Are you an Atheist?
Out of context: Reply #71
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- gramme0
"A belief in an absolute truth provides stability, purpose, and allows one the luxury of resting on the sovereign will of a Being that is greater than any one of us could ever be. To me that sounds like responsible parenting..."
Or a diminishing of the responsibility of the individual.
The bells which toll for mankind are—most of them, anyway—like the bells of Alpine cattle; they are attached to our own necks, and it must be our fault if they do not make a cheerful and harmonious sound.
Sir Peter Medawar; The Future of Man, 1959
I am still answerable for my actions, just as much as you are. The only difference between me and someone who does not share my beliefs is this: When Jesus asks me why I should be allowed into heaven, my answer will be that I don't deserve it. I am guilty of numerous faults. However, I know he went to hell in my behalf and thus paid the price in my stead. The person who doesn't see things the same way will say "I was a good person" or something along those lines...which is actually an ultimate shirking of ones' responsibilities. Such a statement involves a double denial, 1. that salvation is needed and 2. that any number of good deeds can tip the scales in a persons' favor.
I do actually agree that most of the "bells that toll for mankind" are hollow, are attached to our own necks as they are self-fabricated. I'd rather die right now than believe in a religion of that stripe.
Ultimately nothing will be proven beyond a reasonable doubt until the end of all things, if you even believe in such a future event. So we can talk all day until we're blue in the face, and and we're left with is a body of facts and an entity of faith that must fill in the gaps. This applies to Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Secular Humanism AKA Atheism AKA Scientific Darwinian Absolutism, Postmodern Agnosticism, or whatever else. We're all religious, like it or not. We all have faith or lack faith, a trait which by the way has nothing to do with mental or emotional acuity or disposition.