New study finds atheists/agnostics "the most knowledgeable" about religion.

[Xyster]

I don't think that is relevant. How much do you know about a computer that you use every day ? How much do you know about how a car works, or how your own body works ? How much do you know about Buddhism or Islam ?

is it relevant .. not asfar as to use it as an argument though.... I never claimed to be a mechanic, DR., Computer tech, But I do know more on other religions sence ive become Atheist just out of curiosity.

If you are like me, not a lot compared to anyone who spent 5 minutes actually looking it up. When we are not given a reason to study something because it is a part of our lives, well, we don't. We as atheists have to defend our beliefs because we are the minority, that is why we know more.

Did you read the whole Constitution or the Declaration of Independance ? I didn't but these are very important documents that rule our lives, isn't it strange to know so little about them ?

Actually yea... a few times

For those who don't know much about the Bible, I don't think that they can be considered ignorant . They are not given a reason to.

This just seems like a way for atheists to pat each other in the back and thinking "yeah we are better than THOSE guys !". I don't think this condescending attitude is to be encouraged.

It could be .. or you could look at it as hey lets get them to actually read the bible or atleast look at the parts that they may disagree with .... I know that helped me question my religion....baby steps

[theVOID]

Try to step outside of your conditioning Min.

Oh yeah, we've been so conditioned by our doctrines, final authorities and heirachies, no... wait, that's you.

[Minimalist]

Frods, you can insist that your sky-daddy is real all you like.


It is not very compelling as evidence and really makes me question your overall intelligence.


That you WANT it to be true is obvious. Unfortunately, your desires do nothing to impact reality.

[fr0d0]

Are you really Kyu VOID?! Lemme see... Fetch!

Hey Min!

I certainly don't insist he's real... but then you wouldn't know that understanding zilch about Christianity as you do. You're gonna have to retrieve that bone yourself.

[Rwandrall]

It's totally relevant. You give examples of not knowing about the computer im using, which is a fair point until you think that I don't base my whole existence on the computer im using, I dont have prejudice due to the computer im using and nobody starts wars or commits atrocities in the name of the computer im using. If people choose to follow a religion (or choose to never question the religion their parents pushed on to them), that is a big life choice that they can easily and have many opportunities to investigate and understand. It is nothing short of complete ignorance to base your life on a religion without fully understanding it, it's not like it's difficult to get hold of a bible, or koran or whatever book.

That's the thing...the very vast majority of religious people are at most religious an hour a week, during mass....for the few that actually do go to mass. Only because only the extremists make the news does not mean that they are a majority.

People do not base their lives on religion, they go to mass, and call God's name once in a while, and that's it. Religion is not a big part of life for the majority of believers. They go to work, spend time with family, and wonder about what they will eat for dinner. Just like you or me. They don't sit around screaming about abortions and gays while throwing bible verses around. Why would they know about the Bible, if they barely even think about it ?

I hate to see that condescension that atheists show towards believers. Maybe believers know less about God, but these constant attempts from some atheists to try to show themselves as smarter than believers (because this is all it is) is just sad and delusional. We are not better people than believers, and we should not try to convince ourselves we are.

[downbeatplumb]

I certainly don't insist he's real

So your saying he's not real then?

On this I must agree with you.

On a seperate note where have you been? we've been worried.

[Skipper]

It's totally relevant. You give examples of not knowing about the computer im using, which is a fair point until you think that I don't base my whole existence on the computer im using, I dont have prejudice due to the computer im using and nobody starts wars or commits atrocities in the name of the computer im using. If people choose to follow a religion (or choose to never question the religion their parents pushed on to them), that is a big life choice that they can easily and have many opportunities to investigate and understand. It is nothing short of complete ignorance to base your life on a religion without fully understanding it, it's not like it's difficult to get hold of a bible, or koran or whatever book.

That's the thing...the very vast majority of religious people are at most religious an hour a week, during mass....for the few that actually do go to mass. Only because only the extremists make the news does not mean that they are a majority.

People do not base their lives on religion, they go to mass, and call God's name once in a while, and that's it. Religion is not a big part of life for the majority of believers. They go to work, spend time with family, and wonder about what they will eat for dinner. Just like you or me. They don't sit around screaming about abortions and gays while throwing bible verses around. Why would they know about the Bible, if they barely even think about it ?

I hate to see that condescension that atheists show towards believers. Maybe believers know less about God, but these constant attempts from some atheists to try to show themselves as smarter than believers (because this is all it is) is just sad and delusional. We are not better people than believers, and we should not try to convince ourselves we are.

Well that's certainly not the way I see myself, I just hate blind ignorance. Religious or not. Also when it comes to religion I see the moderates as big of a problem as the extremists as they provide a climate, or community in which the extremists can exist, operate and grow. Unless they know what they are following I take issue with their beliefs, if they know and still want to believe fair enough, but don't be ignorant for the sake of being part of a faith.

[fr0d0]

On a seperate note where have you been? we've been worried.

Hey dude thanks for that. I missed you guys too. I just wanted to pull back for a bit. I wanted to get away from the unhealthy obsession. I had to remove the shortcuts to AF to avoid the temptation to begin with . Lately I didn't want to come back. Especially reading around - it seems strongly negative. Meh.. we'll see.

[tackattack]

nah actually there's been quite an infusion of fresh blood on both atheist and theists, and you know when new theists arrive there's usually some vigorous poking and prodding. All in all there are some good conversations going on.

[Rayaan]

Especially reading around - it seems strongly negative. Meh.. we'll see.

Why negative? Stick around fr0d0.