Balerion, claiming you did NOT twist my words is dishonest. I did NOT say atheists are like Hitler or the KKK but that how insulting it is and how insulted I personally would be if/when someone attempts to label me as an "atheist" (which quite a handful of people have because I denied being Christian but being open minded to the POSSIBILITY of the existence of some deist while still remaining skeptical at the same time, as if they're somehow polar opposites and the only two options?) is/would be the same if someone tried comparing me to Hitler or the KKK. By no how was I comparing atheists to Hitler or the KKK. That's where you twisted my words.
No words were twisted. Saying that being called an atheist is the same as being called Hitler, you are saying that atheists and Hitler are equally bad. That's a comparison. Now, I understand that maybe you aren't smart enough to grasp this, but I'm tired of explaining this to you.
"I am NOT closed minded, especially towards other beliefs. I do NOT attempt to speak on the behalf of Science based on limited knowledge of our universe and our relatively limited technology." - me
"Is this supposed to be your summary of atheism?" - Balerion
When people who identify as "atheists" refuse to accept the possibility of a certain religion or a certain belief have some validity, believing/claiming that there is no deity (Have I recently used "deist" when meaning "deity"? I feel like I have and my apologies if I have.), that there is no possibility of a deity existing. That the existence of any deity being completely false is the absolute truth of the universe. Yes, I would say that is being very much closed minded. And yes, when atheists make claims about the absolute truth of the universe or at least speaking in absolutes, they are attempting to speak on the behalf of science based on limited knowledge of the universe(s) and with our limited technology.
You're wrong on multiple counts. First and foremost, not believing in a god is not the same thing as being closed-minded. If I don't believe in something, it's because there is no evidence for its existence, and/or evidence
against its existence. If evidence is presented to me that a god exists, then I'll have to adjust my opinion accordingly.
Hell, ask almost anyone specifically an atheist about the existence of unicorns. While the most likely possibility is that it's nothing more than a fairy tale, most people would respond that unicorns don't exist and have never existed. Have these people looked on every star, every planet in every galaxy? Do these people know the complete history of all these places in the entire universe? Have these people discovered evidence proving it'd be IMPOSSIBLE for what is defined as a unicorn to exist? Or are these people merely making comments based on limited knowledge and with our limited technology?
I don't need to look under every rock to know that unicorns don't exist. Their non-existence is evident in more than their absence. Myth is recognizable. It has meaning and purpose.
Look at it like this.. Before we have microscopes, did atoms not exist simply because we couldn't see them? No. Or at least that not being a very likely possibility. Well, what if we just haven't discovered the technology to detect any such evidence that may or may not exist? WELL.. we'll just adapt if that time comes, right? WHY? Why put ourselves in an opportunity to have our backs to the wall, no matter how unlikely? So instead of answering with a blanket statement that "Unicorns just don't exist", reply with something at least along these lines as "Based on current technology, there has been no evidence discovered on planet Earth (Mars, Moon, whatever) suggesting the existence of such and such."
The existence of atoms and the existence of unicorns are not the same thing. I'm fairly sure the atom was predicted before the telescope existed, or at least before it was powerful enough to see one. This is true of many phenomena; no one, however, is predicting the existence of a unicorn. That's because intelligent, educated people know the difference between myth and reality.
Long story short, yeah atheists aren't the only ones attempt to speak on the behalf of science, on the absolute truth of the universe based on limited knowledge and our limited technology. Yes, some Christians will assert that God existing is an absolute fact but many will acknowledge that it's just their belief and it's FAITH.
The only thing limited here is your knowledge. You don't have the first clue what you're talking about, so you just talk at great length and bombastically in the hope that no one will notice.
Get an education, and you'll avoid making yourself look foolish in the future.
My experience with atheists over many years has nothing to do with how it feels as insulting to be labeled as an atheist as it would to be labeled as Hitler or the KKK.
At this point, I think it's fair to say you're a theist who simply wants to take the piss out of atheists. It's either that, or you really don't know who Hitler was, or what the KKK is.
As I don't just enter with "Hey atheist, you're acting like Hitler." No... I merely enter situations where atheists are demanding theists provide evidence that a deity existed and throws it in their face if/when they don't but they'll turn right around and make a claim that no deity exists so when I come in and ask them to provide evidence proving that no deity exists.. the atheists turn to attacking me, claiming that I'm a "stupid theist", that I must be a Christian, that I must be a theist, that I must be uneducated, that my parents must have failed me or that my education failed me or that I'm closed minded or that I don't understand Science. All of this from nothing but asking atheists to provide existence for THEIR counter claims, that there being no deity existence.
Do you realize that none of this describes Hitler or the KKK?
When atheists talk about there being no deity, there being no god. That god existing is impossible, it believing that a deity existence is illogical or irrational or whatever, that is in fact atheists asserting to know the absolute truth of the universe.
Wrong. People who say this are merely weighing the evidence and reaching a conclusion. They aren't making claims of absolute knowledge. That's something you've invented as a coping mechanism to deal with the fact that you don't have the wherewithal to reconcile your beliefs with the truth-bombs atheists drop on you. In other words, you're in over your head, and panicking.
