quote:
Originally posted by Sofa King:
tyates,
What do you mean by "enlightened"? I don't think any of those necessarily have a thing to do with atheism. I'm sure many atheists consider themselves more "enlightened" because of the whole historical "enlightenment" period but I dare any atheist to say they are more enlightened about topics that I am an expert on. No, atheists aren't any smarter, richer, poorer, uglier, prettier, less or more moral than any others. The simply don't believe in God.
Next question, I'm sure that some (many? most?) believe religion to be holding back society. I certainly feel that way about many religions including the fundamentalists denominations of my own religion. That is not an atheist trait, but a common sense trait. Fundamentalists here in the US wish to place people like Sarah Palin (who truly is uneducated but not "stupid" as many claim) in the highest office in the land strictly because she is a fundamentalist just like them. That is scary. Other religions drive jets into buildings for their religions. The atheists that I know generally simply fire up a dooby or log onto a forum when they get enough.
But other atheists and religion people could not care less about politics or even religion. So this is not a atheist stance but a human one.
As for the bible, it does not take an atheist stance to know that some of the bible is historical, some is literal, some is allegorical and some is just plain stupid (much of the Old Testament) and obviously written by men for men. The New Testament is a much more enlightened set of documents that my faith instructs me is a close representation of God intent through Jesus Christ.
I have also seen many who think they are "smarter" than the acknowledged Christian, simply because they think that relying on God is a crutch. They think that it requires a weak mind to believe in a higher power, and that man is ultimately the ruler of his own world.
The excuse that religion is holding back the progress of humanity is also another favorite statement by the atheist. Exactly what does a believing Christian do that is detrimental to the progress of this country as you see it? I on the other hand see that true Christianity has done more good for this country than anything the atheists have ever offered.
Sitting back "smoking a dooby" or huffing the bong maybe fun, but in the end it will do nothing to further the development of the species.
I for one would much rather have a a God fearing doctor, dentist, or nurse caring for me than an atheist who just came in from outside "firing one up". Not to say that there might not be a Christian out there with them....LOL. The last time I checked the ten commandments did not say "thou shalt not light one up"...lol....but irregardless there are many who saw Sarah Palin as someone who was refreshing, not because of her conservative values, but because she represented the polar opposite of what has caused most of the problems in Washington now. The Washington elite who sit and stare down there noses at the common people of this country who are overtaxed and overregulated, but not to stray from the point.
The Bible as I see it, is a tool. It was used to explain to the early Christians how things "came about" and to give them their heritage. Who am I to doubt whether there was a "talking buring bush", the fact is the stories which were passed down from the generations are represented in that document, and it gives an excellent plan for us as human beings to live by. It offers comfort in times of greif. It gave good health practices for early man, some of which are still viable today.
The biggest hangup most have is with the condemnation of homosexuality, adultery, and many other things which the Bible calls sin. I, evidently, have not found anything in there yet that I cannot live without.