Member introductions.

Hey there guys, my name's Brent but you don't have to call me that if you don't wish to. I've seen links in domatron and Genetic code's sigs so I thought I'd give this union a shot. I developed atheistic and anti-theistic beliefs after reading parts of the Koran and the old testament. I say "parts" because I have no interest in learning more scriptures after what I've read.

I think it's possible that god exists but I think it's unlikely. My attitude wouldn't change even if he did. I'm happier rejecting everything.

lol, "secret" club. You obviously aren't aware of the various spies within your ranks.:roll:Theokhoth

Oh noes! :o We need some pyros to spy-check!

(Cookie for whoever gets that reference)

lol, "secret" club. You obviously aren't aware of the various spies within your ranks.:roll:Theokhoth

You've exposed yourself!

*Charges lasers!*

Hey Brent, I've seen you around on OT. Welcome! :)Forerunner-117

Thanks. I too have seen you around. How could I forget an avatar like that?

Heyyy guys! I'm not that much of an Athiest, but I don't believe in any religion lol.

Hi. :)

Welcome everyone. You especially Rikusaki, since you're the newest one.Genetic_Code

Hi! Hey, you know what? Our avatars kind of match! They both have similar colors and stuff! :P

Raised athiest by parents, went to an Anglican school, now athiest. Neither has affected me much, I just follow what makes more sense to me. And sense makes, blind faith does not.noswear

Cool! :)

Yes, and you've been a great addition to the group F_L.btaylor2404

I saw Funky and I thought, "Now how does a smooth cat like that just blend in so well?"Genetic_Code

Ha ha, I just realised that I posted in half the threads and haven't yet introduced myself. How rude of me. :P
Anyway, I'm a weak atheist/agnostic/atheist/agnostic atheist/whatever you want to call it. :P
Funky_Llama

Ahh the Llama is here. The veteran of many a OT CWU thread.

Hello to all,

My name is Josh, I'm 29, and I live in the Philly area. I was raised fundamentalist/evangelical christian and remained blissfully so for many years. I was even the protestant layleader for our platoon in boot camp. Then one day about a year out of the Corps, I found myself laid off and bored and I rented David Attenborough's BBC special on evolution. I watched the entire four hours and was left with a major chink in my "armor of faith". What I saw made so much sense and gave logical answers for problems I had with Creationism. This started a chain reaction of deep introspection and asking myself, "If this aspect of the bible cannot possibly be taken literally, what else is figurative at best? What else does not make any sense at all?"

Gradually I began to question the basic tenets of the religion (ie the grand plan and purpose of humanity, the existence of hell, satan, etc, and finally the existence of Jesus and god). I eventually came to the conclusion that christianity as a religion was invalid, and by extension so were Judaism and Islam, as they pull from the same sources. Further cementing my rejection of christianity was the realization of just how many millions of people have been slaughtered, tortured, displaced, etc. in the name of God and that if there is a God, he/she/it/they simply allowed it to happen. It didn't matter who was really right or if what they believed was valid; all that mattered was which side had the will, the numbers, and the technology to kill the other. Now I bounce between atheism and agnosticism (I'd like to believe in a higher power, but I often think there's nobody piloting the ship).

I do admit that I am more than a bit unfair to the religious people, becuase if I find that they are christian, I automatically assume a lower intelligence, especially if they take the bible literally, but I can't help myself. Perhaps I should accept the fact that I have to have just as much faith to believe in science as they do to believe in God. It's just that I like to have testable, verifyable, reproducable evidence to support my beliefs.

Maybe I'm just bitter. Well, enough digression; I'm happy to be here and look forward to the discussions

Welcome! Glad to see another PC gamer here. ;)

I know what you mean about being bitter at times though, I'm the same way.

Hello, I'm 14, and a Christian. I don't know a lot(even about my own religion, aside from the basics), but it's interesting to see what other people have to say. :)epayps2

I don't think 14 year olds should be exposed to atheism much at all, mainly because it's amoral (yes, I know atheists can have morals but there's no universal doctrine of morality), and religion can instill discipline in morality very easily with children, which is important, in my opinion. Maybe I shouldn't say that to scare you off. Whatever the case is, nothing seems to be holding you back and I hope you can approach the topics with an open mind. Maybe I'm over-reacting, but I think someone young as you are might be persuaded to atheism prematurely and you might not get an accurate view of all of the sides...

Whatever the case may be, welcome to the union and I hope you enjoy it! :D

[QUOTE="epayps2"]Hello, I'm 14, and a Christian. I don't know a lot(even about my own religion, aside from the basics), but it's interesting to see what other people have to say. :)Genetic_Code

I don't think 14 year olds should be exposed to atheism much at all, mainly because it's amoral (yes, I know atheists can have morals but there's no universal doctrine of morality), and religion can instill discipline in morality very easily with children, which is important, in my opinion. Maybe I shouldn't say that to scare you off. Whatever the case is, nothing seems to be holding you back and I hope you can approach the topics with an open mind. Maybe I'm over-reacting, but I think someone young as you are might be persuaded to atheism prematurely and you might not get an accurate view of all of the sides...

Whatever the case may be, welcome to the union and I hope you enjoy it! :D

And thanks for the welcome. :D

Eh, I haven't been converted into an athiest or a Democrat, through my lurking on GS.... but I see what you meen.

And thanks for the welcome. :D

epayps2

I don't know if someone can "convert" into irreligion or a political party although I wouldn't be surprised with the Democrats and their obsession with their messiah..., but yeah, I'm going to start a political debate right here in one of the most inconvenient places of the AU. :P

You're certainly welcome. ^_^

Oh, and I don't know what I'm saying about you being 14. I used to cringe when I was in middle school whenever I was referred to as a child so I hope you weren't offended or anything when I referred to you as a "child". It's a weird trick time plays on us.

[QUOTE="epayps2"]Hello, I'm 14, and a Christian. I don't know a lot(even about my own religion, aside from the basics), but it's interesting to see what other people have to say. :)Genetic_Code

I don't think 14 year olds should be exposed to atheism much at all, mainly because it's amoral (yes, I know atheists can have morals but there's no universal doctrine of morality), and religion can instill discipline in morality very easily with children, which is important, in my opinion. Maybe I shouldn't say that to scare you off. Whatever the case is, nothing seems to be holding you back and I hope you can approach the topics with an open mind. Maybe I'm over-reacting, but I think someone young as you are might be persuaded to atheism prematurely and you might not get an accurate view of all of the sides...

Whatever the case may be, welcome to the union and I hope you enjoy it! :D

What the hell man? You're hindering this unions secret agenda to indoctrinate children and the guillible with atheism. Stop it!

O Hi everyone welcome to the union.

What the hell man? You're hindering this unions secret agenda to indoctrinate children and the guillible with atheism. Stop it!

domatron23

DUDE! Are you trying to blow our cover?

[QUOTE="epayps2"]Hello, I'm 14, and a Christian. I don't know a lot(even about my own religion, aside from the basics), but it's interesting to see what other people have to say. :)Genetic_Code

I don't think 14 year olds should be exposed to atheism much at all, mainly because it's amoral (yes, I know atheists can have morals but there's no universal doctrine of morality), and religion can instill discipline in morality very easily with children, which is important, in my opinion. Maybe I shouldn't say that to scare you off. Whatever the case is, nothing seems to be holding you back and I hope you can approach the topics with an open mind. Maybe I'm over-reacting, but I think someone young as you are might be persuaded to atheism prematurely and you might not get an accurate view of all of the sides...

Whatever the case may be, welcome to the union and I hope you enjoy it! :D

We have a double agent in our midst!

What the hell man? You're hindering this unions secret agenda to indoctrinate children and the guillible with atheism. Stop it!

domatron23

Oh yeah. My bad. I was possessed by the Holy Spirit to say that. :P

I don't think 14 year olds should be exposed to atheism much at all, mainly because it's amoral (yes, I know atheists can have morals but there's no universal doctrine of morality), and religion can instill discipline in morality very easily with children, which is important, in my opinion. Maybe I shouldn't say that to scare you off. Whatever the case is, nothing seems to be holding you back and I hope you can approach the topics with an open mind. Maybe I'm over-reacting, but I think someone young as you are might be persuaded to atheism prematurely and you might not get an accurate view of all of the sides...

Genetic_Code

I see where you are coming from, Genetic_Code, but can't the same type of thing be said regarding religion? In the beginning of The God Delusion, Dawkins points out that "children are too young to know where they stand on such issues, just as they are too young to know where they stand on economics or politics". So shouldn't we either introduce them to both equally, or introduce them to neither?

Oh and epayps2, I didn't mean to imply that you are a child either. :P

Children in MY AU?

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:P

I see where you are coming from, Genetic_Code, but can't the same type of thing be said regarding religion?Forerunner-117

Atheism doesn't claim truth, just lack thereof. Therefore, children who always want answers to everything ("Why is the sky blue?") will be unsatisified.

In the beginning of The God Delusion, Dawkins points out that "children are too young to know where they stand on such issues, just as they are too young to know where they stand on economics or politics". So shouldn't we either introduce them to both equally, or introduce them to neither?Forerunner-117

That would be the equivalent of saying that apoliticism should be taught as well. It's just silly and needless. Also, stances are determine by observations, not the other way around, so the child will have to make the observation before making a stance, unless the stance is an assertion that is made without any support, not to suggest that there isn't support, but that the child is oblivious of any support that the stance could render (e.g. "Christianity is true.").

I personally prefer this impartial statement: "Christians claim Christianity is true. They cite the Bible, our existence, uncertainties that seem likely to always exist in science, and the problem of evil as evidence of their belief that a superior God that has given His Son to die for humanity's salvation."

Even then, by that statement, they may believe simply by the illustrious use of the language that leads to certainty in the statements made and their lack of understanding which might make it difficult to distinguish between "belief" and "fact". I'm fine with that. Children are prone to mistakes. What's important additionally is that they learn from them, and by learning they better establish their beliefs based their conclusion of facts.

I really want to marry some religious and devout though to instill values in children. You probably know me as an atheist, but I'm no friend of atheism. I simply prefer it because it seems most logical to me, but the lack of universal morality and purpose troubles me, even if I find it most likely true. Funky_Llama may disagree with me there.

I simply prefer it because it seems most logical to me, but the lack of universal morality and purpose troubles me, even if I find it most likely true. Funky_Llama may disagree with me there.

Genetic_Code

Nah, you didn't assert it to be true, you just gave your gut feeling and reaction to it, so unfortunately I can't touch you on that one. :P

Funky_Llama

That and this isn't really the place to be arguing it. ~_~

Hey dude. What's up with that post count? I always thought it was much lower. >_>

[QUOTE="epayps2"]Hello, I'm 14, and a Christian. I don't know a lot(even about my own religion, aside from the basics), but it's interesting to see what other people have to say. :)Genetic_Code

I don't think 14 year olds should be exposed to atheism much at all, mainly because it's amoral (yes, I know atheists can have morals but there's no universal doctrine of morality), and religion can instill discipline in morality very easily with children, which is important, in my opinion. Maybe I shouldn't say that to scare you off. Whatever the case is, nothing seems to be holding you back and I hope you can approach the topics with an open mind. Maybe I'm over-reacting, but I think someone young as you are might be persuaded to atheism prematurely and you might not get an accurate view of all of the sides...

Whatever the case may be, welcome to the union and I hope you enjoy it! :D

GC, don't you think humanity has a morality to it?  Don't we all as humans possess a certain set of moral beliefs, passed down from various religions, ancient empires, ect...?   Religion instilling morality and discipline in children?  I thought that was my job as a parent?

GC, don't you think humanity has a morality to it?  Don't we all as humans possess a certain set of moral beliefs, passed down from various religions, ancient empires, ect...?   Religion instilling morality and discipline in children?  I thought that was my job as a parent?

btaylor2404

Humanity has a morality to it, but it's not as centralized as religion, and I rarely see children who aren't religious grow up to behave well. Generally, most atheists I see that are very pleasant were but only because religion instilled morality at a young age and rejected their beliefs at a later age. Yes, parents can instill morality and they should. I do think that the parents' religion should be a focus for the child if the parents do so desire (it is their option ultimately). For example, if religion is absent of a child's life, then what governs them are their parents, and if children see how other parents discipline their children, then they will wonder why there are inconsistencies in these measures, and there's no higher authority above the parents to make the child stop and think when comparing the inconsistencies.

For example, if Susan is able to listen to death metal and, as a result, talks about killing people, but Johnny is not, Johnny may see Susan and wonder why he can't. If Johnny was raised in a proper environment, he may consider it, and he may actually listen to the same music Susan is, but if Johnny was raised with the proper gumption, that force will eventually challenge Johnny's choice. Without that gumption, Johnny is a fool and will have little friction preventing him from listening to that music.

Basically, think of how children act because they want to receive a gift from Santa Clause, if that gets my message across, and granted, this is merely my opinion. I haven't considered what I would do if I have children.

Hello there, I'm a Chinese Christian in Sabah Malaysia. My father is a pastor and I've been attending a Baptist Church right now.(Moving next year though because my dad wants to continue his studies)

Even though I was brought up in a religous family, I was never really religious when I was young, I hated going to church and sunday school. Even when I do, I usually just sleep or just read a book during the service. I only started becoming religious when I was 15(I'm now 16) when I moved to Sabah(where I now live) I started to actually listening to the sermons and I started reading the Bible. I also joined the Sunday school there. And later the youth group. 

I questioned my belief a lot of times, but because of that, my faith now is very strong(believe it or not, the OT forums also helped develop my faith, God really does work in mysterious ways eh? ) 

I am now serving in my Church and I am also a pianist and bassist in my Church. I'll also be honest and say that when I read through this thread, I became kind of sad, because many of you guys are from Christian families but you turned away. I pray that you will all find God because I really like a lot of you guys.(Please don't flame me for this)

Hello there, I'm a Chinese Christian in Sabah Malaysia. My father is a pastor and I've been attending a Baptist Church right now.(Moving next year though because my dad wants to continue his studies)

Even though I was brought up in a religous family, I was never really religious when I was young, I hated going to church and sunday school. Even when I do, I usually just sleep or just read a book during the service. I only started becoming religious when I was 15(I'm now 16) when I moved to Sabah(where I now live) I started to actually listening to the sermons and I started reading the Bible. I also joined the Sunday school there. And later the youth group. 

I questioned my belief a lot of times, but because of that, my faith now is very strong(believe it or not, the OT forums also helped develop my faith, God really does work in mysterious ways eh? ) 

I am now serving in my Church and I am also a pianist and bassist in my Church. I'll also be honest and say that when I read through this thread, I became kind of sad, because many of you guys are from Christian families but you turned away. I pray that you will all find God because I really like a lot of you guys.(Please don't flame me for this)

Lonelynight