Comments on: How Are Atheists Like Smokers? http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/09/21/how-are-atheists-like-smokers/ by Hemant Mehta Mon, 28 May 2012 01:29:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Bellesouth http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/09/21/how-are-atheists-like-smokers/#comment-243729 Bellesouth Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:18:23 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=4716#comment-243729 I was a smoker for ten years until finally quitting three years ago. I was also a Christian/Deist until making the move toward atheism two years ago. I felt both were similar in that they kept me down, kept me worried about my health, and kept me from pursuing what I really wanted in life. When I quit smoking, I could breathe more easily. When I decided I was an atheist, I could breathe even more easily. Atheism has given me much more comfort in life than being a believer ever did. It is knowing that this is the only life I have, and that I need to live it while loving and being kind to others - not because of any great reward that will come to me, but just because it's the right thing to do. I was a smoker for ten years until finally quitting three years ago.

I was also a Christian/Deist until making the move toward atheism two years ago.

I felt both were similar in that they kept me down, kept me worried about my health, and kept me from pursuing what I really wanted in life.

When I quit smoking, I could breathe more easily. When I decided I was an atheist, I could breathe even more easily.

Atheism has given me much more comfort in life than being a believer ever did. It is knowing that this is the only life I have, and that I need to live it while loving and being kind to others – not because of any great reward that will come to me, but just because it’s the right thing to do.

]]> By: hoverFrog http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/09/21/how-are-atheists-like-smokers/#comment-229649 hoverFrog Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:54:45 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=4716#comment-229649 What is "feigned unbelief"? There is nothing feigned about my unbelief. It's Pascal's Wager with added insult. Git! And he wonders why atheists get angry. What is “feigned unbelief”? There is nothing feigned about my unbelief.

It’s Pascal’s Wager with added insult. Git! And he wonders why atheists get angry.

]]> By: timbob http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/09/21/how-are-atheists-like-smokers/#comment-229568 timbob Tue, 23 Sep 2008 03:26:56 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=4716#comment-229568 Richard< thanks, i guess i just have a hard time, like the guy that posted about "we can learn from one another" i dont feel that he can teach me anything, he cant teach me morality my parents taught me what i didnt understand about that i mean i used to be a youth pastor i was a camp counselor for young life, im sure as hell not gonna learn anything i havent heard before about faith nor do i care to learn anything else about it. it's a waste of my time. the thing that urks me is the blinders that go up towards proven things... freakin dinosaurs roamed the planet well before the creationist 6 thousand year marker... how can you santa claus that away and be ok with that?? i mean their poor kids are gonna be ridiculed in school because of their parents blind beliefs... its frustrating and i grow ever more intolerant of morons running our society. secular government is the only one that makes sense. why is america so behind the curve on this? Richard<
thanks, i guess i just have a hard time, like the guy that posted about “we can learn from one another” i dont feel that he can teach me anything, he cant teach me morality my parents taught me what i didnt understand about that i mean i used to be a youth pastor i was a camp counselor for young life, im sure as hell not gonna learn anything i havent heard before about faith nor do i care to learn anything else about it. it’s a waste of my time. the thing that urks me is the blinders that go up towards proven things… freakin dinosaurs roamed the planet well before the creationist 6 thousand year marker… how can you santa claus that away and be ok with that?? i mean their poor kids are gonna be ridiculed in school because of their parents blind beliefs… its frustrating and i grow ever more intolerant of morons running our society. secular government is the only one that makes sense. why is america so behind the curve on this?

]]> By: overcaffein8d http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/09/21/how-are-atheists-like-smokers/#comment-229461 overcaffein8d Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:22:24 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=4716#comment-229461 I think that religious people are like smokers in certain ways. religious people need religion in times of stress; smokers need a cigarette in times of stress. atheists and non-smokers are not worse off at all not smoking. I think that religious people are like smokers in certain ways. religious people need religion in times of stress; smokers need a cigarette in times of stress. atheists and non-smokers are not worse off at all not smoking.

]]> By: Spook http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/09/21/how-are-atheists-like-smokers/#comment-229436 Spook Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:19:12 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=4716#comment-229436 Wow. This guy can't even make a cogent argument. I'm seeing nothing but some unfounded and fairly idiotic assertions. Seminary must be the "special education" alternative to actual schools, based on this knuckle-dragger's scribbling. Wow. This guy can’t even make a cogent argument. I’m seeing nothing but some unfounded and fairly idiotic assertions.

Seminary must be the “special education” alternative to actual schools, based on this knuckle-dragger’s scribbling.

]]> By: Richard Wade http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/09/21/how-are-atheists-like-smokers/#comment-229429 Richard Wade Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:23:50 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=4716#comment-229429 Tim Bob, What makes me angry? Someone telling me I'm angry rather than asking me, and then telling me why I am angry rather than asking me. So it's a self-fulfilling prophesy and a trick. They can say "See? I <em>knew</em> you were angry." Which of course is infuriating. I have to use all my patience to not fall for it. The rest of theist stupidity, such as twisting science into a knot or their blather about morals or their idiotic appologetic arguments are just annoying at worst. I usually can contain myself and keep a civil tongue, but I won't ever be silent. When the anger starts, take several deep, slow breaths. The original Latin meaning of the word "spirit" means "breath." Want to have a better spiritual life? Just improve your breathing. No gods, spooks or magic required. Oxygen is free and better than sedatives. Tim Bob,
What makes me angry? Someone telling me I’m angry rather than asking me, and then telling me why I am angry rather than asking me. So it’s a self-fulfilling prophesy and a trick. They can say “See? I knew you were angry.” Which of course is infuriating. I have to use all my patience to not fall for it. The rest of theist stupidity, such as twisting science into a knot or their blather about morals or their idiotic appologetic arguments are just annoying at worst. I usually can contain myself and keep a civil tongue, but I won’t ever be silent.

When the anger starts, take several deep, slow breaths. The original Latin meaning of the word “spirit” means “breath.” Want to have a better spiritual life? Just improve your breathing. No gods, spooks or magic required. Oxygen is free and better than sedatives.

]]> By: Skepdude http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/09/21/how-are-atheists-like-smokers/#comment-229426 Skepdude Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:19:23 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=4716#comment-229426 Oh, and you will probably burn in hell for saying that...and me too! Oh, and you will probably burn in hell for saying that…and me too!

]]> By: Skepdude http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/09/21/how-are-atheists-like-smokers/#comment-229425 Skepdude Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:18:43 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=4716#comment-229425 "Do these reverends read over what they’re writing?" Nope! It's divinely inspired. They don't question it, they don't even try to understand it. That's kinda like their whole world works! “Do these reverends read over what they’re writing?”

Nope! It’s divinely inspired. They don’t question it, they don’t even try to understand it. That’s kinda like their whole world works!

]]> By: Marc http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/09/21/how-are-atheists-like-smokers/#comment-229419 Marc Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:24:57 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=4716#comment-229419 As a person who loves Jesus, I was reading this blog, and was saddened by this pastor's remarks. I was also saddened by the responses. The reason is that there seems to be so much anger and misunderstanding on both sides, and while we feel good ridiculing those with other viewpoints or those who ridicule us, it really does nothing towards open dialogue, understanding, and/or reconciliation. My purpose in writing here is to extend an invitation to any who read this post, and want to share their feelings, frustrations, beliefs, and stories, with a disciple of Christ, and a fellow human being. I am not interested in trying to persuade anyone. I would simply like to hear your stories and get to know you better. After all, we are all one in our humanity, and I am not so much interested in creating divisions based on our beliefs, nor pigeon-holing and labeling one another, but on listening to and learning from each other. I think I was especially touched by your letter, Richard Wade, and I think it sparked my interest to get to know you better. Especially since you felt so misrepresented and slandered by that pastor. I do know how that feels, and it is quite frustrating. So, please reply at your convenience. I look forward to hearing from you. As a person who loves Jesus, I was reading this blog, and was saddened by this pastor’s remarks. I was also saddened by the responses. The reason is that there seems to be so much anger and misunderstanding on both sides, and while we feel good ridiculing those with other viewpoints or those who ridicule us, it really does nothing towards open dialogue, understanding, and/or reconciliation.
My purpose in writing here is to extend an invitation to any who read this post, and want to share their feelings, frustrations, beliefs, and stories, with a disciple of Christ, and a fellow human being. I am not interested in trying to persuade anyone. I would simply like to hear your stories and get to know you better. After all, we are all one in our humanity, and I am not so much interested in creating divisions based on our beliefs, nor pigeon-holing and labeling one another, but on listening to and learning from each other.
I think I was especially touched by your letter, Richard Wade, and I think it sparked my interest to get to know you better. Especially since you felt so misrepresented and slandered by that pastor. I do know how that feels, and it is quite frustrating.
So, please reply at your convenience. I look forward to hearing from you.

]]> By: Dan http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/09/21/how-are-atheists-like-smokers/#comment-229415 Dan Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:12:08 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=4716#comment-229415 Religion is a lot like my medication. They give me fake emotions and a sense of false hope. Religion is a lot like my medication. They give me fake emotions and a sense of false hope.

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