Products of Chance

[TaraJo]

I think you are lying. I don't think you've actually heard an atheist say that. You might've heard Christians say that atheists say that, but not atheists themselves. All my time here, I've never heard this proposition form atheists, only Christians.

Hmm, good call on hearing "Christians say Atheists say."

However...

I have had discussions with some of my atheist friends and they've articulated this position...BUT...I grant that they are not the best representation of atheism.

Well, when I asked for a source, that wasn't exactly my intent, even if it is a valid point. I was trying to figure out the context behind the message of your hypothetical atheist because it's not hard for someone to misinterpret a message and it's easy to spread your misinterpretation if nobody calls you on it; go look up the thread on 'holy flatulence' if you want an example.

Sort of like when people say all religions teach essentially the same thing. That statement just shows that they haven't actually studied very much into the different religions. (contrast Buddism an Islam)

No, but there are general similarities from one to the next, at least as far as mainstream religions go. If a religion causes its adherents to believe in something that's significantly detrimental to their culture, that religion will die out. Look at the Heaven's Gate cult or the Shakers for examples. It's kinda interesting how survival of the fittest and natural selection are taking place even within social institutions like religion, business and general culture.