Does Atheism contribute or detract from society?

[Gorilla King]

I'm curious to see what people think. I say the philosophy of atheism is solely detrimental to society based on the inherently selfish nature of it. For instance, in atheism there's no incentive to forgive another person for some wrong done.

[JBDW]

Neither. It simply is. There is no tenet or doctrine of atheism to inspire hatred or goodness. It's just a neutral position, nothing more.

If you want to use the 'there is no incentive to forgive another person for some wrong done' line, I could easily turn it on its head and say 'there is no incentive to take revenge on another person for some wrong done'.

[Gorilla King]

I disagree. Atheism is a negative force. It has a leeching effect on society an individuals. Moreover it's dehumanizing because without objective moral standards people....particularly women...are reduced to objects.

[Germanic]

Originally Posted by Gorilla King

I disagree. Atheism is a negative force. It has a leeching effect on society an individuals. Moreover it's dehumanizing because without objective moral standards people....particularly women...are reduced to objects.

Atheism isn't as negative a force as you.

[JBDW]

Originally Posted by Gorilla King

I disagree. Atheism is a negative force. It has a leeching effect on society an individuals. Moreover it's dehumanizing because without objective moral standards people....particularly women...are reduced to objects.

That is merely your opinion. Can you back it up?

And by objective moral standards, do you mean the subjective moral standards of your religion?

[Cuchulainn]

How about it depends on the person? Your making a strong generalization and blanket statement about Athiests. I am not an athiest but to say that they all detract from society is bad.

If you were to talk about Secular Progressives, then you would have a good conversation and likely a valid point.

[Gorilla King]

Originally Posted by JBDW

That is merely your opinion. Can you back it up?

And by objective moral standards, do you mean the subjective moral standards of your religion?

Most religions have the same if not similar moral standards. Atheism is the only belief system to do away with those and reduce man to mere instincts. Man becomes no longer man, but an animal driven by his lusts an passions.

[IraHays]

Originally Posted by Gorilla King

Most religions have the same if not similar moral standards. Atheism is the only belief system to do away with those and reduce man to mere instincts. Man becomes no longer man, but an animal driven by his lusts an passions.

LMAO? Where do you get this ****?

[Gorilla King]

Originally Posted by Josher13

How about it depends on the person? Your making a strong generalization and blanket statement about Athiests. I am not an athiest but to say that they all detract from society is bad.

If you were to talk about Secular Progressives, then you would have a good conversation and likely a valid point.

Well do note that I'm not trying to talk about individuals, but the belief system itself. An yes, secular progressives do fall into the same group by an large.

[Germanic]

Originally Posted by IraHays

LMAO? Where do you get this ****?

I know, I'm literally too stunned to even respond to him. I can't believe he's actually serious.

[IraHays]

Originally Posted by smj5351

I know, I'm literally too stunned to even respond to him. I can't believe he's actually serious.

I can't believe I just wasted time going back and forth with him in another thread. (which is why he made this)

The guy is a nut.

[JBDW]

Originally Posted by Gorilla King

Most religions have the same if not similar moral standards. Atheism is the only belief system to do away with those and reduce man to mere instincts. Man becomes no longer man, but an animal driven by his lusts an passions.

Atheism is not a belief system, atheism is the lack of a belief system. If you canot understand this, it's not much of a surprise why you think atheism is a detrimental force. Quite a strawman you're setting up there.

Atheism simply connotes the lack of a belief system. Morality and such is determined by reason and logic (if you want to talk about moral relativism vs divine command theory, that is best left for another thread), so to argue that atheism = no morals is pure and utter nonsense.

[Gorilla King]

Originally Posted by JBDW

Atheism is not a belief system, atheism is the lack of a belief system. If you canot understand this, it's not much of a surprise why you think atheism is a detrimental force. Quite a strawman you're setting up there.

Atheism simply connotes the lack of a belief system. Morality and such is determined by reason and logic (if you want to talk about moral relativism vs divine command theory, that is best left for another thread), so to argue that atheism = no morals is pure and utter nonsense.

You don't believe that atheism is a particular philosophical way of looking at the world? Think about this.

[IraHays]

Originally Posted by Gorilla King

You don't believe that atheism is a particular philosophical way of looking at the world? Think about this.

No. All atheism means a person doesn't believe in God. Nothing more, nothing less. Think about this.

[Germanic]

Originally Posted by Gorilla King

You don't believe that atheism is a particular philosophical way of looking at the world? Think about this.

In your twisted mind, atheism is an evil religion created by teh Satan, but in reality, it's not.

[Persecuted]

Originally Posted by JBDW

That is merely your opinion. Can you back it up?

And by objective moral standards, do you mean the subjective moral standards of your religion?

If you want a back up of the claim that women are being treated as objects simply go to the misc.

Actually there was a thread in there started by IamGigantor recently that said Some hot B*tches.. or something like that.

[Germanic]

Originally Posted by Persecuted

If you want a back up of the claim that women are being treated as objects simply go to the misc.

Actually there was a thread in there started by IamGigantor recently that said Some hot B*tches.. or something like that.

Prove that this is the result of atheism...

You do realize that in many religions, women are treated as objects?

[JBDW]

Originally Posted by Persecuted

If you want a back up of the claim that women are being treated as objects simply go to the misc.

Actually there was a thread in there started by IamGigantor recently that said Some hot B*tches.. or something like that.

You think Christians never engage in such thoughts?

And have I not already pointed out that atheism has no central tenet or doctrine, and to thus argue that it 'encourages XXXX behaviour' is ridiculous?

[JBDW]

Originally Posted by Gorilla King

You don't believe that atheism is a particular philosophical way of looking at the world? Think about this.

No. A-theism. A lack of a theistic belief. Atheism is not even a philosophy in and of itself.

[Persecuted]

Originally Posted by JBDW

Atheism is not a belief system, atheism is the lack of a belief system. If you canot understand this, it's not much of a surprise why you think atheism is a detrimental force. Quite a strawman you're setting up there.

Atheism simply connotes the lack of a belief system. Morality and such is determined by reason and logic (if you want to talk about moral relativism vs divine command theory, that is best left for another thread), so to argue that atheism = no morals is pure and utter nonsense.

I disagree..

To be an Atheist you have to believe certain things about the universe and the world. You have to believe that everything that happens has a natural cause, that everything is ultimately meaningless, that there is no purpose or plan for humanity both for individuals and society.

You have to believe that there is a valid and logical reason for something to exist rather than nothing.

You have to believe quite a few things to adhere to an Atheistic reality, maybe this would be a bit different for a weak Atheist though AKA closet Agnostic..

Also the biggest thing of all,

If you are an Atheist you HAVE to believe that all men are NOT created equal. This is not a matter for dispute it is the reality of Atheism.

[Germanic]

Originally Posted by Persecuted

I disagree..

To be an Atheist you have to believe certain things about the universe and the world. You have to believe that everything that happens has a natural cause, that everything is ultimately meaningless, that there is no purpose or plan for humanity both for individuals and society.

You have to believe that there is a valid and logical reason for something to exist rather than nothing.

You have to believe quite a few things to adhere to an Atheistic reality, maybe this would be a bit different for a weak Atheist though AKA closet Agnostic..

Also the biggest thing of all,

If you are an Atheist you HAVE to believe that all men are NOT created equal. This is not a matter for dispute it is the reality of Atheism.

Even worse, to be a religious person you have to believe in certain things...like that the majority of humanity is destined to be tortured for eternity. That God hates billions of people and will torture them for eternity. This is infinitely worse than anything an atheist believes about the world or people.

[Persecuted]

Originally Posted by smj5351

Prove that this is the result of atheism...

You do realize that in many religions, women are treated as objects?

Are you an Atheist now?

I don't care about many religions I care about Christianity. Christianity which states,

Originally Posted by St Paul

"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

[JBDW]

Originally Posted by Persecuted

I disagree..

To be an Atheist you have to believe certain things about the universe and the world. You have to believe that everything that happens has a natural cause, that everything is ultimately meaningless, that there is no purpose or plan for humanity both for individuals and society.

You have to believe that there is a valid and logical reason for something to exist rather than nothing.

You have to believe quite a few things to adhere to an Atheistic reality, maybe this would be a bit different for a weak Atheist though AKA closet Agnostic..

Not true. You can identify several key assumptions about the universe as an atheist sees it, such as the idea that everything that happens has a natural cause, but such key assumptions are nothing more than the natural outgrowth of a lack of a theistic belief. If one does not believe in God, of course he believes that everything has a natural cause. Of course he does not believe that there is an external entity controlling everything. This is true by definition.

But to say that an atheist has to believe life is ultimately meaningless, is just wrong. This is something which can vary from person to person.

Originally Posted by Persecuted

Also the biggest thing of all,

If you are an Atheist you HAVE to believe that all men are NOT created equal. This is not a matter for dispute it is the reality of Atheism.

Apart from your emphasis, this is hardly a strong case made that all men are not created equal. Not to mention, even if that were the case, so what? Two things for you to answer.

[Germanic]

Originally Posted by Persecuted

Are you an Atheist now?

I don't care about many religions I care about Christianity. Christianity which states,

Not an atheist, just pointing out the hypocrisy. Funny you should post a great passage proving God's love for all mankind, and then still believe that God would literally torture people for eternity.

[JAGERBOY]

Originally Posted by Persecuted

You have to believe quite a few things to adhere to an Atheistic reality, maybe this would be a bit different for a weak Atheist though AKA closet Agnostic..

Agnosticism is more a qualifier of beliefs than a belief on its own. No rational atheist will tell you that they can 100% know there is no god, we dont know that 100%, yet. We also dont know if there are talking pink flamingos somewhere in the universe, yet. What we do KNOW, is that there really is no evidence for one, and we have never seen one, so we are convinced there is no god. We dont "believe" there is no god, we are convinced there isnt one...theres a difference.

Also the biggest thing of all,

If you are an Atheist you HAVE to believe that all men are NOT created equal. This is not a matter for dispute it is the reality of Atheism.

If you subscribe to a religion that says there is an all powerful creator god, then it is even more apparent that all men are not created equal.

[Persecuted]

Originally Posted by JBDW

You think Christians never engage in such thoughts?

And have I not already pointed out that atheism has no central tenet or doctrine, and to thus argue that it 'encourages XXXX behaviour' is ridiculous?

Of course I think Christians engage in such thoughts, what's with questions like this? I find it quite insulting to my intelligence. Even I engage in such thoughts but I know it to be wrong and ask for forgiveness. BTW I didn't look at IamGigantors thread in case you were wondering..

I never said Atheism encourages xxx behaviour but I do believe it allows for it to become as prominent as it has.

Tell me one Christian that ever promoted the xxx industry?

You really don't think there is any correlation in the rising dominance of the xxx industry and lack of belief in Biblical values? I think even you would have to agree with this.

[kev108]

Originally Posted by Gorilla King

I'm curious to see what people think. I say the philosophy of atheism is solely detrimental to society based on the inherently selfish nature of it. For instance, in atheism there's no incentive to forgive another person for some wrong done.

your making a big assumption that all atheists think or act a certain way , which is completely false. i dont' mean to offend you but your correlation on atheism and negative force is ridiculous. there's plenty of religious people who have done worst things than an atheist , look at priests who molest children , islamic extremist , priests who exploit their beliefs for material income , ect. my point is , you can't group all atheist as a single personality ; it depends on the character and indivisual.

[JAGERBOY]

Originally Posted by Persecuted

Are you an Atheist now?

I don't care about many religions I care about Christianity. Christianity which states,

The purpose of this thread is to talk about how atheism vs theism is more detrimental towards society, one reason being we only see women as objects. So with that said, Christianity is not the only religion, and you sound pretty arrogant saying you dont care about other religions.

[AKR]

Originally Posted by Gorilla King

Most religions have the same if not similar moral standards. Atheism is the only belief system to do away with those and reduce man to mere instincts. Man becomes no longer man, but an animal driven by his lusts an passions.

various religions, at one time or another, have promoted slavery, the slaughtering of innocent people, misogyny (talk about treating women as objects), racism, pedophilia, and other disgusting things.

atheism is not a belief system. there is no system. unlike you, we don't take orders blindly and follow "moral" laws because some old book says we should. i follow my own morals because they make sense to me. i'm not out killing, raping, stealing, or doing other **** like that, so obviously, you don't have a point.

you're incredibly ignorant if you think we take away from society. i have never been to jail in my life; i keep my **** together, and i'm more concious of others and self-controlling than most religious people i know.

[JBDW]

Originally Posted by Persecuted

Of course I think Christians engage in such thoughts, what's with questions like this? I find it quite insulting to my intelligence. Even I engage in such thoughts but I know it to be wrong and ask for forgiveness. BTW I didn't look at IamGigantors thread in case you were wondering..

I never said Atheism encourages xxx behaviour but I do believe it allows for it to become as prominent as it has.

Tell me one Christian that ever promoted the xxx industry?

You really don't think there is any correlation in the rising dominance of the xxx industry and lack of belief in Biblical values? I think even you would have to agree with this.

The tone of your question seemed to suggest that it was an atheistic phenomenon to treat women as objects, that it was in fact a valid back-up to Gorilla King's point, which it hardly is. If you take it as an insult to your intelligence, then I have to clarify that it was not. But it's not a particularly good argument I have to say.

Correlation =/ cause. I say this even though I'm inclined to agree with you, because I could just as easily say 'values', as opposed to quoting 'Biblical values'. One question: Do you think the xxx industry is gaining greater influence worldwide?