| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"Chas" |
| Date: |
09 Sep 2003 06:12:53 AM |
| Object: |
A different take |
It seems to me that atheists spend too much time trying to prove there is no
god. It is as likely one can prove the existence of a god as her
non-existence. Nonetheless there is no shortage of folks who are still at it
after hundreds of years.
As one who counts himself an atheist I think it's a waste of time and effort
to attempt to prove that which is unprovable. Besides, if tomorrow it were
conclusively demonstrated there was no god, does anyone really believe all
the clerics would quit, religious building would be converted to restaurants
and little theaters, and believers would buy rabbit's feet and four leaf
clovers ?
For me, increasingly, it's more interesting to ask the question: What has
religion done for us ? The usual response is, look what a louse mankind is,
think how much worse he would be without religion. How much worse would he
be ? How bad are things in Netherlands ? In Sweden ? Denmark ? The morality
of a people bares no apparent correlation with their belief in a god.
Is there another industrialized country in the world where the belief in a
god and attendance in some religious institution is greater than in the
United States, and how do we compare in our crime rates, particularly
murder; our incarceration rates, numbers of abortion or drug addicts ? If
belief in a god is so important in living "a good life," how does it
evidence itself ?
How much does religion cost ? In the United States most church property is
exempt from taxes. What would the tax rate in most of cities be if such
property were taxed as the ordinary taxpayer is taxed ? It will be argued
that the charitable activities of the churches more than pay for themselves
? Do they ? Where is the evidence of it. If religious property were taxed,
how much charity could that income buy ?
To what extent is religious charity little more than extortion ? If the
homeless want a place to sleep or an evening meal, do they get it without
having to listen to some religious person try to sell them their beliefs.
And, by the way, where can it be shown that starting and ending each day
with a prayer makes any difference in one's life ? I attended high school
when each day was started with The Pledge and each assembly with a prayer.
Some graduates supported the war in Viet Nam and even enlisted; others
opposed the war and demonstrated, even burning their draft cards.
More fundamental, so far as I'm concerned, is what god has to say. Well, god
doesn't say anything, she just has spokespersons. And what they have to say
is their idea of what their scripture says. When I hear Falwell and his type
tell me what god wants, I don't hear god, I hear Falwell. Might not atheists
be more successful if, instead of worrying about the existence of a god,
they questioned those who claim they speak for god ? Isn't there some point
at which the claims of revelation of these self-anointed ministers can be
questioned ?
Some time ago I suggested that atheists are too ambitious. They should start
with something easier. Prove there is no Easter Bunny. Once successful in
that, move on to the proof there is no Santa Claus. Then move on to proving
angels and devils don't exist. After that, prove there is no god. Atheists
should walk before they run.
Now my request is for something even more modest: demonstrate that religion
is, for the most part, irrelevant and expensive.
.
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| User: "Robibnikoff" |
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| Title: Re: A different take |
09 Sep 2003 08:03:34 AM |
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In article <UAi7b.49$%65.19@news.randori.com>, Chas says...
It seems to me that atheists spend too much time trying to prove there is no
god.
Oh well, atheists don't exist to please you.
Robyn
Resident Witchypoo & EAC Spellcaster
#1557
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| User: "raven1" |
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| Title: Re: A different take |
09 Sep 2003 03:21:37 PM |
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On Tue, 09 Sep 2003 11:12:53 GMT, "Chas" <chas@net.bluemoon.net>
wrote:
It seems to me that atheists spend too much time trying to prove there is no
god.
Repeating something doesn't make it true.
.
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| User: "Jim07D3" |
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| Title: Re: A different take |
09 Sep 2003 03:30:55 PM |
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raven1 <psychedelephant@flashmail.com> said:
On Tue, 09 Sep 2003 11:12:53 GMT, "Chas" <chas@net.bluemoon.net>
wrote:
It seems to me that atheists spend too much time trying to prove there is no
god.
Repeating something doesn't make it true.
I wonder how much time Chas thinks is reasonable? I usually have it
done just after the alarm goes off. ;-)
Jim07D3
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