Life is better, not easier, but better with the truth

[RCnal]

Hello,

I decided I had to write more about myself, and my opinions, and I realized Twitter simply isn't going to cut it, Facebook is way too volatile, and I simply don't want to start somewhere else which has it's rules. So, here I am.

I'm a young business owner, living in the best city in the world, Toronto. I have always been a non believer but probably never really labeled myself an atheist. See, to me atheist is more of an adjective than anything. There are no communities, no doctrines, no rules outside of the law of the land, so labeling just seemed unnecessary.
I used to have the viewpoint that maybe religion had it's place in the world, but still, no evidence of God. What possible harm could there be?
Then came a group which has become so visible with their radical movement, their extremist actions, the trail of pain and suffering that I had to analyze my initial views. ISIS probably is the biggest reason I can call myself an atheist.
I started by actually reading up on the Koran. Admittedly I haven't read it all, but enough to see that there is a clear problem here. In my opinion, most muslims are decent human beings just like christians who follow the bible. But it is not crazy to think that there is a chance a few people will read the book, not use common sense, and just follow the doctrine to the letter. I would argue that a muslim extremist is actually a pure muslim, and those who decide not to follow the bad parts are bad muslims, good people, but bad muslims.
There are around 200K muslim extremists by estimates, which is far less than .00007%. However when you factor in that they have 1.5 Billion followers, that percentage starts to play a role.
In later posts I'd like to discuss my analysis of the specific issues with this. For now Im saying hello!

So now that Im out...what has happened? Well, fortunately my fiancee isn't really religious although her mother is. She is more on the fence, but respects my views. She is a little worried I may judge her because she does find a little comfort with the idea of a god, but it isnt a problem at all. A couple close friends however, have taken issue with this. i hear silly retorts like "I don't need evidence" and "You don't actually know if science is real, it's just something you read", and even worse "How do you know the stars are real?". I just can't begin to explain the frustration there.

So, I'm hoping to have some actual intellectual discussions here which won't continue to ad hominem and horrible logical fallacies.
I also am against attacking people verbally over their beliefs. There is one thing to attack their argument, or the subject matter, but not them personally for believing what they do. I am a huge advocate for Muslim rights, but not Islam, Christians should be able to do their thing, but don't teach it in school or in government.
Ultimately I feel we stay the course, these myths will die out naturally anyway, since their kids will learn from proper schools.

Lets debate everyone!

[Baruch]

Welcome.  This is a good place to start.  Read some posts, get to know folks.  Vent when it makes sense to do so.  Really this is a small community of non-conformists.

[Unbeliever]

Hey RCnal!

Glad to have you in our irreverent clutches! 

[TomFoolery]

Welcome to the Society for the Spiritually Estranged.

I've long been of the belief that it's better to accept a hard truth than a reassuring lie.

[PopeyesPappy]

Lets debate everyone!

[stromboli]

Lol welcome.

[Mr.Obvious]

Welcome to out little band of heathens. Hope you'll like it here.

[AllRight]

Welcome!!

[Solomon Zorn]

I grok you. Welcome.

[SGOS]

No, no.  The first way is wrong.  If I did it that way, the air from the heating/cooling vent below the hanger would catch the loose end and unroll the paper into a big pile when I'm in the other room.  The second way, the weight of the roll presses the loose end against the wall and holds the loose end secure.  In order to do it your way, I would have to redesign my heating system.

[PopeyesPappy]

No, no.  The first way is wrong.

[SGOS]

@ PopeyesPappy

Jesus Christ!  You've come prepared.  I give up.

[Mr.Obvious]

@ PopeyesPappy

Jesus Christ!  You've come prepared.  I give up.

Oh come on sgos, have you learned nothing from The theist Side of debating after all these years?
Just declare he hasn't brought any real evidence and claim you know your tp-way is best because you feel it is best. And then threaten him with explosive diarrhea for eternity if he Should continue his wicked tp-placing ways.

[josephpalazzo]

You've stolen my thunder.

Welcome!





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[RCnal]

I'm going to freakin' love it here!