I agree. Zealots exist in every field, and always have. For people like that. While it can be valuable to hear what they have to say, after all it is always food for thought, and may teach you something you didn't think of before, Don't waste your energy trying to combat their cause. You won't change them any more than they will change you, so you might as well use that effort and energy on other things.
What annoys me is when these types of atheists leave comments on religious videos on Youtube trying to disprove the existence of whichever religion the video is about. All I'm thinking is, "Let people believe what they want. And why are you on this video to begin with when you don't believe in the religion?" Don't these types of atheists have anything better to do with their time instead of typing up paragraphs under religious videos on why this or that doesn't exist? So annoying. But like people say just ignore them. Good thing not all atheists are like this.
In this world, everyone has a different opinion on a subject. What matters is what you know and what you believe the best you can do is try to change the mindset of someone who doesn't believe don't force it on them but ask them " Hey, is it okay if I try to explain to you what I think ? " something along of those lines and if they agree to it then try to explain it to them. If someone thing forcing their beliefs on you block them or ignore them in any way possible.
Re: The atheistic debates. By: Weatherwax / Knowledgeable
Post # 7 Apr 22, 2017
By definition Atheism is a belief, as cited in the dictionary
' disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods. ' - in itself they are believing that there is no Gods to believe in, it's not an attack against religion persay (You do have people out there like Christians etc who believe in their god - but are also devoted scientists, physicists etc)
The people who attack religion are called Anti-Theists, they don't believe/have a huge disdain or hatred for those who follow religion - calling it a con/scam and that outside forces do not exist - which arguably that is a belief in itself.
There is no point arguing with them, wasting any energy on them - just let them waste their time and energy getting fustrated over the fact you've made a choice in your life and you're following it - a choice that they cannot accept - for a lot of Anti-theists despite all their belly aching, have the same view point as Fundamentalists and Extremists - they cannot accept another way of life that makes someone happy unless it is their way of thinking.
I mostly agree, but when someone disagrees and even ignores factual evidence it is not only disturbing but also frustrating.
Darwin's theory of evolution is not perfect, it is one of the best models we have and the most likely model which explains the development of hmanity, it utilsises physical evidence to try and prove something which inherently involves the physical plane of existence. It tries to provide an answer to one of life's greatest mysteries instead of plucking one out of thin air.
Now, if people want to believe God commenced evolution, I have no issue with that. I couldn't care less, nor could I prove or disprove that belief. But when people outrightly state that evolution is as much as a myth as Jesus rising from the dead, I take issue. Believe what you will, but the first statement is backed up by a large catalogue of fossils, physical pe=ieces of evidence. The latter is backed up by written testimonies, which are largely allegorical and are most likley to be read that way.
I'm personally not an atheist, however, I do believe in evolution, I believe in the scientific method, and I believe anyone who goes off believing whatever they feel like without questioning it first, or at least acknowledging other points of view (this includes the atheist 'zealots' mentioned above) is missing out and is ignorant.
I don't care if YHVH created the world in seven days, or if it was a result of Atum spreading his own seed- it doesn't matter: both are explanations with intrinsic value for the creation of the world and are equally as awe inspiring as the theory of the big bang. IT matters not who is right, the result is the same!
Robert Anton Wilson once said "Belief is the death of intelligence" what he meant by this was that believing solely in anything without questioning, devoting yourself to one idea with no questions, not bothering to compare other opinions is stupid. It closes you off. And this includes solely believing in atheistic statements.
Great response. I agree with you on most of what you said. For one to criticize the theory of evolution he/she must have a good understanding of it. And believe me it has it's flaws. I am a creationist but not a Christian, however I believe the opening chapter of Genesis outlines one of the most beautiful creation myths (and yes it's allegorical). Mr Darwin's theory is a must accept, even though the fossil record is incomplete and continuously changing. The most qualified biologists ironically admit that the origin of species is unknown (hence the theory can not be used as disproof of the existence of a creator). Nonetheless the individuals should not be forced to one way or the other.
Science and religion are not mutually exclusive, nor is science the antithesis of Christianity (as I see a lot of people treat it). We live in a day and age where we can accept that science is based on repetitive results that always come out the same way and helps us begin to understand the physical world around as as well as recognizing that religious belief can be had at the same time.
I'm a Norse Pagan and evolution does not discredit my "creation" story because it is not seen as a physically literal event, but more of a metaphor or a spiritual event that had no direct impact on physical reality. I would be pushing my belief on you if I tried to tell you that everything was created by the collision of Niflheimr and Muspelheimr because that is just a belief, regardless of if I consider it to be physically literal (especially so, if I were); the inverse is not true because science is based on getting the same results every time and it hasn't changed no matter what people believe. The only thing about science that changes is our growing understanding of it.
You are right, science is enlightening and reliable because as you just stated it is based on the scientific method. But the following is also true considering the theory of evolution: it is incomplete (has missing links) and keeps changing timelines with the discovery of new fossils. The theory is still great and accurate on the order of the appearance of species. It is dangerous to ignore science indeed.
Now the atheists/antitheists use the theory as proof that there is no creator, which I have no problem with but there are creationists who understand and accept evolution. So the atheists/antitheists should not force everyone especially the young into their views.
