So, here is his submission. Read, enjoy, laugh, cry, recoil in horror, whatever and then feel free to comment, and let him know what you think, where you agree/disagree, etc. And thanks very much to PseudoEsteem for taking the time to do this. Btw, if anyone reading this wants to see the other entries, and/or enter their own submission, please click the link above. Thanks. (For now, though, you can have a link to my (magx01's) entry (hey, I started the damn thing!)
1) What is an atheist?/What do atheists believe?/Don't atheists worship Satan?/Can you prove that god does not exist?An atheist is a person who doesn't believe in a God.
As for worshipping the devil, no, since we don't believe that he exists.
It's not my place to prove that God exists or doesn't for that matter. The theist is the one that has something to prove to me.
It's not my place to prove that God exists or doesn't for that matter. The theist is the one that has something to prove to me.
2) Aren't there some things that science can't explain? Also, how can you trust science since it's always changing?
First of all, atheist's don't "believe" in science they way a theist will believe in God. Secondly, I trust science precisely because it is always changing and adapting to many situations. Things change too much for one to stick to unmovable beliefs that don't accept change.
3) What evidence would convince you that god exists?
I can't think of anything that would convince me of such. I will always question any and all evidence put forth before me.
4) Why is there something rather than nothing?
I don't have the answer to that one, but the answer that many religions provide don't really answer either. "Because God willed it so," is not a good answer at all.
5) Where do atheists think the universe came from?
I don't know, I have no clue what others think, and I have no clue myself. The most popular is the Big Bang Theory, and I kinda default to that one for now.
6) If you met god, what would you say to him?
I would ask him one question, "Why does it hurt so much to exist?"
7) Everyone believes in god, why don't atheists believe too?
Just because a majority supports it, that doesn't mean it's right. Also, there are many different gods in many different religions. There's no way to determine which one of those is correct or wrong other than faith, which I obviously lack.
8) Where do morals come from, if not from god?
Morals come from our experiences whether they're first hand (those we experience ourselves), or those that are taught to us. If a person does not believe in god, that doesn't mean they are incapable of being "good."
Morals come from our experiences whether they're first hand (those we experience ourselves), or those that are taught to us. If a person does not believe in god, that doesn't mean they are incapable of being "good."
9) What's the point of living if you don't believe in god?
In my eyes, believing in God doesn't make life anymore amazing or less so. An atheist and a theist will still ask the same question of why we are here.
In my eyes, believing in God doesn't make life anymore amazing or less so. An atheist and a theist will still ask the same question of why we are here.
10) If we came from monkeys, why are there still monkeys alive today?
Modern monkeys and humans come from a common ancestor, not us from them. That's why they're still around.
Modern monkeys and humans come from a common ancestor, not us from them. That's why they're still around.
11) Don't you atheists wish there was a heaven?
For me personally, heaven sounds horrible. I can't stand the thought of being in one state of mind for all eternity. We may as well live our lives lobotomised and devoid of, or at least impaired in our self awareness or awareness of time.
12) Why blog, debate on forums, make videos, etc?
For the most part, I just like to express myself and find like minded people to chat with. Not to say I don't like talking with someone that has opposite views from mine, but I just like the expression part. That and on occasion talking to someone who has doubts and helping them out a bit.
13) Pascal's Wager basically states that even though the existence of God cannot be determined through reason, a person should wager as though God exists, because living life accordingly has everything to gain, and nothing to lose, whereas living as an atheist can possibly cost you everything but you gain nothing. Essentially, why don't you just believe, what do you have to lose?
Well, if I have everything to lose if I do bet. If I was to put arbitrary rules on myself and force myself to go with something I didn't agree with only because I didn't want to be punished, then if I did die and it turns out God wasn't real, then I wasted my one and only chance to live life they way I wanted to live it.
14. *Custom Question of the Participant's Choosing*
magx01's note: Participant failed to create and then answer a 14th question.
"I don't know, I have no clue what others think, and I have no clue myself. The most popular is the Big Bang Theory, and I kinda default to that one for now."
ReplyDeleteThe Big Bang Theory doesn't explain the origins of the universe per se. It's an explanation of the evidence that shows us, without a doubt, that the universe expanded from a super condensed state into what we see now (and it is still expanding).
It does not make any claims as to the state of things prior to the beginning of the expansion.
"I would ask him one question, "Why does it hurt so much to exist?"
Interesting. The problem of evil, but posed in such a simple, yet powerful question. I like it.
"Morals come from our experiences whether they're first hand (those we experience ourselves), or those that are taught to us. If a person does not believe in god, that doesn't mean they are incapable of being "good.""
In fact, I'd argue that not one single good done by a theist cannot be done by an atheist.
"In my eyes, believing in God doesn't make life anymore amazing or less so. An atheist and a theist will still ask the same question of why we are here."
I don't. To me, there is no why, only a how.
"For the most part, I just like to express myself and find like minded people to chat with. Not to say I don't like talking with someone that has opposite views from mine, but I just like the expression part. That and on occasion talking to someone who has doubts and helping them out a bit."
This reminds me, you normally tend to shy away from this topic, so I suppose it was extra difficult for you to participate. In light of that, I must extend you double the gratitude :)
Thanks a ton for participating, and be sure to spread the word about both your entry and the project as a whole. If you know any theists, tell them about it!
So some of these, I honestly didn't know how to respond to. Some gave me a lot of trouble, especially since i have trouble thinking about them.
ReplyDeleteThe most difficult was easily the one about believing in heaven. I can't believe people just can't question that version of bliss. It's so horrifying to me.
ya, it's ingrained into us that it's this great idea, and everyone just accepts it without really thinking about it. Like most things we grow up believing, a little thought applied and suddenly things take on all new proportions.
ReplyDelete