So what exactly do you believe is our main ethical principle? "It is evil to compete against other people" -?
There is of course the issue of living in a society where many religious organizations exist, each providing a somewhat different account of what God supposedly wants for people. I am sure that with a better understanding, it is possible to meaningfully contextualize religious pluralism as well. Why? I do not think it is impossible that individuals or groups of people receive revelation from God. How obligatory those revelations are for other people, is another matter.
I think I would state the main ethical principle of secular moratily as this - The central goal should be the betterment of humanity from basic amenities to the human endeavors and this is the what we should act towards - personally and socially, in our daily lives and in our cultures; in such a way that no one innocent is harmed or made prone to harm.
Hopefully you believe in hell. Personally, I don't. I think it was made up to keep people like you in line. C'est la vie.
Did you vote? I can't remember your stance. Were you a tad bit wishy-washy? :shrug: Refresh my memory, will ya? Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
I didn't vote. It depends on one's definition of "god". Jehovah/Yahweh/Allah - I see no evidence for, and would go as far as saying they do not exist. The more ubiquitous "nature is god"... I'm a little more wishy washy on. Nature does exist (obviously). And there is (obviously) something interesting going on here. I have quit referring to the universe as "god" as it just confuses people. And my "belief" in "Mother Nature & Father Time" does not carry any sort of moral code or ritual with it.
Because they have doubts about it but treat it as certain. I'm kinda with you there. I don't think revelations are impossible either, but I have never seen an example of a revelation that turned out to be real.
Ahh, that makes sense now. I see. Your identity to atheism is a position of resistence against negative theist influence affecting the public. That is a very good reason. At least the ones with named Gods. I certainly value science. This is why: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negative_and_positive_atheism The How: - I value truth very highly and atheism is a natural side effect of it. The Why: - Same as you.
I see you took how to mean the details and why to mean the reasons. Anyway, I wanted to know how you became an atheist.
Almost. By "how" I took it as cause. By "why" I took it as intent. It didn't make me feel good being lied to, so I took up the position of atheist.
That reminded me of a atheist saying - Btw, I just had this message on youtube, probably from a spammer - To which I replied -
Here you go - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIYf14Jcq-o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZuknsnphEU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSmsV6rFa-s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kejkrSvesg Why not? Just because he believes in a sky fairy doesn't exclude him from civil conversation, does it now? Anyway, Islam being a very peaceful religion [as we all know - Science flies you to the moon, religion flies you into buildings], why not take care not to tread on their memes.
Oh! So now it's ''sky fairy'', and ''flying planes into buildings'', marinated with sarcasm, eh? Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! True colours. jan.
Its not true colors jan, its the tatical difference in [me] talking with an atheist [cat] and a theist [you]. I have to be respectful, not disparaging when talking with a theist. I have to remain professional, stick to objective logic in a debate with you or Sam. With Cat, I can loosen up a little and the spammer is indeed worthy of the ridicule, he was preaching, but you and other theists on Sciforums dont do so, so dont take offense. Besides, preachers, non-thinking theists and extremists [none of which describes you] indeed do "fly planes into buildings". I agree that my words were sharp, but my intention was well placed. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!eace:
Substantiate. Why is it evil to compete against other people? (I have my reasons to believe it is, but for the sake of discussion, I want to hear yours.) Not everyone has such doubts. If it was of a personal/private nature (as they are often said to be), then it wasn't within your scope to validate anyway, so you can't say whether it was real or not.
