Atheism and the meaning of life - what drives you?

[vulcanlogician]

You know life is better with magic beliefs right?

That's the same reasoning drug addicts use too, I imagine.  

Hey. Leave us out of this.

[Astreja]

You know life is better with magic beliefs right?

Um... No. Life may seem better with magical thinking, but the illusion gets in the way of actually making life better. It's like painting a pretty design on a manhole cover - under the lid, it still stinks.

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

You know life is better with magic beliefs right?

Um... No.  Life may seem better with magical thinking, but the illusion gets in the way of actually making life better.  It's like painting a pretty design on a manhole cover - under the lid, it still stinks.

 I  found the magical thinking, false promises and  the transactional nature of christianity quite painful.


Thoughts for the day;

Viking ; "Your god got himself nailed to a tree?

Priest  " It was a cross actually, but more or less."

Viking  "Well  my  god carries a bloody great hammer.

)))))))))))))))))

Viking "You came here to save me by telling me all about your god?

Priest "Yes, you understand!

Viking "What would have happened to me if you had not come, would I go to heaven?"

Priest " Yes, of course"

Viking says something unkind in Norse and lops off the priest's head***


*** I changed the ending because the arrogant and patronising priest gets his just  reward. The original ending was:

Viking; "Then why did you bother."  I like my ending better, because it's so unambiguous and a sincere statement. 

[Deesse23]

It's exactly what I thought, just an exercise in conformation. You can return for your fantasy now.

You know life is better with magic beliefs right?

Is the belief that no-effort-trolling a forum instead of doing something worthwhile with your pathetic life such a belief?

[Pat Mustard]

 
Kindly don't put words in my mouth sonny.

 I see  I was far too subtle for you.

"Bored now" means I have lost interest in anything you have to say, I've heard it all before, many times, it's tedious.  It also means I'd better stop here before I say some very unkind things.

You could use some humility.

Says the troll that wouldn't know humility if it came up and bit them on the arse.

There's a bible verse you should know (but no christians do) Mathew 7.5

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

You could use some humility.

Says the troll that wouldn't know humility if it came up and bit them on the arse.

There's a bible verse you should know (but no christians do) Mathew 7.5

Never ceases to amaze me that those calling for humility in others never seem to have any themselves .  He's quite right of course. Humility is not something I've ever managed to cultivate. Not sure one can. I think it comes naturally or not all. Nah, I've always been rather arrogant and patronising, and have never been able to suffer fools. I have tried, but in this case couldn't resist patronising what's his name. Went right over his head

Thanks for posting that mate. I have what's his name on ignore. (the only one so far)

[Nay_Sayer]

It's exactly what I thought, just an exercise in conformation. You can return for your fantasy now.

You know life is better with magic beliefs right?

You make FSM sad.

[The Valkyrie]

Um... No.  Life may seem better with magical thinking, but the illusion gets in the way of actually making life better.  It's like painting a pretty design on a manhole cover - under the lid, it still stinks.

 I  found the magical thinking, false promises and  the transactional nature of christianity quite painful.


Thoughts for the day;

Viking ; "Your god got himself nailed to a tree?

Priest  " It was a cross actually, but more or less."

Viking  "Well  my  god carries a bloody great hammer.

)))))))))))))))))

Viking "You came here to save me by telling me all about your god?

Priest "Yes, you understand!

Viking "What would have happened to me if you had not come, would I go to heaven?"

Priest " Yes, of course"

Viking says something unkind in Norse and lops off the priest's head***


*** I changed the ending because the arrogant and patronising priest gets his just  reward. The original ending was:

Viking; "Then why did you bother."  I like my ending better, because it's so unambiguous and a sincere statement. 

And that's the Viking way.

[Spongebob]

That's the same reasoning drug addicts use too, I imagine.  

in reality, there are many reasons why a life with religious beliefs may be better for some individuals. If you are part of a community of likeminded people who all share the same belief, that can make you stronger, give you a sense of belonging and guidance. If you really believe that there is an omnipotent being looking our for you at every moment of your life, it does give you measurable emotional support. And if you really believe that you go to a better place when you die, then this absolutely helps you deal emotionally with death, both yours and family members'. I could go on...

The problem with the "life is better with religion" justification is that whilst the benefits of belief for some individuals may be real, it does NOTHING to substantiate any claims as to the validity of the claim. In reality, God either exists or not. And if God does not exist (and there is currently NO evidence) then irrespective of the perceived benefits, it is all a fallacy, Also, whilst some individuals get these benefits, many, many people are significantly worse off due to religion.

Any benefits conveyed by religion are either the same sort of benefits one gets from placebo (meaning if you believe you are being helped, then you may experience some improvement for some problems) or from the community support a religious community provides.

[Mister Agenda]

If god stopped existing would you stop existing?

How would I know that?

How would you know any of the things you say you know about God?