The great thing is the atheists are little to no better explaining themselves than the spiritual/religious! Ha ha ha ha ha!
Seriously, how many of you atheists grew up with atheist parents/guardians? :)

I was Church of England, then became a Catholic at age 11, then left home and accidently bumped into a bookshop....then I began to think....always dangerous for a christian...now am not religious....

The great thing is the atheists are little to no better explaining themselves than the spiritual/religious! Ha ha ha ha ha!.......

The problem is that Belief and Atheism are opposite sides of the same coin. One side can totally believe in something without proof and the other can totally disbelieve without similar proof.

As a practicing agnostic I can admit the possibility of a "Superior Being" but can also see that billions of years of "Random Chance" could create the universe we live in. It's my opinion that if there is a Superior Being, He/She/It is a long way from the figure described in most religious texts. On the other hand, random chance says one of the religions might just be right. Who knows, the Gods may really live on Mt Olympus afterall.

T.A.

The great thing is the atheists are little to no better explaining themselves than the spiritual/religious! Ha ha ha ha ha!.......

The problem is that Belief and Atheism are opposite sides of the same coin. One side can totally believe in something without proof and the other can totally disbelieve without similar proof.

As a practicing agnostic I can admit the possibility of a "Superior Being" but can also see that billions of years of "Random Chance" could create the universe we live in. It's my opinion that if there is a Superior Being, He/She/It is a long way from the figure described in most religious texts. On the other hand, random chance says one of the religions might just be right. Who knows, the Gods may really live on Mt Olympus afterall.

T.A.

http://atheism.about.com/od/weeklyquotes/a/marx01.htm
Overall, an interesting read, but I focus on the beginning:

Karl Marx on Religion
Is Religion the Opiate of the Masses?

This quote is reproduced a great deal and is probably the only Marx quote that most people are familiar with. Unfortunately, if someone is familiar with it they are likely only familiar with a small portion that, taken by itself, tends to give a distorted impression of what Marx had to say about religion.

(Em. added.)
Thus, I think this and other statements trotted out are themselves treated like dogma, with little critical thought behind it, and it seems the bit I have em. added may bolster my claim. ???

Is there a shred of original thought in the beginning lines of http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Opiate-Masses/134773?

Is there a shred of original thought in the beginning lines of http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Opiate-Masses/134773?

I'm not sure about "religion is the opiate of the masses" but it certainly seems to be an addictive hobby for a lot of people.

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flaming balloons

I don't believe because I fear ending up like this woman...LOL
After all her testifyin'...she kept the money.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftjFkwAWs2A&NR=1

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I do not fight fascists because I think I can win.
I fight them because they are fascists.
Chris Hedges

A riot is the language of the unheard. -Martin Luther King, Jr.

I found a video which shall ease all doubts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX-Aldx-LM0&feature=related

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I do not fight fascists because I think I can win.
I fight them because they are fascists.
Chris Hedges

A riot is the language of the unheard. -Martin Luther King, Jr.

How about this for a reason.
I don't want to be associated with people like this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hga-mQyjYrI&feature=related

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I do not fight fascists because I think I can win.
I fight them because they are fascists.
Chris Hedges

A riot is the language of the unheard. -Martin Luther King, Jr.

How about this for a reason.
I don't want to be associated with people like this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hga-mQyjYrI&feature=related

I don't want to be a teacher because I do not want to be associated with Debra LaFave.
I don't ever want to live in Massapequa, New York, so as not to be associated with Joey Buttafucco.
Shall I come up with more silly examples?
I don't want to be a scientist, so as to not be associated with Dr. Hwang.

Sarge, if those three people believe what was in the link then I don't want them around either.

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I do not fight fascists because I think I can win.
I fight them because they are fascists.
Chris Hedges

A riot is the language of the unheard. -Martin Luther King, Jr.

How about this for a reason.
I don't want to be associated with people like this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hga-mQyjYrI&feature=related

Gotta love how the video maker gives NOT A SINGLE reference backing these things.
Though, of course, an observant being knows at least some of things have indeed been said.

Sarge, if those three people believe what was in the link then I don't want them around either.

Don't change the argument, now. You first spoke of an entire belief system, and how you take certain folks as representative.
So, I have exposed the fallacy by taking things similarly large and pointing to one bad member: of a profession or locality.
But now you don't want to be around the people? No, no, no, you said earlier you do not want to be around the entire larger thing they're a member of.
Consistency is needed. :)

I can't Stay

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Janice

There has been much discourse in this thread......

All I can say, is I Do Believe.....
You can listen to what I say, or you can turn away..
There are those who believe me, and there are those who say nay.
You can see my words for what they are,
Or you can tell me my voice is wrong.

I have nothing to be ashamed of in your eyes,
because my belief as it is, is true.
So, I really don't have to worry
about the thoughts
you put me through.

If you believe in nothing, then that;s what will be your return.
If you believe in nothing, God will send you what you've earned.
If you believe in nothing, then you will have no hereafter to have learned.


You may continue to believe in nothing, for you will
Believe in nothing, do not believe in the big chill.
Believe in nothing, for that's what you want and what you will.

Believe in nothing, for there's nothing that can save you if you do.
Believe in nothing, for the Lord will not forgive you, then it's true.
Believe in nothing, for the Lord's laid you to rest.
Believe in nothing, for you will never find your rest.

You can rely on your thoughts........that's OK.

You will not convince me ever.....that there is not a God watching over us.....
No matter what the questions are about how he does it.

This is my belief.....no matter how impossible it is to explain to you.
It is my true......belief.

Yes, that is my final answer.

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"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

cause the idea of god is ridiculous.

cause the idea of god is ridiculous.

So is the idea of not believing in one.......

Any more comments?

Man had always given hope to the belief that their is something more to his existence that just living from birth to death with nothing everafter.

Shit......that is why this whole scientific project exists and the boards you are speaking upon.........

God created man and earth.............
And, some of us hope.....other 'earths'. And other 'men'.

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"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

I just Do...In a way most would NOT Understand.

Good point.
I do strongly believe in a way which I myself do not understand. More to say, I am a bit frustrated because I also do not understand why I'm in the situation to believe or not. It's a bit, powerful and inexplicable piece of intuition about something that our all kind of physical or logical perception are completely exceeded, and will remain exceeded forever in any spatial or temporal circumstances. And these beyond are not for human only, but for any kind of intelligence we can imagine. Why do believe or not it's a question unable to respond, betraying attempt to clarify in terms of deduction something having nothing to do with math, brain, soul or any other terms and concepts. Even the fact we write God with upper case indicating the false nature of human understanding of God. Long way from Einsten's God or religious God, to entity (I can't name it entity) I feel it's there (I can't say where).

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Mens sana in corpore ETI & Maze

If you believe in nothing, then that;s what will be your return.
If you believe in nothing, God will send you what you've earned.
If you believe in nothing, then you will have no hereafter to have learned.

This line of logic astounds me.
This would be the logic of one trying to keep the seats filled in a church with no regard for what was going on in the minds of those in the seats.

Are you suggesting I disregard my own belief that there is no "God" and spend my life attending church in the hope that I'll go somewhere after I'm dead?

I'll make a deal with you "God". Never mind sending me somewhere when I'm dead, send me across the universe now and let me witness all that is. When I get back, I promise to believe in you.

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I do not fight fascists because I think I can win.
I fight them because they are fascists.
Chris Hedges

A riot is the language of the unheard. -Martin Luther King, Jr.

If you believe in nothing, then that;s what will be your return.
If you believe in nothing, God will send you what you've earned.
If you believe in nothing, then you will have no hereafter to have learned.

This line of logic astounds me.
This would be the logic of one trying to keep the seats filled in a church with no regard for what was going on in the minds of those in the seats.

Are you suggesting I disregard my own belief that there is no "God" and spend my life attending church in the hope that I'll go somewhere after I'm dead?

I'll make a deal with you "God". Never mind sending me somewhere when I'm dead, send me across the universe now and let me witness all that is. When I get back, I promise to believe in you.

I don't spend my life in church.
I still believe in God.

You don't have to.......
I did not ask you to.
I simply stated my belief that I do.
And perhaps give some of you reason to do so as well.

I happen to believe that I WILL go somewhere after I am dead......and presume it will be somewhere near to my Lord.

If you don't....well, maybe we will be able to talk about it in the hereafter.....or maybe you will not be available for comment.....

I don't need to rationalize with those of you who do not understand or wish not to.....it is not possible to rationalize a thing that takes faith to understand with one who does not wish to possess it.

If you are comfortable in your lack of faith, please be comfortable in my possession of it. I will trust you with yours if you will accept mine.

Meow meow.

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"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

i seem to be doomed, no matter what i do.

http://www.riemurasia.net/jylppy/media.php?id=56340