Atheism

The idea that a perfect God wouldn't need worship is a valid complaint, but honestly not where I would try to create a sticking point for the fallacies of a God-being if I were making such a video. It's one of the few moments I didn't fully agree with the video: and not about the point itself (which I believe to be valid) but its inclusion in the video, since various theistic justifications for the dilemma can be found.

Originally posted by The MISTER
I even wondered at one point whether atheists just wanted to sin free and clear. Now I realize that they may be more responsible due to their feeling totally responsible for their actions. Enlightening.

👆

As for challenges to the Bible or theism, I'd encourage you to browse through the list of "Reasons I Am an Atheist" in my opening post. It's a decent starter list for the primary challenges brought against theism. Feel free to ask if you wanting sources or reading material for any of them.

Originally posted by Digi
The idea that a perfect God wouldn't need worship is a valid complaint...

nothing about the perfect god demanding worship makes it a logically impossible being

Ontological conclusions, at best, suggest.

Originally posted by 753
nothing about the perfect god demanding worship makes it a logically impossible being

Yeah, there are so many other clear logical flaws with most concepts of god that I don't understand why so many people take issue with the one claim that is basically semantic.

Originally posted by Mindship
IMO, ontological arguments --for/against -- fall short.

The rest of my quote kind of echoes that sentiment. Like I said, it was basically the low point in an otherwise outstanding video.

A relevant article:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20101202/ts_yblog_thelookout/atheists-slick-ad-campaigns-sometimes-meet-with-resistance

Interesting that they're met with such hostility. I personally always thought it was a bit pretentious to put up those billboards that are meant to be God talking to us. They aren't Bible quotes, just conversational quips. Seems presumptuous to think that we can literally put words in God's mouth, to me at least.

Originally posted by Digi
A relevant article:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20101202/ts_yblog_thelookout/atheists-slick-ad-campaigns-sometimes-meet-with-resistance

This one's a little more blunt... http://www.blingdomofgod.com/billboard.jpg

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
This one's a little more blunt... http://www.blingdomofgod.com/billboard.jpg

Ha. See, I don't endorse that particular billboard though. All billboards, religious or not, are promoting an agenda. However, the difference is that the one you posted is just an attack. It's a smear campaign, to put it in political terms. The other from the earlier article at least acknowledges that we should celebrate those things that we know to be true and good for human beings (in this case, Reason). It's promoting something worthwhile, not just trying to bring someone else down.

But yeah, there's a darker side to atheist organizations sometimes (as there is potentially with any religion), which is why I tend to shy away from them.

Apparently agnostic's aren't fit to raise children:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ww1AilSJ3U&feature=player_embedded

Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
Apparently agnostic's aren't fit to raise children:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ww1AilSJ3U&feature=player_embedded

Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
Apparently agnostic's aren't fit to raise children:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ww1AilSJ3U&feature=player_embedded

That's a damn disgrace. I really think this is the type of thing that taints the image of religious belief in general. This is a disgusting display equal to or worse than the Rodney King injustice. I don't think anyone would disagree that this man would gladly trade a beating for having his time with his children cut. What's really surprising is that the mother is supposed to be a "Christian" and it seems that she is attacking this man out of spite. That's not uncommon with a scorned person but for the court to document it as the reason behind reducing the childrens' time with their father is absurd. This generation really needs to replace the current leaders faster. The hypocrites that have latched onto Christianity as their sheeps clothing don't represent the spirit of non-judgement that Jesus taught. If a person claims that they're a christian and morally better off than everyone else then why do they commit the most immoral crimes of all? 😕

Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
Apparently agnostic's aren't fit to raise children:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ww1AilSJ3U&feature=player_embedded

Originally posted by King Kandy
So, did he make the appeal or not?

If it turned out well for him the news won't do a follow up story. He'd have to kill himself or something to get much more coverage. I hope he appealed but a whole lot of dads play retarded about aggressively fighting for time with the kids. They sound like they're in despair but immediately start making lame excuses about why they can't do more to support their kids. This guy doesn't seem like he'd take this lying down though. 😮‍💨

GWG = Good Without God.

I've always wondered why people believe in god or gods. Is it because they were raised with it? Does it make them feel safe if they think someone is watching over them? Iunno.

I don't think I've ever really believed in a higher power, but I've always considered the slim possibility of a Star Trek god.

Originally posted by Doctor-Alvis
I've always wondered why people believe in god or gods. Is it because they were raised with it? Does it make them feel safe if they think someone is watching over them? Iunno.

I don't think I've ever really believed in a higher power, but I've always considered the slim possibility of a Star Trek god.

It's just a bad habit.

Believers also use it to have a reason to wake up in the morning and face life, or as an excuse for things.

Originally posted by Digi

[b]1. Precursors in Mythology - As I came from a Christian background, my initial doubts of theism were directed at Christianity. And littered throughout both Old and New Testaments are stories that have not just peers within mythology but precursors. Noah's Ark, the Book of Job, to name a couple popular ones among dozens of others, have stories that mirror them almost exactly in detail, but that came before the Biblical books. Most Christians see these as metaphor, not literal truth, but it begets the question of their inclusion in the Bible at all when such obvious parallels can be found in "pagan" societies. The same can be said of the God of the OT, whose decrees are sometimes flatly evil, who changes his mind, isn't omniscient at all times, and generally acts like a petulant child. One wonders how many would still have a total devotion to the Bible if they knew exactly what they were worshiping. [/B]

Aw hell no.

There's a lot to be said to that, and it will be, but I'll need a bit of time. Thanks for responding though.