A few questions for fellow atheists

[Arrian]

I only have 1 uber-religious relatively, and I don't see her often, so that's not so bad. She amuses me more than anything else, really.

The last time I went to church for anything other than a wedding/funeral was Christmas two years ago. I was visiting my brother & his family in Ohio, and I kinda got dragged along. I felt distinctly uncomfortable during that service for some odd reason. I suppose it was because I was actually listening & paying attention. Should've zoned out.

The last two weddings I've been to were full-blow Catholic ones that took 1hr+ each... ugh. I just tried to be non-offensive. I stood when people stood. I tried to be quiet and for the most part succeeded.

The vast majority of my friends are agnostics like me. One, though, periodically asks me if I believe in God. To which I can usually get away with a maybe but doubt it response. He hasn't bugged me in a while, though. He may have given up finally.

Anyway, I don't pick arguments with religious people. No point. Besides, most people get comfort from their faith. My lack of it doesn't have to be thrown at them, any more than their beliefs need to be tossed at me.

Ranting lunatic creationist uberconservatives with political agendas, on the other hand... BRING IT!

-Arrian

[Sava]

I Arrian (even though you hate me)

[Arrian]

I don't hate you Sava. I vehemently disagree with both your opinions and methods of stating them, most of the time.

-Arrian

[Sava]

The way I present my opinions is quite different in real life. For some reason, these forums just bring out the best in me

BUT I'M GETTING BETTER!

Some people have said that I'm definitely not as obnoxious as I have been in the past. But I've got a ways to go.

[Urban Ranger]

Nah, it's good to be obnoxious - when the need arises

[Frogman]

I was an atheist but it didn't work for me. There aren't a whole lot of answers there to some of the basic questions of life. What got me off of being atheist was my an examination of evolution and the realization that it was less substantiated than God.

I know most people here think only idiots believe in God, but I find the whole evolution explanation even more difficult to believe. I think you have to be an idiot to believe that species just change after years of stablity to another perfectly stable species by some process of mutation or natural selection. How exactly to the number of chromosomes get changed? Species differentiation is ok, but how do wings and eyes get formed by that process?

When you look at the fossil record, its just not what Darwin predicted. In the end, atheists don't have all the answers either.

[curtsibling]

Religion in any form is not a part of my life.

If people wish to declare holidays, etc, for some illogical religious reason...
Well, I won't go to work just to spite them.

I'll take advantage...

PS
I think a man killing another man over some invisible god someone invented, is the most illogical, most moronic thing ever.

[BustaMike]

Jethro Tull is good.

[Sava]

Frogman, you talk about atheism as if it were an organized religion that preaches evolution and such. Atheism and evolution are different things. One can be an atheist and not believe in evolution. One can be religious and believe in evolution.

And last time I checked, evolution was a theory... and it didn't explain how species changed. Just that over time, life forms changed to suit the environment and the strongest survived.

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by Sava
And last time I checked, evolution was a theory... and it didn't explain how species changed. Just that over time, life forms changed to suit the environment and the strongest survived.

Life forms make up a species, and so if they change the species necessarily changes. What's the problem?

[Kramerman]

I was an atheist but it didn't work for me. There aren't a whole lot of answers there to some of the basic questions of life.

Yes there are. Its in a science book. We are currently working on the harder questions (ie, If the universe started from a singular point in a Big Bang, where did the differences in densities come from that allowed the eventual formation of stars, galaxies, super clusters, etc)

[devilmunchkin]

just realized something..the only thing i'm ever vocal about is my desire to see the fundies not comprise most of our government.

[Frogman]

Sava,

You are right in saying that evolution doesn't explain a lot. While atheists aren't required to believe in evolution, if its not God and not evolution whats the other choice?

For most people, their fundamental view of the world is shaped in either religion or science. As atheists don't have a religion, that leaves science. I'm not aware of science offering much beyond evolution theory to explain how we got here, so for most atheists, evolution does shape their view of the world and how we as humans interact with it.

If you claim religion and hold to the theory of evolution, I would argue that your faith is built on a shakey foundation, but that would be another thread. No doubt that many religious people believe a hybrid where evolution is guided by God, its not so easy to define or defend.

On the other hand, if you don't believe the evolution theory, what are you left with? For me, it only left God, but I'm open minded to other explanations. Don't bring in the aliens though. They don't help explain that much.

from Big Crunch
Life forms make up a species, and so if they change the species necessarily changes. What's the problem?

Species don't change that much, and they don't change that easily. I suppose everything is easy to believe if you don't think about it too much. I can't believe you think things are so well understood that there are no problems.

[BustaMike]

if its not God and not evolution whats the other choice?

Frogman, why do you need to explain how we got here? It doesn't matter what the choices are if you don't care about the question. Religion attempts to answer the question. Atheism doesn't care about how we got here (at least that's my take on it).

[Kramerman]

Originally posted by MRT144
unitarians are sandal wearing yuppies that want to be hippies.

funny... this is always how i had pictured you...