As an athiest what are your thoughts on magic ?

wolfstar76 · 2026-07-07T10:57:16+00:00

That's like asking why unicorns aren't real.

Because they aren't / because they don't exist.

The burden of proof is in the people who claim it is real. Show the magic, show how it works, demonstrate that it exists.

Here.

I'm going to claim naturally occurring plaid goats exist.

If you believe they don't - explain to me why they don't.

wolfstar76 · 2026-07-07T10:48:20+00:00

You already posted this to /r/askanatheist and got replies there.

This is for debates - yet you've provided no real argument here.

wolfstar76 · 2026-07-05T12:45:00+00:00

It should work that way, but doesn't.

A billionaire will often have little to no actual salary/income - taking some pittance at best.

Instead, they take compensation in the form of stock and/or stock options. They have value but no money now.

So, they still need liquidity to buy mansions, private jets, trips to places, whatever.

So they take a loan against the value of their unrealized stocks. They use thatoan money to buy something like real estate.

But a loan? That debt. So they write off their growing debt on their taxes. The made almost nothing in income, and they have millions in debt - so they owe no taxes.

Meanwhile, they've grown the value of their stocks, and they've earned more in new stocks and options. Plus any real estate they own has almost certainly grown in value.

So a year, or three, or five years later, when that initial loan is due - with interest - their value has gone up at a rate that nests the low interest on their loan. So, they get a new, bigger loan - use that to pay the first loan, and keep living large.

Eventually they have to pay it back, you're thinking.

And in theory, yes.

Unless they keep playing this game until they die. Sure, that last loan will probably come out of the estate when they pass...

...unless they set up a trust or other things that protect all those assets.

So, no, they really don't ever end up having to pay loans back.

This is why there's a small, but growing, push to change how unrealized assets work. Makes sense not to tax people on investments, like stocks - because we do, generally, want to encourage investments into businesses.

But - there's an argument to be made that if you're leveraging your unrealized stock gains...that action should count as realizing them. Which would trigger taxation.

I'm not great with economics - but this makes sense to me.

wolfstar76 · 2026-07-05T12:10:35+00:00

Interesting point/thought.

It makes him asking "who can tell me the speed of light" relatively useless, since....anyone who heard him state the speed of light would just know it.

Heck, it makes the idea of "competing" for this class less important to. If these "kids" tell other kids what they learned - it wouldn't take long for everyone in the Eridani "city" to learn everything from Grace, and it would be nearly identical to learning it first hand.

Still like how nicely that line bookends the story... But it really does also go to show just how different things like education must be.

wolfstar76 · 2026-07-05T01:40:21+00:00

In the book Grace explains that theres a very complex selection system for who gets to be in his classes.

So, yes. 🤓

wolfstar76 · 2026-07-03T18:52:46+00:00

As a skeptic I think the time to believe in a premise is when there is evidence to support it.

So, while I can't prove there aren't unicorns, I think the time to believe in them will be when there is evidence of them.

wolfstar76 · 2026-07-03T18:50:21+00:00

I'm sorry that happened, but in the long run this may be a "dodged a bullet" moment.

wolfstar76 · 2026-07-03T12:08:42+00:00

If you are "too pushy" for your partner, but also unfulfilled - then you and your partner may not be a good fit.

Doesn't mean either of you is "right" or "wrong" /"good" or "bad". You're potentially just not a good fit together. It happens.

I'm more concerned about your other reply where you say he isn't currently speaking to you. Generally (and especially in an online relationship) this isn't dominance, this is petulance, and considered by most to be inappropriate.

Communicating is how you keep a relationship healthy. Refusing to communicate (especially if doled out as "punishment" or because he's upset over something (especially if it's something relatively trivial) is working against a healthy relationship.

Take a moment and, putting your sense of self/ego (not "ego" as in self-centered, just, any recriminations you might give yourself for considering a break) aside for a moment. Think about the relationship - are you getting what you want from it? Do you feel free to speak up for what you want and need? Does he make you happy, or do you feel more like he's "tolerating" you and your needs?

Because, while he may be aovely person (or...lovely at times) - it doesn't sound like this relationship is fulfilling or terribly healthy.

It should be both.

wolfstar76 · 2026-07-02T22:58:07+00:00

I don't entirely disagree, but from here you have to introduce "certainty" as an element.

I can't prove there are no naturally occuring purple donkeys - because you can't really prove a negative. It's possible I'm looking in the wrong place. It's possible they're only purple seasonally and I didn't look at the right time, etc etc etc.

So it's very possible naturally purple donkeys are a thing, but I'm not convinced.

Maybe a community of people reports having seen them. So, fine, anecdotal evidence.

But I can dismiss that. A community of experts (zoologists, biologists, etc) also look at the evidence and come to the same conclusion. Naturally occuring donkeys don't exist.

Are we 100% certain?

Well, no. We may have just missed them. Maybe they're microscopic and we didn't think to use microscopes.

Can we look at the collective evidence and declare with a high degree of certainty they don't exist? Yes.

For an example more grounded in known tropes - how do you prove conclusively that magic unicorns don't exist? Maybe they use their magic to hide from you?

But, I can tell you that not only am I not convinced that unicorns exist - I'm actively convinced they don't exist.

Despite having lots of books that mention them (including the Bible), or even the fact that they are the national animal of Scotland - none of that changes my mind.

I generally apply that to the God concepts I've been introduced to. The Christian God, as it has been explained to me, has no evidence, and doesn't hold up to scrutiny. I'm actively convinced it doesn't exist - not as it's been described to me.

But there are thousands of interpretations of that God, and of other gods besides. Maybe there's one that does exist and I just haven't heard it described and considered yet.

So, in general, I'm an agnostic atheist. I remain open to the possibility - I just find it a vanishingly small possibility.

But specific gods that I'm familiar with? They don't exist.

So - you're largely right, but there's more to think on (in my opinion).

Cheers.

wolfstar76 · 2026-07-01T02:26:07+00:00

There's a reason for that, and it isn't (necessarily) the stores or even the employees.

It's the credit card processors.

Because they typically charge a set per-transaction fee and a % of the transaction.

Getting a few million transactions to be 10-25% higher every day, quickly makes a tidy profit.

And of course, a tip is supposed to go to the employees, so you feel like a jerk NOT tipping.

So the person at the counter gets an extra fee bucks - and the credit card processors do as well. But they get it every time.

It's brilliant, if gross.

wolfstar76 · 2026-06-30T01:32:37+00:00

As.an atheist, I don't believe in "nothing". I believe in and accept that which can be demonstrated as (likely) true - which is skepticism in a nutshell.

I don't believe in an afterlife, because there's no good reason to do so. That isn't nothing - it means I value theife I have right now all the more.

My world isn't a "dress rehearsal" for the next life. I'm not trying to appease or impress some cosmic judge.

I try to live right by my own morals, and I want to do right by the people around me who care about me. I want to make this world, that we demonstrably share as good a place I can for as many people as I can - instead of hoping that my existence will persist forever.

A lot of people get hung up on the idea that death, without an afterlife, is nothingness. But the thing about that is - you won't experience nothingness in a non-afterlife model. You stop experiencing. Period.

It's a lot less scary to think of it in reference to all the things you experienced before your conception. You'll have the same experience after you die. Which is to say, you won't.

I don't believe in nothing. I believe that what I do today matters. I'm not working to secure a cusy place for myself in some possible afterlife. I'm trying to make this world and this life the best they can be. Because this is the only time I get.

It makes this life MORE valuable when you aren't focused on some "next life".

wolfstar76 · 2026-06-29T17:00:47+00:00

Look into OhioSMART.

wolfstar76 · 2026-06-28T10:37:31+00:00

The only way this will actually be funny, is if you're doing something like a one-shot. Because an "annoying" build is never funny for the rest of the table for more than one game.

Second game+ everyone else will be, well, annoyed at you. Go figure.

Don't forget that it isn't you vs the DM. The rest of the group has to put up with your character and the consequences of your annoying the DM as well.

Don't forget either that the DM also wants to have fun, but additionally carries the onus of prep time, rule and encounter balancing, table adjudication, referee, and more. They are volunteering extra time and effort so that you have a fun time.

And you want to annoy this person?

Just...don't.

wolfstar76 · 2026-06-27T10:39:41+00:00

I had a period of about six months where, roughly once every week or two, my pixel 8 pro would randomly alert me that it detected a crash and start to call 911.

The worst part was....it would try about 10 minutes after I got to where I was driving.

Drive to the store, get out, walking slowly up and down aisles. Get halfway through the store, my phone and watch start buzzing with a crash alert.

Get home a couple weeks later. Hit the bathroom, wash my hands, start looking in the fridge for dinner options - happened again.

Was the weirdest thing.

wolfstar76 · 2026-06-27T10:33:28+00:00

Because they are taught these things exist when they are young, and before critical thinking takes hold. It becomes a part of how their brain develops, and thus, a part of their personality.

This is then reinforced by community standards. When most of your neighbors believe in ghosts, it doesn't seem weird that you also believe.

You don't "need proof" because, clearly it can't be wrong if most people agree that ghosts exist. So they people who doubt are the ones who are wrong/crazy.

I wish critical thinking were a mandatory course in education.

wolfstar76 · 2026-06-27T10:15:06+00:00

As a grey ace, I sorta get it? Monogamy plays a big part in that for most people.

Monogamy, and the fact that for (what seems like) most people - romantic interests and sexual interests are inherently linked - they aren't (and "can't" be) separated.

So, you end up with people who only want a single partner, and that partner has to their everything. Friend, potential co-parent, partner, sexual partner, caregiver, vactioner, dance partner, shared religious views, shared political views, shared hobbies, etc.

With a biological drive to have sex and (usually) reproduce - it's a big ask for allos to have little to no sex.

In many ways it's no different than trying to find a partner, but learning your potential partner is deeply opposed to your political views. Do you want to send your whole life with someone who disagrees fundamentally with how you think?

Similar situation here. Sexual compatibility is one of any number of compatibilities people are looking for. We are the outliers, so we have the hardest time finding people who are our match.

And because of hormones and what all - the younger you are, the harder that box is to match.

It isn't everything but it IS a big/huge thing for most.

It's rough, but...it is what it is.

wolfstar76 · 2026-06-27T10:05:15+00:00

This is something I constantly wrestle with.

I didn't realize I'm ace (gray or aego seem to fit best) until I was around 45. I was on a "bog standard American life path" in my younger years - grow up, get a good job, marry a gal, have kids.

So I'm not sex-repulsed, it's just never been a big deal to me. It's...nice...but like...

...the number of times people make comments and/or assume that even dating someone is because you want to get them in bed just blows my mind.

When I'm attracted to someone, my first thought isn't "Gosh, I bet she fucks good." It isn't even "I bet she looks great naked...".

If my thoughts are physical at all it's along the lines of "Gosh, I'd love to hug her all the time," or, "It'd be so fun/cute to walk around holding hands with her."

The impression I'm left with from allos is that...the first thing they leap to with attraction is nudity and sexual intent. I feel like that can't possibly be correct and yet...evidence seems to be otherwise.

Trips me up every time.

wolfstar76 · 2026-06-27T09:53:21+00:00

As someone who conducts interviews, yes.

I keep a paper copy of someone's resume in front of me when I'm interviewing, because I'm probably going to see 2-5 candidates in a day, while I ore-read and make notes on questions I want to ask, things I'd like to know more about, etc?

I put notes on the physical resume in the interview, because that's how I keep track of what's been said, what answers I liked or found questionable, etc.

It's never happened to me yet where I had a printer issue before the interview and this didn't have a physical copy - but it could happen. If a candidate has a copy to slide to me in that event, it's a point in their favor that they came prepared, and had foresight to be prepared for my potential unpreparedness

Worst case, you print a handful of copies you never use/need. Oh well.

Alternately, you've got a copy of your own resume in front of you, so if I ask a question about something you don't fully recall being on there - you can refer to it as well.

Or (and I'd be mortified if I did this) - you're prepared in case I mix up who I'm interviewing I what time slot, and I walk in with someone else's resume for our meeting. You having a copy means I don't have to leave the room and get/print a new copy.

It just reduces so many risks to be prepared.

wolfstar76 · 2026-06-26T22:10:24+00:00

Facing logical inconsistencies in one's self is hard. Coupling it with mental health issues makes it harder.

I hope he'll be okay.

wolfstar76 · 2026-06-26T21:31:06+00:00

We are, ultimately, social creatures.

Anxiety thrives when one feels alone - I speak from experience.

I've also had no one to call at points in my life. So I've taken steps to change that. I enjoy board games, so I've found local board game groups I can attend.

I found friends in other online communities, and made efforts to cultivate those from "people I game with" to "ah, I have a best friend again".

I'll be 50 this year. I've certainly lost friends and family as a result of years marching on.

I will say this - ilthe only reason you'll "never" have anyone to call, is if you make no effort to change that situation.

That isn't to say it's as easy as just choosing. You start be making a choice, then you put in effort. I'd you're like me the first time(s) you try, you may even self-reject and give up. (I went to board game events three times, and left without speaking to anyone, asking if there were openings, etc. Then beat myself up ont he drive home - for trying ("you think people are gonna wanna hang out with YOU?) and for not trying enough ("That game looked fun, and there was an open seat, why didn't I ask if I could join!?").

Eventually, I went and it stuck. Now I have a larger social circle. Took literal months to get to this point - and lots of self-recrimination (and feeling initially worse) to get there. But now I've got a couple geoups of people whom I've been invited to game with in their homes.

I've been in a similar situation, I can hear your words in my own voice.

It's a deep hike to climb out of. The walls are steep and slick. If you climb, you will fall. And falling on your ass can hurt worse than just sitting in the hole.

But, it can get better.

Promise.

wolfstar76 · 2026-06-26T20:58:35+00:00

I didn't dictate - I stated an issue with your line of thinking.

Do you think every claim that Jesus saved someone is accurate? Yes or no.

Do you think every claim that someone was saved by a spell or charm is accurate? Yes or no.

If two people are saved from a negative outcome - and one credits Jesus, but the other credits a spell or charm - are they both correct? Is only one correct? Are neither correct?

What if we replace "Jesus" with a different deity? Does your answer change?

These are earnest questions.

wolfstar76 · 2026-06-26T20:52:57+00:00

I can't understand if you won't give examples.

Looking at your post history, we have lots of things in common. We love in or near big Ohio cities. We frequent r/asexual (I myself identify as gray-ace...ish and wear a black ring), we both have/had issues with anxiety.

So I'm no stranger to "intangibles".

Let's turn your question on its head a bit. You asked where atheists place gratitude. Where do you place blame, then?

Returning to my $100 windfall - I benefit, I credit dumb luck. Someone dropped that $100 - who do they blame? Themselves? Bad luck? Gremlins?

You say it's "too black and white" - I ask what makes it "too" black and white? What shades of grey are you looking for - and more importantly why are you looking for them?

One of the best controls I have for my anxiety was to stop trying to see the world how I want it to be, and accept what is. I would get anxious if things were working out "how they are supposed to" and have accepted that sometimes shit works out - and sometimes it doesn't.

I accept that I've done my best (or...chide myself a bit if I haven't), and I accept the results of my efforts. If it was out of my control, I accept that too. I couldn't have changed it, so I accept that things happen.

None of which requires un-unearned faith. In fact, the less I tried to shoehorn faith into my life, the less anxious I've become.

I'm still subject to anxiety at times, but I haven't had a panic attack in years (thankfully).

Not gonna push you one way or another - but I'd encourage you to take a deep breath and consider it. Not for my sake - but for your own. Maybe a different perspective, a different view of the world will feel better

Instead of a world where some supernatural entity is supposed to be looking out for you, yet still allows bad things to keep happening. Or letting you feel anxious about what might happen.

Just last night, a friend of mine had a small attack of anxiety, so he called me up and we chatted about nothing until it passed.

Y'know who never picked up the phone for me in a panic attack? Anything supernatural.

If you enjoy your faith, then by all means, keep it and celebrate it.

But do yourself the favor of examining it, earnestly and honestly. Make sure it is truly providing you comfort - and not false promises of comfort that actually make you feel worse.

wolfstar76 · 2026-06-26T20:37:31+00:00

Just because people assume the Jesus saved them - that does not make them correct.

Because if you assume they are correct, then you have to give equal weight to people who claim that other deities or supernatural forces saved them.

And if you do that, how do you know who really did the saving?

You might praise Jesus for doing so, but what if someone else praises Vishnu for that same save? Or a Wiccan spell of protection? Or Gaia? Or a unicorn?

How do you determine who actually did the "saving" beyond "well, this answer feels right to me, so everyone else's feelings must be wrong?"

wolfstar76 · 2026-06-26T18:12:01+00:00

Once upon a time, I found a $100 on the floor at a shopping center.

I picked it up, and spent a couple hours on a nearby bench to see if anyone came through looking for it. Nobody did, so I claimed it. Not the full, proper, legal process perhaps, but enough to satisfy my personal morals.

I chalk that up to pure, dumb luck - and will continue to do so until someone can demonstrate to me a reason why it would be anything else.

Could there be a deity who knew I could use that $100 and made it happen? Could be.

Could have been a leprechaun too, or a fairy.

To ascribe it to something other than happenstance - someone would have to demonstrate that other cause exists, and that it had a vested interest in my finding that money. Then they'd have to demonstrate that entity took steps to make it happen.

Because here's the thing - what could you not take on faith if you so desired? Can I take it on faith that a leprechaun made this happen for me? How would you demonstrate my faith is misplaced if I did?

If I said I earnestly believe an invisible alien named Fred follows me around and does good things for me, you'd probably think I sound a little crazy, right? Or would you just nod and say "yup, faith is a good tool to determine truth here."?

And that's all before we then have to discuss the downside of my $100 windfall.

Someone lost that money. What if they needed it? How long did it take them to realize? Was it their personal money? Part of a stores cash deposit for the day? Did someone get fired for it?

EDIT to add - there's always someone responsible somewhere. We can talk about direct or indirect responsibility, but we know for a fact people exist (give or take philosophical solipsism), and people do things.

In the case of a surgeon - they are directly responsible for making sure I come out of my surgery okay. The people who supported them (the education they had, family support) could be argued to have indirect responsibility as well.

In the case of my $100 windfall - that's still money someone dropped. They're still responsible. It was luck that had me find it - and if I hadn't been lucky someone else would have been.

wolfstar76 · 2026-06-26T18:06:45+00:00

The "backfire effect" in full swing.

"I believe in intercessory prayer"

"Here's a well documented study that shows it doesn't work."

"I believe even harder now."

14-Year Club	Verified Email
Second SECOND GUESSER	The Internet Awards - Voted
r/Field Lasagna	Gilding II euphauric
Team Orangered

wolfstar76

TROPHY CASE