Why Atheists Whiz on The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Townhall.com ^ | December 8, 2013 | Doug Giles

[Kip Russell]

Actually, modern Satanists don't believe that Satan (or any god, for that matter) exists. By definition, they are atheists.

[SevenofNine]

Yeah I hear that one story before

Back in da day when Purtians ran Boston they outlaw Christmas because it was spiritual enough

[VRW Conspirator]

I too am a non believer(not sure believer????) of Christian(RC) descent. I do not call myself an atheist as I do not believe I can know with any more certainty than those of faith can know that, as a demonstrable fact.

I am Christian and empathize! There is no way that I can prove God exists nor any way an atheist can prove that He does not exist. So both believer and non-believer are bound to taking a leap of faith in their declarations.

[Publius]

Kip, I'm an atheist too, and I'm gearing up for Christmas by prepping the Italian Christmas dishes I'll be making. I'll even say "Merry Christmas" if someone says it to me. Then I'll listen to my period instrument recording of Handel's "Messiah" (Christopher Hogwood), and that always puts me in a good Christmas mood.

Why are some atheists so serious about their beliefs? They're as bad as some devoutly religious people I know. Lighten up, everybody. It's Christmas!

[Vaquero]

I am Christian and empathize! There is no way that I can prove God exists nor any way an atheist can prove that He does not exist. So both believer and non-believer are bound to taking a leap of faith in their declarations.

absolutely

[nickcarraway]

Who is ruining Christmas more Christians or atheists?

[Fuzz]

How is it a ‘leap of faith’ to not accept what is a ‘leap of faith’ in the first place?

[oh8eleven]

Christmas is a far more commercial holiday then it was few generations ago.
Started with post WWII consumerism; was perpetuated via the Boomers and has grown so out of control that Black Friday is considered a holiday.
Even worse, merchants now damn near demand that we spend ourselves into bankruptcy at Christmas time, just so they can show a profit for the year.
Maybe if the lame-brain CEOs running the retail chains (like Penny's) had a clue during the other eleven months, the Christmas "panic" wouldn't be so bad.

[OldPossum]

I too celebrate Christmas.

Just curious. Since you state that you are a "non-believer," just what is it that you are celebrating?

[Vaquero]

my cultural heritage.

[jughandle]

Give them hell on Ramadan, not like you’ll lose your head or anything...

[VRW Conspirator]

How is it a ‘leap of faith’ to not accept what is a ‘leap of faith’ in the first place?

If I read your question right, you are saying that those who do not take a Christian "leap of faith" are void of taking any "leap of faith". I just clarified that atheists take a "leap of faith" by declaring a non-existence of God, because these atheist cannot prove that God does not exist. And therefore, must gain their belief with no proof (dis-proof).

[FlingWingFlyer]

Atheists have a problem with people being “merry” although being “gay” is something that they highly approve of. They prefer to spend Christmas being miserable and full of hate.

[VRW Conspirator]

absolutely

Would you consider a wager? This is an old one offered by Blaise Pascal. You know, the guy who gave us Pascal's Triangle. The first paragraph of the link sums up the wager nicely.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_Wager

[Kip Russell]

If I read your question right, you are saying that those who do not take a Christian "leap of faith" are void of taking any "leap of faith". I just clarified that atheists take a "leap of faith" by declaring a non-existence of God, because these atheist cannot prove that God does not exist. And therefore, must gain their belief with no proof (dis-proof).

What you are describing is "strong" atheism, which asserts that no deities exist; that is indeed a "leap of faith", as it were. On the other hand, there is also "weak" atheism (my position), which is simply a lack of belief in God or gods.

While I do not believe in any deities, I do not explicitly assert that there are none.

Hope this helps clarify things.

[Kip Russell]

Would you consider a wager? This is an old one offered by Blaise Pascal. You know, the guy who gave us Pascal's Triangle. The first paragraph of the link sums up the wager nicely.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_Wager

And this section refutes it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_Wager#Criticism

[Vaquero]

so according to you, not only do I have to either believe or not believe in God.....I have to believe or not believe in a vengeful God.

what if I believe or don’t believe in a loving understanding God. What does Pascal say about that. or his he busy writing “pascal programming language”.

this Easter we will feast on the Pascal lamb

[Kip Russell]

what if I believe or don’t believe in a loving understanding God.

For that matter, what if God punishes faith and rewards skepticism?

What if it's really Odin who's in charge...should you be sure to die with a sword in your hand so you can go to Valhalla? After all, what have you got to lose? (Perhaps Odin will allow you to substitute an M1 Garand for the sword)

Pascal's Wager is silly.

[Vaquero]

Thanks Odin!

[Fuzz]

I don’t think Vishnu actually exists. Millions of people seem to however and this is a ‘leap of faith’ on their part. Am I taking a ‘leap of faith’ by not believing that Vishnu is a supernatural being? Would your rejection of other supernatural beings be considered a leap of faith?

It doesn’t make much sense to say a rejection of something that requires faith is in itself faith based.