@fmf saidI have frequently been called deluded (on account of my atheism) by Christians here, including Kelly, Joseph and Sonship.
It's not "all of a sudden" at all. It's been going on for years. The atheists here who have resorted to talk of "delusion" and "fairytales" in their interactions with people talking about their religious faith have thankfully been a relatively small minority
@ghost-of-a-duke saidI have not suggested there is "a club" or "a community" or that there is "solidarity". These are words you are introducing into the conversation. Not me. But there are some commonalities: we share a lack of belief in a deity and we are active here mostly because we seek to engage theists in good faith. I don't see a role for mockery.
Atheism is a lack of belief in God or gods. That's it. It is not a club, a community. There is no solidarity between us based on our disbelief in deities.
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@ghost-of-a-duke saidIt doesn't concern me. josephw has described my lack of belief as a mental illness on several occasions. I don't really care. He is who he is. But it would bother me if atheists here started arguing that theism as a kind of mental illness.
I have frequently been called deluded (on account of my atheism) by Christians here, including Kelly, Joseph and Sonship.
@ghost-of-a-duke saidI am criticizing your sloppy banter and conduct which I see as an attempt to belittle people's faith when I know full well that you are able to express your ideas - many of which we have in common - with much more erudition.
Then don't refer to me as a fellow atheist as though we shared some common code of conduct.
@fmf saidReligion is not a mental illness, but a fulfillment of the human need for answers, hope and comfort.
It doesn't concern me. josephw has described my lack of belief a mental illness on several occasions. I don't really care. He us who is. But it would bother me if atheists here started theism as a kind of mental illness.
These answers however are false, and hinder the search for genuine answers.
@ghost-of-a-duke saidThis kind of rhetoric is far more becoming of you.
Religion is not a mental illness, but a fulfillment of the human need for answers, hope and comfort.
These answers however are false, and hinder the search for genuine answers.
@ghost-of-a-duke saidNot at all. Atheists' resort to this particular riff has been making me cringe for years.
Are you regretting doubling down on the whole 'fairy tale' thing?
@fmf saidIs it only the term 'fairy tale' you object to? Is myth ok?
I am criticizing your sloppy banter and conduct which I see as an attempt to belittle people's faith when I know full well that you are able to express your ideas - many of which we have in common - with much more erudition.
Or should I just pretend literal accounts of the Garden of Eden have some level of credence?
@ghost-of-a-duke said"Ancient Hebrew mythology" and "ancient Hebrew folklore" seem OK to me.
Is it only the term 'fairy tale' you object to? Is myth ok?
@ghost-of-a-duke saidI don't see why you are worrying so much about whether a believer views this as allegory or as literally true.
Or should I just pretend literal accounts of the Garden of Eden have some level of credence?
@ghost-of-a-duke saidThe words "fairytales" or "fairies" come across as words intended to mock the believer.
How about:
These answers however are built on fairytales and hinder the search for genuine answers.