[Greenleaves]

I think maybe there are some misconceptions about atheists, so I thought we should share what atheists are like.

What kind of person are you?

I'm an atheist and I don't swear, drink, smoke, do drugs, or have sex.

I have compassion for all people, even "bad" people, the most unlovable, the murderers, the rapists, the abusers. I consider myself kind and loving. I try to love all people, most of all the outcasts.

[LMo]

I personally believe that religion and ethics have absolutely no relationship. It irritates me to hear about x-religion's "values", when most of those values have to do with basic humanity that apply to any ethics-minded person regardless of religious affiliation.

I'm not exactly an atheist, but am not religious, either. I do have a very strong ethical code, though.

Is that what you're getting at?

(ps - what's wrong with sex? you grouped that with some other things that are unhealthy, as if it's a vice)

[Greenleaves]

Oh, there is nothing wrong with sex or drugs for that matter. On another thread someone wrote that they did those things with their atheist friends and I just wanted to make sure that people know not all atheists are into all those things.

I think I'm asexual myself, I don't really need sex.

Yes that's what I mean, religion and ethics are separate. Also there are misconceptions about both religious and non religious people.

[LMo]

I agree. Stereotypes are hurtful, no matter what.

[Mouse_]

I always feel the word atheist means that one doesn't believe in god, when in my view god doesnt come into it, its not that "It" exists or doesn't exist its irrelevant so atheist to me is just a irrelevant "tag" I believe in my own existence for better or for worse, I believe in myself if I am evil or good, "I am" so there for, I am, thats what I believe in.

[nowheretorun]

ethics/spirituality... fine line.... doing the right thing.... that matters... : )

[Perna]

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Not believing that something is true is not equivalent to believing that it is false; one may simply have no idea whether it is true or not.

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http://www.infidels.org/library/mode...hew/intro.html

I see it very much like the word "irrational". When someone says I'm being irrational, I often thank them :-)

[Lenny]

I am in awe of the minds of many atheists. I simply don't understand. But that ignorance is just one among the infinite I endure.

If I could have had one humble wish it would have been to have coffee with Ayn Rand and listen to her great mind explain to me the centrist views on the complete and unadulterated power of any single man over his destiny. She is a hero of mine. I don't know if I have ever been exposed to such a complex mind through words alone.

I work so very hard on understanding this vacancy in me,,my inability to see myself with such absolute responsibility.

Maybe it is the child in me that never wishes to let go...

Lenny

[Mouse_]

Perhaps its the child in many that makes them hang-on to a belief in a "father" type figure? Its the adult that no longer needs to be merged and can tolerate being seperate.

[Lenny]

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Mouse_ said:
Perhaps its the child in many that makes them hang-on to a belief in a "father" type figure?

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Yes mouse, that could very well be an issue of mine. Or the absolute wonder in miracles.

Lenny

[Mouse_]

Aha yes, "miracles" I love magical thinking also :-)

[Lenny]

Ah, the sometimes bewilderment of things,,the paradox of law...

Lenny

[KathyM]

Greenleaves

Thanks for having the courage to post here. So, are you - an atheist - asking for spiritual support here? LOL/jk.

One thing I've always admired about atheists is they take full responsibility for their actions in life. With your description of how you "walk" in this world (your ethics), I don't see how your beliefs could interfere with anyone. Do you get a lot of criticism for your spiritual beliefs, or lack thereof?

[coralproper]

If I were a atheist, I would follow Einsteins rationalizations for being one

but I am a firm believer in God

[RozG]

I'm an atheist but I don't think anybody thinks me a bad person for it. I have ethics, morals and spiritual beliefs. I also taught my kids very basic stuff from the get-go about God, Jesus, Heaven etc. ( I.e. Don't be sad when someone dies, they've up in Heaven being cared for by the angels now. And a slightly funny one if I may with no offence intended to anyone...we were talking about doing naughty things and without the full story...I told my kids even when nobody sees you and there's no forensics,CCTV etc...God sees you...and it was the looks between them that was funny, not the bit about God. )

And incase anybody is wondering why an atheist teaches her kids about God...I got my own reasons for not believing but that doesn't give me the right to shove my own baggage onto my kids, so I teach them the basics about God's love and care etc. Things like when you think you're alone and you're scared etc...you're not alone, God's there for you and the angels are watching over you. It's just not for me personally is all after growing up in what I call a "negative religious" family.

Hope this post hasn't offended anyone, it's not intended to!

Peace & love to yaz all.

[SeptemberMorn]

Just wondering... where do athiests get their sense of ethics and morality? What tells you what is right and what is wrong?

We of the Judeo and Christian faiths get ours from the Ten Commandments.

[RozG]

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SeptemberMorn said:
Just wondering... where do athiests get their sense of ethics and morality? What tells you what is right and what is wrong?

We of the Judeo and Christian faiths get ours from the Ten Commandments.

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hmmmm....good question, you got me there, I've strangely got no answer to that one...except a question back and I hope nobody taked offense, it's a genuine question....

does somebody have to know God to be a good person and do societies rules of right and wrong come from religion?

Sorry that's 2 questions but...I've really never thought about this before.

and to everybody.

[spiritual_emergency]

<blockquote>
KathyM: Thanks for having the courage to post here. So, are you - an atheist - asking for spiritual support here?

I would imagine that an aetheist asking for "spiritual support" is simply asking that their spiritual beliefs be respected as valid to them, much as those of a different faith might want to be respected for theirs.

coralproper: If I were a atheist, I would follow Einsteins rationalizations for being one

I recall reading a quote by Stanislav Grof several months ago. What he said was along the lines of, "The chances of the Universe coming into being as a random act of creation is about as likely as a tornado blowing through a junkyard and assembling a 747 in the process. I'm not sure if that's in line with Einstein's perspective but I thought it was a marvellous statement.

Meantime, an aetheist is defined as someone who doesn't believe in God at all whereas an agnostic is someone who believes we just don't have all the answers or the question itself is one we can't answer. I can't say I self-identify as entirely aetheist -- although there's some things I don't believe in either -- yet neither do I feel I've found all my answers.

[spiritual_emergency]

<blockquote>
Kalamity_Jane: does somebody have to know God to be a good person and do societies rules of right and wrong come from religion?

Some of the most religious people are also the worst; some of the most non-religious are the best. I think spirituality or religion helps shape a person's behavior but it's not the only source. Do we really need a religion to tell us it's wrong to kill or harm another? Do we need a religion to encourage us to be civil to others? Do we need a religion to tell us that if we envy what others have we'll create unhappiness for ourselves?

I don't think so.

[KathyM]

I agree SE - all we really need are eyes, ears, and a heart in order to be a good person. It's not that difficult to see how the Ten Commandments and Golden Rule play out in real life. Certain rules need to be in place in order to maintain a sense of harmony and balance among people. Using our own resources (eyes, ears, heart), we can see the consequences of disobeying these rules and the harm that it causes.

BTW, I was just playfully teasing Greenleaves. I support his beliefs, and I'm glad he feels welcome here.

[Abby]

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Mouse_ said:
I always feel the word atheist means that one doesn't believe in god, when in my view god doesnt come into it, its not that "It" exists or doesn't exist its irrelevant so atheist to me is just a irrelevant "tag" I believe in my own existence for better or for worse, I believe in myself if I am evil or good, "I am" so there for, I am, thats what I believe in.

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Indeed. Atheist don't believe in a God so even the term athiest is a null point for them. I do giggle when theists ask atheists why they don't believe in God because the question already does not exist to them.
Am i making any sense? I think Mouse put it better! doh. sorry everyone. being annoying as usual....

[BalishBun]

I am not an athiest, I am catholic but I dont practice my religion, I was just born into it. But I have no harsh feelings toward anyone for what or what they do not beleive in thats the way to be