Posts by zound

243

Giant thread of convince-me-not-to-be-a-theist

by DS211 in

jw
friends

if you could teach me one thing to convince me not to believe what would it be?

for instance what has the wt taught about evolution/science or mans existence that is wrong and could possibly change skmeones mind?

and the more important question, why is it a creator couldnt allow for species to evolve?

zound

I'd recommend watching the series "Cosmos" - it helped me to realize just how amazing, precious and beautiful the world is, it was like I discovered the world anew watching it without the tinted glasses of a theist.

Exploring the "spiritual" (or a better word would be 'transcendent') side of not believing in a god is probably helpful. As an atheist, I get off on reality - seeking to understand the world better and better is incredibly satisfying. Atheists have "transcedent" experiences - we just don't feel the need to attribute them to something outside of reality.

Here is an excert from a speech in the series 'Cosmos', I hope it gets you interested:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgAnh8OB83U

243

Giant thread of convince-me-not-to-be-a-theist

by DS211 in

jw
friends

if you could teach me one thing to convince me not to believe what would it be?

for instance what has the wt taught about evolution/science or mans existence that is wrong and could possibly change skmeones mind?

and the more important question, why is it a creator couldnt allow for species to evolve?

zound

Be brave DS. It boils down with most theists, once you cut through the bullshit, that they are afraid of death - and want to hold on to the possibility of not having to face it.

You're not alone - you're surrounded by billions of people. Once you drop the imaginary friend you realize just how important those people are - because they are all there is.

Do I really need to tell you that wanting to believe something makes zero impact on if it is true or not? Self deluding yourself in the shortterm to make yourself feel better is not doing yourself any favors.

And finally... My own experience with becoming an atheist. I didn't seek out anything atheist related - I never considered atheism a possability - it wasn't until afterwards that I realised "Holy shit, I'm an atheist!"

Perhaps you should make an honest examinations of your beliefs - and why you beleive them. YOU. I don't know that asking others to try and convince you is helpful.

62

Ok, now I know why you atheists get so spittin' mad at some believers.

by Julia Orwell in

jw
friends

cuz they feel like they're banging their heads against a wall.. i don't really fall into the category of atheist or believer, but i'll go where the facts lead me.

that generally leads to atheism, and is why atheists end up getting mad and therefore rude at believers: they will lay out facts, raise questions, play devil's advocate, and reason in an evidence-based, structured way.

i've seen it many times before on this forum.

zound

Thank you phizzy - nice work.

243

Giant thread of convince-me-not-to-be-a-theist

by DS211 in

jw
friends

if you could teach me one thing to convince me not to believe what would it be?

for instance what has the wt taught about evolution/science or mans existence that is wrong and could possibly change skmeones mind?

and the more important question, why is it a creator couldnt allow for species to evolve?

zound

To play devils advocate - she did say:

At one point though, I decided to go with what Christ was written to have said, and nothing more than that.

243

Giant thread of convince-me-not-to-be-a-theist

by DS211 in

jw
friends

if you could teach me one thing to convince me not to believe what would it be?

for instance what has the wt taught about evolution/science or mans existence that is wrong and could possibly change skmeones mind?

and the more important question, why is it a creator couldnt allow for species to evolve?

zound

Just one last Q.

If someone did not or could not ever hear the voice of jesus (as you describe) or have any supernatural influence - and instead have to rely purely on what the bible says alone, the reality of the world and their brains - would you say that it's likely or unlikely to come to believe in jesus etc?

243

Giant thread of convince-me-not-to-be-a-theist

by DS211 in

jw
friends

if you could teach me one thing to convince me not to believe what would it be?

for instance what has the wt taught about evolution/science or mans existence that is wrong and could possibly change skmeones mind?

and the more important question, why is it a creator couldnt allow for species to evolve?

zound

At one point though, I decided to go with what Christ was written to have said, and nothing more than that.

I don't mean to stir the hornets nest. But in addition, you clearly go with what christ says to you directly (at least on other issues)

243

Giant thread of convince-me-not-to-be-a-theist

by DS211 in

jw
friends

if you could teach me one thing to convince me not to believe what would it be?

for instance what has the wt taught about evolution/science or mans existence that is wrong and could possibly change skmeones mind?

and the more important question, why is it a creator couldnt allow for species to evolve?

zound

Okay, you may be right as to the distinction - I would say it's not very cut and dry - as usual, god has provided a vague and unclear message in the good book.

243

Giant thread of convince-me-not-to-be-a-theist

by DS211 in

jw
friends

if you could teach me one thing to convince me not to believe what would it be?

for instance what has the wt taught about evolution/science or mans existence that is wrong and could possibly change skmeones mind?

and the more important question, why is it a creator couldnt allow for species to evolve?

zound

Tammy, I don't want to dig for it now but you said on a thread a week or so ago that the penalty for Adam and Eve sinning against god was NOT death (you were at that time defending that god was not malicious) but that the consequences of sin was growing old, getting sick and dying. (which is kind of the same thing - but nevermind that)

So why is it such a stretch for you that sin is purported to be the reason behind maladies - and Jesus forgiving sins results in healing?

And also, why does the distinction matter to you - does it have some other implication that is important?

243

Giant thread of convince-me-not-to-be-a-theist

by DS211 in

jw
friends

if you could teach me one thing to convince me not to believe what would it be?

for instance what has the wt taught about evolution/science or mans existence that is wrong and could possibly change skmeones mind?

and the more important question, why is it a creator couldnt allow for species to evolve?

zound

Another point to add - the command from Jesus "Sin no more" is ridiculous. He is talking to an imperfect human who will no doubt sin again in some capacity before the day is through.

243

Giant thread of convince-me-not-to-be-a-theist

by DS211 in

jw
friends

if you could teach me one thing to convince me not to believe what would it be?

for instance what has the wt taught about evolution/science or mans existence that is wrong and could possibly change skmeones mind?

and the more important question, why is it a creator couldnt allow for species to evolve?

zound

Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.