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If You Were An Atheist
#31
RE: If You Were An Atheist
(August 14, 2015 at 11:31 am)pool Wrote: I wonder why Christianity is still on your take seriously list. Smile
That's your shortcoming. Most people have been theists of some sort. That doesn't mean you need to be. But, if you can't understand why others are, you have a serious deficiency in your understanding of the human condition.
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#32
RE: If You Were An Atheist
@Neim: I generally conclude that I'm doing well when another atheist comes in with memes. Thanks.  Smile
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#33
RE: If You Were An Atheist
(August 14, 2015 at 12:06 pm)alpha male Wrote: @Neim: I generally conclude that I'm doing well when another atheist comes in with memes. Thanks.  Smile

You are free to conclude whatever you like if it makes you feel better. His comeback was funny. I'm a sucker for funny c:
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#34
RE: If You Were An Atheist
(August 14, 2015 at 12:05 pm)alpha male Wrote:
(August 14, 2015 at 11:31 am)pool Wrote: I wonder why Christianity is still on your take seriously list. Smile
That's your shortcoming. Most people have been theists of some sort. That doesn't mean you need to be. But, if you can't understand why others are, you have a serious deficiency in your understanding of the human condition.

I mean,you can hold on to your beliefs as long as they seem to benefit you.
Just make sure it does no harm to you or to anyone around you. Smile
Have a Good day.
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#35
RE: If You Were An Atheist
(August 14, 2015 at 11:21 am)Nope Wrote:
(August 14, 2015 at 10:39 am)lkingpinl Wrote: I don't think this is a simple question, but maybe I could rephrase it.

1.  If it were proven beyond all doubt that there is no God(s) of any religion and naturalism is the answer, how would your life change?

I think I would slip in to depression.  Life would have little meaning, there would be no hope for anything outside of this world.  But its difficult to say what would happen in all honesty.  No one can truly answer these types of questions accurately until put in that situation.

I am sorry that you would slip into a depression.  Sad One of the reasons that I don't try to deconvert people is that I don't know how loss of faith would influence their emotional state. Some people need a religion and god.

Do you wonder why atheists aren't all depressed?

I seriously doubt he would be depressed for long.  He would find that his life was pretty nearly the same as before in most respects.  The birds and trees are all still there, his family and friends are all still there, and etc.  His concept of the universe would simply have a few less things in it, and likely lose "magic," but that is a good thing rather than a bad thing.

Everyone I know in real life who is a former theist was unhappy at first, but eventually became more happy than when they were believers.  Obviously, I cannot say that my experience with people must be representative of people generally, but from discussing things online with others, it certainly seems like it is.

And, for what it is worth, when I was a believer, I probably would have answered the question more or less as lkingpinl did.  But I am now much, much happier than I ever was as a believer.  I think the same is likely to be the case with him.

In other words, I totally believe he is being honest.  But I believe he is mistaken.

I have posted about my experience before:



"A wise man ... proportions his belief to the evidence."
— David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Section X, Part I.
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#36
RE: If You Were An Atheist
(August 13, 2015 at 2:02 am)Shuffle Wrote: I know. I just like seeing them squirm.

... especially when they're cute, and stacked.

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#37
RE: If You Were An Atheist
(August 14, 2015 at 6:07 am)alpha male Wrote: I'd give less to charity and be less forgiving.

So you're only a decent person due to your superstition?

By all means, please keep believing. The world has enough shitbags as it is.

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#38
RE: If You Were An Atheist
(August 14, 2015 at 9:21 am)robvalue Wrote: Me too.

If I was an atheist I'd probably be one of those really smug ones who insists on seeing evidence of a car before buying it.

The nerve!

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#39
RE: If You Were An Atheist
(August 14, 2015 at 10:39 am)lkingpinl Wrote: Life would have little meaning, there would be no hope for anything outside of this world.  

Two questions, and a comment:

1) Why do you think life would lose meaning?

2) Why is "hope for anything outside of this world" -- I'm assuming you're talking about an afterlife --why is that a bad thing? Do you remember how things were for you before you were born?

3) We each supply meaning to our own lives. You do, I do, we each do, except for those folk who hold that life cannot have meaning. You have chosen to find your meaning in life through your faith. That's cool, whatever gets you through the night, it's all good. But don't think for a moment that is not a choice you've made. You have chosen to make your faith the meaning and self-definition of your life. It is not inherently the case.

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#40
RE: If You Were An Atheist
(August 14, 2015 at 6:07 am)alpha male Wrote:
(August 13, 2015 at 1:19 am)Shuffle Wrote: This is the seventh thread in which I ask theists very simple questions that deserve very simple answers. The last one was History Repeats Itself.

The question I propose to you is:
  1. If you were an atheist tomorrow, how would you change the rest of your life? Personality, morals, etc.
I only decided to put one question this time, so it should be pretty easy to answer.

Thanks!
OK, if you insist on a simple answer: I wouldn't read the Bible, pray, or post on this site. I'd give less to charity and be less forgiving.

I can easily understand why you would not read the Bible or pray.  But why would you be less forgiving?  Do you think you would improve your life by being less forgiving?

"A wise man ... proportions his belief to the evidence."
— David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Section X, Part I.
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