Well, my name is Wyatt, obviously. I'm 16 years old, going on 17 this September, going into my Junior year in high school. I live in Oregon, in the U.S. I'm a bit of a recent atheist. I feel like any time I tell someone, they try to assess why. Like, because I'm an Atheist, my gerbil must've died when I was 12 and I decided to hate God. But, no, it just came to me. Most of my friends are Atheists and, I don't want to sound like I was peer pressured into it or anything, but after being around it so long, I decided I should look into it. I just dismissed it with no thought for a long time, and that was something I was ashamed of. So, I looked at the evidence and arguments, and Atheism just made more sense to me.
A little about me. I'm a closet Atheist with family, but totally open with friends. I don't think my mom would be too upset. She's one of those Christians that talks about God when someone dies, but is really laid back and tolerant. My dad (btw, parents are divorced) was forced into a hardcore Jehovas witness lifestyle by his parents so I can't be sure but, after watching him crack up at George Carlin's anti religion rants, I think he just might be an atheist. So, I really don't know why I haven't said anything. I'll get around to it, I guess. Well, other than that, I love martial arts and paintball, and compete in both. That doesn't really have any relevance, but whatever. I think I'm going to wait a while before going into any political beliefs. I want to get a grasp of the atmosphere around here before I get myself stuck in a flame-fest.
Welcome aboard. I think you'll find us a pleasant enough bunch.
Welcome aboard :) Always nice to see some young members.
Welcome to the shark tank... I mean, the forum!
Wyatt, what?
Welcome to the forum
Welcome Wyatt!
Well "it just doesn't make sense" is not where you stop. When I decided to use that word to describe myself, I hardly had any of the information and knowledge in my head I do today.
I've been an atheist online since 01, where I got most my current knowledge, found atheist books to read. But I was an atheist since 94/95.
Terms you should know.
Problem with infinite regress
Fallacy of Pascal's Wager
Circular reasoning, "using a holy book to prove a holy book"
Ocham's Razor
Books you should read, short list and by no means complete.
"The God Delusion" Richard Dawkins
"God Is Not Great" Christopher Hitchens
"The New Atheism" Victor Stinger
"The End Of Faith" Sam Harris
"Letter To A Christian Nation" Sam Harris
"Infidel" Ayaan Hersi Ali
Useful websites.
This one.
www.atheistforums.org (http://www.atheistforums.org) the other "Atheist Forms"
www.positiveatheism.com (http://www.positiveatheism.com)
www.rationalresponders.com (http://www.rationalresponders.com)
www.atheists.org (http://www.atheists.org)
www.atheistalliance.org (http://www.atheistalliance.org)
www.skepticsannotatedbible.com (http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com)
Quote from: "DunkleSeele"Welcome to the shark tank... I mean, the forum!
:rollin:
Whut? sharks? Who us?
:rollin:
Welcome Wyatt. I liked how you described your mom's Christianity who's laid back yet pipes up about god when someone dies. Classic.
Hope you like it here!!
Greetings.
Quote from: "WitchSabrina"Quote from: "DunkleSeele"Welcome to the shark tank... I mean, the forum!
:rollin:
Whut? sharks? Who us?
:rollin:
Well, not all of us... some are sexy witches 8-)
Missed you, Bri, glad you see you're back!
Welcome. Sounds like you are in a fairly healthy environment compared to some here. The more you learn the less relevant religion becomes.
Thanks to the warm welcome and replies from everyone! I'm sure I'll come to like it here.
Quote from: "the_antithesis"Wyatt, what?
You mean, last name? Or..?
Quote from: "Brian37"Well "it just doesn't make sense" is not where you stop. When I decided to use that word to describe myself, I hardly had any of the information and knowledge in my head I do today.
I've been an atheist online since 01, where I got most my current knowledge, found atheist books to read. But I was an atheist since 94/95.
Terms you should know.
Problem with infinite regress
Fallacy of Pascal's Wager
Circular reasoning, "using a holy book to prove a holy book"
Ocham's Razor
Books you should read, short list and by no means complete.
"The God Delusion" Richard Dawkins
"God Is Not Great" Christopher Hitchens
"The New Atheism" Victor Stinger
"The End Of Faith" Sam Harris
"Letter To A Christian Nation" Sam Harris
"Infidel" Ayaan Hersi Ali
Useful websites.
This one.
http://www.atheistforums.org (http://www.atheistforums.org) the other "Atheist Forms"
http://www.positiveatheism.com (http://www.positiveatheism.com)
http://www.rationalresponders.com (http://www.rationalresponders.com)
http://www.atheists.org (http://www.atheists.org)
http://www.atheistalliance.org (http://www.atheistalliance.org)
http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com (http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com)
Oh, when I said that it didn't make sense, I wasn't just waving it off or anything. I've been constantly looking at new arguments and whatever information I can find(mostly youtube arguments, but also some articles and such). I've never heard of infinite regress or ocham's razor, I'll have to look those up! The whole bible proves the bible thing is one of the first things I really looked into when I started to turn Atheist. Hm, I definitely remember some video or article on Pascal's wager, but I'll have to go back on it again. I can't remember.
I'm actually reading "The God Delusion" already. I just got it a few days ago. I was planning to go onto the Hitchens book next, since these two are the ones I see brought up over and over, so I should probably check them out haha. I'll definitely give those others a look see as well.
Thanks, Brian! I really wasn't expecting to get so much information out of a first post. I appreciate it.
Welcome aboard, Wyatt!
Quote from: "Wyatt"Quote from: "the_antithesis"Wyatt, what?
You mean, last name? Or..?
A lame joke that doesn't work, obviously. In retrospect, I should have gone with the worse but more effective "Earp" joke.
Quote from: "the_antithesis"Quote from: "Wyatt"Quote from: "the_antithesis"Wyatt, what?
You mean, last name? Or..?
A lame joke that doesn't work, obviously. In retrospect, I should have gone with the worse but more effective "Earp" joke.
Oh, damn it XD I should have realized. I used to get that all the time as a kid.
(P.S. Thank you, Mister Agenda!)
Quote from: "Wyatt"I'm 16 years old, going on 17 this September
[youtube:1mpsdaa5]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryg-gEjABbc[/youtube:1mpsdaa5]
I had to. I'm actually surprised no one else did.
Welcome Wyatt!
Quote from: "PickelledEggs"Quote from: "Wyatt"I'm 16 years old, going on 17 this September
[youtube:16nmjckm]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryg-gEjABbc[/youtube:16nmjckm]
I had to. I'm actually surprised no one else did.
Welcome Wyatt!
You dick -_- Hahaha, I have to admit. That was a good one. Well played, sir. Well played. Thanks for the welcome!
16? See me in 2 years...
Quote from: "The Skeletal Atheist"16? See me in 2 years...
Okay.
Quote from: "the_antithesis"Quote from: "Wyatt"Quote from: "the_antithesis"Wyatt, what?
You mean, last name? Or..?
A lame joke that doesn't work, obviously. In retrospect, I should have gone with the worse but more effective "Earp" joke.
You know that is exactly what I thought upon seeing the title of the thread, was going to make that joke myself.
But thought "Earp" is the sound a Republican makes when they have no case. Which is most of the time. So this Wyatt, certainly doesn't want to be equated to such dip shittery.
Quote from: "Wyatt"I want to get a grasp of the atmosphere around here before I get myself stuck in a flame-fest.
If you don't believe in any god you won't get flamed on religious grounds, since that's all atheism is. You probably have some ideas that at least one of us consider silly or stupid (we all do), so you might get flamed on those - but that's aside from atheism.
So welcome, and have fun. (And feel free to flame anyone who claims to have proof that God, or any god, exists.)
Haha, thanks Colanth, I'll do that.
Oh, and no. I certainly do not want to be seen as a stupid republican lol.
Yo.
Quote from: "Wyatt"Quote from: "The Skeletal Atheist"16? See me in 2 years...
Okay.
Oh, wow, that was easy. Don't even think I'll need the GHB and rope for this one.
Quote from: "The Skeletal Atheist"Quote from: "Wyatt"Quote from: "The Skeletal Atheist"16? See me in 2 years...
Okay.
Oh, wow, that was easy. Don't even think I'll need the GHB and rope for this one.
I don't really follow you.. Wait, is this a rape joke..?
Nah, just an invitation to check out my basement...
Quote from: "The Skeletal Atheist"Nah, just an invitation to check out my basement...
You clever, clever son of a bitch ;)
Quote from: "The Skeletal Atheist"Nah, just an invitation to check out my basement...
[spoil:2js4er4v](//http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm127/aitm356/3221723859_73f457af21_b.jpg)[/spoil:2js4er4v]
Quote from: "aitm"Quote from: "The Skeletal Atheist"Nah, just an invitation to check out my basement...
[spoil:1440r6mf][ Image (//http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm127/aitm356/3221723859_73f457af21_b.jpg) ][/spoil:1440r6mf]
You, on the other hand, need to get out of my basement. I said you weren't welcome 3 weeks ago.
I hereby award this thread the Iron Butt.
(//http://i.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/article/1/7/3/190173.jpg)