Scientists: Atheists May Not Exist—Seriously

Barbwire ^ | July 15, 2014 | Alex Kocman

[EternalVigilance]

Anybody that thinks you can’t be moral without religion is frankly frightening.

Actually, the article says the exact opposite, that even those who claim not to believe in God act in the real world as if He does exist.

Again, you're proving it.

[EternalVigilance]

In short, "atheists" do act morally, and speak in a moral sense, because, deep down, they know that God is.

Romans 1:18 "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools..."

[MrEdd]

If it is outside the realm of observation, then by definition it is within the realm of philosophy and conjecture, not the realm of science.

It doesn’t matter how many idiots try to confuse the two.

Thank you for confirming that you can not tell the difference between the two.

Since you have already proven on this thread that you are personally dishonest and have no intention of abiding by agreements you make, that makes you zero for.two.

[discostu]

You’ve now resorted to full on lies. Really pathetic, but funny, in a pathetic way. Bye.

[EternalVigilance]

It’s a lie that atheists can and do act morally?

[discostu]

It’s not outside the realm of observation. We’ve got all kinds of observations about how planets and sun and galaxies come to be. We’ve got all kinds of observations on how life evolves and changes.

I’m not dishonest at all. And saying I am is lying on your part. Another guy “defending” Christianity with lies.

[discostu]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/morally?s=t

[EternalVigilance]

I’m familiar with the word and its definitions.

“principles of behaviour in accordance with standards of right and wrong”

[EternalVigilance]

Here, try Webster’s 1828’s version:

“According to the rules of the divine law. An action is not in strictness morally good, which does not proceed from good motives, or a principle of love and obedience to the divine law and to the lawgiver. Charity bestowed to gratify pride, or justice done by compulsion, cannot be morally good in the sight of God.”

[discostu]

If you’re familiar then you understand that there’s nothing about religion or God in the definition of morality. We, as intelligent being, can figure it out on our own. We can decide what’s right and wrong as a society, coming up with our own Social Contracts without religion. So sure, atheists can behave morally, which does not mean they aren’t atheists.

[discostu]

Gotta link? Doesn’t really matter though, we’ve changed. We’ve figured out we can figure out right and wrong without the threat of hell.

[EternalVigilance]

Basic right and wrong never changes.

[discostu]

Exactly. With or without a concept of God basic right and wrong don’t change. You just explained exactly why atheists can be atheists and moral.

[MrEdd]

Absolutely it is appropriate to point out that when you registered to post on this site you agreed to abide by certain standards.

Revisit the Free Republic front page.

It says outright that this is a pro God site.

You are not abiding by the agreement you made when you registered here. The word for that is liar.

Whine all you want about being called on it, but you are what you are.

[EternalVigilance]

With or without a concept of God basic right and wrong don’t change.

Again, your mere acceptance that there is right and wrong is, whether you will admit it or not, an acceptance of a "religious" premise. Because your precious science cannot prove the existence of right and wrong. It cannot establish the moral basis of anything, because that basis is intangible.

You're simply accepting morality on faith. Because deep down, you know what is right, and what is wrong. You were born with that intrinsic understanding, which we call conscience.

[discostu]

Nope. I’m not breaking any rules. FR is a pro-God site. It does not say it is restricted only to pro-God people. I am most certainly abiding by the agreement. Nothing in that agreement says you can’t be an atheist. It says you can’t be for government enforced atheism, which I’m not, I think all the whining about nativity scenes and such is silly. I’m not for government enforced much really, it’s all part of that pro-Constitution, pro-Bill of Rights, pro-limited government stuff further down in that sentence.

So nope. No lies from me.

[discostu]

Sorry but it isn’t. Right and wrong can and do exist without religion. Most of our rules of right and wrong are followed by every other pack animal on the planet, they are necessary rules for creatures that work in groups, they keep the group functional. Now if animals that don’t even have language skill, much less a concept of God, can figure them out...

I’m not accepting morality on faith. I understand it’s purpose to strengthen the group.

You really should spend less time trying to tell other people what they think. Not only is it rude, you’re wrong every single time.

[Zeneta]

“No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God
When they’re starving or freezing or so very poor

No one laughs at God
When the doctor calls after some routine tests
No one’s laughing at God
When it’s gotten real late
And their kid’s not back from the party yet

No one laughs at God
When their airplane start to uncontrollably shake
No one’s laughing at God
When they see the one they love, hand in hand with someone else
And they hope that they’re mistaken

No one laughs at God
When the cops knock on their door
And they say we got some bad news, sir
No one’s laughing at God
When there’s a famine or fire or flood

But God can be funny
At a cocktail party when listening to a good God-themed joke, or
Or when the crazies say He hates us
And they get so red in the head you think they’re ‘bout to choke
God can be funny,
When told he’ll give you money if you just pray the right way
And when presented like a genie who does magic like Houdini
Or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Claus
God can be so hilarious
Ha ha
Ha ha

snip

From the very talented

Regina Spektor - “Laughing With” [Official Music Video]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pxRXP3w-sQ&feature=kp

[EternalVigilance]

I’m not telling you what you think. You’re telling us what you think. I’m simply commenting on your comments in the context of the article. That’s generally what we do at FR, right?

Frankly, you couldn’t have done a better job of proving the author to be correct. Thanks.

[Borges]

This argument reminds me of Dostoevsky’s position on religion. It’s not clear whether he actually believed in God (he did not as a young man) but later in life came to the conclusion that religious belief was necessary for order because of people’s capacity to rationalize just about any sort of behavior on their own: ‘without God everything is permissible’. It’s a famous line.