Comments on: Questions for God (with Answers!) http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/ Atheism with Positivity Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:18:17 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Richard Wade http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/comment-page-1/#comment-150907 Richard Wade Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:23:36 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/#comment-150907 From my point of view, whether the questions are intelligent or stupid is beside the point. Whether the answers are intelligent or stupid is also beside the point. These questions are directed to God, but <em>he</em> isn't answering the questions, <em>people</em> are. The level of intelligence or expertise of the people stepping in to answer on God's behalf and the originality of their unsolicited opinions do not change the fact that God is not answering, people are. All we learn from people is about their own agendas, biases, limitations, strengths, hopes and fears. We learn about people, but we don't learn about God. I'll be interested when he can speak for himself. From my point of view, whether the questions are intelligent or stupid is beside the point. Whether the answers are intelligent or stupid is also beside the point. These questions are directed to God, but he isn’t answering the questions, people are. The level of intelligence or expertise of the people stepping in to answer on God’s behalf and the originality of their unsolicited opinions do not change the fact that God is not answering, people are.

All we learn from people is about their own agendas, biases, limitations, strengths, hopes and fears. We learn about people, but we don’t learn about God. I’ll be interested when he can speak for himself.

]]> By: Claire http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/comment-page-1/#comment-149342 Claire Sat, 05 Apr 2008 23:58:35 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/#comment-149342 Jacob Dink said, <blockquote>Actually, I bet Thomas Aquinas has a good deal of answers to some of these questions.</blockquote> That was my other objection: as serious questions, these have already been asked and answered any number of times. Whenever they get posed, though, amateur apologists jump right in with discarded ideas like Pascal's wager for the umpteenth time, like it was some shiny new and irrefutable idea. It just gets <em>old</em>... I would love to see an actual new idea from some theist someday, but I am seriously not holding my breath. Jacob Dink said,

Actually, I bet Thomas Aquinas has a good deal of answers to some of these questions.

That was my other objection: as serious questions, these have already been asked and answered any number of times. Whenever they get posed, though, amateur apologists jump right in with discarded ideas like Pascal’s wager for the umpteenth time, like it was some shiny new and irrefutable idea. It just gets old… I would love to see an actual new idea from some theist someday, but I am seriously not holding my breath.

]]> By: Claire http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/comment-page-1/#comment-149336 Claire Sat, 05 Apr 2008 23:50:00 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/#comment-149336 Chris, what you are talking about is called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_wager" rel="nofollow"> Pascal's wager</a>, and it's old as the hills, and it's just not valid. Dee has already pointed out a few reasons why not, but there are tons more, and here's one: you say if god doesn't exist, then it's a draw, no harm, no foul. That's not true. If there is no god, then the christian has lived his whole life, <em>the only life he will ever have</em>, with a false belief system and a bad set of rules, and that's a loss. The atheist, on the other hand, has lived his one and only life on his own terms and to the fullest, because he knows it's all there will ever be, and that's a win. <blockquote>Whether you choose to open your eyes or not makes not difference to me</blockquote> I could, and often do, say that same thing about you and your fellow theists. My eyes <em>are</em> open. <blockquote>Why are atheists, by and large, so negative and angry? Feel free to email me with your answers.</blockquote> Leaving aside your stereotypes, you didn't give an email address, makes it just a little hard. I don't need one anyway, because the best answer I have ever seen is <a href="http://gretachristina.typepad.com/greta_christinas_weblog/2007/10/atheists-and-an.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>, on the internet already. She lists more reasons that you will probably have time to read, and they are all good reasons. Chris, what you are talking about is called Pascal’s wager, and it’s old as the hills, and it’s just not valid. Dee has already pointed out a few reasons why not, but there are tons more, and here’s one: you say if god doesn’t exist, then it’s a draw, no harm, no foul. That’s not true. If there is no god, then the christian has lived his whole life, the only life he will ever have, with a false belief system and a bad set of rules, and that’s a loss. The atheist, on the other hand, has lived his one and only life on his own terms and to the fullest, because he knows it’s all there will ever be, and that’s a win.

Whether you choose to open your eyes or not makes not difference to me

I could, and often do, say that same thing about you and your fellow theists. My eyes are open.

Why are atheists, by and large, so negative and angry? Feel free to email me with your answers.

Leaving aside your stereotypes, you didn’t give an email address, makes it just a little hard. I don’t need one anyway, because the best answer I have ever seen is here, on the internet already. She lists more reasons that you will probably have time to read, and they are all good reasons.

]]> By: Jacob Dink http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/comment-page-1/#comment-149270 Jacob Dink Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:08:03 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/#comment-149270 I don't really like this project. It's creating straw men out of intelligent believers with (almost sufficient) answers to these questions, who don't waste their time on line. Actually, I bet Thomas Aquinas has a good deal of answers to some of these questions. I don’t really like this project. It’s creating straw men out of intelligent believers with (almost sufficient) answers to these questions, who don’t waste their time on line.

Actually, I bet Thomas Aquinas has a good deal of answers to some of these questions.

]]> By: Dee http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/comment-page-1/#comment-149256 Dee Sat, 05 Apr 2008 18:46:07 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/#comment-149256 Chris, Your claim that it is logical to believe in God rests on several assumptions, namely that heaven exists, that belief in God is necessary and sufficient to get into heaven, that hell exists, and that all those to do not believe in God go to hell. If the situation were different, or for instance if: - God exists but there is no heaven, - Atheists can get into heaven by doing good things, - Where you go after you die is already determined for you by God and nothing you do can change that, - More than one God exists, and you have to believe in the right one or else you go to hell, Then there is no logical reason to believe in any particular God. These are just a small selection of the huge number of possibilities for the after-life, each of which are equally probable, given that there is no evidence for any of them. Since I have no way of knowing what will happen to me after I die, I don't worry about it! Instead, I focus on living my life in the best way that I can. <blockquote>Why are atheists, by and large, so negative and angry?</blockquote> I could ask why are Christians, by and large, so ignorant and defensive, but I would be guilty of making the same assumptions about people that you are making. I don't actually think that all or even most Christians are ignorant and I hope that you don't think that most Atheists are angry. In fact, what about the Friendly Atheist who writes this blog? One reason why an Atheist might be angry or negative is because they've got something to be angry about. For instance, when a presidential candidate claims that the Constitution needs to be changed to conform to the bible, I get angry because I could potentially have a president who does not respect the first amendment. And I will argue with anyone who claims our country is a Christian nation and I am less of an American because I do not share that particular religion. Feel free to email me as well, if you want to respond. My email is dejadee at gmail dot com. Chris,
Your claim that it is logical to believe in God rests on several assumptions, namely that heaven exists, that belief in God is necessary and sufficient to get into heaven, that hell exists, and that all those to do not believe in God go to hell. If the situation were different, or for instance if:
- God exists but there is no heaven,
- Atheists can get into heaven by doing good things,
- Where you go after you die is already determined for you by God and nothing you do can change that,
- More than one God exists, and you have to believe in the right one or else you go to hell,
Then there is no logical reason to believe in any particular God. These are just a small selection of the huge number of possibilities for the after-life, each of which are equally probable, given that there is no evidence for any of them. Since I have no way of knowing what will happen to me after I die, I don’t worry about it! Instead, I focus on living my life in the best way that I can.

Why are atheists, by and large, so negative and angry?

I could ask why are Christians, by and large, so ignorant and defensive, but I would be guilty of making the same assumptions about people that you are making. I don’t actually think that all or even most Christians are ignorant and I hope that you don’t think that most Atheists are angry. In fact, what about the Friendly Atheist who writes this blog?

One reason why an Atheist might be angry or negative is because they’ve got something to be angry about. For instance, when a presidential candidate claims that the Constitution needs to be changed to conform to the bible, I get angry because I could potentially have a president who does not respect the first amendment. And I will argue with anyone who claims our country is a Christian nation and I am less of an American because I do not share that particular religion.

Feel free to email me as well, if you want to respond. My email is dejadee at gmail dot com.

]]> By: Chris http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/comment-page-1/#comment-149229 Chris Sat, 05 Apr 2008 17:34:05 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/#comment-149229 I am not here to try to "bring you to the light" or convert the heathen, but I would simply like to pose this logical senario to the atheists. Assume that there is no God, as Atheists suppose. If I, as a non-Atheist, believe that God exists, then when I die, my body returns to the Earth and nothing else happens. No harm, no foul. I am not out anything for my belief, and neither is the Atheist. However, if you assume that God exists, let's examine what happens. I believe God exists, and when I die eternal salvation awaits me. But, the Atheist, who denies His existance, eternal torment and damnation awaits. Simply because the atheist chose not to believe. It is as simple as that. It is logical to believe in God. God created mankind because He wanted willing followers. He already has beings that follow him innately: the angels. He gave Adam and Eve free will. They chose, with Satans persuading, to disobey God's rules. Much like children disobey their parents, mankind was punished for this Original Sin. We were expelled from paradise and made to suffer. Our lives are spent in punishment. But, like a child that had spent two weeks in his room, grounded, We, if we follow God's rules, will be let out of our room, and permitted to join our family in paradise. That is how I look at it. Whether you choose to open your eyes or not makes not difference to me. None of your negativity and bitterness will sway how I believe. Can someone answer me this? Why are atheists, by and large, so negative and angry? Feel free to email me with your answers. May God bless us all. I am not here to try to “bring you to the light” or convert the heathen, but I would simply like to pose this logical senario to the atheists.

Assume that there is no God, as Atheists suppose. If I, as a non-Atheist, believe that God exists, then when I die, my body returns to the Earth and nothing else happens. No harm, no foul. I am not out anything for my belief, and neither is the Atheist.

However, if you assume that God exists, let’s examine what happens. I believe God exists, and when I die eternal salvation awaits me. But, the Atheist, who denies His existance, eternal torment and damnation awaits. Simply because the atheist chose not to believe.

It is as simple as that. It is logical to believe in God.

God created mankind because He wanted willing followers. He already has beings that follow him innately: the angels. He gave Adam and Eve free will. They chose, with Satans persuading, to disobey God’s rules. Much like children disobey their parents, mankind was punished for this Original Sin. We were expelled from paradise and made to suffer. Our lives are spent in punishment. But, like a child that had spent two weeks in his room, grounded, We, if we follow God’s rules, will be let out of our room, and permitted to join our family in paradise.

That is how I look at it. Whether you choose to open your eyes or not makes not difference to me. None of your negativity and bitterness will sway how I believe. Can someone answer me this? Why are atheists, by and large, so negative and angry? Feel free to email me with your answers.

May God bless us all.

]]> By: Sam http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/comment-page-1/#comment-149160 Sam Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:15:36 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/#comment-149160 You missed the point. Your blood pressure may be low, but are intelligent people "insulted by the ignorance and childishness displayed" by you? Or do you not care if your behavior is a "self-insulting nod to the opposing viewpoint"? You missed the point. Your blood pressure may be low, but are intelligent people “insulted by the ignorance and childishness displayed” by you? Or do you not care if your behavior is a “self-insulting nod to the opposing viewpoint”?

]]> By: Claire http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/comment-page-1/#comment-149140 Claire Sat, 05 Apr 2008 14:09:05 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/#comment-149140 Emily, people are getting the point, they just aren't <em>liking </em> the point. Two major schools of thought among atheists about how to interact with religious people: A) be unfailing polite to them so they see that we aren't always angry and thereby encourage dialogue and gain a measure of acceptance, or else B) be vocal and don't worry about offending, and eventually they will get used to hearing us and we will gain a measure of acceptance, much like the gay community did. People who belong to the first group ususally object to questions/sarcasm like this. Personally, I'm in the second group, it keeps my blood pressure lower :-) Emily, people are getting the point, they just aren’t liking the point.

Two major schools of thought among atheists about how to interact with religious people:

A) be unfailing polite to them so they see that we aren’t always angry and thereby encourage dialogue and gain a measure of acceptance, or else

B) be vocal and don’t worry about offending, and eventually they will get used to hearing us and we will gain a measure of acceptance, much like the gay community did.

People who belong to the first group ususally object to questions/sarcasm like this.

Personally, I’m in the second group, it keeps my blood pressure lower :-)

]]> By: Emily http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/comment-page-1/#comment-149112 Emily Sat, 05 Apr 2008 12:49:42 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/#comment-149112 I don't think people are really getting the point. I don't think the writer of the questions was asking a total of completely serious questions. Lighten up... enjoy the sarcasm of his questions to God. I don’t think people are really getting the point. I don’t think the writer of the questions was asking a total of completely serious questions. Lighten up… enjoy the sarcasm of his questions to God.

]]> By: Viggo the Carpathian http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/comment-page-1/#comment-148624 Viggo the Carpathian Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:10:07 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/03/questions-for-god-with-answers/#comment-148624 Adrian, I agree that this is all childish. There is a constant focus on this and other atheist sites (no offence to anyone) on the fallacy of religion. I think that this is well understood so why beat a dead horse? The simple fact is that atheism is, if you look at the word, an absence of something. An atheist can be any sort of person with any sort of interests, but to take the title atheist is to define oneself by the absence of faith. It is almost a self-insulting nod to the opposing viewpoint. This tends to lead to the behavior you see as childish. It is unintentional. I do not take the title atheist because I am uncomfortable with the word itself. I think that there should be less snarkyness (which is admittedly fun) and more promotion by word and deed of all that is good in humanity and let the world see it being done by secular people and organizations. Most religion is a parody of itself anyway. I think we should let them expose themselves; good satire not withstanding. Adrian,
I agree that this is all childish. There is a constant focus on this and other atheist sites (no offence to anyone) on the fallacy of religion. I think that this is well understood so why beat a dead horse? The simple fact is that atheism is, if you look at the word, an absence of something. An atheist can be any sort of person with any sort of interests, but to take the title atheist is to define oneself by the absence of faith. It is almost a self-insulting nod to the opposing viewpoint. This tends to lead to the behavior you see as childish. It is unintentional. I do not take the title atheist because I am uncomfortable with the word itself.
I think that there should be less snarkyness (which is admittedly fun) and more promotion by word and deed of all that is good in humanity and let the world see it being done by secular people and organizations. Most religion is a parody of itself anyway. I think we should let them expose themselves; good satire not withstanding.

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