I'll post my "conversion" story a little later, when I'm good and drunk.
But...reading the forum guidlines (yes, I'm THE guy that actually read them), I noticed there are different types of atheists. I've only recently embraced the label, so I'm not up to speed.
Here's my view in a nutshell:
I believe that science rules, based on the assumption that what is observable, and/or quantifiable is real. However, I find the assumption that what is not observable is not only real, but the magic behind the curtain, to be insulting to the advancement of our species.
I don't debate believers; I don't tell them they are wrong. Part of it is because I am a public school teacher in Texas, and "if word got out"...you know the rest. The main reason though, is I don't feel any compelling reason to explain to my dog how to make home made habanero-lime shrimp. The dog doesn't understand...they are focused on one thing. I don't feel the need to tell believers why they are wrong, because my belief-set exists with, or without anyone elses' approval. Believers, on the other hand, require others to "buy in"...or the religion goes away. Watching debates between Christians and atheists is very entertaining...but I cannot figure out WHY an atheist would spend his/her time trying to point out the obvious to someone, or a group, that is completely unreceptive. Who cares what they believe?
I find the idea of a diety laughable for a number of reasons. For one, it's counterintuitive to believe there is a magical space wizard that:
A. has "His" eye on us all, at all times...
B. is so thin skinned, if you refuse him, he "cast ye into a lake of fire for eternity"...
C. embodies (Christianity, for example) one of the youngest religions, and it's novel was written as a series of short stories by bronze age goat herders...
D. has never presented itself in any quantifiable manner...
Second...isn't it obvious, when browsing the hostory of religion...that it is simply a manifestation of our specie's lack of knowledge within a particular area? Gods have always been invented to explain that which science has yet to.
Lastly, religion, in my view, serves as a host for fears. I'm afraid to die...so I'll pick that option over there, that says I'll ive forever outside my body. I'm sick as hell...doctors are freaking out...maybe there's a divine hand that will step in, so I'll pray. Dear Aunt Sally died...how can I glaze over the mourning process and make it "easier"...those kinds of things.
As I stated in my forum-intro...I hope there really is a [G]od. I'm a science-nerd, and I love being proven wrong. I'm also supremely confident that I will not be proven wrong...because I cannot be.
There it is...I think that's about it. Feel free to ask me anything. Now that I've identified "where I belong"...I'd like to know what niche I serve.
But...reading the forum guidlines (yes, I'm THE guy that actually read them), I noticed there are different types of atheists. I've only recently embraced the label, so I'm not up to speed.
Here's my view in a nutshell:
I believe that science rules, based on the assumption that what is observable, and/or quantifiable is real. However, I find the assumption that what is not observable is not only real, but the magic behind the curtain, to be insulting to the advancement of our species.
I don't debate believers; I don't tell them they are wrong. Part of it is because I am a public school teacher in Texas, and "if word got out"...you know the rest. The main reason though, is I don't feel any compelling reason to explain to my dog how to make home made habanero-lime shrimp. The dog doesn't understand...they are focused on one thing. I don't feel the need to tell believers why they are wrong, because my belief-set exists with, or without anyone elses' approval. Believers, on the other hand, require others to "buy in"...or the religion goes away. Watching debates between Christians and atheists is very entertaining...but I cannot figure out WHY an atheist would spend his/her time trying to point out the obvious to someone, or a group, that is completely unreceptive. Who cares what they believe?
I find the idea of a diety laughable for a number of reasons. For one, it's counterintuitive to believe there is a magical space wizard that:
A. has "His" eye on us all, at all times...
B. is so thin skinned, if you refuse him, he "cast ye into a lake of fire for eternity"...
C. embodies (Christianity, for example) one of the youngest religions, and it's novel was written as a series of short stories by bronze age goat herders...
D. has never presented itself in any quantifiable manner...
Second...isn't it obvious, when browsing the hostory of religion...that it is simply a manifestation of our specie's lack of knowledge within a particular area? Gods have always been invented to explain that which science has yet to.
Lastly, religion, in my view, serves as a host for fears. I'm afraid to die...so I'll pick that option over there, that says I'll ive forever outside my body. I'm sick as hell...doctors are freaking out...maybe there's a divine hand that will step in, so I'll pray. Dear Aunt Sally died...how can I glaze over the mourning process and make it "easier"...those kinds of things.
As I stated in my forum-intro...I hope there really is a [G]od. I'm a science-nerd, and I love being proven wrong. I'm also supremely confident that I will not be proven wrong...because I cannot be.
There it is...I think that's about it. Feel free to ask me anything. Now that I've identified "where I belong"...I'd like to know what niche I serve.
Let your anger be as a monkey in a piñata; hiding with the candy, hoping the children do not break through with a stick.
