Can atheists convert theists?

[In This Mind]

It's not correct that belief in a god= a religion. Godhead is correct. Because you completely forget about deism for example. And of course you get religions without gods in them too. Like Buddhism, etc..

EvF

Deism is still a belief in deities.

Buddhism however, is a philosophy which in practice greatly resemble a religion and meets other criteria for being a religion.

You can be religious without believing in a deity or deities. You cannot believe in a deity or deities without being religious.

[Paul the Human]

I agree with everyone except Godhead and EvF on this one. Being 'religious' does not have to mean that you belong to a specific 'Organized Religion'. Belief in a deity is a religious belief. Period. Godhead's 'religion' is known as Panentheism. It is a religion. Deism is a religion, as well.

Buddhism has been legally declared a religion, whether it includes a deity or not. That is not the point. The point is... if you have a personal belief in a deity... that is a personal religious belief, whether you like to think of it as one or not.

This is yet another example of Godhead thinking that if he wants something to be true and claims to believe it... it becomes true. It's like listening to a child insist that there is a monster under his bed no matter how many times he is shown that there is not.

[Godhead]

Paul -

This started when I said that I think the number of people who believe in god (whether religious (organised belief) or not) is increasing. I do think it is. I also wouldn't be surprised if the number of people who leave religion yet continue to believe in god is increasing. It doesn't actually mean anything in terms of atheism or theism being correct, however, so none of us have a reason to have any stake in whether what I said is correct or not. It doesn't matter, it's just numbers. I may be wrong, but I don't particularly mind either way. Incidentally, the reason why I believe that the number of people who believe in god is increasing, is because I believe that within a few years, the world as we know it is going to radically alter, and that many people are waking up to this, but that's another subject altogether.

[Scented Nectar]

Buddhists still have a belief in the supernatural, and it's a faith-based belief. The idea of reincarnating, and also the idea that what one becomes next is somehow based on how one has lived their life, shows some sort of judgement being made. By what or who? I think of they might be sort of like those pan-whatever religions.

If a theist is willing to set aside 'trusting-others'-based and 'I-wanna-believe'-based beliefs, and look at only logic/evidence-based information, they will de-convert themselves. The unfounded beliefs will shed off like the fur of a hairy dog in the summer.

Hey Knight!!!

[Paul the Human]

Paul -

This started when I said that I think the number of people who believe in god (whether religious (organised belief) or not) is increasing. I do think it is. I also wouldn't be surprised if the number of people who leave religion yet continue to believe in god is increasing. It doesn't actually mean anything in terms of atheism or theism being correct, however, so none of us have a reason to have any stake in whether what I said is correct or not. It doesn't matter, it's just numbers. I may be wrong, but I don't particularly mind either way. Incidentally, the reason why I believe that the number of people who believe in god is increasing, is because I believe that within a few years, the world as we know it is going to radically alter, and that many people are waking up to this, but that's another subject altogether.

Haha! That is not a response to my post in any fucking way whatsoever. You were arguing with people as to whether or not your beliefs qualify as 'religious beliefs'. My post explained that, yes they are religious beliefs, as they contain a deity. A 'religion' doesn't always require belief in a deity, but belief in a deity is always 'religion'.

And now I am repeating myself because you can't maintain a coherent discussion.

[Godhead]

Paul -

I wasn't addressing your post, besides, I disagree with what you're saying about religion.

[Paul the Human]

I wasn't addressing your post, besides, I disagree with what you're saying about religion.

Exactly. You were not addressing my post. And I know you disagree with what I'm saying about religion. Tis why I'm saying it. Duh! You can disagree with me that grass is green... that doesn't make you right.

[Knight]

If a theist is willing to set aside 'trusting-others'-based and 'I-wanna-believe'-based beliefs, and look at only logic/evidence-based information, they will de-convert themselves. The unfounded beliefs will shed off like the fur of a hairy dog in the summer.

Hey Knight!!!

Hey Scented Nectar/Flowerpot!!! CVA is dead and I'm not sure what to post on the Sneer at the moment, so I'm just jumping right in again here. Your simile just reminded me of what the Defenders of the Catholic Faith told me soon after I left Christianity, "Lie down with dogs, rise up with fleas." I suppose that would make us all shedding dogs covered in fleas. That's a cheerful thought! I'd wag a tail if I had one.

A 'religion' doesn't always require belief in a deity, but belief in a deity is always 'religion'.

You are exactly right. The definition of "religion" is here:
Religion

Main Entry: re·li·gion
Pronunciation: \ri-ˈli-jən\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English religioun, from Anglo-French religiun, Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back — more at rely
Date: 13th century

1 a : the state of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of religion> b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness
4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

The second, third, and fourth definitions include belief systems that may or may not worship a God (or Gods, Goddesses, etc.).

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Paul -

I wasn't addressing your post, besides, I disagree with what you're saying about religion.

If you were not addressing his post, why did you explicitly say his name? Isn't it a bit rude to just ignore someone's posts and then continue to make points without addressing what has already been brought up?

[Godhead]

Knight -

It's already been established that there's a difference between religion and a nonreligious personal belief system which involves god.

[Minimalist]

Your simile just reminded me of what the Defenders of the Catholic Faith told me soon after I left Christianity, "Lie down with dogs, rise up with fleas."

Hey Knight...remember the altar boys' motto: Lie down with priests, rise up with a stretched asshole.