Opinions on my drive to be an atheist

[Won2blv]

For some reason I can't see the video. When Matt says "something along the lines of" that quote, can someone please tell me what he actually says? I'd like to compare it to the paraphrase.

Matt leads into this part of the talk by acknowledging that it is typically a multitude of considerations that lead to someone declaring their atheism; he does however leave room for epiphenomenal moments where people will weigh more strongly one consideration over others. The next part is what's being quote mined; namely, that atheists are often challenged by believers in that we only choose not to believe in God so that we aren't burdened with the constraints imposed by the Christian notion of sin.

Matt's argument is that the Christian notion of sin is so contrary to human nature that it can stand alone as justification for rejecting the God claim. This is also the part that the OP either intentionally ignores (if quote mining) or is incapable of understanding (if obtuse). The OP is attempting to pass off Matt's repetition of a common believer retort in order to set up an argument as a declaration that atheists don't believe in God simply to do whatever the fuck we want without moral consequence.

I believe that the only person being obtuse here is you. My whole point on starting this thread is that the biggest driving factor why I want to give up my beliefs is because I want to sin. Those sins happen to be getting divorced without adultery being involved. And then yes, probably commit "fornication." Matt's lead up was how most atheist can't nail down why they became atheist but he said that "sinning" was probably the biggest factor why. I am not saying that I want to go on a rape and murder rampage. I just want to give up on my marriage. I have been married for 7 years and I just don't see it working out longterm. And I feel that me and my wife are young enough to recover. I never made a declaration that atheist give up god to simply do whatever the fuck they want. That has been the straw man argument that you and other have made

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The opinion expressed in the OP comes across as extremely juvenille. I am having a very difficult time believing the poster is married with children with such superficial outlook on the matter.

Here is another example of your assumptions gone wild, I never mentioned having kids. And I don't have any

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Isn't the meaning of the word consequence simply the result of an action? So yeah, my brother suffered the bad consequences for not following CERTAIN JW principles. Am I implying that this is the proof that they're the true religion? No, not at all. I do believe there are probably some JW's that live double lives but I also think that the religion is attractive to certain kinds of personalities. So most witnesses in my opinion are probably earnest. My brother has issues that go beyond god and religion. I have never even implied that our religion was a talisman for his protection. I am only simply saying that you can nail down some of his biggest mistakes and say, if he had followed his scriptural principles then they could have been avoided. You say that in your experience witnesses aren't equipped for life? What can you base that on? That is about as broad as me saying that my experience with atheist is that they go crazy after smoking too much weed. My brother is one tiny sampling size

If you continue to say that following his JW principles would have averted disaster, you are -indeed- claiming that they are a talisman (regardless of their truth value, not talking about any proof of religion here bud).  It's important to understand that you don't actually -know- whether or not he suffered consequences because he didn't follow those principles...regardless of what they are.  If all you're referring to is something like the principle of "don't do drugs, mmkay" then you are saying "if my brother had not done drugs he would not have done drugs" - but that's a complete "no shit" statement having absolutely nothing to do with "JW principles".  

I'm only trying to show you that your doubt (as this applies to you..remember where we began, eh), or your worry..like so many doubts and worries...is irrational.  Following JW principles does not, so far as I'm aware, lead to any concrete, repeatable, or demonstrable results.  If you're worried about that cosmic "I told you so" moment (particularly with regards to your marriage)...which is what you've expressed - then it's an irrational thing to worry about....so stop worrying about it.  Worry first about your own state of mind, and your wifes......because honestly...if god or the Kingdom Hall are the "I told you so" types...then they are fucking useless, and they aren't going to help you resolve your issue any more than this irrational fear/worry/doubt that you've been expressing.

If my dad was advised to buy apple stock when it came out he could be rich today. If your mom told you to practice abstinence until you're married to avoid an unwanted pregnancy you would probably avoid an unwanted pregnancy. If a school counselor told you to never try meth because it would damage your health it could save your health. So my point is not that any of those advisors are seers or god directed. My point is that they're advice is based off some kind of knowledge and/or experience. And you have to deal with the consequences of listening or not. IMO, it may be a conservative lifestyle but following those JW principles could ensure that you avoid unwanted consequences. Will people ignore them that do profess to follow them? Yes, of course but it is their actions and their consequences they have to deal with. Maybe its the broken clock fallacy, I don't really care, the point I'm trying to make is that some of the principles are true and beneficial. It would take an extremely obtuse person to say there is no possible way that any bible principles are beneficial. Which I don't believe is your position? Even if it was, my position is not that being a JW is a protection but rather its the conservative lifestyle