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#239884 by Guitarist90
Thu Feb 26, 2015 8:31 pm
Atheism is a lack or theism.. Nothing more. Just like Apolitical is lack of polical viewpoints. The people you are regarding as Atheists are more than just atheists, they are Anti-theists. Get mad at them (anti-theists). Atheism is not an assertion, it is the lack of assertion. You being agnostic doesn't mean you are not an atheist. The words are not mutually exclusive. You can try all you want, but if you do not accept the assertion, you either assert the opposite, or lack the assertion all together. I get it, you dislike people who are just as hardcore on the opposite spectrum as religious people, and that this large group has taken on the name 'atheists', but that still doesn't justify being dishonest about what something really means.

Spectrum

Irreligious(Gnostic Atheism) (There is no god [Claim/Assertion] -------- Agnostic Atheism [Awaiting evidence of original Theistic assertion] --------- Agnostic Theism (I feel like there is a higher power above us) --------- Gnostic Theism (I know in my heart, there is a God [Claim/Assertion])
#239887 by schmedidiah
Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:21 pm
Planetguy wrote:like i said......broad, and sweeping generalizations that dismissively lump people together....in my book, that's just plain lazy.

whether it's about all blacks..... all irish....all women....all gays....all southerners.....all catholics....or all atheists.

and tempering it w the word "tend" ......meh.

"BTW, I certainly don't come here looking for "love".

thanks for clarifying that. duly noted. fear not.....i'll withhold all declarations of love in the future.


Like you didn't make sweeping generalizations about "faux news" and their " knuckledragging viewers" in the last 48 hours? :P
BTW. I too, am done with political or religious discussion.
Until I start again! :mrgreen:
#239893 by t-Roy and The Smoking Section
Fri Feb 27, 2015 12:25 am
I always thought of agnostics as just gutless atheists. LOL

Planetguy, you're the kind of atheist I was. Live and let live...who cares what someone else thinks as long as it isn't being forced on you? Jimmy you might even be the same way. I certainly don't want to generalize and it was probably unfair to rant without getting to know the person who made the original post.

But there is an alarming polarization happening in America at the moment. In every place where there is a small division, it is becoming large. I appreciate what was said earlier about "anti-theists" because that is the most aggressive "religion" happening in America lately.

My point is that atheism is also a "religion".....and a destructive one if one follows the logical reasoning behind it, because if there is no God, then all questions of morality become subjective to each person. Stalin can kill 52 million people and still sleep at night.

All people tend to be selfish, without an external motivating purpose to overcome that. Of course people of faith do selfish things all the time, but more often than not, faith in some kind of eternal judgement of their deeds will compel them to help others. The Jewish faith is built upon "tikkun olam" (saving the world) and since the root of Christianity comes from the Jews, this has carried over into the faith of Christians also.

America is a place that guaranteed the freedom of all people to choose what they put their trust in BECAUSE of the Judeo-Christian foundation it was built upon. Once we lose that, no one will be safe from the rise of secular humanistic religion like Stalin, Hitler, Mao, or Pol Pot.
#239894 by Guitarist90
Fri Feb 27, 2015 12:57 am
Atheism cannot be a religion. Religion: the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods. I live my life, and do not accept theism as fact, I do not claim it isn't true, I just don't abide by it. There is no technical logical reason behind it because Atheism says absolutely nothing beyond lacking theism.

Now, if there really is no God.. Claiming something is objective is subjective in itself, and could not ever truly be objective as I see it. More of a paradox if you will. Stalin killed because he was a totalitarian dictator who basically believed he was the god of the state. You put way too much meaning behind atheism that isn't really there. I'm sure there could be someone out there who could believe in theism, convince themselves their deity wanted them to kill 52 million people and still sleep at night.

I do not find myself being selfish, and I have absolutely no external guidelines to follow. I feel that if you need something telling you to be nice to other people, or else, is kind of no better than what you are arguing against.

This nation may have started with Deistic/theistic overtones, but it also started with slavery and blood on its hands too. It won't make a difference if we lose "Christian Values".. Tell me. In this day and age, how many atheists are going around and killing people in America? I am not blaming deaths on religion either for killing. I just feel a bit insulted that you think without a motivating purpose, I would just go around killing and... Being selfish, because I assure you, that is definitely not the case.
#239896 by MikeTalbot
Fri Feb 27, 2015 2:16 am
From this discussion I'm forced to believe that not only are atheists a religion - but a multi- denominational one at that.

I find it interesting that a band would have as its mission statement a support of spreading atheism. Right - that is so very difficult in this day and age.

Evangelical atheism. Got to love it. 8)

Talbot
#239898 by schmedidiah
Fri Feb 27, 2015 2:31 am
"how many atheists are going around and killing people in America?"

You're talking, of course as a percentage of the population? The stats couldn't be 1:1, because the religious folks outnumber you by 3 times. http://www.harrisinteractive.com/NewsRo ... fault.aspx

You're saying that people who don't believe anything is going to happen to them if they commit a murder and don't get caught by the authorities, are less likely to commit murder? Why? Because they're just really awesome?
#239899 by Guitarist90
Fri Feb 27, 2015 3:15 am
Still.. You don't hear about it regardless. Even though apparently close to 20% of Americans claim to be unaffiliated with religion. A great chunk of that would have to be Atheists and you would have plenty of murderers being atheist and doing it specifically because they think there won't be any punishment in the afterlife.. There are still millions of atheists in the US, even with your proportion argument, there still would be a significant case of murders happening if even a low percentage of 100% of a group went out and started killing people, but that doesn't seem to happen.

What are you talking about? I absolutely never said people are less likely to kill other people if they are Atheists.. I was basically saying that thinking you shouldn't do things (I.E murder) ONLY because you will be punished in an afterlife is not really making me feel to confident in the human race, to sum it up.

Just because no one or thing is telling me NOT to do something, doesn't mean I will do it.
I have empathy, I know others would feel pain, and I know I wouldn't want to go through what they were. I assume these reasons might not be sufficient for you to withhold killing someone if you all of a sudden lost your worldview, but it is good enough for me. I bet there is more to it for you than punishment, it's just that hearing people talk the way they do about religion.. I feel like they project onto me what they fear the most if they lose their worldview.
Last edited by Guitarist90 on Fri Feb 27, 2015 3:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
#239900 by Guitarist90
Fri Feb 27, 2015 3:18 am
MikeTalbot wrote:From this discussion I'm forced to believe that not only are atheists a religion - but a multi- denominational one at that.

I find it interesting that a band would have as its mission statement a support of spreading atheism. Right - that is so very difficult in this day and age.

Evangelical atheism. Got to love it. 8)

Talbot


Why are you forced? Who is forcing you? I clearly posted the dictionary definition of what atheism really is. It does not meet the criteria of worshiping a superhuman personal god..
#239909 by t-Roy and The Smoking Section
Fri Feb 27, 2015 7:56 am
Let's agree that we aren't going to assume the worst of each other. Our "religion" here is a brotherhood of people creating art to inspire and motivate towards something greater.

However, either you're being a bit naive or intellectually dishonest if you say you don't recognize the message of atheism is godless, and that influences the way people treat each other.

While "our" songs are about trusting God (which means obeying His instructions to love our neighbors), I can still remember writing songs about sex, drugs, rock n roll as an atheist "worship leader" in bars. I was unable to see how screwing every woman possible was actually abusing them, since I was not going to take responsibility for the consequences. I was unable to see how my own drug abuse was destroying my life's potential...but worse...the life of my kids. I was simply unable to recognize sin for the destructive nature it perpetuates.

I understand that not every atheist is a worthless piece of feces, just as not every person of faith is a pious saint. Some atheists had good parenting that I didn't. What I'm saying is that I had no power over sin whatsoever before I surrendered my life to the One I met through trying to prove He didn't exist...and even the worst of people can be redeemed through faith in the truth.

And the truth is what makes the difference. I have met far too many Christians who are simply following in their family culture and traditions. They've never actually examined what they believe or why, and couldn't answer an honest question about it from a skeptic except to say "it's what I believe" when the truth about that is it is only what they have been told by someone else to believe. What passes for biblical truth so often is only religious dogma. Yuck. Spit. Vomit. Who needs it?

On the other hand, I was an atheist who studied the bible obsessively over 4 months to find something, ANYTHING, that I could prove was false....and came to the conclusion (through science and reason) that this was the only real truth I had ever heard.

But where there is no restraint of a higher supernatural Judge, there is rarely an example of someone doing the right thing ONLY because it's the right thing to do. Even the best of human "goodness" usually will have a self-preserving motivation behind it.

Jewish people are born into a culture that is ancient in observing righteous behavior towards each other, and in my experience are better "christians" (rhetorically speaking) even without faith in their promised Messiah than most Christians I've met. For the rest of us, we need a standard that doesn't change and is not dependent on what we think or feel is best.

I invite you to ignore what people say or do, and investigate what the greatest Prophet said while He lived on earth. Ironically I am writing this today from the village of K'far Nahum (Capernaum) where He served as the rabbi of a small village on the north side of the Sea of Galilee.

It really happened. He changed the world forever through being faithful. You should give Jesus a chance to tell you who he is. It will enrich your life to understand his.
#239914 by Guitarist90
Fri Feb 27, 2015 1:47 pm
I am saying that Atheism by definition cannot have a God.. It by definition states that it has to lack it to even be atheistic.. Now for instance, if you were to say that a group of "Atheists" were to worship someone they perceived as God, like say.. Richard Dawkins or Charles Darwin or whatever.. Then, it would fall under possibly religious or cultish, however.. Those "Atheists" would then not be actual atheists. Atheism could not influence people, but, people tend to have a mob mentalitity when in large groups. A bunch of people who were pissed at how religion was being put into law (perceivably) and got together, became very vocal, and lashed out.

By the way, I don't speak for atheists or for that matter, anyone who is not me.. I just have a problem with how it is defined on forums like these with people using colloquial metaphors.

It's just a little irritating when someone uses an improper definition to describe their viewpoints whether they are Atheist or Theist in this case. This would mean that the entire premise of anyone's argument (on this subject) is based on a straw man because the word doesn't mean what people are saying it does. It is clearly defined, and anything beyond what is defined, even attributes taken on by said group, does not change the original definition.

If you are going to argue against this group, all I ask is that you target the group for what they really are, Anti-Theists/Irreligionists.

"But where there is no restraint of a higher supernatural Judge, there is rarely an example of someone doing the right thing ONLY because it's the right thing to do."

If you assume that this supernatural judge writes the standard, whatever it is saying would then be subjective as it stands anyway. There are no special exclusions given inside or outside our universe that would change that. Just because it makes a purpose doesn't mean there should be one. I mean, what is the purpose of giving the purpose in the first place(rhetorical) and if you were given the answer to that question, why exactly would you assume it is the right one? Because it created us? What kind of standard is that? It may seem nihilistic, but, even if there is a purpose, your purpose runs out, when your purpose runs out (i.e. God's plan for you) you are no different from me here now. If it gives you another, then it appears that it will go on forever, in which giving a purpose, is purposeless. If there is eternity, no matter what place you are sent to, you still must understand that infinite is not necessarily a good thing. I enjoyed the quote by Achilles in Troy. "I'll tell you a secret. Something they don't teach you in your temple. The Gods envy us. They envy us because we're mortal, because any moment might be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we're doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now. We will never be here again."

In my view, which seems directly opposite to most. Something being infinite has no value (in my opinion), and something that can be destroyed (finite) has to fight through the absurdity of the human condition and make peace with the idea that there may be absolutely no reason at all for existing, except to survive, then die. Taking one's own life because of this absurd condition is even more absurd than the original condition we are born into.

You can invite me all you like to investigate the "greatest" prophet on earth, but.. It is technically an assertion based on your interpreted opinion.
Seriously, you can invite people to give Jesus a "chance", but I would *ask* you to not make such remarks like this to me, as I do not have any interest in yours or anyone else's perceived deity.
#239915 by Planetguy
Fri Feb 27, 2015 1:50 pm
schmedidiah wrote:Like you didn't make sweeping generalizations about "faux news" and their " knuckledragging viewers" in the last 48 hours? :P
BTW. I too, am done with political or religious discussion.
Until I start again! :mrgreen:


yeah, exactly....LIKE I DIDN'T. and i certainly never referred to it's viewers as "knuckledraggers".

what i did say.....

Planetguy wrote:
but, if this is gonna be a place where YOUR team gets a platform.....stop whining all girlie like when someone has a different take on things and doesn't buy into all the crap that faux news spews out. if you wanna eat that sh*t up cos it's mmmm, mmmm, good to the last drop.....good for you. go for it. me, thanks, i'll pass.


kinda playing a little fast and loose there, aren't you? :(
#239918 by schmedidiah
Fri Feb 27, 2015 2:58 pm
It's all opinions. I know I make generalizations. Because they work. You say you don't make generalizations, which I don't quite find to be true, but fine. We'll drop it.
Anyway, I like the original poster, popping in to set the record straight, totally confusing and infuriating everyone.
You wanted a controversial band, you got it. It's yours. Most of us have never heard your music, nor will we ever hear it. How'd that work out for ya?
#239919 by Planetguy
Fri Feb 27, 2015 3:00 pm
yod wrote:While "our" songs are about trusting God (which means obeying His instructions to love our neighbors), I can still remember writing songs about sex, drugs, rock n roll as an atheist "worship leader" in bars. I was unable to see how screwing every woman possible was actually abusing them, since I was not going to take responsibility for the consequences. I was unable to see how my own drug abuse was destroying my life's potential...but worse...the life of my kids. I was simply unable to recognize sin for the destructive nature it perpetuates.


like i said before....lack of faith was your explaination for acting like asshole. and finding faith was YOUR way to improve.

Planetguy wrote:ted....if you needed faith for you to arrive at being a better person... i'd say "well done" for finding something to move you further along. but to me it seems ludicrous to believe that faith is a requirement for everyone to "be all you can be".


What I'm saying is that I had no power over sin whatsoever before I surrendered my life to the One I met through trying to prove He didn't exist...and even the worst of people can be redeemed through faith in the truth.


of course you "had the power", as does everyone to make good choices.... EVERYONE "has the power" to respect those who deserve it, to treat others as they'd want to be treated, and to be a decent homo sapien.

it seems a bit of a copout to blame shitty behavior on a lack of faith. shitty behavior is based on selfishness and a lack ethics.
#239922 by Planetguy
Fri Feb 27, 2015 3:06 pm
schmedidiah wrote:It's all opinions. I know I make generalizations. Because they work. You say you don't make generalizations, which I don't quite find to be true, but fine. We'll drop it.


ok, that's twice now that you've attributed statements to me that i never made.

i NEVER said I don't make generalizations. i said "i believe it's lazy to make broad and sweeping generalizations about an entire group of people".

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