I think a clear distinction should be drawn between those who really believe in god (a negligible minority) and those who just say they do, convinced they do, but don't even take a minute to think what that means and if they really do. People will say and think that they believe because its comfortable: social factors, financial factors, etc'. But those people, if they get cancer, for example, they might go to church for a prayer, like in auto-pilot mode, everybody does that, but go to the hospital for a cure. I recommend people to see the comedy doc movie "religulous" by Bill maher.
And your evidence of this is.... Let me throw the your words that have no evidence back at you a bit differently
We argue on this one too? Unlike Israel-Palestinian issue, here I am completely one sided. a big hardliner. Religions don't present god as a "concept". but rather as a "being". It has a sex, always male, wills, commands, "words", wishes, etc' that one must comply with. Many those who don't, just say they do, because of social and physiological factors. Religion is the childhood sickness of humanity, that won't cure. Its disappearance, or "reprocessing", is crucial to our survival on this planet. It caused the childhood stage to be too long anyway. Humanity is now in the early teenager stage, we discovered electricity just yesterday, if you look on the right scale. We now know that demons or "god punishments" are not the reasons for diseases. I would give everything to have a look in 500 years from now, where religious people will probably appear only in history books, and see what scientific wonders the future has for us. Maybe discovery of extra teresial life with help cure the disease still in the next generations? or perhaps, for the first time, a real scientific study of the brain? Go and see the Bill Maher movie. p.s. I am a contributing member and activist of the Israeli movement against religious coersion, called "freedom". It also motivates people to question the existence of god, and if needed, help is given when leaving the religious family. http://www.hofesh.org.il In Israel, the debate has much more meaning than in any other democratic country: as religion is by definition connected with the country and the nationality. The debate is not only about what the teacher will say to the kids at school.... In the most orthodox jewish families, when the youngster decided not to believe in god and be an atheist, the make the same ceremony and customs they do for a person who passed away, and never speak with him again. Here, obamanation, for you: http://www.hofesh.org.il/articles/maavak/shoa-standup.html This is an invitation to a "stand up comedy" evening, hanged in the ultra orthodox neighbourhoods of "bnei brak", a city with vast majority of orthodox jews. The date, is exactly the date of the national holocaust memorial day. The ultra orthodox jews teach that the holocaust was the wish of god, because we did not follow him completely and wished to become Germans (and scientists), so they just ignore it. Terrible? no? I encourage you again to drop by for a visit, if you like it or not, its up for you to decide. I can guarantee you will have a great guide and you will be amazed about how this place is unique and interesting. Time for your over simplified views to be replaced with real knowledge
I've seen the Maher movie. Unfortunately, I don't rely on the television set as my sole source of education. If you wan't more anti-religious stuff that is about 90% true, you should look at the Zeitgeist movie, freely downloadable on Google. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...qI2nDw&usg=AFQjCNG78e36wSl83MqMWkmO9XhdhwWRHQ I'm not sure how we got on the topic of religion, when your post talked about those who really believe in god. Again, talking about religion not god, but even in the sense of religion, untrue. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Buddhism Regarding the overwhelming groundswell for atheism, I see this in a lot of the posts on this forum. They all talk as if they are the majority, the enlightened, as if their religion had the answers. Here is some more information for you. http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html Thats right. 16%. 16%. Its pathetic. What is more pathetic is that Atheists don't even get the whole 16% to themselves. Instead they have to share that 16% with agnostic and people who have no religious affiliation. You can note the footnote that indicates half of the 16% is theist, but not affiliated. 8% are Atheist. It reminds me of the ugly chick in school who would walk around thinking she was all that.
I think the people that are the most prolific about how much they disbelieve are the ones that believe the most.
If there is no proof that he exist, the i would ask you the same question: Whats your proof that he does not exist ?
Our proof that god doesn't exist is the same as your proof that fairies don't exist. The difference is, while you are prepared to disbelieve in fairies even though you can not prove their non existence you assume that, for some reason, your particular god is entitled to special considerations.
Uh, isn't that why they call it a belief system? As in.. you have yours they have theirs? I always love thee spin of the Atheists calling their system a system of disbelief. You believe there is no god. Period. Interestingly, your belief is based on faith(Belief in something for which there is no proof). You have faith there is no god Are you surprised to find you are a man of faith? What is more, you are an evangelist, and a very pushy one at that.
I take it you don't accept the claim that fairies exist, mia? Id like an answer to this, though no doubt you'll fudge the issue and try to get out of answering, but that's normal, don't feel bad about it. it's a "belief system" in the way, and to the extent, that your view that fairies don't exist is a "belief system". In other words, the rejection of the claim is in no way comparable to the assertion of it.
To be fair, they should make proselytizing Atheism in public schools illegal. Separation of church and state and all. It strikes me as very very odd that Atheists have taken the number one spot for people who push their beliefs on everyone else away from the Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Mormons. Perhaps the Muslim extremists can give them a run for their money.
What is there to address? I said Atheism is a belief system, you agreed. What about making Atheism illegal in schools? Do you think your religion should be taught in schools? Don't dodge the question like the last question I asked and you never answered....
Atheism isn't taught in schools.. but i wouldn't expect you to know that, what with it being a fact based in reality and all.
My question to you was one of opinion. Do you think your religion should be taught in schools? Answer my question, and quit dodging it. In the UK, they teach Atheism in the religious studies part of class, where it belongs. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2004/feb/15/uk.schools1 What classes do you think it belongs in?
I don't think it belongs in any class. Unlike the religious, atheists don't see schools as institutions of indoctrination. Should children be taught the qualities that will invariably lead to atheism (logic and reason)? absolutely they should.
Neither is Christianity. But Evolution is.. Go figure. Seems in order to be fair, if you are going to teach one, you should likely teach the other.
Good job too. Yeah, an evidence based explanation for an observable fact, In school! go figure On a side note, evolution has nothing to say on religion and nothing to say on the existence of a god. if it happens to contradict your particular creation myth then that's just tough.
What evidence? There is no conclusive factual evidence proving evolution. That's why they call it a "Theory". Actually it could easily be argued that Evolution, like Atheism, is in and of itself a "religion". Minus the "spirituality", both rely on "faith" not fact.