Theism is literally childish

[John V]

As apposed to your crappy existence do you mean?

I have a very good existence - good job, wife and kids, great sex life.

Having to endlessly tickle Gods balls for him.

What, going to church once a week, where I see friends anyway?

[Aegon]

I got to say I'm cringing/laughing at everybody describing their personal lives trying to prove themselves to a complete stranger.

[John V]

It's not so much that theists don't feel so responsible for their actions in that they are giving up responsibility for their actions to someone else.

They are partially outsourcing their decision making process by deliberately going to a service every Sunday to be preached to. And it's not just an hour or so of praise about how wonderful their god is, but preaching about what people should value (e.g. family values), about how to live their lives, about what people should hate (e.g. homosexuality, pornography, masturbation etc)

All people partially outsource their decision making process by seeking advice.

Again, if atheists are all figuring out these gray issues for themselves, why do they seem to mostly have the same beliefs on any given issue?

Yes, there are some atheists here who are against abortion. Similarly, their are some Christian churches that accept openly LGBT members.

What's the difference? Why is it acceptable to partially outsource to atheist youtube videos, but not to a church?

[Jackie]

So, you're trying to somehow turn actual mental illness

And other things like bad relationships and divorce, alcohol and drug abuse, porn and masturbation instead of real relationships, etc.

Also, I don't subscribe to the notion that mental illness is always random. I've suffered from depression, and it was likely caused by poor life choices I made.

into a tu quoque towards people who are insulting towards your religion?

Into a counter example to someone who says that religion stunts mental growth.

I suffer from depression too so?

Do you assign your malady to the Satan Muslims claim screwing with your neurons causing your depression? No? GREAT, neither do I. 

I don't see any cosmic battle between a super hero vs a super villain causing my depression. I simply see that as a natural event due to genes and environmental input.

I also don't assign my depression to Lex Luther or Darth Vader either. But please don't sit there and try to claim only theists know what it is like to go through hard things.

[John V]

I got to say I'm cringing/laughing at everybody describing their personal lives trying to prove themselves to a complete stranger.

What would you think about someone engaging in voyeurism on such discussion?

[Jackie]

It's not so much that theists don't feel so responsible for their actions in that they are giving up responsibility for their actions to someone else.

They are partially outsourcing their decision making process by deliberately going to a service every Sunday to be preached to. And it's not just an hour or so of praise about how wonderful their god is, but preaching about what people should value (e.g. family values), about how to live their lives, about what people should hate (e.g. homosexuality, pornography, masturbation etc)

All people partially outsource their decision making process by seeking advice.

Again, if atheists are all figuring out these gray issues for themselves, why do they seem to mostly have the same beliefs on any given issue?

Yes, there are some atheists here who are against abortion. Similarly, their are some Christian churches that accept openly LGBT members.

What's the difference? Why is it acceptable to partially outsource to atheist youtube videos, but not to a church?

Nobody here is claiming all atheists agree 100% of the time. We most certainly are just as diverse in our opinions as theists, I don't think any atheist here is denying that.

But what does that have to do with god claims or old mythology?

There are atheists who are against abortion? Yea and? 

There are also atheists who worship firearms on par of right wing theists too.

There are atheists who think Che who lead to Castro's Cuba was a good thing.

There are atheists who like Ayn Rand like Catholic Paul Ryan does. 

So?

I don't agree with anyone who holds those positions, regardless if they believe or not. 

Bringing this up like you did in this post is not an argument for your position. Yea we don't always agree so? That only proves we don't always agree, that is not a an argument for your club or God.

[John V]

And other things like bad relationships and divorce, alcohol and drug abuse, porn and masturbation instead of real relationships, etc.

Also, I don't subscribe to the notion that mental illness is always random. I've suffered from depression, and it was likely caused by poor life choices I made.


Into a counter example to someone who says that religion stunts mental growth.

I suffer from depression too so?

Do you assign your malady to the Satan Muslims claim screwing with your neurons causing your depression? No? GREAT, neither do I. 

I don't see any cosmic battle between a super hero vs a super villain causing my depression. I simply see that as a natural event due to genes and environmental input.

I also don't assign my depression to Lex Luther or Darth Vader either. But please don't sit there and try to claim only theists know what it is like to go through hard things.

Did you even read the post? It answered your question. When I did things generally considered to be sinful, I ended up depressed. When I changed from those behaviors, the depression cleared up. When I see myself slipping into certain behaviors, I can now see depression returning, and I change the behavior.

I agree that mental illness is a result of genes and environmental input. I'm simply noting that my own choices play a big role in my environment. That should be common sense. 

While there are instances of mental illness which are purely or mostly due to genetics or environmental effects completely outside one's control, personal choices frequently play a significant role.

Consider OP - she says that when an adult converts to religion (i.e. a change in environment resulting from a personal choice), their mental faculties decline. And she says they deserve contempt for making that choice.

That gets kudos. When I hold up a mirror, I'm the bad guy.

[RoadRunner79]

[John V]

Nobody here is claiming all atheists agree 100% of the time. We most certainly are just as diverse in our opinions as theists, I don't think any atheist here is denying that.

The point isn't the degree of diversity, which is low. The point is the high degree of agreement among atheists. It suggests that they're getting their moral judgments in part from shared outside sources, just as OP accuses theists of doing. They just go to different sources.

[Whateverist]

Nobody here is claiming all atheists agree 100% of the time. We most certainly are just as diverse in our opinions as theists, I don't think any atheist here is denying that.

The point isn't the degree of diversity, which is low. The point is the high degree of agreement among atheists. It suggests that they're getting their moral judgments in part from shared outside sources, just as OP accuses theists of doing. They just go to different sources.

Especially if you ask the right question, like: believe in any gods?

Nope.

No.

Not me.  

Me neither.

No, thanks.

Not a one.

What's a god?

Beats me, nope.