EVERYTHING in The Universe is subject to MIS-Interpretation, for sure ... It ISN'T only People of Faith, however, who SOMETIMES "get it wrong" or even "don't 'get' it AT ALL" ...

Apr 6, 2012 -- 11:06AM, JCarlin wrote:

Apr 6, 2012 -- 10:02AM, teilhard wrote:

Yes ... GOOD Stories well-told, Poetry, Plays and Myths are NOT just for "entertainment," but take us DEEPER into The Meaning(s) of Life and of Existence itself

Nonetheless, religious interpretations of stories and myths even their own religious stories and myths are generally worthless, and frequently dysfunctional, for discovering the meaning of life and explaining existence in the modern world. 

Religious interpretations generally are of the form "We are the world's sweet chosen few.  The rest of you be damned."  This interpretation promotes hate, bigotry and fear of others, and prevents the cosmopolitan cooperation necessary in the diverse, multi life-style world we live in.

This is not to say that religious myths and stories are not useful.  They can be used as horror stories to frighten children away from religious temptation, and the dangers of hate based and misogynous doctrines typical of most Abrahamic religions.   

Apr 6, 2012 -- 11:26AM, steven_guy wrote:

What can atheism learn from religion? Nothing. 

Atheism isn't some sort of belief system. It isn't a "world view". It isn't a way of life. It isn't even a way of thinking.

It is simply an absence of a believe in a god or gods. 

I agree completely with this.

Apr 7, 2012 -- 2:43PM, Sparky_Spotty wrote:

Apr 7, 2012 -- 12:46PM, mainecaptain wrote:

Apr 6, 2012 -- 11:26AM, steven_guy wrote:

What can atheism learn from religion? Nothing. 

Atheism isn't some sort of belief system. It isn't a "world view". It isn't a way of life. It isn't even a way of thinking.

It is simply an absence of a believe in a god or gods. 

I agree completely with this.

So do I, but theists will argue that:

Atheism requires 'faith'

Atheism carries a burden of proof.

Athests cannot prove god doesn't exist, (so somehow it follows he does)

Lather, rinse, repeat

Boggles the mind doesn't it?

What always amazes me is that so many do not understand what atheism actually is. Lack of belief.

Not complicated. Does not require proofs or evidence to not believe.

Most people who state what you mentioned above, do not believe in Zeus or Apollo as actual gods, They don't "believe" in them. But can not seem to match that, to an atheist not "believing" in their god. It is EXACTLY the same thing. Exactly.

I don't get it.

Apr 8, 2012 -- 3:36PM, teilhard wrote:

Again, the fine Point ...

(1) A passive NON-Belief in "God" by default is DIFFERENT than (2) an active advancement of a positive Truth Claim that, "There IS  NO  'God' ..."

(2) Does come across to Reasonable People of Faith AS a "Faith" Claim ...

Again, the fine point ...

(1) A passive NON-Belief in "God" by default is the actual claim being made by the overwhelming majority of atheists, even on this discussion list, and (2) an active advancement of a positive Truth Claim that, "There IS  NO  'God'" is almost non-existent amongst atheists, if you actually pay attention to the specifics of their actual arguments.

It does come across to REASONABLE people as People of Faith refusing to actually PAY ATTENTION to what atheists ACTUALLY say and believe (and don't believe).

This isn't the first (or seventh) time you've been corrected on your slander.

Apr 8, 2012 -- 3:36PM, teilhard wrote:

Again, the fine Point ...

(1) A passive NON-Belief in "God" by default is DIFFERENT than (2) an active advancement of a positive Truth Claim that, "There IS  NO  'God' ..."

(2) Does come across to Reasonable People of Faith AS a "Faith" Claim ...

Well Christians claim there is a god (with no proof) and try to force it into and onto  everyone, including having it  taught in public schools. Why would an atheist not have the same right, to have strong feeling as to whether or not there are gods?

Seems an awful lot of Christians, I could say theists, but it tends to be Christians (generic) don't seem to feel everyone has the same right to air their thoughts as Christians do.

Why should an atheist have to be passive? You are not.