nvrgbk, I don't what age you are, but let me say, I have devoted most of my life in assisting people and in my years of experience, people take more than they give. I'm talking from experience not off the shoulder. I still give of myself to this day.
Why not write to me personally.
Golf
Who here are basically athiest now???
by What-A-Coincidence 77 Replies latest jw friends
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golf2
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greendawn
It was Christianity that got the world out of the instinct worshipping pagan system and taught them to look beyond the immediate and the simple and antagonise the instincts and their goals. That's how civilisation develops through a spiritual direction through subliming the instincts.
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AlmostAtheist
Wow, GreenDawn, I have no idea what you just said. (I have a horrible sore throat, so between pain and medicine-head, I'm a little off) Can you break that down a little for me? What do you mean?
Thanks in advance for your kind indulgence!
Dave
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nvrgnbk
Golf2. I apologize if my words came out wrong. I don't know you, therefore cannot and will not pass judgment on you. If my comments appear to do so , please accept my most sincere regret. I am relatively young, I am very aware of that. As for my own personal experience, I am amazed EVERYDAY to see the altruism and kindness humans are capable of. I am also frustrated to see all the pointless suffering that goes on. I extend my unconditional love to you. Yes, talk is cheap I understand. I wish you all the best friend. Again forgive my words if they caused you any harm in any way.
Nvr
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IsaacJS2
Yet another "hard core" atheist here. I'm glad someone mentioned the definition of the word. People don't realize that agnosticism isn't an in-between category. The overwhelming majority of atheists are actually agnostics as well. So are many theists, in fact.
I think the Austin Cline web site at About.com is the best on this. (I'm working on some ex-JW turned atheist articles for him right now, in fact) He addresses everything from atheists in the news to misconceptions about atheists. And there are a LOT of misconceptions. These are the things that bug me the most about people who have a real problem with atheists. Nearly everything they seem to believe about us is just plain untrue and unfair. It gets real fun when a Witness (who used to be your friend) tries to informyou about yourbeliefs as if they know better than you do, and why you are full of crap about when you try to set them straight! Mabye they should try asking me instead of making assumptions based on their reading of the WT.
Grrr...
I think the words "atheist" and "fundamentalist" need to be replaced. What good are they when we have so many definitions and misunderstandings that can apply in the same context? You can't call yourself one or the other without having to explain which of the definitions you mean. The word "atheist" just comes with too much baggage. I tend to think "non-theist" is better. But I still call myself an atheist because that's the group I best belong to. Calling yourself irreligious or a non-theist makes it sound like you're embarassed to be an atheist in the first place. You just can't win, sometimes.
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Nathan Natas
I am an atheist.
Respectfully,
The Perambulating Atheist
(By the way, it is "atheist," not "athiest.")
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greendawn
Almost Atheist, that is Freud, civilisation develops from the sublimation of the instinctive energies that is diverting them from their natural course which is physical gratification and using them to develop loftier forms of human activity ie culture, civilisation. The pagan societies had no such concept and lived for their dark passions that was the nature of their religions and Gods. In fact many ancient Greek philosophers had such Christian like ideas but were ignored by their contemporaries.
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AlmostAtheist
Greendawn, I think I understand what you're saying now. It seems a bit of a generalization to speak in terms of "Christian" and "pagan", though. There have been wildly successful "pagan" cultures, complete with all the trimmings of society. I don't think monotheism, let alone christianity, can claim credit for moving humans from simple to advanced forms of civilisation.
Granted, I'm high on dextromethorphan, tired from lack of sleep, and in pain. So take my opinion for what it's worth! ;-)
Dave
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golf2
nrv, many thanks for the personal note.
Golf -
greendawn
Almost Atheist there were successful pagan cultures with a measure of achievement but none were truly civilised eg the ancient Greek society was functioning on slave labour the Romans delighted in the murderous gladitorial games, the Incas sacrificed humans on a very large scale, the Hindu Indians had and still have the abominable caste system and the untouchables and not so long ago they used to burn alive, widows with their dead husbands.