As I argue with Christians, I grow ever more frustrated with them. In my discussions, a Christian will use the word “belief” to describe my atheist position and they say it requires a level of faith to not believe in the Hebrew god. Atheism is not a belief. Atheism claims nothing. Therefore, it does not require faith. It is simply a position based on lack of evidence for the opposing position. You and I both do not believe in the Easter bunny. Would one assert that we require a level of “faith” to disbelieve? No. Science is the ruler by which we gauge reality. Scientists do not claim to know everything about the universe. They do not claim to have an answer as to what lies beyond the universe. They do not make claims as to whether there may or may not be an afterlife. There is no way to know these things.
I’ve compiled some basic questions and answers to demonstrate the difference between atheists and Christians. The questions will show that atheism does not require faith and is not a system of belief.
Christians:
1) Was the universe and everything in it created? Yes, by the Hebrew god because the Bible tells me so.
2) Is there life after death? Yes, because the Bible tells me so.
3) Are we born evil? Yes, because the Bible tells me a man and woman ate an apple from a tree 6,000 years ago.
4) Why are we here? To serve the Hebrew god.Atheists:
1) Was the universe and everything in it created? We do not know. All scientific (verifiable) evidence points to the contrary, but we cannot say definitively yes or no.
2) Is there life after death? See previous answer.
3) Are we born evil? There is nothing to indicate that we are. Science demonstrates that humans are born with the desire to survive and are altruistic.4) Why are we here? It’s a silly question and does not deserve an answer. We are the product of natural selection and essentially serve no purpose other than to survive.
Atheists base their lack of belief on facts—verifiable, scientific evidence. We make no assertions as to the existence of supernatural beings or events. Christians base their beliefs on a book of myths written over a course of two thousand years by undetermined authors. I prefer to build my life on fact and not fiction.
All scientific (verifiable) evidence points to the contrary,"
ReplyDeleteReally? And what evidence would that be?
From the Natural Selection to the Big Bang to DNA, scientific discovery point AWAY from a Creator. I'd be more than happy to go on if you'd like. My contention is that, out of ignorance of science, Christians cannot and will not provide evidence to support their claim--as demonstrated with this response.
ReplyDeleteDear Daniel the Hammerman: The easter bunny as the rabbit entrusted with the egg- and joy- distribution duties indeed does not exist per say... but the almost life-like secular spirit of the mascot of the holiday certainly does. What is known of the actual easter bunny may be shrouded in much mystery and intrigue, but an Atheist disavowing his own holiday mascot, how can this be? Your youtube favorites feature the secular Santa Claus commiting suicide ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiILFadlDb8 ). What is it that you want us to be taking away? What is your message? Do you seek to banish the holidays? On the subject of scientists, I know of good scientists yes who are Atheist. Yet some are not. Scientists alike tend to shed the same type of tear for a loved colleague passed away, feel a yearning and soul in those who they share their life with that seems yet inexplicable and ungraspable and marvel at the intricate almost designer-like details continually uncovered in sub-quantum mechanics, dna code and cosmologic blueprint. I know scientists who labor at curing cancer not firstly because of scientific intrigue but because they want to do good, to fulfill their called destiny, to reach farther in the universe than their short lives will allow, who want to further a personal and universal legacy which defies the confines of death, who seek to find their place and yes purpose in the history of mankind wherever mankind may be headed. You say the question "Why are we here?" has no meaning as a silly question that doesn't deserve an answer, and yet that very question has driven the course of global civilization. In fact all scientists at some level must consider that question because it might be a factor and therefore impact observations, results, conclusions and indeed the individual's perception of reality and reliability. Science would not be science without the question of "Why are we here?" "Why am I here?" "What is my purpose?" Scientists have coined the search today for the sub-quarkian building block known as the "god-particle" which suggests that question is now even more relevant than ever. The only thing that's out of the question is 'silly.' (responding to posts June 24, 2009 1152am / 1247pm)
ReplyDeleteSo...do we agree the Easter bunny does not exist? Your response almost reads as if you believe in it.
ReplyDeleteNone of what you wrote points toward the Hebrew god.
P.S. it's "per se" not "per say". Just FYI.
Dear DH, (responding to your June 24 538pm) I noticed my "per say" spelling mistake, thank you for your thoughtful critique of my work. The Easter Bunny is certainly a persistent and enduring concept. I don't think there's an actual scientific Easter Bunny phylum and genus, but the mere fact that you started this thread referencing the Easter Bunny personality in argumentative form means that EB is an undeniable conceptual reality. Indeed the EASTER bunny may have Buddhist roots as a contraction of EASTERN bunny, but I digress. If there's an actual flesh and blood bunny, he or she may have several stand-ins and stunt doubles. I reserve the rest of my Easter Bunny comments until the upcoming feature film on the topic is out... I want to believe. =)
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ReplyDelete"Atheists base their lack of belief on facts - verifiable scientific evidence"
ReplyDeleteTo do that you have to believe that the scientific evidence is totally reliable, not even your scientists will confirm that their evidence is totally reliable. For their 'evidence' is only of value in the light of present day knowledge, tomorrows 'evidence' could change the whole premise.
Therefore you have to be believing in something as there is nothing can be verified absolutely.
It is therefore, impossible to 'believe in nothing' the mere fact that you are believing in nothing, means that you are believing in something, i.e. nothing.
To help you, forget your argument with Christians, forget that there may or may not be a God and focus on what you are believing, or if you do not like the word believing, what you are saying, does it stand up as the ultimate truth? I don't think so, you are taking a one sided stance, a side that suits your thinking and then placing that stance as the ultimate truth that we should all believe in, or disbelieve in.
That would be a little arrogant and I do not think you are arrogant, now think about this.
Because you think, therefore you think and conclude that there is and cannot be a God, but that only works for you inside of your mind, outside your mind you cannot know.
So you are trying to discredit God's existence inside your head. You have succeeded, because for you there is and can never be a God, only a god in you, that is until your thinking changes. However, outside of you it is a whole different ball game. For you there is no God, true for you, but for me there is a God and for me the Bible is His word, I believe it is His word not because I have deduced it in my head and come to that conclusion, I believe because I understand that someone who knows more than I do has inspired the writing of that word.
How do I know that? because there are insights, concepts and thinking contained in that word, that I could never have known anything of (since I have not lived for more than a hundred years), they are thoughts coming from somewhere other than my head, they are thoughts from God, which for me proves that what He has already said which is awesome. He siad my thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways are not your ways, so come up into my thoughts and come up into my ways and you will see what I see, not what you see.
This has to be one of my favorite Christian arguments. First, they call truth and facts into question. Then, they claim to have hold of the "ultimate truth" that supersedes reality. I love it. Nice try, my friend.
ReplyDeleteScience is verifiable. Scientific facts can be demonstrated in the lab and in the natural world. You can test and test and everytime the conclusion is the same. THAT is truth. THAT is reality. Truth is not in question for me.
To be a Christian, you must deny what your eyes see and suspend rational thought.