Allow me to preface by saying I’m one of those strident Atheists they talk about. I would never consider marrying anyone who believed, for instance.
[QUOTE=CJJ*]
I have slogged thru portions of this thread because I found the original question interesting. So far I haven’t found the following specific but related topics addressed (if they have, please quote them or point me to the correct place), and am interested as a non-judgmental, open-minded believer in how atheists approach these topics.
[list]
[li]How do you, as an atheist, personally deal with the cosmological argument (glibly, something caused the universe to come into existence, that something must be god)? I personally would find it intellectually challenging to deny it, but I’m not really interested in arguing the point, just whether or not it is a personal challenge, and if so, how you deal with it.[/li][/quote]
I agree that it is pretty darn amazing that the universe exists. But there is no evidence that the christian god, or any other, is responsible for it. It’s just as likely to be a simulation in a giant computer. Until we know, I’d say the generation of the universe is a mystery. I’m content with that. Religion has answers for it, but they are very likely wrong answers.
[quote]
[li]Some religious folks derive comfort in a form of immortality promised by many religions. It is difficult to understand how knowing one will cease to exist upon death can provide a similar value, but perhaps it does or it’s compensated for in other ways. Again, this is not at all a reason to adopt religious beliefs, but I am curious if atheists feel the regret of living with certain mortality as an emotional challenge.[/li][/quote]
My best friend died when I was sixteen and I really wish I’d be able to see him again when I die. But I don’t believe it will happen. I know that when I die it will be oblivion and everything that makes up my self will cease. This makes me want to achieve what I want in this life, and motivates to me to make everyone’s lives around me as nice as possible in the process. I believe we only get the one ride and it has to be as fun as you can make it.
[quote]
[li]Religion is often tied to ethnic or cultural identities and practices. Christmas in America is a good example; though technically a religious holiday, it is for all intents and purposes a cultural celebration. What challenges do you face in keeping religion and culture personally separate, or do you think such distinctions are irrelevant and therefore not challenging (unless someone else insists on making it a challenge)? Use Christmas as an example if you like, but the question is generally about religious ties to culture.[/li][/quote]
I give gifts to my friends and have a tree, for the cultural value of it. I don’t actually find any compelling evidence that Christ even existed, lacking any primary sources from even the generation after his death. I certainly don’t put up a nativity.
Thanks for asking.
