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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Religion / Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers (2073 Views)
Questions Begging For Answers In The Quran / Is Atheism A Belief Or Lack Of Belief / Is Atheism Really This Foolish???? (2) (3) (4)
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by Nobody: 9:13am On Aug 16, 2016 |
KingEbukasBlog:albert einstein moved between deism,atheism and pantheism one thing was certain my brother he wasn't a christian or a believer of the abrahamic faiths 1 Like |
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by KingEbukasBlog(m): 9:15am On Aug 16, 2016 |
stephenmorris: Einstein was a deist .End of story . He was never an atheist 1 Like |
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by Ranchhoddas: 9:18am On Aug 16, 2016 |
KingEbukasBlog:He believed in Spinoza's God. That's pantheism. |
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by Nobody: 9:21am On Aug 16, 2016 |
KingEbukasBlog:Agnosticism, deism, and atheism[edit] Einstein stated in his final letter: 'I am not an atheist.',[19] explaining at one point: "I have repeatedly said that in my opinion the idea of a personal god is a childlike one. You may call me an agnostic, but I do not share the crusading spirit of the professional atheist whose fervor is mostly due to a painful act of liberation from the fetters of religious indoctrination received in youth. I prefer an attitude of humility corresponding to the weakness of our intellectual understanding of nature and of our own being."[1] According to Prince Hubertus, Einstein said, "In view of such harmony in the cosmos which I, with my limited human mind, am able to recognize, there are yet people who say there is no God. But what really makes me angry is that they quote me for the support of such views."[20] Einstein had previously explored the belief that man could not understand the nature of God. In an interview published in 1930 in G. S. Viereck's book Glimpses of the Great, Einstein, in response to a question about whether or not he defined himself as a pantheist, explained: Your question is the most difficult in the world. It is not a question I can answer simply with yes or no. I am not an Atheist. I do not know if I can define myself as a Pantheist. The problem involved is too vast for our limited minds. May I not reply with a parable? The human mind, no matter how highly trained, cannot grasp the universe. We are in the position of a little child, entering a huge library whose walls are covered to the ceiling with books in many different tongues. The child knows that someone must have written those books. It does not know who or how. It does not understand the languages in which they are written. The child notes a definite plan in the arrangement of the books, a mysterious order, which it does not comprehend, but only dimly suspects. That, it seems to me, is the attitude of the human mind, even the greatest and most cultured, toward God. We see a universe marvelously arranged, obeying certain laws, but we understand the laws only dimly. Our limited minds cannot grasp the mysterious force that sways the constellations. I am fascinated by Spinoza's Pantheism. I admire even more his contributions to modern thought. Spinoza is the greatest of modern philosophers, because he is the first philosopher who deals with the soul and the body as one, not as two separate things.[21] In 1945 Guy Raner, Jr. wrote a letter to Einstein, asking him if it was true that a Jesuit priest had caused Einstein to convert from atheism. Einstein replied, "I have never talked to a Jesuit priest in my life and I am astonished by the audacity to tell such lies about me. From the viewpoint of a Jesuit priest I am, of course, and have always been an atheist. ... It is always misleading to use anthropomorphical concepts in dealing with things outside the human sphere—childish analogies. We have to admire in humility the beautiful harmony of the structure of this world—as far as we can grasp it, and that is all."[22] In a 1950 letter to M. Berkowitz, Einstein stated that "My position concerning God is that of an agnostic. I am convinced that a vivid consciousness of the primary importance of moral principles for the betterment and ennoblement of life does not need the idea of a law-giver, especially a law-giver who works on the basis of reward and punishment."[23] According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Einstein was more inclined to denigrate atheists than religious people.[24] Einstein said in correspondence, "[T]he fanatical atheists...are like slaves who are still feeling the weight of their chains which they have thrown off after hard struggle. They are creatures who—in their grudge against the traditional 'opium of the people'—cannot hear the music of the spheres."[24][25] Although he did not believe in a personal God, he indicated that he would never seek to combat such belief because "such a belief seems to me preferable to the lack of any transcendental outlook."[26] Devoutly religious[edit] Einstein characterized himself as “devoutly religious” in one specific sense as in the following statement: The most beautiful emotion we can experience is the mystical. It is the power of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead. To know that what is inpenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty, which our dull faculties can comprehend only in their most primitive forms— this knowledge, this feeling, is at the center of true religiousness. In this sense, and in this sense only, I belong to the rank of devoutly religious men.[27] Determinism[edit] source -wikipedia |
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by Nobody: 9:24am On Aug 16, 2016 |
In a letter to Eric Gutkind dated 3 January 1954, Einstein wrote in German, "For me the unaltered Jewish religion like all other religions is an incarnation of the most primitive superstitions. And the Jewish people to whom I gladly belong and with whose mentality I have a deep affinity have no different quality for me than all other people. As far as my experience goes, they are also no better than other human groups, although they are protected from the worst cancers by a lack of power. Otherwise I cannot see anything 'chosen' about them."[14][15][43][44] sorce -wikipedia kingebukanaija you do hear am if you don't trust wiki go and make ur research |
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by mekkfreshboy(m): 9:36am On Aug 16, 2016 |
Seun: Albert Einstein's religious views have been studied extensively. He said he believed in the "pantheistic" God of Baruch Spinoza ( Baruch was Jewish), but not in a personal god, a belief he criticized. He also called himself an agnostic, while disassociating himself from the label atheist, preferring, he said, "an attitude of humility corresponding to the weakness of our intellectual understanding of nature and of our own being. He was not an Atheist, He believed in Intelligent design. I refer to what you call God as the "Eternal" or "Divine" and my concept of a Divine creator is different almost akin to Spinoza's view but not the same( I am Jewish). I believe that the Creator placed certain Laws and boundaries in the Universe. I am skeptical about magics and miracles purported today by self acclaimed men of God in Nigeria and based on my understanding of the physical properties of the Earth I know for sure that the so called called witches in Benin city where I reside are incapable of defying the Laws of gravity etc unless they can prove me otherwise. We have our limitations as Humans and so does Science. I also reiterate that I am a proponent of making the world a better place for mankind to live. I am more interested in your actions than on what you believe in. whether you are Atheist or Theist try as much as you can to contribute in making the world a better place and living a moral life. |
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by Nobody: 1:41pm On Aug 16, 2016 |
mekkfreshboy:you talk about einstein as if he was GOD lol,its normal,,,,,,,,,he been a great scientist will make one equal him with god sometimes ,,,,,i will just tell you einstein could have been wrong ,isaac newton was proven wrong too ,so its not about einstein talking about intelligent design its about knowing man is a being capable of making mistakes dats all bro,i hope you took my previous advice seriously 1 Like |
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by mekkfreshboy(m): 7:49am On Aug 17, 2016 |
stephenmorris: Thanks man but I have no intention of making such choice. Atheism is not the solution. |
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by PDBonline: 8:13pm On Dec 22, 2016 |
DeSepiero:except that EVERYTHING in your life makes perfect sense. That's a statement in ecstasy. If that's true what's the cause of high suicide rate among atheists? |
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by LaDolceVita: 8:37pm On Dec 22, 2016 |
annunaki2: Einstein didn't believe in intelligent design what are you on about. He was an atheist. A simple google search can resolve this i don't know why people just choose to believe a warped reality that suits their prior beliefs. |
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by DeSepiero(m): 9:01pm On Dec 22, 2016 |
PDBonline:What's your argument? |
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by akintom(m): 9:03pm On Dec 22, 2016 |
mekkfreshboy: I align with the atheistic concept called "new atheism". This concept of atheism is of the view, that the very lack of belief in god, is a responsive position, to an all pervading and ubiquitous religious beliefs system. This religious beliefs system, irritates, harasses, oppresses, and conditions the human mind to accept ideas, that the rational minds know as mythical, legendary, superstitious, illusionary and delusionary. And all there's to support these beliefs are ASSUMPTIONS. What possible value can religious beliefs/god idea add to my life? When such ideas essentially engenders and introduces the following pollutants and irritants into human experience: *irrational fears, *optional and debilitating ignorance, *hatred, *division, *extremism, *terrorism, *persecution , *victimization, *segregation, *cognitive inhibition, *acting without and against reasons etc. Knowing that i and i alone is responsible for how my life turns out, is exciting, healthy, stimulating and rewarding for me. Who doesn't want to see and live in a society devoid of the pollutants and irritants introduced to human experience by god idea? |
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by PDBonline: 9:32pm On Dec 22, 2016 |
DeSepiero:Responding to the statement that everything makes sense when one becomes an atheist. That's a statement far from reality. |
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by DeSepiero(m): 9:47pm On Dec 22, 2016 |
PDBonline: Hahaha interesting! Who made the statement? Kindly refresh my memory. Maybe you're misunderstanding the speaker's perspective, maybe. That statement has a point though. |
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by PDBonline: 3:55am On Dec 23, 2016 |
DeSepiero:Oga of Nairaland himself |
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by pressplay411(m): 5:52pm On Dec 26, 2016 |
mekkfreshboy: Interesting thread. The Truth is there are no Answers, only Choices. As a kid, choices were made for you. But ss an adult your choices are your sole responsibility. The pendulum back and forth between Theists and Atheists didn't start today and will remain inconclusive till eternity. Why? Because until God presents a physical proof of his existence, I mean until he appears in 5D in the sky or inside the sun or "judgment day" arrives or a relative of yours who's been dead for years reincarnates or resurrects with a complete detail of what heaven or hell looks like, you will never have proof beyond all reasonable doubt. The Choices; -You can choose to conform to society and accept the dominant religion in your region and live the acceptable life. All that matters is your Belief and Faith in your chosen Religion. -Or choose to tread the path of Knowledge. An endless quest for the Truth and Reason behind existence. It's the most daring and liberating path. And yes, Faith still applies. 1 Like |
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by mekkfreshboy(m): 10:28am On Dec 27, 2016 |
LaDolceVita: Einstein was not an atheist, get your facts right. 1 Like |
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by ScepticalPyrrho: 12:35pm On Dec 27, 2016 |
It depends on your definition of atheism or understanding of the different variations of atheism. Atheism in simple terms is the lack of belief in the existence of a God. It is difficult to give a clear-cut demarcation of the believe in an intelligent design or a supernatural being. A person may hold on to a believe in an intelligent Designer yet do not ascribe to any supernatural or spiritual ramifications. In all this complexities it can be said that Deism is the mid-point, but it begs the question of the nature of the being - God. Is it spiritual or physical? Does it have a creator too. Or are there other parallel universes created by other gods? Do these gods have a supreme creator? The questions are endless. The fact still remains that no one has answers and I have settled to live with that. I'm a sceptist, an agnostist, and it is good enough for now. You really don't have to belong to any of the categories that claims to know something out of our reality. You live with the uncertainties. Our problem as humans is that we always feel we have to belong somewhere to give meaning, explanations, and answers. But where the questions are still begging, it is cowardice to hide under one group just to 'belong'. Until we have definite evidences, convincing proofs, real contact with these gods we are going to keep making things up just to make sense of our reality. Bottom line: WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE DONT KNOW! We are here, right now, and right here, let's make the best out of our short lives. We tend to doubt our senses since we realize the inevitable destination of our present reality. We live and we die, period. You can seek eternal life, or wish it, or feel like it isn't fair. Yes, we are all going to die like all other animals on this planet whether you believe it or not, it changes nothing. If you find solace in believing in a universe where all the billions of stars are placed for your sake, that's your choice/wish. But don't claim you know anything, just acknowledge your beliefs as it is rightly called. Don't condemn others and don't carry up arms to defend mere beliefs. |
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by mekkfreshboy(m): 1:42pm On Dec 27, 2016 |
I Look at the way politics is run in Nigeria and at the way religion is practiced here, the hypocrisy, corruption, our level of enlightenment, the moral decadence. and then at the new Nigerian atheism, I see a correlation between Nigerian atheists and Nigerian Christians. The former and the latter aren't much different. it like thinking that APC is newer and better than PDP where as they are the same. Same people. Our approach to everything Western is laughable. We are ready to murder our language and culture for it. Atheism is not new, it has always been around. It predates the renaissance. Rationalism didn't birth Atheism. This a fact. Atheism only has a new clothing this time. I don't want to imagine a world ruled by atheists governments. Look at what the German scientists did to the Jews with their gas chamber experiments. Smh |
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by menxer: 6:36pm On Dec 27, 2016 |
winner01: |
Re: Is Atheism The Way? I Am Searching For Answers by orunto27: 7:02pm On Dec 27, 2016 |
The way starts from The Cross(Jesus)Road. You're now there, seeking to proceed, but most atheists have not gotten to the Crossroad. |
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