This is Not an Exciting Thread

[Pieman]

Taking advantage of something like that may be unethical to religious people, But I'm an atheist, so screw ethics.

[Orangey]

Just because you're an atheist doesn't mean you have to screw ethics; being godless doesn't necessarily make you a dick.

[Pieman]

I know that. I'm an extremely ethical person for an atheist anyway. I was just saying that, becausse alot of theists are more ethical than Atheists.

[Orangey]

I suppose that comes down to having a reason or incentive to be ethical. But that's neither here nor there, and relates little to the question posed.

[Pieman]

Everyone has a different view of ethics.

[Chris Hallbeck]

I disagree. I don't think being a jerk has anything to do with religious beliefs or lack thereof.

[MagicParakeet]

For me, it's not the ethics that make my choice. It's the fact that we don't need anymore cults or fanboys let alone syntheticly breed them.

[Mophtran]

I disagree. I don't think being a jerk has anything to do with religious beliefs or lack thereof.

This.

[Drakey]

I disagree. I don't think being a jerk has anything to do with religious beliefs or lack thereof.

Of course not. It's how agressive you are about it.
Generally, Atheist, Christian, Jewish, Islamic, whatever it is that your religious beliefs (with the possible exception of Buddhists. They strike me as pretty laid back by design), the more actively you try to promote your religious beliefs, the less people like you, and oftentimes, the less success you have.
Whether you're that one Atheist guy ranting on the ineternet about how x shouldn't be a Christian for reasons one, two, and three, or that weird Christian guy who stands on the street corner yelling at anyone and everyone to repent.

That said, actively trying to convert others to Atheism makes a lot less sense to me than anything else. So the religious types are delusional. So what? Their delusion makes them happy, and stripping it away will make them unhappy. What kind of insufferable prick would do that to somebody just so more people will agree with him?

[Silfedac]

(with the possible exception of Buddhists. They strike me as pretty laid back by design)

And Taoists.

[Pieman]

Religion is one of the main causes of war.

[Orangey]

No, basic human nature is one of the main causes for war; religion is one of the main excuses for war.

Since this has tangented off of a discussion of ethics to one of religion, one of the things that bugs me most is atheists who go around acting like their view is more logical than a religious one; atheism is just as faith-based a worldview as religion. Regardless of what you say, there is nothing a scientist would call evidence against the existence of God/god/goddess/gods/goddesses/divinity/divinities. Going around acting like you know the truth without proof it is true is the action of someone with faith. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with atheists or with religious people; both groups have their points and their flaws; I just want atheists to realize that they have just as much faith as theists. If evidence matters to you in your search for truth, the only responsible, and non-faith-based, belief if agnosticism. I'm not saying everyone should be agnostic, just that they should see that agnostics are the only people without faith.

Agnosticism: Say maybe to God.

[SpriteMeister]

Which is why I decided to start calling myself an apathetic agnosic a few years ago.

Does God exist? Don't know, don't care.

[Pixel Pincher]

I whould have to agree. If there is a God then I already screwed up and there is nothing I can do.

[SpriteMeister]

Well, some religions believe that it's never too late to do 'the right thing', and that if you dedicate your life to their religion, you'll be saved.

But what if they're wrong? I don't want to waste my life on that chance.

[Pixel Pincher]

That too, but a lot religons also say god is forgiving and kind and I figure that the main grupe has the right idea and if that true then god will let me into heaven nomatter what I do.

[Silfedac]

I figure, you live a good life, you're rewarded afterwards.

[Torg]

I think that God doesn't care who you worship as long as you follow what your religion believes. I picture Heaven as a great Pizza Hut in the sky: they accept their competitors' coupons.

[Drakey]

That too, but a lot religons also say god is forgiving and kind and I figure that the main grupe has the right idea and if that true then god will let me into heaven nomatter what I do.

Most religions would disagree with you. There's a caveat the that whole forgiveness thing.


Oh by the way, what's an isnomniac, agnostic dyslexic?

Someone who lies awake all night wondering if there really is a dog

[Pieman]

Can't sleep, Can't decide, can't read/write well.

[Orangey]

Read the hidden text beneath the question.

[Pieman]

Ah of course. Had I a good memory, I would have remembered that.

[Orangey]

What kind of science do you feel you relate most to? It can be a hard science like chemistry or a more ephemeral one like psychology; practical like biology, or theoretical like particle physics.

I personally identify strongly with biology despite the fact that it really doesn't mean anything and is, rather, a conglomeration of interrelated disciplines. I find it extremely amusing that one of biology's main themes is that of emergent properties, and biology itself is an emergent property of chemistry, physics, and geography. I love to study the elegant and intricate dance of interactions both on the microscopic and macroscopic levels; I'm enthralled by the delicate web of chance and purpose that guides the life of the individual and species, and love to learn about the tiniest of organisms. In fact my particular love and specialty is for microbiology; one of the things I find most interesting is the possibility for witnessing evolution in one's own lifetime, owing to the short lifespan and rapid reproduction of prokaryotes. The mutability and vicissitude of bacterial genes is fascinating.

[Silfedac]

An interesting question. I can't really say with any real certainty, since I haven't yet been exposed to very many sciences, but I'd say so far I identify most with chemistry, and organic chemistry to be specific. I love how we understand so much and yet so little at the same time. I love how you can combine two substances and come up with something completely different (e.g., a deadly poison + a substance that catches fire when dropped in water = salt). And I love how we can go down to the tiniest bits of matter there are...and then go farther.

[Pieman]

Particle physics; everyone is so bloody small!

[Torg]

Astrophysics: everything is so bloody huge!

[the Scarf]

I am a child who grew up watching NOVA. I am extraordinarily interested it theories of all types, and quantum physics, but the problem arises when I get to the actual equations. Math (though I am quite good at it) is not the most enjoyable thing for me to do.

I could go on, but I think the computer is burning my eyes. I'm quite literally squinting at the screen right now, dunno what's up...

[Silfedac]

I grew up with Bill Nye, who influenced both my interest in science and my personality.

Also, Scarf, try blinking.

[the Scarf]

I friggin love Bill nye!
Except the computer game of his...did anyone else have it? I could never solve ANY of the riddles.

[Silfedac]

No. Only you.