Is Atheism a religion?

[MorningGlory]

If sharia law goes into effect where atheists live they will be hunted down and either killed or assimilated.

Oh my. That would depend on who's interpreting the law, and most Muslims don't condone killing of nonbelievers so I don't think there will be anything to worry about in that regard...unless Western Atheists all of a sudden decide to make a mass exodus to the Middle East, which I also don't see happening.

Did you just type "most muslims don't condone killing of nonbelievers"? I don't know what you've read but you should educate yourself. Under Shar'ia law you either worship 'allah' or you are imprisoned or killed. There is no debate on the matter. Nor can you convert to another religion; that's apostacy.....again, the penalty is death. Also read up on the attempts by muslim groups to instill Sha'ria law in Europe, Canada and even a couple of U.S. states. It might open your eyes......

[MorningGlory]

I do not believe we evolved from chimps. This is a ridiculous notion.

It is a silly notion, but perhaps not for the reason you think. We do share a common ancestor with chimps. We have since, mostly, evolved on our separate paths.

By 'we' you mean you and Attel.....right?

I have a friend that is convinced he works with a bunch of Neanderthals.

Does your friend work here, in my company, by any chance?

Yikes, well he does happen to work in Texas, but not Houston. I suspect that the Neanderthal "invasion" is rather widespread since I'm sure I've run across a few at work as well.

75% of our workforce is comprised of NON-Homo Sapiens Sapiens.....I'm convinced of this. Maybe the oil business just attracts extinct species.

[MorningGlory]

"I" am just a machine evolved from chance and necessity and programmed by unconscious natural processes to survive and reproduce.

The awareness of this fact, prevents "me" from excessively overestimating "my" intellectual capabilities.

[808state]

"I" am just a machine evolved from chance and necessity and programmed by unconscious natural processes to survive and reproduce.

The awareness of this fact, prevents "me" from excessively overestimating "my" intellectual capabilities.

If this is all human are, why is murder wrong?

Or what hope can you give to those who are destitute?

I think you can probably break morality down into what benefits and doesn't benefit the human race. And this is decided by the fact that human individuals naturally react to certain events in either negative or positive ways. For example, the loss of a loved one usually brings on negative feelings in you average human being. If everyone was allowed to go off killing whoever they wanted whenever they wanted, everyone would be miserable. Society wouldn't be able to function that way, and humans are social beings. So, eventually, if people wanted their own individual happiness then society as a whole would have to think of a way to make that work.

[Guest]

What do you revere more than anything else?....

I do not revere anything. I apply skeptical inquiry to everything in my life, including science, love,

affection, feelings and my sense of self. I know it sounds like circular reasoning but I cannot help it.

When "I" say "I", it is meant the current state of "my" brain interconnections and dynamics. When they

change then "I" am a different "I". "My" current state of consciousness and "my" current feelings

and beliefs are an emergent property of "my" neuronal organization. Change this, add or remove part of

"my" brain and "I" will think and feel differently, "I" might even become a Christian.....

Truth

But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. Psalms 86:15

And Reason

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18

Go Togeher Like A Child's Trust

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3

In His Daddy You See

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Galatians 4-6

Are You Trusting

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James 4:10

Really?

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12

[Littlelambseativy]

What do you revere more than anything else?....

I do not revere anything. I apply skeptical inquiry to everything in my life, including science, love,

affection, feelings and my sense of self. I know it sounds like circular reasoning but I cannot help it.

When "I" say "I", it is meant the current state of "my" brain interconnections and dynamics. When they

change then "I" am a different "I". "My" current state of consciousness and "my" current feelings

and beliefs are an emergent property of "my" neuronal organization. Change this, add or remove part of

"my" brain and "I" will think and feel differently, "I" might even become a Christian.....

Truth

But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. Psalms 86:15

And Reason

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18

Go Togeher Like A Child's Trust

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3

In His Daddy You See

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Galatians 4-6

Are You Trusting

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James 4:10

Really?

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12

Amen. Well said Joe

[Guest]

.... Notice it does not say in his mind. Atheism is a heart issue, a belief issues. It is not a science issue, its a predetermination in his heart. Once you believe in something you will find all sorts of proof that what you believe is true. So on this aspect, Atheism is a belief system, not based at all on fact. So in all respect save definition it is very much religious....

I am not sure that heart is the right organ responsible for atheism....

Ah! Dear One Humble Yourself And Open Your Heart

But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. Proverbs 8:36

Hear His Call And Turn Beloved, Turn

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3

And With A Broken Heart

for godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

Be Born Again

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deuteronomy 6:4-5

To Love

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

Daddy

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Galatians 4:6

You See....

That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:23-24

Believe And Be Blessed Beloved

Love, Joe

[nebula]

"I" am just a machine evolved from chance and necessity and programmed by unconscious natural processes to survive and reproduce.

The awareness of this fact, prevents "me" from excessively overestimating "my" intellectual capabilities.

If this is all human are, why is murder wrong?

Or what hope can you give to those who are destitute?

Because, as I said, we are programmed to survive long enough to reproduce.

The best way to achieve that is to try to avoid other humans to kill us. Refuting murder is, ultimately, a selfish instinct

driven by our selfish genes.

Therefore, prohibiting murder, is functional to my goal to survive long enough to reproduce. If that was not the case, I would

probably not be here discussing this issue.

And what do you mean with destitute? My English is not good enough, I am afraid

Destitute - lacking in needs (food, shelter, love, hope)

So for you, reproduction is your goal in life, all you have to live for?

And you're OK with that?

But if reproduction is all there is, then why are so many looking for more?

[MorningGlory]

Because, as I said, we are programmed to survive long enough to reproduce.

The best way to achieve that is to try to avoid other humans to kill us. Refuting murder is, ultimately, a selfish instinct

driven by our selfish genes.

Therefore, prohibiting murder, is functional to my goal to survive long enough to reproduce. If that was not the case, I would

probably not be here discussing this issue.

So.....you view yourself as just another animal then? What are you going to do once you achieve your life's goal?

[nebula]

So for you, reproduction is your goal in life, all you have to live for?

And you're OK with that?

But if reproduction is all there is, then why are so many looking for more?

What hope has a poor destitute illiterate Muslim woman who never heard of Jesus and does not know better?

I'm not asking her, who isn't here to hear the answer.

I am asking you.

And telling you my answer doesn't give me your answer.