Re: The benefits of atheism are?

Originally Titled: The Benefits of Atheism.

"Why atheists can be sure they are not missing anything by not believing in God."

I thought this video to be all too appropriate, a fitting compliment to pointing out the pure absurdity of this so-called 'challenge'.

The video that this is in response to can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YXGyvj5M8c

As typical of most christians, any dissent they can't handle is duely blocked. Good luck.

To choose between accepting reality or a fantasy born of ignorance, fear, and greed.

Reality is harsh at times. As Atheists, we find the strength to bear the worst - because we must. We do not have the mental crutch that Christians literally live by.

Reality is something difficult to sell as you are asking. The truth is not always appealing.

Not everyone wants to take the red pill.

Just like leaving the Matrix, just like casting aside your crutches when you have a limp, just like relinquishing your beliefs in santa claus, and just like dispelling your fear of the dark; there are no such 'benefits' to accepting reality as it is...

...Aside from the grim satisfaction of knowing that you made your lot in this world by your own hand. Though, I will admit, that isn't enough for some.

Just like you, there are others who were free and chose to go back. Safety, warmth, security, certainty; even though false, people embrace it because they've not the strength to forge these things on their own. Even though false, some are perfectly content in their wet paper bag fortress.

Others, like me...I can't live like that. I've too much respect for myself. I enjoy my short life too much to waste it in pointless ritual and fear of the unknown.

So...to answer your question, there is only one thing that Atheism can truly offer:

Freedom

And not everyone wants that.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• atheist
• atheism
• Gisburne2000
• true
• christian
• christianity
• bible
• god
• jesus
• christ
• religion
• benefits

[Satchfan96]

the benefits of atheism are.....nonexistent. simple as that. some of the biggest genocides in recent years have been commited by atheist regimes. (stalin, hitler) and no. hitler was not catholic. and dont try to tell me he was. the "christians" back in the days of the crusades, were not real christians. those were the worthless shits that discredit christianity.

[Mathenaut]

@Satchfan96

What you are invoking is known as the 'no true scotsman fallacy'. Hitler was a religious man, as were the crusaders religious people. If you call every christian that embarrasses the faith an atheist, then you'd have no christians left. Yourself, especially, included.

[Mathenaut]

@Jcolinsol

To begin with, you jump in with this lame insistence that I 'worship' materialism, using it to replace religion. I'd naturally ask you to tell me what the tenents of said religion are and what diety I worship as a result...But I think I'll spare both of us and just leave it as another inane statement.

Do tell me, what exactly have you established that would warrant refuting? Please clarify any one point you've actually made that you'd like me to address.

[Jcolinsol]

@Mathenaut

Alright, what did I misrepresent about your views?

To suggest that I haven't established anything to refute is disingenuous. Keep it real, if you can.

[Mathenaut]

@Jcolinsol

It's...Beyond inane if the best you can manage is devolving the discussion to this kind of obvious projection.

The reason you're mis-representing my argument is because you've already defined what it is, and seem to have trouble reconciling my refusal to act out your caricature. I don't know where I could possibly be more clear on what my stance is.

The best you can offer is that you don't agree, which is nice, but to refute something, it needs to be established to begin with.

[Jcolinsol]

@Mathenaut

Pot to kettle: "you are black". Instead of engaging honestly and discussing these matters in a straightforward and mutually respectful manner, you evade, refuse to clearly state your reasoning or define your terms, and when I make an argument, you accuse me of doing what you are doing.

It can hardly be my fault if I mis-represent your argument, if you've failed to clearly state it.

As for me being unable to to substantiate my reasoning, so far you haven't refuted any of it.

[Mathenaut]

@Jcolinsol

Thing is...My stance isn't particularly complicated. You're a fan of stretching the things I say to sometimes ludicrous ends without much of a basis for it. So yes, I compare you to fundies who do much the same thing in stereotyping people with beliefs they don't like and holding them to a caricature of what they really ascribe to. You throw around popular 'buzz words' as conclusions to arguments you can't even substantiate.

'Misrepresenting', would be a modest understatement.

[Jcolinsol]

@Mathenaut

If you've forgotten, we had a long dull discussion of these matters several weeks ago. I don't think I am misrepresenting your views, you did spend a good amount of time dancing around and avoiding defining your terms or clearly explaining your reasoning, so I don't think I can be blamed for misrepresenting your views.

And once again you turn around accuse me of fundamentalism. School-yard tactics: "I know you are but what am I?". I am open minded and incredulous, what are you?

[Mathenaut]

@Jcolinsol

Now you're trying to detail to me both what and how I believe, on your terms, based upon what? This smug sense of something you're trying to wave over my head and tell me I want? I literally JUST made the mistake of jumping to those kind of conclusions, and you just follow suit into the same hole like a lemming - Then have the balls to dictate my own 'mistakes' to me.

You even mimic fundies in broadening the term of religion so much that it's connotation is lost. Is this a joke?