Tonye-t:

Ask my boygirl Tudor! he'sshe's got loads of trash to tell you. trust me!

sinequanon:

Are some atheists who rant against religion actually suffering from withdrawal symptoms?
It seems to me that ranting may be part of the process of severance from the clutches of a belief in god that they once had.

I think that some of them are still afraid deep down of the beliefs, but they hide their lack of confidence from themselves with humour and posturing.

Where are the people who truly have overcome religion and belief in god?

snowdrops:

Some have been of no faith ab initio.

sinequanon:


Where are the people who truly have overcome religion and belief in god?

mazaje:

I have truly over come religion and belief in all the gods. . . .I KNOW that all the gods were created by men. . . . .

sinequanon:

How long did it take?

I have a friend who was usually scathingly dismissive of anything 'supernatural'. She had been brought up in a muslim household but had become anti-religious to the point of so-called blasphemy. I shall leave to your imagination the sort of things she uttered about the Muslim faith!

Then, one day she got a shock. I had recounted to her an event that had occurred to me that had no scientific explanation (nothing indicative of a god, just something without a scientific explanation). She was often quick to spot and point out weak links in any such accounts, but, in this case, there clearly was none. I could see she was shaken and she said that, if what I had told her was true, she is not sure she wants to talk with me any more! She was a long-standing friend, by the way. So you can imagine how shaken she was.

That is when I realised that much of her joking and dismissive attitude was simply posturing to help counter the psychological toll of the threatened punishment for those who leave the faith. Science acted as her haven. Only by throwing the baby out with the bath water and completely dispelling any hint of the 'paranormal' could she feel sure of herself. So she certainly did not welcome this blow I had given to her confidence.

I have found similar things with some who have left the Catholic faith. I actually think Richard Dawkins is an example. I think science is his psychological refuge although it is not something he is ever likely to admit, even to himself.

mazaje:

And what might this experience be?. . . . . .

mazaje:
How does your subjective experince point to something supernatural?. . . .

mazaje:
And how sure are you that those experiences of yours do not have scientific explanations. . . . . .

mazaje:
You begin this topic by begging the questions that some atheist are afraid of their former beliefs. . . .

mazaje:
Do you believe only based on fear or because the beliefs are actually true

I think that some of them are still afraid deep down of the beliefs, but they hide their lack of confidence from themselves with humour and posturing.

mazaje:

^^

Its possible that it could be a coincidence and nothing more, Its also possible that there are some things about dreams that we are yet to understand. . . . .Here is what you said. . . .

mazaje:
On what basis did you come to this ridiculous conclusion?. . . . . . . .If atheist are ever afraid of their former beliefs, do you think they will be unbelievers?. . . . . .

sinequanon:

'Coincidence', the 'possible' and 'impossible' and 'we' are all things for you to worry about as a follower of science.

Angry? Try rephrasing that so that there is no presumption in the question. Then I can answer it.

mazaje:

Science does NOT claims it knows all things does it? "I don't know" is also part of the scientific process. . . .

mazaje:
On what basis did you come to the conclusion that former believers are still afraid deep down of the beliefs, but they hide their lack of confidence from themselves with humour and posturing?. . . .

mazaje:
And on what basis did you come to the ridiculous conslusion that I am angry? Angry about what exactly?

Dolemite:

Back in the day Christians had thinkers and inventors defending Christianity, now they have crazy televangelists and the greedy politicians on their side. . .this shows we atheists are winning the fight against ignorance due to human nature. . .there IS no god or devil. . .

prediction

ilosiwaju:

@OP: Sinequanon, something makes me think you are in a stage where you really need to define where you stand as per religious views and hence by way of opinion poll get some insights on some potential pitfalls. Not sure, just think so. Some of your posts on the "Fundamental difference between science and religion" thread to me shows someone in a religious dilemma. Please prove me wrong. . .

ilosiwaju:
. . .and tell me the faith / belief you subscribe to. _{Pardon me if you once stated it elsewhere in a thread, i just cant dig up posts at the moment.} Dont use Pastor AIO's way of dodging please, brother.

ilosiwaju:
Well, i recently was staring at my ceiling fan during a blackout and said "NEPA should just bring this light" and guess what? The light came. Does that make me a superman? Whatever answer you have to my NEPA story, apply it to your PREDICTION thingy. It has been noted so many times that when people make predictions they tend to count the hits and rarely the misses. Was the prediction picture perfect? How guessable was it? What's the probability NOT in favour of her prediction? Answer all honestly please. Let me save my sweat sha, it's just a personal anecdote of yours. No Proof! Tell her to predict what i'll have for breakfast tomorrow(headstart: i hate ogi, i dont like tea and i dont love bread ). yeah, i know your answer: it does not really work that way.

ilosiwaju:
folds hands, quietly waiting

ilosiwaju:

Ok sir, the obviously more intelligent sinequanon: you dont owe me proof per se, was just curious. Thanks for debunking my hypothesis though. About interpretation, i have absolute respect for pastor AIO despite not always agreeing with him but my little concern is this your taking up of arms in his defense . He sees things outside the box, sure even people who dont also feel they have super-perspectives. AIO is my man just like several of every poster here(deepsight,krayola,wirinet,tudor,mavenbox,jesoul,nwakwo, even u yourself etc.)

ilosiwaju:
Forgive you for reserving some deeper discussions for Pastor AIO? haba! carry go my brother! wetin me i sabi? no offense taken at all.
And about the science-rain-breakfast discussion, i'll seat back and watch the smarties play on.

benodic:

. . .you do not have to accept my explanation as of course you do not believe in God. but like i told you before it is just a matter of time. it may be in this lifetime or another but when the time is right nobody will tell you whether God exists or not.