(May 17, 2023 at 12:04 pm)Mister Agenda Wrote: One of the nice things about being an atheist is that I am free to incorporate whatever I find good in the teachings of Jesus and reject whatever I find bad or indifferent or useless. I don't have to try to justify some deep meaning for cursing a fig tree out of season, I just toss it out with the rest of the chaff.

(May 17, 2023 at 3:06 pm)The Grand Nudger Wrote:

(May 17, 2023 at 2:58 pm)KerimF Wrote: Thank you for the information.
So, Jews are fortunate for not having rules to obey because even if there are some, they can disobey them as if these rules don't exist in the first place.
I bet that soon Later, I will likely hear that Jesus whose message is about living the Unconditional Love towards all others (when he says: Love your enemies. Don't resist evil) also created the notion of a torturing hell.

Yes, in judaism, you can disobey rules as if they didn't exist, and the majority the prophetic authors work was all about how jewish people were doing exactly that.  

Yes, hell is a nt thing.  Islam picked it up from the christians.

(May 17, 2023 at 9:45 am)Belacqua Wrote:

(May 15, 2023 at 3:00 pm)Kingpin Wrote: For all my non-believing friends.  I believe most of you are former believers or grew up in forced religion, etc.  Do you find yourself blanket/generalizing all "theists" in the same vein?  All who believe a God exists is silly, moronic?  Or do you take each theist is their own person and assess your thoughts towards them on how they respond/treat you?  Maybe it's a mix?

I only ask because I see a lot of ad hominem attacks in responses when responding to theists on here.  Personally, I don't care if someone calls me silly, moronic, etc. I'm geniunely curious if that's how you view all theists in general, if so why?

I grew up with no religion at all. I remember in college thinking that believers just needed some kind of "crutch" to make the world more tolerable, but that stronger or wiser people can do without that support. 

This opinion didn't survive once I'd met some very brilliant religious people, and read books by others. 

Also once you notice that there are just as many silly and moronic atheists as theists, it sort of levels the playing field. Religious belief is no longer a way to separate the moronic from the non-moronic.

(May 17, 2023 at 11:14 am)Fake Messiah Wrote:

(May 16, 2023 at 1:50 pm)Kingpin Wrote: That generalization is categorically untrue.

So you consider yourself less informed because you think their religion is false?

(May 17, 2023 at 2:58 pm)KerimF Wrote:

(May 17, 2023 at 2:35 pm)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote: This is what I meant.

And, for the records, Jews don’t believe in eternal torture.

Boru

Thank you for the information.
So, Jews are fortunate for not having rules to obey because even if there are some, they can disobey them as if these rules don't exist in the first place.
I bet that soon Later, I will likely hear that Jesus whose message is about living the Unconditional Love towards all others (when he says: Love your enemies. Don't resist evil) also created the notion of a torturing hell.

(May 17, 2023 at 3:18 pm)The Grand Nudger Wrote: Executed for breaking roman rules.   Specifically, claiming to be king, which was treason.

(May 17, 2023 at 3:16 pm)Kingpin Wrote:

(May 17, 2023 at 12:04 pm)Mister Agenda Wrote: One of the nice things about being an atheist is that I am free to incorporate whatever I find good in the teachings of Jesus and reject whatever I find bad or indifferent or useless. I don't have to try to justify some deep meaning for cursing a fig tree out of season, I just toss it out with the rest of the chaff.

But what does that mean for ultimate meaning, justice and hope?  Or as an atheist, those are non-existent or purely subjective.  Meaning found in what you deem meaningul, justice may not be delivered if you are wronged and nothing to put hope in?

(May 17, 2023 at 3:22 pm)Kingpin Wrote:

(May 17, 2023 at 3:18 pm)The Grand Nudger Wrote: Executed for breaking roman rules.   Specifically, claiming to be king, which was treason.

Jesus was charged with terrorism and fomenting insurrection.  Which Pilate refused to find Him guilty of.  If anyone brow beat religious people, it was Jesus.

(May 17, 2023 at 3:23 pm)The Grand Nudger Wrote:

(May 17, 2023 at 3:16 pm)Kingpin Wrote: But what does that mean for ultimate meaning, justice and hope?  Or as an atheist, those are non-existent or purely subjective.  Meaning found in what you deem meaningul, justice may not be delivered if you are wronged and nothing to put hope in?

Atheism is a single line item.  An atheist is completely free to believe in meaning, justice, and hope - objective or subjective truths.  

What do you think it would mean for meaning, justice, and hope..if god didn't curse a fig tree?