Since I haven’t had much time to write lately, I invited a friend of mine from Digital Point to do an article or two. Here is his first one providing the simple differences between atheism and agnosticism.
Atheism vs. Agnosticism
If you are reading this I would have to assume you have heard of atheism, and if you have heard of atheism then I would say there is a pretty good chance that you have also heard of agnosticism. But, do you know the difference between the two? Or even which, if either, you yourself are? This quick explanatory post may help clear just that up for you.
Atheism
In simple terms atheism is the absolute rejection of any form of theism and a complete disbelief in any form of deity. Most atheists justify their disbeliefs by exclaiming that there is no empirical evidence to support the existence of any kind of God.
Agnosticism
Similar in concept to atheism, agnosticism also promotes a solid disbelief in deities; however their similarities stop there. The big agnosticism claim is that there is, nor ever will be, anyway to prove beyond a responsible doubt that a God does or does not exist, and therefore we humans should not waste our time even worrying whether or not one exists.
Now please do keep in mind these are very basic descriptions and differences of atheists and agnostics. If you are interested in learning more I invite you to search around online and read up on what each group’s values are.
Which group you decide you are part of or feel you relate to more the most important thing is that you posses the ability to use logic. Sadly too many people in this world give in to blind faith and live their lives in fear. They also look at us as if we are the ones to fear, but in reality we know that atheists and agnostics alike are some of the most peaceful and loving people to grace this beautiful earth.
Mike
Verbal Battle
As Mike said, these are very basic descriptions of each. There are quite a few subtypes and varying beliefs within each broad class of belief systems. Over the next little while I’ll try to touch on those a bit.
Tags: Agnosticism, Atheism
Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to write. Things are finally slowing down at school though (midterms etc. just passed), so I’ll be able to start posting again. I’ve got quite a bit of material that I have accumulated over the past month - a lot of it I’ve found quite interesting so I’ll be sure to share that.
I’m also going to be holding an upcoming contest. Details to be provided soon.
Also, thanks to all those who have been commenting! I appreciate the feedback and your comments do not go unnoticed. Sorry, that I haven’t been able to respond to them, but now that I have more time - I will try to be a little more active.
Tags: Blogging
I came across Greydon Square a little while ago on a write up done by vjack at Atheist Revolution. This rap is both intelligent, bringing up quite a few good points and it actually sounds professionally recorded. It’s a song I would listen to just because it sounds good - the fact that it’s about atheism is just icing on the cake. I haven’t had a chance to check out much of his other stuff. The few I’ve heard are quite good but this one is my favorite by far.
Hope you enjoy:
You can buy Greydon’s new album here: The Cpt Theorem [Explicit]
Or check out his myspace here.
Or listen to more here: Greydon Square
LYRICS:
Grand Unified Theory
Rational Response Squad’s Newest Member
My name is….Greydon Square
And I’m a always give it to you straight
Check it. Yo Yo.
(Verse 1)
I’m like the Atheist spokesman
That why I come under fire and pressure attacks like Rex Grossman
Yea this game is intense
I been sayin it since agnostics people been playin the fence
They keep sayin its the same in a sense
That evolution requires faith, that universe just came to exist
First of all, microevolution been proven
In the same way that sound waves let you listen to music
And macroevolution is the system of change
At or above the level of the species inflicted with change
That’s microevolution on a grand scale we can’t even word
because our life span’s too short to observe
“But carbon dating is flawed”
“Its half life is 5730 years, and that supports our cause”
Now that’d be great if we used it to date
But since we don’t then I’m a question that argument’s weight
We use potassium argon to date to date the globe
Not carbon 12 or carbon 14 not none of those
So before you attack Grey go get ya facts straight
Because in the facts race, your God comes into last place
(Chorus)
Belief in Gods, we can fix that
Irrational thoughts we get dispatched
It may be hard be we’ll get back
In the position to just to end that
(Verse 2)
To battle me you need to reason clearly
Now I’m not sayin fear me
But at least be versed in punctuated equilibrium theory
Grand unified fields, quantum mechanics and dark planets
With logic that’s sharper than a blade of d’Artagnan’s
To destroy arguments of creationists who cant stand it
Then they try and hit me with the wager
Who? Pascal’s wager. Who? Pascal’s wager.
Now that’s a fool’s bet
And against the intelligent it’s used less
Really? You bet
This aint nothing new, they use it on kids
But for those who don’t know it goes a little like this
Wouldn’t you rather believe in God and be wrong
Then to not believe in God and be wrong
If you believe in God and your wrong you’ve lost nothing
But if you don’t believe and you’re wrong its all suffering
The problem is you can try it on anything
Switch the Gods around and apply it to anything
The Flyin Spaghetti Monster, Zeus, Amin, Ra
Krishna, Odin, Baal and then Allah
Which one of em’s our God?
None of em all false
And blame it on the Atheists its always our fault
Except it never is
So don’t get mad at us we just showin ya’ll the evidence
(Chorus)
Belief in Gods, we can fix that
Irrational thoughts we get dispatched
It may be hard be we’ll get back
In the position to just to end that
Grand Unified Theory
Rational Response Squad
I’m a make the fundies hate me
They gon’ need a new reason to shut down rap
But they wont shut down rap that degrades women though huh.
They wont shut down rap that talks about sellin crack though huh
Hypocrites
Its all good…
There seems to me to be 3 types of atheists when it comes to the level of outwardness in regards to their lack of belief. First, there are those that avoid arguments altogether, even if confronted. Secondly, there are those that, when confronted, will stand up for their beliefs/lack of belief and argue back. And finally, the category I tend to fall into is those that actively seek out debate. These are the people that love to argue for the sake of arguing - and to win.
There are many places to argue for atheism - the internet, school, with friends, etc. I myself typically argue on the internet and with friends. I recently came across an excellent site that is perfect for these verbal battles. With a name that suits its purpose, VerbalBattle.com is a great forum to share with people a piece of your mind.
You may be wondering, “what’s so special about this forum” and it’s a good question with a good answer. Most forums enjoy restricting you as to what you may say - even debate forums and other sites. This often leads to deleted posts and bans. This forum is unique in that it is an uncensored debate forum. Say what you want, when you want without worrying about political correctness or all of that nonsense.
As atheists I feel that we love the logic side of things and many of us are great debaters. We enjoy analyzing and tearing down an argument. A few on the other hand may still tend to enjoy having an emotionally charged “debate.” So it’s natural to assume that some of you may think, “oh no, what if it gets out of hand.” Well, really - what danger does that put anyone in? As Verbal Battle’s slogan states: it’s better to fight with words, not with guns.
So whether you’re looking for an intelligent debate or just want to flame some christians (hopefully the former), then verbalbattle.com is the place for you.
Hope to see you on the forum!
Before you go: leave a comment and let me know what type of atheist you are!
A while back I posted a video of Edward Current’s called “Some of God’s Many Cool Designs” He made a follow up video and I found it quite amusing.
2min 50secs = GOLD. Good for a lol.
Enjoy.
Check out some of the other atheist humor posts:
Atheist Humor 1: Some of God’s Many “Cool Designs”
Atheist Humor 2: Flying Spaghetti Monster vs. Invisible Pink Unicorn
Atheist Humor 3: Mr. Deity Shows Us How Prayer Really Works
Atheist Humor 4: A Look at Creationism
Tags: Atheism, Creationism, Humor
I’ve been hearing a lot of this “God bless America”, “In God We Trust”, and “The United States is a Christian nation”. I’m gonna have to call bullshit on that.
If hell were real, the vast majority of Americans - Christians (especially) included - would find themselves there in death. Lucky for them, hell is a fictional place created by the same people who created the guidelines on getting there. Ironically, the same people that claim to be religious and follow the bible are the ones breaking these rules today. They are either full of shit, or completely deluded. Well, actually, probably both. Here’s why:
Let’s start off with this stat: 76.5% (159 million) of Americans identify themselves as Christian.Stats Keep this in mind and then look at the following stats:
1. 45% of American marriages end in divorce. This explicitly pisses god off: Malachi 2:16a: “I hate divorce, says the Lord God of Israel.” According to the Bible, God’s plan is that marriage be a lifetime commitment. Matthew 5:32 also states that: “But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.”
You bunch of sluts you. Strike 1 Christian Americans.
Stats
2. 66% of Americans are overweight and 31% of Americans are considered obese. What’s big sky-daddy have to say about this? Proverbs 23:20-21: “Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.” Proverbs 28:7: “He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.” Proverbs 23:2: “Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.”
I’m not sure, but I’m guessing suicide rates by knife wound aren’t as high as gluttony rates. Disobeying the bible? Big no-no. Strike 2.
Stats
3. $711,000,000,000 - U.S. Military Expenditure (2009 data)What about Matthew 5:38-42 which states: “…If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” Luke 6:27-31 also states almost the exact same thing.
Great way to piss off god. Strike 3 - looks like he won’t be blessing America.
Stats
4. Christians make up ~79% of the prison population in America. I should hope I wouldn’t have to provide “biblical proof” that murder, stealing, rape etc. are sins, but just in case:
Exodus 20:2–17 and Deuteronomy 5:6–21: “13. You shall not kill, 15. you shall not steal.” Deuteronomy 22:25-28: “But if in the field the man finds the girl who is engaged, and the man forces her and lies with her, then only the man who lies with her shall die”.
That’s strange, I thought atheists were the immoral ones…
Stats
5. 23.5% of people living in America are not christian That is quite a high %. God would be furious. After all you can’t have any other gods before him, and you must believe and worship him.
Looking at these stats, it’s easy to see that the vast majority of people in America are either a) not christian, b) christians who don’t actually follow their filthy book and so can’t be considered true christians or c) full of shit and don’t know what they believe.
The country is full of blasphemers and heathens: not something you’d expect from a christian nation. There are countless other examples of why - you just have to open your eyes.
Tags: America, Atheism, Christianity
