An Atheist Answers Questions for Non Christians Part 1 of 4

What is the purpose of suffering? What is the purpose of life? One of your fellow humans thinks about the answers. Part 1 of my response to 25met4's "My New Questions for Non Christians" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldT7liQiEis

- I encourage civil discussion, whether in comments or video. I don't allow voting on comments, as it ends up being a kind of censorship (disliked comments disappear irretrievably). If you take issue with what someone has said, address it maturely.

Keep thinking! Go outside!

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[FenderMan1191]

The reason there is suffering in this world is that God gave us the ability to CHOOSE. This ability allows us to decide whether to do right or wrong. God's "plan" isn't a road map, a script... It's a plan to save us from this world when our time is done here, to bring us to Him once and for all. He lets us choose whether or not to follow him. Think of it this way: Do you want someone to be your friend because they're afraid, or because they care for you? The second is so much more meaningful.

[ReligiousFiction]

@FenderMan1191 - I question your basic assumption that there is a god or gods. Everything you said in your thoughtful paragraph sounds like wishful thinking, because no one can know whether there is a god or not. I do appreciate your kindly approach, though. And your de-emphasis of hell.

[hackman71]

what a load of bollocks.

[ReligiousFiction]

@hackman71 - Your comment was flagged as spam, and I unflagged it. I appreciate free speech and inquiry, but it seems like your comment is wasted here, unless you have more to ask and learn.

[creationliberty]

Empathy is wonderful support, but listening to an atheist talk about suffering is sad. They're causation of suffering is boiled down to, "It just happens." The Bible says that WE, mankind, brought suffering into this world. God did not create suffering. Saying "We assign value to it" is so incredibly arrogant, assuming that mankind has the ability to assign value to right and wrong. I'm so sad for the atheists... they are lost in the woods and afraid of finding the way out.

[ReligiousFiction]

@creationliberty - 1. If you believe a god created everything, then that god is responsible for all results from the creation.

2. Same thing if you think mankind brought suffering; in your worldview, who created mankind?

3. Things don't "just" happen - they happen, and we have the unique ability to find out why and do something about it.

4. We DO assign value to events; some cultures think eating animals is 'wrong', some think that honor killings are 'right,' some think war is 'right,' etc.

[FallacyDecoder]

“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?,Then he is not omnipotent.

Is he able, but not willing?, Then he is malevolent.

Is he both able and willing?,Then whence cometh evil?,Is he neither able nor willing?

Then why call him God?”

-Epicurus

Last time I used this quote on a Christian channel and recieved and prompt counter argument stating "Epicurus is wrong" after which I was blocked

[FallacyDecoder]

Often Christians like to paint atheists as evil immoral people because they do not believe in god. This is nothing more than ignorance, atheists base their morals on reason not on fear of divine punishment. In fact, if you don't believe in an afterlife, it creates all the more reason to live life to the fullest and not deviate from principles. I'm an atheist and I believe that the most significant rule to live by is to be true to yourself and what you believe is just, not to be guided by others.

[AThagoras]

Really great video. Very clear and thoughtful.

It gave me some new ways to look at Christian arguments.

[chinamanspeakenlis]

@skoopdahoop :S.. yur an idiot.. all the countries that have higher number of atheist have lower rate of suicide. do yur research!!! .. purpose in life?? you create your own purpose in life.. very common ones are : to be someone- actor, engineer, doctor etc when yu r that then your purpose changes: to hav happy family life to find a lover etc etc.. once that happen your purpose changes further.. it EVOLVES!! not like yu idiots.. the only purpose is to go to heaven :S.. that's it..fuck off!!

[killswell]

that's the problem.. you can only ever 'assume' there is a god.. because you have no proof. yes, you have some ancient book that tells you there is one, but the burden of proof is now. where is your god when you call him? i've personally had a man 'pray' that god would reveal himself to me (in a way that not even i could deny) and that i would have no other choice, but to believe.. well since i'm here saying this you can tell it obviously didn't happen.. i'm sorry, but no proof.

[skoopdahoop]

atheist: we have no purpose in life, were just results of some kind of evolution. (suicide increase)

[FenderMan1191]

@ReligiousFiction However, I do appreciate the recognition of kindness I often get from atheists and agnostics with whom I trade comments. I try to do what Christ said: "Love your neighbor". I don't know why this concept is so difficult for so many supposed believers. I am sure you have run into the modern Pharisees that pollute my faith, and I am truly sorry for that. Even if you never believed, I would still love to see mutual respect between believers and non-believers.

[FenderMan1191]

@ReligiousFiction I do not "assume" there is a God; I must instead rely on faith to carry me through the difficult times. However, I have had periods of strictest atheism, believing completely that there was no God, but I have felt what I believe is His influence, telling me ever so subtly that He was there all along. I think "wishful thinking" is also a harsh and judgmental term; as you said yourself, "no one can know whether there is a god or not".