Religion

MineralMan

(147,636 posts)

4. Many people have a lot invested in their religious beliefs.

Sun Dec 30, 2018, 10:59 AM

Dec 2018

They can't imagine not having them. But, religious beliefs take a lot of time and constant rejustification of their validity.

So, it's not surprising that they look at atheism as being similar to religion. It's not, though. It's not a group thing. Not at all. It's not a belief system, either. It's simply no belief at all in the one thing that is central to theistic religions. As another poster said, "Atheism is easy."

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Atheism Has a Very, Very Narrow Scope, by Definition [View all] MineralMan Dec 2018 OP

And it's so easy! PJMcK Dec 2018 #1

Well, that, too, of course. MineralMan Dec 2018 #3

Yes but violetpastille Dec 2018 #9

Posting on DU is a great exercise that keeps your intellect in good shape. MineralMan Dec 2018 #12

It's not about the posting. Pope George Ringo II Dec 2018 #13

You make an excellent point! MineralMan Dec 2018 #18

I don't believe in wasting time by playing cricket, either Pope George Ringo II Dec 2018 #19

I'm bothered too violetpastille Dec 2018 #21

Like conflating atheism with Chinese authoritarianism, for example? Pope George Ringo II Dec 2018 #23

Gotcha. violetpastille Dec 2018 #31

Myth violetpastille Dec 2018 #33

Obviously, it symbolized something. We don't even have the original to speculate, though. Pope George Ringo II Dec 2018 #44

and yet strangely Brainstormy Dec 2018 #2

Many people have a lot invested in their religious beliefs. MineralMan Dec 2018 #4

Some misframe atheism out of ignorance Major Nikon Dec 2018 #5

Ah...there you have it. MineralMan Dec 2018 #6

When it's the latter, one can certainly speculate about the reasons Major Nikon Dec 2018 #42

Similar to thinking people "believe" in science. n/t Beartracks Dec 2018 #53

Reading your post I had to look up the definition of deity. Upon reading several of the definitions c-rational Dec 2018 #7

You know, I've never done that. I will, though. MineralMan Dec 2018 #11

Why are you mad at God? edhopper Dec 2018 #8

Ironic, Isn't It? MineralMan Dec 2018 #10

Why is god mad at me? LakeArenal Dec 2018 #26

That nonsense is exactly what JenniferJuniper Dec 2018 #37

Good thing she did! PJMcK Dec 2018 #39

Of course, it wasn't an apple. They don't grow MineralMan Dec 2018 #48

Do you know the real difference between an Atheist and an Agnostic? Onyrleft Dec 2018 #14

Uh, no. Not at all. MineralMan Dec 2018 #15

History has proven that any BS (Belief System) that you can't take a joke about, Onyrleft Dec 2018 #54

Oh, so you're a joker, then? Your post was a joke, then? MineralMan Dec 2018 #64

I'm sorry to hear your mother's condition is worsening, MineralMan. Mariana Dec 2018 #65

Thanks. It's a difficult time for her and my father. MineralMan Dec 2018 #66

I'm an atheist with two dead parents. Pope George Ringo II Dec 2018 #16

That's like saying edhopper Dec 2018 #17

Or like "There are no atheists in foxholes." MineralMan Dec 2018 #20

what does it say edhopper Dec 2018 #25

It doesn't say much at all, really. MineralMan Dec 2018 #29

After my father's death, predatory religionists came out of the woodwork. Pope George Ringo II Dec 2018 #30

When my younger brother died in 2017, MineralMan Dec 2018 #34

I have a pretty good grip on this one, too. Pope George Ringo II Dec 2018 #46

Well, it's true that funeral services are for the survivors. MineralMan Dec 2018 #47

That is utterly disgusting behavior. Mariana Dec 2018 #36

The sheer banality of evil is always overlooked. Pope George Ringo II Dec 2018 #45

Mine are both gone, and I identify as an atheist The Genealogist Dec 2018 #32

I don't understand JenniferJuniper Dec 2018 #38

Oh like a liberal is a conservative who hasn't been mugged. Voltaire2 Dec 2018 #56

Some of the religious are the most "mad at God" people I've ever met Freelancer Dec 2018 #22

Interesting. MineralMan Dec 2018 #24

" Why god 'allows' so many sinners to live?" He made them that way in his perfection.. LakeArenal Dec 2018 #27

what's the use of doing good stuff if you don't get the big rewards? rurallib Dec 2018 #28

You were right violetpastille Dec 2018 #35

Is your cousin a Christian? Mariana Dec 2018 #40

LOL. "Very few Christians would disagree" Good one. Freelancer Dec 2018 #41

It is funny how many Christians don't like the way God runs the show Mariana Dec 2018 #43

That the Universe is utterly impersonal is scarier than thinking it's is ruled by a bad person -nt Freelancer Dec 2018 #49

The impersonal universe is an easier place in which to live. MineralMan Dec 2018 #50

Most people are in the stages -- on the way to the point where you are currently Freelancer Dec 2018 #51

I agree for most situations. MineralMan Dec 2018 #52

Your philosophy isn't a problem solving solving process. Onyrleft Dec 2018 #55

Actually throwing out bad ideas... uriel1972 Dec 2018 #58

Oh and athiesm is not a philosophy... uriel1972 Dec 2018 #59

I didn't claim that it was. MineralMan Dec 2018 #62

I think the inverse should be stated as well Lordquinton Dec 2018 #57

I think atheism is more general than that. Kablooie Dec 2018 #60

That is skepticism. Voltaire2 Dec 2018 #61

I suppose you're right. Kablooie Dec 2018 #67

I think you meant "Thighest" MineralMan Dec 2018 #68

No, because I might believe in that. Kablooie Dec 2018 #69

For me, atheism has nothing to do with unwillingness to believe. MineralMan Dec 2018 #63