Re: Atheists

[Allison]

As I was looking through the recent discussion about atheism, I realized that there are a bunch of atheist nerdfighters here and I have a question for them. It's a really common question between believers and non-believers, but I, being a Christian raised in the Church of Christ, am curious as to what you guys have to say as opposed to what other more well known people have said.

If you don't believe in God, then you obviously don't believe that he created the universe. How do you explain how we're here though? How was the universe made without him?

I think that most of you would probably say the big bang theory and then evolution, right? But how do you explain how those first particles or whatever they were came into existence? Quite a few well known atheists have been able to defend their beliefs up until this question and then they just kind of shrug it off and don't give a proper answer. Believers, on the other hand, have an answer, God. I'm not saying that it didn't happen because I personally believe that the big band is God's doing and I'm also not by any means claiming to be well-informed about the big bang theory seeing as I only know what I've learned in school and from other people, but if you do believe in the theory, how do you explain it without involving God?

Or if you don't believe in the big bang theory, what do you believe?

Just curious.



EDIT: It came to my attention rather abruptly that this is very much a matter of faith. While I can defend my beliefs whole-heartedly, they are almost entirely faith based. And since we don't share the same beliefs it seems it would be very hard for you to see my side. By all means, please keep responding though because I am truly interested.

[Leanne]

I'm sorry you've had the misfortune to only be able to notice if someone is religious if they're defending their convictions ruthlessly. I hope the religious people you're attacking don't think that all atheists/agnostics are out to insult their beliefs disrespectfully. You shouldn't exactly be complaining about people being impolite when you're calling their deity a prick.

[Zach Minute]

"If you don't want someone mocking your beliefs you shouldn't have such funny beliefs." - some guy i don't remember

I don't know if I entirely agree with this sentiment, but I must say it makes a point. Those who are truly comfortable with their beliefs shouldn't be the slightest bit perturbed when someone mocks them. In fact, Jesus/Buddha/Mohammad/etc. talks about that being an inevitability of belief in the unbelievable.

Plus, put yourself in the shoes of an skeptic. Unlike those of faith, skeptics don't have some holy doctrine that must remain out of reach of ridicule, so it makes sense that we are always on the defensive. WE HAVE TO BE!! We have to defend every single one of our viewpoints ardently, because we don't have the luxury of faith to hide behind (I'm sincere on this point). Sometimes, it isn't so easy to turn off that switch. Then, you get atheists going on the offensive.

While it certainly isn't your fault, as you seem balanced and calm, you must remember that it also probably isn't their fault, either.

[Laura Caples]

I'm sorry if I seem disrespectful. I'm trying to choose my words carfully and be as respectful as possible. The Bible also tells christians to be able to give a defense but to do so with gentleness and respect. But I do need to defend my faith. I'm sorry that you've met so many christians that don't respect your point of view, I'll try not to be one of them, and I do expect nonbelievers to insult me. The Bible tells us they will, they did to Christ but he didn't insult them. He let God take care of him and that's what I'm trying to do.

[Zach Minute]

Jesus called people "fools" all of the time when they exhibited a lack of faith.

[Kenny]

Usually TypicalAtheistorAgnostic is much more calm and reasonable.

So I take it you're an atypical Atheist then.

[Zach Minute]

No, I take it you've only had dealings with atypical Atheists up until now.

[Kenny]

Most Atheists on the ning are incredible douchebags to religious people. Just read some of the comments on a lot of the threads talking about religion.

[Zach Minute]

I have. I find that its a pretty even spread.

[Zach Minute]

Biased much. I've never heard of a conversation going that way. Eye of the beholder, my friend.

[Laura Caples]

I'm sorry but that isn't what I believe at all. God loves us and does not see us as some mess he made. He took a lot of care in making us and we are all important to him. He wants us to know that and feel good about ourselves. Now I'm not saying we're all perfect, we're not. But God loves us anyway.

[Caz]

I personally don't believe that the "Big Bang" was the beginning of the universe, although it certainly could have been a remarkable event in the history of the universe. I think what humans fail to comprehend is the idea of an infinite space, as well as infinite time, and that failing doesn't allow us to understand a universe in which there was no beginning. And I think religious people especially cannot comprehend infinite time or space because it would negate the presence of a creator.

What I'm interested in is learning more about all the systems of the universe, everything that's out there, not necessarily where it all came from, although that too is a legitimate question. But I think that before we learn where it came from we should learn more about what it is.

[Snozdy]

Very good point. We can't comprehend invinity because it's just too much. Humans have an obession with trying to figure out the start of something and the end. They did that with making up God. But who says the universe ever really 'began'? Or will ever 'end'? Numbers have no end, and no beginning either. Why can't the universe be the same? It's just a concept that is too much for us too digest but is completely plausible.