of such formidable beings?

I know not all stories are as brutal as this, but it kills me to think in how many ways and for how many years, people – adults and children alike – have been so heartlessly manipulated in the name of god and for the sake of power and control.

[QUOTE] [b]thomasquinn 32989 wrote:[/b]

[QUOTE] [b]GratefulFan wrote:[/b]

Huh. Religious leaders imparting life and power to machines to further their interests and the interests of religion. Meanwhile in 2013 the militant atheist sector and its evangelists slickly strip human beings of their experience, reason, intelligence and autonomy to impart on them the mindless function of machines slaved to their programming. Ironic.[/QUOTE]

Talk about a slanted, selective, downright silly reasoning.

You say "militant atheist sector and its evangelists slickly strip human beings of their experience, reason, intelligence and autonomy to impart on them the mindless function of machines slaved to their programming."

Apparently you've never heard of the protestant teachings of predestination. Orthodox Calvinism holds that you have no free will and all your decisions, religious and otherwise, are pre-determined by god. Talk about making people mindless slaves to their programming... [/QUOTE]

LOL. You haven't said anything this irrelevant or impetuous in defense of anti-religious bigotry since your claim that Academic dress is some kind of weird American quirk. I don't think the bigots on the thread are Orthodox Calvanists Thomas, or motivated by an intellectual respect for philosophical determinism. They're just kind of narrow and self absorbed and thoroughly over-focused on their own experiences as a template for everything, as can be seen ever more clearly with each new post on the thread.

Oh Lord, this is never going to end...

[QUOTE] [b]Lostman wrote:[/b]

Oh Lord, this is never going to end...[/QUOTE]

Yeah. And it has spread to ground zero.

I am an atheist but its not the same as anti religion. In fact, I will happily become religious, I am sitting here waiting to be converted, all it takes is a little bit persuasion. Logical, intelligent, reasoned persuasion. Show me, convince me, I am yours for the plucking :-)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22414436

Surely there cannot be 2 gods? One right one and one wrong one? I am confused? Which is the true god?

Help me jebus!

[QUOTE] [b]GratefulFan wrote:[/b]

They're just kind of narrow and self absorbed and thoroughly over-focused on their own experiences as a template for everything, as can be seen ever more clearly with each new post on the thread. [/QUOTE]

Page 23 of putting words into people's mouths. Everyone sees the world based on their experience of it - you say that as if it's a bad thing. I certainly don't want to see the world from OJ Simpson's experience. I prefer mine.

Give it up. TQ is a gifted intellectual and you aren't.

Or is it gratifying to write novels on a forum but nowhere else?

Praise from Caesar ...

"Give it up. TQ is a gifted intellectual and you aren't"

I don't think any one side of the debate has done much to distinguish itself in this thread - I include myself in that, obviously, but that's how I feel. There's things I agree with in both viewpoints, but the severe attitude problems on display here (again, in all directions) leave me feeling particularly out-of-it.

I think your Brian May wig might be running a bit tight there "Real Wizard". It is truly difficult to conceive of a more arrogantly deluded, bemusing, substanceless circle jerk on the whole of the internet. WGAF what you think about anything, least of all what you think about me.

If this was a circle jerk, how come I haven't gotten off yet?

Dammit, Moog, I had this thing buried for three whole days. Why would you do that?

Ego... I started a post and its now the longest. I apologise.

BUT... I am still waiting. Turn me on to god and jebus. I am your prospective willing servant.

Take me lord....!!!!!!