Behaviour report by the London school of economics

lostinrates

I've just thanked two posts on this thread that If I had been thinking I wouldn't have done. D'uh.

Cleaver

wigglebeena wrote: »

How extremely true. Atheism is just another belief unsupported by evidence

I don't agree with this. I am an atheist (although I don't really like having to use a term like this) and it's not a belief as such, I'm just not beliving in something that there is no evidence for existing.

I believe in gravity as there seems to be evidence for it. I don't believe in the tooth fairy because I can't see any evidence for one existing. I do believe in the moon, because there seems to be evidence for it. I don't believe in a God as I can't see any evidence for one existing.

The_White_Horse wrote: »

however, every atheist i know, when their parent or child is having an operation or something like that starts praying they will be ok.

I appreciate what you're saying, but I can honestly say that I wouldn't and haven't. In fact, not being part of a relgion or believing in a God has really helped me through difficult periods with loved ones, but I understand that this is a very personal thing and whatever works for others is, of course, the best way.

Cleaver

lostinrates wrote: »

But this question follows only the stereotipical idea of ''god'' in main stream religions. I can't answer this because I don't believe in the premise of what you are arguing against: and yet I am not atheist.

I did preface the question as the 'cliched atheist question', I know it's a stupid one.

On a slightly related note, a fantastic book on how life started on Earth is called 'Life' by Richard Fortey. It has nothing to do with atheism / God, but something on this thread made me think of it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Unauthorised-Biography-Thousand-Unauthorized/dp/000638420X

ninky_2

i don't think we should have state funded faith schools. i don't think it is right to teach minors that there is a hell with fires that are real and eternal (as the pope reasserted recently), or that you are one of a 'chosen' people or that it is sinful to allow men to see your hair, or that homosexuality is sinful, or that contraception is sinful. all of these things are currently taught in state funded faith schools in the uk.

ninky_2

we had a humanist funeral for my uncle last year. it was a really lovely ceremony where we all shared our memories and were thankful for his life. a lot better than allowing some nonsense to be spoken about god and jesus.

Cleaver

ninky wrote: »

we had a humanist funeral for my uncle last year. it was a really lovely ceremony where we all shared our memories and were thankful for his life. a lot better than allowing some nonsense to be spoken about god and jesus.

But obviously a lot of pepole would find a great deal of comfort in the 'nonsense' spoken about God and Jesus. So it's whatever works for you really.

lemonjelly

treliac wrote: »

lemonjelly's gonna have a field day when s/he picks it up tomorrow.

:D:D

When I first logged on, & saw the thread, I thought "good god! what have I started here!":eek:

Then I read it - Oh the irony!:D

lemonjelly

fc123 wrote: »

...nodding away until I got to this...nothing wrong with horoscopes....:o They warn you what is going to happen over the following week.

Heavens no FC123!
I've praised almost everything else you say, & then you post this!:eek:

There are more than 12 dirfferent types of people in the world...

I cannot fathom for the life of me howcome horoscopes continue to exist? How can anybody have any faith in them at all?

wigglebeena

Cleaver wrote: »

I don't agree with this. I am an atheist (although I don't really like having to use a term like this) and it's not a belief as such, I'm just not beliving in something that there is no evidence for existing.

I believe in gravity as there seems to be evidence for it. I don't believe in the tooth fairy because I can't see any evidence for one existing. I do believe in the moon, because there seems to be evidence for it. I don't believe in a God as I can't see any evidence for one existing.



I appreciate what you're saying, but I can honestly say that I wouldn't and haven't. In fact, not being part of a relgion or believing in a God has really helped me through difficult periods with loved ones, but I understand that this is a very personal thing and whatever works for others is, of course, the best way.

That isn't atheism, it's agnosticism. Atheists actively believe in the non-existence of god. Sorry to get into semantics, but it matters. (Since agnostics are smart and atheists aren't, but keep trying to get in on the act by borrowing agnostic stances.)

lemonjelly

Cleaver wrote: »

Actually, sod that, I don't care if I sound patronising! I think believing in a God and following an organised relgion in 2010 is pretty dumb. I would never say that out in real life as I wouldn't want to offend anyone and, as stated above, it doesn't do any general harm. But if I look at it from an objective point of view, religion is stupid.

Malcolm. wrote: »

If it serves a beneficial purpose, happiness, comforting, social network e.t.c.
I would consider it neither dumb nor stupid..

I'm not sure I can agree with the 2 of you on this one. You appear to be saying that you can completely delude yourself & lead a life of ignorance, but as long as you're happy, that is ok?

Surely if truth exists, we should not delude ourselves?