Why are “church goers” a positive trait and “atheist” is whispered?

[OddBeMe]

By these stats, not devoted to divine reward makes you a better person.

https://marripedia.org/effects_of_religious_practice_on_crime_rates

[Chazmatazz269]

I must be misunderstanding the question, because the graphics in the link you provided definitely suggest more devoutly religious young people are generally better behaved than less devout. I didn’t thoroughly read the entire article yet, but i also didn’t see the word atheist at all.
Nobody’s perfect. Something that a lot of people overlook about spirituality is that it’s inherently about your place in a bigger world. How you treat yourself and others. People without this kind of indoctrination are widely more selfish and self-centered. Some religions also teach humility and amends. Knowing right from wrong, and asking forgiveness when you’ve crossed the line. These practices don’t offer strictly divine rewards. They might not offer divine rewards at all, nobody really knows. But that behavior is rewarding right here on earth as well. Are there bad people among the religious? Definitely. Are there good people without religion? Definitely. But by and large, most of the scumbags i’ve known weren’t raised right and if they believed in one or more deities at all, they had a very poor opinion of him, her or them. Meanwhile, religion has been teaching people how to behave in a civilized society for millennia. I don’t believe in God per se, but i’d prefer a society that does over one that doesn’t. I think the research you’ve linked supports that.

[Stoner710]

Because we living in a largely Christian society. American was built to be a religious country it in adequate for any other people. John Adams would say our constitutional system is threaten by the level on non believers in the United state. Even John Locke whom we got most of our philosophy from subjected atheist shouldn’t be tolerated and the founders would have agreed. But they didn’t want to set up a religious war between Catholics and Protestants then didn’t want to set up an official religion

[Greergr]

I think only churchgoers, excluding some more recently developed religions, have that view. As an atheist, I do not have a strictly negative view of religion. Even though I view the idea of a god as false, I think some moral codes they represent are good. I disagree with the bigotry and suppression that most religious communities create for many people. I believe religion joins some and casts out others. Overall the idea that being an atheist should only be whispered about is by the people who do not see any other religion/views as valid. Classically religion places people into a box and closes their minds from an early age. I’m glad that many people are using religion as more of a spiritual guide and less of a rule book that can damn you to hell.

[Smoke-n-Growls]

I don't know, to me "church goer" is pretty big an overlap with "antivaxx, antimask, convoy-supporting, racist bigot".

Atheists in my experience are much easier to talk to, have deep discussions with, and they're more well-read. They're more interesting in every way.

When I hear someone is religious - especially a church going Christian - I'm immediately defensive and I won't speak about anything personal or deep with them.

I'm from a deeply Catholic family. I get enough faith from them, I certainly don't need to tolerate it in other parts of my life.

I find my God through forests and quiet mornings.

[king34]

"to me "church goer" is pretty big an overlap with "antivaxx, antimask, convoy-supporting, racist bigot". "
You have issues lady... a lot of them
Seek help

[michol1]

I completely agree with @Smoke-n-Growls you always have to be on edge with religious people

[king34]

@michol1 i think you have a messed up perception of reality. I don't know what kind of religious people your talking about, maybe get out in the world more and connect with people because I think your basing this stuff off of the internet. or maybe you've had one bad incident and have grown to be bigotted against all religious people, if you really think this way about religious people I think you have some issues inside you gotta deal with. same to you @Smoke-n-Growls get out in the world and talk with actual human beings in reality, not in this internet world

[king34]

@Smoke-n-Growls and I find it interesting how your problem with religious people is that in your eyes they're "bigots"
and your sitting here making a bigoted statement about religious people, your the thing you hate so much. congrats
this is why i said seek help because if you don't see the issues with what you said, there's clearly a disconnect upstairs

[globetrotter22]

“ When I hear someone is religious - especially a church going Christian - I'm immediately defensive and I won't speak about anything personal or deep with them.”

You preach about tolerance and yet you have that mindset. Not saying you have to be best friends with that person. But you are already making all these negative assumptions right off the bat.

[DannieDoesntCare]

No one has addressed this correctly I understand your pov but there are also people who don't feel this way and while some do you shouldn't categorize all religious people because of who you know personally. I'm religious and I don't talk about it unless someone asks all my friends are not religious and they don't care that I am because it's never been an issue.

[Exterminatore]

@michol

Yes. Very on edge with those pesky Christians. What? With them loving their neighbors as themselves and do gooding. You just can’t trust those evil bastards.

[Smoke-n-Growls]

Lol, welcome to the comment section that, with exception to @michol1 and @DannieDoesntCare, demonstrates exactly why I hold my beliefs based on experience of interacting with people who are religious, generally speaking.

It's crazy how it's easy to get proof of religious bigotry and hatred just by calling it out.

[Exterminatore]

@smoke

You hold your beliefs because you’re prideful and arrogant, not because of anyone else.

Religious bigotry. Bahahaha. What did someone make you wear a scarlet “A” around ye olde Quaker village.

You’ve probably not gotten jobs you applied for because cause the interviewer was one of those dreaded Christians.

Truly we must kill them all. They’re a cancer on society with their silly creationist beliefs and their love of that evil man Jesus.

Religious bigotry. As if it’s a thing. GTFOH!

[king34]

Seek help, bigot

[king34]

Who here has proven that Christians hate mask and vaccines? Literally no one has said that, and this isn't real life this is the internet, i can garrantee youve never had a conversation with a real human in real life who disagrees with you, you have a serious mental issue that makes you hate people you don't know of a certain group, definition of bigot do you seriousy see nothing wrong with what you said? Seriously? Show what you said to a friend or family member and see what they say, you clearly have a deep problem, maybe you were touched as a kid by a pastor or something I don't know but u got problems lady

[Smoke-n-Growls]

Oh man, I cannot tell you how many real life religious idiots have been anti-vaxxers and Capitalist apologists.

Most Christians I meet in real life are just as bad as internet Christians like you guys.

They are anti-mask, anti-vaxx (even the Catholics, whose Pope has laid out how God has worked through science to give humanity the vaccine), homophobes, racists, and pro-corporate apologists.

Not to mention the Roe vs Wade pull back, which has further exposed religious nuts as crazy alt-right people more often than not.

I wish real life were different, but unfortunately Christians continue to be had by politicians and pastors who sham their parishes of money and encourage hatred.

Most Christians I know today would stone Jesus for being a socialist.

[Exterminatore]

@smoke

There some of the most ignorant trash I’ve ever heard.

You have the nerve to say the words religious bigotry yet are one yourself. Your religion is the woke religion and liberalism.

You just judged everyone who doesn’t share your desire to murder the unborn and doesn’t want to embrace socialism.

That’s called hypocrisy.

You claim these things as the moral high ground and judge according to them. You say the Christians act morally superior, so do you. Just like I said. Prideful and arrogant.

That’s hilarious. You have your own religious intolerance.

Jesus was no socialist. No capitalist either. As if Jesus would embody an economic system created by a man who said: “religion is the opiate for the masses.” Though Marx was right. Look at you in all your religious zealotry.

Repeat after me:

In the name of wokeness and socialism and liberal doctrine…. just like the Catholic sign of the cross. You practice religion and your own recognized form of morality and don’t even know it.

[king34]

Your overly focused on politics, my mom is the most church going lady ever, she wears 2 mask everywhere she goes, and she's vaxed, literally all my friends are vaxed, and 90% of them are Christians and nobody I know hates gay people, there are gay and bi friends in my circle. being that it seems that all of your issues are based in political ideals of the left, i find it worth mentioning that most my Christian friends are leftist or at least left leaning, literally don't know what kind of Christians your running into or where your finding them, most Christians dont go around announcing it or talking about it, i had a close friend since middle school that didn't know i was religious until a few days ago when he asked me, point is 99% of religious people dont go around running their mouth about it so you have met and interacted with and had good experiences with religious people more than you know you have, and even if everything you said was true (which it's not) it still doesn't excuse your bigotry, you strike me as the type of person who values political views over people that's a problem, maybe try talking to someone who doesn't agree with you politically or religiously you might be surprised to find that they are not gay hating anti Vax racist that want to see the world burn, matter of fact ill talk to you if you want, you need to get out of this idea that everyone who's outside of my bubbleis evil. most people on this earth are pretty chill, be chill stop hating people you don't know for assumptions you've made in your mind that's no different than being homophobic or a racist, your just as bad if you do that.

[king34]

I also have a group of like 20 online friends all gamers, we play among us every Tuesday night. I'm religious, I don't know about the others religious or political views, all different people from different countries and different views, and it's all chill, I'm sure I sure some of them have views I would take issue with and vice-versa but it's never brought up we just have fun, and enjoy life, just saying that to say majoity of people no mater their views or backgrounds or religion are chill, so why be one of the people that hate? you should come play among us with us, the games free, I can send you the discord link

[kitkills]

Cheers

[JDavid25]

"I don't know, to me "church goer" is pretty big an overlap with "antivaxx, antimask, convoy-supporting, racist bigot"."
You do realize a Christian sect called the Quakers first abolished slavery in the Colonies right? Also there's all types of groups that are Church goers.. Also being anti-vaxx and anti-mask, and convey supporting is not so much a bad thing nowadays, but there's plenty of people who are not Church goers who supported those.. I don't know where you get your assessment but you obviously have a bias due to the media you consume most likely against Church goers..

[globetrotter22]

@JDavid25 ^^^^ yep exactly. And yet people like her believe they are the “educated and opened minded” ones.

[Smoke-n-Growls]

So many triggered Christian boys. I love to see it.

[globetrotter22]

It has nothing to do with “triggering” and winning an argument just for the sake of winning an argument. If you look at the world that way you part of a bigger problem.

[king34]

You never answered me, you wanna play among us tonight at 9
It's gonna be fun

[JDavid25]

@Smoke-n-Growls Yep, that's where you reveal yourself right there.. I'm not a Christian boy by the way.. Haha..

[Smoke-n-Growls]

Lol, and the triggering continues.

Seeing white boys lose their marbles is fun.

[JDavid25]

@Smoke-n-Growls Look at my profile picture and see.. 😏😂😂..

[ccs884]

this is completely my opinion and not meant to offend anyone. religion is meant to provide comfort to people. for example, one of my close friends is a pretty devoted catholic, and we were debating back and forth about evolution. to be clear, i wouldn’t necessarily consider myself an atheist, because tho it is unlikely, there is a possibility of god, however i do primarily believe in science. anyway, i was going over stuff like fossil records, and carbon dating, the fact that there is no genuine solid proof of religion, and she just didn’t want to hear any of it. people like to believe in fairy tails. people want to believe there is a purpose for our existence. people are scared, and need hope, so they rely on religion. they see atheists as people trying to take away their false sense of security, and that is why they are depicted with a more negative connotation.

[LeeannaDD]

No possibility of god in my opinion. But i can't rule out interdimensional aliens lol

[ccs884]

@LeeannaDD i think that there is a possibility, only because there is still so much we don’t know. i believe in the simulation theory tho much more than i do god.

[LeeannaDD]

there's a qoute that comes to mind. " a sufficiently advanced alien would be indistinguishable from a magic" probably not the exact quote

[king34]

@LeeannaDD I don't see any possibility that a god doesn't exist, nothing comes from Nothing

[Robbey]

For what it’s worth, if you’re friend is denying evolution, then she’s an extremely unusual Catholic. For the simple reason that her Church doesn’t reject science and actually endorses evolution and has for quite sometime. In fact, it was one of their priests who first formulated the Big Bang theory and I think another was the first to crack the genetic code.

[ccs884]

@king34 you’re right. we don’t have an answer for everything rn, however that doesn’t mean that god is that answer.

[ccs884]

@Robbey i think she just felt that i was questioning her faith and she didn’t want to debate it, especially since she didn’t have an answer and doesn’t like to be wrong.

[king34]

I didn't read your original post till now this is my response

What makes the existence of God more unlikely than likely to you? And not the existence of any specific religions God, just any form of creator or designer of the world you know, how is that less likely to exist than everything falling into place by almost infinite coincidence, it's like if there's a novel on a table, and I tell you that that novel just happened, is it more likely that the novel was written by someone or that the letters came into existence by themselves and were placed in that perfect order to form a well written novel? The world and the universe is infinitely more complex than a novel, the Idea that everything fell into place on its own out of pure confidence is insane to think about for me. Logic and probability

I don't like how your trying to paint religious people as scared little babies, living life with rules and standards is harder than living without them, I could say atheist are just people who can't stand the idea of not having complete and total control over their life, and they are scared to have rules that they have to abide by, they're afraid that they will be judged one day for their actions so they spend their lives running from religion
It's easy to paint atheist in a negative light as well so lay off the "religious people are cowards" philosophy as I said life would be so much more fun being non religious, it takes more strength to be religious than it does to be agnostic or an atheist,
Also I don't feel like siteing a bunch of searches, but there are a ton of biblical stories that scientist and archeologist have found evidence for just look it up, just because your catholic friend didn't have a response to you in the moment doesn't mean she's a weak person who wants to believe in "fairy tales" to make her feel better, I've stumped many atheist in arguments so yeah, I'm tired of religious people being insulted

[ccs884]

@king34 lol i never said i was atheist, u clearly didn’t read everything i wrote. i said it is unlikely. which it is. and i never said i didn’t believe in a creator, i think it’s more than likely we are all living in a simulation. say there was a god, let me tell you, i wouldn’t want to live in a world where there’s a god who doesn’t give two shits about us. everyone claims “pray, it’ll make things better”, it doesn’t. it doesn’t change whatever fucked up situation you’re in, it only gives you a false sense of hope. which is what it’s supposed to do. one of the reasons i think the bible was created was because at the time when it was written, we needed a theory for everything, and we didn’t have the technology that we do now. and why would i wanna believe in a god who lets things like war, famine, disease, etc. go on w out doing anything? i’m gonna guess he either does nothing because he doesn’t actually care or because he doesn’t actually exist. how do you expect people to believe in a god with no actual evidence of his existence other than a book written thousands of years ago when we knew much less about the world than we do now. even so, i did say that we have no idea what’s out there, so i can’t say fs that there is no god, but the chances are very low. and if there is a god, i doubt he is anything like what the bible said.

no, i would never believe a random book appeared on to a table just like i wouldn’t believe a random god would come around and create people for no reason. why? what’s the point? that’s j it, there is none. there is a cause for everything, we don’t know all the answers yet, but a random man creating us for no purpose who doesn’t care about us, makes a lot less sense logically than the big bang dont you think?
unless you don’t believe in science. i linked a video about the creation of the universe incase you want to check it out.

[ccs884]

i have a question, if ur god was real, i mean truly real, why are there multiple religions? some polytheistic? you honestly think that your all knowing all seeing god, would allow thins to go on? isn’t one of the ten commandments “ You shall have no other God's before me.”? why give people the choice to choose if you don’t want them to? and not j give people the choice to choose their religion, but punish them if they don’t choose yours? if you are a god you could have created us to just do whatever you say. so why not? why would he want the people he created to go to war for him? isn’t one of the ten commandments don’t kill? where did god come from? is he similar to ur book on the table analogy in the sense that he j randomly appeared out of nowhere and for no purpose decided to create life?

[ccs884]

atheists aren’t scared or not having control, if anything they are less scared of it. they are able to fully accept that there is no life after death. they fully accept, that is something they have no control over.

you do know that even catholics and christian’s don’t always abide by the rules, right? so I don't know what you mean when you say that atheists don’t want to believe there are any rules, plenty of them are law-abiding citizens.

[ccs884]

i never once said my friend was weak, she is one of the strongest women ik, (who by the way questions religion herself). i don’t think it takes more strength to believe in something you don’t know is there, i think it takes more naivety and fear. i’m not trying to pint religious people as cowards, that is not my goal, i said from the beginning bc i knew there would be a response like yours that i was not setting out to insult people, simply sharing my opinion. i’m not saying you’re stupid, or cowardly, im saying that u are believing in something without any actual proof. i could go on longer, but i’ll choose to save that for when you respond.

[ccs884]

i would love to put links to prove my point by my Xper level isn’t high enough. however, if you are so sure that you are right and since you have “stumped many atheist in arguments” than i take it you wouldn’t mind sharing your pov on one video called “God does NOT exist” by Dan Barker, i would truly love to hear your opinion, have a nice night.

[LeeannaDD]

@king34 then where does god come from. You just proved yourself wrong...

[king34]

You never answered my question I gave mountains of reasons of why God is most likely to exist, you didn't provide any rebuttal to, I asked why God is more unlikely than likely

And you can say that you didn't say religious people are "cowards" but the type of person you described when giving your opinion on religious people was definitely a coward, so you may have tried to put it lightly but it's clear you don't respect people of faith, also I want to make clear I wasn't saying atheist were to scared to live by rules or were scared to not have control, I was just saying that as an example of what you said "an ad homenem argument flipped around" your opinion on religious people is based on what you came up with in your head, so you've come up with this formula that's says being religious = scared and weak so its okay to say it because it's what you think, fine I'm just saying that's completely based in your head and atheist and agnostics can be mis represented and insulted in the same way, I just prefer to respect people who disagree with me, aside from my counters to your points, everything i said was logic based,
and I may or may not check out that video I just think there's no point in hearing the atheist so called "logic"thats always the same, it's only going to fuel me to write an even longer and more in depth counter argument but I don't think your open to changing your mind anyway it just seems to me like you think little of religious people and you just state that and that's it

Also I would like you to counter some of the other points I made, because it seems like you avoided the hard ones in your reply

[king34]

I also see this very often in arguments by atheist or agnostics where they fail to counter my points themselves but try to give me homework and video links, articles etc. But won't offer any rebuttal in my own words, I could literally type an 80 page paper off the top of my head on why I believe what I believe, atheist aren't able to do the same (from my experience) so you call us naive but clearly I've thought this through much more than you or people like you I've talked to. It just annoys me that you guys always insult our intelligence, disrespect us then send some YouTube links and go about your day

[king34]

@LeeannaDD I would like you to clarify the question your asking and explain how and what specifically I proved wrong cuz I have no idea what your talking about or what point you think your making I'm totally lost, enlighten me please

[ccs884]

@king34 i want to make it clear that i respect you’re opinion and u can definitely change my point of view if you show me evidence that god is real. no one has been able to so far tho. i gave you my arguments on why i believe it is unlikely for god to exist. i’m sorry if u viewed my words s harsh, that was not my intention. i’m a blunt person.

i j checked what you said again, you didn’t provide “mountains” of evidence. you mentioned something about a book and continued to complain about what i said. like i said, i respect your opinion. im confused by it tho bc i don’t understand how you can trust in something that has no physical evidence other than a book written before math and science made any real advancements. i would appreciate it if you could answer my questions about religion, maybe that would sway me. i’ve had this debate with many religious people and one thing i’ve noticed is that they dont like someone having a different opinion from them.

believe in god, don’t believe in god, idrc. i j don’t understand it. i didn’t mean to paint you as a coward, what i meant was that from the outside it appears that people blindly trusting in something that they don’t have evidence of comes off as grasping for straws out of fear.

it’s faith vs fact. i’m on the side of science, it has never led me wrong. if you are so confident, change my pov. i can be swayed. i may dislike to lose but that doesn’t mean i can’t admit when i’ve made a mistake. im willing to here you out, if you are willing to put the time in. i don’t judge u or anyone based off their religion, i j don’t get it.

religion reminds me of people claiming that the earth is flat. though there is an abundance of evidence against it, people still believe it for some reason unknown to me. it’s difficult to have to listen to someone try to explain the earth is flat and have them get mad at you when you provide them evidence that shows otherwise.

[ccs884]

@king34 why do you want to believe in religion so badly that you aren’t even willing to question the possibility of there not being a god?

[ccs884]

@king34 i can’t speak for other people but i believe it was that you mentioned something about how god has to exist bc we have a universe and nothing comes from nothing, but their point was where does god come from (presumably nowhere).

[king34]

want you to understand narrow your view of God, in these discussions I like to start buy arguing the existence of any form of creator before arguing for a specific religion, so when I say god that's literally any form of intelligence that created or designed us, if aliens that made everything that's God, simulation theory, the makers of the simulation are god, it can be a giant magic turtle that vomited up the universe, that's God, so this is very broad, there is no evidence against a God existing, you can't disprove it, I think your problem comes from not believing something you can't see, let's say I get a chick pregnant she has the kid then we abandon it, when that kid grows up wouldn't it be dumb for him to assume he has no parents and he came from no where? Would that make sense at all? Exactly because logic dictates that every human being has parents so he may not know or see them bot logically they have to exist, everything we see around us that functions was created by somebody or something, how does it make sense to you that the universe, the most complex thing we know breaks that rule of everything having a creator. do you really not understand how that is less logical than assuming the universe like literally EVERY FUNCTIONING THING on this earth was made, instead of just popping up one day just cuz

[LeeannaDD]

@king34 if nothing comes from nothing, where does god come from?

[king34]

And If your standard to change your mind is absolute"proof" like a photograph of god drinkingiced tea right in front of me, then your really not open to changing your mind at all just as i thought, which is how this goes with most atheist or agnostics, and in which case this whole argument is pointless but if your open minded like i am maybe we can get somewhere and learn, You can't just keep saying prove it as we can go in circles all day, you saying prove a god is real and me saying prove that God's not real, that's an endless argument, this discussion can only be settled by answering which is more likely, and I've given many explanations as to why a gods existence is most likely if not a certainty, you need to make actual statements to convince me that it's less likely that a god exist, stating an absence of proof won't change my mind just like me stating the absence of proof against it won't change yours, the absence of evidence isn't the evidence of absence, I want you to name something on this earth that creates itself there is someone who made everything you have in your house nothing just happens into existence, and you still never answered my question is it more likely that that a novel wrote itself or that somebody wrote it, wether you see them or not?
by the way with your flat earth analogy there is evidence against the earth being flat there is zero evidence against gods existence so the analogy is broken

[king34]

And I have questioned it, like I said I put more thought into what I believe than you and most atheist and agnostics I've talked, why do you want so badly tho belive that there isn't because it doesn't seem to me like you've opened your mind or questioned enough, I just find it crazy how I'm naive for believing the rule that everything in reality seems to abide by, which is something can't come from nothing, everything we see was created so most likely we were too, and your saying you basically believe in an infinite coincidence that resulted in the perfect conditions to bread our existence, but im naive? Wow

[LeeannaDD]

@king34. Your avoiding my question. You stated nothing comes from nothing. My question is then where did god come from?

[king34]

@LeeannaDD I actually believe God was created most likely, by my current understanding of things, thats assuming god is 4th dimensional or lower, but it's possible god is a being of even higher dimensions like 6th and up in which case he would not be bound by rules of our reality, and I'm not arguing for a specific religion right now I'm arguing the existence of any God, in simulation theory the creators of the simulation are god, aliens could be God, it's not narrow to Christian God or budda,, right now I'm just trying to get y'all to accept that somewhere down the Chain there was a creator it could be a spaghetti monster for all I care

[king34]

@LeeannaDD I wasn't avoiding your question I was just confused as to what you were trying to say, I believe you've misunderstood my position

[LeeannaDD]

@king34 i understand your position better now. But your not speaking about a god, your talking about aliens...

[LeeannaDD]

@king34 think of it this way. You do not claim to be a god, correct? You also exhist in 3 spatial dimensions and 1 temporal one. Length width depth and time. Now assume there's a species on a planet that only exists in 2 spatial dimensions length and width. Because we exhist in an extra dimension that they do not have access to, we would appear to be gods to them. Much as a 4th dimensional being would appear to us. But we aren't gods. Were just relatively intelligent primates neither is a 4th dimensional being. Your "god" could just be kids fucking with us like ants under a magnifying glass.

[king34]

God is just any being that created us, I meant the use of dimensions differently than your using it, i myself can't be a God to anyone unless I created a a universe at some point by accident, but yeah God could technically be anything even kids playing with ants if that somehow creates us yeah, but that's not the most likely option based off of what we know

[LeeannaDD]

@king34 so if we created a new species in a lab. Or resurrected an extinct species does that make us gods?

[ccs884]

@king34 i legit said i believed in the simulation theory. why i don’t believe in is christianity or catholicism.

[ccs884]

@king34 humans create themselves. there i have you one example.

[ccs884]

@king34 in this case we are talking specifically about god as defined in catholicism and christianity.

[king34]

Humans do not create themselves I feel like your trolling now, I thought you said simulation theory is more likely to you but not that you believed in it. But ok

So to be clear you are now saying that you do belive there is some form of creator of our universe? If so then we can move on to the next stage of the argument which is, which God, is the real one and more likely to exist
But I want to make sure we both agree that a god in fact exist

by the way my questions aren't rhetorical, you seem to not answer any of them

[LeeannaDD]

@king34 thats bullshit, I've created 3 lives. Now your just being rude

[king34]

LeeannaDD I'm not just talking about humans I'm talking about the universe when I say "us" but to answer your question resurrecting a species no, but creating a new one it depends on the scenario

[king34]

@ccs884 The reason I wanted to confirm the existence of a god of any kind was because your whole argument was I don't see it I don't believe so I assumed you were opposed to any and all ideas of god, its just the contradiction that confused me

[LeeannaDD]

You STILL haven't answered how if nothing comes from nothing, how can god exhist... its an illogical fallacy you literally cannot disprove. Your best bet is to put up the old strawman and say "well you can't , not, prove god doesn't exhists" which is also an illogical fallacy.

[king34]

I find it interesting how I can provide answers to all of your questions but, neither of you can answer most of mine, which is commonly how these conversations go with atheist and agnostics, my questions tend to corner their logic and they do not answer them, if that's the case and you find yourselves unable to rebuttal then maybe you should reconsider your position, you guys should have a million words to say to answer my questions

[king34]

@LeeannDD I already answered you, please read the chat again, as you still do not understand the argument
If you continue to be rude and troll me which is what I think your doing at this point, cuz no way your serious rn I'm just gonna stop reading your replys period

[king34]

@LeeannaDD for the 2nd time I believe God has a creator do not act stupid like I didn't say that an hour ago

[king34]

@LeeannaDD your literally just gone off the deep end, as these conversations always go with people like you

[LeeannaDD]

You didn't say that you spouted off 2 pages of word salad. Then you insulted me as a mother. Why are religious people so cruel about their own inability to use logic

[LeeannaDD]

I've done nothing but humor your arguments and respond patiently but no, youd rather sling insults when i expect the same treatment back

[king34]

@LeeannaDD at this point im 100% certain that you are trolling, or if your not trolling then i believe you most likely have some kind of disorder or learning disability. either way just please stop talking to me, if you respond again i won't read a word of it, you've lost the argument
peace bruh

[ccs884]

@king34 we have proof that people come from other people so yes, ofc he would assume he has parents. science proves it. just like all science, points to the big bang theory.

[ccs884]

@king34 i never said there wasn’t a creator, i said there wasn’t a god as defined in christianity and catholicism.

[ccs884]

@king34 the original question relates to specifically “church goers” which is why im fighting against specifically christianity and catholicism.

[ccs884]

@king34 lmao humans give birth u dumb shit.

[ccs884]

@king34 i told u i believed in the simulation theory, u said in ur opinion that qualifies as a god. i don’t think so, but if that’s what u define as god than sure.

[king34]

@ccs884 You know that's not what I was asking you fucking retard omg, "humans come from humans" no fucking duh, you know thats not my point, you people always go off the deep end and start playing dumb when your losing the argument, there was a point that we didn't exist or any other species on I was asking you what created the beginning of are species do not continue to play stupid, I'm starting to think this whole post is a big troll I can't take you serious, I guess pretending to be stupid is funny to you

at the beginning of the thread you said you "I believe in simulation theory tho much more than got" you said you belive it more not that you believe it, and you didn't tell that to me, you told that to the other chick

[king34]

I find it funny that you speak so much about evidence while you believe in simulation theory, I honestly can't bring myself to believe that this is not a troll at this point, I think you made 2 accounts and baited me with this post just to play dumb and troll, which if thats the case, I got to admit you got me

[king34]

I have a very low tolerance for bs, if losing a debate is funny to you that's weird but fine, but yeah I'm done entertaining your jokes, on the off chance you are serious, then you got more problems than I can count, get those handled
I'm out
Have a good one 👍

[boredgal]

I know a church goer that talks shit about the people around him, I also witnessed his wrong doings with his fellow co-workers and there are times I can truly say, “man that person is awful” and he goes to church every Sunday. And I also know an atheist who is very kind and respectful, he might not go to church every Sunday but he likes to help people around him. So I guess the bottom line is, I don’t believe in religions anymore. Though I know there is someone up there, and I choose to love and preach him silently.

[bean2k21]

That's why people go to church, because they know they need to.

[globetrotter22]

What do you think is being preached in most chuches?

Are pastors encouraging people to cause harm, self harm and destruction? Or are they encouraging people to do right to others and themselves?

Jesus preached forgiveness, sacrifice and doing right to your neighbor and family. And most people don’t got to church because they think their perfect. It’s rather the opposite. They got to church because they are looking for direction and support.

Also I highly doubt you need to “whisper” about being atheist anymore if that’s your life choice. If a anything I see lots of atheists being proud and vocal about it.

[Spiritofn]

It’s vice versa in Canada generally especially among youth. Youth don’t appreciate the word of god when they’re young is seems generally here. So the following generation is sure to get the backlash.


It’s hilarious to. Know a girl had like a 95% some average. Then they found that they absolutely hated the lessons they were receiving and that it was boring. It’s like ok, you probably right on the boring stuff, probably could be mundane however with a little bit of curiosity into the subject you could probably gain a good insight at least if not find a few interesting things into the subject.


Hope the best for those 3.

[Anonymous]

OP did you even read the study... This is the opening paragraph:

"Metropolitan areas with high rates of congregational membership and areas with high levels of religious homogeneity tend to have lower homicide and suicide rates than other metropolitan areas.1) States with more religious populations tend to have fewer homicides and fewer suicides.2) Religious attendance is associated with direct decreases in both minor and major forms of crime and deviance, to an extent unrivalled by government welfare programs.3) There is a 57 percent decrease in likelihood to deal drugs and a 39 percent decrease in likelihood to commit a crime among the young, black inner city population if they attend religious services regularly.4)"

Aka, being religious DOES make you a better person and perform less crime.
This study is claiming the PRECISE OPPOSITE of what you're saying OP! Wtf

[purplepoppy]

Because for centuries anyone who wasn't a Christian, or the right sort of Christian was at risk of being killed. Even in fairly recent times you could be discriminated against. Times may have changed by there's still that shadow hanging over atheism.
As for those graphs I'd be looking at economic differences between areas for explanations rather than counting bums on pews.

[JDavid25]

I've seen you butcher history before so I highly doubt this lesson also.

[Smashingdoozy]

It is interesting considering being atheist you're much more likely to be more open and accepting. I guess growing up in places where Christianity especially is very prevalent in the community it's abnormal to be atheist. Definitely something I had to whisper (lol jk I didn't) when I went to a Catholic school.

[Bl0n6eguy]

I've found this to be the precise opposite; Atheists are more likely to be politically dogmatic, hate anyone who disagrees with their philosophy, and sympathise with rioters and the use of violence for intimidation purposes.

Most non religious people are agnostic, they don't believe in any specific god, but they can't rule out something could exist due to the unknowns of the universe. Atheism is an ideological standpoint that usually comes with extra baggage.

[Guy__]

I haven't heard anyone say it better than Mark Passio. The belief in authority of government, in the intrinsic value of money, in scientism as if science is infallible, etc, are left hemisphere dominated brain imbalance religions, which are used to keep us enslaved. Many other religions, including the new age movement are traps that operate on right brain hemisphere dominance.
That's why religious people are not intelligent, and that includes pretty much all people on earth. Intelligence is the combination of intellect coming from the left brain, and "gence" coming from a Latin word, meaning generating, or creativity. In other words it's the gentle feminine right brain hemisphere.
Some are creative but not intellectual, others are intellectual but not creative, both lack intelligence and can be easily enslaves.

[Guy__]

You went to catholic school? Did you end up with the "catholic schoolgirl syndrome"? It's when your parents think you're a good girl, until one day they see you in a gangbang porn video.

[Bl0n6eguy]

@Guy__ ... Baggage such as superiority complexes, lack of morality, and incapability of original thought. Using social media and corporate media as your gospel doesn't differentiate you from the religious; if your politically active you likely share a similar dogmatic belief system, complete with prophets and martyrs.

This study OP cited had a positive correlation between the number of churchgoers and a decrease in crime. It's not necessarily the religious aspect that is the primary cause, but rather the shared understanding of the rules they aim to abide by as a community - which is reiterated every Sunday.

[Guy__]

@Bl0n6eguy that's what I'm talking about. Left brain dominant people develop psychopathic tendencies, extreme right brainers bend over too easily and don't stand up for morality. Religion can be synonymous with dogma, some people see it as synonymous with morality and spiritual growth. I'm not saying religion is bad in this sense.

[Smashingdoozy]

Lmfao hilarious. We just gonna ignore churches who run conversion therapy (which is torturing children by the way)? Or just the blatant hate towards anyone who is LGBT+, atheist, shows skin, has sex before marriage, and more recently had an abortion?

Disagreeing with an opinion isn't hateful. Shoving your beliefs down someone's throat isn't being accepting.

[Bl0n6eguy]

"Shoving your beliefs down someone's throat isn't being accepting."

Atheists do the exact same and worse since they are more mainstream and dominate popular culture and news media with their evangelism. Not all religions are Evangelical, so don't conflate American evangelism with that of other faiths and denominations.

[Guy__]

Whatever our unresolved issues are, objective truth exists. And saying it without euphemisms is a service, not hate. While diversity is good, delusional beliefs are not.

[Bl0n6eguy]

@Guy__ Yes, but then we come to atheist untruths, and the neo-theistic evangelism they practice to spread this dogma to others. There is a reason that under the world worst regimes, religion was replaced with a enforced atheism, case and point is the USSR; by removing the shared culture a homogeneous religion provides - the rules it's followers collectively pledge to follow - they can be manipulated to believe and perform acts that harm others under the rationalisation that it will "benefit" others - and that said "benefit" is worth it, no matter how much harm is dealt.

[Guy__]

Can anyone dispute this, that freedom and morality are directly proportional?
Which is also proportional to the knowledge of truth.

[Guy__]

Most people are mentally fucked because a real conspiracy to enslave humans is going on. That's something every single 33rd degree mason agrees about. Or anyone else with esoteric knowledge, Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla, you name it.
In other words both hardcore religionists and their opposites are under severe mind control, as some real psychopaths exist, and crave even more power than they currently have. That's why fake religions are set up, part of dark occultism is hiding knowledge to maintain a power differential, because knowledge is power. And all you have to do to hide it is create enough distracting BS to confuse the majority. While they do also literally rewrite your books. As they said "those who do notice it won't matter." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck6FuyXQROI

Anyone think this is all fantasy? Many gov officials must have gone crazy then.
www.dailymail.co.uk/.../...ati-controls-world.html

www.newdawnmagazine.com/.../rudolf-steiner-secret-societies-the-ahrimanic-deception

Most people are slaves to religions that they didn't even know are religions. There are many systems of control outside of those that mention the word "god".

It's only happening subtly enough so you keep your guard down, and stay easily programmable.
Or not subtly anymore at all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmcDspJOAiE



Just look how orchestrated everything is in the news.
gematrinator.com/.../

[Bl0n6eguy]

@Guy__ True, but the identity of Atheist is being used to achieve this on the largest scale, which is what I am talking about. What reason would there be to start to change definitions, adopt newspeak and punish those guilt of thought crime? Orwell's predictions were true and are in place already.

[normalice]

Church goers are organized and so some centralized figures of authority can just say "we must all think church going a positive trait." Then exactly that happens. No such leadership exists for atheists. It is like herding cats to get atheists to act or vote in lockstep with their own self interests.

[JDavid25]

By Church goer you mean "Christian" or similar.. And because Church goers are usually more compassionate and more giving than Atheist.. Not to say that there aren't compassionate or giving Atheist, but I highly doubt Atheist are "better" people.. Seeing as Churches are the main ones who are willing to give back to society.. No matter what bias gloom people out over them..

[ethanallen]

Some church goers are people who are transformed by the sermon and live a life that shows compassion for others. Most church goers unfortunately are Republicans who only use the church to advance their professional interests and to organize political action groups and to steer the church's money toward Republican agendas. I don't go to church any more because of these kinds of people. It disgusts me.

[collie22]

I've been to several churches and never found a church that teaches the Bible. They might read one verse then blabber for a hour and a half on the traditions of men (things not in the Bible). Then they come around and with a basket for money. The Bible teaches stuff like be humble and don't judge honer your parents. :)

[OddBeMe]

And rape virgins after destroying their villages.

[JDavid25]

Nowhere in the Bible does it teach to "rape victims after destroying their village"..

[Bl0n6eguy]

OddBeMe... you're probably thinking about "another book", one that Christians don't read...
... Or perhaps the atheist Red Army that was famous for such deeds...

[OddBeMe]

“Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man." (Numbers 31:13–18 NIV)

[JDavid25]

@OddBeMe Context is key especially when dealing with the Bible because verses are always isolated and made out to be whatever somebody wants them to be. But, the Midianites had captured many Israelites and God had commanded Israel to take vengeance against Midian.. Midian was culturally depraved nation with things like child sacrifice, sexual cults etc.. The Israelites had taken the children and women and killed the men of course.. They spared the Virgins because they were basically innocent from what went on in Midian.. But they definitely didn't rape them.. In ancient Jewish culture they usually shave the women's heads and let them mourn for a time before they marry them.. Rape is a sin in the Bible according to Deuteronomy 22:28-29.. Those were different times where tribal warfare was common and many times Israel had to defend themselves from evil nations, which Midian was..

[Snsl153]

Are you serious? It's now "cool" and "trendy" to be an atheist apparently, and somehow socially unacceptable (especially on sites like 'Twitter') to be a Christian.

[DannieDoesntCare]

'Twitter' ... why the quotes

[Exterminatore]

@snls

That’s just the beginning. Surly you’ve heard of white privilege and male privilege.

I’ll bet you haven’t heard Christian privilege yet. I promise. It’s been out there for a while.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_privilege

It’s nothing more than Satan’s newest attack on the followers of God.

Once we have full scale persecution of Christians in America, even then atheists will deny they are pawns of Satan. They will loudly proclaim there is no God as they do the very things scripture said they would.

That will be next. No only are white people oppressors according to Woke ideology. Not only are men oppressors according to the feminists. Soon the Christians with their loving their neighbor as themselves and do gooding will be labeled as oppressors.

Trust me. It’s. Coming.

[nawtee_me]

@Exterminatore I am a white Christian male which some here have said makes me privileged. It that is so and I am privileged it is because my God has made me the head and not the tail. To him be all the glory forever….

[Exterminatore]

@nawtee

Agreed. God is sovereign over all things, even our very lives.

[Snsl153]

@DannieDoesntCare Because it's a name, the name of a company. It's one of the uses to which inverted commas are put.

[RolandCuthbert]

I am pretty certain that the United States is now the perfect example of how religious extremism is one of the most destructive forces in a given society. Because it isn't about religion, love, or caring. It is about control and politics.

[Anonymous]

Because mythological beliefs are a largely accepted trait of groups of people (especially historically as education was not widespread and not easily accessible).


It’s also a risk to announce you’re an atheist. You can lose friends, family members, jobs, homes, and in some cases, can be killed.

[Anonymous]

That's often the way in theocratic countries and countries where you don't have freedom. (Pakistan, America, etc...)

In many European countries you don't have to whisper you're an atheist, it's far more common but more importantly far more accepted.

[MzAsh]

It’s an old stereotype that if you don’t worship god then you must worship the devil.

[Exterminatore]

It’s more than an old stereotype, that’s what the Bible and Jesus himself said.

“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:44‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Those who don’t belong to God belong to the Devil. Whether or not they know it, they worship him by rejecting God. They follow him by making themselves God and doing their own will and rejecting God’s. Just as Satan before them did.

I won’t debate Christian theology with you as I know you don’t care for it.

Just wanted to point out this belief is so old that it’s in the Bible itself and Jesus himself said it according to the Bible.

[Exterminatore]

*prince and power of the air is one of the many names for the Devil along with Satan, Lucifer, Beelzebub etc.

[MzAsh]

Yeah. The whole “worship me or be damned to hell” isn’t very inviting or holy in itself. No thanks.

[Exterminatore]

Understandable. Wasn’t going there as I know your views and have no intention of forcing my religious views on people who don’t believe them.

Just wanted to show you this view came from the Bible itself rather than some antiquated Victorian societal idea or something.

[MzAsh]

I understand. Thank you for clarifying that.

[Exterminatore]

Not a problem.

[JDavid25]

"Yeah. The whole “worship me or be damned to hell” isn’t very inviting or holy in itself. No thanks."
You do realize worship is adoration and reverence right? So logically your statement doesn't make much sense.. And it is also waaaay off the mark of the message..

[MzAsh]

The message I’ve gotten from Christians is loud and clear. They want you to live according the rules of the bible. Or else.

[JDavid25]

The message is really that humans are free to choose whether they want to live by "the rules of the Bible" or not.. Take the hand that Jesus is putting out to you or slap it away, do what you want, and be separated from God.. It's supposed to be gift of salvation from humanities own destructive impulse which is influenced by the Devil and his angels.. The story of the prodigal son is a perfect illustration of the message of Christianity..

[MzAsh]

It’s supposed to be but it’s not. I mean look at Christian lawmakers.

[JDavid25]

It is still.. Whatever people who label themselves as Christians do, doesn't make the message change.. Also, I don't know what Christian lawmakers are doing.. I don't know which lawmakers are actually Christian.. Especially with what I hear goes on with them.

[MzAsh]

Well, I do take issue with some of the messages the Bible projects, and even more of an issue with how people who label themselves Christian utilize those messages. Whatever they want to do is up to them, as long as they leave other people alone. But few do that.

[JDavid25]

Well, the whole point of Christianity is to share the gospel and if people want to hear it and accept it amazing, if not onto the next.. It was never to just "keep it to themselves".. Christian principles helped greatly influence the West and if it wasn't for it, Slavery wouldn't be as looked down upon as it is today.. Despite many people wrongly interpreting the Bible as condoning it.. Obviously the Quakers who were the first people to abolish slavery in the Colonies understood the context of things better than many today.. I do agree that any Christian rules should never be enforced though..

[Exterminatore]

@jdavid

Spot on. Well said!

[Exterminatore]

@jdavid

Also correct about slavery. Nothing in scripture condones the type of slavery they had in the southern US prior to 1865. It does not condone slavery based on race either. It in fact condemns both.

If one must love their neighbor as themselves, how can you own another man?

It should be noted Paul did tell slaves to obey their masters, and never openly condemned slavery. He did condemn physical abuse in slavery by telling masters to stop threatening their slaves. If they can’t even threaten, certainly they cannot abuse. The slavery the Bible condones is pretty much like being an employee and treating slaves in such a way. Like in the OT, how if one was a thief, he must sell himself for a period of time to make restitution if he lacked money. Slavery was not for a life time in ancient Israel either. Every 7 years, slaves must be freed as it’s a year of Jubilee if I’m not mistaken.

Although Paul did not openly condemn slavery, I think he did not approve of the Roman style of slavery. Being worked to death in a salt mine, or sexually abused or physically abused by their masters. There is absolutely no way anyone who knows God and his character that they would say that the Bible condones such things in slavery. God would never condone such things. As if it’s wrong to do those things to anyone else, but because God condones slavery they can do them to a slave? Nonsense. It is not keeping in line again with loving others as you love yourself.

[JDavid25]

@Exterminatore Yes siir exactly.. Plus the scripture " There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Perfectly sums up equal value in Christ.

[OddBeMe]

@Exterminatore not to butt in…but doesn't it bother you guys that God specifies what type of shellfish you can eat but not “Dont rape or enslave others”

[Exterminatore]

@odd

You can butt in anytime so far as I’m concerned. I enjoy hearing different opinions even if I don’t agree with said opinion.

Not at all. Those regulations no longer apply to us. There are many things in the Old Testament that specifically apply to Israel. Israel had a unique purpose. They were to be God’s people on earth, and the purpose of Israel was evangelism. They were a nation for the other nations to see God bless and punish accordingly, to know there is a God who judges. Regulations like eating shellfish, and not planting certain crops with others and not wearing clothes of mixed fibers were to also draw attention to it. People would ask the sojourning Jew: “why do you people do thus and so.” This is why Israel was unique among the nations. Because God made use of them. Many of their regulations were also symbolic. They pointed to the Messiah. God left many analogies throughout scripture. For example, leaven. Leaven is symbolic of sin. So the Jews once a year had to remove all the leaven from their houses. Why? Does God really care about leaven? No. It was symbolism, for them and for us even, that we have those things as an example. It all points to Jesus in one way or another.

So far as those prohibitive go, they are not in effect now. They were for Israel and Israel alone. However, the moral law: do not steal, do not murder, do not lie etc, these things we are to obey. The rest as stated was specific to Israel.

[Exterminatore]

@odd

Also, I am always happy to answer your questions on scripture. I know you don’t believe in God. Scripture says faith comes by hearing…hearing the word of God. Maybe God will use your question and my answer to bring you to himself. So never feel you can’t ask me a question or state an opinion about literally anything, but most especially about God and the Bible.

[Exterminatore]

@odd

I’d further say that whatever God’s commands be, I cannot be bothered by them, even if I don’t like them. The servant has no limitations to his service. Whatever God requires of me I will do, as best as I can, even up to my life if that be the expense.

Already I deserve Hell, and yet have been granted pardon. Any other difficulty is a reasonable self sacrifice to make. As I see it, no matter the condition I’m already getting much better than I definitely deserve.

[OddBeMe]

@Exterminatore so the ten commandments dont matter?

[OddBeMe]

And not to be picky, but Ephesians does say, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.”

you're following a crappy god.

[Exterminatore]

@odd

They do matter. That is part of the moral law. Minus keeping the Sabbath.

It does say that.

God has instituted divine order to prevent chaos and a free for all.

Children are to obey parents. We are to obey government. On that note, are we to obey a government like Nazi Germany? I don’t believe so. Not so far as fighting a war of aggression goes and certainly not anything with the Holocaust. Continuing on, in respect there is hierarchy in church leadership also.

So God has instituted order. The slave in like respect is to obey his master. Now, by giving this command, there cannot be a whole sale condemnation of slavery as slaves are admonished to obey their masters. That said there are commands that the master remember he too has a master, and that master will surly dispense justice accordingly, in this life or the next or both.

Paul’s job was preaching the gospel, and to establish churches. He was not there to spread anarchy or oppose the government particularly. So on this matter he upholds the social order, but condemns the harsh treatment of slaves. He also encourages slaves to take their freedom if they’re granted it. At the end of the day of God is sovereign. He calls this one to be a slave and that one to be a king. If one be a slave, then they are to have faith God has called them to be such.

Final reward and justice will be dispensed in the next life.

At the end of the day though, if one loves their neighbor as themselves are they free to own another human being as property? Particularly when it is not a matter of restitution? I sure wouldn’t. Certainly now that slavery is outlawed, thankfully, there is no room for it. Christ does not command we own slaves, he merely regulates it with directives.

The Christian life is one of submission. It is a constant laying aside of the desires of self. Christ has his purpose with literally everything.

So far as I’m concerned, for myself, slavery too would be a blessing over Hell which I deserve.

[JDavid25]

@OddBeMe "not to butt in…but doesn't it bother you guys that God specifies what type of shellfish you can eat but not “Dont rape or enslave others”"
Well first he did say not to rape and enslaved others.. Deuteronomy 22:28-29 for rape and "Anyone who kidnaps another and either sells him or still has him when he is caught must be put to death” (Exodus 21:16)." For slavery.. But also Eating shellfish was not and is not a sin.. Notice he didn't say "If you eat shellfish you shall be put to death".. Things with shellfish were more more of a cultural custom to differentiate the Israelites from the rest of the Pagan cultures..

[OddBeMe]

@JDavid25 so the old testament has text like that and text like below. Obviously, there was a heirarchy.

Leviticus 25:44–46 (NRSV)
“As for the male and female slaves whom you may have, it is from the nations around you that you may acquire male and female slaves. 45 You may also acquire them from among the aliens residing with you, and from their families that are with you, who have been born in your land…”

[Exterminatore]

@odd

Israelites we’re not allowed to enslave other Israelites.

[Po1989]

It depends on where you live and your age. If you're under 35 and grew up in a place like NYC, you may kind of have the opposite experience than someone over 50 who grew up in Alabama. Just look at some of the responses here, there are plenty of people who make nasty assumptions about anyone who believes in God or goes to church.

[TheLittleInnocent]

Thats really funny considering the most awful people I've met are church goers...

[ChrisMaster69]

That is not the case here.

say church goer and it’s likely a judgmental Arsehole

Know one really talks about religion or politics

we shipped off most of the religious arseholes a few centuries ago, not sure way they went…

[Bee-Hatch]

Soo you've picked a website set up by the marriage and religion research institute? And you think a group set up by Catholic pro-life fundamentalists is a good place to look for information?

[OddBeMe]

And yet they say atheists are better,

[slatyb]

Youth who feel connected to their community in any way are going to exhibit less anti-social behavior. It doesn't matter if they are attending church, playing a team sport, or a member of a band.

[Sixgunsound]

It depends entirely upon the company and what you were speaking. I don’t care if someone goes to church or is an atheist, I care who not what they are.

[Wade12345]

Religious hypocrites and fools do not receive a divine reward.

Murderers and rapists go to Hell when they die, regardless of what "religion" they claim to be.

[Subarugirl]

Lol I certainly don't think that it is. The worse most evil people I have ever known were church goers...

[bean2k21]

For those of us in leadership positions, it's a highly effective strategy to tell people we believe in God and we're praying for them, etc. Otherwise, they'll expect other types of rewards.

[HippieVeganJewslim]

Why is it ‘church goers’ and not ‘synagogue goers’ or ‘masjid goers,’ or just ‘temple goers’? Christianity ain’t the only religion, oy vey! Some people, I believe, are what Gilly Hopkins calls religious fanatics, those who shun atheists.

[Fuentes]

Just because u go to church does not make you better I seen evil & scamming pastors and I seen bad church people who only go Sunday cause they think it makes them look good. Which Is why I don't go to church.

[standardguy]

Having a good connection to a church does not make you a good person BUT having a good connection to the living God makes you a loving and caring person with high moral standards.

[Fuentes]

@standardguy exactly which is only who i worship is God

[jshm2]

Because "atheist" like "burglar" has always been something to be accused of. Not a mantle proudly worn.

[Snsl153]

A burglar is defined by what he does, the poor choices he makes (i. e. breaking into homes and stealing stuff), but an atheist is what a person is; that is, their lack of belief in God or the gods isn't something they can realistically do much about. You may as well say, "Because 'Caucasian', like 'burglar', has always been something to be accused of". It makes no sense at all.

[Kingofkings1992]

What an asinine remark. Did you just sit and think to yourself, “What’s something stupid I can come with right now?”

[This_Is_My_Opinion8]

@jshm2 I am an atheist. Why is that something to be ashamed of?

[jshm2]

@Snsl153 an "atheist" too is defined by what he does : disbelieve. It is their whole personality in many regards. Belief is something you very much have entire control over. "faith " is not. You need to go back to the drawing board. As you seem unable to discern between "race" and "belief". No wonder you're confused.

[Snsl153]

You're the one here who is confused. Can I "choose" to believe the moon is made of green cheese, or that the Earth is flat? Can I "choose" to believe in Father Christmas or Thor? People believe what they're convinced is real, and atheists are not convinced by the arguments for God's existence. It's as simple as that.

[Exterminatore]

It’s not whispered. Read any religious post on this site. Plenty of people vehemently reject Christianity.

[Guy__]

Churches are like public schools. And schools do not make people smarter.

[Valso]

Over 97% of the population of American prisons is religious. I don't remember where I read that but it explains a lot and not in favor of religion... 🤣

[Cubus]

Well, I live in Poland and stats show that people who go to church often are more likely to help Ukrainians than people who don't go to church :)

[king34]

Church goers and religious people are to different things, I'd trust a church goer with my wallet before I trust an atheist, they typically have stronger morals, that's why

[Jltakk]

I've met atheists that make it a mission to bash religion as much as I've met Bible thumpers and Mohammed lovers. I say, don't let "atheism" define who you are as a person. I say this as one myself.

[FilmGuy93]

People have a greater percentage of negative experiences with Atheists than religious folks.

[Juxtapose]

Because most people are too stupid to learn to accept death so they will swallow any bullshit they can to drown their fear.

[TexasRed95]

Well I mean this country was founded literally to practice a religion. Makes sense it has religious roots.

[John_Doesnt]

Because church is for queers and atheists are not queers.

[Twalli]

I agree, being good or doing good without the promise of a prize (heaven) for doing so makes you a better person.

[DannieDoesntCare]

But that's not what it is? When you are doing good in the name of your God you are doing good because you are following ideals and morals at least in my religion the only way to go to heaven is to admit your sins to your God and to be honest and ask him to forgive you. To do what you can to be a better person is just a hopeful side effect and you don't have to go to church or preach at people to be religious either

[Twalli]

@DannieDoesntCare so you're saying that your actions and repentance have no ulterior motives? You don't do so to gain something after death? I act the way I do and repent for this life and this life alone.

[bamesjond0069]

Huh? Those stats show you are less likely to commit crimes like theft and assault if you regularly attend church. That should be proof enough.

[Anonymous]

You must live in deep south or something. Everywhere I have lived it has been more the opposite.

[Anonymous]

Lol, I see you are at least trying to be a little more subtle about your hatred for people different that yourself.

[TallAnon]

It's not. Being religious instantly deals a blow to someone's intelligence.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

Same reason why "atheist" is positive trait and "church goers" are whispered

[msc545]

Church goers are supposedly more "moral".

[Sandra001]

I think it is social constraints. So I find it interesting to read about it here and offline sources. It is very subjective I think.

[Anonymous]

I live in Los Angeles. Church goer is a dirty word here. It's. very secular city.

And most atheists I know are very proud of their atheism; they don't keep it secret.

[Anonymous]

That's odd that you'd say that. I would have thought in your circles it's the exact opposite.

[Anonymous]

Athiest beliefs some cannot be explained how did humans come on earth just think there must be a higher power

[fonduegirl]

Iconoclastic views aren't easily accepted.

[This_Is_My_Opinion8]

I AM AN ATHEIST!

[Exterminatore]

This makes my point.

[This_Is_My_Opinion8]

@Exterminatore and your point is?

[Exterminatore]

That atheists don’t need to whisper about their atheism. They can literally shout it from the roof tops and no one cares.

You were comfortable staring this about yourself because you know your aren’t going to face some oppression for being an atheist. Not that you should. My point was it’s not like atheists need to be “in the closet” about their atheism.

[This_Is_My_Opinion8]

@Exterminatore I agree. At some point in history in fact it was a crime to be an atheist, but it was a long time ago.

[Exterminatore]

This is true no doubt. Plenty of historical evidence to support that.

[Exterminatore]

If anything it’s quite unpopular to be religious, particularly Christian these days.

[This_Is_My_Opinion8]

@Exterminatore christianity is losing supporters, but it's not looked down upon

[Exterminatore]

Absolutely. I figured I did not need to point out that Christians are far less popular than atheists.

[NeffexSelfMade]

no lol