It isn't faith, it's refusal to believe due to lack of evidence, and quite rightly so as I have no reason to believe that the Loch Ness monster does exist when there isn't any evidence to support it's existence.
No, it isn't the absence of data, it's the failure of the existence of the "data" to be successfully tested & affirmed scientifically.
I can see what's coming next so rather than go around in circles, I'll address this right away: Faith. I still say it's lack of belief but even the belief that there is no God is flexible(unlike that of theists) should evidence of God's existence surface. This is not faith.
How do you know? How do you know that at the end of scientific inquiry, when we reach into the deepest origins of time, and have untangled the intricate webs of the "multiverses," we don't find a laughing deity - and discover the propitious accidents in place to make life possible were not accidents after all? Please understand that I am playing devil's advocate. But I think the question is an important one. Religous dogmatism, of any ilk, it seems to me, closes the door to the search for truth.
I don't. Which is why I'm not discounting the very possibility of the existence of God(s). I'm saying that based on what we know so far, and owing to the immense and obvious lack of evidence of existence of God(s), it doesn't make any sense to believe that God(s) exist.
I didn't realize that pompous "smarter than thou" atheist attitude went back so far. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. An atheist may not be able to tie their shoes but at least they don't believe in God.
No... I deny the existence of God based on what we know so far. If evidence to the contrary were to surface tomorrow then most atheists would turn believers (which btw is just a hypothesis, don't see that happening). This signifies the lack of belief among atheists. To say that I will not believe in the face of evidence is as ignorant as what the believers are doing right now, believing in the face of absence of evidence. Anyway, agnosticism though a misnomer isn't pejorative as faith is I still consider myself to be an atheist.
This is what north refers to then as faith. And for us Christians this is a good thing. And as always, north, I praise your open-mindedness and ability to interact with many different folks here. We could all take a page from your book. I will pray on it.
An Agnostic person neither believes or disbelieves. They don't come-up with a firm opinion as they don't assert full knowledge over the universe....no one should. ------------------ To be honest, I think that's the most honest approach to faith and science.
I can't help but notice in all of your posts you refuse to capitalize the word islam or islamic, yet capitalize "God" "Bible", and "Christianity". Do you enjoy bashing other religions with Will.Spencer, and then claim to be tolerant. Just wondering. If you're going to retort by saying that I didn't either, well I haven't capalized atheism, atheist, or anything. Side note eXe do you use MSN or something
As an Atheist, I see absolutely no reason why I should treat all religions equally. Some religions are less sensical than others, and some religions have worse practical effects than others. Islam has shown itself to be a very bad religion, in terms of practical effects. If it weren't for oil revenue, every Islamic society on Earth would be dirt poor. As it is, most Islamic societies are dirt poor. The people have extremely limited freedom and almost no motivation. They wallow in self-pity, refuse to accept responsibility for anything, and blame everything in their lives on non-Muslims. And what does the Koran say about Atheists? Hmmm... it seems that there is no tolerance for Atheism in the Koran. In return, Islam deserves no tolerance from Atheists. Christianity, on the other hand, nurtured the theories upon which our civilization is founded -- the political theories of John Locke and the economic theories of Adam Smith. In addition, Christianity nurtured modern science, without which all of our lives would be immeasurably poorer. Islam has not earned a right to be seen on-par with Christianity. I refuse to be tolerant of evil.
Your total bias towards christianity led me to believe you're a christian. The old test commands christians to kill non believers. Both religions are equally as repulsive, brutal, and primitive. Both religions have extremists, both being equally as dangerous.
1. I have stated repetitively -- in this thread -- that I am an Atheist. I am well-known on DP as an Atheist. 2. Christians do not live by Old Testament rules. In their religion, Jesus fulfilled the old covenant and those rules are no longer in effect. Haven't you noticed Christians eating bacon? 3. The argument that both religions are equal is completely out of touch with reality. How can you possibly make such a ridiculous statement? Open your eyes and look around. What do you see as the effects of Islam? What do you see as the effect of Christianity? There is absolutely no way that any rational being could see them as equal.
@ Rub3X - I do not believe any religion is equal to another, in the same way that you cannot say Superman is equal to Spiderman. They may have similar principles in places, similar ideals and shared feelings on particular matters, but ultimately they have fundamental differences that make each one unique from the other. Both religions do have extremists - but that is not to say that the rest of the law-abiding believers uphold their twisted mentality and support them. I hate it when a cult is referred to as Christian when actually Jesus is not included in their doctrine and God's love is non-existent in their manner. Much the same way, I imagine many law abiding, honest, faithful Muslims are thoroughly annoyed that they are being lumped in with the nutters who advocate the killing of innocents in the name of Islam. I mean, how would you define an extremist? Is there a line you would draw that when crossed indicates a death-worshipping fascist who hides behind a thin veil of doctrine that doesn't relate to the actual faith of the religion they claim to be a part of? This is not a verbal assualt, by the way, I am genuinely interested to hear other people's views as it would be ignorant, immature and wrong to just dismiss them as if they didn't count. If it matters to you then who am I to try and shout you down - I just want to understand your point of view with clarity.
Well, thank you, friend. But I'm afraid I have a beam before my eyes a mile wide. My demons beset me and I wrestle with intolerance, anger, you name it, all the time. The only thing I have gleaned from everything is how little I have the answer to anything, so I refuse to preach it. I respect, and hear, your journey, and you have brought me to another place from where I was before - and I'm grateful.
Hmm.. Well here i am again with my opinions. As you all know what an intellectual i am, i would like to share few words for the people who still belive in any kind of religion. I think it's naive and poor judgement to belive in anything that is not proven. In modern days most of bible, god and all other religions have been proven to have lies in them. Why would you belive a book or a god that is misleading you? You must be utterly stupid and pathetic to follow god of any religion. If god would appear to me, i would assume that im mentaly ill and need treatment, i still would not belive. Bible tells us that "God is good", i say god is not good. God is a sadistic bastard if there is a one. Think about all the suffering there is, and if that is gods goodness, then oh my! People read the facts that modern science gives us, and stop beliving in bullshit that was ment for stupid people several thousand years ago. Simply put " There is no god, and there never will be! " i can bet my life and eternal life for that! I simply feel sorry for those who belive, think how many wars have been fought for religion and how many people died, woman and children raped. I think it's sick to belive in anything else than reality. Grow up people, can't u take the heat? When you die you die, u will not go into the skies and live with god, actually i would rather burn in hell that do that, if that would be reality, I'm happy that it is not. Turhapuro