I Am An Atheist

by Abandoned 25 Replies latest jw friends

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  tall penguin

  "I think atheist is most accurately defined as one who has no belief in a god, as opposed to the idea of believing there is not a god."
  
  Thank you for this seeker4. I've been wanting a more accurate definition for atheist.
  
  And congrats abandoned. I just read "The God Delusion" as well and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm now reading "The End of Faith" by Sam Harris. Great read. Damn those sexy atheists. Richard Dawkins is hot! :)
  
  tall penguin
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  Abandoned

  Thanks everyone. I appreciate your comments. It's hard for me to explain exactly how I feel, but I guess it would be a mix of contentment and wonder. I was already fully convinced that whatever good that religion does do, and it does manage a lot of charity, is overshadowed by the small-minded bigotry that while not filling every last inch of every last religion, is at least, highly pervasive. When I first realized that religion is a scam and that someone getting messages from god and having special information about how I should live my life is just the adult version of a spoiled brat wanting to make the rules if we want to play with his ball, I felt vacuous even lost. I still was amazed at animals and flowers and sunsets and mountain vistas and chocolate, especially chocolate, but I became angry at the thought of having to pay homage to another so-called god that ultimately proves to be just another being with human feelings, emotions, and attributes only with more power, more wisdom, and an address somewhere beyond the stars. Basically, there was no way I was trudging back through that unsatisfying morass. So, I needed something that recognized, even heralded how magnificent the universe was without also assuming the need to guide and protect my eternal soul.

  Even before I picked up and started reading this book, I realized that there had to be cleaner, more intuitive, and less confrontational explanation for why there are so many aspects of the universe that are breath-taking and at the same time, so many people who are too busy fighting about who's imaginary friend is cooler to even look up and take notice. So, even before I bought it, I think I was moving in the direction that its author was leading. I think, too, that that's why reading it was not so much of an "ah hah" as an "uh huh."

  So thanks again for all the comments. Thanks for talking about it a month or so ago and making it sound interesting enough for me to pick it up and check it out.
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  Billzfan23

  I saw this book at the book store and the wife was PISSED when she caught me thumbing though it. Might have to keep it in my car....
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  JWdaughter

  I had the book on my Christmas list, but am a little scared to read it. (DON'T LAUGH AT ME, PEOPLE-thats where I am right now!)Ihaven't gotten it yet, but going to trade in the new diet book for it:)

  Some of you may remember my epiphany of a few weeks/couple months ago. Happened actually the last time I had pneumonia. It seems to have gotten me again and I am having it conf. with the doctor tomorrow. Might be the right time for me to read it-or it may entirely rock my world (Not like a really awesome love affair). Losing all confidence in the Bible just a couple months ago is still hard for me to compute-as much as I am constantly having the fact reconfirmed. For example the question "Why do animals die", really points out the absurdity of much of the basis of the entire Bible 'message' when you think about it. Just another screw in the coffin (that sounds bad, but nails are fast, thoughtless and less sturdy-I am considering the issue still and ruminating on it-so its more like a screw! I am the daughter of a carpenter-ok??) If I sound insane tonite, chalk it up to the pneumonia, please! Thanks.
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  Abandoned

  Might be the right time for me to read it-or it may entirely rock my world (Not like a really awesome love affair).

  LOL! I think you are going to be way more than just pleasantly surprised. It isn't disrespectful to appreciation. It does hold religions accountable for the claims they make and how their claims stand up in the face of proven, scientific fact. If you want to believe in your religion, no matter what, then this book is going to be a nightmare. If you want a logical and rational way to view the universe that doesn't require the use of imaginary playthings, this book will be a treat.
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  lonelysheep

  I found South Park's recent satirization of Dawkins to be so sadly misplaced. That show is losing me fast, they seem to come down on the side of the righties all too often, and I think they (and most Americans) don't recognize just how sinister of a force the radical Christian right is.

  I agree. That South Park episode was certainly disappointing. Here I thought they were going to use some aspects of his book to make light of the christian shadow over this country, but instead, went the other way. It wasn't at all what I expected.