Is atheism escapism?

[Fireball]

I don't know.  We might have some good snipers...

40/40 on the qualification range and had to turn down an offer of sniper training.

From what I've seen, being a sniper ain't all that much fun, during mortal combat. I was top scorer in the competing shooters in US Navy boot camp (1973). I shoot about 188/200 and am working towards 192/200 for Distinguished Expert (Light Rifle) from the NRA. I just need to stop using hollow points. There is generally at least one flyer out in the six ring or worse in every set of targets.

As far as I am concerned, this guy just needs a slap to the back of the head, to wake him up.

[Ravenshire]

40/40 on the qualification range and had to turn down an offer of sniper training.

From what I've seen, being a sniper ain't all that much fun, during mortal combat. I was top scorer in the competing shooters in US Navy boot camp (1973). I shoot about 188/200 and am working towards 192/200 for Distinguished Expert (Light Rifle) from the NRA. I just need to stop using hollow points. There is generally at least one flyer out in the six ring or worse in every set of targets.

As far as I am concerned, this guy just needs a slap to the back of the head, to wake him up.

My problem with it wasn't the idea of getting bored, but the answer I received to the question "Who would my targets be."

[Kernel Sohcahtoa]

Hello, Thor.  Thanks for your post.  I appreciate you sharing your opinions about atheism with us.  However, I happen to see things differently than you do.
 

I often wonder if atheism is a form of escapism, an escape from moral responsibility or even critical thought.

On this very site, there are plenty of secular members who value moral responsibility and engage in critical thought on a regular basis.  Honestly, IMO, there are a number of intelligent thread topics created by secular and non-secular members on this forum that challenge members to engage in all sorts of imaginative, creative, and intelligent thought.

Why would people who were so sure God did not exist spend so much time thinking and talking about God.

IMO, so they can critically examine and gain a better understanding of exactly what it is that they are disagreeing with, rather than blindly disagreeing with it. Hence, such an approach promotes inquiry, curiosity, critical thought, and an examination/questioning of one’s own starting points, which IMO, is far from escapism.


Also, based on my experience in this community, there are plenty of members here who would not say that they are ‘so sure’ that a god-like being doesn’t exist: based on my understanding, for some people, their atheism reflects the fact that they have not been presented with acceptable, plausible, and convincing evidence for the existence of such a being. 
 

If there is no God, why do we have a conscience, something none of the other animals have?

Regardless of whether there is or is not a god, wouldn't we still face the challenge of finding a meaningful answer to this question, especially in regards to our own personal conscience?  Also, how do you know that no other animals have a conscience?

 

If the world is so meaningless and empty, why does man search for meaning?

From my vantage point, I do not view the world as meaningless or empty: I enjoy the challenge of creating my own meaning and purpose, which allows me to make a difference and to peacefully coexist with others in my own way. I also find great value and meaning in extending this same right to others.   
 

Its so clear God exists and atheists just refuse to acknowledge and worship Him.

I respect the fact that God’s existence is clear to you, but not all people share your way of thinking.  Perhaps diversity of thought is what makes humanity unique and is what enables us to learn and grow as a species?

I know atheists. They are deadened souls with no morals. They keep telling me you don't need to be a Christian to be moral, but unlike the committed Christians I know, the atheists/agnostics are barely interested in questions of what is moral or not, and act as if morals do not matter

Are you basing this off of your personal experience (and/or others' experiences) and using this experience to make broad generalizations onto an entire group of people? Using this sight as evidence, I’ve found that there are plenty of secular members who are very interested in questions of morality and act in a manner that would suggest that morals are very important to them. Doing a thread search should pop up numerous threads related to questions about morality that have plenty of interested secular members participating in them.

Thanks for your time and attention.

[Edwardo Piet]

Oh YAY!!!!

Thor, I have been waiting for you for so long.....

...waiting in just your panties?

Just wondering if you have a troll fetish!

[account_inactive]

Never change, Kernel.

You are definitely one of the most open-minded and kindest members here.

[Catholic_Lady]

Agreed

[Whateverist]

I often wonder if atheism is a form of escapism, an escape from moral responsibility or even critical thought.

Moderator Notice
Removed link in violation of forum rules

Why would people who were so sure God did not exist spend so much time thinking and talking about God.

If there is no God, why do we have a conscience, something none of the other animals have?

If the world is so meaningless and empty, why does man search for meaning?

Its so clear God exists and atheists just refuse to acknowledge and worship Him.

I know athesits. They are deadened souls with no morals. They keep telling me you don't need to be a Christian to be moral, but unlike the committed Christians I know, the atheists/agnostics are barely interested in questions of what is moral or not, and act as if morals do not matter

You don't strike me as a serious person.  Are you here on a prank?  Surely you don't imagine anyone gives a damn what you think about atheists.  All this drivel is based on your own capricious imagination and I find no insight into any actual atheist I've ever known.  You bore me.

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Hmm. That wasn't too kind, was it? Win some, lose some.

[account_inactive]

Don't bother.

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Yeah, I know, my bad. It's just sometimes you can't resist the temptation to reply to posts like that.

[Thumpalumpacus]

I don't know.  We might have some good snipers...

40/40 on the qualification range and had to turn down an offer of sniper training.

Same here -- "Expert" in the USAF. Qualified quarterly as a Prime BEEF troop, never shot lower than 38/40 on the M-16A1.

[Astreja]

Obvious troll, but now my sock puppet senses are lighting up.
This sounds like someone else here a while ago. Can't remember any names right now... 

I thought i caught a whiff of sock as well, and the writing style seems oddly familiar.  I think it's someone who got ban-hammered in the last 2-3 months.