Why isn't faith embarrasing?

[(Q)]

Do atheists lack faith in the fellow man?

I think atheists have faith in science and what science would reveal about the fellow man and himself.

Are they bigoted, cynical, disgruntled and dissatisfied?

Yes, with the hypocrisy of theists.

Do they see all theists as inferior to them since they don't share their ideologies?

No, they see their fellow man as an equal to himself in nature. He might see religion itself as an inferior decision making process, worldview and mindset.

 

[S.A.M.]

I think atheists have faith in science and what science would reveal about the fellow man and himself.

So if science tells you that terrorists are more likely to be secular and rational, you believe it.

Yes, with the hypocrisy of theists.

In terms of ?

No, they see their fellow man as an equal to himself in nature. He might see religion itself as an inferior decision making process, worldview and mindset.

Religion makes decisions, has a worldview and a mindset?

Or people practising religion? Looks like atheists do see theists as inferior for not following their beliefs. Why circumvent when what you are saying that you do not consider theists as inferior except for their religion? Thats like a homophobe saying he does not discriminate against homosexuals if they did not have sex with their own gender.

And they say Stalin and Mao are not representative:soapbox:

 

[superluminal]

So if science tells you that terrorists are more likely to be secular and rational, you believe it?

Yes. I'm well aware of the background and makeup of some terrorists.

Looks like atheists do see theists as inferior for not following their beliefs.

More strawmen. Well we do know you have expertise in at least one thing.

Atheists see the mindset (i.e. faith) of theists as inferior. A theist who wakes up to reality, reason, and true human compassion (i.e. becomes an atheist) is no less inferior than one who was always enlightened.

 

[superluminal]

Sam,

I would really appreciate the answer to a few questions. Let's start with this:

Do you think that your belief in allah places you in a position of - for lack of a better term - "salvation"? I.e. For you, believing is essential to the ultimate welfare of your soul? Specifically, believing in allah?

 

[S.A.M.]

Sam,

I would really appreciate the answer to a few questions. Let's start with this:

Do you think that your belief in allah places you in a position of - for lack of a better term - "salvation"? I.e. For you, believing is essential to the ultimate welfare of your soul?

I never think about religion as something that concerns my soul. It is one of the chief reasons I like Islam. Religion to me is a here and now commitment, not an abstract for the afterlife.

What is salvation, after all?

Why not aim for salvation right now?

And yes, my religion does aid me in my salvation, which is to live my life as I want to do.

It is my to go to guide for living.

 

[superluminal]

I never think about religion as something that concerns my soul. It is one of the chief reasons I like Islam. Religion to me is a here and now commitment, not an abstract for the afterlife.

What is salvation, after all?

Why not aim for salvation right now?

And yes, my religion does aid me in my salvation, which is to live my life as I want to do.

It is my to go to guide for living.

Then you are not a muslim? I thought you were a muslim?

 

[S.A.M.]

Then you are not a muslim? I thought you were a muslim?

Sure I'm a Muslim. What does that have to do with how I practise it? Even Muslims have no consensus on how to practise Islam

See I believe in one entity God and I believe that Mohammed said all the right stuff. I also believe that religion is something that has always been there, that there have been innumerable people before Mohammed who brought the same message of love, faith and charity to all peoples. I have been reading on other religions (Indian, Chinese, native American) and none of it is contradictory to what Mohammed said.

 

[superluminal]

Sure I'm a Muslim. What does that have to do with how I practise it? Even Muslims have no consensus on how to practise Islam

See I believe in one entity God and I believe that Mohammed said all the right stuff. I also believe that religion is something that has always been there, that there have been innumerable people before Mohammed who brought the same message of love, faith and charity to all peoples. I have been reading on other religions (Indian, Chinese, native American) and none of it is contradictory to what Mohammed said.

So you have no problem whatsoever with the way others live and have absolutely no sense that people that don't believe in god or gods, and fully embrace the ideals of love, charity, human compassion, etc. are in any significant way different from you (i.e. muslims)?

 

[S.A.M.]

So you have no problem whatsoever with the way others live and have absolutely no sense that people that don't believe in god or gods, and fully embrace the ideals of love, charity, human compassion, etc. are in any significant way different from you (i.e. muslims)?

I think everyone is not the same, and to expect everyone to be the same is foolish.

Even more foolish to judge them for being different.

Who has the authority to say what is right or wrong?

"To you be your way, to me be mine" [109:6]

http://www.unification.net/ws/theme146.htm

My only criteria (and this is my personal criteria) is that one should not allow our actions to intentionally or unintentionally harm others.

 

[(Q)]

So if science tells you that terrorists are more likely to be secular and rational, you believe it.

Terrorists are rational, as far as they're concerned. They have accepted the improbable and irrational as fact and can easily justify killing others. There is little that IS irrational to the terrorist.

So, we are left simply with the question, "Is it rational to kill random groups of people?"

In terms of ?

Hypocrisy of theists. You wouldn't understand. It's of no surprise.

Religion makes decisions, has a worldview and a mindset?

Your lack of synthesis is evident again.

Or people practising religion? Looks like atheists do see theists as inferior for not following their beliefs. Why circumvent when what you are saying that you do not consider theists as inferior except for their religion? Thats like a homophobe saying he does not discriminate against homosexuals if they did not have sex with their own gender.

The comparisons in your analogy are not relevant to each other. Apples and oranges.

And they say Stalin and Mao are not representative

The same strawman argument as always.

 

[superluminal]

I think everyone is not the same, and to expect everyone to be the same is foolish.

Even more foolish to judge them for being different.

Who has the authority to say what is right or wrong?

"To you be your way, to me be mine" [109:6]

http://www.unification.net/ws/theme146.htm

So why do you call yourself a muslim?

 

[S.A.M.]

So why do you call yourself a muslim?

What is a Muslim? One who submits to God.

Religion has helped me to lose anger, cynicism, intolerance and given me a more compassionate understanding of people. I find it easier to understand (and forgive) how people think and feel, how simple life really is and how shallow materialism can be. I now focus on education and compassion as essential ingredients to the good life. Its what the Quran advocates as necessities for being righteous.

That makes me a Muslim. :shrug:

 

[superluminal]

What is a Muslim? One who submits to God.

Religion has helped me to lose anger, cynicism, intolerance and given me a more compassionate understanding of people. I find it easier to understand how people think and feel, how simple life really is and how shallow materialism can be. I now focus on education and compassion as essential ingredients to the good life. Its what the Quran advocates as necessities for being righteous.

That makes me a Muslim. :shrug:

Why aren't you a christian?

 

[S.A.M.]

Why aren't you a christian?

I am, in the sense that Jesus was a Christian.

 

[Myles]

I am, in the sense that Jesus was a Christian.

I and many others I know are all or most of all of the things you claim to be. We , however, are atheists. Religion is not necessarily conducive to being a decent human being.

 

[(Q)]

What is a Muslim? One who submits to God.

Submitting to the god of Abraham is submitting to one of the most cruelest and immoral supernatural being asserted to exist.

Religion has helped me to lose anger, cynicism, intolerance and given me a more compassionate understanding of people.

No, cult indoctrination has forced you to accept them as tenets, hence you will accept and defend the hatred and intolerance your cult exhibits.

I now focus on education and compassion as essential ingredients to the good life. Its what the Quran advocates as necessities for being righteous.

Any scripture, whether it is the Quran or the Bible, is full of so-called "necessities for being righteous." That is merely stating the obvious.

It is the necessities and what is considered righteous that define the improbable and the irrational that is indoctrinated, and has nothing to do with "education and compassion."

That makes me a Muslim.

A resounding, "YES!"

 

[S.A.M.]

I and many others I know are all or most of all of the things you claim to be. We , however, are atheists. Religion is not necessarily conducive to being a decent human being.

Have you been devoid of religious influences in your life?

Why do you believe that things are right or wrong?

 

[S.A.M.]

blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

Since you lack both tolerance and compassion, I see no reason for your diatribe.:shrug:

 

[superluminal]

I am, in the sense that Jesus was a Christian.

So you are a christian. Ok.

Now, as a christian, do you believe that the welfare of your being is dependent on a belief in god?

(ask a silly question get a...)

 

[S.A.M.]

So you are a christian. Ok.

Now, as a christian, do you believe that the welfare of your being is dependent on a belief in god?

Only in the sense that I have no desire to live in a society that is without religion.

I would hate for decisions of humanity to be based on cold logic; we have machines for that.

Imagine moderation being conducted here by cold logic.