What comes after death? Vote then discuss!

[Phott]

Why do people always assume it's about christianity when discussing god?

Going around calling people dillusional or crazy isn't helping anyone, they have their beliefs and we have ours (or lack thereof), why can't you just respect that some people will believe differently?

[Smurftyours]

Phott are you atheist or religious?

[Phott]

Phott are you atheist or religious?

I'm an atheist, I don't believe in a god nor any higher being that some people say created us. But at least I respect other views, I do not call people like that delusional or crazy for it.

[1447]

The way I see it, there's no need to bash religious people for merely expressing their faith, that makes us no more tolerant than (most of) them. Smurftyours said "I believe in God", not "I believe in God, and so should you or else you'll die and burn in hell for all eternity". I am a hardcore atheist, I don't believe in any gods, a meaning of life, a soul, karma, reincarnation, etc etc, but I don't go around to people who do and try to force them to believe what I believe. That is, unless they try to force me first. People may believe whatever they want, as long as they respect that others may believe in something else. If everyone shared this mindset, I'm confident the world would be a better place.

[Smurftyours]

Its almost like "some" of the atheists in this topic are more pushy about there beliefs then most of the other religions in here.

[source-maps]

Its almost like "some" of the atheists in this topic are more pushy about there beliefs then most of the other religions in here.

that's because they are not believes, but years of research

[1447]

Its almost like "some" of the atheists in this topic are more pushy about there beliefs then most of the other religions in here.

that's because they are not believes, but years of research

Still, saying "You're crazy and delusional, and I'm right" isn't the way to go when trying to convince someone, even if you are correct when saying so.

[source-maps]

Its almost like "some" of the atheists in this topic are more pushy about there beliefs then most of the other religions in here.

that's because they are not believes, but years of research

Still, saying "You're crazy and delusional, and I'm right" isn't the way to go when trying to convince someone, even if you are correct when saying so.

true, but hey.. at least that is an honest answer and it is what most of us are thinking

[coder0xff]

Why do people always assume it's about christianity when discussing god?

Going around calling people dillusional or crazy isn't helping anyone, they have their beliefs and we have ours (or lack thereof), why can't you just respect that some people will believe differently?

Why are we obligated to respect peoples beliefs? If you believed the world was flat, am I suppose to concede that there's nothing wrong with you?

Believing in god, like believing the world is flat, is archaic, misguided, and wrong. It doesn't matter how nice or mean that seems. It's just how things are.

It's very hard for me to "tolerate" because, frankly, I think it's an insult to human intelligence and the efforts of great men and women who have striven for the advancement of our species.

[Phott]

Why are we obligated to respect peoples beliefs? If you believed the world was flat, am I suppose to believe there's nothing wrong with you?

This isn't about any sort of physics, see, the world isn't flat. How do we know that? Pictures and research.

If a god is above laws and research done by humans you cannot do anything but believe or not believe.

It's very hard for me to "tolerate" because, frankly, I think it's an insult to human intelligence and the efforts of great men and women who have striven for the advancement of our species.

Oh yes, because an individuals beliefs really judges their overall intellect doesn't it?

[coder0xff]

This isn't about any sort of physics, see, the world isn't flat. How do we know that? Pictures and research.

If a god is above laws and research done by humans you cannot do anything but believe or not believe.

That's true. But there was once a time when it couldn't be known with certainty whether the world was round or not. In this time, people just believed that the world was flat. However, they were still wrong. The testability of a theory, merely decides whether it lies in or outside of the realm of science - not whether it is wrong or right.

Oh yes, because an individuals beliefs really judges their overall intellect doesn't it?

By my own experience, and the research of others, religiosity does have an inverse correlation. So in short: yes.

Last I read, something like 90% of Americans believe in a supernatural being(s). However, 90% of the Royal Society do not.

To be honest, religious apologists irk me too. I think the gradual fading of religion is one of the steps towards the betterment of humanity and the world, and that we should make efforts to speed it along.

Edit: It doesn't really have any bearing on the conversation, but some people actually do still believe the earth is flat. http://www.theflatearthsociety.org/forum/index.php

[1447]

Why are we obligated to respect peoples beliefs? If you believed the world was flat, am I suppose to concede that there's nothing wrong with you?

You are not obligated to respect people's beliefs. And that's not working out so well, something I'm sure you've noticed if you've ever watched the news. If someone believes the Earth is flat, then yes, there is definitely something wrong with him, but if he just sits in his home and believes that without ever trying to make others believe what he does, I don't see the problem.

It's very hard for me to "tolerate" because, frankly, I think it's an insult to human intelligence and the efforts of great men and women who have striven for the advancement of our species.

Well, I think it's an insult to the great men and women who've spent years and years fighting injustice and intolerance (you ever heard of Nelson Mandela?), only for you to come and say that it's hard for you to tolerate others just because they don't believe what you do.

[coder0xff]

Well, I think it's an insult to the great men and women who've spent years and years fighting injustice and intolerance (you ever heard of Nelson Mandela?), only for you to come and say that it's hard for you to tolerate others just because they don't believe what you do.

I'm sorry you feel that way, but I never said I had problems tolerating others. I have a problem tolerating their delusions. Most of my friends are not atheists, or even agnostic. Most of them are Christians in fact. My entire immediate family (except my father, but my step father) is also Christian. I recognize the abounding good traits of these people and I greatly enjoy their company. I hope, as a friend, that all of them find enlightenment some day, and many of them are aware of this fact.

[Smurftyours]

So by being religious I have damaged the common intellect of humans as a species and the thousands of intelligent religious humans have made no contribution in scientific studies, but instead only damaged us? Thats a little on the radical side if you tell me.

[coder0xff]

So by being religious I have damaged the common intellect of humans as a species and the thousands of intelligent religious humans have made no contribution in scientific studies, but instead only damaged us? Thats a little on the radical side if you tell me.

You're trying to make my argument sound ridiculous by exaggerating it to the point of absurdity. I never said that religious people only do bad things. Thanks for putting words in my mouth.