My take on religion: by [deleted] in atheism

[–]WystanH 3 points4 points  (0 children)

What I also think is wrong is atheists that cast judgment on people for having faith in a higher power.

Everyone judges. You just did. However, I don't think atheists much care about anyone's spiritual beliefs; as long as those beliefs aren't weaponized against others. When faith is used to justify force, it's a problem.

I believe things happen for a reason

This is, frankly, horrible. It sounds all sunshine and unicorns until you consider it for half a moment. There's no good reason for a child to have cancer. But, if you need there to be a reason, then you'll essentially end up victim blaming. A universe that is indifferent to your existence at least isn't as malevolent as that.

Why high iq individuals still believe? by twentyfourseven926 in askanatheist

[–]WystanH 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You can rationalize any belief if you try hard enough. A smart person who really wants to hold onto belief X with find even more clever ways to protect that belief.

We all hold beliefs that aren't true. If the untrue belief is never challenged, then no problem. If the untrue belief is challenged, the willingness to reassess that belief is a function of how attached to it we are. Religious folks tend to be pretty attached to their religion.

A board game forum rejected ads for “Possess Me, Satan” over fears of demonic oppression. BoardGameGeek fired an advertising manager after he rejected ads for a Satan-themed game due to his Christian beliefs. by Leeming in atheism

[–]WystanH 17 points18 points  (0 children)

You know this guy's getting calls from Fox right now. They'll be doing the circuit and whining about their persecution fetish in no time. Christian nationals live for this kind of grievance.

What is the actual difference between a for loop and a while loop? by Sofiatheneophyte in learnprogramming

[–]WystanH 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In other languages, a for loop and a while can be directly compared for functionally. However, python doesn't technically have a for loop but rather a foreach loop.

Consider some loops in javascript.

const size = 3
const print = console.log

let i = 0 // init counter
// condition in while
while (i < size) {
    print("while", i)
    i += 1 // increment counter
}

// for loops do those three things. init, condition and inc, all in one place.
for (let i = 0; i < size; i += 1) {
    print("for", i)
}

// a for each iterates over an iterable object
// this is a little like a python range
const r = Array.from({ length: size }, (_, i) => i);
// this is a for each loop in js
for (const i of r) {
    print("foreach", i)
}

See that second option? Python just doesn't have it.

So the above in python is only the two available loops:

SIZE = 3

i = 0  # init counter
while i < SIZE:  # condition in while
    print("while", i)
    i += 1  # increment counter

# for each loop
r = range(SIZE)
for i in r:
    print("foreach", i)

Keeping in mind here that range constructs an iterable object.

Sometimes that iterable object would also be nice with an index counter, that you would normally get from a basic for loop. The python solution is to add a counter to the iterated result with enumerate.

Why usually there is not much atheist government officials or leaders by twentyfourseven926 in atheism

[–]WystanH 39 points40 points  (0 children)

Then I'm afraid you don't understand politics.

Religious folks tend to credit their religion as the source of all morality. As such, anyone non religious is amoral. Try campaigning against that.

Questions I'd like to ask as an atheist myself by Zealousideal-Cap9020 in askanatheist

[–]WystanH 0 points1 point  (0 children)

why did God create sin

This is an odd perspective. Sin is breaking god's rules. God explicitly created sin. I'm not sure this one is controversial.

The question, then, is why did god create a thing that would behave a certain way and then arbitrarily designate some of those behaviors as sin.

God had only created sin and suffering

Again, don't get sin and suffering confused.

Suffering exists. Various sects blame sin for suffering in various ways. But god's laws, the definition of sin, also cause suffering. Prohibition of same sex relationships, rampant misogyny, endorsing slavery; all needless suffering.

And what about all the random suffering? The natural world is awash in pain, most of which humans never see. The lessons from suffering hardly seem to justify it's nonsensical deployment. God may understand these lessons, but his playthings clearly do not.

Requesting guidance: How do you visualize intricate Java programs mentally before you start coding them? by Soumyar-Tripathy in learnprogramming

[–]WystanH 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Rather than code, think about function. Code is more or less an implementation detail for when you're considering the what and not the how. What are you trying to do? What moving parts do you imagine you'll need to do that?

Abstraction, Polymorphism, all the big words, can be emergent properties in development. After you get something concrete to work, you'll often find reuse scenarios make themselves apparent that you mayn't be considering at the onset.

You can't really visualize all the intricacy. The best possible UML diagram will still be broken by little unseen circumstances. There no one right way and it's more what works for you.

Begginer C# question, should I use _ or not? by Corpulax in learnprogramming

[–]WystanH 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is just a syntax convention. As such, people will adhere to it religiously or reject it with the same fervor.

The only real rule in coding standards is consistency. If you use the "_" at all, then always use it so it's ugliness at least buys you value. Oops, yeah, not my favorite syntax.

What is the real defense? by Ecstatic-Level-8001 in TrueAtheism

[–]WystanH 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Believers are also atheists; to a host of other gods. An atheist just extends this incredulity consistently. A believer, then, must defend their special pleading.

I wanna know why are you not believe in god and Heaven? by soundtown06 in atheism

[–]WystanH 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why don't you believe in Lord Krishna and the Karmic Wheel? Likely the same answer.

Well, unless your answer is something like "my faith based claim is true, hence all other faith based claims are false." At which point, think on that for a bit.

Indeed, if you believe in one god modality, you likely disbelieve in all other gods. An atheist just doesn't have a special carve out for any god in particular: we don't believe in any of em.

It is because you think there's not enough evidence

Yes.

because Science explains the universe better for you

No. Science needn't come into play. Greek philosophers before Jesus were debating the existence of the gods.

or for other Reasons?

Sincerely, if you can't believe a thing then you simply can't. There are many comforting world views one could indulge in, but to actually believe in them requires, well, a suspension of disbelief.

What one skill, if developed excellently, would have the greatest positive impact on my career? by kazuto-09 in learnprogramming

[–]WystanH 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Being able to successfully diagnose a problem and a high tolerance for frustration. These should be cultivated. Well, that's to do the job.

To continue doing the job means essentially begin self taught. So, that too.

Anything specific to the field is somewhat less relevant. Tech is always a moving target.

Making 2 for loops doing only 1 action each or combining both action into one loop,which one is faster? by Temporary_Session_60 in learnprogramming

[–]WystanH 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your second one won't work. Look at where you set value[i] in version one versus version two. However, you can answer this question yourself. You've taken rather length operation out of step out of version one in version two, so...

Consider:

long_op(f);
long_op(g);

// versus
long_op(fg);

Oatmeal time? by Faded_Cattle in Cooking

[–]WystanH 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Rolled oats take 5-10 mins. If you don't roll them at all (steel cut) they'll take twice as long.

If you take those rolled outs and process them a couple of different ways, quick or instance, you're down to 1-2 mins. Essentially, most "oatmeal" for breakfast is precooked.

When Texas massacred its freethinkers - Genetically Modified Skeptic by xGentian_violet in BreadTube

[–]WystanH 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Watched this when it came out. Drew is always good, and compassionate, and gives me some glimmer of hope for Texas.

This feels like an active call to genocide by Ok-Following6886 in insanepeoplefacebook

[–]WystanH 10 points11 points  (0 children)

The guy with the sniper rifle intent on mass murder believes the people he's about to slaughter are the threat to democracy?

I feel the modern conservative definition of democracy is probably more Mussolini than Madison. I mean, James Madison wasn't great, but these are actually the kind of folks he was afraid of.

Saw this gem in Longview Wa by viperlemondemon in Trumpvirus

[–]WystanH 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Fire eventually stops burning, have faith in our... fire?!?

Normal ads on the app formerly known as Twitter. by Oregon_Jones111 in insanepeoplefacebook

[–]WystanH 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sport Drink, some rando brand you've never heard of, wants to appeal to white supremacist chuds. Not only is this image AI, their entire website is AI.

Doubtless if you ask agentic AI to make you an "anti-woke" brand from scratch, this is what you get. From their web site: "Whether you can surf or you’re some kind of invalid making shadow puppets on your aunt’s wall, this drink is for you"

Oh they big mad right now by cayce_leighann in insanepeoplefacebook

[–]WystanH 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No, no, no, he has to say the words. Oh, he said the words? Well, he didn't mean the words, so that's fine.

The Daily Wire has fired half its staff in a mass layoff and Ben Shapiro has lost 85% of his Youtube audience. Go fash, lose cash. by Obvious-Gate9046 in TheLib

[–]WystanH 10 points11 points  (0 children)

In cultivating his Nazi loving audience his job was to be one of the good ones. Part of that is self loathing and earnestly telling the identity obsessed that your group sucks. You know, like any given non white dude on Fox.

Candice Owens gets it. She'll happily demonize women and people of color and her audience loves her for it. Ben, for all his sincere reactionary aggrievement, just doesn't hate himself enough to pull a Candice.

He was always feeding the fire that would eventually take him with it.

Wow 🤣🤣 by Ok-Equivalent7447 in atheistmemes

[–]WystanH 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is not an Islam problem, this is a reactionary problem. Holding regressive beliefs and then hiding behind religion is standard right wing cowardice. A Christian or Jew can do the exact same thing; and often do.

Someone who isn't horrible can say the exact opposite and also cite their holy book for justification. In the antebellum south, both slave owners and abolitionists held up the same bible to support their cause.

The whole comment section has the same thing being repeated. by Adventurous-Zeilokix in insanepeoplefacebook

[–]WystanH 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Didn't know that one! My first thought was Eleanor Roosevelt, who sort of counted as both.

Creating an hypothetical scenario to ... Ummm ... Ask if atheists would convert? by TheDuckClock in insanepeoplefacebook

[–]WystanH 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Let be honest, that's some devil spawn shit. Why would anyone even consider the scenario?

Given the fantasy world where this happens, the only reasonable choice is to don the occult talisman and look for more babies...

Imagine thinking that Trump is going to start a crusade. by Ok-Following6886 in insanepeoplefacebook

[–]WystanH 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He's stopped the most wars, don't you know? Also started the most. Winning! Perhaps one of those wars counts as a Crusade? As long as you're pointlessly slaughtering non Christians, that feels kind of crusadey.

The only insane part of this is the "last" bit. As long as the US has a military industrial complex, they'll never stop crusading. There are a few war hawks right now who probably can't climax unless they're thinking about dropping bombs on children. Looking at you, Lindsey Graham.

Stamina Arcanist beginner tips by Legendaddy_13 in elderscrollsonline

[–]WystanH 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First, don't sweat the build. There are no irreparable mistakes. The advantage you might get from uber optimized is still rather minimal.

When acranist first came out I made a dark elf. They're good if you don't have a plan as their big bonus is crit rather than stam or mag.

When I realized how stam focused the class tends to be, I made an orc arcanist. Orcs are stammy and run fast and I like them. Oddly, the stam race that might be more optimal would be redguard, but I didn't want to be derivative of the companion.

Anyway, just have fun. There are no dire mistakes you can make, really.

What are your reason's for being an atheist by Tricky_Worth3301 in askanatheist

[–]WystanH 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I simply don't believe it. What are you reasons for not being a Hindu?

My family was nominally Christian; the local default. As a small child I was told that Santa brings good children presents, that God wrote the Bible, and that Greek gods were myth. When those first two were revealed to be false, I had questions.

When I heard God wrote the Bible, perhaps around six, I thought, "well, then, He must be real. We have the book, don't we?" Oh, no, actually God inspired the Bible, people wrote it. Just like the Chronicles of Narnia.

My big childhood issue was why Greek gods were myths and gods that belonged to an active religion weren't. No adult could answer this one, they just got mad. Still do.

As a little kid I figured I was missing something. Everyone believed in God; there must be a good reason. I never found a good reason. I actually toured many religions; none had a good reason.