₦airaland Forum

KoiceReloaded:
You're hilarious. In a country of a Christian monarch, it's natural for the majority of the population to profess christianity. It's the religion of their forefathers, and the religion of the monarchy. Even the atheists among them have christian backgrounds. So the 61% is anything but outdated. It's practical, and it's the reality.



Don't even go there. If there is one country I know like the back of my palm, it's Japan. I don't want to bore you with a history lesson, so I will just say this: The Japanese believe in the afterlife. Enough said.


I The following doesn't make any difference. Norway is seen by EU as a nominal Christian country, and that is what she is. Having a large atheist population in a Christian country won't change the country into an irreligious one. The Church of Norway will always be a figurehead that represents the christian values of the country to outsiders.



Delusions. Like I said before, the Scandinavia and UK are christian kingdoms.



That's a shortsighted way of looking at things. Going by land mass alone, America has the most developed urban spread in the world. Being 13th most developed country in the world is huge considering that Texas, a state in the US, dwarfs 100% of western europe in land mass.

America's prevalent gun crimes has more to do with their gun history and reluctance to employ gun control than anything else. The standard of living is pretty high considering the population and land mass. The health care system is pretty archaic though, I will give you that. Education-wise, methinks America is doing alright. The world best universities and research centers, and you have the temerity to belittle her education system? How dare you?!

Progressive wise, America is right up there with Canada and the Scandinavia. Gay marriage is legal in all states. Weed is legal is several states. Press freedom. Freedom of speech. Woman getting paid the same salaries as men, and other progressive ideas.

USA is a perfect example of how religion can co-exist with secularism.






Okay, UAE isn't a good example. I used it without giving it much thought. How about Vatican city?

We are not on the same level. Kindly go and do more research on religion and income on an international basis. Start with studies/research on the subject matter of religion and income. Then read about the human development index. Then read about America's failings as a developed western country.

Note that I was pointing to studies and facts while being very specific in my arguments.

For someone that believes that I, Jerome black, am living a fake life, you hypocritically sound like someone that is on that fake life wave. What do you mean that I should not talk about Japan? Na your papa country? Can you speak Japanese? You sound like a Weeabo.

Here is something that you don't know- I lived with Japanese people while in the UK.

budaatum:
My choices are determined by the knowledge I have received no doubt, but I still have the choice of increasing my knowledge and thereby my choices.

My atheism for instances was intellectual, as in, based on my reading, an ability beaten into me by ma. I guess if she'd beat stealing, or fornication into me I might prefer doing those things instead of reading a book (though, saying that, there's a lot she beat into me that didn't quite take). I still do have a lot of say in what I read, and the knowledge I have and how it affects me. Incidentally, that same reading is what's made me a theist, a choice I have made from my understanding.

Consider life as a journey down a road with turn offs along it but without you having a specific destination in mind. When there are no turnings you have no choice than to plod on, but when you get to a cross road you have to decide to turn right or left with your free will. Your will might be influenced by preconceived notions - a like for right or left turns, the trees look greener, someone told you to always right or left turn, your belief that a particular turns lead to heaven etc, but the choice is still yours and freely made, as in without external coercion, except that which you allow with your freewill.

Choice is usually an illusion.

LordReed:
So what do you think is limited the ability to exercise or the choices themselves?

Genetics and environment.

Tell me, why do you know Cristiano Ronaldo? If you were born in India, would you care about football? More like Cricket!

You might think liking football is your choice but it is because of your environment and because you are a man and "manly sports" like football is encouraged where you grew up.

Do you think that it was your choice to be an atheist? It was your intelligence, education and experience. It was always going to happen one day or another. There are some people that will never leave religion despite how it damages their lives. There are poor people that will tithe till they die in penury. Their environment, lack of proper education and exposure will always strangle their reasoning abilities.

KoiceReloaded:
Wrong. In the Scandinavia (Norway, Denmark and Sweden), the percentage of people that claim christianity is approximately 61%. You know what that means, right? There's more probability of encountering a theist than an atheist in a street.

In the UK, the Christian population is even higher.

False. You are using outdated statistics and research methods. The methods used to ascertain that 61% is faulty. On the subject of religion and disbelief, researchers have found out that if you use baptismal records, church methods or even ask the wrong questions, you will get skewed results.

For instance, most Japanese will identify as either shinto or buddhist on questionaires, making it seem like Japan is very religious. But if you ask the Japanese directly about religion and God, you will find them to be irreligious. Majority do not believe in God. The issue is that they CULTURALLY identify as shinto or buddhist but they dont follow the religions.

Take Sweden for example;
A Gallup Poll in 2016 found that 18% of Swedes self report as atheist and 55% as non-religious

Or even Norway;
72 percent of Norwegians belong to the Church of Norway. However,a 2016 survey asking 4,000 people "Do you believe in God?" resulted in 39% saying "No", 37% saying "Yes" and 23% saying "I don't know". This is to show you that you should be careful with statistics

Those Scandinavian countries have very little to do with christianity. I can go further but I will pause here for now.

The UK is also on such an irreligious path

KoiceReloaded:
On a personal level, perhaps. On a national level, not true. USA is a rich country that utilizes secular system of governance, very progressive, and yet she's deeply religious and conservative. Turkey is another example. Secular government, deeply religious lifestyle.

USA is a country that has poverty levels that are beyond anything in strong European countries. The USA falls behind most developed countries in many progressive indexes.


For instance, the USA is the 13th most developed country in the world behind 10 European countries. The USA is a disgrace to developed countries. The gun crime, poor healthcare and poor public education system are embarrassing.

USA is an example of how religion can destroy a developed nation. Thanks for proving my point.

KoiceReloaded:
Wrong again. UAE is an Islamic emirate governed by Islamic laws, and yet is very progressive. It's a hub of commerce and the standard of living is very high.

UAE progressive? Where a rap£ victim can be arrested while the rapist is free? The UAE that lies 34th in human development index? The UAE that has women's right problems? The UAE where princesses live caged life?

KoiceReloaded:
What a simplistic way to think.

Just because some nations are less religious than others doesn't mean religion doesn't exist in them. If you dig through their history and the establishment of their constitutions, you'd see religion playing prominent roles there. Being progressive and being religious are not mutually exclusive. You can be both at the same time.

FYI, the Scandinavia and UK are christian kingdoms.

1) Religion is nothing but a figurehead in those countries. The average person in such countries does not believe in God.

2) there are studies that show that religion is negatively correlated to national wealth. The more progressive the country, the more secular it is.

3) Being progressive and religious are mutually exclusive on the national level.

Anyone who thinks religion is useful to mankind can take a look at Sweden, South Korea, UK, Norway etc. Where most people do not have a religion or take it seriously. It is of no coincidence that these are some of the best developed countries in the world

LordReed:
So would you consider that something like AI has freewill?

It depends on the level of programming. Some AI have been limited to always taking the logical path.


It we can achieve true AI where the computer learns and makes its own judgement, yes AI can have a limited freewill

I am going to watch Little 2019 again in the cinemas again.

Very funny movie

LordReed:
While I agree that we have wills, it's the free part that confuses me atm. Are our wills in anyway free if they are shackled to cause and effect? Can you choose not to feel pain if I jabbed you with a needle? Can you choose when to feel hungry? What exactly constitutes a "free" will even if limited?

A freewill means to exercise choice, in my opinion.

KoiceReloaded:
I need to say something;


- I think we should stop this notion of blaming our shortcomings on religion. Religion isn't the problem, Mankind is. Do away with religion, and Mankind would sooner find another smokescreen to hide behind. Man invented religion so that he can have an excuse to cause mischief and get away with it. Religion is just a smokescreen. Mankind is the hand holding it.


- Being an atheist doesn't make you a free thinker. It doesn't mean you're smarter or wiser or more learned than the average theist. You can't be a freethinker if you're obsessing about the non-existence of God(s) every waking hour. You are not free from mental slavery if you're obsessed. Obsessing about the non-existence of God(s) is still an obsession. You're no better than the average religious fanatic.


- Believing in God(s) is just one of several coping mechanisms mankind invented to find meaning in life. Mankind is genetically encoded with an hunger for purpose, and believing in an idea of an omniscient being is a good way of fulfilling that purpose. Let's not be too hasty to criticize and mock the theist for it's one of mankind default settings. Mock them and you'll be mocking your ancestors as well.

- Do not mock the atheist cuz man is naturally rebellious, and thus, atheism is simply a coping mechanism mankind invented to help him swim against the tide.



Just be agnostic, and you'll find a balance for everything. Sitting on the fence can be pretty comfortable.

an agnostic is an atheist.

And no one made the argument that atheism makes you a freethinker.


Furthermore, religion is a problem just like a gun. It is a tool for both destruction and liberation. However, like a gun, without control (gun control), it is mostly used to destroy rather than protect.

Religion is a problem. Without religion, mankind would be better. That is a fact. It won't be perfect but it will be better.



This is my last comment on atheism/religion. I hate debating religion nowadays. Feels repetitive.



Back to movies.....

Octopusssy:
Don't even bother. The ones here have been given over to a reprobate mind.

So, nairaland atheists are reprobates?

The funny thing is that no one asked for your opinion in this discussion. After, you will be complaining that people are not talking about movies on this thread.

LordReed:
So what do you think about this freewill video clip?

We have limited freewill. A lot of things we do are predetermined by genes and environment.

There are some choices we make that we don't really make. For instance, we African men tend to prefer women with bigger butts. The simple reason is because of the genetics of healthy African women and the popular fixation on butts in the society.

lekbel09:
Atheism is gaining ground in Nigeria, I can clearly see it exhibited especially on nairaland religion section.May You guys see the light and the people whom the devil has turned away from God through,I pray they obtain mercy

The chief reason for the rise in atheism is the nonsense that goes on in the Nigerian churches of today.

Save your prayers for the fraudulent and corrupt men of God who are causing more problems in Christianity than anyone.

lekbel09:
I hope you have found Christ now?, cos you mentioned somewhere in your post I quote " Do you know the amount of people I have made to leave religion?"if you have found God am happy for you and just want you to know that God loves you unconditionally

I'm not interested in finding Christ. The Jewish carpenter was never lost......

Shepherd00:
As you watch GOTs what do you see? Good prevailing over evil, all kinds of evil. When it all comes down, be sure to count how many incestuous people, how many homosexuals, how many rapists will be standing.

Evil, no matter how Ominous it seems, can never overcome good.

Yet, we are continuously ruled by heartless politicians in Nigeria.

In GOT, it is the ruthless and or the strong that survive. Even the "good" characters are killers. None of the good characters on game of thrones have clean hands.


The 2 sets of incestuous couples are still alive Jamie/Cercei and John Snow/Denerys.

Iyara Greyjoy is a homosexual and she is still standing.


My born again christian bro, stop watching game of thrones. Its overall message is not about being good. It is about being both strong and smart...survival of the fittest

oyaskii:
Always knew Part 2 won't bang becuz the producers wanted to "milk" the success of the first one which banged unexpectedly...not every story is franchise worthy... Won't be surprised if they churn out a third part.

Yeah. Even before I watched the part 2, I was wondering how they were going to stretch the story into a second part.

The directors probably tried to milk the movie rather than looking at what actually made the first movie sell.

jesusjnr:
Watch!

Go and sleep.

tintingz:
Lol, i know the three of them.

Matt is good, I watch his debate with Dr Jordan Peterson.

I watched that debate. Jordan Peterson was just chatting rubbish. Matt Dilahunty was very patient with him

Happy Death Day 2 U

5.5/10

Part one of this movie was fun. Stupid but fun.

This Part 2 increased the stupid and reduced the fun.

This part 2 opened a lot of interesting plots that went nowhere.

I heard that my guy Kazeem is looking forward to John Wick.

I am looking forward to BRIGHTBURN! May 24th

Shepherd00:
And Ishilove is Arya and You Logicboy is the Night King. You are a goner.

Interesting.

But let's take a deep philosophical dive:

What is dead may never die. The Night king is already dead. A zombie. Arya might have stopped him but at what cost?

The Night king killed a lot of her people. Destroyed her home (winterfell). And he has left her defenceless against cercei lannister.

A pyrrhic victory.


By the way, why are you watching game of thrones? Isn't it too much for your born again Christianity? The incest, ra.pe, homosexuality, brutality and so on?

Ishilove:
So where in that post shows I was sacked? I see blindness has been added to your mental imbalance. You wish in your heart I was sacked,
and by wishing hard enough the thought becomes your reality.

You are beyond pathetic. You are a disgrace to your parents, a failure who comes online to project his misery to others.

It didnt have to directly say that you were sacked. All it needed to show, was your pained and mentally unbalanced state of mind when you were removed from the job.


Your pain gives me joy!