Opening Up to Religion

[zebrazebrazebraSHAFT]

Originally Posted by heurisdick

Evolution is pretty much a fact. Charles Darwin's theory of the origin of species I don't believe is a fact. I think it's the best explanation we have. The only reason I think people are so adamant about it being a fact is because they don't want to give bible thumpers fuel to criticize something they don't understand.

Biological evolution is just as factual as the theory of gravity. We know approximately when life appeared on the earth, that it diversified over time, species are related via common ancestors, and that natural selection (Charles Darwin's theory of the origin of species) is the main force behind how species change and adapt over time. Those things are facts of evolution.

Just curious, what type of evidence would change your mind about Darwin's theory not being a fact?

[Beebs]

Originally Posted by Ugly Bastard

I'm starting to come full circle on religion. I could probably make this into a fairly lengthy post, but I'm going to do my best to keep it concise.

For several years now, I have really found no reason to include religion in my life. I just haven't felt like I needed it. Lately, I've had random urges to call out to God or believe in something. These urges were pretty surprising to me at first. I'd catch myself and be like, "wtf?! Why am I pleading to some imaginary God in my head? I haven't done that in years."

I think I'm finally starting to see value in religion and understand why people believe. Do I actually think that, say, Jesus is the literal manifestation of God and that belief in him will result in an afterlife in heaven? No, I don't. I think that's silly. But I like the idea of having a religious belief. I like the idea of believing in a higher power and turning to that power in times of weakness in order to find strength and guidance.

I'm not about to become some moralist Bible-thumper, but I could see myself coming to identify with some level of faith and getting into a community church group or something that is really positive and doesn't condemn non-believers.

The urge is a natural one, it is why most cultures form a religion, to fill that void.

However, that is all it is, a void, a lack of knowledge or understanding, or something to cling to when afraid.

Sorry, but it's just believing in magic and fairy tales in the end.

[Beebs]

Originally Posted by SittinOnDubsWGW

This is right along the same line of my thought process as well. All of the evangelical atheists out there are doing the same thing as the other religions and their preaching.

You don't believe in god because you're so goddamn smart, we get it.

This makes no sense; it's a false dichotomy. Atheism is not the same as religion, it is simply not believing in nonsensical bullshit.

Religion has more in common with the tooth fairy than it does atheism. It comes down to dealing in reality rather than make believe.

[heurisdick]

Originally Posted by zebrazebrazebraSHAFT

Biological evolution is just as factual as the theory of gravity. We know approximately when life appeared on the earth, that it diversified over time, species are related via common ancestors, and that natural selection (Charles Darwin's theory of the origin of species) is the main force behind how species change and adapt over time. Those things are facts of evolution.

Just curious, what type of evidence would change your mind about Darwin's theory not being a fact?

I'll answer this on Blonde's evolution thread. I don't wanna get yelled at for getting off topic

[THEINCREDIBLEdork]

Originally Posted by Repugnant Abomination

Very interesting perspective.

May I have some internets for it?

[Repugnant Abomination]

Granted.

[Mr. Blonde]

Model predicts 'religiosity gene' will dominate society

Interesting read, interesting comments.

[SittinOnDubsWGW]

Originally Posted by Beebs

This makes no sense; it's a false dichotomy. Atheism is not the same as religion, it is simply not believing in nonsensical bullshit.

Religion has more in common with the tooth fairy than it does atheism. It comes down to dealing in reality rather than make believe.

It makes perfect sense.

The atheist that goes around telling every religious person "you're wrong, there is no god!" is just as annoying as the "you're going to hell!" guy at the corner handing out pamphlets. They are both essentially "recruiting."

[Mr. Blonde]

Most atheists I know don't go around telling people that unless they are pushed to. Most atheists I know mind their own business until they are brought into a discussion from the outside by having their lack of belief/adherence to evidence criticized, or if one of their friends seems to be in a moment of weakness that they think they can help snap them out of.

Another important difference is that we aren't "selling" anything except the ability to hopefully convince others not to believe in something so life-shaping without evidence.

Many people when they first come around to agnosticism/atheism are very angry, and rightly so, especially if they narrowly escaped from a couple decades of indoctrination. These seem to be the atheists you are talking about, but you seem to be applying a pretty large blanket statement to a population of people who by very definition don't have anything in common except a lack of faith in a deity.

Regardless, it sounds like you're more upset at annoying people, not annoying atheists. All of this is kind of moot in a troll thread though.

[SittinOnDubsWGW]

Originally Posted by Mr. Blonde

Regardless, it sounds like you're more upset at annoying people, not annoying atheists. All of this is kind of moot in a troll thread though.

Yes.

I don't really care about other people's beliefs. At all.

[Mr. Blonde]

Well, technically, atheism is a lack of belief.