Steelmaning Histrorical Jesus for the Christers

[Alan V]

Atheism is neither a religion nor a belief. 

1. Do you "believe" there is no God? Or do you "know" there is no God?

2. Is Atheism "supremely important" to you? Or "not very" important?


What will it be Houdini?


re·li·gion
noun: religion

1. the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.
   "ideas about the relationship between science and religion"
   synonyms:
   faith, belief, divinity, worship, creed, teaching, doctrine, theology; More
   
   • a particular system of faith and worship.
     plural noun: religions
     "the world's great religions"
     
     
   • a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance.
     "consumerism is the new religion"
     
     

Some atheists say they believe there is no God, but most of us are quite careful and say we do not believe there is a God to avoid the typical theistic confusions about the word "belief."  

And just as atheists often avoid using the word "belief" about our ideas to avoid confusions, we also avoid the word "religion" because the second definition above is usually used by theists to equivocate about what we think.  Theists argue that atheism is just a substitute for real religion, when it is a decided rejection of religious concepts and perspectives. They try to tell atheists what atheism really is, which is often a comic effort.

Some of us atheists say we know there is no God, based on certain convincing arguments or the lack of evidence for something which should be much more obvious if it actually existed.  While theists need not agree with atheists, it is our prerogative to express ourselves however we like.  We don't have to express ourselves in ways which they will understand or like.

And "supremely important" or "not very important" is a false dichotomy.  Atheists don't think their rejection of the God-concept is as important and fateful as theists do.  The things we typically consider supremely important are reason, logic, evidence, science, and naturalism in general.

If you don't like the way atheist prefer to talk, and are just looking for gotcha moments, why exactly are you posting in this forum?  What do you think you might accomplish, except for feeling superior that you are somehow battling us evil atheists?

[Free]

Have any of those supposed miracles been scientifically tested?

It's impossible to "scientifically test" paranormal phenomena.
And you need to know that there's no such thing as a "miracle".
And if you even think  there is, then you must be a theist.

End of story.

I can see that the word "supposed" in my quote was totally lost on you.

[Free]

Nothing will ever convince the type of person you are.

Facts would do it, Fuckface. 

And as I keep reiterating, the facts are that you are an idiot.

[Bucky Ball]

So this ronedee person said that his own children are atheists.
That's very odd.

Matthew 7:15-20
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Seems the kids saw nothing that religion had to recommend itself.

[Chas]

The facts are:

• The Jesus of the Bible is fiction.
  
• It doesn't matter one whit whether or not there was some cult leader named Jesus (or Yeshua, or ישוע, or whatever).
  

But you boys go right ahead with your dick waving and name calling. 

[Minimalist]

So this ronedee person said that his own children are atheists.

That's very odd.

No, not if you had spent any time listening to his bullshit.  I'm sure they left home very early!

[Minimalist]

This is an interesting video lecture.  Not too long and as it dates from 2007 it needs an update particularly when P-52 is being discussed as it is now dated closer to the end of the 2d century which pisses jesus freaks off to no end.



Oddly, Professor Hector Avalos, who is Professor of Religious Studies at Iowa State University, must not be a "real scholar" either as he disagree with the Unerring Free with his degree in religious studies.

[grympy]

So this ronedee person said that his own children are atheists.

That's very odd.

No, not if you had spent any time listening to his bullshit.  I'm sure they left home very early!

Well, ALL children are born atheists.   Unfortunately for them, children are little sponges, uncritically absorbing whatever they are taught . Probably of survival value  at some point .Eg don't put your hand in the fire, when you hear THAT sound, go climb a tree. 

Even more sadly, relatively  few people ever seriously question their core beliefs  or zeitgeist . 


"Many people would sooner die than think; in fact, they do." Bertrand Russell.

[Phaedrus]