for those of you un aware an Athiest is a godless person, or one who dosen't belive in God. it's better than any religion personaly.

Comandments
-thou shalt not worship any god
-thou shalt be bound by no religious practices
-thou shalt only be bound by thy goverments laws
-if thou shalt break thy goverments laws thou should be punished (unless you can get away with it)
-thou shalt do as thy wish

I love those commandments :D I say them everyday when I push people onto oncoming traffic

no offense but it sounds sucky andd mean.

In that case, that is what I am.
Cept my family is technically catholic, but I dont know why...

My family is catholic too but I never followed their example. I was one of those kids that questioned everything..

That's what I am, then.

yay! more people :D

*deadpans* Congratulations to you all.

Technically speaking, Atheism is a religion. You just don't look outside of yourself for your beliefs. Therefore, under the assumed heading, it can't be better than any religion.

And Agnosticism (belief in a god, or gods, or something way out there beyond our ken, that really doesn't interfere with my life), is probably the most common state of being.

By the way, I've always been curious: how exactly do you (confessing atheists) refer to "Acts of God"? You know, those weather conditions that destroy huge areas or whatnot. (Insurance companies refer to them as such...)

Technically speaking,Buddhism is a kind of atheism.

Fate.

Used like that, I'd assume 'Acts of God' as a more tecnical term. I've never used it tough, so I'm not sure.

I'd use 'disasters'. I mean, that's what they are, in reality. I was just curious on that point.

Esgalglinion, buddhism isn't a religion, it's a philosophy...

What about being bound by government laws, though? <_<

Well, I know someone said Atheism is about looking inwards, but if you follow this atheism you'd be looking at government for morality, not yourself, and general population laws and customs, not necessarily at your own codes.

Agnostics are, proffesionally, filtered into two general groups as far as I know. One is the questioning kind-Not sure if there's a god or not, and doesn't think there's enough info. at hand to be sure, though perhaps a decision can be made someday. Then there's the bunch also reffered to as nontheists, who pretty much ignore God as mostly or totally irrellevant.

Personally, I think of both theism and atheism as an easy way out. In the case of theism, it's: here's a big book that tells me what to do, let me follow these commandments (well it isn't always a book, I doubt the Vikings even had books). With Atheism, it's often (from my experience at least): Well, there's all this pain and suffering, there can't be someone watching us go through it, and not doing anything.

I think God might exist. It's certainly as possible as any other theory (the Big Bang). Hell, the big bang doesn't answer everything:

"The problem I have with a lot of Big Bang theories is that theoreticians can pretty much say whatever they like, due to the fact that it is impossible to look back to the early Universe."
~ rara rasputin, E2 noder.

actually buddisism is a cult. it is a branch off of a m word. can you guess?

Buddhism is a religion. It is a worship of a false god (Actually, his name is Siddarta Gutama) and belief in different things.

Aethisim is no belief in a god. It is saying there is no God and that it's a myth. They also don't believe in heaven or hell.

Agnosticism is non-belief in God, but questioning about him, like, "Yeah..but what about...".

Half right. I studied some of Buddhism for a summer project, and the Buddhists do not believe Buddha is a God. In fact, I think there's some part in the story of Buddha's life where some Hindu God speaks to him, telling him that men can learn from him. Calling Buddha God would be like me, or you, calling Moses God. Also, his name is Buddha, not Siddartha-to Buddhism, as far as I can tell, they are two different people. Siddhartha Gautama was a prince who went on a journey to cast off his materialism and become enlightened-Buddha is his real self, at least that's how I thought of it.

Of course, they do worship aspects of Buddha, but not as a God-that is, as far as I know, there is only reverance of Buddha as a human who will guide others to a life of peace and harmony and that stuff. I know there's some word for this kind of person in Buddhism. If Buddha is close to any Western religous figure, it might be the Jewish version of the Messiah-that is, an enlightened man who will guide others to peace, rather than as some incarnation of God. It's difficult to make this comparison, as even with the Jewish religion (let alone the Christian bible) the role of the Messiah, and even the definition, changes as the writings and prophecies continue.

Really, it's best not to apply definitions from our culture to that of another, because it usually doesn't work out right. And the Docter, while you've been very offended by Mixtil saying he's scared of Christians, what you said is probably the most insulting thing I've seen on this section of the forum (though I don't think there are any Buddhists here, so don't feel too bad about it). Perhaps you should consider that your own religion is a branch off of Judaism, or the sections of the Bible that are clear references, insults, and "rip-offs"of older religions (see Easter=Eostre).

Culture - an interesting point. Except that we weren't discussing culture here, it is quite the valid thought.

As for advice to the Doctor, might I add that in this forum, it is not allowed to run someone down for the way that they believe - on either side of the issue. LUE is supposed to be a 'safe' place to discuss and debate issues like religion and whatnot. Please be careful about declaring something a false religion here.

And Mr. Bucket, while that blatant crack at Christianity was admittedly well deserved, it was not appreciated. And for the record, I would just like to point out that 'Easter' as such is never recorded in the Scriptures. That was a later addition and 'rip-off' as it were, I think added to satisfy or pacify or interest other cultures, by offering them something similar to what they were accustomed to practicing.

I generally make cracks on religions, but I do appreciate them-it's simply that almost all have done bad things, and most of those that haven't were ones that never got the chance, anyway. As a non-christian, I'm not so worried about being thought of as a heathen, so Legault's idea is more just a tad uninformed (as was my statement on Eostre, except I knew more about it and Easter and decided to just make a quick jab). The Docter's, though, implies more-cult is insulting, and implies things that are definitely not true about Buddhism, or at least most of it.

I know that there isn't much solid proof that Easter, as a celebration of Jesus' rebirth, is not based on Easter. There's vague connections that can be made to the whole bunny and egg thing, and the names are obviously similar, but that's about it as far as I know, so I apologize.

I think the Ba'alzebub and Ba'alzebul (is my spelling right?) similarity is a more likely comparison. The former being lord of the flies, the later being Lord of Lords, a Phillistine god. This would be something of a carry-down of Jewish anti-Ba'alzebul feelings, due to the fighting between the two religions that I believe occurred in Israel when it was divided in two. This is just my vague memory going right now, so I am probably getting a lot wrong.

Atheism itself isn't something I have a problem with. I don't particularly care whether people I know believe in God or not, as long as they still follow general rules for good human relations. Also, someone said that "acts of God" would instead be fate...but doesn't that imply a divine force, since fate implies that the event was predetermined?

all j00 are wrong.

antagonism is what is described above as atheism.

atheism is a belif that their cannot be a god or gods or igher power of any sort, including fate and luck.

I kind of wondered about that myself. I still think that 'natural disaster' pretty much covers it, myself.

As for Easter - Yeah, I understand why you did it. You needed to make a point to a person. *nods* I only requested that it not happen again.

Uh, mixtil? How exactly is it antagonism?

what? beliving it is NOT possible for any devine being to exist? thats called antagonism.

...atheist arent that bright.......

hey! don't try to generalise people, atheists are the most varied group

to be bound by a god or religion is to have a part of your life spent on a being that dosen't exist, to waste time that could be use to better or entertain yourself and the people around you, to heed to the scams of false religions and to cast you and your kind as inferior beings..... a half life wasted

i like saying things like that :P

remember fellow athiests, just because you don't believe in god dosen't mean you can't celebrate christmas, you could try to use it as an excuse to not give presents but i don't think you would get anything if you tried it though.

Wow, you just proved yourself to be an idiot.

Athiesm is the truth, believe it or not. There is no super powerful being, and we all know that deep down. People who follow a religion, use it as a way to justify their actions, and being a good human.

"religion is the opiate of the masses"

Not all people believe deep down that there's no god. Some believe that deep down you know there's a god, Hiei, though your words would convince me you don't.

The people who are religious don't necessarily use religion to justify their actions, and simply arguing that deep down they know the truth won't convince them that atheism is the one and only truth.

If I did in fact believe the christian god, for instance, existed, I'd live my life exactly how I do already, even if ignoring and not praying meant going to hell. That doesn't mean I don't think it's possible for a supernatural being to exist. I just don't care.

marx was right.

How? It is following a person who is a true diciple of God(s). If you are as close to God as he was, according to Hinduism, you are a part of the ultimate soul. (God.)

I don't think Athiesm is bad since it doesn't hurt anyone or affect me in any way.

a relegion is based around words and words only. people react to these words, create monuments, give money, help, wage war, commit acts that others would not and split people who were once friends as preacher from heathan. if you are a person who believes in the words of a religion then you may live a happier life if you know your action were true or it could bind your life to a faceless being.

don't i make up the best sentances :P

Er, I guess I worded my post wrong. Most people know deep down, there is no such thing as god.

riiight, does that make you feel better? cause I happen to know deep down inside and up front outside that there God exists.

BTW you forgot the most important commandment of atheism:
If thou is mistaken in thine beliefs, thou art pretty muchly screwed.

heh,heh hear hear

if a religion asks for money then they are tying you in for them to extract more from you, to furthur increase their scam as the only money need has long been givin by the goverments of the world over, and if their god is real then why dose he/she want money and give nothing in return but a promise of an afterlife after a life of worship. though some relegions only require your presence, to create peace and happyness to you and the people near you, it matters not if those gods are real as it is a good thing that helps people get through their days without harming the people in places outside of worship.

meesa like writing tings like dis, meesa think religeon is goood if you no need to pay :P

no offense, but I could barely read that

anyway, I agree that if a religon (or a particular church within that religon) asks for money constantly, but mine doesn't. we give because we want to help our church (we=my family).

with hunter

@witch hunter
those cannot be considered commandments because the contradict on some points

fist of all-you say you are bound by the government then you say you can dissobey the government then you say you can compleetly ignore the government.

that just does not make sense

ok witch (im not threatening this is an example) if I wanted to go to your house and stab you in the back rip your innards out and make the rest of you family eat them while I have a double barrel shotgun pointed at them it is ok for me to do?

also how do you explain our existance here?

why do people cry out in vain when no one can here them if they 'know deep down that there is no God"

hiei

prove it.

im tired and i need to wake at 6:45 for school so...good night

ill come back in a day or two

good questions, lets hear some answers

you are not entirly bound to laws, it is not a wish for atheists but they are there and should be the only thing you obey, no other scriptures or customs should command you as they have nothing to do with you.

you could break the laws from your own will but most people will follow the laws willingly. if that happens then you are still bound by law but only in the form of punishment, not your acts

it's ok if you think it's ok but you don't do you, you have been moulded by the centuries of law to know killing is bad. but if you do think it's good then other people won't, they will act how they want, neigbors will call the police and my uncle who lives on the bottom floor has about 8 hunting rifles in the garage and won a 1st place for the regonal marksman competition :boom:

I do not entirely agree....I don't think atheism is the most common, but agnosticism...people most often believe in a higher power, they just don't know which one to pick, but yes, I think atheism is next.

it was an example.....

so how did we get here?

witch hunter

that cant be a comandment; it is the result if you brake the goverment's laws.

how did the goverment get authority to tell you what to do?