Ah, the sweet, refreshing smell of Atheism in the morning

[kentonio]

Yet another religion thread populated by atheists. Eaten up with it, aren't you? It's almost like a gay still in the closet, the way you people dwell on it. Denial is all.
Just keep thinking that.

Please tell me you posted that without reading the thread title.

[Kidlicious]

Issat the same Paul who encourages his followers to think of women as "sacks of ****" ?

If so, Paul can suck my nuts.

You are very misinformed.

[Kidlicious]

Thought and reason defeating superstition.

I think you mean lies and misinformation being cheered on by like minded people.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Not necessarily. In my experience it often means either "I've conflated navel-gazing with mysticism" or "I like the idea of God, but not the effort of wrestling with tough questions and/or taking on religious duties."

That's about right. Most "spiritual but not religious" folk tend to believe in God or life-force or whatever, but don't adhere to any one religion's view - it allows them to paint God in their own image .

[Wezil]

Please tell me you posted that without reading the thread title.

A copycat thread and an inadvertant Sloww troll.

Win/Win.

[Wezil]

That's about right. Most "spiritual but not religious" folk tend to believe in God or life-force or whatever, but don't adhere to any one religion's view - it allows them to paint God in their own image .

That's what I did. My god thinks I'm awesome.

[Elok]

I call it omphalotheism: the worship of one's belly-button.

[Guynemer]

To be fair, my belly button is sexy as hell.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Maybe your wife should write about it

Fifty Shades of Lint?

[lightblue]

I am still surprised that people with the slightest modicum of education (i.e. having been exposed to the scientific method and logic) can believe in the fairy tales that make up the various religions. I guess it shows how strong indoctrination is from an early age...

[MrFun]

Not necessarily. In my experience it often means either "I've conflated navel-gazing with mysticism" or "I like the idea of God, but not the effort of wrestling with tough questions and/or taking on religious duties."

Then you have not had much experience with spiritual people. Many spiritual people are interested in dealing with tough questions about morality and life.

[Dauphin]

I am still surprised that people with the slightest modicum of education (i.e. having been exposed to the scientific method and logic) can believe in the fairy tales that make up the various religions. I guess it shows how strong indoctrination is from an early age...

I'm not. You can call it indoctrination, but people don't want to accept that what they used to know as true is no longer true. It leaves you uncomfortable and vulnerable. Far better for the psyche to delude yourself that what you knew is still true. Perhaps similar to the five stages of grief, some people don't get passed denial.

[MrFun]

You don't have to stop the rituals, just come to the realization that they are not the source of eternal life.

[lightblue]

That does form part of my other issue.. Many religious people assume that because there is no moral framework for those that do not believe, that the result of increased secularism would lead to a downfall of civilisation. The ability to live closely with other people has been selected for through natural selection and all but a few people would instinctively "do the right thing".

Of course certain atheist autocracies (Stalin, Pol Pot etc.) have committed atrocities, but to tar all people who do not believe in a creator/saviour/etc. with the same brush is similar to saying that all muslims are terrorists or all Christians radical crusaders that yearn for return of the Inquisition.

[lightblue]

I'm not. You can call it indoctrination, but people don't want to accept that what they used to know as true is no longer true. It leaves you uncomfortable and vulnerable. Far better for the psyche to delude yourself that what you knew is still true. Perhaps similar to the five stages of grief, some people don't get passed denial.

True, that's kind of what I was aiming at. Once you apply any form of thought that does not require leaps of faith it is too easy to punch holes in any religions. Of course it is easier to ignore the glaring holes and go with the faith aspect. I can appreciate that religions provide people with comfort and security; I just find it difficult to reconcile that educated people still go along with the ride.