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RE: Atheists, Do You Hope You are Right?
October 14, 2015 at 5:18 pm
Nah, I hope that I'm wrong. I love being wrong! Doesn't everyone just love being wrong about everything all of the time? Who would want to be right about something? /sarcasm
So... what's the point of this question exactly? I see two possibilities:
1. Do you hope that atheism is false and that your favorite god actually exists? (and presumably a pleasant afterlife as well)
2. Do you hope that atheism is true and you don't get sodomized by demonic pitchforks for eternity after you die? (implied Pascal's wager)
John Adams Wrote:The Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.
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RE: Atheists, Do You Hope You are Right?
October 14, 2015 at 5:20 pm
(October 14, 2015 at 5:08 pm)houseofcantor Wrote: What are we supposed to hope we're right about, again?
...about what david did 1 Samuel 20-22 (the story), Psalms 52 (david's contemplation)
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RE: Atheists, Do You Hope You are Right?
October 14, 2015 at 5:22 pm
You know, when I was a Christian it was pretty much this fluffy, bubble-gum version. Just about the only thing to it was: When you die, you hang out with your family in optimal conditions, and Noah saved animals. I guess the only way I'd hope I was wrong is if this version was right and that was all there was to it.
I can't remember where this verse is from, I think it got removed from canon:
"I don't hang around with mostly men because I'm gay. It's because men are better than women. Better trained, better equipped...better. Just better! I'm not gay."
For context, this is the previous verse:
"Hi Jesus" -robvalue
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RE: Atheists, Do You Hope You are Right?
October 14, 2015 at 5:24 pm
I feel like the question is being avoided as indicated in the OP.
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RE: Atheists, Do You Hope You are Right?
October 14, 2015 at 5:24 pm
(October 14, 2015 at 5:20 pm)Hmmm? Wrote: (October 14, 2015 at 5:08 pm)houseofcantor Wrote: What are we supposed to hope we're right about, again?
...about what david did 1 Samuel 20-22 (the story), Psalms 52 (david's contemplation)
Why don't I believe you? 
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RE: Atheists, Do You Hope You are Right?
October 14, 2015 at 5:28 pm
(This post was last modified: October 14, 2015 at 5:29 pm by Iroscato.)
Couldn't give a shit. My life is real, and incredible, that's all I need to be satisfied.
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RE: Atheists, Do You Hope You are Right?
October 14, 2015 at 5:29 pm
I hope I'm right about everything I believe, but don't have definitive proof for. Do you honestly hope that you're right about a god that's so inept that most of his creation has gone down the crapper, and the only thing he can do about it is eventually cut his losses and take what little went well for him?
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RE: Atheists, Do You Hope You are Right?
October 14, 2015 at 5:31 pm
I don't need to hope I'm right, it would be totally futile.
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RE: Atheists, Do You Hope You are Right?
October 14, 2015 at 5:36 pm
(October 14, 2015 at 4:30 pm)ChadWooters Wrote: On another thread, I posed this question to those who call themselves atheists: “Do you hope you are right?*” There were a couple of interesting responses, which I want to share and properly attribute as follows:
(October 13, 2015 at 10:36 pm)Kitan Wrote: I know that I am right. (October 13, 2015 at 10:43 pm)Beccs Wrote: Pascal, is that you? (October 13, 2015 at 10:46 pm)Simon Moon Wrote: Right about what? That theists have not been able to meet their burden of proof? On that point, I am right. (October 13, 2015 at 10:53 pm)Cthulhu Dreaming Wrote: The question doesn't exactly keep me awake at night. (October 14, 2015 at 2:42 am)Losty Wrote: I personally don't care if I'm right. (October 14, 2015 at 11:13 am)houseofcantor Wrote: The advantage of evidence based reasoning, no hope necessary. 
I think it is fair to summarize the responses as 1) I know I’m right, 2) I don’t care, 3) no reason to think I’m wrong, 4 ) not if it’s your god, and 5) which god am I supposedly wrong about anyway?
“I know I’m right.” – Maybe the rest of you could explain to those who say they know they are right that you cannot prove a negative, atheism is just the lack of belief, etc. etc.
”I don’t care.” – For the truly agnostic atheist I suppose this is a legitimate response, but it sounds disingenuous coming from people who discuss and dismiss religious claims. At the very least, former believers reject the doctrines of their previous faith. That rejection shows that they care just a little.
”I have no reason to think I’m wrong?” – Sure. This person says he is willing to believe in god if presented with sufficient evidence or satisfactory proofs. But this reply doesn’t really answer the question. If you are open to the possibility that you are wrong, then do you hope that you are?
”I hope so if it’s your god.” & ”Which god am I supposed to be wrong about?” - These kinds of replies skirt the challenge. The question intentionally does not specify any particular god concept. The former reply is really just a dig at whatever god the posting member wants to mock. The later is a dodge. Pick what you consider to be the least objectionable god.
*I cannot take credit for the question. I heard it while listening to Dennis Prager on the radio and I found it thought provoking and worthy of presenting on AF. Do I hope I am Right? Not exactly, I just hope that a Bigoted God doesn't exist and don't see much reason to believe in God if a Bigoted God doesn't exist. If a Bigoted God does exist, I do think I would want to believe in such a thing, as that would translate to me being a Bigot over time(Real life example) and I wouldn't want to be in heaven while others are burning forever.
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RE: Atheists, Do You Hope You are Right?
October 14, 2015 at 5:36 pm
(October 14, 2015 at 5:24 pm)ChadWooters Wrote: I feel like the question is being avoided as indicated in the OP.
I feel like you cut the most relevant portion of my reply from your OP, TBH.
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