Atheist Acceptability on the Rise in America

[rocks 494]

my question to him would be....so where does it all come from? if God doesn't give us meaning....what has?

as human beings we have a deep desire for answers. this man does not give me any answers. Jesus does give me answers and thats why I follow him over this man.

Maybe that is why you're religious and I'm not. I don't need God or Jesus to validate my existence. To me, life is about being a good person and pursuing happiness.

[Elora & Rob 15]

Religion vs Atheism is quite similar to Prosecutor vs Defense. It is not the job of the defense to prove that their client is innocent but instead to disprove the claims of the prosecutor. This is where science tends to get involved in both scenarios.

It is true that religion with it true uncorrupted intention gives people a reason to overcome obstacles and be grateful for what the have.

Jesus gives you answers? What did you ask? What was the reply? Did you like the answers? Did you question said answers?

Question: What's the difference between a person who really did hear from God/Jesus and acted accordingly and someone who hears voices, followed their instructions and claimed that God/Jesus told them to do it? How do you suggest we treat both individuals?

what makes religion the prosecutor and what make atheism the defence?

i beleive the science and religion can coincide. one of the priests at my church is a scientist he has a chemistry degree from cambridge university.

people who claim to have spoken to jesus are crazy. i do not claim to have spoken to jesus/god etc.

i claim to that god, jesus, the virgin mary have helped me understand certain situations and help me to find the answers. prayer is meditation. its a form of positive thought.

[Elora & Rob 15]

Maybe that is why you're religious and I'm not. I don't need God or Jesus to validate my existence. To me, life is about being a good person and pursuing happiness.

and its the same for me. what gives me the most happiness is my faith. the belief that i will have eternal life.

if god doesn't validate your existence what does? if you had no questions why have you done so much research into atheism?

[rocks 494]

and its the same for me. what gives me the most happiness is my faith. the belief that i will have eternal life.

if god doesn't validate your existence what does? if you had no questions why have you done so much research into atheism?

As I just said, I don't need anything to validate my existence. We are born, we live our lives, then we die and the world carries on without us. The only questions I've had are why people believe in God, and that is why I have researched.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

i get calls from charitys asking for money. i see adverts every day from charitys pleading sob stories asking for money. its wrong. i believe its wrong. jesus told us its wrong and so does the bible. unfortunately we live in a world where people do not understand allot of things and religion is one of those.

Genuine question -- where in the New Testament does it say Jesus said that charity is wrong?

[aaydrian 479]

what makes religion the prosecutor and what make atheism the defence? because Christians believe in God, atheists don't (prosecutor argues the defendant is guilty for an oftense defense argues the opposite.

i beleive the science and religion can coincide. one of the priests at my church is a scientist he has a chemistry degree from cambridge university.

people who claim to have spoken to jesus are crazy. i do not claim to have spoken to jesus/god etc. I asked about people who HEARD/THOUGHT they heard from God and carried out his mighty words. Now that I have clarified you can answer the question

i claim to that god, jesus, the virgin mary have helped me understand certain situations and help me to find the answers. prayer is meditation. its a form of positive thought.

I'd rather get help from Joseph.

Edited June 30, 2012 by aaydrian

[Elora & Rob 15]

Athiests beleive that there is no God, so they can still be that.

You havent clarified anything

[aaydrian 479]

Athiests beleive that there is no God, so they can still be that. have no idea what this is in reference to.

You havent clarified anything Smh. I want to know how you differentiate between God whispering in your ear one minute and other voices whispering in your ear the next? Simply put how do you know that your not a total mental case when you hear 'God' telling you things? Quite a number of people kill there families because God told them to, what do you say about that?

[dalegg 143]

How about a little perspective. This is the era of "New Atheism" and "Militant Atheism."

Sure, a little annoying.

But at least we aren't going to spend the next few centuries in The Dark Ages II. We aren't going to start any wars and kill millions of people (here comes Danno with his Hitler was an Atheist posts). And we won't be accusing anyone of being a witch and burning them at the stake. Back in the days religion was involved and you hopped on your horse and killed people. Back when you burned somebody alive because of religion. Stoned someone to death. Still happens today! It is rare but people do horrible things today because of religion (killing their children cause God or the Devil told them to, blowing up buildings, suicide bombings, honor killings, abortion clinic bombings, etc.)

This is the only answer I think I have ever seen, and it is of course out of date. So, belief in God created wars in the 15th century, therefore we need to stomp out religion now and we won't have any more wars. Ooookay.

What was the last war the United States got involved in that had anything to do with our religion? (All of the anti religion billboards I have ever seen are right here in the U.S). You might say the war in Afghanistan did, but that is only because of the what the opposition did in the name of their religion, not ours, so why not go and try to put up your billboards over there where it actually causes a problem? I dare you.

Some say if you can get more people to turn atheist, then maybe I won't have Mormons knocking at my door. Yes, but I will still have militant girl scouts, and "I need to go to college so buy my magazine subsriptions", and "have you had your insulation inspected recently", etc. Plus you are a long ways a way from getting Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses from knocking at your door anyway. These aren't people who are on the edge and a billboard can change their minds.

[웃 910]

This is the only answer I think I have ever seen, and it is of course out of date. So, belief in God created wars in the 15th century, therefore we need to stomp out religion now and we won't have any more wars. Ooookay.

What was the last war the United States got involved in that had anything to do with our religion? (All of the anti religion billboards I have ever seen are right here in the U.S). You might say the war in Afghanistan did, but that is only because of the what the opposition did in the name of their religion, not ours, so why not go and try to put up your billboards over there where it actually causes a problem? I dare you.

Some say if you can get more people to turn atheist, then maybe I won't have Mormons knocking at my door. Yes, but I will still have militant girl scouts, and "I need to go to college so buy my magazine subsriptions", and "have you had your insulation inspected recently", etc. Plus you are a long ways a way from getting Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses from knocking at your door anyway. These aren't people who are on the edge and a billboard can change their minds.

The point is from a historical perspective you got burned alive over religion and you get 'annoyed' over atheism. Last I checked unless I am participating on a Politics/Religion forum or looking at comments on an article or video on the internet that has to do with religion, I will never come across atheism. I have never seen a billboard or bus advertisement on atheism.

But I can't drive 2 blocks without seeing a church. I won't go a day without a friend or relative posting on Facebook about Jesus H. Christ and His Dad. Even the money I carry says In God We Trust. But ya, that atheism sure is annoying and is everywhere. And so many have died from it.

Edited June 30, 2012 by ☠

[Elora & Rob 15]

Religion is used as a way to control people by men who are hungry for power. Its happend for centurys. There are men at the highest level of each faith that are corrupted by power. Its unfortunate but I do not let it change my personal faith.

In response to the question about God speaking to us. In this world we have two forces. Good and Evil. God and the Devil. The devil can disguise as God and corrupt the mind. We are all open to it, and only the strong push through.

[james&olya 1,121]

Untrue. Do you have evidence of this? Have you been cornered and yelled at by an atheist? I have been by a Christian. I was unable to leave. Do atheists knock on your door and insist on converting you?

[james&olya 1,121]

I saw this report on CNN. Their panel consisted of two atheists, one atheist activist and one teacher. The atheist activist just had the greatest grin on his face.

I get atheists. I just don't get atheist activists. What's with these stupid billboards? What is it they are hoping to accomplish? When churches put up billboards and advertise they are hoping to increase their congregations which will increase donations that help their church going, which can either lead to positive things like donations, or maybe not so positive things like adding a new 30 story church organ.

But what exactly do atheist get out of other people turning atheist? Why do they care? These guys probably annoy me more than any other people out there, more than the 99%, just a bit less than the 9/11 truthers.

It is significant that you so quickly acknowledge the real purpose for the existence of most religions. To take your money! You find it puzzling why atheists care about sharing their beliefs. They don't stand to get any of your money by doing so. Maybe it is because they are really the only ones who truly care about YOU!

[james&olya 1,121]

I'm sorry you had that experience proabably what you need is more experience with those Christians, don't isolate yourself from them.... or avoid them.

As a DWL you want to be able to say "I don't hate Christians, I even have a Christian friend."

Tolerance is more then just being around people you like or feel comfy with ....

in the same way no one has the right to expect they can insulate themselves from Blacks or any other minority, so must you open up your life, Schedule and even home to others different than yourself.

Let me know how that is workin out for you.

Your condescension is pathetic, irritating, and clueless!

[SuperDuper! 230]

This topic can't end well....