# Dumb Atheisti **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 20, 2003, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909 "2003-03-20T21:45:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![inertia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/d07c76/32.png) [@inertia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inertia)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909/1 "2003-03-20T21:45:14Z")
What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever heard said in denying the existence of god(i), ghost(i) or goblin(i)? ---
**Author:** ![inertia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/d07c76/32.png) [@inertia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inertia)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909/2 "2003-03-20T21:48:47Z")
“The Earth is millions of year old!!!” That’s so stupid it’s almost disengenuous (as in I suspect someone who would say that is intentionally lieing). “Abiogenesis” But where does the SOUL come from??? Tell me that. ---
**Author:** ![MrVisible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@MrVisible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrVisible)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909/3 "2003-03-20T21:53:40Z")
Er… BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Yatta! ---
**Author:** ![skaterboarder87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@skaterboarder87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skaterboarder87)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909/4 "2003-03-20T22:05:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by inertia \* > \*\*“The Earth is millions of year old!!!” That’s so stupid it’s almost disengenuous (as in I suspect someone who would say that is intentionally lieing). > > “Abiogenesis” But where does the SOUL come from??? Tell me that. \*\* I’m going to assume this post was sarcastic… ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909/5 "2003-03-20T22:07:17Z")
From Bertrand Russell’s lecture, “Why I am Not a Christian”: > [@](#): > > You find as you look around the world that every single bit of progress in humane feeling, every improvement in the criminal law, every step toward the diminution of war, every step toward better treatment of the colored races, or every mitigation of slavery, every moral progress that there has been in the world, has been consistently opposed by the organized churches of the world. I say quite deliberately that the Christian religion, as organized in its churches, has been and still is the principal enemy of moral progress in the world. While there is some merit to his POV, by ignoring the contributions of the evangelical Christian church to the slavery abolition movement and the movement to abolish child labor, Russell makes a grossly inaccurate generalization. ---
**Author:** ![inertia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/d07c76/32.png) [@inertia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inertia)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909/6 "2003-03-20T22:23:22Z")
Of course he’s not denying the existence of god. He’s just saying that organized religion is evil. About which I agree with both of you, it is evil. But he didn’t _stupidly_ deny the existence of our non-corporeal brethren which you and I know are there. Because we can feel them with our hearts. And we can see their auras too. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909/7 "2003-03-20T22:26:14Z")
Hoo boy… ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909/8 "2003-03-20T22:30:56Z")
> [@](#): > > Of course he’s not denying the existence of god. He’s just saying that organized religion is evil. About which I agree with both of you, it is evil. But he didn’t _stupidly_ deny the existence of our non-corporeal brethren which you and I know are there. Ummm. . . maybe you should read the [essay](http://users.drew.edu/~jlenz/whynot.html) first. Bertrand Russell was a stone atheist and complete disbeliever in the supernatural, as am I. ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909/9 "2003-03-20T23:06:58Z")
If you can’t measure or test it scientifically, then it’s not real. (a friends answer when asked about the concept of God) It can exist and not be known or understood until the technology is available. (the same friend - different conversation when asked about black holes) I have heard this same point of view from many atheists. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909/10 "2003-03-20T23:25:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by t-keela \* > \*\*If you can’t measure or test it scientifically, then it’s not real. > (a friends answer when asked about the concept of God) Well, that is narrow, I admit. Some phenomena–subjective emotional experiences, for example–are not amenable to objective analysis. However, the existence of God is not in that category. One can dismiss God by logicalal argument. For example, how does one reconcile a loving God with the existence of parasites? [quote] It can exist and not be known or understood until the technology is available. (the same friend - different conversation when asked about black holes) Actually, the existence of black holes was deduced 200 years ago by the English geologist John Michell, who theorized that a star could grow so massive that its light could not escape. Certainly there are many phenomena that are not fully understood by science yet, but that does not mean that they don’t exist. “To the rational mind, nothing is inexplicable, only unexplained.” --Doctor Who. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909/11 "2003-03-20T23:26:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by t-keela \* > \*\*If you can’t measure or test it scientifically, then it’s not real. > (a friends answer when asked about the concept of God) Well, that is narrow, I admit. Some phenomena–subjective emotional experiences, for example–are not amenable to objective analysis. However, the existence of God is not in that category. One can dismiss God by logicalal argument. For example, how does one reconcile a loving God with the existence of parasites? > [@](#): > > It can exist and not be known or understood until the technology is available. > (the same friend - different conversation when asked about black holes) Actually, the existence of black holes was deduced 200 years ago by the English geologist John Michell, who theorized that a star could grow so massive that its light could not escape. Certainly there are many phenomena that are not fully understood by science yet, but that does not mean that they don’t exist. “To the rational mind, nothing is inexplicable, only unexplained.” --Doctor Who. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909/12 "2003-03-20T23:54:07Z")
When someone says “I’ve never seen it so I don’t believe it” or something like that, that’s pretty stupid. I’ve never seen a black hole or a neutron or Emma Caulfield’s pudenda, but I’m reasonable certain those things exist. I’m an atheist, but not because I never met God personally. ---
**Author:** ![inertia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/d07c76/32.png) [@inertia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inertia)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909/13 "2003-03-20T23:56:07Z")
Bertrand also says, “Most people believe in God because they have been taught from early infancy to do it, and that is the main reason.” How stupid is THAT!!! That is SO wrong. All the Christians I know are Christians because it’s the RIGHT thing to do. And Baptist too. Better keep thee Catholic rif raf outta here. The current concept of a black hole I believe requires it to be massive such that it bends light and effects celestial orbits. Now I’m not saying you could walk up to one with a tape measure, but couldn’t you observe orbital fluctuations and work backwards to find a point mass or observe a gravitational lensing effect from an unknown body? Those are valid scientific measurements if I’m correct. Please chastise me severly if you find fault in that statement. I’ll be sure to give myself 50 lashes with a pillow (yes of course it hurts!! ) ---
**Author:** ![Blackeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f6c823/32.png) [@Blackeyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackeyes)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909/14 "2003-03-21T00:13:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by inertia \* > \*\*Bertrand also says, “Most people believe in God because they have been taught from early infancy to do it, and that is the main reason.” How stupid is THAT!!! That is SO wrong. All the Christians I know are Christians because it’s the RIGHT thing to do. And Baptist too. \*\* What makes you so sure it’s the right thing to do? Do you think Hindus are just doing it for the health insurance? \*\* > [@](#): > > Better keep thee Catholic rif raf outta here. > \*\* Heathen, explain yourself now. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Jpeg\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@Jpeg\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jpeg_Jones)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909/15 "2003-03-21T00:39:06Z")
Are you just looking to have some fun at your next bible meeting? _“Can you believe some of the stuff these atheists think up?”_ Well, forget it. Hey, I know… I wonder what the stupidest thing ever said by a religious proponent is? There’s an interesting thread for you. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Jpeg\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@Jpeg\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jpeg_Jones)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909/16 "2003-03-21T00:40:58Z")
Whoa. Pardon me. I guess I didn’t realize this thread was in response to [its opposite](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=171145). ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909/17 "2003-03-21T01:00:17Z")
It can join the other in the BBQ Pit. ---
**Author:** ![not\_reaching](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c6cbf5/32.png) [@not\_reaching](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_reaching)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909/18 "2003-03-21T01:03:49Z")
One guy said “My mother’s religion states that all other religions are simply made up of superstition, old wive’s tales, and wishful thinking and false gods - while my dad’s says the same. Since they are of different religions, I choose to believe both statements and that leaves no religions that have any validity whatsoever.” ---
**Author:** ![rmbnxs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b9e5f3/32.png) [@rmbnxs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rmbnxs)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909/19 "2003-03-21T01:32:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by inertia \* > **…our non-corporeal brethren which you and I know are there. Because we can feel them with our hearts. And we can see their auras too.** Maybe this quotation belongs [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=171145). ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909/20 "2003-03-21T01:47:42Z")
Atheisti? Are they Italian atheists? The dumbest thing I ever heard one of _them_ say was “Non credo, quindi sono.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-atheisti/162909.md?page=2)