Beginner's Guide to Atheism.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I have said that it sould be an adjunct site to this forum and only staff would get to update the "inventory" there. The items would be proposed in threads like this one, but the usual suspects wouldn't be able to trash the information site.

I applaud the idea. But I suspect that the usual cast of characters will cry "echo chamber", though if it is only listed as a resource and not a discussion area, it would be OK. I've seen sites that debunk Catholicism, for instance, that don't allow discussion at all, but only present the historical facts. Cue apologists...

Maybe if we gave "Blessings" to the interlopers?

I've said that right along.

[drfuzzy]

...where people like me (relatively new atheist) come to find such support. 

Wow. You're a relatively new atheist? I couldn't tell. You are a firebrand! Glad to have you on our side.

Aw thanks Vulcan.      I came from Pentecostal Fundamentalism.  So . . . I have done a lot of reading and thinking about bible stories.  After that first conscious realization of "this is all ridiculous!" - I had to study.  I had to either confirm or tear down the house of cards. (It burned.) I have read a lot.  And I must confess, after living with the insular, xenophobic, uncaring, egotistical behaviors of "the blessed saved and sanctified", (and after they cast me out) I tend to snarl when I encounter these behaviors.

I'm still learning about logic and debate and science and philosophy.  So yes, I still call myself "new".

[vulcanlogician]

Aw thanks Vulcan.      I came from Pentecostal Fundamentalism.  So . . . I have done a lot of reading and thinking about bible stories.  After that first conscious realization of "this is all ridiculous!" - I had to study.  I had to either confirm or tear down the house of cards. (It burned.) I have read a lot.  And I must confess, after living with the insular, xenophobic, uncaring, egotistical behaviors of "the blessed saved and sanctified", (and after they cast me out) I tend to snarl when I encounter these behaviors.

I'm still learning about logic and debate and science and philosophy.  So yes, I still call myself "new".

Whatever expertise you may lack in logic and debate, you more than make up for in your ability to call bullshit. 

I, for one, find myself falling into the game of apologetics when debating with Christians. The Christian puts up a wall, and I try my best to find a weakness in that wall. You just bust through that shit like the kool-aid man! 

It's refreshing to see someone call religion out for the ignorant shit that it really is. I've had plenty of experience with pentecostals. You see them with clear eyes. Further proficiency with logic and argument will only make you more deadly. 

[Huggy Bear]

I thought atheism was simply not having beliefs in any god, if that's the case then why would one need a guide? Do you need a guide for your non- belief in Bigfoot? Do you feel the need to come out about various other non-beliefs? There's a lot of atheist hand wringing when it comes to God though, interesting.

---

"There almost certainly wasn't a god" isn't a claim.

And I think we can all agree that non existent beings can't speak.

That most definantly is a claim, you're stating something with a degree of certainty, where's the evidence to back it up?

What ever happened to 'I don't know' being the default position as atheists claim?

[drfuzzy]

"There almost certainly wasn't a god" isn't a claim.

And I think we can all agree that non existent beings can't speak.

That most definantly is a claim, you're stating something with a degree of certainty, where's the evidence to back it up?

What ever happened to 'I don't know' being the default position as atheists claim?

Well, I can't speak for Valkyrie.  But for myself - I find that if I say "I don't know" some theists see it as an invitation to POUNCE - it seems like any admission of uncertainty means that they can convince the atheist otherwise.  Am I CERTAIN that there is no deity of any sort?  No, I just think that the lack of acceptable evidence, plus the history of religion, leads me to hold the position that a deity does not exist.  Or if one does, it has no relevance to my day-to-day existence.  And, if the deity does exist in the form described by many religions, it is not worth my time.  All of these explanations are not required when you simply say "gods do not exist".

Not only that, but if a person claims that a deity exists, the burden of proof is upon them.  This is something that most theists upend the moment their assertion is questioned.  "I don't have to prove it exists, YOU have to prove it doesn't exist!"  Which, of course, is - as they know - impossible.  You cannot prove that a purple space dragon isn't watching the earth.

[The Valkyrie]

I like the idea of a FAQ.

No, we don't secretly worship Satan.
No, we don't believe in all other gods but you.
No, we don't eat babies every day.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Anybody asks me if I believe in a god or gods I ask them to prove they exist. The burden of proof is not on me.

[Succubus]

That most definantly is a claim, you're stating something with a degree of certainty, where's the evidence to back it up?

What ever happened to 'I don't know' being the default position as atheists claim?

First define 'God' and I'll get back to you.

[The Grand Nudger]

I just tell em no and to stop being silly.

[Fireball]

I like the idea of a FAQ.

No, we don't secretly worship Satan.
No, we don't believe in all other gods but you.
No, we don't eat babies every day.

Bolding mine. What is wrong with you?!