"Where Are The Honest Atheists?"
I'm sorry if people are already talking about this -- I couldn't find a discussion.
So, I just read this article, "Where Are The Honest Atheists?" in which the author suggests that, while there's nothing wrong with being an atheist, we have to admit that it's a pretty bleak and inherently meaningless life we live. I tend to cringe when I see atheists claiming to know things that they can't possible know -- this guy seems to be presenting a more elaborate version of the old "If you don't believe in God, what stops you from committing murder?" He implies that only God can give a person intrinsic dignity or value or purpose or meaning.
If atheism is true, it is far from being good news. Learning that we're alone in the universe, that no one hears or answers our prayers, that humanity is entirely the product of random events, that we have no more intrinsic dignity than non-human and even non-animate clumps of matter, that we face certain annihilation in death, that our sufferings are ultimately pointless, that our lives and loves do not at all matter in a larger sense, that those who commit horrific evils and elude human punishment get away with their crimes scot free — all of this (and much more) is utterly tragic.
I do like some of the quotes he uses to prove his point, but I don't think they prove his point. They only demonstrate the courage and process it requires to embrace what's vast and unknowable.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by kOrsan on -
If atheism is true, it is far from being good news. Learning that we're alone in the universe, that no one hears or answers our prayers, that humanity is entirely the product of random events, that we have no more intrinsic dignity than non-human and even non-animate clumps of matter, that we face certain annihilation in death, that our sufferings are ultimately pointless, that our lives and loves do not at all matter in a larger sense, that those who commit horrific evils and elude human punishment get away with their crimes scot free — all of this (and much more) is utterly tragic.
That godlessness might be both true and terrible is something that the new atheists refuse to entertain
What a baby.
Grow up. I despise these weaklings so much when they come out and say shit like this because it basically sounds like a little baby whining for mommy's tit.
Yes.
There is no God. No justice. No fairness. Life isn't sacred. Humans are expendable. Children aren't special. The Universe doesn't care. We're insignificant.
Grow up.
Get over it.
Religious belief is taking advantage of two weaknesses in humans. Their desire for revenge/justice, and their desire to be guarded by a father figure.
You can see the first in their craving for there to be a heaven and hell where the good children, themselves of course, will be sent and rewarded (like good dogs). And a hell, where the meany-mean stupidhead bully kids are sent. Let's look at what the author wrote.
that those who commit horrific evils and elude human punishment get away with their crimes scot free
Translated:
BAAA-WAAAA!!! BUT IF THERE IS NO GOD THEN *sob* PEOPLE LIKE HITLER GOT AWAY WITH THEIR CRIMES BOOO HOOO'!!! HISS!!WAAA!!! THAT'S NOT FAAAAIIIIIRRR!!!! *stomps feet furiously*
And the second one:
Learning that we're alone in the universe, that no one hears or answers our prayers, that our lives and loves do not at all matter in a larger sense,
Translated:
BOOO...WAAAA!!! BUT IF THERE IS NO GOD *sob* *wipe snot* THEN I'M NOT SPECIAL!!! WAA! THEN THE UNIVERSE ISN'T ABOUT ME!!! MY PRAYERS DON'T GET ANSWERED ....wwwwaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!! MY LIFE HAS NO MEANIIIIII-I-I-I-I-iiiiing!!!! *sob* IF THE UNIVERSE ISN'T ABOUT US WHY DO WE EVEN BOOOTHEEEE-EEE-EE-E-E-ERRRRR!!!! I AM SPECICAAAALL!!! I AM SPECIAL GOD DAMN IT!!!!
Hey Damon, you want an honest atheist?
I am one.
You're a pathetic pussy.
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Permalink Reply by Simon Paynton on -
Well kOrsan, nobody can say you're boring.
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Permalink Reply by Doug Reardon on -
Just because an ignorant twit has an opinion doesn't mean that one should consider it.
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Permalink Reply by Simon Paynton on
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I'll consider an opinion if it has merit, even if it comes out of my cat's arse.
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Permalink Reply by Tim Griffin on -
The idea that we are alone... I can think of no better reason for humanity to come together and make what little time we have on this planet as worthwhile as possible. The author seems to think that our lives are meaningless without a higher power or some sort of afterlife. I believe the contrary is true -- our lives are especially meaningful because it is all we have.
The author has also stumbled upon what I am sure is one of the main reasons that religions stay alive and replicate themselves. They all have this one thing in common -- there is more to life than just this. It's difficult to grasp the idea that there is nothing more than the cold, harsh world that we inhabit. But once we do, we can work on what really matters, instead of shrugging our shoulders and looking forward to death, which is essentially what the author is doing.
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Permalink Reply by Simon Paynton on
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I agree with your point. At its best, religion agrees with you too. I personally believe in the possibility of life after death, which changes things a bit. The new version of Pascal's Wager goes, if there's no life after death, then you're never going to find out or care. If there is a life after death, then you've got a very long time in which to try and escape your conscience. That means that one must be forced to prepare for its possibility, otherwise one is an idiot.
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Permalink Reply by kOrsan on
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The author seems to think that our lives are meaningless without a higher power or some sort of afterlife.
People like that are so creepy and scary, aren't they?
They're the same people who claim that if there was no God, society would turn into an apocalyptic wasteland where people rape and kill each other with no rest. And when they say it, they don't realize how terrifying that sounds to an atheist because they basically just said "if not for God, I would have no reason not to rape and kill you!"
Same with this guy. He basically admit his and others' lives mean shit to him. I'm sure his friends and family would be thrilled to hear that.
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Permalink Reply by Simon Paynton on
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Yes. I forget who said it, but there was one religious person who said "behave morally as if you were an atheist." He was honest.
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Permalink Reply by Angela Evangelia on
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I'm honest ....
Evolution is true and atheists believe it ... Thats all.
The universe IS bleak and meaningless and it couldnt give a rats ass about anything on it. Life doesnt give a fuck about us and most atheists understand that. We dont wait for life to happen. We embrace it because we know theres no second chance
We create our own meanings for life. We develope principles and values that we live by. Then we die.
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Permalink Reply by Simon Paynton on
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"We dont wait for life to happen. We embrace it because we know theres no second chance We create our own meanings for life. We develope principles and values that we live by."
But that doesn't sound bleak and meaningless. That sounds nice.
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"That sounds nice."
I know :)
But you know those godbots, they think its too scary to think that way. They like to believe that someone else has already predestined their life for them in some big book somewhere.
Sad Really
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Permalink Reply by Simon Paynton on
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I think some of them live in a hell of terror, and others are blissed out.
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