Theism vs. Atheism

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  1. profile image0
    Emile Rposted 9 years ago

    Viewing the devout believers on both far ends only.

    Other than the fact that one claims the existence of God and one claims the non existence of God, can anyone explain to me the difference in the two, in practice?

    Both ends claim to know a truth they cannot prove.

    Both ends consider their views so beneficial to mankind that they must be preached.

    Both ends use catch phrases which imply a deficiency in any who disagree.

    Both ends lack the ability to see the humor in their dogmatic stands.

    Both far ends appear to lean on the thoughts of others for their conclusions and are unwilling to think for themselves.

    I don't see much difference.

    1. aka-dj profile image67
      aka-djposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      The difference is as
      Light & darkness.
      (Light is, darkness is the absence of what is.)

      1. wilderness profile image94
        wildernessposted 9 years agoin reply to this

        You may be on to something here - the enlightened atheist, understanding the world around them much better, lives in the light.  The theist, living in the ignorance of millemia past, does not have that light; the light is absent just as knowledge and truth are.

        Right?

        1. Ericdierker profile image47
          Ericdierkerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          A nice spin and one that illustrates the point of the forum very well. "But I am right and my way is the light, damn it".
          OK I am not real certain what my way is, or what your way is but still, I will go to my grave fighting against you and for me.
          So I try to keep Jesus as my light. Big problem is that He keeps showing me other lights.  Like wilderness here. A beacon of an antagonistic (to me) view that constantly enlightens me. Or science and nature that constantly reveals new truths.
          But seriously and maturely I say: "I am rubber you are glue, whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you" So there!

          1. wilderness profile image94
            wildernessposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            lol  Yeah, Eric, this one was a little tongue in cheek.  Also some truth should one dig far enough (as you did) but just a giggle on the surface for those that won't dig.

            Not sure I'm unhappy with the returned glue, though - it often comes back from you changed just a bit.  Just enough to make one sit back and think about things some.  Our interactions do indeed work both ways.

          2. A Troubled Man profile image59
            A Troubled Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            Yes Eric, keep the world filled with conflict, that is most certainly the way to peace.



            That is your version of maturity? lol

            1. Disappearinghead profile image61
              Disappearingheadposted 9 years agoin reply to this

              I think you have just proved Emile's point ATM.

              1. A Troubled Man profile image59
                A Troubled Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                And, how does that work?

    2. A Troubled Man profile image59
      A Troubled Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That is because you start from false premises and end up with false conclusions.

    3. profile image0
      Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Unwilling to think for themselves?

      Rewind to my 12 year old self in a Catholic school surrounded by Christians and never being told Atheism exists. Do you think someone knocked on my door and taught me about Atheism? The first time I ever knowingly talked to another Atheist about religion I was in college.

      Someone is unwilling to think alright!

      1. Ericdierker profile image47
        Ericdierkerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

        Boy Rad Man that is the extreme opposite end of the spectrum from public schools. I guess as parents we can pick our schools and then our work is cut out for us trying to balance the deal out. So either way they do not become like an ATM ;-), card and pin in and only one thing coming out.

        1. A Troubled Man profile image59
          A Troubled Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          The payout. smile

      2. profile image0
        Emile Rposted 9 years agoin reply to this

        Seriously? That's the best you could do? Well, OK. The fact that the nuns didn't clue you in to atheism certainly repudiates that particular point. lol lol

        1. profile image0
          Beth37posted 9 years agoin reply to this

          Where are you from? You're always up at like 4 am my time. Does that mean you haven't gone to bed yet or you get up before the rooster?

          1. profile image0
            Emile Rposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            We own a business. Fourteen hour days. I read this stuff over morning coffee, for the most part.

            1. profile image0
              Beth37posted 9 years agoin reply to this

              I want coffee.

        2. profile image0
          Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          Yes, coming to the opposite conclusion of those around you requires thought. Excepting what others tell you on faith requires no thought.

          Do you need some time to think about that?

          1. Ericdierker profile image47
            Ericdierkerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            Nope Rad man no time at all your use of "opposite" says volumes.

            1. profile image0
              Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

              Eric, the opposite of the existence of a God is no God exists.

              1. Ericdierker profile image47
                Ericdierkerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                Nope. I disagree. Except for those only capable of linear thought and empirical proof.

                1. A Troubled Man profile image59
                  A Troubled Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  Sorry, Eric, but we are quite capable of complex thought, that is the reason why we require evidence for claims of things that have never been shown to exist. It is indeed thought that separates those who make those claims and those who require proof.

                  1. Ericdierker profile image47
                    Ericdierkerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                    First off ATM -- who is we. I have never even seen one comment on one of your comments agreeing with you. I want to see just one of your We.

                    And secondly if you are incapable of thoughts based on belief -- you have no standing to determine the validity thereof.

          2. profile image0
            Emile Rposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            I just find it funny. Whining that the nuns didn't tell you about atheism when you were Catholic. Someone tells you about atheism, so you become an atheist. Where in the process did you think for yourself?

            1. profile image0
              Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

              Where did I say anything about nuns?
              Where did I say anything about complaining I was not taught about Atheism?
              Where did I say anyone told me about Atheism?

              Do you have comprehension problems? Because that would make sense.

              1. profile image0
                Emile Rposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                The more likely scenario is you are suffering from early onset Alzheimer's.  You said (not two days ago) Rewind to my 12 year old self in a Catholic school surrounded by Christians and never being told Atheism exists. Do you think someone knocked on my door and taught me about Atheism? The first time I ever knowingly talked to another Atheist about religion I was in college. .

                If you don't like it, don't say it.  You appear to follow a lead.

                1. profile image0
                  Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  Please highlight where I said anything about nuns.
                  Please highlight where I complained that I was not taught about Atheism.
                  Please highlight where I said someone taught me about Atheism before I already was one.

                  Honestly Emily.

                  I said I went to a Catholic school. Didn't say anything about nuns.
                  I didn't complain about not being taught Atheism was an option, I simply stated what happened.
                  I said the first time I spoke to another Atheist was in college, where did you get that someone taught me  Atheism?

                  1. profile image0
                    Emile Rposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                    roll Ah, the misspelled name. You know how irritating that is. I suppose I should respond in kind. Soooo...

                    Ok I thought and thought, but don't know what to do with rad man.

                    Are you saying nuns didn't teach you in Catholic school? I'm not catholic. Don't know many catholics.  got my education on catholicism from Sister Act. Oh well.  Either way, is it the function of schools to ensure everyone is aware of atheism? Mine didn't have a class on Hinduism. Should I feel somehow slighted? Should I whine about it? Because, your comment implies that you were mistreated in some manner because no one clued you in about atheism.

                    And, think about your post. You went to a catholic school. Surrounded by Christians.  OH MY GOD. How horrible. What a tragic childhood. How many years of therapy did it take to overcome that wretched childhood?

                    You probably didn't know how wretched it was until that saint of an atheist deigned to clue you in about atheism. Damn the nuns. Oh, right. There were no nuns. Just little uniforms. Are you also upset that no one told you about blue jeans?

        3. A Troubled Man profile image59
          A Troubled Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          And, that works how?

          1. profile image0
            Emile Rposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            Must you ask? Apparently so.  That statement implies rad man doesn't expect to think for himself. Simply waiting for others to feed him pre-ordained conclusions.

            Why would a school system built around a pre-ordained conclusion be expected to make a child aware of another? When the parents obviously chose that school because of the fact it was Catholic? I would think, if I were bitter about others not feeding me information, I'd be mad at my parents for choosing that school.

            If I have a fruit stand and I spend my days selling fruit..I also baby sit a kid. Can he grow up bitter because I didn't regale the public on the benefits of vegetables simply because he happened to be coloring in the corner while Iwas making a living?

            1. A Troubled Man profile image59
              A Troubled Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

              Uh... well yeah, your claim is that Catholic nuns are supposed to clue people into atheism.

               

              You mean, like, being indoctrinated?



              How that is supposed to support your claim about nuns is baffling. You still didn't explain how nuns are supposed to clue people into atheism? Explain how that works?

              1. profile image0
                Emile Rposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                The cool thing about you is that when you don't have a valid argument you usually insist someone said something they didn't.  Like now. I never said nuns were supposed to clue someone in about atheism. I think it is ridiculous that parents put kids in a religious school and in later years the adult complains that they didn't learn about other religions and beliefs. Why spend the money to have a religious school if you aren't going to attempt to raise them in that religion?

                And, according to rad man's post he appears to have been indoctrinated twice; although I know atheists abhor the thought that someone becomes an atheist through indoctrination.

                And, I never said that nuns were supposed to clue people in to atheism. I simply thought it was hilarious that someone would whine about the fact that a Catholic school didn't share that there were people other than Catholics in the world.

                1. A Troubled Man profile image59
                  A Troubled Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this
                  1. profile image0
                    Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                    She having some problems, we can only hope it's not a stroke.

    4. profile image0
      Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I was out for a good long bike ride which gave me the opportunity to think a little and our conversations in the forum popped into my mind and it suddenly dawned on me.

      You site there telling Atheists and Christians that we are unable to think for ourselves while you yourself don't have ability to make up your own mind. Unable to think your own way to a conclusion and yet able to tells others that have made up their minds that we can't think for ourselves.

      Funny and sad at the same time.

  2. profile image53
    gaspresolvedposted 9 years ago

    In my opinion that is important to have a faith in your sole. Faith in something really good and wrathful. The main aim for that is support. Your faith supports you in difficult situations.

    1. profile image57
      squeeknomoreposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I have faith in fillet of soul. yum.
      - and yes, faith does come in handy in life.
      And as John Lennon sang, "Whatever gets you through your life, its all-right
      its all-right."

      1. profile image0
        Beth37posted 9 years agoin reply to this

        It's you isn't it?

        1. profile image57
          squeeknomoreposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          Deleted

          1. profile image0
            Beth37posted 9 years agoin reply to this

            Hi smile

            hmmm... I dont know if it is you.

            1. profile image57
              squeeknomoreposted 9 years agoin reply to this

              Deleted

              1. profile image0
                Beth37posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                prove its you.

                What's the nether world... are you in purgatory?
                It didn't do any good to delete as all your comments are right here in my responses... silly.

  3. profile image0
    Beth37posted 9 years ago

    Y'all are very supportive. It's good to have friends.

    1. profile image0
      Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Like Emile has been supportive?

      1. profile image0
        Beth37posted 9 years agoin reply to this

        Now why you gotta twist stuff up? Why does complimenting A mean insulting B? Why can't A just mean A? You know what I mean my friend?

        1. profile image0
          Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          I guess you are right and I was wrong. I somehow thought I detected sarcasm.

          1. profile image0
            Beth37posted 9 years agoin reply to this

            I do like sarcasm, but sometimes Im just like... say it like it is, eh? (I used "eh" for you.)

            1. profile image0
              Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

              Interesting, did you know that eh thing started because Second City TV (the tv show) was told they need more Canadian content by the CBC so they said what do you want us to do sit around drinking beer while frying bacon. And the CBC said yes, so they tried to mock Canadian Content and that was there biggest hit which spooned movies. Go figure.

              1. profile image0
                Beth37posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                That's the dude who ended up on News Radio show. He's funny. The short bus... oot in a boot.... these are my Canadian phrases to make you feel at home.
                Ive been twice. Nova Scotia and Kanata.

                1. profile image0
                  Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  No, that's not the dude from news radio. Dave Foley (news radio) was from "The Kids in the Hall"

                  Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas and the Great White North. Take off eh!
                  http://youtu.be/GsgVspgy184

                  1. profile image0
                    Beth37posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                    lol. I love them too, but what was the show Dave Foley was on then?

 
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