Pastor in US burns Koran, Afghans kill 8 UN workers in protest

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by CampbellsTransgressions

Without knowing anything about each sides educational background I would assume that moron A is as much of a moron as moron B.

It's morons all around, no doubt about it.

One person burned a book, the other people killed some innocent humans.

The way the moron-ness is demonstrated is very different. One way (the killing way) is way worse than the other way (the book burning way).

[peter12]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

Wait, what? Atheism is categorically denying the existence of a God. Religion is categorically believing in the existence of a God. Neither can be proven in any way whatsoever and both rely on irrational faith.

If you tell me there is a cat behind the house, it may be up to you to prove it, but I can in no way categorically deny the existence of a cat behind the house. Reason doesn't allow it. Ask Descartes.

Interesting point, although I don't think Cartesian reason is your best philosophical justification. Try Nietzsche.

[Calgaryborn]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Thanks, Rev.

Except that there is no Athiest Doctrine and nowhere is it dictated that the world would be better off without religion. That is merely an opinion expressed by many.

You just told us that the atheist doctrine consisted of 4 words: "there is no god".

So using your convenient reasoning I guess you could say that the Pastor who burnt the Koran did it to express an opinion beyond his core belief in a Christain God. Likewise the Iman who no doubt called for this riot in Afganistan was just expressing an opinion of a few on what should be done. It would be wrong in either case to attach blame to their particular religions right?

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

Wait, what? Atheism is categorically denying the existence of a God. Religion is categorically believing in the existence of a God. Neither can be proven in any way whatsoever and both rely on irrational faith.

No. No it is not. There is no god, therefore there is no point of denying the existence of something nonexistent.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

No. No it is not. There is no god, therefore there is no point of denying the existence of something nonexistent.

I guess I'd ask then, what is the point of atheism other than nihilism? This is such a shallow void of a belief.

[HPLovecraft]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

No. No it is not. There is no god, therefore there is no point of denying the existence of something nonexistent.

Good God (pun intended).

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

No. No it is not. There is no god, therefore there is no point of denying the existence of something nonexistent.

Then it wouldn't be wrong for me to say that I believe in god, I see proof of it in my everyday life, and there's no point in proving it to you because your viewpoint makes you unable to accept or comprehend god?

(And I'm just saying this for arguments sake)

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

You just told us that the atheist doctrine consisted of 4 words: "there is no god".

So using your convenient reasoning I guess you could say that the Pastor who burnt the Koran did it to express an opinion beyond his core belief in a Christain God. Likewise the Iman who no doubt called for this riot in Afganistan was just expressing an opinion of a few on what should be done. It would be wrong in either case to attach blame to their particular religions right?

Terry Jones can burn whatever he wants as long as he complies with local fire codes. It's not up to me to change his belief system.

Although personally I think he's a small-minded prat.

And what is David Bowie's wife doing in Afghanistan, and why is she inciting violence?

[Calgaryborn]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Terry Jones can burn whatever he wants as long as he complies with local fire codes. It's not up to me to change his belief system.

Although personally I think he's a small-minded prat.

And what is David Bowie's wife doing in Afghanistan, and why is she inciting violence?

I have noticed you tend to revert to jokes when cornered. Very well I'll leave you to your beliefs.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by blankall

Right...

That's an ideology...

If not believing in something = an ideology, what is the name of the ideology held by the people who don't believe in bigfoot?

[peter12]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

If not believing in something = an ideology, what is the name of the ideology held by the people who don't believe in bigfoot?

There is something all-encompassing that you are missing. Ideology is a hermeneutic lens that you use to explain something that cannot be tested.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

I have noticed you tend to revert to jokes when cornered. Very well I'll leave you to your beliefs.

Well, when you start displaying more than your usual ignorance, I'll start taking you seriously.

The word is Imam.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

If not believing in something = an ideology, what is the name of the ideology held by the people who don't believe in bigfoot?

smooth skin foot fetishists?

[Thor]

Originally Posted by peter12

I guess I'd ask then, what is the point of atheism other than nihilism? This is such a shallow void of a belief.

This is a sincere question, not prodding or in any way anticipating answers?

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

The Atheistic "doctrine" that the world would be a better place without religion and the similar fallacy that a belief in a God/gods is the source of all political upheaval and violence is what turned this discussion into one about atheism.

You should really examine the baggage you have embraced along with your core belief that there is no god.

Now there is a statement for the ages

As an atheist. Exactly what baggage do you believe I have embraced? Is evolution baggage? Is belief that every bit of matter on this planet (including you) came from an exploded star baggage? Is my belief that people like you are in for a really dark shock when you die and you don't wake up at the golden gates baggage? Is it baggage that I sent more money to Japan for relief than I couldn't really afford? Is it baggage that I give about 8 hours of my week to kids fighting addiction problems?

The real baggage is people who think anyone who doesn't carry the great fairytale book isn't a good person. The real baggage is people who force the same book on their kids and wonder later in life why those kids end up recenting them.(about 80% of the kids I help come from strict religious parents)

No sir, belief in a religious god is passé,people are getting too smart for fairytales and my belief is the sooner it's gone from society the better.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by peter12

I guess I'd ask then, what is the point of atheism other than nihilism? This is such a shallow void of a belief.

It would be if Atheism was actually a philosophy, which it is not.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Thor

This is a sincere question, not prodding or in any way anticipating answers?

A serious question. Please take into note that I am not a believer in any real way, and that I will most likely respond with criticisms, but yes, it was sincere.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

It would be if Atheism was actually a philosophy, which it is not.

Yes, and thus, rather shallow. Modern atheism, which differs from say... Socratic atheism, has essentially nothing that can satisfy the human condition beyond a sort of forced smugness.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by peter12

Yes, and thus, rather shallow. Modern atheism, which differs from say... Socratic atheism, has essentially nothing that can satisfy the human condition beyond a sort of forced smugness.

In an age of scientific inquiry I'd say it is a refreshing approach.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by peter12

There is something all-encompassing that you are missing. Ideology is a hermeneutic lens that you use to explain something that cannot be tested.

I don't know what that means. I looked the word up and I still don't get what you are trying to say.