I need some advice please

Olson816 · 14 days

If you're adamant in the belief that science and religion can't coexist, be an atheist.

You can believe that science and various religions can be compatible and still be an atheist. At its best, atheism is a position held because we acknowledge that there isn't compelling evidence or sound reasoning for the claim that supernatural beings exist, and so we withhold our belief.

I know of, and I'm sure others here do as well, polytheist (and monistic) Hindus, evangelical Christians, and devout Muslims working and succeeding in science while still adhering to their religious beliefs. But, of course, that still doesn't convince me that Yahweh or Krishna exist.

Olson816 · 14 days

I mean I do really wanna believe that there is some kind of higher power looking out for us

I think I can relate to this, because one of the emotional concerns that I had when I became an atheist was that I wouldn't have a guiding hand in my life, a supernatural being who would intervene in difficult circumstances and help me. But, as I began to look at reality as it is, without any ideas of divine destiny or fate, I noticed that there was tremendous suffering in other people's lives that I hadn't fully appreciated.

There are millions of innocent children who suffer and die from devastating diseases each year, and millions more suffering due to lack of food, water, or basic healthcare. There are innumerable human beings who are toiling in poverty, barely clinging to life, scrounging for their next meal.

It just struck me that if there is a God, then those of us with shelter, a reliable source of food, and basic medical care, don't need his help. If he does exist and can intervene, it must be to prevent the needless suffering and pain of innocent people, especially children. But, since he does not or cannot, all we have is each other - it's up to us to help one another, to seek guidance from our friends and family, and to guide them in return, so that we can make the best of this one life we are fortunate to have. That's a heavy responsibility to bear in some ways, but it keeps me going.

ingersoll322 · 18 days

Atheism has an incredibly long and rich history in India. It has always been the position of a fragile minority, but among them have been some of India's greatest social reformers and revolutionaries.

The most forceful and strident criticisms of the Hindu caste system in ancient India came from the Carvakas, a group of materialist philosophers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carvaka):

"There is no heaven, no final liberation, nor any soul in another world, Nor do the actions of the four castes produce any real effect, The Agnihotra, the three Vedas, the ascetic's three staves, and smearing oneself with ashes — Brihaspati says, these are but means of livelihood for those who have no manliness nor sense.

While life is yours, live joyously; None can escape Death's searching eye: When once this frame of ours they burn, How shall it e'er again return?"

Contemporary to Carvaka philosophy were Buddhism and Jainism, which were equally opposed to the Hindu idea of caste and also non-theistic. While Indian Buddhism adopted a stance of agnosticism, the early Jains were forthright in their arguments against a supreme being and the idea that the universe was created. All three of these philosophies emphasized ahimsa (non-violence), compassion, and love for others.

The two leading campaigners against social inequality and for the eradication of caste in modern India were BR Ambedkar and Periyar Ramasamy, both of them rationalists and atheists. Periyar Ramasamy led the Self-Respect Movement for the lower castes and 'untouchables' in south India, a mass movement of protest for civil rights. Dr. Ambedkar was the leading drafter of the Indian Constitution, in which he enshrined civil liberties and democratic freedoms, outlawing caste discrimination and instituting affirmative action for the lower castes. Ambedkar was a Dalit himself and renounced Hinduism, converting to an explicitly rationalist form of Buddhism, along with half a million other Dalits in a public ceremony.

MNeufs · 24 days

There are tens of millions of children who die each year from starvation and from horrifically painful diseases. Each year, there are tens of thousands of innocent human beings whose lives are brutally extinguished in natural disasters. As I write, there are innocent men, women, and children around the world being subjected to unimaginable violence, who are being murdered and raped.

Can you imagine how fervently some of these people might have prayed as they died, can you imagine the desperate hope with which the parents of dying children pray for divine intervention? And if you can, how likely do you think it is that a deity intervened on your behalf to help you find a backpack?

honestchristian · 24 days

they don't get food. all the students pay fees to come to the school. the training etc. is all part of the curriculum. But the main thrust/purpose of the school is to teach the Bible.

Well, it seems like his mission is only comprised of the 'propaganda bit.' These poor folks have to actually pay fees so that they can be trained in the holy Gospel and be saved.

Marchosias · 1 month

Honestly, without getting into the merits of their individual arguments, I think both Carrier's article and Ehrman's remarks about Carrier seem to be unnecessarily personal and emotionally charged. I think both of their cases would be better presented without charges of incompetence and other personal attacks.

Catapulted_Platypus · 1 month

I think quite a few atheists are unaware that those words are spoken by a character in the parable. The troubling aspect of this verse in the context of the parable, even to some Christians, is that we are supposed to identify the King with Jesus. Just as the king expects his servants to invest and grow the money they were given, Jesus demands that we make the most of the gifts that are given to us and serve him. The relationship between the king and his subjects is meant to mirror that between Jesus and us.

Many traditional commentaries of the Bible have construed that final verse as signifying the fate and final punishment (in the afterlife) awaiting those who rebuke the kingdom of Christ. There are excerpts from historical commentaries regarding this parable here: http://www.religioustolerance.org/intol_luke19.htm

However, some liberal Christians believe this verse was an independent, later addition because the violence of it contradicts Jesus' more peaceful teachings in other parts of the New Testament. So, your concerns about the violent nature of the verse are valid.

eudaimania · 5 months

What I've noticed as an Indian is that for many religious people in India, the supernatural world is a very real and accessible place. They might believe in a single God who manifests himself in multifarious ways, or in traditional polytheism, but they still believe strongly that it is possible to interact with this supernatural dimension. Many people even believe that since we are manifestations of the divine being, that we are also capable of somehow expressing divine powers in the real world.

I think most of them realize that they themselves are incapable of doing anything of that nature, but they continue to believe in that sort of mysticism because they think that they haven't yet progressed to a higher level of spirituality where such things are possible. So, when they encounter priests and swamis who claim to be in direct communion with the supernatural and are well versed in typical 'spiritual talk', they are susceptible to believing their claims and become followers.

Why so many Westerners do so is something of a mystery to me. But, I guess there are also Christian denominations that have somewhat similar beliefs and practices. I've read that there are Pentecostals who believe that God can directly speak through them somehow.

The best we can hope for, it seems, is for more Indians to develop the kind of religious practice that you see among very liberal Christians, where there is still a supernatural dimension with an all-powerful being but they aren't really concerned with interacting him with so much. Their focus is just on the other aspects of religion, in living according to the framework of ethics and guidelines it provides them. This is how a lot of educated and cosmopolitan Hindus approach religion.

It seems like too much of a leap to ask people to question whether they have valid reasons for believing in a supernatural dimension in the first place, at least in India.

ingersoll322 · 5 months

I posted an article about these particular refugees living in camps near Delhi some time ago: http://www.reddit.com/r/india/comments/ms6iz/scarred_and_scared_groups_of_pakistani_hindus/

"We don't want to go back. We are outcast there. We appeal to the government that please just give us refuge and we don't want any citizenship," rues 45-year-old Ganga Ram.

Ganga Ram has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, requesting extension of their visas and shelter.

They are currently living in 12 tents and share one dilapidated toilet -- but say they don't have much complaints.

"We are happy here. Though life is tough here, it's not an ordeal what it used be in Pakistan. There, you bear the brunt of being non-Muslims," said Sagar, a mechanic, who was robbed of all his tools with which he used to make his ends meet.

Their request has been denied, so they will be deported at the end of their visa validity period unless something drastically changes.

ingersoll322 · 5 months

"We don't want to go back. We are outcast there. We appeal to the government that please just give us refuge and we don't want any citizenship," rues 45-year-old Ganga Ram.

Gang Ram has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, requesting extension of their visas and shelter.

They are currently living in 12 tents and share one dilapidated toilet -- but say they don't have much complaints.

"We are happy here. Though life is tough here, it's not an ordeal what it used be in Pakistan. There, you bear the brunt of being non-Muslims," said Sagar, a mechanic, who was robbed of all his tools with which he used to make his ends meet.

Hopefully some group steps up to help them deal with the legal maze of visa problems.

ingersoll322

TROPHY CASE

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