Is it fair to say?

[purplepurpose]

...lying to ourselves regarding having doubts. That's my guess.

Well I have no doubts. I know what happens when we die. Our brains turn off and our bodies rot.

It not 100%. I think, at most its 99.99%.

[Simon Moon]

Is it fair to say, that many nonbelievers are simply afraid of Gods idea, preached by peaceful religions? The popular motto "serve or burn", which you can see around the world is indeed depressing.

There may be some small percentage of people that identify as atheists, that may consider that part of the reason for their atheism, but I don't believe it is anything other than a small minority.

The vast majority of atheists are so, because there has never been sufficient, demonstrable and falsifiable evidence, and reasoned argument presented to support the claim that a god exists.

That is my reason. The god under discussion could be the most peaceful, loving, just god devisable, but unless the case for its existence does not meet that above mentioned criteria, I will still not believe.

[Catholic_Lady]

Is it fair to say, that many nonbelievers are simply afraid of Gods idea, preached by peaceful religions? The popular motto "serve or burn", which you can see around the world is indeed depressing.

There may be some small percentage of people that identify as atheists, that may consider that part of the reason for their atheism, but I don't believe it is anything other than a small minority.

The vast majority of atheists are so, because there has never been sufficient, demonstrable and falsifiable evidence, and reasoned argument presented to support the claim that a god exists.

That is my reason. The god under discussion could be the most peaceful, loving, just god devisable, but unless the case for its existence does not meet that above mentioned criteria, I will still not believe.

Disagree. I think all atheists think this way. Especially you. You are afraid of the wrath of God but you don't want to admit it. You simply just don't want to be a good person, so you tell yourself you don't believe in God so you can go out and do whatever you want and not feel bad. Deep in the inside of your heart, you know The Truth.

[downbeatplumb]

abusurd I no more fear the concept of god then I do the concept of invisible man eating gym socks

IS THAT WHERE THEY GO!!!

I thought it was gnomes.

[mlmooney89]

Well I have no doubts. I know what happens when we die. Our brains turn off and our bodies rot.

It not 100%. I think, at most its 99.99%.

Excuse me, you don't get to have a say in what I believe. You can't read my mind. I am telling you that I have absolutely no doubt. I did when I first became an atheist but that was left over guilt for leaving what I had been raised to believe. You can tell me you think I'm wrong in my beliefs all you want but you step over the line by telling me what I believe.

[Simon Moon]

There may be some small percentage of people that identify as atheists, that may consider that part of the reason for their atheism, but I don't believe it is anything other than a small minority.

The vast majority of atheists are so, because there has never been sufficient, demonstrable and falsifiable evidence, and reasoned argument presented to support the claim that a god exists.

That is my reason. The god under discussion could be the most peaceful, loving, just god devisable, but unless the case for its existence does not meet that above mentioned criteria, I will still not believe.

Disagree. I think all atheists think this way. Especially you. You are afraid of the wrath of God but you don't want to admit it. You simply just don't want to be a good person, so you tell yourself you don't believe in God so you can go out and do whatever you want and not feel bad. Deep in the inside of your heart, you know The Truth.

Please tell me you are being facetious. You are doing an impression of an arrogant theist, right?

I don't see any winking smilies, so I guess I have to make the horrible conclusion that you are being serious.

I think all atheists think this way. Especially you. You are afraid of the wrath of God but you don't want to admit it.

What about atheists that are raised in Hindu cultures, to Hindu parents? Are they afraid of the wrath if Hindu gods?

Why would I be afraid of something I do not believe exists?

You simply just don't want to be a good person, so you tell yourself you don't believe in God so you can go out and do whatever you want and not feel bad.

Actually, I do want to be a good person, and I am.

And I do do whatever I want. Just so happens that all the things I want to do are ethically good.

Deep in the inside of your heart, you know The Truth.

First of all, the heart is nothing more than a muscle for pumping blood. No feelings take place in the heart.

And now you are a psychic? You are able to tell what I think and believe?

I thought Christians are supposed to be humble?

[mlmooney89]

Knowing CL no she wasn't being serious. I have never seen her write something like that and mean it.

[Cyberman]

I'm sure she was being facetious - or in her case, faecetious - but it is important to address the points being parodied.

[Catholic_Lady]

Disagree. I think all atheists think this way. Especially you. You are afraid of the wrath of God but you don't want to admit it. You simply just don't want to be a good person, so you tell yourself you don't believe in God so you can go out and do whatever you want and not feel bad. Deep in the inside of your heart, you know The Truth.

Please tell me you are being facetious.   You are doing an impression of an arrogant theist, right?

I don't see any winking smilies, so I guess I have to make the horrible conclusion that you are being serious.

I think all atheists think this way. Especially you. You are afraid of the wrath of God but you don't want to admit it.

What about atheists that are raised in Hindu cultures, to Hindu parents? Are they afraid of the wrath if Hindu gods?

Why would I be afraid of something I do not believe exists?

You simply just don't want to be a good person, so you tell yourself you don't believe in God so you can go out and do whatever you want and not feel bad.

Actually, I do want to be a good person, and I am.

And I do do whatever I want. Just so happens that all the things I want to do are ethically good.

Deep in the inside of your heart, you know The Truth.

First of all, the heart is nothing more than a muscle for pumping blood. No feelings take place in the heart.

And now you are a psychic? You are able to tell what I think and believe?

I thought Christians are supposed to be humble?

Repent, brother! For the end is near. Look inside yourself for The Truth that is hidden beneath and deeply yearns to rear its face. Lest the fires of Hell be upon your soul for all eternity.

[Simon Moon]

Knowing CL no she wasn't being serious. I have never seen her write something like that and mean it.

I'm sure she was being facetious - or in her case, faecetious - but it is important to address the points being parodied.

I kind of figured that must be the case with CL. But the lack of any 'smilies' to show sarcasm, I was left not knowing, so I responded to the post as I read it.

Also, going from personal experience with theistic friends and relatives, I've seen theists going from moderate positions to extreme ones in short periods of time. So, a possible change in CL's views do have precedent.