Another bunch of good posts.  Instead of trying to quote every one...I will just interject my thoughts.

First, in my response to Knows...I understand your point about changing my "world view" of Heaven and Hell etc.  But, to be specific, I didn't change my worldview, I just finally realized what that there "world view" was full of sh**.  And that I had nothing to fear...they were the ones with the "world view" that was bonkers, IMHO.

I still held fast to my basic compassion for ALL people, not just those like me.  I rejected their "world view" and embraced the one that had been burning in my "soul" forever.

I also concur with every atheist posting that their disbelief in any God, let alone the Christian one, does not affect their world view.  They go to work, pay their bills, vote democrat or republican, laugh with their family, cry at sad movies...all without ever giving "god" a thought.

I agree with Wohali...I take them at their word.

And lastly, living in a country full of mostly Christians...well, yes, we are bombarded with their faith regularly.   I grew up in it.  But, just because it's "in your face" doesn't mean you have to actively reject it on a daily basis.  Simply ignoring it seems to work nicely.  So I'm not understanding what you mean by having to reject that view on regular basis changes your own world view.

Seriously, do you just have some driving need to be right in the face of all opposition?

Just curious...

Peace

<'{{><

May 1, 2012 -- 9:59PM, Knowsnothing wrote:

Hence the OP, what follows from atheism.  It affected your world view, or at least "your personal philosophy."  Point is, something in you changed.

I suspect we are making too much stew from world view and even personal philosophy.  For some religious fanatics perhaps their religion contains their world view and personal philosophy, but I suspect they are a minority even of the religious. 

Forrest Church frequently noted that "Religion is the human response to the dual reality of being alive and having to die."  In other words, why are we here, and what happens when we die?  This is a relatively limited if important part of life, but hardly a world view or personal philosophy.  It follows from theistic religions that Goddidit and God will take care of it.  It follows from atheism and atheistic religions that the answers while no less important do not have a dogmatic answer. 

I find that atheists that care about the question, some don't, find that the fact of being alive provides an incentive to make a difference before an inevitable and final death.  God isn't going to help, but finding friends that will is an important part of living. 

Knowsnothing:

"However, say you live in a Christian nation."

Well ok, but there just aren't that many folks living in Vatican City.........

This is a relatively limited if important part of life, but hardly a world view or personal philosophy. -JCarlin

Sorry, but that is a subjective and inaccurate statement.  For those that preach, engage in holy war, or any of that other nonsense, religion most definitely forms a part of their world view, and in fact is an big chunk of it.

A secular politician dealing with religious fanatics trying to wrestle hold of goverment, will have dealing with religion as part of his worldview.  This would be an inescapable, unignorable reality.

May 2, 2012 -- 1:15AM, JCarlin wrote:

  I suspect we are making too much stew from world view and even personal philosophy.  For some religious fanatics perhaps their religion contains their world view and personal philosophy, but I suspect they are a minority even of the religious. 

Forrest Church frequently noted that "Religion is the human response to the dual reality of being alive and having to die."  In other words, why are we here, and what happens when we die?  This is a relatively limited if important part of life, but hardly a world view or personal philosophy.  It follows from theistic religions that Goddidit and God will take care of it.  It follows from atheism and atheistic religions that the answers while no less important do not have a dogmatic answer. 

I find that atheists that care about the question, some don't, find that the fact of being alive provides an incentive to make a difference before an inevitable and final death.  God isn't going to help, but finding friends that will is an important part of living. 

Perhaps theists and atheists don't incorporate their position into their world view, but that suggests to me then that those particular theists and atheists don't do much introspective thinking at all.

 

 

Perhaps you think you've evolved to be human and any meaning to that existence is entirely personal

 or

perhaps you think God explicitely created you to fulfill some purpose of his.

Those are drastically different viewpoints and should affect everything you think and do in life.

 

Perhaps you think that when you die you are worm food

or

Perhaps you think that this life is just a testing ground or stepping stone to  and eternity of blissful afterlife (or terrible punishment)

Those opposite viewpoints place VASTLY different levels of importance on what your day to day existence on this earthis. (if you honestly believe what you believe)

 

I think whether you are theist or athiest does, or at least should, have huge impact on how you view, percieve, value, and act in your life.