ARmy Rumour SErvice

**Dwarf** · 09-01-2012, 21:42

Originally Posted by StickyEnd

Welcome back. Please stay awhile this time. My atheism/agnosticism is not mindless. It took me a lot of thought to rid myself of religion.

I think you will find he means that it is possible to find examples of non-thinking atheists just as well as believers, rather than saying that you are. In facthe says that if you have thought out your position then it doesn't apply to you, and indeed you have done so.
The point was I think a counter to HB's last posts about believers being mentally deficient and disease-ridden, not a personal comment.
He also supports science and is therefore backing you up over your believing scientists.
Interesting that he says his belief is based on personal experience and feels it is difficult to discuss them meaningfully on this thread. I agree with that.

Hope the New Year is starting well.

**bigpod** · 09-01-2012, 21:53

Originally Posted by billybongo

It seems to me that if you do it to satisfy yourself then it smacks of you being driven by a selfish need rather than altruism.

You seem to be suggesting that the demonstration of care and compassion is being eroded by the increasing numbers of atheists globally and, therefore, that atheists are somehow unable to show compassion. If that is your point then you are sorely mistaken - compassion and altruism are not the preserve of the pious.

Possibly selfish in so far as I enjoy doing it, but not really a "need" as the satisfaction is in the service to others and seeing them have positive outcomes regardless of whether they see my involvement or not.

I don't have any doubt Atheists can and do show great compassion. However, I do see an increase over the years in introversion within individuals, which has led to a lack of support for the worst off members of society. I link this with a decline in faith, and freely admit I may be as wrong in this as I feel some on this thread are with their thoughts on "the religious".

**bigpod** · 09-01-2012, 21:56

Originally Posted by Dwarf

I think you will find he means that it is possible to find examples of non-thinking atheists just as well as believers, rather than saying that you are. In facthe says that if you have thought out your position then it doesn't apply to you, and indeed you have done so.
The point was I think a counter to HB's last posts about believers being mentally deficient and disease-ridden, not a personal comment.
He also supports science and is therefore backing you up over your believing scientists.
Interesting that he says his belief is based on personal experience and feels it is difficult to discuss them meaningfully on this thread. I agree with that.

Hope the New Year is starting well.

Cheers for that - exactly what I wanted to say.

**detmold_padbrat** · 09-01-2012, 22:07

Originally Posted by bigpod

Possibly selfish in so far as I enjoy doing it, but not really a "need" as the satisfaction is in the service to others and seeing them have positive outcomes regardless of whether they see my involvement or not.

I don't have any doubt Atheists can and do show great compassion. However, I do see an increase over the years in introversion within individuals, which has led to a lack of support for the worst off members of society. I link this with a decline in faith, and freely admit I may be as wrong in this as I feel some on this thread are with their thoughts on "the religious".

You are probably correct in thinking that our society is more diverse and divided than in the past. However I can only see the lack of a unified church as a marginal reason for this, or, indeed a consequence of it, cause and effect. However, membership of this or that church could only serve to aggravate differences... arent some of the churches in the USA into having 144,000 saved.. all else are doomed , no matter how good to their fellow man they might be.

**bigpod** · 09-01-2012, 22:14

I was sent this earlier today - thought I'd share it.

**bigpod** · 09-01-2012, 22:30

Originally Posted by detmold_padbrat

You are probably correct in thinking that our society is more diverse and divided than in the past. However I can only see the lack of a unified church as a marginal reason for this, or, indeed a consequence of it, cause and effect. However, membership of this or that church could only serve to aggravate differences... arent some of the churches in the USA into having 144,000 saved.. all else are doomed , no matter how good to their fellow man they might be.

I am very boring to debate with, as I can agree with a lot of people on a lot of issues. However, on this point I disagree a bit. In my little village there are four small churches, serving different people in different ways. Mine is very community based, others take on other roles. I think in general we compliment each other.

As far as the 144,000 thing goes, there is a "kingdom hall" in the village too, which is the group that holds this belief. They do not share with the "mainstream churches" in any way, and to my mind are not a good example of Christianity, but I would not be in conflict with them in any way.

**billybongo** · 09-01-2012, 22:36

Originally Posted by bigpod

. In my little village there are four small churches, serving different people in different ways. Mine is very community based, others take on other roles. I think in general we compliment each other.

Very touching.