Any atheists around?

Anyone going to the Reason Rally in March?

http://reasonrally.org/


Richard Dawkins among others will be speakers. Along with Bad Religion playing a 1 hour show.



Not trying to offend anyone, just curious if anyone else is going.

People who parade their atheism are just as bad as people who parade their religion or sexual orientation. Why is anyone supposed to care?

[gouldy]

This is the internet, the majority are atheist I assume.

Freddie, I tend to slightly disagree. The problem is, religion is still entangled within modern day law and special rights are given to those with religion on many separate issues. Often the "parading" of people's atheism is actually more a protesting of those issues, or at least discussion relating to those issues.


I may be slightly biased, as I'm not just atheist, I'm also anti-theism.

[SauronHimself]

Topics that even brush such subjects are prejudicial to good order considering the fact that this is a roller coaster site. There are more than enough websites to express your opinions about atheism and religion. Keep them where they belong.

[Coasterkidmwm]

After living a group of Christians I tend to go out of my way now to try and ban Nativity Scenes, etc because they were such an awful stupid group of people. It's like everyone in a college church group has some kind of raging deformity or something I don't get it.

They deserve no special treatment any any reminder such as this that they're losing their oppressive grip on the world is welcome to me.

Also you're in a poop religion when people try to obtain asylum in the USA because they'll be murdered for orientation in their home country.

I should have known this would spark some debate.

To be fair, It's not like I'm posting a topic that says "0MGZZZZZZ KRITIANS R SOOOO DUM! THERE IDIOT GOD DOESNT EXIST N STUFF"

I'm just curious if anyone else that frequents these forums is going or not.

[gouldy]

Well, I personally wouldn't actually attend something like that, but I do love discussing issues such as this online on other sites. I would also, however, like to meet and talk to Richard Dawkins, or Sam Harris, or Christopher Hitchens (although that particular one looks sadly unlikely to ever happen for bad reasons).

It's good to listen to those 3, specifically, it's good to be able to listen to clear thinking people speaking on places like Youtube, or on the tv, because most of what you hear from those places is always driven by some hidden agenda.

[SauronHimself]

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Even if this thread was intended just as an innocent question, this topic always leads to some jackwagon sparking a debate. I don't think it's an unreasonable request that the topics on this site relate to coasters. Similarly, you wouldn't find it reasonable to start blathering about coasters on some religious-based site.

At least I posted it in the off topic forum. Not like I put it in site related or something like that.

[TheArchitect]

Originally posted by SauronHimself

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Even if this thread was intended just as an innocent question, this topic always leads to some jackwagon sparking a debate. I don't think it's an unreasonable request that the topics on this site relate to coasters. Similarly, you wouldn't find it reasonable to start blathering about coasters on some religious-based site.

If you don't like it, don't read/post in this topic. But it is not your place to decide who talks about what, this is a democracy. People clearly want to talk about this, and provided everyone has good motives I for one do not see the harm.

I think this rally is good on the basis that religious folk need to know that there are people out there who simply do not want to believe in what they do. They are ignorant in the sense that if you don't believe its because "you just don't understand" or "you haven't been shown the way yet". And this annoys me, i think religious groups can keep their doors wide open and ensure there are no obstacles in the way for people to come to them. But i don't believe in preaching, or people knocking on my door ramming their opinions down my throat, if you can see in my face i'm not interested; stop talking!

im athiest i think religion for the most part is bull but i respect other peoples believes(except for people who believe in the rapture)

Originally posted by TheArchitect

Originally posted by SauronHimself

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Even if this thread was intended just as an innocent question, this topic always leads to some jackwagon sparking a debate. I don't think it's an unreasonable request that the topics on this site relate to coasters. Similarly, you wouldn't find it reasonable to start blathering about coasters on some religious-based site.

If you don't like it, don't read/post in this topic. But it is not your place to decide who talks about what, this is a democracy. People clearly want to talk about this, and provided everyone has good motives I for one do not see the harm.

I think this rally is good on the basis that religious folk need to know that there are people out there who simply do not want to believe in what they do. They are ignorant in the sense that if you don't believe its because "you just don't understand" or "you haven't been shown the way yet". And this annoys me, i think religious groups can keep their doors wide open and ensure there are no obstacles in the way for people to come to them. But i don't believe in preaching, or people knocking on my door ramming their opinions down my throat, if you can see in my face i'm not interested; stop talking!

Thank you.

And I know the big debate here is "omg y u post this hurrr"

But I haven't seen anyone bash religion (yet). Like Arc said, if you don't like it, don't read it. Atheists seem to be the black sheep out of the bunch. Misunderstood more than anything it would appear.

^^I'm with Topthrill. I respect your beliefs and ideas but as soon as you try to put your beliefs on me..that's when i have a problem.

Atheism is weird...if you believe in atheism then your still believing in a religion even though you say your not, but you are because you follow atheism, but then atheism is an individual belief but then you shouldnt believe in it and... my head hurts already why are paradoxes always this way?

also atheism might be a bad thing since the way its popularized it sounds like there are no punishments for bad deeds, and no reward for good deeds. Kind of points toward being bad huh?

[gouldy]

Originally posted by richie5126

Atheism is weird...if you believe in atheism then your still believing in a religion even though you say your not, but you are because you follow atheism, but then atheism is an individual belief but then you shouldnt believe in it and... my head hurts already why are paradoxes always this way?

also atheism might be a bad thing since the way its popularized it sounds like there are no punishments for bad deeds, and no reward for good deeds. Kind of points toward being bad huh?

Theism; the belief in a deity or higher power.
Atheism; a lack of a belief in a deity or a higher power.

This is something simple that might help you not sound as ignorant in the future and will also help you solve your false paradox situation.

And as for your second paragraph...? You're saying that the only reason you (or theists) do good deeds, is so they can be rewarded in a supposed afterlife? That is an horrendous outlook on life. As an atheist, I feel compelled to do good for positive reasons I can tangibly feel around me. Humanism and making the world a better place in general are all things I like to take my part in. bear in mind that it's comments like that, which make atheists really dislike religious folk.

Morality is secular. If people were to genuinely base their moral code on the contents of, for example, the bible; then it would be fair to say that people would find slavery and paedophilia perfectly acceptable. But seeing as we have all grown up and begun to understand true morality, ancient doctrines written thousands of years ago by people in the desert no longer seem to hold true.

Originally posted by richie5126

Atheism is weird...if you believe in atheism then your still believing in a religion even though you say your not

Atheism is not a belief in any religion. It is literally the lack of belief.

atheism is an individual belief but then you shouldnt believe in it and...

Why should one believe in religious mythology over scientific research?

also atheism might be a bad thing since the way its popularized it sounds like there are no punishments for bad deeds, and no reward for good deeds. Kind of points toward being bad huh?

Actually, no. Atheists don't need a god to fear to keep them on the straight and narrow. Atheists are generally good people with good morals. Atheism in no way points towards being a bad person. Not to mention that only 10% of the US prison population is atheist. We don't fear any god so in that sense, there is no punishment for being bad, however, if you do something that might actually constitute "going to hell" said person would likely be arrested and sent to prison.


Science doesn't claim to have all the answers. That's what makes scientists intelligent. Many religions on the other hand, DO claim to have all the answers. That's just ignorant all together.

[sillyme][sillyme][sillyme][sillyme][sillyme][sillyme][sillyme][sillyme][sillyme][sillyme][sillyme][sillyme][sillyme][sillyme]

I am not saying silly me my brain just hurts

Apparently, that's what happens when religious people try to think.

[gouldy]

Originally posted by NightwindElf

Apparently, that's what happens when religious people try to think.

Let's try to steer clear of the slander, it's how these threads decline into farce.

[Coasterkidmwm]

Originally posted by richie5126

Atheism is weird...if you believe in atheism then your still believing in a religion

That's like saying that the act of "not smoking" is a habit.

Atheism is a belief in no god and is just as much of a religion as a religion that centers around a god. Its the exact same thing. A group of people who all believe the same thing. Assemble to talk about it, etc. As Freddie pointed out, there isn't any real difference. Its just a different type of religion.

I got no problem with it. Do as they may!

[Coasterkidmwm]

Originally posted by Real

Atheism is a belief in no god and is just as much of a religion as a religion that centers around a god. Its the exact same thing. A group of people who all believe the same thing. Assemble to talk about it, etc. As Freddie pointed out, there isn't any real difference. Its just a different type of religion.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religion

A meeting is not a religious service. There are no beliefs in not attending church.

I would consider that more an of awareness generator since I think it's incredibly shitty that religions as a whole (especially Christians and Muslims) are responsible for an incredible pile of death and suffering in very recent history all in the name of an imaginary friend in the sky.

The only reason why any of these groups exist is solely to get rid of the oppressive religious crap going on all over the world. I fully support any groups out there to help people realize that their doubts are indeed rational and a choice.

I've personally never seen a group of atheists assemble with the purpouse of talking about the lack of a deity...
I myself am agnostic, leaning towards atheism actually, but I can never be sure, so I just deal with it. I mean, for all we know, there could be a magic couch floating around Pluto controlling all of earths road traffic...

[gouldy]

Originally posted by Real

Atheism is a belief in no god and is just as much of a religion as a religion that centers around a god. Its the exact same thing. A group of people who all believe the same thing. Assemble to talk about it, etc. As Freddie pointed out, there isn't any real difference. Its just a different type of religion.

I got no problem with it. Do as they may!

Atheism is not a belief that there is no god. That, I guess would be Strong Atheism (Gnostic Atheism). Atheism has nothing to do with the persons actual beliefs, other than that to point out that they don't believe in a deity. That's not a belief, and neither is bald a hair colour. Neither is not collecting stamps, a hobby. By no stretch of the imagination could your refer to atheism itself as a "religion". There may be assemblances of groups within that, but these are the kinds of people who do need confidence in likeminded person. That doesn't mean atheism itself is a religion.

Whether people choose to meet up with other atheists is for them, but I can guarantee you that it's not to meet up and talking about "their atheist beliefs". It's to talk about issues facing the community, like homosexuals being banned from doing certain things for religious reasons. Talking about major world issues and how they have been or are being affected by religion, and thus, things that can or could be done about those issues.


To call atheism a religion is to completely misunderstand both the word "atheism" and the word "religion".

Originally posted by Vid_w

I've personally never seen a group of atheists assemble with the purpouse of talking about the lack of a deity...
I myself am agnostic, leaning towards atheism actually, but I can never be sure, so I just deal with it. I mean, for all we know, there could be a magic couch floating around Pluto controlling all of earths road traffic...

Another slight gripe of mine; Agnosticism of itself isn't a postion, seeing as the word theist describes that the person holds a belief that there is a god. Atheism describes that the person either doesn't hold a belief in a god or believes there is no god. There are 4 positions; Gnostic Theist, Agnostic Theist, Agnostic Atheist, Gnostic Atheist. You can't simply be Agnostic.

agnostic, leaning towards atheism actually

I actually tryed to say that I'm leaning towards agnostic atheism.
Poor choice of wording, I know...