god thread, number 3 Options

[*disco infiltrator*]

So, it seems that everything talked about in another thread leads to religion.

So here we are!
Debate the existence of God and which one's right and stuff.

I would post links to God threads 1 & 2, but you can't search for three-letter words.
(2 got to 50 pages, think we can beat it?!?)

Er, I'll start.
I'm atheist. Prove me wrong.
By prove, I mean state facts that have been backed up by solid evidence. I have yet to see that happen in all 70 combined pages of threads 1 & 2.

[*mipadi*]

I don't see the need to prove anyone wrong in this area. I'm comfortable with my own personal religious beliefs; the beliefs of others don't influence me unless I intend to discuss and learn from the beliefs of others. I'm not even certain why we bother having these discussions. I'm not concerned with another's personal beliefs, so long as his beliefs are not forced on me in such a way as to affect my own life, such as through governmental legislation.

Besides, how does one prove anything in this area? The logic of the atheist does not work against the faith of the believer, and vice-versa.

[Paradox of Life]

I don't see the need to prove anyone wrong in this area. I'm comfortable with my own personal religious beliefs; the beliefs of others don't influence me unless I intend to discuss and learn from the beliefs of others. I'm not even certain why we bother having these discussions. I'm not concerned with another's personal beliefs, so long as his beliefs are not forced on me in such a way as to affect my own life, such as through governmental legislation.

Besides, how does one prove anything in this area? The logic of the atheist does not work against the faith of the believer, and vice-versa.

I totally agree. In my opinion, religion is really just a way to make people happy and feel all warm and fuzzy inside even if it's not real. There are many moral lessons that can be learned from religion and it helps you get in touch with a spiritual, sensitive side of yourself. God does not exist. I'm sorry, kiddies, but he doesn't exist. Which is why I'm Atheist. I choose to be my own God because I refuse to be a follower and I choose to be logical rather than gullible. Basically, there are two ways to look at religion.

Believe it and be happy.
Don't believe it and don't be happy.

Of course there are exceptions to that rule, but that's what I see most commonly. Those who are very much in tune with their religion are usually very fulfilled and happy. Those who refuse to believe it, are normally not as happy with their lives as religious people.

There's no reason to debate religion and the existence of God. It's not going to get anyone anywhere.

[*mipadi*]

Believe it and be happy.
Don't believe it and don't be happy.

I don't think that's accurate. I'm strongly atheist, but I am not unhappy. I do sometimes feel that my life has little meaning, but that's not due to a lack of religious faith—I think I'd feel the same way. I'll admit that I don't have any statistics on hand to back up this assertion, but I don't think that the number of unhappy atheists I personally know is significantly more or less than the number of unhappy theists I know.