Comments on Profile Post by FuzzyBlueBaron

atheists do not need to learn dedication from Christians because theyre not a religion(obviously)

nice "why cant we be friends" article but it isn't fair to say both sides want to come "to a knowledge of the truth" when 1 side is faith based and the other isn't. 1 side already has their answers and the other just doesn't

Clearly you didn't read the article as closely as you might have. Might I suggest re-reading it before making such statements.

I got his overall point those are just the details I didn't like

Okay, but taking a closer look at the details you didn't like:

You said:
"atheists do not need to learn dedication from Christians "
Your reasoning being:
"because theyre not a religion(obviously)"

Which is a fine line to take if "dedication" is only something for people in religion. But then the author says:

"As atheists, we think that we possess knowledge and tools of critical thinking that are potentially of great benefit to everyone. Why then are we not much more active, motivated, and willing to share?"

My question to you would be: how do you answer his question? Why *aren't* atheists much more... well... dedicated? I mean, if you truly believe you "possess knowledge and tools of critical thinking that are potentially of great benefit to everyone"?

Secondly, you said:
"it isn't fair to say both sides want to come "to a knowledge of the truth""
Your reasoning being:
"when 1 side is faith based and the other isn't. 1 side already has their answers and the other just doesn't"

Which is also a fine line to take if "faith" means either "I think I have all the answers I need" or "believing things without reasons" [the latter definition being a fav of Richard Dawkins]. But then the author says:

"As I have learned in my time speaking with Christians, faith does not mean blind belief without evidence: is means placing one’s trust in God by building a personal relationship with him. Such trust should not be without foundation, but should be firmly grounded on solid reason and evidence."

My question to you would be: if "faith" isn't blind, but rather the result of someone "building a personal relationship with [God]", does it *sound* like the Christian side "already has their answers"?

Honestly, from how I read it (and experience it, remembering that I'm of the Christian persuasion), being a Christian isn't about "having all the answers", it's about needing (like the atheist) to continually grapple with new facts, ideas, experiences, and trying to make sense of them.

In both cases (atheism or Christianity) it comes down to trying to make the best sense of the information presented. To quote from a (rather good) article (that I've linked elsewhere, but I'll link here too):

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-18/dickson-tips-for-atheists/5397892

"Aristotle was the first to point out that persuasion occurs through three factors: intellectual (logos), psychological (pathos), and social or ethical (ethos). People rarely change their minds merely on account of objective evidence. They usually need to feel the personal relevance and impact of a claim, and they also must feel that the source of the claim - whether a scientist or a priest - is trustworthy."

So, to finish this long-winded ramble, I guess I'd just quietly suggest that, imho, you're objecting to these specific details more because you find them _distasteful_ than because there is a serious counter-argument to be made against them. <3

Atheism is just a lack of believing. Everyone can think clearly and examine the facts anyway they choose. Atheists don't need to be more dedicated because they as a group don't have anything special to offer(individuals who excel like Richard Dawkins~rip and Stephen Hawkins don't apply)

Basically Atheists do not need dedication because they do not need to. If the article had argued everyone could learn dedication i wouldn't have mind but saying atheists need to just doesn't make sense. There isn't a reason for atheist to be dedicated like Christians just for the simple fact that in my mind the conclusion to there being no god is obvious and if others don't want to see it they cant be forced.

Also if i felt like it i could argue that not all Christians are dedicated but im sure come easter and Christmas you see packed churches :P

also i saw religion as god giving you the answers in prayers and from the bible. So i assumed your answers were there and you needed to look for them while if an atheist wanted answers he'd have to do a lot more

mfw worst thing ever I googled Richard dawkins and it came up as suicide :/ apparently he is still alive that just makes me look silly

10/10, this was a really interesting article. It's always good to keep an open mind on whether there is or is not a god, because it is a lot more important than we think. We could be wasting so much precious time by going to church and filling our heads with false ideas, or be missing out on having a wonderful relationship with our creator and dismissing the one who is the reason for our existence.

'xactly, start. :^)

That ":^)" makes me feel that was sarcasm, was it sarcasm?

No, 'twas pure, honest, honesty. Just an example of me failing to correctly convey mood over the internet. :P