The atheist agenda, from an atheist perspective.

[rebelgirl]

From an introduction to Atheism:

intro to atheism

There are many important ideas atheists promote. The following are just a few of them; don't be surprised to see ideas which are also present in some religions.

<ul type="square">[*]There is more to moral behavior than mindlessly following rules. [*]Be especially sceptical of positive claims. [*]If you want your life to have some sort of meaning, it's up to you to find it. [*]Search for what is true, even if it makes you uncomfortable. [*]Make the most of your life, as it's probably the only one you'll have. [*]It's no good relying on some external power to change you; you must change yourself. [*]Just because something's popular doesn't mean it's good. [*]If you must assume something, assume something easy to test. [*]Don't believe things just because you want them to be true.
and finally (and most importantly): [*]All beliefs should be open to question.[/list]
That's the only thing you can same comes close to an agenda. There is no wide spead agenda because it is not an organized religion, or a organized political movement. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[NYer]

Re: The atheist agenda, from an atheist perspective.

I know this isn't YOUR list but I wanted to respond to a few anyhow....

There is more to moral behavior than mindlessly following rules.

agree. rules don't equal morality. sometimes yes, sometimes no.

Make the most of your life, as it's probably the only one you'll have.

...or make the most of it, it's one in a series and htey get better if you do, or make the most of it because you get a reward later...I think we can all agree on making the most of life!

It's no good relying on some external power to change you; you must change yourself.

I don't know..some of the better things that have changed in my life have been the result of my letting go and stopping trying to control my life (and others'). I'm a great believer in letting the greater force of good run things for a bit, it has worked well for me. Here is where the atheist "agenda" and I part ways I guess.

Just because something's popular doesn't mean it's good.

right. Look at Britney Spears.

If you must assume something, assume something easy to test.

Nah....too easy. I don't know everything - I don't WANT to know everything.

Don't believe things just because you want them to be true.

why not? Ihave a wide choice of things to believe about what happens at death - since i doubt anyone will ever prove what happens after,Imight as well believe what I want, no?

All beliefs should be open to question.

agree 110%

[mountaingal]

Re: The atheist agenda, from an atheist perspective.

The following from the list really resonate with me:

[qb]
<ul type="square">[*]There is more to moral behavior than mindlessly following rules. [*]If you want your life to have some sort of meaning, it's up to you to find it. [*]Search for what is true, even if it makes you uncomfortable. [*]Make the most of your life, as it's probably the only one you'll have. I'd take the "probably" out.[*]It's no good relying on some external power to change you; you must change yourself. [/list]
[/qb]

I would add that moral behaviour can and does arises from the necessity for human beings to live together for common benefit - not because some outside power tells you so. So religion is not necessary for good morality (which may be a facet of the first item on the list).
Thanks for sharing, rebel... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Fledgist]

Re: The atheist agenda, from an atheist perspective.

Originally posted by mountaingal:
[qb]The following from the list really resonate with me:

[qb]
<ul type="square">[*]There is more to moral behavior than mindlessly following rules. [*]If you want your life to have some sort of meaning, it's up to you to find it. [*]Search for what is true, even if it makes you uncomfortable. [*]Make the most of your life, as it's probably the only one you'll have. I'd take the "probably" out.[*]It's no good relying on some external power to change you; you must change yourself. [/list]
[/qb]

I would add that moral behaviour can and does arises from the necessity for human beings to live together for common benefit - not because some outside power tells you so. So religion is not necessary for good morality (which may be a facet of the first item on the list).
Thanks for sharing, rebel... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [/qb]

That's absolutely correct. Ethics arises from the need to find a right way to live together, and to behave towards each other. Religion is not necessary for this.

[rufian]

Re: The atheist agenda, from an atheist perspective.

Me think dem just round say, this and that no exist. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[rebelgirl]

Re: The atheist agenda, from an atheist perspective.

Originally posted by sukuna:
[qb]Me think dem just round say, this and that no exist. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [/qb]

I'm sure some are. But then there are those just around to say that, this, and that do exist so it balances out [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[coffeegyal]

Re: The atheist agenda, from an atheist perspective.

I like that list very much. It sounds, for lack of a better word, calm. Peaceful? I don't know what to call it. Reasoned?

NYer, I know what you mean about letting go, but is that relying on an outside power? Or, in the process of letting go, are you just relying on something outside of your reasoning self? That is, your intuition, instinct, etc? I think there's a difference between taking responsibility for changing your life and trying to have control over your life.

[Dyoll]

Re: The atheist agenda, from an atheist perspective.

Originally posted by rebel:
[qb]There is no wide spead agenda because it is not an organized religion, or a organized political movement.[/qb]

Atheism lacks a systematic theology. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Dyoll]

Re: The atheist agenda, from an atheist perspective.

[NYer]

Re: The atheist agenda, from an atheist perspective.

Originally posted by coffeegyal:
NYer, I know what you mean about letting go, but is that relying on an outside power? Or, in the process of letting go, are you just relying on something outside of your reasoning self? That is, your intuition, instinct, etc? I think there's a difference between taking responsibility for changing your life and trying to have control over your life.

The term I would use is not "outside" but "greater than myself".

I spent much of my life trying very hard to control everything and everyone. It was a constant source of frustration to me and it didn't work AND it made me crazy and upset and worried.

The process of letting go of trying to run everything in my life, of letting a power greater than myself do a lot of it, has really changed my life, and "for the better" is a completely inadequate term for what has happened with me. "Miraculous" would be better. Let's just say I have peace, serenity and a life that works really well for me as a result.

Note I said "for me" - I could explain this in great detail but what works for me may or may not work for anyone else. I don't think I have a magic bullet, I think everyone has to find their own way.

I have never claimed to be an atheist, I do believe in a power greater than myself, I just don't agree that it's the Christian (or any other) God and my relstionship with this power is, well, very personal to me. So I don't talk about it very much.

As you can probably tell by now, intolerance for others and their paths is a real hot button for me [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Wahalla]

Re: The atheist agenda, from an atheist perspective.

Only problem.. is what does an atheist shout when in the trongs of passion?
[img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Fledgist]

Re: The atheist agenda, from an atheist perspective.

Originally posted by Dyoll:
[qb]

Originally posted by rebel:
[qb]There is no wide spead agenda because it is not an organized religion, or a organized political movement.[/qb]

Atheism lacks a systematic theology. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [/qb]

You could always make Tony McNeil's poem 'Hello ungod' the official text.

..ungod disconnecting.

[Fledgist]

Re: The atheist agenda, from an atheist perspective.

Originally posted by Wahalla:
[qb]Only problem.. is what does an atheist shout when in the trongs of passion?
[img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [/qb]

O ungod!

[accepted77]

Re: The atheist agenda, from an atheist perspective.

Originally posted by rebel:
[qb]From an introduction to Atheism:&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/li&gt;</font>[*]Don't believe things just because you want them to be true.
and finally (and most importantly): [*]<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">&lt;font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"&gt;All beliefs should be open to question.[/list]That's the only thing you can same comes close to an agenda. There is no wide spead agenda because it is not an organized religion, or a organized political movement. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [/qb]

These two psalms have been duplicated in scripture -a rare event- for those who do not believe in God

Psa 14:1
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Psa 14:2
The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
Psa 14:3
They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Psa 14:4
Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.
Psa 14:5
There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.
Psa 14:6
Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.
Psa 14:7
Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

and a repeat...

Psa 53:1
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
Psa 53:2
God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
Psa 53:3
Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Psa 53:4
Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.
Psa 53:5
There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.
Psa 53:6
Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Selah

[NYer]

Re: The atheist agenda, from an atheist perspective.

I think that's the first namecall of this particular topic - what does accepted win, Bob?