Convert me!

[Cyberman]

I've not really heard anything which changes my position very much. The benefits of abandoning faith, for me, seem slim. Lots of people have told me what I perceive as benefit isn't, which I can't really agree with since without in depth knowledge of the individual it's impossible to state the effects of a particular belief.

The major benefit, if such you seek, of 'abandoning' faith is that you are discarding one blinkered mindset in favour of opening up your eyes and your mind to the bigger picture (damn, I knew you'd get me to say it!). Essentially, the biggest prize for abandoning faith is that you've abandoned faith, hopefully in favour of reason which offers so much more by way of tools to make sense of the world.

I have stated to think I need to reclassify myself though, as it is increasingly clear that calling oneself a Christian is becoming increasingly a sociopolitical thing rather than a theological one.

This is indeed an encouraging sign. I don't mean that in any sense of superiority, as in "good, you're learning" or anything. I spoke in another thread of a former dyed-in-the-wool fundamentalist creationist of my acquaintance who, once he began the process of accepting facts of reality instead of rejecting them out of hand, crossed the floor and is now as devout an atheist as its possible to be. Everyone was surprised at how quickly this process occurred, including him.

I've learned that for many people, religion has done them personally great damage, and that explains a good deal of why people actively object to religion, rather than simply dismissing it.

That may be true of many atheists though by no means all. I for one have always been an atheist though not particularly active until I got my own internet access about nine years ago; as far as religious indoctrination goes, I consider myself immune. In fact, I don't personally know of anyone not connected with this forum who fits the profile you describe.

I've learned that atheists, by and large, debate more rationally and less aggressively than Christians. By and large .

By and large, certainly, though it's most assuredly not a given. We do tend to have a better grasp of such fundamentals as language and spelling, as well as making sure our facts are as correct and verifiable as possible. By and large.

I'd say on balance at this point I'm about the same in terms of personal theology, and somewhat more hostile towards organised religion.

Excellent... soon your journey towards the dark side will be complete...

[The Grand Nudger]

You appear to misunderstand me. I'm absolutely not saying that christians are happier or richer or healthier than atheists. I'm saying that, personally, I made a shit job of being a human until I became a Christian at which point I started making a much better job of it. That's in no way proof god is real or even that Christianity is healthy, as has been undeniably shown, some people have the same improvement when they cross the other way!

I'm not saying Christianity IS helpful. One can't say that without evidence, numbers, statistics. I'm saying it CAN be helpful. And indeed it CAN be toxic. Those are facts.

Sounds like you might be giving undeserved credit to an undeserving ideology (and short-changing your own effort in the process) when it comes to your personal turnaround. I made a shit job of being a human until I had my morning coffee today. All praise be to the Bean.

[Cyberman]

"You're welcome!"

(IMO, this is the shittest character Rowan Atkinson ever associated his name with. Like Hugh Laurie with "House", he's capable of so much more. Still, I thought I'd better get in before someone else did.)

[pocaracas]

Rowan was a "face man". A bit like Jim Carey.
Mr Bean was perfect for him... of course, the Black Adder turned out much better!

[Cyberman]

He's a damn good mime, I'll give him that, also a clown in the truest sense of the word. It just sets my teeth on edge whenever something else he's done, say Not The Nine O'Clock News or Black Adder, comes on and someone goes "Ooh look, it's Mr Bean!" I get the same thing with Hugh Laurie and House, which is why I mentioned it in the same breath. I bet that's how Leonard Nimoy felt in the seventies, trying to point out to people he could do other things besides wear pointy ears and say "fascinating".

[pocaracas]

"indeed"

[Brian37]

The benefits of abandoning faith, for me, seem slim.

Athists would agree in the history of our species that the odds of excaping fantasy are slim. Humans have fought for Isis, Thor, Apolo, just as bravely and vaiiantly as any Muslim, Jew or Christian, and none of those brave people are alive today.

The benfit of abandoning superstition of any ilk or label, is that you think first before you act. Superstition requires you to shoot first and ask questionts later. I agree that is the norm, but it does not have to be.