Does it all actually matter?

Jimbo5000 · Visitor Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 1 Local time: 9:06 PM

We are all humans and we live on the earth, the earth is a planet in our solar system, which is in the Milky Way, which is a galaxy, in the universe (of which there may be several). Humans are animals with extremely evolved intelligence (probably one of the main reasons why religion was created). However in the grand scheme of things we are all insignificant, the earth is the tiniest drop in the largest ocean.

So what is the point in creating an Athesist forum, and trying to disprove things, (or for example,on the other hand, setting up a christian forum) when in the grand scheme of things it dosent really matter. Would the world be any different if everyone was an Atheist? Probably not, there would still be fighting and wars, and hatred etc. Its just human nature, things we don't like or understand we feel threatened by, and seek to end it. Its like groups of chimpanzees in the jungle fighting over territory, and who should be the alpha male/female. Criticism of things is just a way in which we get rid of weak ideas, so our species can progress.

Isn't being an Atheist just like being a Christian, you just have faith in different things? (maybe a bit hypocritical giving the meaning of the word athesism :P) And by being an Atheist you may have prejudices against certain groups of people (like devout christians) in the same way some christians dont like some groups either. So by believing in something strongly you can be nastier to your fellow men (or women)

I guess my point is why bother with all of this, its not going to change anything, why not do something useful like try to cure a disease, or work for a charity, or invent something good (like a thing that can do homeworks for me :P)

I apologize if I have offended anyone, and also for my poor spelling :S

Nimitz · Guest Local time: 12:06 PM

Welcome aboard Jimbo5000

In the grand schemes of things we're all dead in the long run. But, in the here and now I can live my life free of superstitions, or as free as I'm allowed in a country run by theists.

The point of operating an atheist board is to bring together like minded people to chat and exchange ideas and bullshit back and forth in general.

I think the world would be a bit different without the concept of religion. True there would still be wars and hate, but I'd like to think that there would be a little less of it without a god to kill for.

Atheism is a lack of faith. That's all that it is.

Many of us were devout Christians.

Many of us do charity work.

We donate money to worthy causes.

Some people believe that diseases are gods punishment. Working to end them goes againts god.

You've offened noone. And poor spelling improves with praktise! Wink

Please hang around and get to know us and we'll have some fun as well.

Glad you found us.

AtheistEngineer · Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 6:51 pm Post subject:

Yeah, we're just a drop in the bucket, but a pretty damn good drop at that. There are a lot of living things with a lot of feelings in this drop, just because something is small doesn't mean it doesn't matter. And I think you're missing the point of this forum. I see it more as a place for discussion amongst people of similar worldviews, something to visit for fun, a place where people can share ideas and learn. I don't think it was ever meant to change the world to think like freethinkers. I mean, we all understand that religion isn't going away any time soon, and people will always fuss and fight, but we still like to discuss and debate topics for our own sake. Just chill out man (or woman), chat with some people here and enjoy.

PJS · Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:47 pm Post subject:

joshuas3521 · Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:51 pm Post subject:

actually, what converted me to atheism was a paper I wrote in the tenth grade lol

It was a response to Stephen Crane's A Man Said to the Universe

Here, I still have it hosted here

(don't laugh, I was much younger when i wrote it and it was far before reading any actual literature on the topic.)

Nox · Intern Joined: 17 Oct 2007 Posts: 51 Local time: 9:06 PM

rickyroma · Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 2:20 am Post subject: Re: Does it all actually matter?

Welcome Jimbo.

transientangent · Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 3:35 am Post subject:

It's not as if one can't be an active forum member and a contributing member of society.
_________________
everything is changing
a constant flow
our existence - a photograph
the time - like slow-motion
did someone realize
that our life is based
on the history we've been taught
we are living the results of a lie

Project Pitchfork - "Existence"

Reallycoolman2003 · Intern Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 63 Local time: 2:06 AM

this is an easy one. for 2000 years religion has stifled the growth of science, and therefore the development of technology, and thusly the growth of society. it may be that had we not been controlled and dominated by the church we would never have had the dark ages, and wud be a good 500 years ahead now than we are. could be cruising the solar system with super powered ion drives and have cured world hunger. theres plenty reason why our little drop in the ocean matters, it might seem as though our existence is pointless but its quite obvious that our ancestors make an impact, so why shouldnt we make one. our core values and beliefs are passed on to our descendants via our children..and all the inventions and scientific developments of our generation will be passed down to the next one. tbh if we thought like u we'd all just top ourselves n have done with it.

finally atheism is nothin like religion..we dont pray to richard dawkins to save our non existent souls, i dont light candles and meditate on atheist ideology, and i dont lie face down on the floor with my arms stretched wide talking to myself. and i dont have a personal god..so ur analogy is somewhat flawed my friend
hope ive helped

science bless

Jutter · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 2:43 pm Post subject:

I for one am happy to have a place where I don't have to walk on faith-based eggshells, or worry about stepping on religiously enhanced toes as much as usual.
_________________
~ Let us be reasonable ~
Congratulations: you are paracorrect about the supernatural.
*"If there were nobody listening to gods anymore, there would be nothing left for us to do,...
... then to finally start listening to each other."
*As any gamer will tell you: God-mode is a cheat-code.

Bukaj · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 2:59 pm Post subject:

Welcome aboard.

As has already been stated, religion stifles our development and potential as a species. I believe it was Reagan's secretary of the environment who said, in regards to conservation, something along the lines that God's judgment would negate any need for conservation.

Reagan, in the cold war, once said that all had come into place for the final battle between good and evil. I want to stress the final part. The devout only see in terms of what an archaic book tells them about reality. This is dangerous for the rest of us.

Stem cell research is all but banned in the U.S. Mostly this arises from religious notions that a zygote is a person in abortion debates. How's this affect me? I have multiple sclerosis. Stem cell research could have HUGE potential in improving my life and others with neurological issues. But it's potential has been severely stunted by a president who believes he literally talks to an all-powerful boogeyman who can turn the fortune of your life based on your conviction of faith in him.

Under Islam, there are two houses. There is the "House of Islam," which is any territory under Muslim theocratic rule, and the "House of Swords," which is any infidel province or territory. Anyone under the house of Swords has three 'choices' from a radical Muslim standpoint. (1) Be killed, (2) be enslaved, or (3) be converted until all the world is under the "House of Islam."

While Christianity has similar mantras in the Bible, Islam is the one with vicious teeth at this point in history.

But what does it matter? We're all dead in the end anyway.

I'm sorry but that mindset deeply bothers me. People talk as if that's the general feeling of all atheists, that we're all bitter, selfish, and hate puppies.

Trying to make a change in the world so my generation's children do not even face the possibility of growing up in a Christian version of the Taliban does not seem selfish to me.

If you meet me in real-life, you'll find I always love to make people laugh, even at my own expense. Sometimes all people need is a laugh.

And you know something else buddy?

I

love

puppies!

So what's it matter? Apathy is how we lose the world to the deranged.
_________________
Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.

Nimitz · Guest Local time: 12:06 PM

I take it that this is the same Jimbo I talked to over at TWEB?

Zocrates · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:43 pm Post subject:

By your logic, curing a disease or working for a charity wouldn't matter either.

"Why do anything in life?.....it's all meaningless in the end!!!"

Glad your mode of thinking isn't in the majority.
_________________
Just Talk About It

"Faith is often the boast of the man who is too lazy to investigate." - F.M. Knowles

"We only fear things in proportion to our ignorance of them" - Titus Livius

"Ain't nothin to it but to do it!" -Martin Payne

Persuasion · Last edited by Persuasion on Mon Dec 31, 2007 2:39 pm; edited 1 time in total

Jutter · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:09 pm Post subject:

On the subject of prejudice...

What a self-proclaimed Christian is likely to believe can be read in a mass-produced and widely available book called "the Bible". And many of these same Christians will go out of their way to introduce you to this book. I think it's silly to suspect prejudice rather than plain old judgement in this context.
_________________
~ Let us be reasonable ~
Congratulations: you are paracorrect about the supernatural.
*"If there were nobody listening to gods anymore, there would be nothing left for us to do,...
... then to finally start listening to each other."
*As any gamer will tell you: God-mode is a cheat-code.

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