Welcome. We always welcome honest, open-minded debaters. Please try to keep your assumptions about how we think to a minimum; ask, instead. For instance:
Is it possible that you have a "sneaking suspicion" because that's what practically every preacher on the planet uses to "explain" why people are leaving the faith in droves, rather than admitting there might be people who simply choose not to continue to wear their rose-colored glasses when examining the scriptures the religion claims was written by an almighty and loving deity rather than by the mere humans who did the writing?
There is no such thing as "the atheist mind". We are as diverse as any group you could imagine, except for the fact that we have no preset reason to reject scientific discoveries nor do we think that there are magical causes for mundane occurrences.
Is it possible that you have a "sneaking suspicion" because that's what practically every preacher on the planet uses to "explain" why people are leaving the faith in droves, rather than admitting there might be people who simply choose not to continue to wear their rose-colored glasses when examining the scriptures the religion claims was written by an almighty and loving deity rather than by the mere humans who did the writing?
There is no such thing as "the atheist mind". We are as diverse as any group you could imagine, except for the fact that we have no preset reason to reject scientific discoveries nor do we think that there are magical causes for mundane occurrences.
A Christian told me: if you were saved you cant lose your salvation. you're sealed with the Holy Ghost
I replied: Can I refuse? Because I find the entire concept of vicarious blood sacrifice atonement to be morally abhorrent, the concept of holding flawed creatures permanently accountable for social misbehaviors and thought crimes to be morally abhorrent, and the concept of calling something "free" when it comes with the strings of subjugation and obedience perhaps the most morally abhorrent of all... and that's without even going into the history of justifying genocide, slavery, rape, misogyny, religious intolerance, and suppression of free speech which has been attributed by your own scriptures to your deity. I want a refund. I would burn happily rather than serve the monster you profess to love.
I replied: Can I refuse? Because I find the entire concept of vicarious blood sacrifice atonement to be morally abhorrent, the concept of holding flawed creatures permanently accountable for social misbehaviors and thought crimes to be morally abhorrent, and the concept of calling something "free" when it comes with the strings of subjugation and obedience perhaps the most morally abhorrent of all... and that's without even going into the history of justifying genocide, slavery, rape, misogyny, religious intolerance, and suppression of free speech which has been attributed by your own scriptures to your deity. I want a refund. I would burn happily rather than serve the monster you profess to love.
