Atheists . . .

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UsugimiBilly

UsugimiBilly

Banned
#81
Jul 27, 2011
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#81
HerrGeschichte said:
So much happened last nite! I feel bad now for sleeping through it all! I want to understand faith, but I can't be a believer. It may sound like an oxymoron, but that is one of my goals in life
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I want to know why people have faith as well. For many christians I believe that it's because they were taughts these beliefs throughout their whole childhood that it's hard for them to analyze why they have faith. Maybe some Christians don't want to accept the idea that no matter what we do in life the result is the same. Maybe they believe to cope with life as it's easier to believe that there's someone always looking out for you. It varies with different people but I believe the first reason is the most important one.
 
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TheGrungeDiva

Guest
#82
#82
message75 said:
I remember when my life was away from God and everything seemed to be so crooked. There was somthing that went wrong, EVERY SINGLE DAY. Do you find that this happens in your life? I just wondered.
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Faith in God doesn't mean you're free from trouble. I have a devout faith, and things still go wrong, probably every day. The difference for me is that I don't have to go through that trouble alone.

As for atheism, I've found generally two "sub-sets" within it. Some believe that there are no god or gods, and others don't believe in any god or gods. It may sound pedantic, but there is a real difference in how these two types of atheists deal with their lack of faith. With the first, it is an act of faith in and of itself to reject God. With the second, it isn't an act but a lack of acting on faith. It seems to me like both of our resident atheists are the second kind, though I certainly don't know either one of them well enough to say for sure.

The first kind of atheist I call "fundie atheists," which bugs them, but they tend to behave in similar fashion to fundies of other religions, including Christianity. They tend to be very closed-minded, and they think less of those who do believe, considering them superstitious and silly. Often, they do try to convince others that non-belief is correct.

Not sure if this makes sense to either the atheists or the believers here.
 
Dude653

Dude653

Senior Member
#83
Mar 19, 2011
12,349
1,044
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#83
UsugimiBilly said:
I got banned from asking Still_Waters(an administrator) a question about why other atheists were being banned. I think they were banned because Still_Waters started a thread or two insulting atheists and they tried to defend themselves which resulted in a conflict. Why would an administrator start a thread knowing that it would result in a conflict? None of them should have been banned.

So yeah, if your an atheist,active in posting, and you express your opinions in a appropriate manner you'll still probably be banned eventually.
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This is a Christian websight. If you want people to share your views, perhaps you should go find an athiest websight. Would I to to a vegetarian websight and wonder why nobody wants to talk about grilling steaks?
 
UsugimiBilly

UsugimiBilly

Banned
#84
Jul 27, 2011
167
1
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#84
Dude653 said:
This is a Christian websight. If you want people to share your views, perhaps you should go find an athiest websight. Would I to to a vegetarian websight and wonder why nobody wants to talk about grilling steaks?
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I never said I wanted people to share my views. I just wanted the freedom to express them. Plus I love this site even though people get banned for stupid things here.
 
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TheGrungeDiva

Guest
#85
#85
Actually, the banning and kicking of people for stupid reasons here is WAY better (i.e. less arbitrary) than on some Christian sites. I was a "regular" on another Christian Chat site -- I won't mention the name to protect the guilty -- but I got banned, even though I am a devout Christian, because my ideas did not match the site owner's ideas. I tend to be a little more figurative in my interpretation of Scripture than literal, but he (and others on the site) believe in a literal interpretation of Scripture. I even said I would not talk about my beliefs on the site, but that wasn't good enough. Just HAVING those beliefs got me banned.

So don't complain. The fact that atheists are allowed on here at all (which I think is a good thing) is amazing.

If any Christian can't handle hearing about alternative beliefs, or lack thereof, then their faith isn't very strong to begin with. I am solid enough in my faith that talking to an atheist is not going to shake me at all.

On Christ, the SOLID ROCK I stand. Don't know what those other people are standing on, but I suspect sinking sand.
 
UsugimiBilly

UsugimiBilly

Banned
#86
Jul 27, 2011
167
1
0
#86
TheGrungeDiva said:
Actually, the banning and kicking of people for stupid reasons here is WAY better (i.e. less arbitrary) than on some Christian sites. I was a "regular" on another Christian Chat site -- I won't mention the name to protect the guilty -- but I got banned, even though I am a devout Christian, because my ideas did not match the site owner's ideas. I tend to be a little more figurative in my interpretation of Scripture than literal, but he (and others on the site) believe in a literal interpretation of Scripture. I even said I would not talk about my beliefs on the site, but that wasn't good enough. Just HAVING those beliefs got me banned.

So don't complain. The fact that atheists are allowed on here at all (which I think is a good thing) is amazing.

If any Christian can't handle hearing about alternative beliefs, or lack thereof, then their faith isn't very strong to begin with. I am solid enough in my faith that talking to an atheist is not going to shake me at all.

On Christ, the SOLID ROCK I stand. Don't know what those other people are standing on, but I suspect sinking sand.
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Nevertheless.......
 
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TheGrungeDiva

Guest
#87
#87
UsugimiBilly said:
Nevertheless.......
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It may help if you consider this site sort of like a church. While very few Christians would say an atheist is not welcome to attend their church, take part in Bible studies and other activities, there are obviously rules. (And any Christian, by the way, who doesn't want an atheist to come to church doesn't understand what it means to be Christian.)

For example, if you went to a Christian Bible study, you would have to assume that the people you're with love and respect Scripture. If you start arguing that the Bible is not worth reading, you'll be asked to leave, with good reason, right? If you're in the middle of a worship service, and you start debating with the preacher, no matter how polite you are, you're going to be shown the door. This should not surprise you.

I do not know the exact circumstances of your "ban" from Stilly. It obviously wasn't a permanent ban, because those are linked to your IP address, and unless you are using a different computer and server than you did before, the ban was lifted so you could be here again. It is possible your ban was unwarranted, but keep in mind that it is also possible you were saying something that really shouldn't be said within the context of a Christian site.

I personally welcome debate with non-believers. I think it's an opportunity for both of us to grow. I do see a lot of unbelievers, however, who have a kind of "poor persecuted me" attitude, and I don't like it on an atheist any more than I like it on a Christian.
 
UsugimiBilly

UsugimiBilly

Banned
#88
Jul 27, 2011
167
1
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#88
TheGrungeDiva said:
It may help if you consider this site sort of like a church. While very few Christians would say an atheist is not welcome to attend their church, take part in Bible studies and other activities, there are obviously rules. (And any Christian, by the way, who doesn't want an atheist to come to church doesn't understand what it means to be Christian.)

For example, if you went to a Christian Bible study, you would have to assume that the people you're with love and respect Scripture. If you start arguing that the Bible is not worth reading, you'll be asked to leave, with good reason, right? If you're in the middle of a worship service, and you start debating with the preacher, no matter how polite you are, you're going to be shown the door. This should not surprise you.

I do not know the exact circumstances of your "ban" from Stilly. It obviously wasn't a permanent ban, because those are linked to your IP address, and unless you are using a different computer and server than you did before, the ban was lifted so you could be here again. It is possible your ban was unwarranted, but keep in mind that it is also possible you were saying something that really shouldn't be said within the context of a Christian site.

I personally welcome debate with non-believers. I think it's an opportunity for both of us to grow. I do see a lot of unbelievers, however, who have a kind of "poor persecuted me" attitude, and I don't like it on an atheist any more than I like it on a Christian.
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Okay. (grrrr 10 character limit)
 
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Crazy4GODword

Guest
#89
#89
Fallen Alex you haven't directly answered my post. :)
 
UsugimiBilly

UsugimiBilly

Banned
#90
Jul 27, 2011
167
1
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#90
Crazy4GODword said:
Fallen Alex you haven't directly answered my post. :)
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I don't want to believe and I don't want faith but I would like to learn why others have faith. Evidence...Evidence...Evidence...got a taste of evidence

P.S. My name is not fallen alex. You can call me UsugimiBilly, Nao Kawakita, or Nawo.
 
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Crazy4GODword

Guest
#91
#91
UsugimiBilly said:
Okay. (grrrr 10 character limit)
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UsugimiBilly said:
I don't want to believe and I don't want faith but I would like to learn why others have faith. Evidence...Evidence...Evidence...got a taste of evidence

P.S. My name is not fallen alex. You can call me UsugimiBilly, Nao Kawakita, or Nawo.
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Ok, I started learning more about faith while being Christian. And I wasn't always a Christian so I did not grow up in a religious family were I was forced. I use to believe different religions in tell I came to Christianity. Faith is the essential trust and respect in Christ. You will not find any in buddhism nor Muslims. In fact if you look up the start of those religion you might find out dark secrets about them.

I believe atheist are like Greeks and Jews. Because back then in order the Greeks would believe is by looking for wisdom and the Jews, a sign from God. Jesus actually wants us to first believe and then signs and wisdom and all that other stuff comes next. It's a switch.

Look at Jesus in the bible. The Jews didn't want to believe He was the Christ because they expected the Christ to be born maybe rich or in a royal family....and look He was born in a manger. And they might have thought He would wear good cloths and live nicely, but He was homeless and taught. Signs isn't faith.
 
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Crazy4GODword

Guest
#92
#92
For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, (1 Corinthians 1:22,23 NASB)
 
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Crazy4GODword

Guest
#93
#93
Crazy4GODword said:
For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, (1 Corinthians 1:22,23 NASB)
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That's the verse :)
 
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HerrGeschichte

Guest
#94
#94
Crazy4GODword said:
That's the verse :)
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Ok, starting to understand. Obviously, I have a long way to go, but if it's this easy, then it should be a breeze. However, while you were reading that, you were obviously thinking, " What is this guy saying? Its going to be easy!?! Its anything but easy!?!" And while it may be hard, I feel that the difficulty of something is all on how determined you are to like or hate it.
 
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TheGrungeDiva

Guest
#95
#95
Why do I believe? That's a good question. I have no idea why I believe, I just do. I was raised Christian (Lutheran, specifically), and my faith has been challenged, changed through the years since I was baptized 42.5 years ago, but for the most part, I have always just "known" that Jesus is there for me.

Some people will say you will believe if you just read the Bible. That's not true, because I know a lot of atheists who have read the Bible and still don't believe.

I don't believe in God because of something written in a book. I believe in God because of something he wrote on my heart. I can't explain it, I can't quantify it, I can't prove it, nor do I want or need to.

Like Kira said on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. That's the thing about faith. If you have it, no proof is necessary. If you don't, no proof is sufficient.
 
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Crazy4GODword

Guest
#96
#96
HerrGeschichte said:
Ok, starting to understand. Obviously, I have a long way to go, but if it's this easy, then it should be a breeze. However, while you were reading that, you were obviously thinking, " What is this guy saying? Its going to be easy!?! Its anything but easy!?!" And while it may be hard, I feel that the difficulty of something is all on how determined you are to like or hate it.
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Hey, Jesus can reveal God almighty to you. You may not care but faith is given from above, we choose whether we want it or not. Do you believe in such a God can create the universe?
 
Cycel

Cycel

Banned
#97
Aug 25, 2013
2,260
10
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#97
message75 said:
I always want to know why people call themselves athiests, what their definition of an athiest is, and do they practice atheism? Can I answer a question with a question? I don't prefer it when people do so, but I thought that I would try.
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To answer your three questions (even though they are not addressed to me):

i) The reason I call myself an atheist is straight forward: I don't believe in the existence of God, though I once did, many years ago.

ii) My definition of an atheist is straight forward also. It's any person who thinks gods, of any description, do not exist.

iii) Do I practice atheism? I wouldn't know what that means. Atheism is simply the belief that God does not exist. There are no dogmas attached to it and no belief structure. I don't believe in the existence of fairies either, and probably neither do you, but my life is not affected by my a-fairie-ism, apart from the fact perhaps that I don't put out food for fairies or do whatever it is that people who believe in fairies do. I don't go to church and I don't pray, but aside from that my life is probably not much different from most Christians.

I hope my response was helpful.
 
T_Laurich

T_Laurich

Senior Member
#98
Mar 24, 2013
3,356
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#98
And once again a thread is raised from the dead... How do you guys find these posts???
 
Cycel

Cycel

Banned
#99
Aug 25, 2013
2,260
10
0
#99
T_Laurich said:
And once again a thread is raised from the dead... How do you guys find these posts???
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Being new here I couldn't locate a thread I'd contributed to and so I did a search. This one popped up and I thought I would respond. I didn't realize till this moment that the last previous post in this thread was July 2011. All I noticed when I made the post was the month and so naturally I though it was from last month. Ah well. :)
 
T_Laurich

T_Laurich

Senior Member
#100
Mar 24, 2013
3,356
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#100
I was just laughing because it happens nearly daily on CC... ;)
 
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