Hello, Thor. Thanks for your post. I appreciate you sharing your opinions about atheism with us. However, I happen to see things differently than you do.
On this very site, there are plenty of secular members who value moral responsibility and engage in critical thought on a regular basis. Honestly, IMO, there are a number of intelligent thread topics created by secular and non-secular members on this forum that challenge members to engage in all sorts of imaginative, creative, and intelligent thought.
IMO, so they can critically examine and gain a better understanding of exactly what it is that they are disagreeing with, rather than blindly disagreeing with it. Hence, such an approach promotes inquiry, curiosity, critical thought, and an examination/questioning of one’s own starting points, which IMO, is far from escapism.
Also, based on my experience in this community, there are plenty of members here who would not say that they are ‘so sure’ that a god-like being doesn’t exist: based on my understanding, for some people, their atheism reflects the fact that they have not been presented with acceptable, plausible, and convincing evidence for the existence of such a being.
Regardless of whether there is or is not a god, wouldn't we still face the challenge of finding a meaningful answer to this question, especially in regards to our own personal conscience? Also, how do you know that no other animals have a conscience?
From my vantage point, I do not view the world as meaningless or empty: I enjoy the challenge of creating my own meaning and purpose, which allows me to make a difference and to peacefully coexist with others in my own way. I also find great value and meaning in extending this same right to others.
I respect the fact that God’s existence is clear to you, but not all people share your way of thinking. Perhaps diversity of thought is what makes humanity unique and is what enables us to learn and grow as a species?
Are you basing this off of your personal experience (and/or others' experiences) and using this experience to make broad generalizations onto an entire group of people? Using this sight as evidence, I’ve found that there are plenty of secular members who are very interested in questions of morality and act in a manner that would suggest that morals are very important to them. Doing a thread search should pop up numerous threads related to questions about morality that have plenty of interested secular members participating in them.
Thanks for your time and attention.
ThortheMighty Wrote:I often wonder if atheism is a form of escapism, an escape from moral responsibility or even critical thought.
On this very site, there are plenty of secular members who value moral responsibility and engage in critical thought on a regular basis. Honestly, IMO, there are a number of intelligent thread topics created by secular and non-secular members on this forum that challenge members to engage in all sorts of imaginative, creative, and intelligent thought.
ThortheMighty Wrote:Why would people who were so sure God did not exist spend so much time thinking and talking about God.
IMO, so they can critically examine and gain a better understanding of exactly what it is that they are disagreeing with, rather than blindly disagreeing with it. Hence, such an approach promotes inquiry, curiosity, critical thought, and an examination/questioning of one’s own starting points, which IMO, is far from escapism.
Also, based on my experience in this community, there are plenty of members here who would not say that they are ‘so sure’ that a god-like being doesn’t exist: based on my understanding, for some people, their atheism reflects the fact that they have not been presented with acceptable, plausible, and convincing evidence for the existence of such a being.
ThortheMighty Wrote:If there is no God, why do we have a conscience, something none of the other animals have?
Regardless of whether there is or is not a god, wouldn't we still face the challenge of finding a meaningful answer to this question, especially in regards to our own personal conscience? Also, how do you know that no other animals have a conscience?
ThortheMighty Wrote:If the world is so meaningless and empty, why does man search for meaning?
From my vantage point, I do not view the world as meaningless or empty: I enjoy the challenge of creating my own meaning and purpose, which allows me to make a difference and to peacefully coexist with others in my own way. I also find great value and meaning in extending this same right to others.
ThortheMighty Wrote:Its so clear God exists and atheists just refuse to acknowledge and worship Him.
I respect the fact that God’s existence is clear to you, but not all people share your way of thinking. Perhaps diversity of thought is what makes humanity unique and is what enables us to learn and grow as a species?
ThortheMighty Wrote:I know atheists. They are deadened souls with no morals. They keep telling me you don't need to be a Christian to be moral, but unlike the committed Christians I know, the atheists/agnostics are barely interested in questions of what is moral or not, and act as if morals do not matter
Are you basing this off of your personal experience (and/or others' experiences) and using this experience to make broad generalizations onto an entire group of people? Using this sight as evidence, I’ve found that there are plenty of secular members who are very interested in questions of morality and act in a manner that would suggest that morals are very important to them. Doing a thread search should pop up numerous threads related to questions about morality that have plenty of interested secular members participating in them.
Thanks for your time and attention.
