Atheism is a positive thing Bungy,it's the liberation of the mind from superstitions and myths.

(November 11, 2008 at 9:14 pm)Jason Jarred Wrote: To hear people say "He's with <my grandmother> now, I'm sure they're happy together". What on Earth?? Grief is a terrible thing, but to delude ourselves into believing that they're still living somewhere - this has a huge affect on our lives. Wouldn't it be better to say "Hey was a great man, let us never forget him and make the most of the ideals that he and his wife lived by in life. Let's not allow their death to be devoid of meaning, and integrate the lessons that they learned throughout their lives into our own."

Why must we continue with this childish fantasy of life after death?

I don't think that we should, but the cremony and ritual was probably a part of your grandfather's and family's lives. Just no longer theirs. You have yours and they have theirs. My view on religion is that it shouldn't exist. I want no such ceremony or ritual as a part of my life or death.

(November 11, 2008 at 9:14 pm)Jason Jarred Wrote: My theory is that atheism helps us to confront life, to appreciate life more, to see the complexities and to avoid taking it for granted.

I think that atheism and religion both only help a personal veiw of life and either of those, depending upon the person, helps one appreciate it more. The problem only arises when one tries to dominate one over the other.

(November 17, 2008 at 4:42 pm)Daystar Wrote: I think that atheism and religion both only help a personal veiw of life and either of those, depending upon the person, helps one appreciate it more. The problem only arises when one tries to dominate one over the other.

But the definition of atheism is basically just 'not a theist'. All the other views can vary. Atheism is not a religion, not a creed. Atheism has been thought of like herding cats for example. Because Atheism is not a religion, not a creed. The definition of Atheist is simply: Not a theist.

(November 17, 2008 at 9:34 pm)EvidenceVsFaith Wrote:

(November 17, 2008 at 4:42 pm)Daystar Wrote: I think that atheism and religion both only help a personal veiw of life and either of those, depending upon the person, helps one appreciate it more. The problem only arises when one tries to dominate one over the other.

But the definition of atheism is basically just 'not a theist'. All the other views can vary. Atheism is not a religion, not a creed. Atheism has been thought of like herding cats for example. Because Atheism is not a religion, not a creed. The definition of Atheist is simply: Not a theist.

Well I agree that atheism is just 'not a theist,' but I think that there at least seems to be less variation between athiests than Xians, for example. I have heard of the herding cats expression and that certainly wouldn't reflect my own personal observations.

(November 17, 2008 at 10:21 pm)Daystar Wrote: Well I agree that atheism is just 'not a theist,' but I think that there at least seems to be less variation between athiests than Xians, for example. I have heard of the herding cats expression and that certainly wouldn't reflect my own personal observations.

? The herding cats thing is a reference to how Atheism is not a creed or religion because like cats, they often are more independent and do their own thing than sheeps or cattle for example. Its a reference to how atheists vary more in their beliefs because the only thing they all have in common by definition is absence of belief in God.
Feel free to correct me if you think I'm wrong, or you can point out a mistake I have made.

(November 17, 2008 at 10:29 pm)EvidenceVsFaith Wrote: The herding cats thing is a reference to how Atheism is not a creed or religion because like cats, they often are more independent and do their own thing than sheeps or cattle for example. Its a reference to how atheists vary more in their beliefs because the only thing they all have in common by definition is absence of belief in God.
Feel free to correct me if you think I'm wrong, or you can point out a mistake I have made.

I understand what the reference means I just don't agree with it based upon my personal observations at least with militant atheists. With the atheists I grew up with I can see that - most definitely, but with the militant atheist that I have come into contact with on the internet they are as like Xians ... in fact I would say even more like Xians than Xians when it comes to their beliefs and thinking. A school of thought would be putting it mildly - it is as if they were all cloned from somewhere or aliens.

You ask a thousand or thousands of Christians how important education is and you will get a varied response. You ask atheist and you will get a unanimous response. You ask a bunch of Xians what they think of Jimmy Swaggart or Pat Robinson and you get a varied response. You ask a bunch of Atheist what they think of Richard Dawkins and you get the same answer. George Carlin, Lewis Black - you ask Christians if they believe in creation and you get variations of teaching as well as variations in belief or not regarding Creation. You ask militant atheists if they believe in evolution and it is unanimous.

Everyone I know except for my mom is an atheist and none of them believe in evolution. That is about the only thing they agree on. Militant atheists are far more like sheep herds than cat.

(November 17, 2008 at 11:29 pm)Daystar Wrote: Everyone I know except for my mom is an atheist and none of them believe in evolution.

So what to they have as an alternative to evolution?

(November 18, 2008 at 5:41 am)allan175 Wrote:

(November 17, 2008 at 11:29 pm)Daystar Wrote: Everyone I know except for my mom is an atheist and none of them believe in evolution.

So what to they have as an alternative to evolution?

They don't. Funny thing is they don't need one.

(November 18, 2008 at 11:42 am)Daystar Wrote:

(November 18, 2008 at 5:41 am)allan175 Wrote:

(November 17, 2008 at 11:29 pm)Daystar Wrote: Everyone I know except for my mom is an atheist and none of them believe in evolution.

So what to they have as an alternative to evolution?

They don't. Funny thing is they don't need one.

So they have no thoughts as to how everything came to be?

I read in a book that creationism is like a vampire,just when you thought it was dead someone comes along and pulls the stake out.Just felt like sharing that with you all,now you can return to your regularly scheduled program lol.