The Atheist movement coming to Canada

[Cliffy]

Like I said in my last line... it's oversimplistic to try to make someone fit a label. Confusion in my books is just 'chance for conversation'. lol.

What I find interesting is your claim to free thinking. You implied a move to organize atheism, fund it, give it organizations to spread its word, would drive you away from labeling yourself as one. If it did, are you then a free thinker? Or just someone who likes being different?

Or am I certifiable? As a friend of mine said, "Isn't insanity wonderful? I can get away with anything."

If we are talking about a god that has the slightest interest in human activity or beliefs, then I am an Atheist. If we are talking about a universal consciousness that is in a the process of becoming self aware through the eyes and ears of all its creations, perhaps we are talking about a gawd that I can relate to on some plane of my consciousness.

To me the Universe is the sum total of all consciousness within its realm but it is not attached to the machinations of its parts, of which we are but a tiny particle. Or, in other words, I don't believe the Universe cares what you or I believe, it is only interested in our experiences of life. (or is that too vague?)

 

[Spade]

The way I figure it, right now the gods are playing Texas Hold Em for stakes that are out of this world. If someone from the habitable zone of our solar system taps one of them on the shoulder with a petty request, look out!
- The gospel according to Spade.

 

[Cannuck]

Or am I certifiable? As a friend of mine said, "Isn't insanity wonderful? I can get away with anything."

If we are talking about a god that has the slightest interest in human activity or beliefs, then I am an Atheist. If we are talking about a universal consciousness that is in a the process of becoming self aware through the eyes and ears of all its creations, perhaps we are talking about a gawd that I can relate to on some plane of my consciousness.

To me the Universe is the sum total of all consciousness within its realm but it is not attached to the machinations of its parts, of which we are but a tiny particle. Or, in other words, I don't believe the Universe cares what you or I believe, it is only interested in our experiences of life. (or is that too vague?)

Have you read any of the "Conversation With God" books?

 

[Spade]

Holy Cripes! I just thought of a real moneymaker. Write a book titled "Conversation with the Devil."

 

[Tyr]

The religious do not need to prove anything, until they start trying to convert/evangelize others. My belief system shouldn't bother you so long as it's mine, and vice versa. It's too bad more people from both camps can't get that.

until they start trying to convert/evangelize others.

Therin lies the crux of the issue. The evangelicals who try to "save" us non-believers from eternal damnation.

If they just stuck to chanting the jibberish that they believe in to themselves, things would probably be transparent to any one group...... but

They don't do that, hence the reason why Aetheism and Agnosticism are the fastest growing beliefs in the world and the largest group in Canada. I's an anti-religious backlash

 

[Tyr]

Holy Cripes! I just thought of a real moneymaker. Write a book titled "Conversation with the Devil."

NO WAY!!! I've just started writing a song "Running with the Devil". I need to check on whether the title has been taken though. Might have to change it to "Devil Moves" or sumthin like that

 

[Scott Free]

NO WAY!!! I've just started writing a song "Running with the Devil". I need to check on whether the title has been taken though. Might have to change it to "Devil Moves" or sumthin like that

Titles can't be copyrighted.

 

[Tyr]

Have you read any of the "Conversation With God" books?

Ah yes. From that bottomless pit of intellicualism - The ReCreation Foundation.

 

[Tyr]

titles can't be copyrighted.

r e a l l y 8o

 

[karrie]

(or is that too vague?)

No, that's not too vague. I still don't think it makes you much of an atheist. Definitely not an organized Christian religion fan, but, not an atheist. More, agnostic perhaps. Sort of? Deist maybe? Labels suck though. You're Cliffy, ascribing to an uncertainty in terms of what might exist (so long as it's not the Christian/Muslim/Jewish version of things)... that's enough for me.

 

[karrie]

The way I figure it, right now the gods are playing Texas Hold Em for stakes that are out of this world. If someone from the habitable zone of our solar system taps one of them on the shoulder with a petty request, look out!
- The gospel according to Spade.

lol... you'd probably like the book 'Interesting Times' by Terry Pratchett.

 

[karrie]

Therin lies the crux of the issue. The evangelicals who try to "save" us non-believers from eternal damnation.

Precisely what I was saying, and why the whole notion of taking out billboards, etc., will bring about the same issue for atheism. Trying to push your ideas on people in today's environment breeds resentment. Plain and simple.

 

[Cannuck]

Ah yes. From that bottomless pit of intellicualism - The ReCreation Foundation.

I wouldn't go that far but if you feel that way, perhaps you would like to start a thread and we could debate it.

 

[talloola]

The religious do not need to prove anything, until they start trying to convert/evangelize others. My belief system shouldn't bother you so long as it's mine, and vice versa. It's too bad more people from both camps can't get that.

Absolutely, I don't care what religious people believe, but I resent being looked
down upon and told I am the scum of the earth, because I am an athiest, so I
defend my position as much as I need to, and if I was not criticized for 'not
believing' what they believe, they would never hear from me, simple.
When I am criticized for not believing what 'they cannot prove' to me, is true', all they
have to do is prove to me that what they believe is real. None of them can
do that, that is what it always comes down to, no proof, and yes, when they
begin to 'preach and judge,' they need to prove their position, and they have
never been able to do that.
I will never rant and rave about atheism, or go to an atheist institution to
stick up for my position, I hate that, will never do it, will never march, or
put a sticker on my car, or pretend I am better than anyone, I'm just a
realist, pretty logical, and don't believe what they believe.
I don't come on here and say anything until the 'preaching' starts, and the
judging starts.

If a group of people starting preaching that 'little green elephants' roam around
the universe, I would not believe that, and they would have to prove it to me,
before I would believe them, I would 'not' have to prove to them that 'they'
don't.

 

[Cannuck]

Absolutely, I don't care what religious people believe, but I resent being looked down upon and told I am the scum of the earth, because I am an athiest, so I
defend my position as much as I need to, and if I was not criticized for 'not
believing' what they believe, they would never hear from me, simple.

I haven't spent a lot of time on this site but the little while I have, I personally have found the opposite. The self professed Atheist look down on people, ridicule and name call. I personally feel that if one can't discuss theological/spiritual/philosophical issues without immature put downs, one should refrain from discussing these matters. I have never ridiculed or "looked down" on anybody just because they are an Atheist and would never do that. I think the lesser halves of both philosophical quarters use these tactics.

 

[Tyr]

Only 20% of Canadians attend weekly religious services (Ipsos-Reid, 2007). Critics of this and similar surveys argue that people lie to pollsters about attendance, and so this figure may well be significantly lower. Similarly, people lie about their belief in a diety or dieties. Agnosticism may very well be the majority opinion in this country.

Didn't the Aetheists originate in Aether Island?.... or is it that Aether Islanders are Atheists?

 

[Cliffy]

Have you read any of the "Conversation With God" books?

I avoided those books. I have a general rule of thumb, that if something is very popular, i avoid it. Like Jaws, everybody I know saw that movie and thought it was great so I never went to see it.

On the other hand I had conversations with gawd while tripping on Vitamin L in the forest. It thinks we're all nuts.

 

[Cannuck]

I avoided those books. I have a general rule of thumb, that if something is very popular, i avoid it. Like Jaws, everybody I know saw that movie and thought it was great so I never went to see it.

On the other hand I had conversations with gawd while tripping on Vitamin L in the forest. It thinks we're all nuts.

The reason I was asking is that your comment "I don't believe the Universe cares what you or I believe, it is only interested in our experiences of life." is pretty much what the book says.

I generally read philosophical/spiritual books that are not in line with what I believe. I'm interested in alternate views. I'm currently reading "Satan's Evangelistic Strategy For The New Age" by Lutzer & DeVries. It's...um...interesting.

 

[Cliffy]

The reason I was asking is that your comment "I don't believe the Universe cares what you or I believe, it is only interested in our experiences of life." is pretty much what the book says.

I generally read philosophical/spiritual books that are not in line with what I believe. I'm interested in alternate views. I'm currently reading "Satan's Evangelistic Strategy For The New Age" by Lutzer & DeVries. It's...um...interesting.

That sounds like something I could get into. I used to know all about the new age until i realized that most of it was repackaged Evangelical Christianity. I got really turned off to it when Daddy George Bush used many new age expressions in his inaugural speech. That scared the crap out of me.

 

[taxslave]

Religious groups have challenged them by asking them to prove there is no God, I say, prove there is one.

Quite right, miniboss, logically it is impossible to prove a negative. So the proposition that God does not exist (or that Santa Claus doesn’t exist or Easter Bunny doesn’t exist) cannot be proven.

Those who claim that God exists; the burden of proof is upon them to prove it.

My thought exactly. Mostly I don't care if there is a god or what religion (s)he supports or not. In fact if any possessed can bring god to my house for coffee I will admit that I was wrong. Still won't care though unless they infringe on my right NOT to have a religion.