(December 30, 2014 at 10:51 pm)Ryantology (╯°◊°)╯︵ ══╬ Wrote: you completely lack genuine human empathy.

Many theists do.

(December 30, 2014 at 11:06 pm)Sionnach Wrote:

(December 30, 2014 at 10:51 pm)Ryantology (╯°◊°)╯︵ ══╬ Wrote: you completely lack genuine human empathy.

Many theists do.

Atheists are more empathetic and caring than any theist.
I wonder why we are hated by theists and it doesn't make any sense, just because we believe in one less god there is really that much animosity against people....

I saw on Dr. Oz today where payer greatly aids in a persons recovery. Pray can reduce stress by 90%.

The lack of empathy most theists display is most likely a by-product of the us versus them mentality. Theists tend to focus too much on the difference between us and them, mainly that we are unwilling to kiss the ass of their imaginary friend, instead of focusing on the fact that we are all human.

(December 30, 2014 at 11:28 pm)Sionnach Wrote: The lack of empathy most theists display is most likely a by-product of the us versus them mentality. Theists tend to focus too much on the difference between us and them, mainly that we are unwilling to kiss the ass of their imaginary friend, instead of focusing on the fact that we are all human.

I refuse to kiss a non existent beings ass is all. even if the abrahamic god existed ill still refuse.

(December 30, 2014 at 4:24 pm)alpha male Wrote: @OP:

If god doesn't exist, then this doctrine, which you find disgusting, was created by men, and was popular enough to spread around the world and be followed at least nominally by 1 in 3 people.

Point is that your own argument indicates that people are pretty sick and twisted.

Reading the news headlines indicates the same.

Well, thanks, Captain Obvious.

Now, if your god does exist, the question arises -- how can a perfect creator make such shoddy product?

Oh, that's right -- he made us in his own image.

Tell me again how good he is, now.

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(December 30, 2014 at 5:02 pm)watchamadoodle Wrote:
Often it seems that Christians are very self righteous in spite of all this effort to make them humble.

Fixed, for emphasis.

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(December 30, 2014 at 9:07 pm)Godschild Wrote: Concerning atheism and health, there is considerable amount of scientific evidence that suggest that theism is more conducive to mental and physical health than atheism [2]
The prestigious Mayo Clinic reported the following on December 11, 2001:
“ In an article also published in this issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Mayo Clinic researchers reviewed published studies, meta-analyses, systematic reviews and subject reviews that examined the association between religious involvement and spirituality and physical health, mental health, health-related quality of life and other health outcomes.
The authors report a majority of the nearly 350 studies of physical health and 850 studies of mental health that have used religious and spiritual variables have found that religious involvement and spirituality are associated with better health outcomes.[3]
”
The Iona Institute reported:
“ A meta-analysis of all studies, both published and unpublished, relating to religious involvement and longevity was carried out in 2000. Forty-two studies were included, involving some 126,000 subjects. Active religious involvement increased the chance of living longer by some 29%, and participation in public religious practices, such as church attendance, increased the chance of living longer by 43%.[4][5] ”
In December of 2003, the University of Warwick reported:
“ Dr. Stephen Joseph, from the University of Warwick, said: "Religious people seem to have a greater purpose in life, which is why they are happier. Looking at the research evidence, it seems that those who celebrate the Christian meaning of Christmas are on the whole likely to be happier.[6] ”
See also: Atheism and depression and Atheism and suicide and Atheism and alcoholism
Duke University has established the Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health.[7] The Duke University Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health is based in the Center for Aging at Duke and gives opportunities for scholarly trans-disciplinary conversation and the development of collaborative research projects.[8] In respect to the atheism and mental and physical health, the center offers many studies which suggest that theism is more beneficial than atheism.[9]

This sounds to me that atheist are less well adjusted than Christians, so to me the O.P. i wrong in the assessment of Christians.

GC

Link to the studies. You're not a trustworthy reporter.

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(December 30, 2014 at 10:52 pm)Godschild Wrote: Et to Brute

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(December 30, 2014 at 10:58 pm)Godschild Wrote:

(December 30, 2014 at 10:51 pm)Ryantology (╯°◊°)╯︵ ══╬ Wrote: Of course you can't. I've seen enough of what you say to understand that you completely lack genuine human empathy.

I can empathize with most people but, with the attitude you have towards the Christians here what reason have you given me to do so, answer none.

GC

So much for "turn the other cheek".

(December 30, 2014 at 10:52 pm)Godschild Wrote:

(December 30, 2014 at 10:33 pm)Chad32 Wrote: This reminds me of people who say one of the reasons homosexuality is bad because the suicide rates for them are so high. Not even thinking that the reason homosexuals commit suicides so often is because their communities harrass and threaten them so much.

Et to Brute, more persecution from Christians, cry aloud it those Christians fault. What a crock, people have to be responsible for their own lives, don't put that crap on us. One study showed that atheist like to blame Christians for their problems, atheist placed the blame on others more than other groups, get over it, man up.

GC

Yes, it's the christians who go out and kill people for being homosexual, or atheist, or anything else their bible says is wrong. This isn't fake. This isn't an exaggeration. Christians have a history of persecuting everyone. Even other christians. About the only time they're being persecuted is by their sister religion islam, who worships the same god but just calls him Allah instead of God.

(December 30, 2014 at 10:35 pm)Strider Wrote:

(December 30, 2014 at 9:55 pm)Godschild Wrote:

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Because of people like you, less and less believers, atheist are pulling us down in life expectancy.

GC

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I'm familiar with the studies you mentioned, and they are indeed legitimate. I'd contend that many of the health benefits have to do with belonging to an extremely tight-knit community and pressure not to take part in activities that are frowned upon in some religious groups, such as smoking and drinking. A 2010 Gallup poll showed that nonreligious people were more likely to smoke and drink and less likely to eat healthy and exercise when compared to religious people. That's obviously detrimental to a healthy lifestyle. However, it would be interesting to go back and look at their sample selections to see if all regions of the country are accurately represented. For instance, Mississippi is often considered the most religious state in the nation, but it is also has the highest levels of obesity, second highest level of diabetes, and a whole host of other issues. These are predominantly Christian people with a range of serious health problems.

I wouldn't be so quick as to lump the blame on us for bringing down life expectancy. You may want to take a look at conservative policy keeping people from getting affordable health insurance and keeping people mired in poverty.

Yes, those things have a effect on the health of the Christian community, things like smoking and drinking are not actually limited by pressure from the community, it's a life style. I live in East Tennessee and I quit smoking before I was active in the church. I believe another reason the Christian community is healthier is because of the hard work we do even at home and for each other. Like Mississippi we do eat well here, we have incredible cooks and we do grow gardens so veggies are a big part of our diet. As for drinking most here in my area do not, I have an occasional beer or shot but never to get a buzz, I enjoy the taste. I have church friends that also take an occasional drink, we all know well the down falls of excessive drinking, especially me. The article I posted wasn't just about our bodily health it was also about our mental health and a spiritual life helps in that area also, through support, love and ect.

I'm not sure how many here actually understand when we say we are not worthy that it's in comparison to God, most of us understand this. I'm sure there are those in the Christian community that push the I'm not worthy attitude to far by wrong teaching, it's sad but individual churches teach what they decide is right. Compared to an all loving and omniscient and omnipotent God we are not worthy of the spiritual things except through the grace of God. I've known two Christians who have taken their lives, one who had trouble from serving in war and another who was mentally ill for a very long time. Most Christians I know are very happy and very stable in their lives, but like I stated I'm from ET where family is huge and we will stick by each other through the thick and thin. All this however stems from our Christian beliefs and understanding where we stand with God.

GC

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@ those who responded to my last few posts.

The study showed that many atheist blame Christians for their misfortune, and what do you all do, play the blame game, Strider didn't, some understand while others close their eyes and ears and go and then freak out over truth. Chad32 if there's persecution going on in this country it's the black Americans that are suffering and that persecution comes from all walks, so you need to get over your complex.

GC

Oh, please. I'm from East Tennessee. The friendliness is most often times insincere; the drug usage is immense, as well as alcohol abuse; I started smoking with my pastor's daughter who is now a coke addict and alcoholic, all while most of her time is spent in the church. Most of my "good Christian" friends of old are drug addicts, whether it's coke, oxycontin, or meth, among other things, and they all still consider themselves "good Christians". They go to churches all over Knox County.

My mom, who hadn't seen my dad in over a decade, came to his funeral to support my sister and me. Guess what she encountered at the church: most of the congregation ignoring her except to talk behind their hands about her.

There are a lot of reasons my last trip back to East Tennessee was to take care of my dad on his death bed. The biggest is that I have absolutely no use for the people there, for the most part.

Well I'm so glad that the blacks are the only minority that the religious right are actually persecuting, and all those other stories about it being legal to fire people for being gay in some areas, and that atheists are the most untrusted members of the community are in fact false. Christians may be a bad influence on society, but they're not that bad, huh?

I'm not sure why you think you're unworthy compared to god. How many people have you killed because they weren't paying enough attention to you. I've managed to not kill any at all, which already makes me better than your god at getting along with others. Maybe if I get around to creating some Humans, I can share my personal experiences of respecting them as people and not treating them as my slaves.

You seem to be having a laugh about us proving your point. You said you heard that atheists blame christians for a lot of our problems...and I completely agree with you. They are to blame, since they have been trying their darndest to turn this secular nation into a theocracy for centuries, and it pisses some people off.