A good atheist is a more highly evolved human than a good Christian, generally speaking. It is what we all should aspire to being. Relgion keeps man closer to the cave than to fulfilling the potential in our DNA. Once I grasped that concept, it made religion all the more useless. And if it turns out that there is an afterlife, who would your god rather have walking through the pearly gates? Someone who followed orders waiting on a reware or someone who was good simply because it was the right thing to do? This isn't complicated; theists make it so. I wish the lurkers and theists reading this would think.
Posts by DJS
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79The life differences between a good christian and good athiest
by EndofMysteries inlet's compare a christian who goes to a non judgemental / non guilt trip church which focuses really on the gospels, jesus teachings on being non judgemental, anything out of love there is no law against, and they contribute to society.
then an athiest who if you put side by side w/ the above christian, you would not know any difference unless you asked their beliefs.
both are good people, who are able to lead lives doing what they want, enjoying their life, and trying to help their neighbors too.
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The life differences between a good christian and good athiest
by EndofMysteries inlet's compare a christian who goes to a non judgemental / non guilt trip church which focuses really on the gospels, jesus teachings on being non judgemental, anything out of love there is no law against, and they contribute to society.
then an athiest who if you put side by side w/ the above christian, you would not know any difference unless you asked their beliefs.
both are good people, who are able to lead lives doing what they want, enjoying their life, and trying to help their neighbors too.
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DJS
This comment has been addressed recently; are you serious about it? It is similar to a parent taking the hope of Santa Claus away by telling them (finally) the truth. Does the child look forward to Chirstmas less? Maybe, I don't know, but how is it relevant.
Haven't you read some of the amazing freedoms and benefits derived from being out of ALL religions? I like myself and my life 1000 times more than when I was a JW and a somewhat post-JW Christian. And guess what? I'm good for goodness' sake; I don't need, nor do I want or desire, a carrot/stick to make be behave. I figure this life is all we have, and I live every day to make it meaningful. It has also been pointed out on this forum that empirical data suggests atheists are better behaved and more moral than theists. I have the reference material if you would like. So I'm a bit confused as to what points you are trying to make.
And if I 'rob' someone of a hope, it wasn't too strong in the first place. If I 'rob' someone of a false hope because of the evidence, science and rational discussions I and other atheists make, I see that as a good thing. A very good thing. I may be missing something you are trying to say.
all athiests will do is rob somebody of their hope for an afterlife. No extra freedom or benefits than they already got once out of JW's, but just taking that away.
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Is it just me or has this site become a Believer/Atheist warzone?
by BU2B ini enjoy the odd thread about evoloution vs creation, etc but lately it seems that a large percentage of threads here devolve into fighting between atheists and theists and distract from what most of us here see eye to eye on, the wt and related things.
i wish things could be more civil here and fr people to realize that people will never see eye to eye on the topic.
it gets so tiring to see the contstant bickring and fighting on those threads.. they seem to go on page after page but very little of substance is discussed seeing as the existence or non existence of a god can be proven by anyone.
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DJS
Flying Hiigh,
Well stated. I have made multiple comments about atheists staying out of clearly theist discussions and vice versa, unless there is a rational, meaningful argument to be made. Theists have a very narrow range of 'rational' and 'meaningful' arguments, such as AB and ID. Otherwise, they are defaulting to their beliefs, which are screen clutter and background noise at best (to be ignored) and deserving of ridicule at worst. I will plead guilty to being a smart ass and using sarcasm. It is my style and I will give it up when Rev. Tammy and the Thundercats (sarcasm alert) stop the nonsensical comments you refer to below. Repeating mantras, as if repetition makes the argument any more sound, or referring to the bible as the authority (I mean REALLY) is so effing annoying on this forum when the topic is science, the age of the universe, the fossil record, sub-atomic particles, the Big Bang Theory (the theory not the TV show, which rocks), etc. Simon referred to this a few days ago. I rarely post and do not, as I stated, enter theist discussions (they make me want to hurl), but when I read or participate in very good non-theological discussions that become contaminated by the theists with their mantras, I respond with sarcasm. I try not to, really I do. But I seem to have a need to do so. Again, well stated.
What is war, is the boasting, the nastiness, the name calling, the exchanges of mile long, bulleted tit for tat back and forths, from either side. It's childish. It adds nothing to the forum. Need every expression of belief or of non belief in any kind of topic or thread be met with nastiness from either or both factions? Example, on a thread discussing Evolution or the Big Bang, need fundamentalists pop up to argue whether God exists or not? Need they pop up to try to save everyone who does not hold their same views or beliefs? Second example: on a thread discussing the beauty and varities of trees, need every comment about Evolution or the wonders and genius of God be met with nastiness and name calling from anyone?
To me, to suggest that someone is not saved because of their disbelief, different belief, or condemned to hell for same reason, is unwise, ineffective and insulting. Equally ineffective, hurtful and insulting is to tell call someone's god The Flying Spaghetti Monster or to tell the person he or she is delusional and listening to voices in their heads that don't exist. Name calling doesn't help, nor does it convince the person that you are addressing, of your viewpoint. Name calling just makes the person the butt of your jokes and an object of laughter to you and others. Name calling can bring deep hurt and rifts that, otherwise, are so easily avoided.
The truth is, theists can't prove atheists wrong. Atheists cannot prove theists or diests wrong either. The battles might be deafened to a tiny roar if people would agree to disagree, in a respectful way.
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Interview with an Apostate: Cofty
by cofty intell us a little about yourself and your family.. my wife and i are fortunate to live in a lovely little country cottage northumberland in northern england.
we have two children who have both grown up and left home.
our son is a physical training instructor in the royal air force and our daughter works in the historic city of york.. were you a born in or a convert?.
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DJS
Cofty,
I'm not worthy. Excellent post from one of my favorite posters.
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I want to Believe in Something
by James Jackson inafter serving in an appointed position for over 26 years (21 elder, 5 ms,14 pioneer), i have no more dreams of paradise, bored at the meetings, do not enjoy the field ministry.
the desire to do anything is gone.
i want to believe in something!.
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DJS
Believe in today. Believe in tomorrow. Believe in yourself. Believe in your ability to do whatever it is you wish or desire (you may not accomplish everything you try but you will not accomplish anything you don't attempt). And quit worrying about it all. I know that is easier said than done, but try to just live life and appreciate all that the JW world took from you. It is never too late to live an interesting and full life. And start NOW.
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Challenge to Athiests - is Religion a Pox on Mankind?
by jgnat ini've spent the last few years examining my core beliefs to test what still stands.
i've let go of an inviolate bible, demoted jesus to a failed prophet, and god as unable to act against injustice.
our universe made itself.
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DJS
Religion was probably a necessity a long time ago (in a galaxy far far away). Absent welfare, SS, worker's comp, food stamps, good paying jobs, equal rights for women, etc., clan/cave/tribe leaders attempted to control human behavior which caused social problems, such as babies without baby fathers. To that effect religion had its place. And sadly many people can't seem to behave unless they have the spectre of fear/carrot/stick/judging to motivate them. Religion, in this regard, kept humans from evolving.
And like anything man makes, religion became way too powerful. With power comes corruption.
So religion was necessary, for a while. It only continues to be 'necessary' because we as a race are too stupid to understand that we can be nice, generous, moral without it. Unless and until that happens religion will still have some benefits. "Civilization will not attain perfection until the last stone from the last church falls on the last priest" (Émile Zola).
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So what types of people actually flourish under the JW regime?
by Julia Orwell ini sure as eggs know which types don't:.
creative types: to do well at a creative industry one must dedicate a lot of time to developing one's talent, and as a jw one simply doesn't have time.
since writing a story or painting a picture doesn't contribute in any way to prestudy, meetings or fs results it's considered useless anyway.
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DJS
Fluorish? Interesting word. Does anyone really fluorish as a JW? If I consider 'fluorish' to mean be successful with the borganization (as it deems success, i.e., elder, CO, DO, etc.) and essentially happy with it, I would have to say that ego-driven, power hungry sociopathic men who like lording things over others and who have little to no actual sense of accomplishment in their pathetic lives.
Many (the sheeple) stay in because they like others to make decisions and think for them and they are drawn to the promise of a paradise where they didn't have to actually do anything to earn it (build it, plan it, manage it) other than half assed behave for a while and follow a ridiculous set of manmade rules. But I wouldn't say they 'fluorish.'
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Is it just me or has this site become a Believer/Atheist warzone?
by BU2B ini enjoy the odd thread about evoloution vs creation, etc but lately it seems that a large percentage of threads here devolve into fighting between atheists and theists and distract from what most of us here see eye to eye on, the wt and related things.
i wish things could be more civil here and fr people to realize that people will never see eye to eye on the topic.
it gets so tiring to see the contstant bickring and fighting on those threads.. they seem to go on page after page but very little of substance is discussed seeing as the existence or non existence of a god can be proven by anyone.
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DJS
I don't really call it a war. Atheist has facts and science as weapons, albeit to support theories in some cases. Theists have imaginary friends and . . Theists have imaginary friends. That isn't really a war, and why I don't partiicipate. People are free to 'believe' anything they wish, but it is ridiculous to try to enter scientific/rational discussions with nothing other than one's 'belief.' They don't belong in such discussions but participants on this site routinely do so. Peace out (smart ass alert).
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Do you have smoking ban in your community?
by Iamallcool indoes it include all public places, etc...?.
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DJS
The state where I live banned it in public places several years ago. Establishments (bars, etc.) which exclude those under 21 from either entering or working can allow it. I am very glad. Smoking is disgusting and smokers are among the rudest. In the U.S. I believe the smoking rate is down to about 17 - 18 percent of the population, which is great. I'm also glad healthcare is starting to charge smokers more for insurance premiums, as they should. I"m also sick of subsidizing the idiots who ruin thier lungs/health over decades by their own poor choices, and smoking is one of the worst.
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I am free!!! What Shall I do on this Meeting Night?
by KateWild inso i am at a loose end tonight.
i am not going to the meeting and sitting on the back row looking repentant no way!.
here are some options... care to add some if you wish, help me to decide.. 1. go to the meeting and sit in the middle, reading "einstein and religion" paperback, go in early and stay after the prayer.
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DJS
Go to a club and pick up a girl to play with. You asked.