Daystar- all I was scoffing at was your implication that atheism/atheists has/have in any way been more strident in their efforts to convert than other religions. For example, I just got back from a play at a local church (which was lovely, excellent music etc) where there was a little mini sermon at the end. Preaching to the converted? Not really- it was a community play. They were trying to draw more people in. And the pastor's speech played on peoples' weaknesses- he was encouraging people who may feel as if they were failing at something to come in and learn about forgiveness etc.
Thinking about it, I actually realize you're right. For me, every mind which does not spend time (in church, or whenever) praising and praying to an imaginary god for which there is no proof, every mind which is not satisfied at the "god did it" answer, is a mind "liberated." These people are free to question life- how we got here, how they can be happy, how they can make others happy. They can realize that to get through a tough situation there is no need for them to rely on an all-powerful being for support, they can use their own personal strength and their family and friends as support. Since I feel that god is just not necessary to explain our lives, every person who I can cause to think outside their own comfortable beliefs is a small victory for me. I don't care if they suddenly renounce their religion or whatever, it's really not important. All I care about is people thinking for themselves, not being told what to think. For example, I was having dinner with some friends the other day, and the topic of creation/evolution came up, and one of my friends just flat out said "I don't believe in evolution because it's a load of shit." Now, when i questioned her, she didn't know the first thing about evolution or its workings- she had been fed, by her pastor (I found out) the idea that "evolution is the idea that we are here because of random mutation" which is obviously impossible. But what she said next made me very frustrated: "I don't care what you say, you're never going to change my mind." It is exactly this type of attitude which disgusts me, and when someone like CoxRox comes along and is willing to listen to what other people have to say, it is actually like a breath of fresh air. Especially so since she has been religious all her life.
I also appreciate people like yourself who are willing to debate the points, although you may be somewhat resistant to anything you disagree with.
Thinking about it, I actually realize you're right. For me, every mind which does not spend time (in church, or whenever) praising and praying to an imaginary god for which there is no proof, every mind which is not satisfied at the "god did it" answer, is a mind "liberated." These people are free to question life- how we got here, how they can be happy, how they can make others happy. They can realize that to get through a tough situation there is no need for them to rely on an all-powerful being for support, they can use their own personal strength and their family and friends as support. Since I feel that god is just not necessary to explain our lives, every person who I can cause to think outside their own comfortable beliefs is a small victory for me. I don't care if they suddenly renounce their religion or whatever, it's really not important. All I care about is people thinking for themselves, not being told what to think. For example, I was having dinner with some friends the other day, and the topic of creation/evolution came up, and one of my friends just flat out said "I don't believe in evolution because it's a load of shit." Now, when i questioned her, she didn't know the first thing about evolution or its workings- she had been fed, by her pastor (I found out) the idea that "evolution is the idea that we are here because of random mutation" which is obviously impossible. But what she said next made me very frustrated: "I don't care what you say, you're never going to change my mind." It is exactly this type of attitude which disgusts me, and when someone like CoxRox comes along and is willing to listen to what other people have to say, it is actually like a breath of fresh air. Especially so since she has been religious all her life.
I also appreciate people like yourself who are willing to debate the points, although you may be somewhat resistant to anything you disagree with.
