Is Atheism At Risk Of Becoming A Religion? (Page 3)

OCD_OCD: no chit.

near50ohoh: back on topic?

OCD_OCD: I am not sure that you ever were, actually.

near50ohoh: i tried

OCD_OCD: Mmmm hmmm

near50ohoh: first posts i put in on this thread but others kept distracting me,, really check 1rst pg!! like you are now

Zanjan: " And as an inevitable result, such individual thinkers have often been hated, hunted, persecuted and murdered by religious believers. "

That's a highly questionable statement - atheists, as a group, are never persecuted for being atheists; thus, I would hold to question even a single one who *allegedly* was. I think if you check out each story, you'll find an unrelated reason for anyone to dislike them.

As its written, you don't shake a tree without apples.

I agree - atheism is an attitude, a very biased and cynical one.

"Atheism is the complete emancipation of the human mind from the chains and fears of superstition."

I disagree - atheism has no power to change; I've never seen an instance where it has. You cant emancipate yourself - that's like expecting a candle to light itself. We can all make comparisons between movements and see who's on the crest of the wave of civilized advancement for the times.

People choose to be atheist because it fits their *own* idea of themselves; it doesn't make any new demands on one's intellect, lifestyle and soul because it's nothing more than a *position* of disbelief.

"It is the human mind in its natural environment....."

"Self" is what is natural for the human, who starts out in life that way. What a shame if he ends up that way too, never having realized his spiritual potential.

near50ohoh: when you describe what an atheist is i'm not sure if there is anything beyond critical thinker in your concept and i wonder just which believers you have met. i'm confused by that. i have often discussed people's faith and found it to be warranted and insightful about how time has changed it, historically and in their own lives. i feel they have truthfully screened through the dogma and found a volatile force they can live with and explain to others. in intelligent terms rather than hysterical and superstitious. the believers you describe do exist but they are far from all of them (sorry, us).these days i'm finding angry and cynical atheists instead of thinkers and i see that as a disturbing trend. why does it read to you that atheists have it all together. i was also fascinated to see that one atheist here on wireclub seems to think that scientists are all atheists or they are not scientists. what kind of premise is that? believers and scientists are all just people. lumping everyone into the category and saying they must be so because it suits your philosophy doesn't serve anyone. we live in a multi-perspective or multi-faith world now and have to show even faiths we see as odd the respect we would want for our group to get along today. and we all have histories to overcome of slavery and war. of treating our neighbours badly and our enemies horrifically. but today if we hold grudges we will not see a future at all. so i wonder if this type of discussion serves anyone. shouldn't we be trying to reconcile? if you want to see believers that i see sit in on a multi -faith prayer group and you will find they really exist. maybe you'll reconsider your own thinking instead of always directing believers to think just think.

near50ohoh: um i don't recall saying groups were self evaluating i meant individuals. i agree about "pagans" being insightful since they have yet to sever the link between nature and human needs. i think it's a critical one. probably why we're getting closer to extinction ourselves.

i wish i agreed about atheists not wanting to convert others to their anti-belief. i've experienced just the opposite. when i tell believers i have my own faith most calmly chat about the beliefs within and similarities. not so atheists . i get a lot of oh how can you thought you were educated kind of stuff. so denigration does turn about.

and believers are far from homogenous. where we all agree is that there is a god(s) or divine presence but then we argue about and war over everything else.

so i guess we've had differing experiences.

as to whether or not atheists are becoming a religion or more like one , i'd say they're not as far away as you seem to think or i'd hope.

Geoff:

near50ohoh: response to Tamanisha:

1) worship of self interest and ego

2) texts -example philosophy of Kant; writings of jainism, confucianism, agnosticism, nietszche's " God is dead", " Beyond good and evil"

3) mantra - i am the only one that directs myself and my universe ohm

4) before each gathering,searches room for icons

5) even "churches" meet in people's homes or schools on weekends

6) philosophers and scientists currently adored and many start up ideologically with just one leader not a whole hierarchy

7) motivational and alt healing gurus

are you under the impression i speak only about christianity? i don't you know. to me believers are any faith that has lasted thousands of years with groups, texts, moral codes etc.