What Do The Faithful Have That The Rest Of Us Don’T?

[naomi24]

With no explanation, Goodlife is constantly telling the ‘poor’ atheists here that they have nothing – and today Khandro said exactly the same. I'm curious. Just what is it that these chaps think they have that the rest of us lack?

[jomifl]

and?
ca va?

[naomi24]

Grasscarp, your patent inability to offer anything pertinent to any discussion here isn’t a problem to me. It’s what I’ve come to expect from you.

Khandro, I disagree with Pixie. Since it fails to address the fundamental issues under discussion here, yours is not a good post. It’s yet another that attacks the messenger rather than the message. Atheists don’t claim divinity, and I think most of us have said ‘there is probably no God’, but why, when religion creates such misery in the world, should we, as human beings, meekly restrict our opinions to that simply because you and your cohorts baulk at criticism of a philosophy that controls, among other things, man’s precious intellect? You have to become accustomed to the fact – and it is a fact – that religion can no longer demand and receive the respect it once did – and that only achieved through the imposition of fear – so not really respect at all. Unlike most of the non-believers here who criticise the doctrine that religion promotes, and its adverse effects upon humanity and upon this world, you continually attack the messenger. Your use of such terms as ‘extremely vociferous’ emanates from a victim mentality floundering in the face of rationality, and is designed to portray anyone who disagrees with you in the worst possible light – nothing more.

//I think atheists should be asking themselves, what is it that we have? the answer might point to a rather bleak outlook, and an unsatisfactoriness in their existence.//

Another unqualified statement – just like the accusation that non-believers are ‘poor’. I realise that this is a long shot, but is there any chance of you explaining either – or better still, both?

Goodlife, another long shot, but can you tell me how, when reading your bible, you separate the truth from the symbolic? I know I’ve asked you before, but you’ve never told me.

[RATTER15]

//I think atheists should be asking themselves, what is it that we have? the answer might point to a rather bleak outlook, and an unsatisfactoriness in their existence.//

I agree, another ridiculous and unfounded statement.

[AB Editor]

This is a really interesting discussion and just the sort of thing we like here.

Please can we restrict ourselves to on topic answers and refrain from name calling, thank you.

[grasscarp]

My offerings are as "pertinent" as anybody elses. As ABed points out personal attacks are inappropriate.

[Khandro]

n; //unsatisfactoriness in their existence//and;
//Another unqualified statement – just like the accusation that non-believers are ‘poor’. I realise that this is a long shot, but is there any chance of you explaining either – or better still, both? //

1) The Sanskrit word 'Duhkha' is usually translated in English Buddhist texts as 'suffering' though many scholars feel it is too strong a word and some have suggested 'unsatisfactoriness' is better though perhaps too weak, it is an attempt to describe a condition of discontent, and a feeling of a lack of meaning to existence.

2) I believe anyone lacking a spiritual aspect to their existence are the poorer for it.

Here I stand, I can do no other, God help me. Amen. (Martin Luther)

[naomi24]

Grasscarp, may I suggest you read your posts again?

Khandro, //I believe anyone lacking a spiritual aspect to their existence are the poorer for it.//

Why?

(Incidentally, non-believers don’t necessarily lack a spiritual aspect to their existence and spirituality does not necessarily equate to a belief in God. I’m surprised you’re not aware of that).

[ummmm]

I was a believer and now I'm a non believer. I can honestly say, hand on heart, that my life is richer for it...

[grasscarp]

Cant help wondering why anybody happy with their full and satisfying life as an atheist is trying to get followers of religion to describe to them what it is they are missing. Maybe you are not so content.

[vulcan42]

On the contrary grasscarp I am more then content with my life without religion.We are just interested in why the religious think we must have religion to complete our happiness. I have a couple of religious friends who once said to me "you only think you're happy". I thought that a strange statement, it suggested I couldn't possibly be happy without religion. They don't seem to be very happy in spite of being religious, even that is contentious in their lives as they go to different churches.

[naomi24]

Grasscarp, I actually think being described as ‘poor’ is a bit of an insult, and as such, demands explanation. If you suspect non-believers lack contentment, perhaps you’d be kind enough to help us out by telling us why you think that?

[grasscarp]

Good post Vulcan. I dont personally worry what people do with their lives. Each of us follow such different paths and end up with or without religion based on what has happened to us. Maybe some people are so happy with their religion that they want to pass it on to others?
Naomi - I didnt describe you as poor so I cannot meet your demands.

[Khandro]

ummmm; //I was a believer and now I'm a non believer.//
Would you care to give details? What did you 'believe' in ?

[naomi24]

Grasscarp, I didn’t ask you to tell my why other people think non-believers are ‘poor’. I asked why you suspect we lack contentment.

[naomi24]

*tell me*

[ludwig]

// Cant help wondering why anybody happy with their full and satisfying life as an atheist is trying to get followers of religion to describe to them what it is they are missing. Maybe you are not so content. //

It's just that we're over on the other table eating a hearty and nutritious meal, and we're fascinated to understand what it is you think is so wonderful about those plastic grapes you're chomping on.

[grasscarp]

If you are content with your lot then why spend so much time in a section called Religion & Spirituality? What do you get out of it? If it is making sure that anyone who believes in God or is religious in any way is made to feel unwelcome then you are kind of achieving your goal.

[jim360]

Again, though, grasscarp, why aren't you explaining your position on these questions? If you don't want to, that's fine, but you shouldn't moan that we keep asking them. I'd have thought that at least part of your faith ought to be in sharing it, which you seem reluctant to do.

[grasscarp]

Jim - I am not moaning. I made a couple of comments which got criticised and dismissed as usual.

[ludwig]

I don't know what people expect. In any discussion about religion there are going to be people that criticise it. You should probably lobby the Ed for 'religious topics for believers only' section.