(June 4, 2015 at 6:27 pm)Randy Carson Wrote: I came to learn more about atheism. I've been doing Catholic apologetics for 10 years or so. I thought it might be interesting to broaden my skills to Christian apologetics. Islam and Atheism are two areas of concern that I, as a Christian, have about the future of the world. So, I decided to chat with you folks.
Well we share one thing in common, worry about Islam. It's just that I worry about Christians and Mormons too.
(June 4, 2015 at 6:27 pm)Randy Carson Wrote: And I must say, it's been a far different experience than I expected. Atheists are often depicted in the media as being the really smart people, the brainy science types, and the books and articles that I have read were based upon really complex philosophical arguments.
Two notes here. First of all most scientist are atheists, but it doesn't follow that most atheists are scientists. Second, no complex reasoning is required to comprehend that the god hypothesis remains woefully unsupported. A basic understanding of how to weigh scientific and historical evidence dispassionately is all that's necessary.
(June 4, 2015 at 6:27 pm)Randy Carson Wrote: So, to find that this site is mostly about venting anger and sophomoric humor has been a bit of an eye-opener...but that, too, has been educational.
Yes, well, this is the internet and we're often surrounded by the pious. This is a place to let our hair down so to speak. You may have noticed that there is more interest in such humor among those of us in the very Christian United States, than in more secular parts of the world.
Also, you haven't appeared to have spent much time anywhere here but your own threads. You might get out and about a little. You see, it gets irritating after a while to have one Christian after another with the same tired arguments presenting them as if they would be news. Your clones have been here before you
(June 4, 2015 at 6:27 pm)Randy Carson Wrote: For example, until a few days ago, I didn't really understand the depths of the 'myther' lunacy, but now I know that group is really a fringe of atheism...not taken terribly seriously by more educated atheists.
No, not generally, although it's a growing movement. And I wouldn't go so far as to call in lunacy. I think it's unlikely, but considerably more likely than the divinity of Jesus.
(June 4, 2015 at 6:27 pm)Randy Carson Wrote: I'm also learning that a lot of atheists have emotional reasons for rejecting God. They were hurt as children, hurt in an abusive marriage, etc. These folks are just pissed off...and it's not terribly conducive to logical discourse when the other side is blinded by anger. I'm not saying I don't blame them, btw, but I think the anger is misplaced...and definitely misdirected at me.
There are plenty of people who turn to god for all of the same reasons. Campus crusades goes after them deliberately. It's a good strategy. But I don't think many atheists here are atheists because they are angry. However, navigating the U.S. as an atheist certainly can make you angry.
(June 4, 2015 at 6:27 pm)Randy Carson Wrote: I think the other big category of atheists is the "volitional" atheists...the ones who simply don't WANT to acknowledge God - as God. They may be living with their boyfriend/girlfriend or using contraception or deeply addicted to pornography, etc. To admit that there is a holy God who expects all of us to be Holy (and makes it possible) requires giving up these pleasures. There's more to that, but the bottom line is that everybody wants to sit upon the throne of their own life...but there is another king to whom we owe fealty.
I have no interest in god's rules when I find them arbitrary or immoral---yes immoral, like discrimination against gays. But I don't think many atheists are atheists so they can misbehave. Compared to the rest of America, atheists divorce less: http://atheism.about.com/od/atheistfamil...ivorce.htm and are less likely to be in prison (just .07% of the incarcerated population even though we approach 10% of the U.S. population)http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyath...-imagined/. It seems unlikely therefore, that people are becoming atheists to avoid morality. But we do see morality differently than you. Pornography, and *gasp* living together, per-marital sex, and contraceptives, aren't wrong.
(June 4, 2015 at 6:27 pm)Randy Carson Wrote: Finally, yes, there are intellectual objections to Christianity. Real ones that cannot be dismissed or taken lightly. This just doesn't seem to be the place where those issues are aired. Christianity is not being taken seriously enough here for that to happen.
You've yet to take off your blinders. You do not think logically on the subject of god, nor do you weight evidence rationally. Your ability to compartmentalize is astounding. Nor do you actually pay attention to much real evolutionary theory. You're too busy refuting the evolution you have made up to look at what is actually there.
Quote:So, I'm enjoying the discussions, learning a lot, and trying to provide Catholic Answers as best I can. Hopefully, you're benefiting in some way, too.
Peace.
A think the phrase here is "new chew toy."
I recommend a good book on logic and one on historical method. Choose neutral ones not interested in the god debate. Then apply then to god and the Bible.
If there is a god, I want to believe that there is a god. If there is not a god, I want to believe that there is no god.