Atheism/Agnosticism General Discussion #1

[christy]

Mod Hat on: As this is the discussion thread for athiesm/agnosticism, can we please keep the discussion there? I can understand wanting to explain why you believe something, but this is not the place for that Thanks

[Bathsheba]

Apologies if I over stepped the line Christy. I was just responding to:

Originally Posted by amysarah85

I think it is worth stating that striving to be a good human being while we are alive is far more noble than striving to be a good human being for when we are dead.

and references that Heaven isn't worth being moral for. I wasn't offended though... hope I also didn't offend.

It's a tricky (but interesting!) thread. Like Cailin said: Agnosticism is a belief in a greater power but not a specific God as per any particular religion... Maybe I am partially Agnostic... still trying to work it out!

[~amysarah~]

This is a thread where I assume I can express my beliefs without offending anyone as it is a thread for people who do not believe in god or any particular god. So I will not apologise for expressing my beliefs and I shouldn't have to worry about offending. Am I right?

And for the record, my references stating that heaven is not worth being moral for is MY OPINION and my belief system as I do not believe that there is heaven and I find it a much better use of my time being moral because it is simply the right thing to do. I in no way singled out any one person so please don't feel like I did. If I wanted to express my views to a particular religious group on this subject and put myself out there then I would gate crash that thread - which I have absolutely no intention of doing as I have mentioned that I deeply respect ALL religions, their core values and the people that follow those beliefs. I am simply expressing my own.

This thread should not be a debate about whether one person is right or wrong.

[hoobley]

See Bath i don't have a God that challenges, i challenge myself. It is ME who expects better of me, and when life throws it's numerous challenges it is ME i hold responsible for how they come out and MY OWN good i work hard at resolving them for.

SJ i did not choose my belief it is just how i am. I do not see evidence of God, but i know if i believed i would only need to open my eyes to see evidence as if one believes in God then mere reality is rich proof enough that He exists. I was not Christened and was encouraged to explore/find my own spirituality. I would say that though i find things to admire in all the major religions i know about, i probably identify most with buddhism. I have "tried out" as a child Catholicism, CofE, CofS, Islam and Judaism. None fit or rang true to enough convince me.

Religion is interesting to me, but i can't say i believe in it. Do i pray? Absolutely, if someone who is a follower of a religion asks me to, i pray for them, i appeal to their god on their behalf. If their God exists He will see what is in my heart and know it is love and not a double standard which drives me, and if He does not exist i am doing no-one any harm.

I pretty much see God in a black and white way. Either he exists or he doesn't. I might not believe in cars, but that doesn't protect me if i walk casually into the road. I try to do what i know is right because i know i should, many many people religious or not live that way, and i don't delineate. I am deeply religious in my actions, i just don't aim my gratitude or wonder or love at a God.

Hope that makes sense.

Bx

[SaraJane]

Makes perfect sense.

Originally Posted by hoobley

Do i pray? Absolutely, if someone who is a follower of a religion asks me to, i pray for them, i appeal to their god on their behalf. If their God exists He will see what is in my heart and know it is love and not a double standard which drives me, and if He does not exist i am doing no-one any harm.

I think that's really nice

[Niliac]

Can I please ask that this thread remain for the purpose it was created. And that is for agnostics/athiests to discuss their belief system. There are other threads created where those who have different beliefs can discuss their faith, but please refrain from doing so here. Yes, all are welcome here but this forum is not for debates, nor are any of the other spirituality & religion threads. If anyone wishes to discuss this further you can contact me personally. But any further posts regarding this matter will be removed.

[~amysarah~]

Originally Posted by hoobley

... i don't have a God that challenges, i challenge myself. It is ME who expects better of me, and when life throws it's numerous challenges it is ME i hold responsible for how they come out and MY OWN good i work hard at resolving them for.

I completely agree Hoobley - this reinforces my point of humanity taking credit/responsibility for our own actions without thanking/blaming a particular entity for it.

I am with Niliac in that I wouldn't enter a forum on christianity or hinduism and state my belief system and then ask these members why they believe in god - sparking a debate on religion. I respect others belief systems and I would like my beliefs to also be respected - not questioned or judged - but openly discussed by people who share similar beliefs.