You are making some outlandish generalizations strawdawg, ones I can't even make sense of. I feel you are talking from emotions rather than from reason, and I can't translate it.

(December 25, 2014 at 8:23 am)strawdawg Wrote: I've always held the opinion that atheist were like drug addicts, the weakest of the weak. If you want to believe in polytheism then the children of a lesser god.

Because your opinion matters!

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Strawdawg Wrote:[...] people that don't believe in any God or gods are broken. Like a radio that won't play music, a car that won't start, like a cloud with no rain. Empty, shallow and put themselves in the same class as an animal and assume a lot.

I'm left to assume that you hang out online with them in order to assuage your obvious sense of inferiority.

You never struck me as terribly insightful. These posts of yours today do nothing to change that impression.

(December 25, 2014 at 11:24 am)strawdawg Wrote: No, people that don't believe in any God or gods are broken. Like a radio that won't play music, a car that won't start, like a cloud with no rain.

Yeah, you can't claim we're missing something without first demonstrating that the thing you think you have via god belief actually exists, and is the product of god and not delusion.

Otherwise, you're just pretending; but that doesn't seem too surprising given the quality of your discourse. That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.

Quote: Empty, shallow and put themselves in the same class as an animal and assume a lot.

We are animals. And there's nothing wrong with being an animal; dogs are animals, and dogs are fucking awesome. As for assuming, you're doing a lot of that regarding us and how we function, but what assumptions are atheists making? How about instead of just derping around you actually, you know, support the positions you derp?

The OP gave me the idea that he was looking for people who had had similar experiences, tell their story.

I have two such instances that are about me working for a religious organization, not belonging to that institution.

When I was 18-19, I had moved back to Portland, after spending most of my teens in a small town. I was basically alone and pretty open minded. Uh oh.
I was downtown and got pulled in by the "Personality Test" offered by the Church of Scientology-Celebrity Center. I don't remember too much of this experience, luckily I was broke, and once they realized that, they weren't too interested in me.
They were hiring and I could use a part time job, they needed a receptionist and offered me $2.00/hour plus free classes. Sounded awesome! (1987)
I met a really nice guy, before I knew it we were dating and I found myself living in a Scientology house. This went on for a few weeks. I signed a non disclosure statement, attended a few classes and got a workbook or two. To be honest, it seemed pretty weird and farfetched, and just like with any other church, I didn't really buy it, although I tried.
Then one day, dude says we can't see each other anymore. He was a few 'levels" above me and would not be able to go further being involved with someone who could not go higher in levels. I had confessed to him that I had several experiences with mind altering substances. Any number over three, made me "insane" according to their beliefs. He couldn't continue in the church and be with me, I couldn't talk him out of leaving, so I moved out, quit my job, and that was my stint with CoS. Poor guy, hope he broke free eventually.
I don't regret it at all, it was a fantastic learning experience, and story I can pass down to my kids.

Thanks for sharing your story. I'm glad you got out of that scary ass cult!

(December 25, 2014 at 11:24 am)strawdawg Wrote: No, people that don't believe in any God or gods are broken. Like a radio that won't play music, a car that won't start, like a cloud with no rain. Empty, shallow and put themselves in the same class as an animal and assume a lot.

*backs away slowly*

(December 25, 2014 at 11:24 am)strawdawg Wrote: No, people that don't believe in any God or gods are broken. Like a radio that won't play music, a car that won't start, like a cloud with no rain. Empty, shallow and put themselves in the same class as an animal and assume a lot.

Remind me who is making you hangout here with these people you detest? There is a door that you're welcome to use.

(December 25, 2014 at 5:26 pm)Elskidor Wrote:

(December 25, 2014 at 11:24 am)strawdawg Wrote: No, people that don't believe in any God or gods are broken. Like a radio that won't play music, a car that won't start, like a cloud with no rain. Empty, shallow and put themselves in the same class as an animal and assume a lot.

Remind me who is making you hangout here with these people you detest? There is a door that you're welcome to use.

It could be I'm wrong and if I am I apoligize. What does an atheist use for a moral compass? What determines right and wrong?

(December 25, 2014 at 5:39 pm)strawdawg Wrote: It could be I'm wrong and if I am I apoligize. What does an atheist use for a moral compass? What determines right and wrong?

You really ask that question?

Have you looked at this board at all, since some wind blew you in here? This question has been asked about a billion times and answered in a billion threads at nauseum.

You really don't strike me as the sharpest tool in the shed.

Empathy is my moral compass. I don't need an ancient book to tell me right from wrong. 'Nuff said.