Atheism and the meaning of life - what drives you?

[Neo-Scholastic]

I can accept the first part, but you must know that you are not speaking for all Christians on this.  There are plenty who believe to know what that plan is.

Very true. There are lots of silly things Christians believe that are uniquely Christian. And if this were the Middle Ages I'm pretty sure I'd have been burned at the stake.

[The Grand Nudger]

Well, there was a time in my life when I deconverted and felt a great deal of relief, like a burden had been lifted. From what I read on AF it's not a universal experience for new atheists but common enough...especially those of us, like me, that grew up in intellectually toxic church communities.

I suspect that it’s particularly those of you who grew up in toxic religions.

[Spongebob]

I like that word combination, intellectually toxic.  It's very accurate and a specific reason why I had to get out of church.  I understand they aren't all the same, but that was the original issue for me.

[slartibartfast]

All the time.

Yeah no. It's atheists who act like their group is some kind of secret club. Christians have always been infinitely more open and inviting.

Unlike Christianity, Atheism isn't a club. You certainly don't need to take lessons from certified instructors (priests), go through initiation rituals (Christening) or pay membership fees (tithes) - nor stick to an instruction manual or show up for regular attendance at club meetings. All you need to join Atheism is to bring a brain and be prepared to think critically, rather than follow instructions mindlessly and a great deal of courage to put up with the constant moral judgement by others.

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I can accept the first part, but you must know that you are not speaking for all Christians on this.  There are plenty who believe to know what that plan is.

Very true. There are lots of silly things Christians believe that are uniquely Christian. And if this were the Middle Ages I'm pretty sure I'd have been burned at the stake.

In the middle ages all you needed to be burned at the stake is believe in the accepted flavour of Christianity and then have a change of King / Queen who changes the rules on you.

[Rahn127]

"Christians have always been open and inviting "

ROFL

At the point of a sword, maybe. There are many places in the world where you can be killed if you don't accept the open invitation from christans to believe as they believe.

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

"Christians have always been open and inviting "

ROFL

At the point of a sword, maybe. There are many places in the world where you can be killed if you don't accept the open invitation from christans to believe as they believe.

Open and inviting. Really.

My mother and father were married in a catholic church in 1946. My father was catholic, my mother was not. 

To be married in the church my mother was obliged to take instruction and to promise that any children would be brought up Catholic.

The ceremony was conducted in the vestry, the little side room where the priest dresses. My mother was not good enough to be married in front of the altar. My father was such a fucking brainwashed sheep that he tolerated the insult which was offered to both of them.

When I was about 12, at my Catholic school: The class teacher made the mistake of saying 'mixed marriage' were inferior to those where both people were catholics. He was drowned in a sea of objections. Over half of the boys in the class came from 'mixed marriages'

From the fourth century until the seventeenth century the Catholic church murdered dissidents. At some point in the middle ages they began burning them alive.  Both Catholics and Protestants.

 Oh, I forgot to mention the treatment of women by the Christian churches to this day. Open and inviting my arse.

[snowtracks]

Without the resurrection+, life doesn't have any meaning. Atheists are content with death having the final say. However, everyone is resurrected, adjust to it. 


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+  What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. 1 Cor 15:32

[Astreja]

Without the resurrection+, life doesn't have any meaning. Atheists are content with death having the final say. However, everyone is resurrected, adjust to it. 

How can eternal life add meaning?  You never get to "the point of it all."

I don't see meaning as an innate quality of simply being alive, either.  I see it as something that is unique to every individual, informed by one's life experiences, and 100% subjective.  Definitely not "one size fits all."

[Fake Messiah]

Without the resurrection+, life doesn't have any meaning.

Someone lied to you.

[no one]

A RWD powerful V8.