Reason for converting Good Christians

[CoxRox]

True Unbeliever, I don't 'believe' or perceive America to be a 'christian' nation. The word 'christian' or rather what it has come to represent, has no bearing on the original belief system of the followers of Christ. If America really was a nation that followed the teachings of Christ, then they would and could not be responsible for perpetrating the above type of atrocity. That is my opinion for what it is worth.

[DD_8630]

I have said I will spend less time so I try to keep to it.

A few months ago an England native spoke to me. He said England is now not a good place to live in because gangs of youngsters or skinheads always go around making trouble. He said it is so bad to the extend that you have to be on your guard whenever you see a group of youths.

Englands' Christianity level has dropped to about 35% or less.

Basically these youngsters just do serious and big stuff just because they feel like it or that it is a challenge.

Remember the happy slapping fad one or two years ago in Europe, where members of the public were just randomly assaulted and vid of the assault posted on the Internet? Atheism as you have it.

...

Are you seriously suggesting a causal link between the long-standing decline of Christianity and the spat of happy-slapping we had a few years ago?
Are you aware that Christianity has been steadily falling for decades (~10% in the past 17 years), while happy-slapping is a very recent phenomenon that has absolutely no religious connotations?

Are you aware that violent and criminal youths exist in all countries, regardless of religion? Are you aware that religious countries are more violent than their secular counterparts?

It wouldn't surprise me if you were caught up in the paedophile hysteria, and attacked a paediatrician's house.

Thank God this did not really spread to America.

In Atheist China just recently we have the case where to boost profits melamine was added to milk powder, not caring about the tens of thousands' health who are affected, numbering for far more than the victims of 9/11

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Chinese_milk_scandal

What does this have to do with atheism?

In Atheist Russia, we still remember the Russian spy who was poisoned by radiation.

... you know that over 90% of Russians identify as Eastern Orthodox, right? Not to mention the prevalence of other religions and Christian denominations.

Good Lord.

These are all because there is no God and conscience to check these people.

Absolute bull. All you you have done is cite examples of violence and illegality, and summarily declared that it is because of atheism!

The Logic that God promotes good deeds and checks the bad is just so strong. Perhaps because most atheists here do not understand the mind of Christians. They do not think that it is a mere theory but there is a God who wants them to do certain things(The punish ment of not doing only comes later)

We understand this idealised form of Christianity, but the fact remains that people don't care. The fact remains that, despite your 'logic', the statistics are undeniable: criminal tendencies rise with the prevalence of religion.

One of the base tenets of evolution if that The fittest/strongest will survive, regardless of who is 'right or wrong ' etc.

Correct. But what does that have to do with anything?

Do you feel safer from random possible assaults or pickpockets in the general public or in a church?

Depends. Is the church a Mosque in the US? A Synagogue in Palestine? A Christian church in Egypt?

[allan175]

A few months ago an England native spoke to me. He said England is now not a good place to live in because gangs of youngsters or skinheads always go around making trouble. He said it is so bad to the extend that you have to be on your guard whenever you see a group of youths.

Well, I'm a native of England and although the media is full of such reports I've yet to see it!

And if you look back at our parent's generation when they were youngsters you'll find very similar reports. The media seems to take delight these days in exagerating everything bad that happens in the world.

[Tiberius]

I can't see how Ephrium can be an "atheist" as he claims. As true unbeliever pointed out, he is generally ignorant of history, science, and indeed culture. The reference to "atheist" russia (wtf???) is just hilarious.

[leo-rcc]

I can't see how Ephrium can be an "atheist" as he claims.

I am very skeptical about that as well but:

As true unbeliever pointed out, he is generally ignorant of history, science, and indeed culture. The reference to "atheist" russia (wtf???) is just hilarious.

That is the case but those qualities are not a prerequisite of an atheist so that in itself doesn't prove much.

However, Ephrium, if you are not an atheist as you profess to be, why are you lying? This discussion would have gone the exact same way of you was upfront from the start.

[Darwinian]

Ephrium's posts are indistinguishable from those of a Christian pretending to be an atheist for the sole intention of trying to convince us that Christianity is in fact a benign and positive influence and something to be encouraged.

A sort of 'preaching through the back door' if you like or, indoctrination from the inside.

Is Ephrium some kind of Christian spy?

If Ephrium is an atheist then, as Adrian suggests, he/she shows an incredible lack of knowledge that most atheist seem to posses and an almost naive view of the effects of religion which is shared by many Christians.

I have now read all of Ephrium's posts and am convinced that he/she is a person of faith and this subterfuge is a pathetic undertaking to infiltrate our community in a vain attempt to cast seeds of doubt within our minds. As if that would work!!!

Also, the language used and the style of writing reminds me strongly of posts by such members as Psalm23, FutureAndAAHope etc. As the very faithful 'seem' to have a similar style. One particular statement that has caught my eye is in his first post where he says something like "As atheists be believe in evolution, but..." , and then goes on to cast doubt on the whole theory..

There are many other examples. Basically these are theist posts badly disguised as atheist ones.

Therefore I put it to Ephrium that you are in fact NOT an atheist.

[Rob]

The only requirement for atheism is lack of a belief in a god. So he could be an atheist. However judging from his posts in this thread in which he seems to conclude atheism is evil I can only surmise that if he is indeed an atheist, he is a self loathing one at that.

(edit: corrected a typo)

[Tiberius]

The only requirement for atheist is lack of a belief in a god. So he could be an atheist. However judging from his posts in this thread in which he seems to conclude atheism is evil I can only surmise that if he is indeed an atheist, he is a self loathing one at that.

Good point. I'd have hoped most atheists had heard the arguments against such thinking though

[IamAwake]

I would be relieved to find out he's a Christian, because the whole idea is almost offensive coming from an atheist. There is obviously some kind of emotional attachment to the idea there, or he would be able to see it for what it is: no good. He also uses the debating style of a religious individual. Usually atheists have reasoning skills and a healthy dose of skepticism that helped them become/remain atheists. But then again, maybe he just really wants to have come up with a way to make the world a better place and can't accept that he needs to go back to the drawing board.

[allan175]

When he started posting I had to check his "Religious Views" because, to me, he sounded exactly like a religous person arguing his point.

EDIT:
Also, him saying "Good Christians" in his thread title gives it away a bit too.