@Magnificent beast

“Your presumptions are so many...”

The only assumption/statement I made was that I agreed with what this website said about Atheism. Everting else was just genuine question asking.

“I reread your post several times, and conclude that your thinking is very black/white, either/or.”

I am not sure how you concluded that when I was just asking questions. And I know you’re not the spokesperson for atheists which is why I said “just answer whatever you feel comfortable with”. The reason for my questions is because it seems atheists don’t seem to agree what atheism is, so, rather than assume anything about you I figured I would ask. At least that way if this ended up in a long discussion I would know who Magnificent beast is, instead of “throwing you under the same umbrella” as everyone else.

Oh, and speaking about presumptions

“they lack sincerity for real answers”

In any case, thank you for your reply.

Magnificent Beast,

"Personally, I want to know WHY someone believes how they believe. If they're religious, then why? If not, they why?"

The primary reason people are religious is that they want to gain eternal life in some type of paradise, happy hunting grounds, or some sort of heaven. Additional reasons include peer pressure, social associations, political, and financial.

Religion is a big business and all sorts of people have a vested interest in keeping it healthy because their livelihoods depend on it. They might sell books, religious artifacts, trips, clothes, church buildings, church furniture, etc. They don't have to actually believe in the religious fairy tale that they cater to, they just have to act like they do.

So if you don't care about eternal life, or social, political, business connections or peer pressure then there's no real reason for anyone to be religious.

* rmfr

It stands for "Here! Pull my finger." You just have to speak Greek to understand it.

I am new to this forum. I have read most of all the post that have been put in this specific thread. Some of which have gone off the beaten path, but I think is ok. People want to vent and what better way than in a forum like this. Getting back to the original question, I found this interesting on how an "atheist" can calmly and clearly give a reason to somebody on why they shouldn't believe. Or more accurately "how to convince people without being insulting."
This question has been somewhat difficult for most of the people in here without getting emotional. I would like to redirect all the conversations in this thread back to the original post and ask all "atheist" in here to give a response to the question and be able to articulate it in about two sentences. If we are able to give a reason that can be helpful to others in a two-line sentence then I believe we can really have a jumping off point from there.

Magnificent Beast: To me, using "fuck" or "shit" demonstrates lack of vocabulary."

Sometimes.

Magnificent Beast:
Hang around school kids and every other word is fuck, shit, asshole, etc. "fuckin this, fuckin that". Sociologists say it is male bonding language (rage against the machine).

The problem is when the same kids try to express themselves in an articulate way. Like in a counselor's office, defending themselves. They can't because they don't have the vocabulary. It is a tragic thing to see. If a person cannot communicate, they cannot be socialized with any kind of skill.

In this case, you are completely correct. And I have seen what becomes of them when they grow up to adulthood. Especially around the Durham, NC area. They cannot describe anything without using a plethora of "curse" words. Care to guess where this comes from? It started in Bill Clinton's Administration, but was signed by George Bush Junior. No Child Left Behind Act. In North Carolina, it actually became illegal to fail any student for any reason. The only exceptions were those who proved to be in need of Special Education, meaning those with "education disabilities." Basically, those who are mentally retarded for one reason or another.

What that basically leads to is children that grow up in an envirionment where it is common to use "curse" words every other "normal" word, grow up to become adults who do the same and have never learned enough vocabulary to speak without using "curse" words. Then those adults have children who learn the same thing from their parents. The biggest problem here is that most children today know they cannot be failed, in North Carolina, regardless of well they perform, or do not perform. Fucking Sucks! (See, just right amount of emphasis; yet, also conveying anger.)

Only in progessive cities with progressive schools does the education system actually weed this out. However, those schools also tend to be supported by more federal education funds AND donated funds by the wealthier constituents within that school's district. This is why I have been a firm believer of equal funding.

For example, in today's world, say a school district has 10 schools and receives $100 million in fundings. Each school should receive $10 million each. However, in actuality, 2 schools, due to the influence of the wealthy, will receive $60 million, and the other eight are stuck splitting the remaining $40 million. Then, on top of that, those 2 schools will receive additional donations of say $20 million each. I feel even if the donations are made to a particular school, they instead are actually made to the "school district" with all schools evenly splitting those donations. Alas, the churches just have too much political and legal "pull" for any such thing to happen.

Sheldon: "I always find it odd that people associate swearing with anger."

As do I. Yes, sometimes I use those "curse" words to convey anger. However, I also love the "just the right kind of emphasis" they can also convey. My usage of "curse" words is by no means indicative of my lack of vocabulary. Instead, they provide that "oomph" to emphasize a point (also see above). And, sometimes, I do use them to convey anger. Especially when it comes to talking about those damnable Religious Absolutists. I shall always say, "Ultimately, it is Religion that is Humanity's worst enemy."

And the one quote I shall always hold in my heart was made by the late Robert A. Heinlein (paraphrased): "Man has never created any gods superior to himself. Instead, they have the manners of a childish, spoiled brat."

rmfr