19 Mar 06
I want to know why Theists are always being accused of having an illusionary coping mechanism (ie God) when it seems to me that Athieists that talk about 'love' and 'meaning' are involved in a form of comforting self delusion by refusing to accept that, taken to it's logical conclusion, Atheism = Nihilism. Is this how Atheists cope ? By not facing the full implications of their belief? Are you not giving yourselves an intellectual get out with all this talk of 'love' , 'meaning' and 'morality' ? You may believe it but do you feel it? Whatever happened to the 'void'? I'm sorry if this sounds like Atheist baiting , but for me a lot of what's talked about on this forum sounds like watered down Atheism in order to make it more comfortable. Where are the real Atheists who have popped the bubble? It all sounds far too cosy!
19 Mar 06
Originally posted by knightmeisterYou have yet to show why love and meaning require God.
I want to know why Theists are always being accused of having an illusionary coping mechanism (ie God) when it seems to me that Athieists that talk about 'love' and 'meaning' are involved in a form of comforting self delusion by refusing to accept that, taken to it's logical conclusion, Atheism = Nihilism. Is this how Atheists cope ? By not facing the ...[text shortened]... ere are the real Atheists who have popped the bubble? It all sounds far too cosy!
19 Mar 06
Originally posted by knightmeisterAtheism does not equal nihilism, no matter how much you theists claim it does. You do not need a god to have a life full of love and meaning. The fact that we do not believe in an afterlife does not invalidate these things.
I want to know why Theists are always being accused of having an illusionary coping mechanism (ie God) when it seems to me that Athieists that talk about 'love' and 'meaning' are involved in a form of comforting self delusion by refusing to accept that, taken to it's logical conclusion, Atheism = Nihilism. Is this how Atheists cope ? By not facing the ...[text shortened]... ere are the real Atheists who have popped the bubble? It all sounds far too cosy!
What you refer to as "real atheists" is nothing more than a caricature that you religious folk like to propogate. But it has no basis in reality.
- Joined
- 01 Oct 04
- Moves
- 12095
19 Mar 06
Originally posted by rwingettHow would you define 'love' and 'meaning'?
Atheism does not equal nihilism, no matter how much you theists claim it does. You do not need a god to have a life full of love and meaning. The fact that we do not believe in an afterlife does not invalidate these things.
What you refer to as "real atheists" is nothing more than a caricature that you religious folk like to propogate. But it has no basis in reality.
- Joined
- 01 Oct 04
- Moves
- 12095
19 Mar 06
1 edit
Originally posted by rwingettWhence would you derive 'meaning' if life ended in 'nothingness' at death?
Exactly as Webster's Dictionary does.
How far does your love go? Would you turn the other cheek if your enemy slapped you in the face?
What gives you joy and fulfillment?
What determines your morality?
19 Mar 06
Originally posted by dj2beckerYou are sitll labouring under the misconception that how life ends defines how it existed.
Whence would you derive 'meaning' if life ended in 'nothingness' at death?
How far does your love go? Would you turn the other cheeck if your enemy slapped you in the face?
19 Mar 06
1 edit
Originally posted by dj2beckerWhence would you derive 'meaning' if life ended in 'nothingness' at death?
Do you enjoy putting words in my mouth?
Do you deny that you believe there is no meaning in life to the atheist?
Ahh forget it, I don't need the hassle of starting to argue with you again.
- Joined
- 01 Oct 04
- Moves
- 12095
19 Mar 06
Originally posted by StarrmanDo you deny that you believe there is no meaning in life to the atheist?
Whence would you derive 'meaning' if life ended in 'nothingness' at death?
Do you deny that you believe there is no meaning in life to the atheist?
I said nothing of the kind. I simply asked the question, "whence do you derive meaning in life if your life ends in nothingness?"
Is the question so difficult to answer?
- Joined
- 01 Oct 04
- Moves
- 12095
19 Mar 06
Originally posted by StarrmanAhh forget it, I don't need the hassle of starting to argue with you again.
Whence would you derive 'meaning' if life ended in 'nothingness' at death?
Do you deny that you believe there is no meaning in life to the atheist?
Ahh forget it, I don't need the hassle of starting to argue with you again.
I love chatting with you... 😞
19 Mar 06
Originally posted by dj2beckerGeorge W. Bush didn't turn the other cheek.
Whence would you derive 'meaning' if life ended in 'nothingness' at death?
How far does your love go? Would you turn the other cheek if your enemy slapped you in the face?
What gives you joy and fulfillment?
What determines your morality?
19 Mar 06
1 edit
Originally posted by dj2beckerSince I do not believe in an afterlife, most meaning that my life will have will be during this life, however finite that may be. But if I had children, for example, my concern would not be solely with my own life. They would inherit the world I have helped to create. As our lives would be interconnected, I would hope the world would be a better place for them after I'm gone. These things matter to me in my life, here and now.
Whence would you derive 'meaning' if life ended in 'nothingness' at death?
How far does your love go? Would you turn the other cheeck if your enemy slapped you in the face?
As for love, what is this, a love competition? Are you saying that your love is better than mine because you have a bible that tells you to "turn the other cheek?" Nice advice. Maybe you christians should put that into practice sometime.
- Joined
- 01 Oct 04
- Moves
- 12095
19 Mar 06
1 edit
Originally posted by rwingettSince I do not believe in an afterlife, most meaning that my life will have will be during this life, however finite that may be. But if I had children, for example, my concern would not be solely with my own life. They would inherit the world I have helped to create. As our lives would be interconnected, I would hope the world would be a better place for them after I'm gone. These things matter to me in my life, here and now.
Since I do not believe in an afterlife, most meaning that my life will have will be during this life, however finite that may be. But if I had children, for example, my concern would not be solely with my own life. They would inherit the world I have helped to create. As our lives would be interconnected, I would hope the world would be a better place for t n the other cheek?" Nice advice. Maybe you christians should put that into practice sometime.
What meaning would your life have if you never had children or if they were suddenly taken away from you? What meaning would you have if you were to be paralysed and failed to create the perfect world for your kids?
As for love, what is this, a love competition? Are you saying that your love is better than mine because you have a bible that tells you to "turn the other cheek?" Nice advice. Maybe you christians should put that into practice sometime.
Just thinking. What would motivate you to love someone who wronged you? How would you cope if someone were to murder your wife or children? How would you find peace and meaning in such a situation?
Also, what meaning would pain, sorrow and suffering entail in your life? How would you deal with this?