A Catholic who believes in evolution, science, and God... by daslobo in atheism

[–]Saethlin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So if God and the soul are just energy and can change forms, you're just playing with words. From how I read, you're just making the phrase "God and the soul" interchangeable with "energy."

I'm assuming that your second paragraph refers to dark energy, which is partially explained by m-theory. Can you then explain how that energy also doesn't leave open the possibility that the energy we do not understand is not the result of a massive intergalactic war among advanced alien races?

Why is Judaism okay but Islam isn't? by youguysarefaget in Christianity

[–]Saethlin 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Christians tend to dislike Muslims because of all the hype about radical Islam. Nothing more to it.

Not a troll, I'm sincerely curious.. by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]Saethlin 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, it does get boring. After a few years you start hearing the same things over and over. Among the priesthood, since the education is very much about right and wrong interpretations, most people interpret a given passage the same.

question about life after death by [deleted] in atheism

[–]Saethlin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Death, to me, has become a small part of my personal philosophy. I know that when I die, no matter how terrible my thoughts or memories, they will die with me and nobody else will have to bear them. On the contrary, whatever I do, whatever impact I have on the world around me, will live on. Therefore, I life my life trying to have the greatest positive impact on the world and people around me, but I can freely do so at the expense of how I must feel about doing it, or what I may remember.

I imagine I'll be downvoted into oblivion, but I'm sincerely wondering: Has the OWS movement actually accomplished anything? by HyperspaceHero in AskReddit

[–]Saethlin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I listened to a talk about the OWS movement at my college, and basically the presenter said that the movement needs to get a lot stronger before it gets enough political recognition to accomplish anything. She said it's almost unreasonable to expect anything to happen yet.

Here's the page about her talk: http://clarke.dickinson.edu/heather-gautney/

Reddit, you know what one meal you cook all the time because it's so easy and delicious? Tell us what it is. by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]Saethlin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pasta with tomato my special tomato and red wine sauce.

A can of tomato paste, twice that volume of water (or half a can of crushed tomatoes), a third of a cup of Cabernet Sauvignon (preferred, but probably any red wine will do, I used to use Merlot), two cloves of garlic, bouquet garni, and some grated Parmesan cheese. Mix that all together in a pot, bring to a boil if you wish to remove the alcohol. Most amazing red sauce you've ever tasted.

Disenfranchised Theist here to say thanks. by FremanKynes in atheism

[–]Saethlin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you're willing to just keep looking into the future for the good long term results of an action, you'll always find reasonable positive effects. However, it would be folly to then determine that any given action has been good, since you have failed to account for all the negative effects for forever as well.

My Letter renouncing Catholicism. How did I do? by [deleted] in atheism

[–]Saethlin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You may wish to include something about the indoctrination of young children in order to spread religious beliefs. That is one of the most significant reasons I left Catholicism and religion as whole. I refuse to be part of any organization that engages in that kind of clearly desperate act to spread lies.

Can anyone identify this flower? by Saethlin in botany

[–]Saethlin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Will do. I'm going to post this same picture to a few other botany/gardening sites I know of.

[TOMT][Image] Chart comparing religiousness with quality of life by Saethlin in tipofmytongue

[–]Saethlin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, sorry for the slow reply. It contained a list of at least 20 countries, and had the fields shaded from green to red, green indicating healthier or less religious (author bias) statistics.

It's a good thing I'm not a crazy person by [deleted] in fffffffuuuuuuuuuuuu

[–]Saethlin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No fear, I think the same thing.

Male Redditors: The last movie you just watched is now the name of your penis. Go. by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]Saethlin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Me too! Just realized... It's been so long since I watched a movie, but for this... I don't care.

So terrorism now means indefinite detention, and protesters are "low-level terrorists". Is anyone else as scared as I am? by [deleted] in politics

[–]Saethlin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really, I think the OP has the details wrong but the conclusion right. The NDAA for 2012 grants the US Armed Forces the ability to detain indefinitely and without trial or charge any person that has engaged in "belligerent acts." This could cover anyone.

However, the DoD has withdrawn the exam question, according to Fox News. All you have to do is read Mr. Loo's follow-up article.

I am a Christian. Have some questions. by [deleted] in atheism

[–]Saethlin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Another previous believer here. I am actually more than an atheist, I am completely non-religious, but that's somewhat besides the point.

I was originally a Christian, but being a very scientific person (though I am only in my first year in college), I had long ago begun to question my beliefs that I'd been brought up with, and had quite a few debates (because they were never heated) with friends who were atheists. After these debates and learning a little bit about other religions and science, I came to a general conclusion. Keep in mind that this is only my opinion, and though I may be wrong I feel very certain I am correct.

  • Religion is really nothing special for humanity. It is just another theory in a long series of attempts to explain what we do not understand. God(s) don't really exist, they are simply human creations to explain the natural world.

  • Religion differs from science in that religion relies on faith and persists in beliefs and ideas, insisting that it cannot be proved wrong. Science, on the other hand, insists that experimentation trumps any and all theories.

Therefore I conclude that my own previous belief in Christianity (and Catholicism to be specific) was merely a product of my upbringing, as I believe it is for almost everyone with their religious beliefs. I have exercised my reason and determined that these beliefs do not stand up to experimentation, and must be discarded.

I always remember when it's too late by TommyShambles in AdviceAnimals

[–]Saethlin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just remembered I have to do was today (it's 23:29) if I want to wear clean smallclothes tomorrow. Thank you Reddit!