So where does the motive for the Atheist to convince Theists they are wrong come from? The theist usually has a motive such as believing that the non believer will find their soul in hell, or some other doctrine that motivates them to proselytize. What doctrine or belief do Atheists have that motivates them to convince the believers that their belief is wrong? I would imagine that a true Atheist would be disinterested in what the Theist believes. <<KC
I think Atheists feel threatened by the historical accounts of attacks on non believers, the alteration of scientific studies and interference with political systems, all based on dogmatic belief. Even a loyal believer such as Galileo was condemned a heretic, his brilliance left to die for the sake of those wielding the power of theistic rule. Religious zealots have long track records of trying to define social mores, from the Puritans to the modern day Evangelicals. To what extent did religion play in the election and re- election of GW Bush? Excerpt from: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/jesus/etc/synopsis.html "The single most reliable predictor of how a person voted in the 2000 election was whether they went to church or to synagogue or mosque at least once a week," says the Southern Baptist Convention's Richard Land. "If they did, two-thirds of them voted for George Bush." Excerpt from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/nov/02/usa.religion Bush has also been accused of a 'creeping Christianization' of federal government programs. In September, the government made more than $60 billion available for religious charitable groups. Critics say the groups will be able to use the cash to promote their religion. One group that benefited from previous grants was an Iowa prison project that entitled inmates to televisions, private bathrooms and computers - in return for Christian counseling. It is well noted that Bush said "I believe God wants me to be president." So again how much did this influence his bogus war on terror? This aspect of religious influence presents a danger to social freedoms within a democracy. Theists do not have an inside connection that gives them rights to dictate "Truth". As fanaticism begins to dictate the officialdom of social order, intolerance towards those who do not follow the path of righteousness becomes the social norm. Therefore it is a necessary motivation for Atheists to establish legitimacy and viability without having to proselytize. To examine the annals of history pertaining to religious persecution can become a very nauseating endeavor. I for one believe what I believe and hold no ill feelings toward others whose beliefs differ and care not if no one else shares my belief. I certainly have developed a disdain for religious rhetoric from book toting bell ringers and parking lot preachers. On Jan 10, 10:08 pm, Kierkecraig <[email protected]> wrote: > The way I see it, if Atheism truly is just an absence of belief in a > deity, then it makes no sense for them to even label themselves. I > don't believe in Pink Unicorns, but I don't call my self a Unicorn > Atheist. I don't believe in Reincarnation either, but I don't call > myself a Reincarnation Atheist, and I don't storm the streets of New > Delhi trying to convince others that Reincarnation is a farce. > > So where does the motive for the Atheist to convince Theists they are > wrong come from? The theist usually has a motive such as believing > that the non believer will find their soul in hell, or some other > doctrine that motivates them to proselytize. What doctrine or belief > do Atheists have that motivates them to convince the believers that > their belief is wrong? I would imagine that a true Atheist would be > disinterested in what the Theist believes. > > I believe an Atheist's passion comes form the same place the Theist's > passion comes from, and that is uncertainty. It was Kierkegaard (my > google nickname's sake) who talked about the relationship between > uncertainty and passion. The level of passion is directly > proportionate to the level of uncertainty one has. This is why > Kierkegaard suggested that a believer in God should not try to prove > God's existence, or look for rational explanations. He believed that > such a task was inconsistent with what it means have Faith (passion). > > On Jan 10, 3:42 pm, Slip Disc <[email protected]> wrote: > > > KC! It's wonderful that you should grace us with your presence in the > > beginning of this new year! Have a Happy! > > > The Atheist movement somehow reminds me of the gay thing. It is fine > > that people are what they are but why go around waving flags and > > banners insisting that people recognize the identity. Are "Atheist > > Parades" looming in the near future? > > Be what you are and be happy being what you are. Isn't that the best > > case scenario in life? Note that I'm Not saying xtians are any less > > culpable in my view but as well add to my observation of group > > proselytism. > > I think people dislike being alone in their chosen path and must for > > some reason "recruit" others in order to establish a more powerful > > standing in the social arena. It's the age old power trip; world > > domination. Those that increase in number become the ruling party. > > According to gruff's outdated data we still have to add the deity > > believer Muslims and Xtians to summarize a ratio of 2.344 to 0.933 > > Atheists. Not including "Other" deity based groups. So Atheists > > still rank in the minute sector. Which reinforces my assertion that > > there is a greater assumption of deity over non deity in the world. > > Let's face it, the existence of life remains enigmatic and people want > > answers; ergo, anyone who can offer something even remotely believable > > can instantly create a following, however large or small. > > > Now that I have all that said and done I would like to tell you all > > that I have discovered a serum that stops the aging process. I > > guarantee that you will feel younger the instant you use it. Just > > send $19.95 plus shipping and handling to receive you order. But > > Wait!!! If you order now I will double the order. That's a > > $12,000,000.00 value for just $19.95. But that's not all!! Use your > > credit card and I will also send you the lifetime supply guarantee. > > You will never run out for the rest of your life. You may still die > > tomorrow but you will die feeling younger. Guaranteed!! Supplies > > limited! Order NOW!!! Call 1-800- ima sucka! Must be 18 or over! > > Not sold in stores! > > > Molly>>Let's laugh 'till we cry, nothin's better... You got that > > right!! <<Slip > > > On Jan 10, 12:30 pm, Kierkecraig <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > Where do Atheists find such passion? > > > > On Jan 9, 10:07 am, "Ian Pollard" <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > Two questions I've been mulling over... > > > > > 1. The recent atheist bus campaign in London, saw buses with the slogan > > > > "There is probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life." > > > > Members > > > > of Christian Voice -- in attempt to have the adverts removed -- have > > > > complained to the Advertising Standards Authority about the accuracy of > > > > this > > > > slogan. Would it be correct for atheists to now complain about the > > > > accuracy > > > > of the commercial activities of Christian churches (such as the Alpha > > > > Course)? Or, in reality, are said atheists far too busy arguing on > > > > Internet > > > > forums about whether the slogan is in fact *agnostic* and what the most > > > > accurate meaning of the word "probably" is? > > > > > 2. Should John Travolta be brought to trial for child neglect following > > > > the > > > > death of his son? Reports are claiming that his son, who suffered from > > > > autism, was denied prescription drugs and psychiatric counselling for > > > > his > > > > illness (that could have helped control his seizures) because of his > > > > father's Scientology beliefs. > > > > > Happy New Year! > > > > > Ian --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups ""Minds Eye"" group. 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