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Post by dmmichgood on Aug 25, 2014 19:08:46 GMT -5
Actually the adjective dumb would be an accurate term for someone who cannot speak. Offensive perhaps, but accurate. And soon those words will become offensive and there will be a vocabulary change. If someone is deaf they are hearing impaired. If they actually are deaf the phrase hearing impaired does not accurately reflect the condition. Remember what happened to the old term for "field mouse". That was naaasteee. I never heard the term "field mouse".
What it mean?
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Post by rational on Aug 25, 2014 19:26:09 GMT -5
Actually, you are right, Rational!
Damn! Foiled again! >:D ;) I do understand political correctness. To a point. In Australia people are notorious for shortening words. Doesnt matter what it is towns, malls anything. Its almost a hip thing. I wont blame my peers for the stuffup. So I do apolgize to anyone offended by my comment "downzie". I will say this I see you both like the judge and jury of TMB. :) Thanks for the explanation.
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Post by xna on Aug 25, 2014 19:31:57 GMT -5
Remember what happened to the old term for "field mouse". That was naaasteee. I never heard the term "field mouse".
What it mean?I'm guessing but, I found two slang usages. 1. tinyurl.com/kgot2sj2. Antithesis description of Ezekiel 23:20 (both are X- rated.)
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Post by BobWilliston on Aug 25, 2014 19:49:58 GMT -5
Remember what happened to the old term for "field mouse". That was naaasteee. I never heard the term "field mouse".
What it mean?Another modern day word for it is "mole". Little furry creatures that burrow in the ground.
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Post by BobWilliston on Aug 25, 2014 19:56:16 GMT -5
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Post by fixit on Aug 25, 2014 21:11:32 GMT -5
Gutter talk.
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Post by dmmichgood on Aug 26, 2014 1:04:03 GMT -5
Thanks!
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Post by rational on Aug 26, 2014 7:23:09 GMT -5
Well, it well could have been that she had the gas in the oven turned on for some time and she decided to blow herself out of her miseries. I almost checked out once due to a leaky gas oven! Singed my eyelashes off, burned my face pretty bad and caught my blouse on fire! To say the end of that story was that stove left the house that day and I made sure NO one would ever use that oven again...used my husband's horse shoeing mallet and beat the thing to death! But IF she had planned to go it that route, it's a good thing she hadn't struck that match, for the workers on her doorstep might have gone with her! Right on, I don't know which route she had in mind.... Gas herself or blow it up and died instantly and feel no pains.... the important thing to the story... Her life was SAVED and her SOUL.I think the important thing is that, as you said, the worker came to the door and prevented her from taking the action that she is claimed to be taking. If the janitor had knocked on the door the result would have been the same. You have no evidence that the death of Jesus has resulted in saving a life. Some preacher may have convinced a potential suicide that they had something to live for but a Shinto priest may have done the same thing and in that case would you give credit to the sacred essence of a rock or tree? Stick with the belief that Jesus has saved souls. It is a matter of faith.
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Post by rational on Aug 26, 2014 12:08:40 GMT -5
Sorry, Rational.... I disagree with you on this. Jesus death on the Cross SAVED Lives and Souls. The evidence is me. His death on the Cross has SAVED my life and my soul. OK, let's go with that. Disregarding any religious aspect or other paranormal attachments, how did Jesus' death save your life? For example - "Bob jumped between the assassin and Bill and the projectile that was destined to kill Bill hit Bob instead and killed him. Bob's action, which resulted in his death, saved Bill from dying at that time."
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Post by rational on Aug 26, 2014 12:43:40 GMT -5
OK, let's go with that. Disregarding any religious aspect or other paranormal attachments, how did Jesus' death save your life? For example - "Bob jumped between the assassin and Bill and the projectile that was destined to kill Bill hit Bob instead and killed him. Bob's action, which resulted in his death, saved Bill from dying at that time." ~~ I was going to take my own life at one time .... Then a friend of mine, began to tell me about Jesus life, and death on Calvary's Cross to SAVE sinners and grant them Eternal life.OK - first this is another person telling you about their beliefs. It is also about saving yout soul and not physical life. The reasons why you did not take your life had nothing to do with Jesus being killed. It was the religious belief he has fostered.These are all religious things and have nothing to do with Jesus saving your life. But this is a belief you have and I think you should stick with it.
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Post by irvinegrey on Aug 31, 2014 1:04:04 GMT -5
In his classic book Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis delivers a profound insight into the psychological engine that pulls along the drama of history. “All that we call human history — money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery — is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.”
Yes. Or to say this even more foundationally: the driving motive in history is the desire for happiness. Think of it, everything from slavery to prostitution to racism to terrorism to extortion to abortion to the ignition of world wars — it’s all driven by a desire for happiness apart from God.
Here Lewis jabs a steel dental probe into the raw unmedicated nerve of atheism. The serious problem with atheism is not intellectual atheism, denying God’s existence. The real problem is affectional atheism, finding God to be an obstruction in the path of personal joy. This practical atheism is the fundamental root problem of humanity and it plagues the hearts of atheists, agnostics, and even professing deists alike.
Or in the words of Augustine - we were made for God and our souls are restless until we find our rest in thee. That is why Jesus could say to His listeners 'come unto me all who labour and I will give you rest.'
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Post by dmmichgood on Aug 31, 2014 1:22:13 GMT -5
In his classic book Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis delivers a profound insight into the psychological engine that pulls along the drama of history. “All that we call human history — money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery — is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.” Yes. Or to say this even more foundationally: the driving motive in history is the desire for happiness. Think of it, everything from slavery to prostitution to racism to terrorism to extortion to abortion to the ignition of world wars — it’s all driven by a desire for happiness apart from God. Here Lewis jabs a steel dental probe into the raw unmedicated nerve of atheism. The serious problem with atheism is not intellectual atheism, denying God’s existence. The real problem is affectional atheism, finding God to be an obstruction in the path of personal joy. This practical atheism is the fundamental root problem of humanity and it plagues the hearts of atheists, agnostics, and even professing deists alike. Or in the words of Augustine - we were made for God and our souls are restless until we find our rest in thee. That is why Jesus could say to His listeners 'come unto me all who labour and I will give you rest.' If the reason atheists don't want a "god in their lives because God is an obstruction in the path of personal joy," then why do Christians who believe they have god in their lives continuously talk so much about the "joy of God in their lives?"
Why is God NOT an obstruction in THEIR the path of personal joy the same way you claim about atheists?
You can't have it both ways.
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Post by sharingtheriches on Aug 31, 2014 11:18:11 GMT -5
In his classic book Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis delivers a profound insight into the psychological engine that pulls along the drama of history. “All that we call human history — money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery — is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.” Yes. Or to say this even more foundationally: the driving motive in history is the desire for happiness. Think of it, everything from slavery to prostitution to racism to terrorism to extortion to abortion to the ignition of world wars — it’s all driven by a desire for happiness apart from God. Here Lewis jabs a steel dental probe into the raw unmedicated nerve of atheism. The serious problem with atheism is not intellectual atheism, denying God’s existence. The real problem is affectional atheism, finding God to be an obstruction in the path of personal joy. This practical atheism is the fundamental root problem of humanity and it plagues the hearts of atheists, agnostics, and even professing deists alike. Or in the words of Augustine - we were made for God and our souls are restless until we find our rest in thee. That is why Jesus could say to His listeners 'come unto me all who labour and I will give you rest.' If the reason atheists don't want a "god in their lives because God is an obstruction in the path of personal joy," then why do Christians who believe they have god in their lives continuously talk so much about the "joy of God in their lives?"
Why is God NOT an obstruction in THEIR the path of personal joy the same way you claim about atheists?
You can't have it both ways.
DMG, I'm not Irvine...however it sure seems to me the difference is where a person "lays up treasure"........I know that my joy is in Christ Jesus...how do I know that? When I had my vision of Jesus Christ, I was ascending up to him in the sky however before I could finish that movment..."JOY" in its' purest form woke me up to what was around me on earth! That Joy is what Peter called an "exceeding joy"....Rev. Dan Piper called it an "inexplicable joy"....which is what I have labeled what I felt.....since that vision and having tasted of that exceeding, inexplicable joy...I find myself laying my treasure up where Jesus Christ is....fact is, Jesus Christ IS my treasure! He is NO obstruction to my path of personal joy...He IS my personal joy! So even if you believe that this is only "my belief" thereby it still is that there is NO obstruction to the path of my personal joy! For I know exactly where that joy is and I know exactly the staying power of that joy!
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Post by déjà vu on Aug 31, 2014 14:18:59 GMT -5
In his classic book Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis delivers a profound insight into the psychological engine that pulls along the drama of history. “All that we call human history — money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery — is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.” Yes. Or to say this even more foundationally: the driving motive in history is the desire for happiness. Think of it, everything from slavery to prostitution to racism to terrorism to extortion to abortion to the ignition of world wars — it’s all driven by a desire for happiness apart from God. Here Lewis jabs a steel dental probe into the raw unmedicated nerve of atheism. The serious problem with atheism is not intellectual atheism, denying God’s existence. The real problem is affectional atheism, finding God to be an obstruction in the path of personal joy. This practical atheism is the fundamental root problem of humanity and it plagues the hearts of atheists, agnostics, and even professing deists alike. Or in the words of Augustine - we were made for God and our souls are restless until we find our rest in thee. That is why Jesus could say to His listeners 'come unto me all who labour and I will give you rest.' " I quote H.H "to the atheist all things are permissible"
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Post by dmmichgood on Aug 31, 2014 15:28:40 GMT -5
If the reason atheists don't want a "god in their lives because God is an obstruction in the path of personal joy," then why do Christians who believe they have god in their lives continuously talk so much about the "joy of God in their lives?"
Why is God NOT an obstruction in THEIR the path of personal joy the same way you claim about atheists?
You can't have it both ways.
DMG, I'm not Irvine...however it sure seems to me the difference is where a person "lays up treasure"........I know that my joy is in Christ Jesus...how do I know that? When I had my vision of Jesus Christ, I was ascending up to him in the sky however before I could finish that movment..."JOY" in its' purest form woke me up to what was around me on earth! That Joy is what Peter called an "exceeding joy"....Rev. Dan Piper called it an "inexplicable joy"....which is what I have labeled what I felt.....since that vision and having tasted of that exceeding, inexplicable joy...I find myself laying my treasure up where Jesus Christ is....fact is, Jesus Christ IS my treasure! He is NO obstruction to my path of personal joy...He IS my personal joy! So even if you believe that this is only "my belief" thereby it still is that there is NO obstruction to the path of my personal joy! For I know exactly where that joy is and I know exactly the staying power of that joy! Maybe I didn't make my point clear, sharingtheriches.
This is the statement Mr. Grey made about atheists. "The serious problem with atheism is not intellectual atheism, denying God’s existence. The real problem is affectional atheism, finding God to be an obstruction in the path of personal joy."
Paraphrasing what Mr. Grey said: the reason atheists don' believe in god is due to the effects of believing would hinder them from having any joy in their lives.
Yet, just as you stated, Christians such as you apparently have a lot of "joy in your life" due to believing in God.
Mr. Grey can't have it both ways:
1) Atheists don't believe because it hampers them having joy in their lives. 2) Believers do believe and they have joy in their lives.
The statements are directly opposite.
They both can't be true.
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Post by dmmichgood on Aug 31, 2014 15:38:35 GMT -5
In his classic book Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis delivers a profound insight into the psychological engine that pulls along the drama of history. “All that we call human history — money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery — is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.” Yes. Or to say this even more foundationally: the driving motive in history is the desire for happiness. Think of it, everything from slavery to prostitution to racism to terrorism to extortion to abortion to the ignition of world wars — it’s all driven by a desire for happiness apart from God. Here Lewis jabs a steel dental probe into the raw unmedicated nerve of atheism. The serious problem with atheism is not intellectual atheism, denying God’s existence. The real problem is affectional atheism, finding God to be an obstruction in the path of personal joy. This practical atheism is the fundamental root problem of humanity and it plagues the hearts of atheists, agnostics, and even professing deists alike. Or in the words of Augustine - we were made for God and our souls are restless until we find our rest in thee. That is why Jesus could say to His listeners 'come unto me all who labour and I will give you rest.' " I quote H.H "to the atheist all things are permissible" I don't know who this H.H is.
However, his/her statement certainly is not true. All things are NOT permissible simply because one doesn't believe in a supernatural being.
As usual it seems some people still do not understand the definition of ATHEISM.
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Post by Annan on Aug 31, 2014 18:41:39 GMT -5
" I quote H.H "to the atheist all things are permissible"[/quote] What a load of crap. Sounds like H.H. thinks that it's impossible for an Atheist to have morals or values. Why is it when a Christian commits a crime (CSA anyone?) that there are those that say "We are all sinners." or "We are all only human."? Yet, when an Atheist does something, they are quick to say "What did you expect?" or "Big surprise!"
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Post by rational on Aug 31, 2014 22:43:49 GMT -5
Lewis is simply saying that some atheists are exactly that because they find God to be an obstruction in the path of personal joy. God is seen as a negative who stops people from enjoying themselves. You seem to fail to appreciate that an atheist does not see god. Not as a force of good, not as a force of evil. Not as a positive force. Not as a negative force. Not as anything. Atheists do not accept god. They do not reject god. God is simply not. The null set. Perhaps what Lewis meant was that there are theists who reject god. They are welcome to believe this and I am glad that their belief brings them joy.
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Post by dmmichgood on Aug 31, 2014 23:01:27 GMT -5
If the reason atheists don't want a "god in their lives because God is an obstruction in the path of personal joy," then why do Christians who believe they have god in their lives continuously talk so much about the "joy of God in their lives?"
Why is God NOT an obstruction in THEIR the path of personal joy the same way you claim about atheists?
You can't have it both ways.
Lewis is simply saying that some atheists are exactly that because they find God to be an obstruction in the path of personal joy. God is seen as a negative who stops people from enjoying themselves.Christians who love God clearly don't find God to be this kind of obstruction. God represents life today and future life - he represents joy today and future joy. I rather thought that was what both Lewis & Mr. Grey were trying to convey.
That is a frequent belief that some Christians want to believe about atheists.
We heard it when people left the 2X2's. That the reason they left was because "they wanted their own way. " That the reason they left was because "they didn't want to submit to the will of god." In Lewis and Grey words, -they didn't want "god in their lives because God is an obstruction" to them having their own way.
When confronted with someone who has ceased to believe in the supernatural, believers must create reasons why that person left. It is a defensive mechanism to help them maintain their own belief in something of which there is NO rational evidence. They can't accept the fact that there are people who really do not see any rational evidence for the supernatural.
Mr. Grey & Lewis just extended that from those leaving the 2x2's to ALL those who are non-Christians.
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Post by Annan on Sept 1, 2014 7:46:16 GMT -5
That is a frequent belief that some Christians to want to believe about atheists. We heard it when people left the 2X2's. That the reason they left was because "they wanted their own way. " That the reason they left was because "they didn't want to submit to the will of god." In Lewis and Grey words, -they didn't want "god in their lives because God is an obstruction" to them having their own way. [/b][/font][/quote] I've lost count how many times I've heard those words from my father to me. He claims I want things my own way and not God's way. *sigh* When confronted with someone who has ceased to believe in the supernatural, believers must create reasons why that person left. It is a defensive mechanism to help them maintain their own belief in something of which there is NO rational evidence. They can't accept the fact that there are people who really do not see any rational evidence for the supernatural. [/b][/font][/quote] They have to justify it somehow. Don't ya just love the put downs? Unreal.
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Post by sharingtheriches on Sept 1, 2014 10:22:19 GMT -5
DMG, I'm not Irvine...however it sure seems to me the difference is where a person "lays up treasure"........I know that my joy is in Christ Jesus...how do I know that? When I had my vision of Jesus Christ, I was ascending up to him in the sky however before I could finish that movment..."JOY" in its' purest form woke me up to what was around me on earth! That Joy is what Peter called an "exceeding joy"....Rev. Dan Piper called it an "inexplicable joy"....which is what I have labeled what I felt.....since that vision and having tasted of that exceeding, inexplicable joy...I find myself laying my treasure up where Jesus Christ is....fact is, Jesus Christ IS my treasure! He is NO obstruction to my path of personal joy...He IS my personal joy! So even if you believe that this is only "my belief" thereby it still is that there is NO obstruction to the path of my personal joy! For I know exactly where that joy is and I know exactly the staying power of that joy! Maybe I didn't make my point clear, sharingtheriches.
This is the statement Mr. Grey made about atheists. "The serious problem with atheism is not intellectual atheism, denying God’s existence. The real problem is affectional atheism, finding God to be an obstruction in the path of personal joy."
Paraphrasing what Mr. Grey said: the reason atheists don' believe in god is due to the effects of believing would hinder them from having any joy in their lives.
Yet, just as you stated, Christians such as you apparently have a lot of "joy in your life" due to believing in God.
Mr. Grey can't have it both ways:
1) Atheists don't believe because it hampers them having joy in their lives. 2) Believers do believe and they have joy in their lives.
The statements are directly opposite.
They both can't be true.
Why can it not be true? Look at the 2x2 religion, even in your own experience! Did you not find joy while being brought up within the 2x2 family? I'm talking about that religious rules that were unwritten but still you had to pay heed to as long as you were underage and living with you parents? Whereas, perhaps some of have shared that lack of joy in those bringing up days because of the 2x2 ism issues. Whereby when we've gotten mature enough and able to leave the fellowship, we then find joy in Christ Jesus....whereas you wouldn't! Something of that ilk?
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Post by sharingtheriches on Sept 1, 2014 10:27:52 GMT -5
" I quote H.H "to the atheist all things are permissible" I don't know who this H.H is.
However, his/her statement certainly is not true. All things are NOT permissible simply because one doesn't believe in a supernatural being.
As usual it seems some people still do not understand the definition of ATHEISM.
DMG., many people don't really understand complete atheism....I think most people interpret it to be an excuse not to go to church or to live as someone should......however I've known an atheist or two and their moral code and fiber were just as just as some Christian believers.......I think most people are born with an innate sense of what's right in life and espl if they were raised in a moral family.....thus as the Psalmist wrote....."Bring up the child as he should go and he will not forget it." I don't think the Psalmist was pushing a religious situation, but a situation where respect for all people was likely there. And those people who most people can't respect, why would we expect an atheist to respect that person either?
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Post by xna on Sept 1, 2014 10:56:19 GMT -5
I don't know who this H.H is.
However, his/her statement certainly is not true. All things are NOT permissible simply because one doesn't believe in a supernatural being.
As usual it seems some people still do not understand the definition of ATHEISM.
DMG., many people don't really understand complete atheism....I think most people interpret it to be an excuse not to go to church or to live as someone should......however I've known an atheist or two and their moral code and fiber were just as just as some Christian believers.......I think most people are born with an innate sense of what's right in life and espl if they were raised in a moral family.....thus as the Psalmist wrote....."Bring up the child as he should go and he will not forget it." I don't think the Psalmist was pushing a religious situation, but a situation where respect for all people was likely there. And those people who most people can't respect, why would we expect an atheist to respect that person either? Parents can be examples of what is right and wrong, and Nations pass laws against wrong doing, but it does not follow that more religious nations do less wrong. Check out the wrong doing of counties with very low religiosity vs the crime rate. Many countries are good without god, contrary to dogmas. www.civitas.org.uk/crime/crime_stats_oecdjan2012.pdfwww.wingia.com/web/files/news/14/file/14.pdf
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Post by dmmichgood on Sept 1, 2014 13:53:33 GMT -5
Maybe I didn't make my point clear, sharingtheriches.
This is the statement Mr. Grey made about atheists. "The serious problem with atheism is not intellectual atheism, denying God’s existence. The real problem is affectional atheism, finding God to be an obstruction in the path of personal joy."
Paraphrasing what Mr. Grey said: the reason atheists don' believe in god is due to the effects of believing would hinder them from having any joy in their lives.
Yet, just as you stated, Christians such as you apparently have a lot of "joy in your life" due to believing in God.
Mr. Grey can't have it both ways:
1) Atheists don't believe because it hampers them having joy in their lives. 2) Believers do believe and they have joy in their lives.
The statements are directly opposite.
They both can't be true.
Why can it not be true? Look at the 2x2 religion, even in your own experience! Did you not find joy while being brought up within the 2x2 family? I'm talking about that religious rules that were unwritten but still you had to pay heed to as long as you were underage and living with you parents? Whereas, perhaps some of have shared that lack of joy in those bringing up days because of the 2x2 ism issues. Whereby when we've gotten mature enough and able to leave the fellowship, we then find joy in Christ Jesus....whereas you wouldn't! Something of that ilk? I'm not sure what you are getting at, STR.
Lewis & Grey are saying that the atheist just wants to do anything he/she wants to do and that is the reason they don't want to believe in god where they have to submit to rules.
They do not want to accept the definition of the word "atheist." They want to add their own ideas.
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Post by dmmichgood on Sept 1, 2014 14:15:47 GMT -5
I don't know who this H.H is.
However, his/her statement certainly is not true. All things are NOT permissible simply because one doesn't believe in a supernatural being.
As usual it seems some people still do not understand the definition of ATHEISM.
DMG., many people don't really understand complete atheism....I think most people interpret it to be an excuse not to go to church or to live as someone should......however I've known an atheist or two and their moral code and fiber were just as just as some Christian believers.......I think most people are born with an innate sense of what's right in life and espl if they were raised in a moral family.....thus as the Psalmist wrote....."Bring up the child as he should go and he will not forget it." I don't think the Psalmist was pushing a religious situation, but a situation where respect for all people was likely there. And those people who most people can't respect, why would we expect an atheist to respect that person either? You are certainly right that some people don't understand atheism! ( rather they don't want to understand it!)
They don't want to accept the simple definition of atheism!
a : a disbelief in the existence of deity
b : the doctrine that there is no deity
They keep adding onto the definition descriptions that they want to believe! Like the one you stated, an "excuse not to go to church or to live as someone should......"
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Post by sharingtheriches on Sept 1, 2014 17:16:31 GMT -5
DMG., many people don't really understand complete atheism....I think most people interpret it to be an excuse not to go to church or to live as someone should......however I've known an atheist or two and their moral code and fiber were just as just as some Christian believers.......I think most people are born with an innate sense of what's right in life and espl if they were raised in a moral family.....thus as the Psalmist wrote....."Bring up the child as he should go and he will not forget it." I don't think the Psalmist was pushing a religious situation, but a situation where respect for all people was likely there. And those people who most people can't respect, why would we expect an atheist to respect that person either? Parents can be examples of what is right and wrong, and Nations pass laws against wrong doing, but it does not follow that more religious nations do less wrong. Check out the wrong doing of counties with very low religiosity vs the crime rate. Many countries are good without god, contrary to dogmas. www.civitas.org.uk/crime/crime_stats_oecdjan2012.pdfwww.wingia.com/web/files/news/14/file/14.pdfI agree, that countries of low to no religiosity often are found to have less crime rate. It probably stems back to two things that religion itself seeks to embed in their members. And that is pity for the unsaved and the better-than-thou attitude! When people living side by side have about the same idea of community and society, it really does count down to less crime rate. I have found that in neighborhoods where high dollar drug crimes happen, that those perpatrators of those crimes never bother their neighbors. One reason might be that they just don't want the neighbors to be nosy and call the police, but the other reason is that such people are into those crimes seeking an easier life and they know that IF they are beating the bushes for jobs to pay better wages, then their neighbors are doing likewise.
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Post by rational on Sept 1, 2014 18:47:49 GMT -5
You seem to fail to appreciate that an atheist does not see god. Not as a force of good, not as a force of evil. Not as a positive force. Not as a negative force. Not as anything. Atheists do not accept god. They do not reject god. God is simply not. The null set. Perhaps what Lewis meant was that there are theists who reject god. They are welcome to believe this and I am glad that their belief brings them joy. I'm okay with your definition of atheism.....but in my opinion it's a narrow definition. It is a narrow definition. It is also the definition. That would indeed be a broader definition. It is so broad it also defines theists. If you redefine the term to suit your means it can, of course, mean whatever you wish. An atheist does not reject a god. An atheist lacks belief of the existence of god(s). There is no god to reject.
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Post by rational on Sept 2, 2014 9:46:47 GMT -5
A very rational response! Like most things in life there are ranges within a concept.] 1 + 1 will always equal 2. Never 2.001. The common published definition for atheist is short and clear. It may be that you consider it to be something else but when talking to other people the agreed upon definition (usually in dictionaries) is the one assumed unless the speaker/author has noted that they are using a different definition. Using your own definition on a discussion board can be confusing. Was it learning about Jesus as it relates to history and society or learning about Jesus as a savior and person to to be revered/worshiped? What does not believing in/knowing about the big bang theory have to do with believing or not believing in a paranormal being? From what you have related it sounds like you friend states he is an atheist but it reality is a theist. Being an atheist is a binary function. Either you believe in the existence of a paranormal being (1) or you do not believe in the existence of a paranormal being (0). The glass is either full (1) or it is not (0). A person is not dead (1) or they are dead (0).
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