Can you go about being superior a bit more quietly ?

If someone said they heard Batman talking to them, you'd put them in an asylum. Why should you treat people who hear "god" any differently?

FTA: Do you see how weird this gets? There's no logical conclusion to it, it just gets more and more strange.

The author has accurately characterized his "argument." Next time, try to avoid the arrogant generalizations about others' opinions.

kronicfeld: If someone said they heard Batman talking to them, you'd put them in an asylum.

Arkham Asylum?

/nothin'

That was pretty stupid and condescending.

kronicfeld: If someone said they heard Batman talking to them, you'd put them in an asylum. Why should you treat people who hear "god" any differently?

FTFA: 8. Focusing on Negative Examples Makes You Stupid

flucto: FTFA: 8. Focusing on Negative Examples Makes You Stupid

That's not an example. It's an analogy. And it demonstrates the kid-glove treatment that religion gets as compared to equally arbitrary and idiotic beliefs.

What's funny to me is how similar Fundamentalist Christians and Fundamentalist Atheists sound when they're ripping on each other and/or me for not holding their beliefs sacred.

Molavian: Fundamentalist Atheists

Are those like "fundamentalist non-astrologists"?

kronicfeld: Are those like "fundamentalist non-astrologists"?

Sort of, but the fundamentalist non-astrologists are generally not penises about their beliefs.

EatHam: Sort of, but the fundamentalist non-astrologists are generally not penises about their beliefs.

To be fair, astrologists don't usually try to codify their beliefs in the law and get the power of local, state and federal governments behind them and their agenda.

EatHam: Sort of, but the fundamentalist non-astrologists are generally not penises about their beliefs.

Also, I can't remember the last time an astrologer flew a plane into a building or sawed off someone's head on TV.

kronicfeld: Are those like "fundamentalist non-astrologists"?

Ah, you must be using the new definition of fundamentalist, where it's only linked to religion. Kind of like how "liberal" or "conservative" has been hijacked. I'm using the definition out of the dictionary. Sorry, I should have linked to it, or something.

Molavian: Ah, you must be using the new definition of fundamentalist, where it's only linked to religion. Kind of like how "liberal" or "conservative" has been hijacked. I'm using the definition out of the dictionary. Sorry, I should have linked to it, or something.

No, I used the dictionary definition that is tied to strict, dogmatic beliefs. Not believing in god - oh, sorry, YOUR particular god - is not the same thing in the least.

kronicfeld: No, I used the dictionary definition that is tied to strict, dogmatic beliefs. Not believing in god - oh, sorry, YOUR particular god - is not the same thing in the least.

See, I'm using that same definition. You can't possibly deny that Atheists have their own code of strict, dogmatic beliefs. Hence my use of "fundamentalist" to describe them.

Molavian: See, I'm using that same definition. You can't possibly deny that Atheists have their own code of strict, dogmatic beliefs.

Yes, I certainly can.

kronicfeld: Yes, I certainly can.

In spite of evidence to the contrary. Who does that sound like?

I just came to say that all the pictures made me laugh. Particularly this one.



/that, and this guy is relatively reasonable

Molavian: In spite of evidence to the contrary. Who does that sound like?

Please cite this "evidence."

It seems to me that the major problem is that people who hold arbitrary and unsubstantiated beliefs are simply incapable of understanding that there are other people out there who do not think the same way.

I don't know about all that, but



I'll be in my bunk.

Churchill2004: this guy is relatively reasonable

And for that he must die.

Molavian: In spite of evidence to the contrary.

What evidence?

kronicfeld: people... are simply incapable of understanding that there are other people out there who do not think the same way.

careful that you don't turn into a hypocrite, man. you just put the realism of god on the same level as batman, so if someone in this thread is incapable of understanding the other side's viewpoint, it just might be you

I'm an atheist and frankly, I don't care what you believe. The only time I care is when you try to force your beliefs on me, either by shoving them down my throat by "witnessing" or by passing laws with no motivation other than religion.

There are only two types of people in this world: Idiots and non-idiots. And religion has nothing to do with which type someone is.

I wish I didn't have to go to work because this is going to be an epic religious flamewar once it goes green. I think I'm gonna have to come back and troll this thread later tonight.

kronicfeld: Please cite this "evidence."

SphericalTime: What evidence?

You really need me to cite evidence that Atheists follow specific tenets? I believe you're so ready to argue your faith that you fail to read what I'm writing.

Just like another group of very rational people.

Molavian: You really need me to cite evidence that Atheists follow specific tenets?

Yes

Croooow!: I wish I didn't have to go to work because this is going to be an epic religious flamewar once it goes green. I think I'm gonna have to come back and troll this thread later tonight.

Don't worry, dude. I'll do what I can in the interim with piss-poor photoshops that only marginally touch upon the topic presented.

Croooow!: Yes

Here's a decent site. (new window)

Would anyone care to argue that this page is not representative of your average Atheist's beliefs?

Molavian: Would anyone care to argue that this page is not representative of your average Atheist's beliefs?

Show me an Atheist who claims anyone who doesn't follow the exact details of that page isn't a "true Atheist".

Here's the only im portant thing both sides need to remember.


SHUT UP!

Just SHUT UP ALREADY!

Molavian: Croooow!: Yes

Here's a decent site. (new window)

Would anyone care to argue that this page is not representative of your average Atheist's beliefs?

Define average atheist.

Churchill2004: Show me an Atheist who claims anyone who doesn't follow the exact details of that page isn't a "true Atheist".

Don't worry, I have faith that several will post in this very thread. I sure I don't disbelieve in god enough for their tastes.

Molavian: Don't worry, I have faith that several will post in this very thread. I sure I don't disbelieve in god enough for their tastes.

Sweeping generalizations are always healthy.

I never could see why we can't all get along. All our beliefs revolve around the same God, right?

I think Caturday will replace religion. At least that's what my cat tells me.

Molavian: Croooow!: Yes

Here's a decent site. (new window)

Would anyone care to argue that this page is not representative of your average Atheist's beliefs?

Ummm, genius? There's about eight different types of "atheists" listed on that page. The only thing an atheist needs to be an atheist is not to believe in any god. Beyond that, all similarities in personal philosophy are purely coincidental based on the fact that a similar mindset (rationality over faith) usually leads one to a lack of religion.

There is no atheist bible, no atheist Ten Commandments, no atheist hymns, no atheist scripture/sutras/dogma. There are atheists who adore Ayn Rand and atheists that loathe her. There are atheists who zealously read Dawkins and atheists who barely even know who he is. Hell, I've met an atheist who didn't even accept evolution as a valid theory for the origin of life!

Not every atheist is the same just like not every Christian or hell, every Catholic or Anglican or Mormon or Pentecostal is the same.

jiyuu_musouka: Hell, I've met an atheist who didn't even accept evolution as a valid theory for the origin of life!

What did he believe? I'm really curious here.

kronicfeld: If someone said they heard Batman talking to them, you'd put them in an asylum. Why should you treat people who hear "god" any differently?

QFT, though maybe with a pinch less snark.

There's no point in outright antagonizing people, but on the other hand, I don't need to pretend to share their beliefs, either. If asked straight out, I'm going to have to say I don't believe, and while I'm more than happy to learn about your system, let me be a respectful outside observer - I'm not going to join in.

jiyuu_musouka: I'm an atheist and frankly, I don't care what you believe. The only time I care is when you try to force your beliefs on me, either by shoving them down my throat by "witnessing" or by passing laws with no motivation other than religion.

Also this one. Live and let live, but with freedom of expression, realize that in the wider world you might run into some speech assuming your beliefs are false.

One step wider, you might run into some science. Clinging to literal beliefs that just don't jibe with modern science, I have to draw the line. It's the exact same line I have with the people who insist that humans emerged from the earth in New Mexico. Sorry, but no.

Praying for me/witnessing to me? I accept it as a show of caring and concern, unless we're talking serious proselytizing after I said I'm not joining up. But prayer? Sure, go for it. Buying me amulets? Same deal.

jiyuu_musouka: Hell, I've met an atheist who didn't even accept evolution as a valid theory for the origin of life!

In all fairness, evolution isn't a theory about the origin of life.

/I know what you meant
//me == jackass :)

jiyuu_musouka: Not every atheist is the same just like not every Christian or hell, every Catholic or Anglican or Mormon or Pentecostal is the same.

Interesting. So there are actually have different sects of Atheism based on doctrinal disputes?

Atheist's Bible.net (new window) They're even going to make it a book. Nice, huh? Be a good place to write down their beliefs.

Molavian: See, I'm using that same definition. You can't possibly deny that Atheists have their own code of strict, dogmatic beliefs. Hence my use of "fundamentalist" to describe them.

I'll deny it.

Molavian: Croooow!: Yes

Here's a decent site. (new window)

Would anyone care to argue that this page is not representative of your average Atheist's beliefs?

I wasn't aware a discursive categorization was the was same thing as a dogma. You could probably make a list of everything which makes someone an "American" - that's not dogma, that's a description of a group of people.

Molavian: jiyuu_musouka: Not every atheist is the same just like not every Christian or hell, every Catholic or Anglican or Mormon or Pentecostal is the same.

Interesting. So there are actually have different sects of Atheism based on doctrinal disputes?

Wow, that's not what he said at all. Way to go. He said not all atheists hold the same opinions. Sounds simple to me.

Atheist's Bible.net (new window) They're even going to make it a book. Nice, huh? Be a good place to write down their beliefs.

Who is "they"? A few people don't speak for an entire group. Just as Fred Phelps and the WBC don't speak for all Christians. Stop assuming that an individual can represent the views of an entire group. It's disingenuous.

Great Metal Jesus: jiyuu_musouka: Hell, I've met an atheist who didn't even accept evolution as a valid theory for the origin of life!

What did he believe? I'm really curious here.

Honestly, I have no idea. It was something weird as hell that was part creationism, part Star Wars-esque/Jungian "force of life, part Scientology-like stuff...I never did completely understand it.

Molavian: Interesting. So there are actually have different sects of Atheism based on doctrinal disputes?

There is no atheist "doctrine", but it's splits along philosophical lines.

Atheist's Bible.net (new window) They're even going to make it a book. Nice, huh? Be a good place to write down their beliefs.

Oh, there's plenty of books with a variation of the title "Atheist's Bible", but there is no such thing as a central doctrine or scripture describing an atheist's philosophy or beliefs (if any). Just because something's called the "bible" of something doesn't make it so.

kronicfeld: If someone said they heard Batman talking to them

How dare you use the name of the Dark Knight in vain!

Riche:

So which side is the little kid and which side is the horse? Or does it not really matter?

Frankly, I'm bored and there's nothing else to do since I've got writer's block.

Wait, is that a horse or a cow? Or some kind of donkey?

Oh NOES!

People on BOTH sides of an argument can be douche bags!

I actually thought it was kind of funny and on point.