OMG

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Atheism is a lack of belief in any god.  Religion is the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.  By these two definitions, I have to agree with Fandango when he said, “atheism is not a belief system nor is it a religion”, and that, “Atheism is a religion like not collecting stamps is a hobby.”  I look at Fandango as being a Freethinker and I look up to him for not shying away from what he thinks.  He has embraced his atheism and that is not an easy thing to do these days, and it seems like he is being persecuted for his lack of belief, which he has every right to partake in.  Some people believe in the tooth fairy or leprechauns, and they are never harassed by these small-minded, science-hating individuals that think they know everything.

I think that a more provocative question would be, “Why does the world want everyone to believe in religion?”  Fandango feels that religion was created by men who were desperately looking for answers to things that they didn’t understand.  He is a seeing is believing type of guy, which makes him unwilling to believe without adequate evidence.  If someone could just show him any evidence that there really is a God, he would probably change his mind.  He is not going to take a leap of faith, but he has a moral character and good values and I believe that is the whole purpose of religion.  No person can say what is the truth on this issue, as only God knows.

Written for Fandango’s Provocative Question #163 which asks, “Do you believe that atheism is a set of religious beliefs or is a religion in any sense?  If so, why?  If not, why not?  Or, do you have no opinion on the matter or just don’t care one way or the other?”

37 thoughts on “OMG”

  2. I wholeheartedly agree with the comment ‘whatever floats your boat’. Yet I disagree with the assumption that science and religion cannot coexist and the suggestion that the world is asserting a pressure on believing or not. (Those generalities come awfully close to bigotry in their certainty and paranoia. Far from a “who cares?” mentality.)

    I have listened to many discussions on the matter and IMO those who are feeling oppressed by the beliefs of others, assume to KNOW what a religious or atheist individual think and oddly care enough to be offended by that imagined opinion. Hardly a “whatever floats your boat” stance.
    I often find that frequently ‘offended people’ don’t realize how seldom anyone cares what they think either way. 😉

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      1. Some things don’t need to be settled. The bad feelings on any topic come from those who think things ‘should be’ settled. Hard to find critical thinkers to discuss ideas with when that happens. Quite sad. You’re a good egg. Thanks.

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        1. Thanks Susan. I enjoy the topic of religion, although I usually avoid expressing my views on it. I think that religion can teach people to be better and it provides a connection that a lot of people want. I love the biblical stories, but I don’t think that many of them are based on facts.

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    2. I also disagree with the assumption that science and religion cannot coexist. They can, but on different planes. I do not feel “oppressed” by the beliefs of others. Their beliefs are their business. But I feel disrespected when told that I can’t be moral, know write from wrong, good from evil, and am condemned to eternal damnation when I don’t embrace their believes. Why are they so defensive that they feel compelled to dis me because I don’t share their faith.

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      1. You’re a piece of work. You aren’t the decider that science and religion are on “different planes”(whatever that means).
        And somebody said sumthin ‘mean’ and now you attribute their attitude to billions. The arrogance of your ability to generalize what everyone else means, and broadly label others, is impressive, though. Hint: nobody cares what you think, they think.
        Bigotry coexists in your world but on a different plane. 🤣

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        1. I am a piece of work, thank you. I never claimed to be the decider of anything, Susan. Science and religion can coexist, but one is faith based and the other is evidenced based. Can you guess which is which. And, by the way, it’s not that someone said something mean to me. I can’t count how many times I’ve been criticized for not accepting Jesus as my personal savior. I was even sent to detention at a public school for refusing to recite The Lord’s Prayer or to say “Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the day.

          How many non-Christians have been persecuted and killed through the ages because they didn’t pray to the Christian God the same way someone else did? How many Jews (most of whom believe in God), or Muslims (most of whom also believe in God) have had, at best, “mean things said to them” (and much worse)? Are you really as naive as you sound, or are you just stubbornly sticking to your guns?

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          1. Well then, your problem seems to be with the public school system not a religious belief. Finally we’re firmly in agreement.
            I didn’t ask for a history lesson and sticking to my guns isn’t the point. You’re trying to prove what you ‘feel’ to someone who has repeatedly said she doesn’t care either way how you feel.
            You like to argue with yourself I guess. It might be wise to find some stats on the ‘good’ that had come from religion to balance your struggle. Wouldn’t want to think you cherry pick data just to satisfy yourself. 😉

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            1. My beef is not with the public school system. It’s with the mindset that if you don’t embrace the existence of God, you need to be punished. That’s not unique to public schools. So my question to you, Susan, is if you don’t care either way how I feel, why are you being so adamant in your criticism of how I feel? And I acknowledge that religion has done a lot of good for a lot of people…at least those who embrace religion. Not so much good for those who don’t.

              And with that, it’s best I stop arguing with myself, which is silly. After all, I’m in complete agreement with me.

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            3. Funny man… you pursue me inciting chaotic debates,more often than not, and I’m not supposed to try to figure you out? I’m not a psychologist so I express my concern often stated as an opinion. More intuitive persons might understand that I am suggesting you should “save your breath” or “move along I’m not impressed.”
              With all due respect, based on your arguments, lots of stuff escapes you. I’ll avoid triggering you in the future. 😁

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            4. On my blog I will say and discuss whatever strikes my fancy. I did not pursue you into any chaotic debates. I was referencing in my FPQ post a comment exchange we had on one of your posts, as I follow your blog. That dialogue served as the basis for my provocative question. So let me be intuitive as I can be. If you are not impressed with what I have to say, maybe YOU are the one who should save your breath and move along.

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  4. I don’t understand why most people think everybody has to follow their ideas about how to see the world. I believe in the powers that be but I can fully understand an atheist approach to life. It’s none of my business how other people approach life. I so wish we all could develop a relaxed approach to someone else’s belief/philosophy/approach to life 🙁 I’d rather be curious how someone else thinks and kearn something new 😊

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    1. I think that religion should be set up to improve the human race, making people think and act more responsible, but most religions want to force their views on others, because they are so close minded.

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  6. I grew up with the definition that atheism is the belief that there is no God while agnosticism is the lack of belief in either position. Plenty of atheists have undertaken the impossible task of “proving” God doesn’t exist and imagining they have succeeded, just as theists have done the converse.

    And I’ve heard folks on both sides of that divide accusing agnostics of being weak and spineless for their failure to make a definitive conclusion. To me, at least, atheism is just another religion.

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    1. I would hate for you to do another provocative question on religion, but I don’t understand why the world wants everyone to believe in religion. I think it is best to let people have their own beliefs, but there is a lot of money made from religion.

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      2. Directed at Fandango’s “It’s all about money and control” remark. Maybe so, I can’t argue with the ‘money for “God” debate as my own church is one of the wealthiest in the world. However. I do take exception (and not that it’s my business in the first place so forgive my five cents plus change) in the generalization. Phooey. There are altruistic and genuinely caring folks who only want to be of useful service to others who fall in the ‘religious’ category too you know! They are admitted very (perhaps very very) rare, but they’re out there. You do them a disservice by lumping them with the ones who worship the Golden Idol so to speak. I’ve encountered both kinds of leaders in my flavor of religion and it’s the devoted to service and being of genuine help ones that impacted me most. Those greedy f*ckers who have their hand out and insist that God wants money? I’ve forgotten them, but retain an intense dislike of the breed and avoid them whenever possible. Just my opinion.

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  8. Ooooo… somebody’s isn’t very tolerant. I’ll say “whatever” when I’m tired of it from now on. I’m not going to stop calmly expressing myself but your debates are time consuming and tiresome. I thought answering and explaining was a good thing it makes us both look foolish. Live and learn. Have a good night.

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  9. I’ve always thought people are entitled to their own beliefs. Just because I do believe doesn’t mean everyone else does or has to…but…Christians can get persecuted also…it’s on both sides. Lets say an extreme nut religion comes out…people want to use them as examples of “Christians.” Hell it happens in all walks of life…democrat republican etc. People want to use the extreme version as the example.
    I have no problem with people who don’t or do believe…it’s up to them.

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    1. I enjoy the religious stories and I like to learn about different faiths. I almost deleted this post because of all the bickering that went on between Fandango and Susan. Religion is only a good topic when everybody believes in the same thing, otherwise it causes too many fights.

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  10. Very enlightening discussion started by your post Mr. Jim. I’ve said my piece and won’t clog your comments with more rhetoric nor arguing with somebody that appears to be argumentative to say the least. It’s not Fandango either.

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      1. Why? Because of that blogger’s reaction? I think you put your point of view (and your blog, your opinion) out there extremely well and gave folks something to think about. It’s a good post and we all get some flack time to time. Me? I tend to kick the one being rude off my blog and block them, but again, your blog, your choice. For what it’s worth, I thought it was a good read.

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