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On May 27 2011 17:48 atheistaphobe wrote:Show nested quote +On May 27 2011 17:41 Pwnographics wrote: I don't think this has much to do with Atheism, but more on a whole how the Christian community does not follow their own values and morals which they so high commend themselves on.
It's just pathetic. Why dont you stick to judging yourself by your morals instead of condemning a whole community for the actions of a few bullies.
Wonder why you're still not banned with a name like that. Then again this thread is probably a mod nightmare.
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On May 27 2011 17:50 mholden02 wrote: Show nested quote +Appealing to the "we cannot be 100% sure" argument is completely childish. Because guess what, there is NOTHING that we know 100%. Scientists know this very well and always take this into account in every theory. So the theory that gets most accepted as "true" by the scientific community is always the one that have the most evidence for it. Not the one that is 100% irrefutable. Most scientists agree atheism is true and god is false simply because there is *way* too much more evidence for one than for another. Please. Science is great and improves our understanding of the universe but it simply cannot answer some questions. I suggest an experiment: Take a bottle of water, and a CD with very negative music on it. Place the water next to your heart with one hand, outstretch your other arm and have someone push down on your arm and try to resist. Do the same with the CD. Every time you do this, your ability to resist is much stronger with the water than the CD. if you run the experiment using a CD with positive music, you can again resist better than with the negative CD. Scientifically this is total nonsense, how can the music itself, with no physical attributes, have a negative effect simply through proximity to your heart. And its not mental either because you get the same results when doing the experiment and not telling the subject whether he has a positive or negative CD. This is inexplicable through science yet holds true every time you do it. if you don't believe me, try it. And try it on others, it works. Clearly something is at work here that cannot be explained through Scientific method, Clearly there are things human beings do not understand and may never understand.
I have done this while thinking of a negative thought and the negative thought saps your strength by a huge amount. Your experiment to do it while not knowing whether the thing is negative or not is very interesting.
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On May 27 2011 17:54 MilesTeg wrote:Show nested quote +On May 27 2011 17:48 atheistaphobe wrote:On May 27 2011 17:41 Pwnographics wrote: I don't think this has much to do with Atheism, but more on a whole how the Christian community does not follow their own values and morals which they so high commend themselves on.
It's just pathetic. Why dont you stick to judging yourself by your morals instead of condemning a whole community for the actions of a few bullies. Wonder why you're still not banned with a name like that. Then again this thread is probably a mod nightmare.
Whats wrong with my fear of atheists? They are the biggest murderers in all of human history. Their newfound superiority movement as evidenced in this thread will lead to even more wars.
User was banned for this post.
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On May 27 2011 17:50 mholden02 wrote: Show nested quote +Appealing to the "we cannot be 100% sure" argument is completely childish. Because guess what, there is NOTHING that we know 100%. Scientists know this very well and always take this into account in every theory. So the theory that gets most accepted as "true" by the scientific community is always the one that have the most evidence for it. Not the one that is 100% irrefutable. Most scientists agree atheism is true and god is false simply because there is *way* too much more evidence for one than for another. Please. Science is great and improves our understanding of the universe but it simply cannot answer some questions. I suggest an experiment: Take a bottle of water, and a CD with very negative music on it. Place the water next to your heart with one hand, outstretch your other arm and have someone push down on your arm and try to resist. Do the same with the CD. Every time you do this, your ability to resist is much stronger with the water than the CD. if you run the experiment using a CD with positive music, you can again resist better than with the negative CD. Scientifically this is total nonsense, how can the music itself, with no physical attributes, have a negative effect simply through proximity to your heart. And its not mental either because you get the same results when doing the experiment and not telling the subject whether he has a positive or negative CD. This is inexplicable through science yet holds true every time you do it. if you don't believe me, try it. And try it on others, it works. Clearly something is at work here that cannot be explained through Scientific method, Clearly there are things human beings do not understand and may never understand.
Yes congratulations you just obliterated science.
Whats wrong with my fear of atheists? They are the biggest murderers in all of human history. Their newfound superiority movement as evidenced in this thread will lead to even more wars
By this reasoning you should hurry and become either a scientologist or a Janeist because both are more peacefull and have less deaths on their name then any of the big religions.
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On May 27 2011 17:50 mholden02 wrote: Show nested quote +Appealing to the "we cannot be 100% sure" argument is completely childish. Because guess what, there is NOTHING that we know 100%. Scientists know this very well and always take this into account in every theory. So the theory that gets most accepted as "true" by the scientific community is always the one that have the most evidence for it. Not the one that is 100% irrefutable. Most scientists agree atheism is true and god is false simply because there is *way* too much more evidence for one than for another. Please. Science is great and improves our understanding of the universe but it simply cannot answer some questions. I suggest an experiment: Take a bottle of water, and a CD with very negative music on it. Place the water next to your heart with one hand, outstretch your other arm and have someone push down on your arm and try to resist. Do the same with the CD. Every time you do this, your ability to resist is much stronger with the water than the CD. if you run the experiment using a CD with positive music, you can again resist better than with the negative CD. Scientifically this is total nonsense, how can the music itself, with no physical attributes, have a negative effect simply through proximity to your heart. And its not mental either because you get the same results when doing the experiment and not telling the subject whether he has a positive or negative CD. This is inexplicable through science yet holds true every time you do it. if you don't believe me, try it. And try it on others, it works. Clearly something is at work here that cannot be explained through Scientific method, Clearly there are things human beings do not understand and may never understand. Rofl this is the definition of bullshit, link me to a reputable scientific study and MAYBE I'll buy this nonsense.
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On May 27 2011 17:57 atheistaphobe wrote:Show nested quote +On May 27 2011 17:54 MilesTeg wrote:On May 27 2011 17:48 atheistaphobe wrote:On May 27 2011 17:41 Pwnographics wrote: I don't think this has much to do with Atheism, but more on a whole how the Christian community does not follow their own values and morals which they so high commend themselves on.
It's just pathetic. Why dont you stick to judging yourself by your morals instead of condemning a whole community for the actions of a few bullies. Wonder why you're still not banned with a name like that. Then again this thread is probably a mod nightmare. Whats wrong with my fear of atheists? They are the biggest murderers in all of human history. Their newfound superiority movement as evidenced in this thread will lead to even more wars. The only thing being an atheist means is you don't believe in God, there is no correlation to murder, and to suggest so is absurd. "Why shouldn't I be afraid of people with a moustache? They are the biggest murderers of all time!" Also just by your very name you admit your fear is irrational. I call troll. Not to mention the hundreds of religious wars, where religion could be considered culpable, where atheism can't be blamed for anything but a lack of belief.
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On May 27 2011 17:50 mholden02 wrote: Show nested quote +Appealing to the "we cannot be 100% sure" argument is completely childish. Because guess what, there is NOTHING that we know 100%. Scientists know this very well and always take this into account in every theory. So the theory that gets most accepted as "true" by the scientific community is always the one that have the most evidence for it. Not the one that is 100% irrefutable. Most scientists agree atheism is true and god is false simply because there is *way* too much more evidence for one than for another. Please. Science is great and improves our understanding of the universe but it simply cannot answer some questions. I suggest an experiment: Take a bottle of water, and a CD with very negative music on it. Place the water next to your heart with one hand, outstretch your other arm and have someone push down on your arm and try to resist. Do the same with the CD. Every time you do this, your ability to resist is much stronger with the water than the CD. if you run the experiment using a CD with positive music, you can again resist better than with the negative CD. Scientifically this is total nonsense, how can the music itself, with no physical attributes, have a negative effect simply through proximity to your heart. And its not mental either because you get the same results when doing the experiment and not telling the subject whether he has a positive or negative CD. This is inexplicable through science yet holds true every time you do it. if you don't believe me, try it. And try it on others, it works. Clearly something is at work here that cannot be explained through Scientific method, Clearly there are things human beings do not understand and may never understand. What? You point is moot. He didn't say science could explain everything, actually he explicitly said scientific "truths" are only the current best theories.
Certainly, there are many things unknown to man. There always will be. Doesn't mean we shouldn't try to uderstand them, and it doesn't make "god" a good explanation either.
On on a side note, your example is pretty ridiculous. I don't know if what you describe is true, it might be and let's just say it is. Even if we accept that premise there is nothing here in contradiction with science. We might not have an adequate explanation, but that doesn't mean it's "scientifically nonsense". Also, I could propose the idea that said effect could stem from "positive" music having a "positive representation" in your mind, thus impacting how adamant you could be in your resistance. It's far fetched, but could serve as base for some experiements. This would be called "psychology" and is also a science, you see..
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On May 27 2011 17:53 Jswizzy wrote:Show nested quote +On May 27 2011 17:47 nihlon wrote:On May 27 2011 17:13 Barrin wrote:On May 27 2011 16:35 javy925 wrote:On May 27 2011 16:32 Emperor_Earth wrote:On May 27 2011 16:27 javy925 wrote:On May 27 2011 16:24 Barrin wrote:
(and btw atheism is indeed believing in something; agnosticism is what's not believing in anything) no, this is completely wrong yet continues to be perpetrated as correct. Atheism, in the most general sense, is a lack of belief. It is NOT a positive statement about the non-existence of a supreme deity. Agnosticism, on the other hand, is concerned with knowledge. Hence, you can very well be an agnostic atheist (someone who does not believe in any god and does not claim he has knowledge about god). javy Actually, you're in the wrong. Atheism: Belief in the lack of God Agnostic: Lack of belief in God Er.. no. Like I said, theism deals with belief, gnosticism with knowledge. It is true, however, there are atheist who will state that god does not exist. The most general definition of atheism is a simple lack of belief, which is the default state. edit: the reason why I'm stressing that it is a lack of belief is because this position does not require any evidence to support it, as it is not a positive affirmation of anything, whereas a belief in god does require some sort of evidence. On May 27 2011 16:36 GGTeMpLaR wrote:On May 27 2011 16:32 Emperor_Earth wrote:On May 27 2011 16:27 javy925 wrote:On May 27 2011 16:24 Barrin wrote:
(and btw atheism is indeed believing in something; agnosticism is what's not believing in anything) no, this is completely wrong yet continues to be perpetrated as correct. Atheism, in the most general sense, is a lack of belief. It is NOT a positive statement about the non-existence of a supreme deity. Agnosticism, on the other hand, is concerned with knowledge. Hence, you can very well be an agnostic atheist (someone who does not believe in any god and does not claim he has knowledge about god). javy Actually, you're in the wrong. Atheism: Belief in the lack of God Agnostic: Lack of belief in God well I like to think of it like this because there are more than one forms of theism/atheism and you really do have to define things specifically to avoid semantics arguments weak atheism: I believe god doesn't exist, but I don't know for certain strong atheism: I know for certain god doesn't exist weak theism: I believe god exists, but I don't know for certain strong theism: I know for certain god exists agnosticism: I do not know whether god exists or not as you can see after reading these, agnosticism is completely compatible with either weak atheism or weak theism as it has nothing to do with belief DICTIONARY.COM a·the·ism –noun 1. the doctrine or belief that there is no god.2. disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings. ag·nos·tic –noun 1. a person who holds that the existence of the ultimate cause, as god, and the essential nature of things are unknown and unknowable, or that human knowledge is limited to experience. I have to say I haven't really though about the definitions since I've never felt the need to put such a label on myself. So what should I be called if I don't relate to any of those definitions? I don't believe for certain there either is or isn't a God. I have not seen any convincing arguments that God actually exists so my default position is that I can't believe in him but I don't rule it out either. Neither do I relate fully to the definition of agnostics above. Saying something that you have no concept of is unknowable seems pretty stupid. Isn't that like saying everything we don't know is unknowable? I don't agree with that premise. Ignosticism maybe?
I just read up a little on the different categories and to be honest I'll just retract my question. Too many arguments over definitions regardless about what the dictionary says. Saying you are something is kind of pointless if too many people have different interpetations about what it actually means. I think I'll just settle with saying I'm not religious. Thanks for the suggestion though.
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On May 27 2011 17:58 zalz wrote:
By this reasoning you should hurry and become either a scientologist or a Janeist because both are more peacefull and have less deaths on their name then any of the big religions.
Well i will not be a Catholic or a Muslim seeing how they have large death tolls through out human history.
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On May 27 2011 13:47 Torte de Lini wrote: I think knowing his situation, he should have just obliged and pretended to pray. It's fine that he's standing up for his rights, but as you can see, he didn't gain as much as he lost especially if he knew (and he most likely did) that the surrounding community around him as well as the governing body, were heavily christian.
It's just a bad move on his part, he should have considered more than his individual rights that don't necessarily hurt or affect him to the extent or degree he is in now. That is the most ridiculous nonsense I've read so far. "He should've just bent over" - what?
I would in fact (if I didn't already) prefer to live far, far away from people who would do such things. Parents abandoning their child because he believes in equal rights and upholding the constitution? Really? Those people are fucking idiots.
Besides, if the article is accurate, he gained more than he lost. He now knows who his friends are and who aren't, he knows that there are other communities he can actually trust to help him when he's in need... yea he gained a hell of a lot from this.
Concerning definitions: seems none of the responses I saw got it right so here goes
Anti-theism: Claim that no gods exist Atheism: No belief in the existence of gods Agnosticism: Dismissal of the claim that we can know (anything) with certainty
You can also be an agnostic theist, saying that you believe in god but acknowledge that we cannot know for sure. Most atheists I have met are agnostic atheists.
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Sweden33719 Posts
On May 27 2011 17:57 atheistaphobe wrote:Show nested quote +On May 27 2011 17:54 MilesTeg wrote:On May 27 2011 17:48 atheistaphobe wrote:On May 27 2011 17:41 Pwnographics wrote: I don't think this has much to do with Atheism, but more on a whole how the Christian community does not follow their own values and morals which they so high commend themselves on.
It's just pathetic. Why dont you stick to judging yourself by your morals instead of condemning a whole community for the actions of a few bullies. Wonder why you're still not banned with a name like that. Then again this thread is probably a mod nightmare. Whats wrong with my fear of atheists? They are the biggest murderers in all of human history. Their newfound superiority movement as evidenced in this thread will lead to even more wars. Lol ok, now you are banned.
NOTE: Had you said "Christians are the biggest murderers in all of human history", you would have been banned as well.
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On May 27 2011 17:47 nihlon wrote:+ Show Spoiler +On May 27 2011 17:13 Barrin wrote:Show nested quote +On May 27 2011 16:35 javy925 wrote:On May 27 2011 16:32 Emperor_Earth wrote:On May 27 2011 16:27 javy925 wrote:On May 27 2011 16:24 Barrin wrote:
(and btw atheism is indeed believing in something; agnosticism is what's not believing in anything) no, this is completely wrong yet continues to be perpetrated as correct. Atheism, in the most general sense, is a lack of belief. It is NOT a positive statement about the non-existence of a supreme deity. Agnosticism, on the other hand, is concerned with knowledge. Hence, you can very well be an agnostic atheist (someone who does not believe in any god and does not claim he has knowledge about god). javy Actually, you're in the wrong. Atheism: Belief in the lack of God Agnostic: Lack of belief in God Er.. no. Like I said, theism deals with belief, gnosticism with knowledge. It is true, however, there are atheist who will state that god does not exist. The most general definition of atheism is a simple lack of belief, which is the default state. edit: the reason why I'm stressing that it is a lack of belief is because this position does not require any evidence to support it, as it is not a positive affirmation of anything, whereas a belief in god does require some sort of evidence. Show nested quote +On May 27 2011 16:36 GGTeMpLaR wrote:On May 27 2011 16:32 Emperor_Earth wrote:On May 27 2011 16:27 javy925 wrote:On May 27 2011 16:24 Barrin wrote:
(and btw atheism is indeed believing in something; agnosticism is what's not believing in anything) no, this is completely wrong yet continues to be perpetrated as correct. Atheism, in the most general sense, is a lack of belief. It is NOT a positive statement about the non-existence of a supreme deity. Agnosticism, on the other hand, is concerned with knowledge. Hence, you can very well be an agnostic atheist (someone who does not believe in any god and does not claim he has knowledge about god). javy Actually, you're in the wrong. Atheism: Belief in the lack of God Agnostic: Lack of belief in God well I like to think of it like this because there are more than one forms of theism/atheism and you really do have to define things specifically to avoid semantics arguments weak atheism: I believe god doesn't exist, but I don't know for certain strong atheism: I know for certain god doesn't exist weak theism: I believe god exists, but I don't know for certain strong theism: I know for certain god exists agnosticism: I do not know whether god exists or not as you can see after reading these, agnosticism is completely compatible with either weak atheism or weak theism as it has nothing to do with belief DICTIONARY.COM a·the·ism –noun 1. the doctrine or belief that there is no god.2. disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings. ag·nos·tic –noun 1. a person who holds that the existence of the ultimate cause, as god, and the essential nature of things are unknown and unknowable, or that human knowledge is limited to experience. I have to say I haven't really though about the definitions since I've never felt the need to put such a label on myself. So what should I be called if I don't relate to any of those definitions? I don't believe for certain there either is or isn't a God. I have not seen any convincing arguments that God actually exists so my default position is that I can't believe in him but I don't rule it out either. Neither do I relate fully to the definition of agnostics above. Saying something that you have no concept of is unknowable seems pretty stupid. Isn't that like saying everything we don't know is unknowable? I don't agree with.
You are just undecided. It's not a bad position by any means : ) gratz.
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On May 27 2011 17:01 NotSupporting wrote:Show nested quote +On May 27 2011 16:49 Liquid`Jinro wrote:On May 27 2011 15:13 Zzoram wrote:On May 27 2011 15:10 GGTeMpLaR wrote:On May 27 2011 15:09 IntoTheWow wrote:On May 27 2011 15:09 GGTeMpLaR wrote: I don't believe his actions are altruistic at all
would the prayer have hurt anyone? no
he should have just let it be as a matter of respecting a community tradition illegal community tradiction* sure it's a crime, but it's a victimless crimeif there was a law against scratching your head with both hands at the same time and I saw someone do it, I wouldn't report it or care at all it's illegal, therefore it is wrong, right? oh wait But it's not. It's alienating the non-Christians by making them feel like they don't belong at their own graduation. Ugh, maybe this is because you guys live in a society where religious people are in the majority but I have such a hard time seeing this -___- When I was like 15 or something I would have probably found it hilarious to raise shit about this, but I just dont see why its worth caring about... They believe in God, so they pray to him - I DONT believe in God so I therefore shouldnt give a shit, which I dont.... It just feels like trying to deny them their prayer shouldnt matter unless you take atheism to an almost dogmatic level, and feels very insecure, which I guess is more likely being such an extreme minority... Im curious tho, if they had been doing something more popular - but still illegal, like smoked pot or participated in some communal filesharing, and he ratted them out would that still be noble? As long as he wasnt forced to pray himself I just dont see the problem... If he was forced to pray, certainly I would say that frees him of all the above considerations as thats retarded and they can go fuck themselves if they think thats some bullshit they can swing. It's interesting to compare this to Sweden though. I had this discussion with my American English teacher and here in Sweden we are actually doing something beyond this which in his American perspective would be unacceptable in an American school, the students go to church to celebrate the end of the school year. In June everywhere around in Sweden (not at all schools but it is a strong tradition) schools take all their students to church where we sing together, reflect on the year and listen to the priest hold a speech and give his blessing to all the pupils. So the question is, should we remove this tradition because it comes from a time heavily inspired by Christianity just like I guess that prayer at graduation was? Personally I would say no, BUT everyone must be given a choice not to participate.
Yes but for you, YOU go to church, it's not the church being forced onto you at what is supposed to be an event for everyone in the school. Would be absolutely fine if the christians (teachers and students and parents) would go to a church and pray before/after the graduation ceremony but not the prayer at the event. And I suppose if you want you can skip going to church (due to your religious beliefs).
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Yet another story about people ostracizing another person who disagrees.
This isn't news, new, unique to religion/politics, a local phenomenon, etc etc. This is how semi-rational people deal with their beliefs being challenged (and then the practice of those beliefs being stymied by another system they adore).
It's unfortunate, rude, and quite frankly immoral (I'd call it 'evil', straight out) on every justifiable moral code that this kid is being hammered so hard. But it will pass, and hopefully someone will learn some kind of lesson from it. That's really all we can hope for.
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Pandemona
Charlie Sheens House51449 Posts
Think we should all agree to disagree to agree the disagrees!
In other words, BOTH partys are wrong, BOTH should have gone about the way they handled it differently, and it needs to be forgotten, forgiven whatever!
The one thing well all know, anyone can apologise and everyone can accept it and move on!
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On May 27 2011 18:15 Pandemona wrote: Think we should all agree to disagree to agree the disagrees!
In other words, BOTH partys are wrong, BOTH should have gone about the way they handled it differently, and it needs to be forgotten, forgiven whatever!
The one thing well all know, anyone can apologise and everyone can accept it and move on! What? The kid did nothing wrong.
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On May 27 2011 18:16 Olinim wrote:Show nested quote +On May 27 2011 18:15 Pandemona wrote: Think we should all agree to disagree to agree the disagrees!
In other words, BOTH partys are wrong, BOTH should have gone about the way they handled it differently, and it needs to be forgotten, forgiven whatever!
The one thing well all know, anyone can apologise and everyone can accept it and move on! What? The kid did nothing wrong. Exactly; it's so annoying when people try to position themselves above everyone by saying both parties in an argument were wrong. Such nonsense.
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Sweden33719 Posts
Question to US people:
So, its illegal for the school to lead prayers etc right? What about the students, are they also not allowed to lead one?
What Im saying is, could the school circumvent the legality by putting a student in charge of leading the prayer or is it more of a 'no praying in school' thing?
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Pandemona
Charlie Sheens House51449 Posts
On May 27 2011 18:16 Olinim wrote:Show nested quote +On May 27 2011 18:15 Pandemona wrote: Think we should all agree to disagree to agree the disagrees!
In other words, BOTH partys are wrong, BOTH should have gone about the way they handled it differently, and it needs to be forgotten, forgiven whatever!
The one thing well all know, anyone can apologise and everyone can accept it and move on! What? The kid did nothing wrong.
He went about it the wrong way! So many different ways he should of gone about it! It would be like someone standing up to stop christmas because he or she does not beleive in it! If you dont beleive in christmas you don't have to take part. If he didnt beleive in god then he doesnt pray, so he should of just not prayed and moved on, was his last few weeks of school!
And the christians who are using him as a tool to inflict hatred into there religion should stop, step back and just ignore him for it, there is no law which means you have to communicate with someone, if you don't like something or someone you don't do it, you do not commit hate crimes cause of it.
BOTH partys are wrong and both should forgive and forget. Like the bible says, like the court room says!
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On May 27 2011 18:20 Liquid`Jinro wrote: Question to US people:
So, its illegal for the school to lead prayers etc right? What about the students, are they also not allowed to lead one?
What Im saying is, could the school circumvent the legality by putting a student in charge of leading the prayer or is it more of a 'no praying in school' thing? Kids can pray in school if they wish, but the teacher couldn't say "Tommy is in charge of praying today so do what he says" if that's what you mean. If a kid wanted to get his friends and have them pray together they could.
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