Comments on: Why I am an atheist

By: Jairo Mejia

Jairo Mejia — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:30:59 +0000

Atheists and Gnostics are right in most of their thinking

It has been common among religious believers to look with misgiving to atheists and Gnostics, and to think that they are mistaken; however, in many instances the opposite is the truth; some religious beliefs are not just irrelevant, but baseless. The “God” of main line traditions simply does not exist. I accepted the challenge of finding the One who may be recognized even by Gnostics and atheists: the Existence itself, “All-That-Is.” If something is there, that is God. Look at the book “Christianity Reformed From ist Roots – A life centered in God” (Amazon.com). I am confident that some of your friends will be relieved of the illusion, as I did myself.

Jairo Mejia, M. Psych., Santa Clara University
Retired Episcopal Priest
Carmel Valley, California

http://www.mbay.net/~jmejia/Grudzen.htm
http://www.mbay.net/~jmejia/Churcher.htm

By: James Plaskett

James Plaskett — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:52:23 +0000

Don´t believe in unicorns?

Hmmm…
Check out the naming of the PAIR of stars – the largest object of KNOWN measurable mass, if you please – in the constellation of The Unicorn: Monoceros.

By: Michael Nugent

Michael Nugent — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:31:33 +0000

Well, it’s intended more as an explanation of why I am an atheist, rather than as a definition of atheism.

However, I don’t personally go along with the minimalist definitions of atheism that focus only on the etymology of the word.

I believe they are accurate, but incomplete.

I believe that any core related beliefs that necessarily follow from rejecting the existence of gods are, in practical terms, part of what atheism is in real life.

For example, I believe that atheism involves (not is, but involves) the belief that we can only learn about reality without the guidance of gods, and the belief that we make moral choices without the guidance of gods.

Sorry about the complicated sentence structure with too many “I believe”s but I don’t want to sound as if I am being prescriptive for other people.

By: Michael Nugent

Michael Nugent — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:23:09 +0000

Brilliant observation

My revised belief is that I don’t believe in unicorns, but I do believe in photographs of unicorns.

Unicornology is a very nuanced area of study, and not always internally consistent.

Michael

By: Roger

Roger — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:12:55 +0000

Michael,

That’s not atheism, that’s a mixture of skepticism and empiricism.

Roger.

By: James Plaskett

James Plaskett — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:11:18 +0000

I love this! -

“Atheism involves believing in the power of reason to pursue knowledge, accepting ideas because of evidence, rejecting ideas because of lack of evidence, and always being prepared to change your mind if you learn something new.”

AND THEN WE GET -

Photo: Unicorns by Erika Hall

An ASTUTE photographer, Erika, to snap those!

By: Durward

Durward — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:59:18 +0000

Michael, I don’t claim to have all the answers. I was born and raised in a Christian home. My dad taught me to never take anything for granted, but to seek the truth on my own. I have done that with my sons as well. I respect your opinions. It is difficult for me to not believe in God. When I sit on the mountaintop and look out over the beauty of this earth, I find it hard to think that everything happened by chance.
I can tell you of miracles that have happened in my life, instances that defy reason, but it would do no good. Why for instance, when I am usually one to follow closely behind a vehicle, did I suddenly withdraw to a safe distance, then a log from the truck aheand came streaking down? Had I been in the same position I had been for ten minutes, I would have not had time to react, resulting in a log through my windshield. There are numerous accounts even more amazing in my life. Others, I’m sure have even more astounding experiences. But, to a non-believer these words are meaningless.
I’m a skeptic by nature. I take very little at face value. The Word of God is as real to me as it is unreal to you.
You expressed a word of doubt in your message. You said you would change your mind when there is evidence. I challenge you to find a Bible and with an open mind, study it. Study it with a critical eye, but with a willingness to hear the unspoken word. You may be suprised at what evidence you find.

By: Michael Nugent

Michael Nugent — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:08:38 +0000

The short answer is that I believe our morality evolved.

I’ll develop the idea further in a separate post soon.

By: Ned Landry

Ned Landry — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:37:49 +0000

Where do you believe morals come from? I’m not an athiest, I am curious, since athiests claim some sort of moral discrimination. (if you don’t mind)

By: Doze

Doze — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:12:59 +0000

Armando Iannucci wrote that: “If we have not killed god off, we have at least given him brochures for a hospice that we are thinking of checking him in to.”

Fighting the cause of athiesm for future generations.

Love the site x