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Termyn8or -> RE: Atheists have a PR problem (12/3/2011 7:26:52 PM)
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quote:
I want to point out that the survey does NOT say anything about what "Christians" feel, only "religious" people, without reference to what religion. I think the results are based on two factors.
1. An atheist, by his mere existence challenges the religious persons beliefs, and more than challenge them the way a follower of a different religion would, they reject them. Simply saying that one is an atheist is a complete denial and rejection of a religious person's deepest and most cherished beliefs. But as those beliefs cannot be substantiated and must, by definition, be upheld purely on faith, the existence of a person happily rejecting them with no obvious consequences calls into question, to at least some degree, those beliefs in the believers mind. Many religious people also find their beliefs to be self-evident, that god exists, in whatever form, is so deeply ingrained in their psyches that if a person is denying it, they must have some sort of ulterior motive, since what they are denying is so patently obvious to the believer. this makes the atheist seem to be a threat, just look at how some religious types on these boards throw "atheist" out as if it were a pejorative term.
2. Atheism is based on rationality, while religion is based on emotion, so it also follows that atheists would not consider religious beliefs to be a valid measure of a person's trustworthiness, since there is no rational basis for doing so. The religious person, being less conditioned to rely on reason and more conditioned to rely on emotion, is more likely to fall prey to an Us & Them mentality, its an instinctual tribal reaction among humans to do so, to identify with the similar and to distrust the different. It requires reason and conscious thought/effort to override such instinctual urges, which makes such overriding less likely among believers in this specific context, as it deals with an area <religious belief> where the believer has already discarded reason and rationality as a basis for making judgments.
Just my thoughts on it at the moment.
You just keep on gaining my respect, know that ?
Anyway, I think a significant factor is just how religion came about. Psychology does play a huge part in religion because humans are pack animals. We have an innate desire to belong, for good or for bad. Sometmes it takes on a gang mentality, and as much as I may despise that, is at the root of most people's patriotism and other traits normally percieved as "good" and "right".
The process of indoctrinating the human race has been going on for over five thousand years. This has hampered science many times, and caused more destruction than the lack of theism ever could, or even Devil worship. But they don't see it that way, only certain ones have the right to life, and "let God sort them out". These idea[l]s are rampant among the religious as well as the Pharisic. They are actually greedier than most true atheists I think, but then, I don't think they really believe.
I mean I think they are faking it and the church provides for a clubhouse for their gang and they comcoct plans and shit to promote their agenda. And this is all fine and good because God says so. Any means is fine to spread the word because it is SO IMPORTANT, dealing with your eternal soul and all that.
Yes, we want YOU to believe this, and we will tell you we do, but as you await your reward in heaven we will rob you blind on Earth.
Maybe like an animal I saw this a long time ago, like when I was five years old. All through my childhood, if certain peole wanted to "talk" to me I would try to steal a jet fighter if possible. Get me to accept the "Lord Jesus Christ" into my heart. Are you fucking kidding me ? Time and time again, my friends' Parents and all, damn, let me the fuck outta here.
And over the years I hear this story of a kid who, when told about God became very distraught at the "fact" that some entity could read all their thoughts and shit, even intent and all that. It fucking terrified the kid !
Think about it, every nasty little thought you had about "I'd like to smack tis MF" or "I should hit that asshole just because he drives like an asshole" is read and recorded by some super being who, if "He" gets pissed at you can make you burn in a fire forever without ever burning up, so it's forever. Tell a fucking little kid something like that is damnear a fucking CRIME ! Scare the shit outtta them. Something about brimstone too, whateve that is.
But people still cling to it because iof an innate - animal instinct in fact. The clan. The herd. The pack. The gaggle. The flock, oh yes the flock. And the school.
Neither are actually symbols of society's conformity, they are tools used for it's implementation. And while there are certainly some true believers, it's impossible for all of them to be ignorant to that extent. The know it and use it.
T^T
* - not misspelled
** - misspelled
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