Something you should think about
Has anyone known someone who was raised Atheist/Agnostic, then chose to be of a certain religion? If so, what religion?
I for one, do not know anyone who has, but have heard the rumours. So, can someone tell me about that? If not, then, to me, that proves Atheism is right and religion IS stupid and bad.
Actually, I know one. An atheist dad, agnostic mom. Two sons, one is a good friend of mine. He's an atheist but his brother converted to Catholicism a few years back. His family didn't do anything to bring it about, but they also didn't discourage it.
It neither proves nor denies much of anything though, xyz...it's just one case study amongst much more data, from which we could doubtless find similar cases.
Re: Something you should think about
Originally posted by lord xyz
Has anyone known someone who was raised Atheist/Agnostic, then chose to be of a certain religion? If so, what religion?I for one, do not know anyone who has, but have heard the rumours. So, can someone tell me about that? If not, then, to me, that proves Atheism is right and religion IS stupid and bad.
Atheists can be just as stupid as the next person. Religion is not stupid; it is people who are stupid.
You should learn more about Buddhism, you might be that one atheist who converts to Buddhism. BTW you can be an atheist and a Buddhist at the same time.
Originally posted by lord xyz
Has anyone known someone who was raised Atheist/Agnostic, then chose to be of a certain religion? If so, what religion?I for one, do not know anyone who has, but have heard the rumours. So, can someone tell me about that? If not, then, to me, that proves Atheism is right and religion IS stupid and bad.
Check the Internet.
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
Atheists can be just as stupid as the next person. Religion is not stupid; it is people who are stupid.You should learn more about Buddhism, you might be that one atheist who converts to Buddhism. BTW you can be an atheist and a Buddhist at the same time.
Indeed. Some people do refer to Buddhists as Atheists.
Originally posted by debbiejo
It's really odd, but I really don't know any atheists. I do know some Catholics, who turned and my uncle for one, who seemed to act as though he was atheist....It really pissed my mom off..He would make bad bad Jesus jokes....lol
You know, me neither when I think about it. I don't actually know anyone who claims to not believe in anything. I do know some people with some weird religious practices though...
Originally posted by lil bitchinessAs do I. It seems that everyone I've ever met believes in something though they may say, "I don't know what it is" Or say, "Maybe there's something, I don't know." but to come out and really say for sure as fact, "I do not believe 100% that there is nothing after death." I really have not heard this from anyone I've met.
You know, me neither when I think about it. I don't actually know anyone who claims to not believe in anything. I do know some people with some weird religious practices though...
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
Atheists can be just as stupid as the next person. Religion is not stupid; it is people who are stupid.You should learn more about Buddhism, you might be that one atheist who converts to Buddhism. BTW you can be an atheist and a Buddhist at the same time.
Yeah, that's true. If pressed for further information beyond simply "I'm an atheist", I'll occasionally call myself Taoist as well...it just depends on whether or not the person is interested enough to hear about it. Usually I bring it up when referencing my code of morality (since way too many think think atheists can't be moral).
And to be honest, I'm in fundamental agreement with the large majority of Buddhist principles as well. My aversion for organized religion (or organized labels) usually keeps me away from it however, as well as various specific Buddhist beliefs that I can't openly espouse (like karma, for example).
Originally posted by DigiMark007
Yeah, that's true. If pressed for further information beyond simply "I'm an atheist", I'll occasionally call myself Taoist as well...it just depends on whether or not the person is interested enough to hear about it. Usually I bring it up when referencing my code of morality (since way too many think think atheists can't be moral).And to be honest, I'm in fundamental agreement with the large majority of Buddhist principles as well. My aversion for organized religion (or organized labels) usually keeps me away from it however, as well as various specific Buddhist beliefs that I can't openly espouse (like karma, for example).
You should check out this thread:
http://www.killermovies.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=447678
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
You should check out this thread:http://www.killermovies.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=447678
Thanks, I read the opening post, but I feel like I understand it well enough. It runs hand in hand with determinism, which I have no problem with, but determinism doesn't = karma, or there'd be no need to differentiate the two. And I just see no reason to justify believing in it. It boils down to a mystical take on determinism, and uses it as an instructional tool. As a means to an end (Right Action, for example), it's fine, but the specific belief seems a bit silly...especially ideas like fixed karma and the possibility of it leaking into a future life (even though I cautiously believe in the possibility of reincarnation).
Again, simply using a cause/effect relationship to say that what we do will affect future generations is fine. But attempting to moralize it by implying positive/negative future results as a consequence of current action is preposterous, especially when positive/negative are a state of mind, not a reciprocated causal occurence.
Originally posted by DigiMark007
Thanks, I read the opening post, but I feel like I understand it well enough. It runs hand in hand with determinism, which I have no problem with, but determinism doesn't = karma, or there'd be no need to differentiate the two. And I just see no reason to justify believing in it. It boils down to a mystical take on determinism, and uses it as an instructional tool. As a means to an end (Right Action, for example), it's fine, but the specific belief seems a bit silly...especially ideas like fixed karma and the possibility of it leaking into a future life (even though I cautiously believe in the possibility of reincarnation).Again, simply using a cause/effect relationship to say that what we do will affect future generations is fine. But attempting to moralize it by implying positive/negative future results as a consequence of current action is preposterous, especially when positive/negative are a state of mind, not a reciprocated causal occurence.
Positive or negative are only tools; because the primary reason for Buddhism is to bring happiness into a person's life. From an indifferent point of view, there is no difference between positive or negative.
Originally posted by DigiMark007
But in that interpretation it becomes hard to see it as anything other than determinism re-packaged under a different guise. Why label it a "belief" at all when it could be more universally understood as simply the causal nature of the physical universe?
Because the ideas in Buddhism are packaged in a very special way. An idea like Karma can be understood by the average person, but at the same time the idea can be expanded on, to a level that only a mast would understand. To tear one aspect out of this Buddhist construction is to miss a lot of the deeper points.
Originally posted by Bardock42That was a joke. But how can you tell when it's me?
This sentence, to me, proves that you are stupid and bad at deductive reasoning.
Originally posted by ShakyamunisonI never said atheists can't be stupid, some are on this forum. It's just the ideas of atheism (or rather, skepticism), which is smart, and religion which is stupid.
Atheists can be just as stupid as the next person. Religion is not stupid; it is people who are stupid.You should learn more about Buddhism, you might be that one atheist who converts to Buddhism. BTW you can be an atheist and a Buddhist at the same time.
Originally posted by FeceManHe's just annoyed because I've given him so much disgust.
Derkaderk. You it's bad when even Urizen gives you a "thumbs down."Check the Internet.
Originally posted by lil bitchinessMaybe she was just fascinated by it and got suckered in. Being a theist isn't really bad, it's just suckery.
Yes. My high school friend.My high school friend's dad was a physics teacher and a mother a career adviser. They were both atheists.
She is a theist and a practicing pagan, although she tends to observe some abrahamic religious holidays. Dunno why.
Originally posted by lil bitchinessI don't think anoyone can believe in nothing, it's not having faith in something, that's pretty much Atheism.
Indeed. Some people do refer to Buddhists as Atheists.You know, me neither when I think about it. I don't actually know anyone who claims to not believe in anything. I do know some people with some weird religious practices though...
Originally posted by lord xyz
...I never said atheists can't be stupid, some are on this forum. It's just the ideas of atheism (or rather, skepticism), which is smart, and religion which is stupid. ...
Sorry, but to say that skepticism is smart and religion is stupid is ignorant. There are some religions that value skepticism.