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News & General Discussion => News Stories and Current Events => Topic started by: mendacium remedium on March 14, 2013, 01:36:20 PM

Title: Do atheists find news about the Pope nonsensical?
Post by: mendacium remedium on March 14, 2013, 01:36:20 PM
You believe we are caused through random mutation and natural selection.
That the universe is the one of an infinite number.
That we are primarily 'evolved' to spread our genes - that is to have sex and raise off-spring.
There is no transcendent reality to have caused anything.(God)


I just think of what an atheist must be thinking, in light of the above.

Perhaps if we go away from the 'religion' and look at the practical side. Perhaps having an organisation which donates a lot of money to the poor, a new pope committed to doing that, could have a benefit to humanity.

Even if you believe Christianity is non-nonsensical, the means surely justifies the ends?
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Post by: Plu on March 14, 2013, 01:40:05 PM
The topic title seems to be mixing up two things, and then the topic itself mixes in a bunch more.

Breaking it down:

The concept of a pope, who is the voice of god: bullshit
News about the pope: obviously meaningful because millions of people will listen to this fellow and his archaic ideas, so it could have a real physical effect on the world
Charitable organisations that are based on dumb beliefs but do good: great, I wouldn't mind having some of those around.
Is the catholic church one of those? doubtful, considering the amount of traumatising going on in there, plus the fact that the pope sits on a throne made of gold, so obviously a lot of that money they drain from people who might need it doesn't actually end up with other people who need it.

I think that's about it.
Title: Re: Do atheists find news about the Pope nonsensical?
Post by: Jason78 on March 14, 2013, 02:01:05 PM
Quote from: "mendacium remedium"You believe we are caused through random mutation and natural selection.
That the universe is the one of an infinite number.
That we are primarily 'evolved' to spread our genes - that is to have sex and raise off-spring.
There is no transcendent reality to have caused anything.(God)


I just think of what an atheist must be thinking, in light of the above.

Atheists don't believe in gods.  I think you've got atheists confused with whoever believes those 4 things.


But to answer your question, yes.  I found the idea of electing a new pope completely ridiculous.

Why can't they just pray for a new one?
Title: Re: Do atheists find news about the Pope nonsensical?
Post by: leo on March 14, 2013, 03:54:23 PM
Another post for me !
Title: Re:
Post by: BarkAtTheMoon on March 14, 2013, 04:03:55 PM
Quote from: "Plu"The topic title seems to be mixing up two things, and then the topic itself mixes in a bunch more.
And you do this in every freaking thread you start, MR. It gets tiresome.

None of what you said atheists believe, which isn't exactly accurate but that's beside the point, has anything really to do with a specific leader of one particular religion. Evolutionary biology and cosmology aren't even remotely on topic in a discussion about the pope. But yeah, the deluge of news about Palpatine retiring and the new guy getting elected is little more than a minor distraction and something to crack jokes about, but as Plu said, the actions and statements from these guys have wide ranging effects around the world regardless of your beliefs or lack thereof so it's worth paying some attention.
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Post by: Brian37 on March 14, 2013, 04:04:09 PM
The fact that humans do good, is label independent. Our species has always had the capability of being cruel and compassionate. All god claims do is give humans a fictional excuse to claim superiority.

"The New Atheism" by Victor Stenger. And the God Delusion explain quite well why we make up gods and why we don't need them.
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Post by: _Xenu_ on March 14, 2013, 04:07:33 PM
While I obviously reject his claim of speaking to any god, the CC does indeed work to lift many out of poverty and that should be praised. Unfortunately, their social policies re: birth control makes things much worse.
Title: Re: Do atheists find news about the Pope nonsensical?
Post by: widdershins on March 14, 2013, 04:22:52 PM
Quote from: "mendacium remedium"Even if you believe Christianity is non-nonsensical, the means surely justifies the ends?
What means and what ends?  Money donated to the poor is the means?  Christianity existing is the ends?  Is that what you're saying?  I have no problem with Christianity or any religion existing.  I don't care if you believe a worm infested dog crapped out the universe.  It's when your religion starts hurting people or forcing itself on others that I don't like it.  I could not care less about the pope and whether he exists or not.  I don't want to see organized religion destroyed for the sake of destroying organized religion.  I want to see organized religion destroyed for the damage it does to society.  Mistreatment of gays, mistreatment of racial minorities, restricting access to medical procedures and medicines, mistreatment of women and children, systematic rape of children, wars, violence, theft, scamming of the populous by promising eternal life in exchange for money and obedience, fostering ignorance and mistrust in proven science, holding back discovery and technological and medical advancement....these are just a few things religion has done over the years and most of them it is doing right now.  Does "a few dollars to the poor" justify "continued spread of hatred, mistrust, violence, inequality, mistrust of science, restriction to medicine and abuse of children"?  Does that really need an answer?
Title: Re: Do atheists find news about the Pope nonsensical?
Post by: hrdlr110 on March 14, 2013, 04:52:36 PM
Quotescamming of the populous by promising eternal life in exchange for money and obedience

I'm less bothered by this aspect of religion. If those in power at religious headquarters around the world are able to use what they pull from their ass (the bible) to bilk millions out of people in the information age we live in today - hats off!
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Post by: hrdlr110 on March 14, 2013, 04:58:05 PM
Need to iron out some of my quoting kinks! Y'all make it look so nice, then I come in and spread my manure over the occasional thread! I must have the lowest post count for length of time served than any other poster!
Title: Re: Do atheists find news about the Pope nonsensical?
Post by: mendacium remedium on March 14, 2013, 05:32:11 PM
Quote from: "widdershins"
Quote from: "mendacium remedium"Even if you believe Christianity is non-nonsensical, the means surely justifies the ends?
What means and what ends?  Money donated to the poor is the means?  Christianity existing is the ends?  Is that what you're saying?  I have no problem with Christianity or any religion existing.  I don't care if you believe a worm infested dog crapped out the universe.  It's when your religion starts hurting people or forcing itself on others that I don't like it.  I could not care less about the pope and whether he exists or not.  I don't want to see organized religion destroyed for the sake of destroying organized religion.  I want to see organized religion destroyed for the damage it does to society.  Mistreatment of gays, mistreatment of racial minorities, restricting access to medical procedures and medicines, mistreatment of women and children, systematic rape of children, wars, violence, theft, scamming of the populous by promising eternal life in exchange for money and obedience, fostering ignorance and mistrust in proven science, holding back discovery and technological and medical advancement....these are just a few things religion has done over the years and most of them it is doing right now.  Does "a few dollars to the poor" justify "continued spread of hatred, mistrust, violence, inequality, mistrust of science, restriction to medicine and abuse of children"?  Does that really need an answer?

Christianity = gives people a spiritual impetus to donate to charity i.e purpose of life as Jesus pbuh lived, to give to chairity, to help. Ofcourse, you don't need Christianity for this, but having a spiritual affiliation can make you more likely follow whatthat particular set of beliefs says you should do.

Ends = planet earth with human inhabitants looking out for one another , through charitable means.
Title: Re:
Post by: mendacium remedium on March 14, 2013, 05:34:34 PM
Quote from: "_Xenu_"While I obviously reject his claim of speaking to any god, the CC does indeed work to lift many out of poverty and that should be praised. Unfortunately, their social policies re: birth control makes things much worse.
A well balanced response.

There is nothing wrong with birth control , and adequate protection can help lower the spread of infection. Surely a healthier society where less children are born with HIV, where children are born out of 'wedlock' or perhaps 'unplanned' could only potentially be good , surely?
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Post by: Jmpty on March 14, 2013, 07:03:16 PM
I don't see what all the fuss is about.
Title: Re: Do atheists find news about the Pope nonsensical?
Post by: the_antithesis on March 14, 2013, 09:15:05 PM
Quote from: "mendacium remedium"Do atheists find news about the Pope nonsensical?

Who's she?
Title: Re: Do atheists find news about the Pope nonsensical?
Post by: Johan on March 14, 2013, 09:36:22 PM
Quote from: "mendacium remedium"Perhaps if we go away from the 'religion' and look at the practical side. Perhaps having an organisation which donates a lot of money to the poor, a new pope committed to doing that, could have a benefit to humanity.
By 'donating to the poor' do you mean the estimated $3.3 billion the church has paid out to molested kids over the last 15 years in return for non-disclosure agreements? Yeah, no. You lose me on the benefit to humanity thing right there.

When the church starts castrating then turning in priests who molest kids to the police instead of promoting them and paying off the kids as they've been doing, then and only then we can talk about the good things the church does. Until then, the catholic church is nothing more than a safe haven for pedophiles that needs to go away as far as I'm concerned. And no amount of good deeds justifies that or offsets it or makes it ok.
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Post by: Colanth on March 14, 2013, 09:57:21 PM
I find news about the new pope to be particularly uninteresting.  How do you find news about the new leader of the group of kids down the block from where I live?
Title: Re: Do atheists find news about the Pope nonsensical?
Post by: AllPurposeAtheist on March 14, 2013, 10:23:38 PM
A pope being appointed, because he's NOT elected is newsworthy, but all the fluff and bullshit surrounding it is pure nonsense. Example: how do they make white smoke? A: They blow a head gasket.. Who gives a shit?
Title: Re: Do atheists find news about the Pope nonsensical?
Post by: antediluvian on March 14, 2013, 10:31:41 PM
He likes to ride buses.
I like that.
Title: Re: Do atheists find news about the Pope nonsensical?
Post by: AllPurposeAtheist on March 14, 2013, 10:35:17 PM
Quote from: "antediluvian"He likes to ride buses.
I like that.
Definitely liking to ride the bus should qualify anyone to lead millions of followers.. I'm getting a new bus pass tomorrow so my new pope name? Pope Antediluvian I! :P
Title: Re: Do atheists find news about the Pope nonsensical?
Post by: the_antithesis on March 14, 2013, 10:38:03 PM
Quote from: "antediluvian"He likes to ride buses.
I like that.

Imagine the pope riding a cable car to get himself some of that San Fransisco treat.
Title: Re: Do atheists find news about the Pope nonsensical?
Post by: antediluvian on March 14, 2013, 10:38:11 PM
Quote from: "AllPurposeAtheist"
Quote from: "antediluvian"He likes to ride buses.
I like that.
Definitely liking to ride the bus should qualify anyone to lead millions of followers.. I'm getting a new bus pass tomorrow so my new pope name? Pope Antediluvian I! :P
Oh gosh!  When I board your bus I'll kiss ya ring.
Title: Re: Do atheists find news about the Pope nonsensical?
Post by: antediluvian on March 14, 2013, 10:40:06 PM
But the ultimate humility would be, as in biblical days, to ride an ass round the Vatican.
whoops, sorry got off topic.
I apologize.
Won't do it again.
Title: Re: Do atheists find news about the Pope nonsensical?
Post by: AllPurposeAtheist on March 14, 2013, 10:46:03 PM
Quote from: "antediluvian"
Quote from: "AllPurposeAtheist"
Quote from: "antediluvian"He likes to ride buses.
I like that.
Definitely liking to ride the bus should qualify anyone to lead millions of followers.. I'm getting a new bus pass tomorrow so my new pope name? Pope Antediluvian I! :P
Oh gosh!  When I board your bus I'll kiss ya ring.
The ring before the flood? :shock: I barely know you, but if you insist.. :lol:
Title: Re: Re:
Post by: Bibliofagus on March 15, 2013, 04:26:48 AM
Quote from: "mendacium remedium"
Quote from: "_Xenu_"While I obviously reject his claim of speaking to any god, the CC does indeed work to lift many out of poverty and that should be praised. Unfortunately, their social policies re: birth control makes things much worse.
A well balanced response.

There is nothing wrong with birth control , and adequate protection can help lower the spread of infection. Surely a healthier society where less children are born with HIV, where children are born out of 'wedlock' or perhaps 'unplanned' could only potentially be good , surely?

You do realise that the RCC opposes birth control right?
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Post by: NitzWalsh on March 15, 2013, 05:20:00 AM
Just because an organization has done good, does not mean that it is good. The Catholic Church is a corrupt criminal organization. They feed off the poor. Their policies have been responsible for the rise in aids in Africa. They hide pedophile priests, nuns, and monks. The leaders of this organization should not be lauded as the mouthpiece of any higher power, they should be locked up in prison.

The best benefit for mankind would be to lock up the leaders of the Catholic Church, distribute its wealth to real charitable organizations and distribute the treasures it has stolen and stockpiled for over a thousand years to museums. That's not likely to happen though since they have too much political power right now.
Title: Re:
Post by: leo on March 15, 2013, 09:42:05 AM
Quote from: "NitzWalsh"Just because an organization has done good, does not mean that it is good. The Catholic Church is a corrupt criminal organization. They feed off the poor. Their policies have been responsible for the rise in aids in Africa. They hide pedophile priests, nuns, and monks. The leaders of this organization should not be lauded as the mouthpiece of any higher power, they should be locked up in prison.

The best benefit for mankind would be to lock up the leaders of the Catholic Church, distribute its wealth to real charitable organizations and distribute the treasures it has stolen and stockpiled for over a thousand years to museums. That's not likely to happen though since they have too much political power right now.
^^^^ this . The catholic church should be destroyed .
Title: Re: Do atheists find news about the Pope nonsensical?
Post by: widdershins on March 15, 2013, 11:19:49 AM
Quote from: "mendacium remedium"Christianity = gives people a spiritual impetus to donate to charity i.e purpose of life as Jesus pbuh lived, to give to chairity, to help. Ofcourse, you don't need Christianity for this, but having a spiritual affiliation can make you more likely follow whatthat particular set of beliefs says you should do.

Ends = planet earth with human inhabitants looking out for one another , through charitable means.
The problem there is that I donate to charity as well.  In fact, a new study I just read about yesterday suggests that atheists are MORE motivated by compassion than the religious.  Article here (//http://www.livescience.com/20005-atheists-motivated-compassion.html)

By the way, I like your signature.  I've quoted part of it in mine.