New Atheist on the block

[Sanity personified]

I would like to begin by thanking the Admin department for making we feel so welcome - I greatly appreciated the 'Fantasy Island' forum for the evangelists. lol

Allow me to introduce myself, I am a 32 year young male and I have been raised a christian and like the unfortunate masses never thought to question that which others preached. Fortunately for me maturity kicked in, I questioned the churchy teachings and the result is that I grew up. Having not believed for some time now in anything above and beyond the physical abstractions upon which our perception of the universe is based, yet still surrounded by christians promising to pray for me *sigh* I have longed for a setting where I did not have to suppress my sanity to fit in.

The clincher for me to make this move was reached after reading 'The God Delusion' by Richard Dawkins: I was very impressed by the book and have since come to look upon Mr. Dawkins as a Beacon for intellectual achievement. However, after recently hearing the things said about the book and its authur by christians, I have decided to turn my back on all aspects of religion, possibly at the expense of my place in my family, and seek reason and rationality with like minded people.

[Praxis]

Welcome to the world of reason, SP, and welcome to the forum as well :)

We look forward to seeing you around the place.

[atheist_angel]

Welcome SP. :)

[Fearless]

Welcome Sanity personified, it's so nice when someone comes in and says hello with a good greeting and story. I hope you enjoy your stay here and can continue your transition from belief without too much interference or judgement.

Look forward to your input and journey.

:)

[wolty]

Greetings SP, welcome here. Enjoyed reading your post.




yet still surrounded by christians promising to pray for me *sigh*
Wish they would stop doing that. It is embarrassing for them.


I have decided to turn my back on all aspects of religion, possibly at the expense of my place in my family, and seek reason and rationality with like minded people.
I hope all goes well for you here. Hopefully everyone in your family will relate to you as a person and a human rather than a christian.

[Sanity personified]

Wow, thank you all for making me feel so welcome.

yet still surrounded by christians promising to pray for me *sigh*

Wish they would stop doing that. It is embarrassing for them.

:oI know, they can be such children, like those that feel no shame in playing Superman or Obi-wan Kenobi. My hope is that some day they will discover a means of growing out of the childish phase as I did.

While on the point of prayer, I would like if I may to share my musings on the matter. Centuries ago the witches are believed to have attempted to evoke a physical affect on this world by means of appealing to a superior power or being through incantation. How, if at all, does this differ from the modern day Christian claiming to be capable of achieving a physical affect on this world (such as healing) by means of appealing to a higher power or being (Yaweh) through incantation (prayer)???


I hope all goes well for you here. Hopefully everyone in your family will relate to you as a person and a human rather than a christian.

Thank you. :)

[wolty]

:oI know, they can such children, like those that feel no shame in playing Superman or Obi-wan Kenobi.
*quietly takes off big brown cape and puts down light saber to post*


While on the point of prayer, I would like if I may to share my musings on the matter. Centuries ago the witches are believed to have attempted to evoke a physical affect on this world by means of appealing to a superior power or being through incantation. How, if at all, does this differ from the modern day Christian claiming to be capable of achieving a physical affect on this world (such as healing) by means of appealing to a higher power or being (Yaweh) through incantation (prayer)???

Yep does not differ at all.
I just like one line
Why don't prayers work?

[wearestardust]

tucking into a tasty, nutritious bit of home cooking.

What I would do for a big steak right now


oops, sorry, distracted. Welcome aboard!

[Loki]

Sounds like you'll slot right in. It's nice to hear reason sometimes, is why I like it here, and it gives you a good place to vent.

[Sanity personified]

I don't know well what it sounds like to hear reason on a regular basis: most of my friends are theists.

[Darwinsbulldog]

Welcome SP! :)

[Peter A]

Welcome to the neighbourhood, SP! :)

The clincher for me to make this move was reached after reading 'The God Delusion' by Richard Dawkins: I was very impressed by the book

I've heard, and read, similar from others, but... well, personally I thought that 'The End of Faith' by Sam Harris was far, far, superior. I don't think that Richard Dawkins is as well informed about theology - he dismisses it as a non-subject about nothing (God) anyway - as, for example, Christopher Hitchens. Oh, well, that's just my opinion anyway :)

[Sanity personified]

Welcome to the neighbourhood, SP! :)



I've heard, and read, similar from others, but... well, personally I thought that 'The End of Faith' by Sam Harris was far, far, superior. I don't think that Richard Dawkins is as well informed about theology - he dismisses it as a non-subject about nothing (God) anyway - as, for example, Christopher Hitchens. Oh, well, that's just my opinion anyway :)

Thanks for the tip, I'll look that one up.;)

[Peter A]

Thanks for the tip, I'll look that one up.;)

That's okay, you're welcome. We need to spread, not necessarily atheism, but scepticism and critical reasoning far and wide. That is our mission in life, should we choose to accept it, and we do accept it. This message will self-destruct in 5 seconds.

[Sanity personified]

While I am all for the spreading of rational and critical thinking, I am also careful on two fronts. Firstly I do not wish to push my ideas and ideals onto others as the religions do theirs, and also I do not preach to the faithfully lost as I can recognise a lost cause when I see one.

[atheist echo]

I'm new and it's great to see Atheists and Freethinkers having a strong presence everywhere around the world...especially in the media, books and in organisations such as this.:cool:

[Sanity personified]

Thanks for your support, and make yourself at home. We atheists need to stay together if we are to overcome the misguided indoctrination forced upon people by religious organisations.