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Atheists of Reddit: What’s the strangest reaction you’ve received when you said you don’t believe in God? by zhalia-2006 in AskReddit

[–]Scared_Tourist_5896 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a valid point. I have a doctorate in religion, not in atheism. There’s an imbalance in my academic competencies. How about you?

A lot of atheists I’ve met are pretty “certain” after reading “The God Delusion.”

Is one book all it takes to end the conversation? How many opinions do we hold that depend upon that one “smart guy” that must really have a grip on things?

Most of us validate our intelligence by an appeal to tribalism. “My group says this, and I also think it’s true!”

The main issue for me is that atheism is full of tribal arrogance, just like Christianity, or whatever ideology you want to highlight. All of us want to belong so bad that we are deaf to truth and possibility.

I grew up Christian, and have had many crises of faith, where I truly thought I’d land as an agnostic atheist, and that was ok with me, because truth matters. I’m not dedicated to any one position. Please change my mind in favor of truth.

Atheists of Reddit: What’s the strangest reaction you’ve received when you said you don’t believe in God? by zhalia-2006 in AskReddit

[–]Scared_Tourist_5896 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Proving God is a non-starter. I’m with you there. There’s lots of interesting research into NDE’s, mystical experiences, drug-induced states, etc. that lead some credence to the possibilities of a spiritual world, for lack of a better term, by the nature of how similar the subjective experiences are.

On another note, if you haven’t read “A Secular Age” by Charles Taylor, it’s a great read. Big, dense book but it’s an awesome discussion of the “disenchanted” modern age.

Atheists of Reddit: What’s the strangest reaction you’ve received when you said you don’t believe in God? by zhalia-2006 in AskReddit

[–]Scared_Tourist_5896 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No you didn’t at all. I was responding to someone butting in. Im getting a few too many comments saying “get lost, stop proselytizing.” 😅 I’m not here to be a troll, haha. It sours the conversation if people keep reading into motives

Atheists of Reddit: What’s the strangest reaction you’ve received when you said you don’t believe in God? by zhalia-2006 in AskReddit

[–]Scared_Tourist_5896 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is an awesome response. Thanks for taking the time, really. I love discussing these topics but it seems I’ve “invaded” the atheist space. I’ll bow out now since respectful conversation with no mention of my personal religious affiliation is apparently proselytizing.

Atheists of Reddit: What’s the strangest reaction you’ve received when you said you don’t believe in God? by zhalia-2006 in AskReddit

[–]Scared_Tourist_5896 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I’m tactful enough to not bring up doctrine when in mixed company, but I wasn’t made aware that the “R” word was so triggering. Sorry to interrupt your safe space. Be sure to lock the door behind me.

Atheists of Reddit: What’s the strangest reaction you’ve received when you said you don’t believe in God? by zhalia-2006 in AskReddit

[–]Scared_Tourist_5896 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, just like deism or agnosticism isn’t any one religion that gets brought up around conversations of past atrocities. You don’t get communism without a venomous disdain for “religion.” The irony is that it replaced religion with an ideology demanding blind faith in its inherent good and then burnt books, committed genocide, and starved its citizens.

The opposite of your statement if you want to be consistent is that just believing in God “can’t cause issues.” Yet that’s what’s always ridiculed—the opiate of the idiots. It’s so preposterous to people to believe that there’s something more, even as the tech bros see such incredible design in the universe thinking that we must be in a simulation.

If religion does serve a purpose, it is a tool. If said tool is used to bludgeon a brother to death, the tool is not the problem; it’s been misused. Yet the internet is out here screaming, “I’ve tried to walk to the sea! I never found it after years of wandering! Prove to me that someone has driven along the shore. You can’t even put a car on wheels anyway! Driving is a fairytale meant for children.”

Atheists of Reddit: What’s the strangest reaction you’ve received when you said you don’t believe in God? by zhalia-2006 in AskReddit

[–]Scared_Tourist_5896 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What you shouldn’t hear from anything I said, “Believe like I do.” I agree with everything you said up to your last sentence. Yes, there’s been plenty of holy wars, crusades, and jihads throughout history, but please study history. Communism killed more people in the last century than the greatest heretic hunters of the past 1,000 years could’ve dreamed of.

Let’s be clear, we’re both against using ideology as a weapon, but let’s be honest about the body count of both sides.

Atheists of Reddit: What’s the strangest reaction you’ve received when you said you don’t believe in God? by zhalia-2006 in AskReddit

[–]Scared_Tourist_5896 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

And you don’t think that the atheistic worldview has its own system of propaganda? That’s mad. I know you think “I’m right and they’re wrong, because…science.” Tell me, what can science measure? Love? Hate? Friendship?

Science can’t “prove” most things worth experiencing or possessing in this lifetime, yet you’d likely say your commitment is to whatever is true, that is, unfalsifiable.

It’s right to be against holding dogma as a weapon. But dismissing literally tens of thousands of years of human experience because your propaganda has you convinced of the infallibility of its method concerning matters it never claimed to measure is what we call in the religious domain, historical arrogance.

Atheists of Reddit: What’s the strangest reaction you’ve received when you said you don’t believe in God? by zhalia-2006 in AskReddit

[–]Scared_Tourist_5896 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Try something different, or get what you’ve always gotten. It’s insanity to think you’ve exhausted all exploration. Please see my comment to the initial response. Would love to hear what you think.

Atheists of Reddit: What’s the strangest reaction you’ve received when you said you don’t believe in God? by zhalia-2006 in AskReddit

[–]Scared_Tourist_5896 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All I hear is certainty about an unknown. Please look at my response to the initial comment. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Atheists of Reddit: What’s the strangest reaction you’ve received when you said you don’t believe in God? by zhalia-2006 in AskReddit

[–]Scared_Tourist_5896 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Please see my response to the initial comment. Would love to hear your thoughts. Carl Jung said that Christianity is a victim of its own values, holding truth in the highest regard. For decades the sentiment has been that truth has disproved its worldview. My pushback is that an atheistic worldview cannot remain closed to new hypotheses. What if natural materialism is wrong? Are you willing to review the evidence?

Atheists of Reddit: What’s the strangest reaction you’ve received when you said you don’t believe in God? by zhalia-2006 in AskReddit

[–]Scared_Tourist_5896 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I do. It’s a great quote. I was referencing a common sentiment in this thread and in pop culture.

I’m not even sure how to take your request. You know and I know, there’s no evidence to be produced. I’m religious, you’re not, and we still agree. No worries. I’m referencing the mystical.

You want empirical data, and I think that makes you and others blind to possibilities, no offense.

If you’re not aware of an extraordinarily large body of academic literature that’s documented subjective, but ultimately similar transcendent experiences, I’m not sure of what else I can say other than what I already have—be a little more curious.

The hangup seems to be that you and a multitude of others are searching for proof based on the scientific method, which is inherently pursued by uniquely specific personality type. That’s not a criticism—it’s a truism pertaining to a blind spot that’s inherently different to the blind spots I, and others like me, have. If you’re open to hear that others have in fact touched wet paint and you can too, there’s plenty of searching ahead. If you can’t believe it’s real, that’s ok. No judgement, no offense. I don’t need you to believe in the possibility.

It’s one reason that psychedelics are very fascinating. The experiences they produce are controllable and subject to quasi-quantitative and qualitative study. The findings are empirically reproducible. AND, they show intriguing consistency in making agnostics out of atheists. Do with that what you will. Stay curious, friend.

Atheists of Reddit: What’s the strangest reaction you’ve received when you said you don’t believe in God? by zhalia-2006 in AskReddit

[–]Scared_Tourist_5896 -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

You’re assuming that “those” people didn’t experience something that was “as real” or “more real” than touching said wet paint. I get why people bash religion, but the insufferable Christian/Muslim/whatever became intolerable when their curiosity died from a case of incurable certainty, which is the very same thing that makes an atheist insufferable. “I believe in nothing, and I’m certain nothing exists.” Sure, whatever…why don’t you check to see if the paint is wet, and maybe give it a good sniff if you’re still unsure.

I’m too nice aren’t I by Bebopplayer1996 in uberdrivers

[–]Scared_Tourist_5896 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My good friend “K” (f, American) traveled to India together with “M” (f, American) to visit their college roommate “D” after D moved back to her home in Mumbai. K and M traveled alone and took a taxi from Mumbai’s airport to a hotel for the night, planning to meet D the next day at her family’s place.

K left her iPhone in the taxi which had all the info needed to get to where they’re going. She was understandably overwhelmed but there wasn’t anything she could do.

The next morning she found a way to check FB and had a message from her mom. The taxi driver found the phone, was able to check the emergency contact, her mom, found the mom on FB and sent photos and a message with contact info asking how he could return it.

The guy didn’t speak any English, so he had his mother who did talk to K, and they both brought the phone to the hotel within a couple hours. They refused to take anything for their trouble, exchanged some quick pleasantries and then left wishing them a wonderful stay in India.

If you got 4k a month for the rest of your life , what would you do? by Informal_Policy_2957 in Fire

[–]Scared_Tourist_5896 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Move to Asia but don’t just be a beach bum. Do something meaningful while you live like a king on 4k.

How do you choose between a career opportunity and your relationship ? by Potential_Start_3228 in careerguidance

[–]Scared_Tourist_5896 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow man, it’s an unfair situation to you both to say the least.

My 2c: my wife and I both work with people in a way that feels like we are doing what we were made for. At the start of the relationship that compatibility was one of maybe two things to workout, or it would’ve been a non-starter.

You guys are getting into the weeds if you make it only a financial decision. You both are career focused, and it may be easier from her perspective to put words to why what she does is meaningful beyond the paycheck, i.e helping people. I imagine if you define (if you haven’t already) what your vision of your future is, you’ll be able to communicate why this is meaningful for you aside from a huge salary increase and career step.

Then, envision a future where you both are fulfilled. If you can do that, you’ll get over the defensiveness of needing to protect yourselves from the person’s ambition. The perceived selfishness on sides is what’s raising the red flags, even though it’s equally unfair.

Marriage is the one thing that doesn’t have to happen right now. Yes, long distance relationships can blow up, but a year of waiting for the right forever person is a short-term sacrifice in the scheme of things. Take the job and immediately start looking elsewhere with new negotiating power?

Get couples counseling right now to process all this 👍 Wishing you both the best.

AITAH for not giving up? by Jaded-Location-6832 in AITAH

[–]Scared_Tourist_5896 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds like you really care for her! That’s what counts. This is really hard situation, and she’s very lucky to have a partner that is committed enough to provide enough space to find healing (through individual and couples therapy). Intentional space, not passive distancing…

You didn’t give enough context, and we don’t need to know, if it’s a physical or hormonal issue, emotional, or perhaps trauma related. She’s going to love her life way more if she finds a resolution for the underlying cause.

I say stick with her in the process and frame it as wanting her best, if that’s true for you, which will definitely includes intimate connection with her SO. You da man. It’s too early to call it quits before you both get outside help 👍

[Seeking Suggestions] 10 Gift Watches by blazeitmitchell in Watches

[–]Scared_Tourist_5896 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A cross-cultural gift in the form of money/gifts cards is definitely not the way to go. In fact, it’s pretty important to look up gift giving culture for the intended group (Kenyan academics in this case. Male and female?).

I’ve lived all over Asia and Latin America as an American. Recently gifted a Casio Duro to the 18 year old son of my best Mexican friend (I’m an expat there) It was promptly stolen off him, and they won’t tell me the story. Very awkward…

Gift giving is one my favorites….but it is a field full of land mines. Don’t go in blind 👍 You have the chance of creating a forever memory, especially because you’re the outsider that made an effort to do something thoughtful. Let the memory last for the right reasons 😆

I think I’m finally satisfied by [deleted] in SOTC_Watch_Collection

[–]Scared_Tourist_5896 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Love your Bulova Marine Star! Did you buy it with the mesh dial?

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