What Some Atheists Really Believe....

[Bonky]

It's quite funny really, every time they think of what they don't believe, they are invariably confirming what they are trying to reject. Having an atheist church can only end up going in the opposite direction - eventually....

So if someone doubts that bigfoots are tromping around in our forests, they are actually confirming that they really....deep down, believe that they are?

Obviously not, but in keeping with Kan's "atheist church analogy," it would be like the creation of an anti-big foot society along with a mandatory statement of "unbeliefs".

When you consider how atheists are treated or viewed you might understand why they would form a church or support group.  I used to go to a UU church to have that Sunday morning connection with folks who had similar values that I hold.  I imagine these churches are similar.  I would highly doubt they spend much time helping each other affirming their disbelief in gods.

[OakWood]

I think it's to do with them not wishing to be held responsible for their own actions. They don't want any god to give them a moral code, instead they prefer to worship a god made in their own images.

Therefore they reject the presence of a creator. Tell them that their creator wants them to live according to their own desires and will give them salvation regardless, then they'll be quite happy to believe in him!

 My boss is a devout Christian and yet I am occasionally disappointed with how he handles himself.  He's willing to lie in order to cover up what would be issues if people were aware of them.   He has more than once gone back on what he promised and didn't even bother to apologize or even discuss it.  I don't see a correlation with a belief in God and good behavior.  Aside from this, one could admit that there is likely a creator of our Universe and not necessarily feel that this creator cares how we act.  

I never said there was a correlation. I merely pointed out that Atheists choose to live by their own moral code. It just so happens that most people (Atheist or otherwise) believe that being honest is a good thing. To tell lies or break promises is frowned upon by many.

[OldSchool2]

It's quite funny really, every time they think of what they don't believe, they are invariably confirming what they are trying to reject. Having an atheist church can only end up going in the opposite direction - eventually....

So if someone doubts that bigfoots are tromping around in our forests, they are actually confirming that they really....deep down, believe that they are?

Obviously not, but in keeping with Kan's "atheist church analogy," it would be like the creation of an anti-big foot society along with a mandatory statement of "unbeliefs".

When you consider how atheists are treated or viewed you might understand why they would form a church or support group.  I used to go to a UU church to have that Sunday morning connection with folks who had similar values that I hold...

As Unitarians have no dogma they often welcome atheists.

And this isn't the 1800s; according to Pew Research, atheists in the 21st century have nearly doubled their numbers while Christianity has declined.

[OakWood]

It's quite funny really, every time they think of what they don't believe, they are invariably confirming what they are trying to reject. Having an atheist church can only end up going in the opposite direction - eventually....

So if someone doubts that bigfoots are tromping around in our forests, they are actually confirming that they really....deep down, believe that they are?

Obviously not, but in keeping with Kan's "atheist church analogy," it would be like the creation of an anti-big foot society along with a mandatory statement of "unbeliefs".

When you consider how atheists are treated or viewed you might understand why they would form a church or support group.  I used to go to a UU church to have that Sunday morning connection with folks who had similar values that I hold.  I imagine these churches are similar.  I would highly doubt they spend much time helping each other affirming their disbelief in gods.

Support groups for Atheists, I can understand. But a church? Why would they even call it a church if they didn't hold a deep-seated need to worship something or have a common belief in something?

The truth is, Atheists believe that when you are dead you are dead. Living such an empty existence is like being on an extended version of death row. I've heard the expression 'dead man walking' to describe an Atheist. It certainly seems very apt.

 

[MorningGlory]

It's quite funny really, every time they think of what they don't believe, they are invariably confirming what they are trying to reject. Having an atheist church can only end up going in the opposite direction - eventually....

So if someone doubts that bigfoots are tromping around in our forests, they are actually confirming that they really....deep down, believe that they are?

Obviously not, but in keeping with Kan's "atheist church analogy," it would be like the creation of an anti-big foot society along with a mandatory statement of "unbeliefs".

Your response made me actually giggle, OldSchool! 

[missmuffet]

[Bonky]

It's quite funny really, every time they think of what they don't believe, they are invariably confirming what they are trying to reject. Having an atheist church can only end up going in the opposite direction - eventually....

So if someone doubts that bigfoots are tromping around in our forests, they are actually confirming that they really....deep down, believe that they are?

Obviously not, but in keeping with Kan's "atheist church analogy," it would be like the creation of an anti-big foot society along with a mandatory statement of "unbeliefs".

When you consider how atheists are treated or viewed you might understand why they would form a church or support group.  I used to go to a UU church to have that Sunday morning connection with folks who had similar values that I hold.  I imagine these churches are similar.  I would highly doubt they spend much time helping each other affirming their disbelief in gods.

Support groups for Atheists, I can understand. But a church? Why would they even call it a church if they didn't hold a deep-seated need to worship something or have a common belief in something?

The truth is, Atheists believe that when you are dead you are dead. Living such an empty existence is like being on an extended version of death row. I've heard the expression 'dead man walking' to describe an Atheist. It certainly seems very apt.

 

My guess is that they're borrowing the word because of what they're trying to give their members, a place to gather and connect with their community -- minus the worshiping of a diety.  If an atheist church sprung up in my area I doubt that I would go.   Like I mentioned earlier, I went to a UU church years ago and we weren't worshiping anything and yet it was a "church".

Why go antique shopping with your mother, why go golfing with your friends, why go camping with your sister?  None of these earthly weekend activities have eternal significance and yet we do them anyway.  You give your own life meaning while you have it.

[MorningGlory]

I think it's to do with them not wishing to be held responsible for their own actions. They don't want any god to give them a moral code, instead they prefer to worship a god made in their own images.

Therefore they reject the presence of a creator. Tell them that their creator wants them to live according to their own desires and will give them salvation regardless, then they'll be quite happy to believe in him!

 My boss is a devout Christian and yet I am occasionally disappointed with how he handles himself.  He's willing to lie in order to cover up what would be issues if people were aware of them.   He has more than once gone back on what he promised and didn't even bother to apologize or even discuss it.  I don't see a correlation with a belief in God and good behavior.  Aside from this, one could admit that there is likely a creator of our Universe and not necessarily feel that this creator cares how we act.  

You aren't alone in being disappointed by the way Christians act at times, Bonky. Christians are often disappointed in each other and in ourselves.  A Christian is not a perfect, holy being that does the right thing each and every time.  We are flawed, imperfect humans who have no hope of salvation without the Lord.  A Christian stumbles, falls, gets back up and asks God for forgiveness then tries again.  If they just mouth the words and continue in sin then they are CINOs. 

[Bonky]

I appreciate what you're saying Morning, I was just responding to a post that [to me] sounded like atheists don't believe in God so that they can not be held accountable for their actions.  My point was that it doesn't appear that by believing in God that people are holding themselves to some incredible moral standard.  I know Christians are human, I'm actually good friends with my boss, he's a good man.  It's just odd to see that Bible on his desk and yet see him ignore it when it's convenient.

In America anyway, I really don't see the Christian life as much different than mine.  The views are different, but not the lifestyle.

[missmuffet]

I appreciate what you're saying Morning, I was just responding to a post that [to me] sounded like atheists don't believe in God so that they can not be held accountable for their actions.  My point was that it doesn't appear that by believing in God that people are holding themselves to some incredible moral standard.  I know Christians are human, I'm actually good friends with my boss, he's a good man.  It's just odd to see that Bible on his desk and yet see him ignore it when it's convenient.

In America anyway, I really don't see the Christian life as much different than mine.  The views are different, but not the lifestyle.

I understand that many who proclaim to be a Christian are hypocrites in what they say and do.I have experienced that as well.God is not done with us yet.We may be a Christian but that certainly does make us perfect.Anyone who proclaims to be perfect because they are a Christian is very wrong.