Any atheists that weren't ALWAYS atheist?

[The Lord Doc]

I've become more of an Ignostic/Theological Noncognitivist, but started out as a pretty devout Nondenominational Christian. These discussions are always amusing, because folks take opposing stances on something that they don't even have a mutually agreed upon definition of in the first place.

 

[blatantlyobvious]

of course i realize that, that's my whole point. it's an experience you have to believe in to have something happen. the simple fact that you choose to only pay attention to facts and empirical data and evidence, you end up disconnecting yourself from the belief and the experience. and your mention about it being taught from generation from generation, that's a powerful thing to say. think about it, it's our only connection to our spiritual growth as humans and the one thing that has defined our humanity since our conception. if you don't think there's something to that and that it's just some bullshyt, i don't know what i can say to you. the facts behind the matter are this: the belief in God has been here before your existence, and i doubt the sudden appearance of ideas that there is none won't change the fact that belief in God has existed for since we can remember and will exist past our lifetime. in fact, it is what we remember and what we hold to.

that's powerful shyt when you really think about it...

it's just like believing in yourself so you can do certain things. if you don't think you can do something, you won't.

As much as I'd really like to agree with you, bro, I truly cannot. If you think spirituality defines humanity, separating us from the lesser intelligent species of animal, then I don't know what to say. There are tons of irrational beliefs traditionally handed down generationally (not a real word, but will me points for innovation) but that doesn't make them logically sound. That doesn't make them... right. That doesn't warrant belief. That only demonstrates how simple some members of our species truly can be, and how they're probably going either devolve or stay where they are as the rest of our species pushes forward. They're clinging onto outdated dogma as if it's truly beneficial to their wellbeing... to their moral stances, but it's not. We as humans learn what's morally correct on our own through experience regardless of biblical teachings. And besides, the wealth of fallacies the bible presents to us alone warrants discrediting -- but that's a different story for a different thread. Lol.

Sent from my LG Optimus L9 using Tapatalk 2

 

[jackswstd]

I wouldn't define myself as atheist. I went to church as a kid all the time, but things happened in my life that made me lose my faith. I've never felt God's presence around me. I can't prove whether God exists or not, but I don't pass judgement on anyone who believes.

 

[WaveCapsByOscorp™]

As much as I'd really like to agree with you, bro, I truly cannot. If you think spirituality defines humanity, separating us from the lesser intelligent species of animal, then I don't know what to say. There are tons of irrational beliefs traditionally handed down generationally (not a real word, but will me points for innovation) but that doesn't make them logically sound. That doesn't make them... right. That doesn't warrant belief. That only demonstrates how simple some members of our species truly can be, and how they're probably going either devolve or stay where they are as the rest of our species pushes forward. They're clinging onto outdated dogma as if it's truly beneficial to their wellbeing... to their moral stances, but it's not. We as humans learn what's morally correct on our own through experience regardless of biblical teachings. And besides, the wealth of fallacies the bible presents to us alone warrants discrediting -- but that's a different story for a different thread. Lol.

Sent from my LG Optimus L9 using Tapatalk 2

i think the problem with this discussion is you're relating the belief in God to an idea of christian origin. you're selling yourself short by referring to dogma and the bible to some how explain the existence of God or the validity behind people believing. it's bigger than that and, in reality, you know it is. anything you do in life works out that way. it becomes personalized. also, to say that clinging to spirituality (which you should recognize that the angle i've always refer to, not religious institutions or traditions) some how makes you "simple" is not logical. you can be a simple minded person and not cling to spiritual values. you could, in essence, devolve mentally without consulting any concepts about God. it's just like i said earlier, most of your hang ups are coming from what someone else who claims to worship God does, not with your own personal pursuance. you're judging how your relationship is, or even the existence of a relationship, based on historical facts based on institutions. what i'm saying is based on spirituality which is always personal. some institutions might help you achieve some personal sense of spirituality but at the end of the day it a personal effort...

 

[blatantlyobvious]

i think the problem with this discussion is you're relating the belief in God to an idea of christian origin. you're selling yourself short by referring to dogma and the bible to some how explain the existence of God or the validity behind people believing. it's bigger than that and, in reality, you know it is. anything you do in life works out that way. it becomes personalized. also, to say that clinging to spirituality (which you should recognize that the angle i've always refer to, not religious institutions or traditions) some how makes you "simple" is not logical. you can be a simple minded person and not cling to spiritual values. you could, in essence, devolve mentally without consulting any concepts about God. it's just like i said earlier, most of your hang ups are coming from what someone else who claims to worship God does, not with your own personal pursuance. you're judging how your relationship is, or even the existence of a relationship, based on historical facts based on institutions. what i'm saying is based on spirituality which is always personal. some institutions might help you achieve some personal sense of spirituality but at the end of the day it a personal effort...

[Sighs]
This this all I'm going to say on the matter... if a god does exist, it's probably a concept of perfection that people should use to set a standard. An idea of perfection that people should be using to be the best that they can be in everything they do. If someone's worshipping a god, that's their business, really, but don't project that as certain, undeniable, undoubtable truth. Religion also shouldn't be used as an excuse for discrimination. That goes for all practices that teach it, not just Christianity. Atheists can certainly be just as annoying as theists that push their beliefs off as facts with nothing supporting it other than more blind belief. Be logically skeptical about all things to ensure that you're leaving your mind open enough for discovery. That's all.

Sent from my LG Optimus L9 using Tapatalk 2

 

[beezy]

Same for me. It's all a crock of shyt now to me. My girl is a Christian though. Perfect gf in the world, no complaints, but from time to time she tells me she wants me to be a man of god and shyt. I asked her a few times what exactly does that mean :nonikkas: and she starts rambling.

Great GF, but I'm not doing the church thing. She can easily be replaced if she tries to force me.

word thats how it is with my girl. shes christian, and back in the day when we first started it was a bit of an issue cuz she wished i was like her, but over time shes loosened up and now its not even a problem or ever brought up

 

[↓R↑LYB]

word thats how it is with my girl. shes christian, and back in the day when we first started it was a bit of an issue cuz she wished i was like her, but over time shes loosened up and now its not even a problem or ever brought up

Good to hear breh, hopefully the shyt works out the same for the kid.

 

[DaRealness]

Now there's an atheist church.

BBC News - What happens at an atheist church?