steve p

Are religions innately dangerous?

Are some more dangerous than others?

Which ones are more dangerous, which least, and why?

If so, do they all have the same innate dangerousness?

I saw the opposite of this question, and am getting tired of the sentiment; that atheists will change their beliefs when the going gets tough.

Some theists have posted questions or answers that intimate that atheists are believers who don't venerate, which for most of us atheists is false.

My question, are there any people who believe in a god; however do not feel is worthy of veneration.

Since the Theory of Gravity is just a theory........

Do creationists float?

I often see questions asking what it wold take for atheists to believe in god, so in that vien.

Theists, what would it take for you to no longer believe in god?

I've noticed a trend, theists tend not to capitalize Atheists or Agnostics even though they do capitalize Christian and Muslim.

Should we refuse to capitalize their classifications until they can learn to reciprocate the respect of capitalization?

Or at least until they can figure out how to spell it?

A thought at the heart of most creation myths is the idea of before time. In christianity, for example, god existed before time.

What does before time mean?

Since before is a word which intrinsically refers to time, what does it mean here?

Do you really believe their was a point where time didn't exist?

If time didn't really exist, how could anything change?

Considering all scientific knowledge is really just scientific theory (look up a definition if you don't understand) then how can you rationalize believing in some scientific knowledge based upon its status as scientific (ex: modern medicine versus using some sort of witch doctor) and disregard other scientific knowledge which disagrees with your religious beliefs?

If science works in every other facet, as our best explanation of the world, then why disregard this one field?

Many of us here make fun of each others beliefs, perhaps with good reason. However, I wonder if we can mock our own beliefs with the same ferocity?

I'm an Atheist, so here's my try.....

I think one of the main flaws with how Atheists communicate with the Theist world is a since of dismissal of all religious beliefs with equal disdain. Another large problem is the lumping all theists as being as extreme as the most extreme of fundamentalists.

I'm not looking for a definition of any particular denomination; but rather what is required for a sect to be considered part of Christianity.

Most Mormons I've spoken too indicate that they consider themselves to be Christians, however, many of the Christians in my area (East Tennessee) don't consider Mormons to be Christians.

Are Mormons Christians or are they a new religion?

I call myself an atheist, however, that doesn't mean I am 100% certain that there is no god or gods. It's more like 95% sure.

Here's my question....

In that 5% there are many possible models of godhood, which ones do you think are more or less likely?

examples of god models (Omnipotent/Omniscient/All Caring, Pantheistic models, Clock-Maker Model, Eastern Philosophies One Spirit Model, Spinoza's God)

Rape

Murder (Premeditated)

Murder (not premeditated)

Robbery

Fraud

False Representation (In legal matters)

Adultery

Homosexual Sex (I don't think it's "sinful", but many do)

Suicide

Top five historical personalities you would want to meet(assume language is also not a problem)?

Mine:

James Madison -- My favorite of the founding fathers, who's image of what America should be agrees most with my own.

Leonardo Davinci -- I'd assume he's on most peoples list, a genius of the ages.

Socrates -- The father of modern philosophy, need I say more.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt -- My favorite modern American president, he solved the crisis that plagued his first two terms with the crisis that plagued his last two terms: the Great Depression with World War II.

Samuel Clemmons/Mark Twain -- one of my favorite authors, my favorite quote is;"there is no truly American criminal class, unless, of course, you count congress.

If one of the worlds religions was correct which religion would you want it to be? and why?

My choice:

Hinduism

I've always liked the tenant of Hinduism, "there are many paths up the mountain." The inclusiveness of this tenant holds some power to me. I also like the idea of reincarnation. Working lifetime after lifetime for perfection, sometimes moving backwards, sometimes moving forward, but always moving.

I have three basic questions of you,

1: Do you believe that theists are in the right when they attempt to convert both theists of other faithes and atheists to their religion?

2: Do you believe that atheists are in the right when they attempt to convert theists to atheism?

3: If you answers to question 1 and 2 were not the same then why is there a difference?

Question about, but not for, theists. Do you think theists are sincere?

Is it just me, or does it seem like when theists consider scientific explanations of human existence they don't seem to try to understand.

Their intention seems to always try to misunderstand, or understand in such a way that it puts science in a bad light.

If god is all powerful, and, if god is all knowing, then, God knows the future.

If god knows the future than when he created Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden, he/she/it knew that the serpent would talk them into eating the fruit, before he/she/it created everything.

What that means is before god created everything, she knew it would have to be evicted from the garden.

Did god intend for us to not stay in the garden?

Every major religion has at it's center a doctrine which is founded upon peace and brotherhood. How can any theist justify participating in a war?