Originally Posted by denim
I really hope that being an atheist is a conclusion that you have reached by weighing up the evidence and coming to your conclusion. And that you are still on a learning curve.
To atheists and agnostics in general may I venture the following,
To actually believe something does not necessarily mean that it is true.
For a long time there was a belief that the world is flat. There are a few people who still believe the world is flat. There is a flat earth society. By retaining the view and using logic there is nothing to stop people in believing in their hearts that the world is really flat. HOWEVER it doesn't necessarily mean it is true. The fact remains whatever anyone believes - the earth is ball or globe shaped.
Similarly so, a thought process can determine that there is no God or supreme being according to evidence, or lack of evidence. It does not necessarily happen to be fact. Which makes your statement false logic.
An atheist denies the existence in God or gods. I think there are many so called atheists that deny the existence of God simply because they don't like the idea of there being a God and haven't really given it any thought, I hope you are not one of them. I believe that this is not enough. This is like saying I don't like the idea of the earth being a globe. An atheist needs to weigh up the evidence and come to the educated conclusion that there is no God or gods.
Such evidence would include the creation of time and space, the creation of existence. How matter derived from nothing. Order, Chaos. Order in Chaos.
I quote (since there is no point re-inventing the wheel)
What is your philosophy about life and death?
Is there more to this life than just a few hard knocks and then a dirt nap?
If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, would you have any hope that all of this was not in vain?
Why live for others if they are just going to take the same dirt nap as the rest of us?
Do we possess a conscience? If so where did we get a conscience?
If we are not spiritual beings, why do we have a conscience, why can we feel emotion?
Why is it fair that some people live full and rewarding lives, and some have nothing but pain and sorrow? But yet they both end up with nothing in the end?
Is it possible to effectively know or deduce whether there is a God?
Is it possible to effectively know or deduce there is no God?
Is it possible to know whether someone has had a genuine religious /spiritual experience?
How do you define what is moral and what is not?
Should moral rules be codified or are they something for each person to decide for themself as situations arise?
How did life first begin?
What document best exemplifies or informs your attitudes/beliefs/morals?
Since mathematical theory ultimately rests on faith, why do you denounce Christianity for resting on faith?
The history of science shows that strictly mechanistic views of the world have consistently failed to hold up. Why not acknowledge that the world is not strictly mechanistic as materialistic explanations must suppose?
Does the fact that you do not believe in God, necessarily equate for you that there is no afterlife as well (after life, there is only non-existence)?
In the absence of a deity who dishes out punishment and rewards the "good", has this, in any way, encouraged you to do any or some things that God-fearing people would not? (i.e. If I can get away with stealing someone's wife or money, it's ok cos I won't be penalized anyway)
Do some atheists who don't believe in God, still believe in a universal system of reward and retribution (like karma?), if so, where does it come from, who created the system, or does it follow that if you're an atheist, you do not believe in this?
Is there a real need to do good and be caring for your fellow man?
Can I acknowledge that I could be wrong?
Many theories and beliefs have been proven to be incorrect or untrue. In the event that an atheist is wrong, can you stand before the great white throne and point a finger to God and say "You do not exist."?
Is there any reason to consider any of this?