Religion is often more of a psychological problem then a lack of being able to understand science. There are people on YouTube, even a former priest, who are now atheist. Not because they got themselves a fancy education and started doing science but because they changed psychologically. Some videos even explain the different stages in the persons life when he was starting to realize he was becoming atheist and starting to doubt the ‘facts’ religion teaches us.
Don’t forget, most creationists have been brought up with a religion through their parents. The people they know and love the most. Then you have religious schooling, and growing up in a religious society. It’s much more complex than just understanding science and saying “ok I was wrong, I’m atheist now”.
It’s been documented and studied. There are books on the psychological stages that a religious person goes through (often at a young age) when he/she is slowly becoming an atheist. There’s several videos about a person explaining this on YouTube, but I can’t remember who it was.
Some people will see through the bullshit, others won’t. Science can be used to show the truth to these people, but lack of scientific knowledge (in my eyes) is NOT te number one reason why people are so ignorant towards it.
You are right again, but understanding science helps. It is not without a reason that, according to some researches, for professions that require more intelligence, more than 50% are atheists, and that percentage increases for more qualified professionals. But you got a point, it takes more than just that.
I would add that according to studies young children are willing to believe in everything that adults say. For Christians kids God is a part of the world as they know it. It require a lot of consideration to change the way you think and it also requires some knowledge. A lot of people just don’t want to take that effort and it’s hard to blame them. What would they gain if they changed their beliefs? Completely nothing! And what would they lose? A chance for eternal life - it’s so much more convenient not to even try thinking about it.
Your brain is not built to comprehend the greatness that was the Big Bang. Quantities… intensities… at a level you simply cannot understand. It is no wonder you ascribe it to magic.
Inflame conflict? Dude, these guys are believing that the sun rises in the west and are passing laws against people that don’t believe that! We have a culture in the United States right now that seeks to put what amounts to “The Stork in the Cabbage Patch” alongside the science of reproduction!
Hell no. I won’t respect that at all! The conflict was already “inflamed”.
Oh, and equal rights should not be provided because our nation was founded on the Force and Yoda doesn’t want a certain group to have equal rights. Because they’re Sith, y’know.
I agree with you that people pretty much believe that the sun rises in the west. I don’t know if it is ok to believe that the conflict was already inflamed, but let’s assume that. So you are implying that our duty, as atheists and humans, is to teach them the truth that the sun rises in the east. To accomplish that, we have to get into angry discussions against them, rising our voice above theirs and, the most important thing, showing our mind has already been made, we are completely unbendable about our beliefs. After all, you have to convince them that your point of view is smarter than theirs.
Hum… I’ve seen that kind of discussion a lot, I was in many of them (in Christian’s side) and my experience says it does not work. All that kind of discussion accomplishes is to get both sides angry at each other along with the belief that the other side’s view is plain stupid and it’s defender is too fool to see that.
If you want to convince someone about something, you have to take another approach. My advice is, if the discussion is turning into a flame war, swallow your pride and, unless you can turn the discussion into a more civilized one, stop it. You need to show respect, even if you don’t like it.
I have the impression that it is not enough to discuss these theoretical stuff like evolution and the big bang. Either they don’t believe you or adapt their belief to include that possibility. It is necessary time, probably years, and therefore patience. If someone have a serious flaw caused by religion - like pride, intolerance and such - that person will have a very hard time trying to sustain its belief across a long time. If they don’t have a serious flaw, then I think changing that person’s belief is not that important, but, in any case, you and that person will learn from each other, or at least one will learn from the other one.
So anyone that believes in God is your enemy? Even if he/she doesn’t want to change the law or lives outside USA and have no influence on your laws? So is it justified to treat all Theists like shit and call them “gigantic fucking idiots”? And finally, what would you gain by doing so?
You see, I never saw you insulting anyone on this forum, you always try to present reasonable arguments. I just got the idea that you’re defending people who do so just because they think they understand science (see few posts above).
The thing is, I do NOT respect other people’s beliefs if they don’t show respect. And, 9 times out of ten, they don’t show me respect so why the hell should I reciprocate?
If someone wants to discuss things maturely and rationally like an adult, I reciprocate. If it’s “lol u athiest is dum!” well, I don’t need to respect you, do I? I respond in kind.
I merely ask questions and that seems to “inflame” the situation because I’m daring to ask the question. Too bad.
Sorry, guga, but I won’t respect those that won’t respect me.
Sure, I understand that, but I already said that it’s OK to say whatever you want when someone’s beliefs in any way affect you, so when someone offends you it also counts.
To me, if they want to believe in a flying spaghetti monster, more power to them. But, woe betide those that seek to pass laws on the Coming of the Great White Handkerchief because they believe in the Great Green Arkleseizure.
Founded in 2004, Leakfree.org became one of the first online communities dedicated to Valve’s Source engine development. It is more famously known for the formation of Black Mesa: Source under the 'Leakfree Modification Team' handle in September 2004.
