Are all atheists this ill-informed about religion?

[Thumpalumpacus]

Your premise, Delicate, seems to be that atheist critique is meaningless for coming from an atheist.

Why then do you come here seeking it?

[Chad32]

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What does resolving sola scriptura have to do with anything in this discussion? Have you even looked into the issue? Are you assuming (wrongly, it should be pointed out), that sola scriptura is core doctrine?

To what extent is the indeterminacy of, say, experimental findings in a scientific subfield an indictment on science? If it's not, how in God's name does your brain convince you that indeterminacy in a particular area of theology an indictment on religion?

It's confused responses like these that ask to be ignored.


Heck no. This discussion is situated specifically in the context of atheists who bring up doctrinal differences.

But since you brought it up, tell me, what are the different views on what it takes to get to heaven?


You're making me repeat myself here. 

The fact that most of the atheists here are (still!) too ignorant to even make a distinction between between core and peripheral doctrine, let alone have a clue on what might constitute core doctrine tells me they have no idea what they are talking about. Desperate for some basis to critique religion, they find something that looks like it might work, and mindlessly repeat it like a mantra.

To point out how confused this response is, keep in mind: The discussion is about doctrinal differences between Christians.

Now look at your critique of the Apostles' Creed: It's an atheistic critique of Christian claims!

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No? Good.

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If religious nitwits actually thought that it was good for people to be religious they wouldn't fight and kill people who have different religions than theirs.  All religious nitwits want everyone to be in the same cult that they are in.  But some religious nitwits are such  bigots that they hate other people who are in their cult because they are of a different race.
http://www.thebricktestament.com/the_law...3_03a.html

We either eat MY sky cake, or nobody eats at all! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55h1FO8V_3w

[TheRocketSurgeon]

Your premise, Delicate, seems to be that atheist critique is meaningless for coming from an atheist.

Why then do you come here seeking it?

That's all I got out of that. Even the overt definition of the core doctrines of the Christian church are meaningless if critiqued by an atheist. It's the ultimate defense... just define your enemies out of existence, and then say whatever you like because you don't have to listen to anyone who might point out the gaping flaws in your bullshit.

I think someone's just playing word games so they can keep slapping labels on atheists instead of listening to them... which does, indeed, beg the question of "why do you come here seeking it?"

If you want to preach and be ignored, just grab a bullhorn and stand on a street corner with a painted plywood sign on your chest, like all the other nutjobs.

[Delicate]

Your premise, Delicate, seems to be that atheist critique is meaningless for coming from an atheist.

Why then do you come here seeking it?

That's not my premise at all.

Rather my premise is that "An atheistic critique of theistic claims, feeble as they have been (see the posts on this forum), does not amount to evidence that there is a cornucopia of core doctrinal differences BETWEEN CHRISTIANS."

Put another way, if the point is "There are soo many core doctrinal differences between Christians, bro," you can't point to an atheistic critique as evidence.

[Esquilax]

But since you brought it up, tell me, what are the different views on what it takes to get to heaven?

Can I get to heaven through good deeds, or am I locked out because I lack faith? Am I going to hell because I'm an atheist, or am I just going to be separated from god? Purgatory? What's hell like? Can practitioners of different religions get into heaven? Can practitioners of different sects of christianity get into heaven? How are sins interpreted by god? If you're saved once, are you always, or does it fade?

I have heard both answers to every one of those questions from christians. Each and every one of them acted as though the opposing answer was simply foolish. So, is this central tenet of christianity, that you labelled "of utmost importance," in another thread just another "peripheral doctrine"?

[Minimalist]

The fact that most of the atheists here are (still!) too ignorant to even make a distinction between between core and peripheral doctrine,

Maybe we just don't give a flying fuck.  The only one who seems to care about your bullshit is you.

Provide evidence that it is real...if you can.

[TheRocketSurgeon]

I pointed to the Creed as a way of showing you that 1) we do know what the core beliefs are, contrary to your claim, and 2) we do discuss them routinely, contrary to your claim.

This other issue of whether Christians argue over core doctrines is a separate issue, but one which has also been answered in numerous threads, including this one.

As I said before, name a "core doctrine" on which Christians agree 100%, in your mind, and we will show you that your claim isn't true.

[Spooky]

That's not my premise at all.

Rather my premise is that "An atheistic critique of theistic claims, feeble as they have been (see the posts on this forum), does not amount to evidence that there is a cornucopia of core doctrinal differences BETWEEN CHRISTIANS."

Put another way, if the point is "There are soo many core doctrinal differences between Christians, bro," you can't point to an atheistic critique as evidence.

Yeah, toss that word salad.

What?

[Pat Mustard]

I suppose any theist who has read this part of the forum has to chuckle at how terrible atheist critiques of theism are.

Give me an example, please.

But I find that the vast majority of people I know who profess a religion (i.e. they say they're catholic) are deeply ignorant of the religion they are supposedly members of. Most have had sex outside marriage, most have used contraception, some are divorced, very few go to mass or confession and so on almost ad infinitum. Needless to say all of these are strictly verboten to the point of excommunication.

From talking to my fellow atheists, I find that there is one common thread amongst those who've given up religion and that is that they know the religion they've left in depth (and probably have studied others) to a far greater extent than their religious friends and neighbours*. But, while it is very common for those atheists who were brought up arreligiously to be better at religion than the religious, there are a few who've never developed the interest in looking at religion.

*It's actually a hypothesis of mine that the first necessary step in giving up religion is the proper study and understanding of it.

[abaris]

Rather my premise is that "An atheistic critique of theistic claims, feeble as they have been (see the posts on this forum), does not amount to evidence that there is a cornucopia of core doctrinal differences BETWEEN CHRISTIANS."

Yes? So I'm curious if you believe Roman Catholics, Mormons and Evangelicals to sing in the same quire. And please don't serve the bullshit of Catholics not being christians, as some others constantly do to dodge the bullet.