The World Beyond BetterMost > Anything Goes
Atheists: Come out, come out, wherever you are
dirtbiker:
A little late on this thread, but I'm atheist also! Brought up catholic, moved to agnosticism then atheism, now more of an anti-theist. How's everyone?
Monika:
I´m also an atheist. I suppose I was brought up one, my parents have never shown any interest in anything religious. But my grandmother was a salvation soldier and as a child I was a member in the salvation army. Looking back at that time, I had pretty fun (they arranged many activities and events), but I can also see that it wasn´t my own choice. And I was there to hang out with firends, play fotball and participate in other activities. I was too little to really understand the religious aspect.
I dropped out when I was about 12 - 13 because I had a best friend who wasn´t a member and it was much more fun to hang with her ;D
I was born during a period when it was still the case that every newborn automatically became a member of the Swedish church (since around 1990 this is no longer the case), but I also dropped out of that at age 18.
I´d call myself an atheist and humanist. And as such, I feel pretty good about living here. Religion is not something that I encounter very often. Religion has very little significance in the public debate here and I don´t have to listen to politicians using "god" to win political points.
There is plenty of religious stuff to find here for those who seek it, but like me, if you´re not looking for it, it´s fairly easy to stay clear from.
Shakesthecoffecan:
I remember posting to this tread a few years ago, and I think in someways my views of spirituality has changed. I don't call my self and atheist, or agnostic, I think what would describe my beliefs better is "I don't care".
The tradition of myth and magic has only the power we give it by believing in it. Me, I am just happy not to be responsible for perpetuating that mess. I would rather put energy into the vision John Lennon had. "Imagine all the people, living life in peace,"
louisev:
Let's deal with these one after the other:
<Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?>
No, it isn't God's job to prevent evil: it is our job.
<Then he is not omnipotent.> We are God's body, and it is our responsibility to govern ourselves in the physical form. And through us collectively, we ARE omnipotent.
<Is He able, but not willing?> The Divinity is ever willing, but we must be able because WE have free will as we were created to act as WE will.
<Then whence cometh evil?> That is obvious. Through our willful actions that are destructive to others.
<Is he neither able nor willing?> Neither. Non sequitur input.
The profoundly erroneous view that Divinity is somehow a created thing with manlike attributes is the foundation of all ill-conceived atheism.
God is Immanent. That means the Divine Essence is pervasive, universal, uncreated and without beginning or end. We are manifestations of that Immanence. It's up to us.
dirtbiker:
Buffymon, you are lucky to be born in Sweden. Here in the US, religion is so pervasive that you just can't get away from it, with daily references in media, politics, education, etc.
Shakesthecoffeecan, I wish I can have an "I don't care" attitude. Maybe if I was living in Europe, it would be easier, but not here in the US when we're reminded of it every day and encroaches on our lives insidiously. Left unchecked, it wouldn't be far fetched to think of the US turning into a theocracy, something Sarah Palin, the buffoon, aims to achieve.
Impish, I read Sam Harris' books a while back and I agree with you - they are very readable and presents his case, along with rebuttals in his follow up Letter to a Christian Nation. I'm surprised you're just starting out on Richard Dawkin's God Delusion! I have the book on audiobook also, and I like to listen to it sometimes when I'm taking a long road trip. Helps me pass the time.
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