Why are Atheists Here?

[liamconnor]

It seems to me that far more atheists frequent this site than theists.

It is also obviously apparent that non-theist members here are very, very passionate.

But why? What is your goal.


Are you trying to create atheists? But that goal does not fit the strategy, which is typically on the defensive: i.e., "Prove to me there is a God!"


So why are you here? You obviously want theists to be constantly trying to convince you of ideas you think ridiculous. This is very strange. I think Islam an error; yet I am not a member of a single Islamic site. Are you? I think Hinduism strange; still, not seeking a Hindu forum to demand evidence for their beliefs.

So, to reiterate:

what is your goal?

why specifically Christianity?

[OnceConvinced]

In the early 70's the Late Not Great Hal Lindsey said it would happen in 1988. Being wrong didn't stop him from making more money off the suckers by revising his dates in more books.

In New Zealand, we had a similar guy called Barry Smith who wrong a book called "Warning". Then next he has a second book out "Second Warning". Then came "Final warning". The thing is, when you are wrong, but gullible people believe you, simply just write a new book and update a few things here and there and make more money out of the poor saps.

I wonder what Smith's 4th book would have been if he'd had the audacity to write it before he died. "More idle threats"?

Guys like Hal Lindsey, Barry Smith and Harold Camping are like the St Pauls of modern times. Lots of fantasies and warnings. Lots of crying "wolf" and crying "Jesus is coming" but being wrong and wrong again... and more wrongness thrown in for good measure.

[Danmark]

The thing is, when you are wrong, but gullible people believe you, simply just write a new book and update a few things here and there and make more money out of the poor saps.

I wonder what Smith's 4th book would have been if he'd had the audacity to write it before he died. "More idle threats"?

Guys like Hal Lindsey, Barry Smith and Harold Camping are like the St Pauls of modern times. Lots of fantasies and warnings. Lots of crying "wolf" and crying "Jesus is coming" but being wrong and wrong again... and more wrongness thrown in for good measure.

It also shows how persistent a clearly contra factual argument can be. Right at the beginning Jesus said he would be right back, that even some of those he was speaking to would see his return. It is clear the disciples and Paul believed his return was imminent. When it was obvious it would not happen that soon, other books like 2d Thessalonians [if memory serves] were written to soften the clear language of the Gospels and of Paul's earlier works. It's now 2000 years later and the false claim survives. The pot of gold is just around the ever receding bend. It has fostered a cottage industry, books of baloney, that I expect will never end... as long as people believe what they want despite evidence.

[rickmeist]

[Replying to post 58 by rickmeist]


"And third, it is well documented that millions believe the End of Times are near and equally well documented that 'prophecy' can be manipulated beforehand to appear fulfilled."

Spephen Hawking says that humans have not a 1000 but 100 years
to find another planet in order to survive as a race.

Anicients have predicted the big shift anytime after 2012.

Where in scripture does it say that humans will have to abandon Earth and find another planet? Nowhere. So what is your point?

[Monta]

[Replying to post 60 by Danmark]


"One of the reasons I'm on this forum is because I enjoy exposing foolish claims as false. BTW, re: Hawking, he has generally said the world COULD end soon. SUPPOSEDLY he's said 100 years AND 1000 years "

Well... he changed his mind!
https://www.dailysabah.com/science/2017 ... new-planet

"Around six months after giving a 1,000-year deadline for Earth's destruction, famous theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking now says humans need to abandon Earth and look for a new planet in order to survive.

In BBC's Expedition New Earth documentary, Professor Hawking said humans must colonize Mars within the next 100 years as the world we live in now is getting increasingly precarious due to climate change, overdue asteroid strikes, epidemics and population growth."

You say that yu enjoy exposing foolish claims as false.
Ok. Good luck.

[Monta]

[Replying to post 58 by rickmeist]

"And third, it is well documented that millions believe the End of Times are near and equally well documented that 'prophecy' can be manipulated beforehand to appear fulfilled."

Spephen Hawking says that humans have not a 1000 but 100 years
to find another planet in order to survive as a race.

Anicients have predicted the big shift anytime after 2012.

Where in scripture does it say that humans will have to abandon Earth and find another planet? Nowhere. So what is your point?

I did not mention the Scriptures.

[KenRU]

[Replying to post 60 by Danmark]


"One of the reasons I'm on this forum is because I enjoy exposing foolish claims as false. BTW, re: Hawking, he has generally said the world COULD end soon. SUPPOSEDLY he's said 100 years AND 1000 years "

Well... he changed his mind!
https://www.dailysabah.com/science/2017 ... new-planet

"Around six months after giving a 1,000-year deadline for Earth's destruction, famous theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking now says humans need to abandon Earth and look for a new planet in order to survive.

In BBC's Expedition New Earth documentary, Professor Hawking said humans must colonize Mars within the next 100 years as the world we live in now is getting increasingly precarious due to climate change, overdue asteroid strikes, epidemics and population growth."

You say that yu enjoy exposing foolish claims as false.
Ok. Good luck.

Predicting man will destroy himself (via war or climate change) is (no matter how you slice it) still far more believable then Jesus returning to earth via the fanfare of trumpets and the dead rising.


16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18


The proliferation of nuclear weapons, and man's reckless disregard for nature can be seen on a nearly daily bases.

Unless I hear a celestial trumpet blaring from the heavens, or I see my grandmother (and many others) rising from the dead (assuming it isn't a Zombie Apocalypse), I have no reason to believe that the End of Times as predicted in the bible will really occur.

Until then, predicting man's destruction at his own hands is far more realistic (and far less silly, quite frankly) then the one illustrated in the bible.

-all the best

[Monta]

[Replying to post 66 by KenRU]


"Until then, predicting man's destruction at his own hands is far more realistic (and far less silly, quite frankly) then the one illustrated in the bible. "

My friend always quotes me about blood flowing in Jerusalem
at the end times.
Who else will cause the end of this world other than man?

[KenRU]

[Replying to post 66 by KenRU]


"Until then, predicting man's destruction at his own hands is far more realistic (and far less silly, quite frankly) then the one illustrated in the bible. "

My friend always quotes me about blood flowing in Jerusalem
at the end times.
Who else will cause the end of this world other than man?

An angry god. If you believe such things.

-all the best

[KenRU]

It seems to me that far more atheists frequent this site than theists.

It is also obviously apparent that non-theist members here are very, very passionate.

It is my experience that the subject matter is an emotional & inflammatory one, and that people (regardless of their position) sometimes let the "passion" get the better of them.

But why? What is your goal.

My goal is to have my views challenged and to learn more about the subject. I find it very interesting.

Are you trying to create atheists?

I have no expectation of creating an atheist.

But that goal does not fit the strategy,

Well then, since that is not my goal, there ya go.

which is typically on the defensive: i.e., "Prove to me there is a God!"

I only ask this question if someone asserts (without provision) that there is a god.

So why are you here?

Asked and answered. See above.

You obviously want theists to be constantly trying to convince you of ideas you think ridiculous.

What a silly conclusion to draw. What makes you think I want to be convinced that a ridiculous idea is true?

When debating any subject, if an idea or belief is unsound, the only way someone can learn (grow as a person) is to be confronted by that reality. I certainly feel this way. If what I believe is untrue or silly or contradicting in nature, I want to know.

What better way to learn than to be open to new ideas?

This is very strange.

That is because you are operating from a faulty premise.

I think Islam an error; yet I am not a member of a single Islamic site. Are you?

Debating Christianity and Religion

Bold added for your benefit.

I think Hinduism strange; still, not seeking a Hindu forum to demand evidence for their beliefs.

I believe there is a sub-forum here that discusses Hinduism. If you want to know more about it, I suggest you visit it.

So, to reiterate:

what is your goal?

See above, but I will add one more, I love a good debate.

why specifically Christianity?

I have encountered a couple of Muslims here and debated the merits if Islam, so it is not specifically (for me at least) a Christianity Issue.

Seems you have many unfounded assumptions here, as many posters have already explained.

-all the best

[Monta]

[Replying to post 69 by KenRU]


"My goal is to have my views challenged and to learn more about the subject. I find it very interesting. "

As an atheist you are not truth seeker.

You demand proof of what's behind the closed door which you have firmly shut.

Vain exercise.