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  • Posted by LetsShrug 10 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I agree with that... although I don't call myself an atheist because I (and no one else) KNOWS what happens after death. Some pretend to know what they don't know, but I admit I don't know, because I've never died before, but I live my life NOW, for now, for me.
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 10 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I purposely do not argue that topic, almost never in fact. It's an endless, circular fight. If you want to PM me I'll get into it with you, but I go at it from an unusual angle.
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  • Posted by jimjamesjames 10 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Good one. But I would have to answer for them, that they don't use it because it would obliterate their "faith" and they would have to think and that hurts.....

    For me it's simple: I am an atheist because it makes sense; faith doesn't, by definition.
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 10 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    How about "If you believe your God gave you the power of rational thought why don't you use it?" :)
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  • Posted by jimjamesjames 10 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Agreed. They can't accept that a "belief" is, by definition, not a truth (it can be if proved) or a fact (it can be if proved) and when confronted with a rational question, they become flustered because their only (most of the time) response is, "But the Bible says....."

    Faith: Belief without evidence in what is told by one who speaks without knowledge, of things without parallel. Ambrose Bierce

    Jefferson: But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.

    When I get to talk to a believer, I point out that, "Your God gave us the power of rational thought. I use it, you don't."
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Not at all. There are many here (and some who don't make it an issue) who are people of faith. They don't get loud (I won't say they aren't offended). I, for one, have no problem with presenting my perspective and rational for my perspective, as have some others. For presenting these rational thoughts/arguments I am often vilified. Yet there are some questions that go unanswered - such as the difference between a baby 10 mins prior to being born and 10 mins after. This, O's conveniently refuse to provide a rational argument.
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 10 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    They live their lives always with the "after life" in mind. That is living for a big maybe. Their goal is to reach some standard that will reward the next life. That is living for something other than your present life. A higher power who decides and grants permission based on beliefs and actions while on earth. Not the same as living your own life for the sake of your own happiness, in reality of the now as your own highest power...while you're alive this one time in existence.
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 10 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    And believers think anyone who dares to pose a thought provoking question about the irrationality of faith is evil and going to hell. Believers get offended and loud (and scared in my opinion) at the uncomfortable thought that perhaps this is the only life there is. So much is based on fear of the unknown. Imo.
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  • Posted by barwick11 10 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Oh look, someone else is out there down-voting things they don't agree with... I'm so surprised.

    I doubt it's you Zen, just it's funny that people do stupid stuff like that... "hey I disagree with you, I'm going to down-vote it"... whatever
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  • Posted by jimjamesjames 10 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    "Angry" atheists are no different than evangelical believers. They are not secure in their atheism so they want others to provide external validation for their thinking. Reminds me of what Roark said to Toohey when Toohey asked, "What do you think of me," "But I don't."
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I can go with that, but I prefer "Skol!" But that's probably because I have a bit of Scandinavian blood.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    His first name is O S C A R, and his second name is M A Y E R (unabashed ad for one of my clients!)
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Do you think that people of faith don't believe in "this life?" Everything that you espouse can be said of theists as well. What will happen tomorrow is a big maybe, does that mean you don't take actions today that will, you hope, help you tomorrow? I think your arguments are without fundamental difference.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    No, nor have I seen any here advocating for such. But there are those here who ridicule those of us of faith for our positions and insist that only atheistic ideas are proper here.

    I reiterate from the Welcome to the Gulch page: "OUR PURPOSE:
    1.We have movies to promote - Atlas Shrugged: Who is John Galt? is coming soon to Blu-ray and DVD. We need to get the word out and we want to employ your help.
    2.We have ideas to spread - We're passionate about Ayn Rand's ideas and we hope to assist in their progress by engaging in some inspired conversation.
    3.We have connections to facilitate - Have you ever wished you lived in the Gulch and could conduct value-for-value exchanges exclusively with like minded individuals? Us too. Let's."

    Nowhere there do I see this site labeled as "Objectivist" or "Atheist," do you?

    I believe that Scott (and the other producers) set this up as an open forum for those of us who support the movies - regardless our philosophical orientation, so long as we are respectful of the other members. I believe that for the most part, that has been a one-way street.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    There are those as well. However, in the society today, militant Christians are very effectively muted, while everyone treads lightly around militant atheists. I cite the actions of the "Freedom From Religion" group. The only like example that I can think of from a supposed Christian group is the Westboro Baptist Church - and most other Christians denounce them for their actions, so they cannot really be taken as representative of Christians generally.
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  • Posted by $ winterwind 10 years, 6 months ago
    I think, in the spirit of the season - the Solstice recently past - that the approved greeting should be "See? I TOLD you the sun would be back! Congratulations!"
    The Wizard's suggestion is that we say "Mazel Tov!" instead of Congrats. It does have a nice ring to it.
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  • Posted by Zenphamy 10 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Nah, I'm not pissed, but nonsense. Complete and total unmitigated nonsense. It's impossible to hate something you don't believe exists. That would be like loving the Easter Bunny or fearing the Tooth Fairy.

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