So Easy To Be An Atheist!

[seer]

I really have value.

I don't eternally have value. I don't absolutely have value. But I really have value.

You'll be hard-put to show otherwise. Unless of course, you try to make the argument that the only REAL value is eternal and absolute. Unfortunately for you, neither of those concepts are part of the definition of "value." Look it up...

See it worked! Those ruby red slippers are magical! So glad I could help...

[carpedm9587]

See it worked! Those ruby red slippers are magical! So glad I could help...

Seer - you're trolling. And you aren't really making any substantive arguments, so this is largely a waste of my time.

I'll leave the last word to you, unless you ask a question I have not previously answered or actually make a substantive argument.

[seer]

Seer - you're trolling. And you aren't really making any substantive arguments, so this is largely a waste of my time.

I'll leave the last word to you, unless you ask a question I have not previously answered or actually make a substantive argument.

[Starlight]

Whenever I see this thread title I'm like "okay seer, sure, if it's so easy to be an atheist that sounds great, so I'll be an atheist now then"...

[Tassman]

But neither we or our communities actually have significance, as you already agreed...

We and our communities have great significance to us. But they do not have significance in your escapist sense, whereby our lives are a mere dress-rehearsal for 'pie in the sky when you die'...or eternal torment. These are merely the foolish dreams of mortal men.

[seer]

We and our communities have great significance to us. But they do not have significance in your escapist sense, whereby our lives are a mere dress-rehearsal for 'pie in the sky when you die'...or eternal torment. These are merely the foolish dreams of mortal men.

Right, like an ant community has significance to them. You are not saying anything...

[carpedm9587]

Whenever I see this thread title I'm like "okay seer, sure, if it's so easy to be an atheist that sounds great, so I'll be an atheist now then"...

I think the latest exchange with Seer essentially confirms that this thread is just an example of trolling. I doubt it was never intended for serious discussion.

[JimL]

Right, like an ant community has significance to them. You are not saying anything...

Actually he is saying something, it's just that you don't get it. I'm not even sure you understand what you mean by "significance." And btw, if you don't think that ants have significance, why would you think that people do? I think I know why you think that. It's because you can't bear the thought that you are not ultimately special, that like an ant you are a conglomeration of atoms that upon your death will go on to form something else, perhaps an ant! But, that's what we do, oblivion is a difficult thing to face, and it is only human beings that have to face it, so we create stories which depict us as special beings, unrelated to the rest of nature and the ways thereof.

[seer]

I think the latest exchange with Seer essentially confirms that this thread is just an example of trolling. I doubt it was never intended for serious discussion.

No Carp, the thread was not about trolling, I may have trolled you a bit. I mean after all when you said that you have value how is than anymore than an assertion?

[seer]

Actually he is saying something, it's just that you don't get it. I'm not even sure you understand what you mean by "significance." And btw, if you don't think that ants have significance, why would you think that people do? I think I know why you think that. It's because you can't bear the thought that you are not ultimately special, that like an ant you are a conglomeration of atoms that upon your death will go on to form something else, perhaps an ant! But, that's what we do, oblivion is a difficult thing to face, and it is only human beings that have to face it, so we create stories which depict us as special beings, unrelated to the rest of nature and the ways thereof.

Jim oblivion is not a difficult thing to face, you wouldn't know anything. Now hell - that would be difficult to face...

[carpedm9587]

No Carp, the thread was not about trolling, I may have trolled you a bit.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt - once. Continue to ask meaningful questions or make meaningful arguments and I'll be happy to respond. Return to trolling and I'm done. Your choice.

I mean after all when you said that you have value how is than anymore than an assertion?

I never said it was anything other than an assertion. My life has value - to me. All life has value - to me. "Value" is an assessment made by a valuer - a sentient being. So if my life has value to me - then my life has value to at least one person - ergo it has value. If no one values a thing - then it has no value.

[seer]

I never said it was anything other than an assertion. My life has value - to me. All life has value - to me. "Value" is an assessment made by a valuer - a sentient being. So if my life has value to me - then my life has value to at least one person - ergo it has value. If no one values a thing - then it has no value.

OK, so basing your value, or human value, on assertion, and nothing more, is good enough for you. I will remember that going forward.

[Tassman]

Right, like an ant community has significance to them. You are not saying anything...

True and our human communities have significance for us. Obviously! We don't need the delusional ideation of eternal life and divine rewards and punishments to provide significance to our lives...that's escapism, not "significance".

[Tassman]

OK, so basing your value, or human value, on assertion, and nothing more, is good enough for you. I will remember that going forward.

It is YOU basing your human values on assertion, namely the unevidenced claim that an invisible deity "revealed" what they are. Why would anyone believe such nonsense?

[Starlight]

Jim oblivion is not a difficult thing to face, you wouldn't know anything. Now hell - that would be difficult to face...

I would love for there to be an afterlife. That sounds like a vastly easier thing to believe in. So easy to be religious.