Poll: http://www.conservapedia.com - people really agree with this?

[Antlers]

No it isn't the same as 'not believing'. Denying would imply that you know for certain.

thank you, that is precisley what I was getting at in the irst place. have a cookie.

You're welcome. And thank you.

 

[Eisenfaust]

I keep thinking, discussing with people, musing over... why is it that if atheists believe that there is absolutely nothing, WHATSOEVER after this life, they are still alive? I'm simply wondering, not ordering you all to go out and commit suicide (please don't)... but if nothing you do here matters, why do any of it? why deal with the pain? etc, etc... seriously someone give me a decent answer...

I eventually came to the, perhaps misguided, opinion that because of this, all atheists are either idiots, cowards, or not really athiest...

again... please don't commit suicide...!

 

[lwm3398]

No it isn't the same as 'not believing'. Denying would imply that you know for certain.

But a liar denies he did something. He doesn't not believe he did something, he knows he did it so he... de... nies... Oooooooooooooh. I see the difference.

Um ok. So by that logic if an atheist denies the existance of god he secretly thinks he exists?

No. Denying implies you know the truth, that you know for certain. Not believing leaves questions to be answered. Don't worry, I worked it out.

 

[Antlers]

I keep thinking, discussing with people, musing over... why is it that if atheists believe that there is absolutely nothing, WHATSOEVER after this life, they are still alive? I'm simply wondering, not ordering you all to go out and commit suicide (please don't)... but if nothing you do here matters, why do any of it? why deal with the pain? etc, etc... seriously someone give me a decent answer...

I eventually came to the, perhaps misguided, opinion that because of this, all atheists are either idiots, cowards, or not really athiest...

again... please don't commit suicide...!

This is the most irritating thing I've read so far anyway... And that includes that ludicrous Richard Dawkins thread.

Why do you feel the NEED to think there is something else? I don't feel sad. I'm pretty content to just be happy in my logical little world. Interacting with other people, going to college, getting smarter, getting a job, giving my dog biscuits.

I should ask you the same question in fact. If you think there IS something really sweet after this life, why don't you just kill yourself and get there quicker?

EDIT I just thought of something else. Wanting to believe in something does not equate to believing in it.

 

[Merteg]

They're just crazy people, let them have their fun in their own little dreamland.

 

[Booze_Hound]

You should see the article on homosexuality - it's HUGE

 

[Blurbl]

I eventually came to the, perhaps misguided, opinion that because of this, all atheists are either idiots, cowards, or not really athiest...

For the love of...

What do you mean when you say Athiests are cowards? Surely you see that being willing to believe that there is no glorious afterlife, and this is the only life we have, requires a certain amount of bravery, over believing in some sort of eternal Paradise?

And idiots? Yes, I can see how believing in physical evidence rather than spirituism makes one an idiot.

And there is a definition for 'not really being an Athiest'. It's called being an Agnostic.

And things I do, -do- matter. It affects other people and the world around me.

 

[TheEvilCheese]

You should see the article on homosexuality - it's HUGE

thanks for that- ill have a look next time I need a good laugh

 

[Uncompetative]

I came across this Conservative, pro-creationism wiki recently and was amazed to discover that it has so many users, when it clearly avoids facts and twists the truth just to make it's articles fit in with the conservative, creationist view. Now I have nothing against having your own beliefs but it certianly surprised me that so many people can beleive that athiesm is the "denial of the existance of God". I was worried when I looked at their article on evoltion: the first thing i saw was a huge picture of Hitler. And on the front page there were pictures linking Burack Obama to communism.
So my question is this: do any of you agree with these views? and if so why?

Atheism is a belief that there are no Gods or God. To say that it is "the denial of the existence of God" assumes:

1. There is one God (not many)
2. Atheists (perversely) choose not to accept this fact.

Clearly, this is idiocy. I am a devout Atheist and I prefer to not believe in Supernatural entities. I like Reality. It is enough for me.

Atheism is not a lack of faith. I have faith in what I choose to believe. I have no proof either way, so I must rely on faith.

Agnostics have the luxury of not needing faith, but they have the burden of living in doubt. However, all rational minded scientists have this same burden of doubt. Evolution could be wrong (the Dinosaurs could have been put there by space aliens, etc.), long accepted theories are just working-models on which to base repeatable experiments and build technology upon - but the true nature of Reality isn't known and may never be known for sure. This is the scientific method and it is superior to blind faith in mumbo-jumbo.

My blind-faith is only superior in my own mind as it is simpler than the Ghosts, Santa, Witches, Jesus, Allah option.

 

[Eisenfaust]

[/quote]

I keep thinking, discussing with people, musing over... why is it that if atheists believe that there is absolutely nothing, WHATSOEVER after this life, they are still alive? I'm simply wondering, not ordering you all to go out and commit suicide (please don't)... but if nothing you do here matters, why do any of it? why deal with the pain? etc, etc... seriously someone give me a decent answer...

I eventually came to the, perhaps misguided, opinion that because of this, all atheists are either idiots, cowards, or not really athiest...

again... please don't commit suicide...!

This is the most irritating thing I've read so far anyway... And that includes that ludicrous Richard Dawkins thread.

Why do you feel the NEED to think there is something else? I don't feel sad. I'm pretty content to just be happy in my logical little world. Interacting with other people, going to college, getting smarter, getting a job, giving my dog biscuits.

I should ask you the same question in fact. If you think there IS something really sweet after this life, why don't you just kill yourself and get there quicker?

well there's the whole "put here for a reason" and "figuring out whether your going up or down" stuff... plus the whole "suicide = burning in hell" part... but fine... YOU'RE life might be ok which probably means you haven't looked hard enough... but you still haven't answered my question... why do athiests bother? going to college and feeding your dog... whats it all in aid of if there's nothing after?

and don't say its irritating just because i expressed a valid opinion... convince me otherwise and i'll back off, but no one i've ever talked to about this has ever been able to come up with a reasonable enough counter-arguement...

 

[Cakes]

well there's the whole "put here for a reason" and "figuring out whether your going up or down" stuff... plus the whole "suicide = burning in hell" part... but fine... YOU'RE life might be ok which probably means you haven't looked hard enough... but you still haven't answered my question... why do athiests bother? going to college and feeding your dog... whats it all in aid of if there's nothing after?

and don't say its irritating just because i expressed a valid opinion... convince me otherwise and i'll back off, but no one i've ever talked to about this has ever been able to come up with a reasonable enough counter-arguement...

I bother because I only have a limited time here and I'm sure as hell going to make it worth it. I'm sure most other atheists would give you the same answer. Also, SEVERE OVERUSE OF ELLIPSES.

In response to the original question, there are varying degrees of atheism, so...it varies. Most atheists would say "There's no reason to believe in a God, so I don't acknowledge one" which isn't quite the same as "There is certainly no God", which I think is called Strong Atheism.

 

[Eisenfaust]

well there's the whole "put here for a reason" and "figuring out whether your going up or down" stuff... plus the whole "suicide = burning in hell" part... but fine... YOU'RE life might be ok which probably means you haven't looked hard enough... but you still haven't answered my question... why do athiests bother? going to college and feeding your dog... whats it all in aid of if there's nothing after?

and don't say its irritating just because i expressed a valid opinion... convince me otherwise and i'll back off, but no one i've ever talked to about this has ever been able to come up with a reasonable enough counter-arguement...

I bother because I only have a limited time here and I'm sure as hell going to make it worth it. I'm sure most other atheists would give you the same answer. Also, SEVERE OVERUSE OF ELLIPSES.

Ellipses are fun... i like them...

But you still haven't really answered the question... why make it worth it if you'll never ever remember it again... if all you do when you die is sit in the ground a rot, whats the point of doing anything while you're alive? Anyone who remembers anything you did will end up just like you, and eventually no one will remember anything about you...

To use an extremely in-appropriate metaphor... say you won the lottery, and you were let loose on the one condition that you won't remember ANYTHING the next day... what's the point of spending all the money? you won't remember the satisfaction you get... why not just go to sleep early? (and yes, i know its a flawed metaphor... but hell, i'm trying to make a point here)

and... make it worth it? make it worth what? what do you get out of it... if there's nothing after, nothing you get now will stay with you, and there's no point even bothering... all you've done so far is reinforce my point of view... everything you've said is something i've heard before and is basically a cop out...

 

[Lazier Than Thou]

I came across this Conservative, pro-creationism wiki recently and was amazed to discover that it has so many users, when it clearly avoids facts and twists the truth just to make it's articles fit in with the conservative, creationist view. Now I have nothing against having your own beliefs but it certianly surprised me that so many people can beleive that athiesm is the "denial of the existance of God". I was worried when I looked at their article on evoltion: the first thing i saw was a huge picture of Hitler. And on the front page there were pictures linking Burack Obama to communism.
So my question is this: do any of you agree with these views? and if so why?

Atheism is a belief that there are no Gods or God. To say that it is "the denial of the existence of God" assumes:

1. There is one God (not many)
2. Atheists (perversely) choose not to accept this fact.

It implies no such thing. A person can deny any falsehood. The only thing required for a denial is an assertion. That assertion does not have to be true, it simply has to be stated.
For example, I can deny that I ever had a sexual encounter with another man. I have not had a sexual encounter with another man. My denial of the assertion does not mean that it actually happened, it means that I am stating that it did not happen/does not exist.

I can understand where you're coming from, however, as denial is a recognized mental condition. However, denial does not have one single definition and it does not require the object being denied be truthful. All it requires is a simple statement of fact that whatever it is isn't true.

Deny as defined by dictionary.com (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/deny?r=75)

1. to state that (something declared or believed to be true) is not true: to deny an accusation.

No factual basis is required, only a declaration.

Edited for clarity.

 

[Scrittore]

I keep thinking, discussing with people, musing over... why is it that if atheists believe that there is absolutely nothing, WHATSOEVER after this life, they are still alive? I'm simply wondering, not ordering you all to go out and commit suicide (please don't)... but if nothing you do here matters, why do any of it? why deal with the pain? etc, etc... seriously someone give me a decent answer...

I eventually came to the, perhaps misguided, opinion that because of this, all atheists are either idiots, cowards, or not really athiest...

again... please don't commit suicide...!

...Because I like being alive.

 

[Cakes]

Ellipses are fun... i like them...

But you still haven't really answered the question... why make it worth it if you'll never ever remember it again... if all you do when you die is sit in the ground a rot, whats the point of doing anything while you're alive? Anyone who remembers anything you did will end up just like you, and eventually no one will remember anything about you...

To use an extremely in-appropriate metaphor... say you won the lottery, and you were let loose on the one condition that you won't remember ANYTHING the next day... what's the point of spending all the money? you won't remember the satisfaction you get... why not just go to sleep early? (and yes, i know its a flawed metaphor... but hell, i'm trying to make a point here)

and... make it worth it? make it worth what? what do you get out of it... if there's nothing after, nothing you get now will stay with you, and there's no point even bothering... all you've done so far is reinforce my point of view... everything you've said is something i've heard before and is basically a cop out...

I have answered the question, actually. As have several others. We give you a perfectly sound reason (Living is awesome, we've only got one chance so let's make it kick ass) but you just say NO TAHTS COP OUT. What is wrong with living for the moment (or lifetime, in this case)? The point of spending the money in this metaphor of yours would to use the time you have wisely and have a shit-ton of fun.

And I wasn't kidding about the ellipses. It makes it annoying to read.

 

[Cakes]

I eventually came to the, perhaps misguided, opinion that because of this, all atheists are either idiots, cowards, or not really athiest...

On a different note, how the shit did you arrive at this conclusion? Besides being incredibly offensive, it's just about the stupidest thing I've ever read.

 

[PirateKing]

Check out dickipedia. It has a list of people and it explains why they're dicks.

OT: The first time I saw that site it was on the Daily Show and I thought it was a joke, then I somehow ended up there one day.

 

[Shapsters]

People will believe whatever shit is told to them enough, and build websites like these around their views, ignoring all logic.

God is it so hard to understand that some people are idiots?

Idiots find that hard to understand.