(May 12, 2017 at 1:18 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote:I can accept legitimate criticism. But you yourself just admitted this wasn't legitimate criticism.(May 12, 2017 at 12:41 pm)Aroura Wrote: What does "take full advantage of living as an unbeliever" even mean?
Put it into context, Aroura. Firstly, it was theoretical as I was trying to see things through Neo's perspective. Also, I've said multiple times, that I think most atheists aren't atheist by choice. Most don't believe because they genuinely don't think it's true, and that's it. That's what I think, and I've made that clear on multiple occasions. I do think there probably are some people out there who don't believe simply because they don't really wanna be bothered with the guilt or responsibility or whatever that comes with it, and my theoretical scenario was in reference to them, if anything. Maybe they would otherwise feel guilty about doing things like sleeping around, using recreational drugs, partying heavily, etc etc, but feel no guilt so long as there isn't a higher power telling them not to. Again, I think people like that don't represent the majority of unbelievers, but I'm saying there could theoretically be people like that, and I can see why Neo would be concerned about pushing people like that further into it. If you are not like that, which I doubt you are, then don't be offended... it didn't apply to you.
I'm sorry but you've written totally condensing posts, speaking as though theists are stupid and childish, and saying you're disgusted by people who teach faith to their kids (which is my mom and dad and hopefully me one day if I'm lucky enough to have a child).... yet get so offended so quickly at things we write. You're allowed to have those opinions. I just think it's inconsistent that you can dish it but not take any yourself.
Whoever you were directing that comment about "take full advantage of living as an unbeliever" at, was not clear in the original post it was in. Not that I agree with your clarification that some people don't believe so they can avoid guilt either, but I thank you for accepting that at least most people aren't like that.
I've said repeatedly I do NOT think theists are stupid, and that I think it is harmful to call them that. However you are right that I have stated I think it's childish. I include myself as an adult in that assessment, as I think I was behaving childishly when I was a believer. I do not think thiests are stupid. Period.
I am disgusted that people teach children to accept things on faith alone, because it leads to all sorts of disastrous thinking about other things. If it was just accepting God, I'd be fine, but it also lets in things like denying Global Climate Change, which will literally kill billions of people. Am I not to be disgusted by something that will kill people?
Let me clarify again. I'm not upset by the belief in God in and of itself, I'm horrified at how it creates people who are unable to accept facts if those facts butts against the god belief, and how that chain reacts into the destruction of other life on this planet, and the denial of that destruction.
Yeah. Call me a big meany. Living through the Largest Extinction Event Since the Cretaceous, all the while religiously affiliated people deny it, or are unconcerned about it can cause that. When everyone has their head in the sand while destruction is not only eminent but happening right around you is frustrating, to say the least.
“Eternity is a terrible thought. I mean, where's it going to end?”
― Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
― Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead