I am therefore I am
August 20, 2006 7:43 AM Subscribe
This post was deleted for the following reason: meh, individually, these links aren't that interesting, and together, about the same.
Not at all. You have more responsibility as an atheist, not less. There's no superhero in outer space who will Punish You For Being Bad, so you have to learn how to behave decently all on your own.
This is a very strange post. Am I missing something?
posted by Malor at 7:50 AM on August 20, 2006 [1 favorite]
This is a very strange post. Am I missing something?
posted by Malor at 7:50 AM on August 20, 2006 [1 favorite]
"With great lack of belief in a god comes great responsibility!"
Sorry. I don't buy it. One of the lures of aetheism is that there's less rules and less people telling you how to live your life.
posted by ZachsMind at 7:54 AM on August 20, 2006
Sorry. I don't buy it. One of the lures of aetheism is that there's less rules and less people telling you how to live your life.
posted by ZachsMind at 7:54 AM on August 20, 2006
I am a Jedi
posted by i_am_a_Jedi at 7:54 AM on August 20, 2006
posted by i_am_a_Jedi at 7:54 AM on August 20, 2006
I write FPP's the suck.
oh wait, no, that's flapjax at midnite
posted by analogue at 8:01 AM on August 20, 2006
oh wait, no, that's flapjax at midnite
posted by analogue at 8:01 AM on August 20, 2006
Preview of coming attractions:
See the debate about the origins of atheist morality!
Watch the glib equation of atheism to anti-theism!
Cringe at the mistaken definitions of agnosticism!
Yet Another Atheism Thread! Coming this week to your browser!
posted by KirkJobSluder at 8:03 AM on August 20, 2006
See the debate about the origins of atheist morality!
Watch the glib equation of atheism to anti-theism!
Cringe at the mistaken definitions of agnosticism!
Yet Another Atheism Thread! Coming this week to your browser!
posted by KirkJobSluder at 8:03 AM on August 20, 2006
Oh great, another atheism thread.
posted by signal at 11:00 AM EST on August 20 [+] [!]
Oh great, another snark.
posted by juiceCake at 8:25 AM on August 20, 2006
posted by signal at 11:00 AM EST on August 20 [+] [!]
Oh great, another snark.
posted by juiceCake at 8:25 AM on August 20, 2006
Not at all. You have more responsibility as an atheist, not less. There's no superhero in outer space who will Punish You For Being Bad, so you have to learn how to behave decently all on your own.That's not a responsibility inherent to atheism, though. It's a responsibility that any person has, whether they believe in God or not. It's entirely possible for an atheist to be a total dick and still be an atheist.
posted by magodesky at 8:29 AM on August 20, 2006
One of the lures of aetheism is that there's less rules and less people telling you how to live your life.
Er, what?
I hate to break it to you, but atheists have people telling them how to live their lives all the time. Not believing in gods, magic, and the supernatural is no defense from other people trying to convince you you should or otherwise attempting to influence your beliefs.
In fact, it's a sure invitation in some quarters to be "witnessed" to.
posted by moonbiter at 8:31 AM on August 20, 2006 [1 favorite]
Atheism is not a moral code. Except for those drawn to it from gut conviction (for whom it really is just like any other religion), atheism is a statement of empirical judgement. The only way in which morality features is the rejection of the faux-pragmatic basis for morality espoused by religion, which requires one to be 'moral' due to fear of supernatural reprisal or the revoking of otherworldly privileges.
also cocks
posted by riotgrrl69 at 8:42 AM on August 20, 2006
also cocks
posted by riotgrrl69 at 8:42 AM on August 20, 2006
What's weird to me is how a lot of these atheism threads devolve immediately into discussions of morality and whether it's easier, harder, more fun to be an atheist vs. religious.
Maybe it's possible to choose between different religious based on the advertised perks -- Jehova's Witnesses, for instance, never seemed to me to be people with a lot to sell, unless you think you're one of their 144,000 "annointed" who are going to heaven. Mormons, on the other hand, have a _lowest_ level of the afterlife, the Telestial Kingdom, that's so wonderful you couldn't imagine how wonderful it is, and it just gets better from there. That's what I call a sales pitch.
But atheism... absent any social pressure to be an atheist (the pressure almost universally goes the other way, strongly), why would anyone become an atheist for the perks?
This may be a blanket statement, but I'd say if you meet a random atheist you can be pretty sure that they're an atheist because they find no compelling reasons to believe in a god.
posted by gurple at 8:46 AM on August 20, 2006
Maybe it's possible to choose between different religious based on the advertised perks -- Jehova's Witnesses, for instance, never seemed to me to be people with a lot to sell, unless you think you're one of their 144,000 "annointed" who are going to heaven. Mormons, on the other hand, have a _lowest_ level of the afterlife, the Telestial Kingdom, that's so wonderful you couldn't imagine how wonderful it is, and it just gets better from there. That's what I call a sales pitch.
But atheism... absent any social pressure to be an atheist (the pressure almost universally goes the other way, strongly), why would anyone become an atheist for the perks?
This may be a blanket statement, but I'd say if you meet a random atheist you can be pretty sure that they're an atheist because they find no compelling reasons to believe in a god.
posted by gurple at 8:46 AM on August 20, 2006
riotgirrl69: Atheism is not a moral code. Except for those drawn to it from gut conviction (for whom it really is just like any other religion), atheism is a statement of empirical judgement. The only way in which morality features is the rejection of the faux-pragmatic basis for morality espoused by religion, which requires one to be 'moral' due to fear of supernatural reprisal or the revoking of otherworldly privileges.
I think that one of the problems in these discussions is that people tend to thing in narrow terms of religion and atheism. Religious moral philosophy is extremely broad and can't be meaningfully reduced to an extrinsic reward/punsihment system for behavior.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 8:58 AM on August 20, 2006
I think that one of the problems in these discussions is that people tend to thing in narrow terms of religion and atheism. Religious moral philosophy is extremely broad and can't be meaningfully reduced to an extrinsic reward/punsihment system for behavior.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 8:58 AM on August 20, 2006
Religious moral philosophy is extremely broad and can't be meaningfully reduced to an extrinsic reward/punsihment system for behavior.
You're right, reward/punishment is not the only basis for morality in religion, but it is a major one, and it's obviously one that doesn't feature in atheism. Atheists are perfectly capable of adopting any form of morality used in religion except that one.
posted by riotgrrl69 at 9:03 AM on August 20, 2006
You're right, reward/punishment is not the only basis for morality in religion, but it is a major one, and it's obviously one that doesn't feature in atheism. Atheists are perfectly capable of adopting any form of morality used in religion except that one.
posted by riotgrrl69 at 9:03 AM on August 20, 2006
Buddhism managed to get reward/punishment and atheism together just fine.
posted by mendel at 9:07 AM on August 20, 2006
posted by mendel at 9:07 AM on August 20, 2006
The ruined wedding photo on the Bored site was silly funny.
posted by nickyskye at 9:11 AM on August 20, 2006
posted by nickyskye at 9:11 AM on August 20, 2006
In reality, the reincarnation featuring in some Buddhist faiths requires a sentient system we can call 'god' to judge the moral actions of a person. The beliefs that 'the universe' will judge and reward people when they are dead, and that 'God' will judge and reward people when they are dead, are not rationally distinguishable, so it is not useful to apply the term "atheism" to that form of Buddhism.
posted by riotgrrl69 at 9:12 AM on August 20, 2006
posted by riotgrrl69 at 9:12 AM on August 20, 2006
in the context of the discussion of morality.
posted by riotgrrl69 at 9:13 AM on August 20, 2006
posted by riotgrrl69 at 9:13 AM on August 20, 2006
That .gif couldn't be more innacurate, jeffburdges; The Big J was too busy getting nailed to the boards to make any saves or assists.
That joke brought to you by my Catholic mother, who instilled a sense of humor and also taught me how to be a good, moral person. Thanks, mom!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:26 AM on August 20, 2006
That joke brought to you by my Catholic mother, who instilled a sense of humor and also taught me how to be a good, moral person. Thanks, mom!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:26 AM on August 20, 2006
One of the lures of atheism is that there's less rules and less people telling you how to live your life.
Yup. But the main "lure" of atheism is the relief of having your life in alignment with actual reality.
posted by tkchrist at 9:32 AM on August 20, 2006
Yup. But the main "lure" of atheism is the relief of having your life in alignment with actual reality.
posted by tkchrist at 9:32 AM on August 20, 2006
Hi nickyskye, glad you noticed the atheist site wasn't the only one in this post. Not too surprised there've been no comments thus far on the Jesus one, though. I just figured it might be a handy all-under-one-roof reference for those who wanna know what Jesus, you know, said he was. Straight from the horses mouth, as it were.
And LarryC, I'm kinda new to Mefi, so maybe you can tell me how it works: If my post doesn't get deleted, do you keep that not-yet-highlighted text on your profile page (the one ostensibly reserved for my post) up for posterity, like to remind everyone that you're, uh, not always right? Or, are you just always right?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:35 AM on August 20, 2006
And LarryC, I'm kinda new to Mefi, so maybe you can tell me how it works: If my post doesn't get deleted, do you keep that not-yet-highlighted text on your profile page (the one ostensibly reserved for my post) up for posterity, like to remind everyone that you're, uh, not always right? Or, are you just always right?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:35 AM on August 20, 2006
I AM AN ATHEIST ... I AM JESUS ... I AM BORED
and your point is...?
posted by quonsar at 10:00 AM on August 20, 2006
and your point is...?
posted by quonsar at 10:00 AM on August 20, 2006
I just figured it might be a handy all-under-one-roof reference for those who wanna know what Jesus, you know, said he was. Straight from the horses mouth, as it were.
Jesus never wrote anything.
posted by effwerd at 10:05 AM on August 20, 2006
Jesus never wrote anything.
posted by effwerd at 10:05 AM on August 20, 2006
Straight from the chinese-horse-whisperer's mouth?
posted by riotgrrl69 at 10:07 AM on August 20, 2006
posted by riotgrrl69 at 10:07 AM on August 20, 2006
On the assumption that this thread will be deleted in a matter of moments (something I believe will happen but may not necessarily be) I'd just like to take this opportunity to inform everyone that I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. However I've eaten so many of them that nowadays they cause me to break out into hives. I'm very sad. I still believe in peanut butter and jelly sandwiches but they make my face blow up and my arms itch. I think there's a lesson in there for all of us.
posted by ZachsMind at 10:08 AM on August 20, 2006
posted by ZachsMind at 10:08 AM on August 20, 2006
The ruined wedding photo on the Bored site was silly funny. ruined
Probably a viceral aesthetic reaction to the horrendous defilement of the wedding look by that multicolored kids outfit next to him. Who dresses kids like Ronald McDonald for a formal wedding?
posted by scheptech at 10:14 AM on August 20, 2006
Probably a viceral aesthetic reaction to the horrendous defilement of the wedding look by that multicolored kids outfit next to him. Who dresses kids like Ronald McDonald for a formal wedding?
posted by scheptech at 10:14 AM on August 20, 2006
...this thread is still here? Amazing!
*makes a sign and stands on a street corner*
THE END OF THE THREAD IS NIGH!
We're over in that thread too making fun of this thread. It's threadtastic!
posted by ZachsMind at 10:36 AM on August 20, 2006
*makes a sign and stands on a street corner*
THE END OF THE THREAD IS NIGH!
We're over in that thread too making fun of this thread. It's threadtastic!
posted by ZachsMind at 10:36 AM on August 20, 2006
flapjax at midnite, Have been exploring the Bored site and there are some fun videos there. I enjoyed this kid making hand music. Liked the You Are a Stalker one. The Elephant's Dream is an amazing concept, surprised it hasn't been made into an FPP.
Those are interesting statements of Jesus', especially gathered together like that.
Descartes I think therefore I am. Popeye said, "I yam what I yam."
posted by nickyskye at 10:37 AM on August 20, 2006
Those are interesting statements of Jesus', especially gathered together like that.
Descartes I think therefore I am. Popeye said, "I yam what I yam."
posted by nickyskye at 10:37 AM on August 20, 2006
horrendous defilement of the wedding look by that multicolored kids outfit next to him. Who dresses kids like Ronald McDonald for a formal wedding
You have an interesting point. The kids are wearing bizarre clothes to that wedding. Maybe the cognitive dissonance is what made the little boy puke?
posted by nickyskye at 10:44 AM on August 20, 2006
You have an interesting point. The kids are wearing bizarre clothes to that wedding. Maybe the cognitive dissonance is what made the little boy puke?
posted by nickyskye at 10:44 AM on August 20, 2006
horrendous defilement of the wedding look by that multicolored kids outfit next to him. Who dresses kids like Ronald McDonald for a formal wedding
Someone has a bizarre idea of "formal".... ok, I guess it took place in a building and most of the guys are wearing ties, so it's more formal than, say, a beach wedding, but tennis shoes and parachute pants? Come on. Semi-formal? Semi-casual? I just don't know.
posted by Hal Mumkin at 10:55 AM on August 20, 2006
Someone has a bizarre idea of "formal".... ok, I guess it took place in a building and most of the guys are wearing ties, so it's more formal than, say, a beach wedding, but tennis shoes and parachute pants? Come on. Semi-formal? Semi-casual? I just don't know.
posted by Hal Mumkin at 10:55 AM on August 20, 2006
The difference between islam and christianity is that neither I, the Pope, nor Billy Graham will declare a fatwa against Matt Haughey for allowing those blasphemous Jesus pics to stay. Replace with Muhammad and watch the fun begin.
Meanwhile for those that like this sort of thing I present to you this:http://purgatorio1.com
posted by konolia at 11:47 AM on August 20, 2006
Meanwhile for those that like this sort of thing I present to you this:http://purgatorio1.com
posted by konolia at 11:47 AM on August 20, 2006
The difference between islam and christianity is that neither I, the Pope, nor Billy Graham will declare a fatwa against Matt Haughey for allowing those blasphemous Jesus pics to stay.
But members of the flock who are not you, various vocal ministers, and the leaders of various Christian sects will call for retribution against people who post blasphemous pics of Jesus.
You see a difference where there is none.
posted by solid-one-love at 11:51 AM on August 20, 2006
But members of the flock who are not you, various vocal ministers, and the leaders of various Christian sects will call for retribution against people who post blasphemous pics of Jesus.
You see a difference where there is none.
posted by solid-one-love at 11:51 AM on August 20, 2006
My religion can beat up your religion.
posted by brundlefly at 11:55 AM on August 20, 2006
posted by brundlefly at 11:55 AM on August 20, 2006
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Er, no I don't. Isn't that sort of the point?
posted by Orange Goblin at 7:46 AM on August 20, 2006