Can an atheist die in peace?

[DigiBanks99]

God takes away free will when he wants to..... "But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said to Moses"

God seems very selective about when people are allowed free will. He takes it away when he wants, even if the result means that he has to kill innocent children.

You make a valid point. But how would He be involved in our lives if He didn't at least prod us in a direction every now and then?

[DJ...]

I asked a few questions. I tried to convey my mindset. You ridicule me.

You misunderstand ridicule for a correction...

I simply meant that it would be easier for a theist to not fear death.

And I disgreed in my first post in this thread. You have far more to worry about than an atheist does. More than just that, you attempted to back it up with odd conclusions about atheists that are simply not true. But apparently that is just me twisting your words around.

Go figure...

[ghoti]

I fear death, thats why I wont fly a jet into a building for my God. Thats why I wont bomb abortion clinics for my God. If a lot more soldiers were atheist, there would be a lot less soldiers and fighting.

[ghoti]

You make a valid point. But how would He be involved in our lives if He didn't at least prod us in a direction every now and then?

So much for free will then. Oh any by "prodding" you mean commit infanticide and kill many innocent children just to try make a point to a Pharaoh whom you originally made change his mind. Great god you got there bud. He can change Pharaohs mind to make him say no, but cant do it to make him say yes. For that he needs to slaughter babies. What a "god".

[DigiBanks99]

It's not all for naught, you live your life the best you can so that you can be at peace with YOURSELF. Knowing you are a good person and have helped someone else makes you feel settled, content and happy. One day on your death bed you'll thus be pleased with the life you lived. So it's not for naught, it's to have inner joy and peace.

One mistake you make is to see atheists as people on the other side of some fence that fundamentally divides you. In truth ALL people on this earth are fundamentally the same. They have joy/sadness/fear/happiness. They all want the best for their children. They all love their family and their friends and enjoying spending time with them. They want to live in a fair and just world, where everyone has a chance at living a good life. People don't want poverty, they don't want crime, they wish the world was a better place for all. This spans across all religions or non-religious people. Noone is fundamentally different than you. You just do it thinking there will be a heaven one day, and others think they will be reincarnated, and others think there won't be anything. It doesn't make them experience their lives on earth any different.

True. I agree with everything you said. What I tried to convey in my post is that theists have an easier job of not fearing death and feeling fulfilled in their lives. At least those who really believe. The world is not black and white. I agree.

[DigiBanks99]

I fear death, thats why I wont fly a jet into a building for my God. Thats why I wont bomb abortion clinics for my God. If a lot more soldiers were atheist, there would be a lot less soldiers and fighting.

Yes, and I do those things...

[ghoti]

Yes, and I do those things...

Dunno.. you might. Religion is the only thing that can make good people do evil things with joy.

[copacetic]

Nevermind then...

[DigiBanks99]

So much for free will then. Oh any by "prodding" you mean commit infanticide and kill many innocent children just to try make a point to a Pharaoh whom you originally made change his mind. Great god you got there bud. He can change Pharaohs mind to make him say no, but cant do it to make him say yes. For that he needs to slaughter babies. What a "god".

Explain to me, would you say your dog can go defecate where it wants? Yet it must eat what you set before it? Though it could decide to eat your furniture... In that sense a dog has free will. You have the freedom to believe what you want. Yet, sometimes you are directed.

[Nick333]

You do not have the foundation in faith to understand the answer I will give you. Another Christian will understand, but you will simply say that you don't need God's presence. It comes with background.

Well, I can't argue with that statement but it doesn't mean you're right. Another take is that your "understanding" is the result of simplistic thinking and you just don't have the intellectual capacity or courage to pursue the line of thought to it's logical end. I know what it is to feel no fear and be at peace. I know what it is to be content and feel as though I could quite easily be content for eternity. I just can't convince myself that existing for eternity is anything but wishful thinking. The flip side to all of that, of course, is being content with non existence.

I prefer to face reality as it is observable to my reason. Reason tells me death is the end of my existence. I'm fine with that. I'm sorry if that doesn't gel with your world view but my life as well as my death and attitude towards it is my business. I'm not the one who is struggling with my world view because of yours.

[ghoti]

Explain to me, would you say your dog can go defecate where it wants? Yet it must eat what you set before it? Though it could decide to eat your furniture... In that sense a dog has free will. You have the freedom to believe what you want. Yet, sometimes you are directed.

So you dont mind your God kills innocent babies to make a point to a man whom he originally made stubborn. That doesnt come across as INSANELY EVIL to you? If you can justify the killing of innocent babies, whats to stop you flying planes into buildings?

[RazedInBlack]

Explain to me, would you say your dog can go defecate where it wants? Yet it must eat what you set before it? Though it could decide to eat your furniture... In that sense a dog has free will. You have the freedom to believe what you want. Yet, sometimes you are directed.

Yes, you have the freedom to change direction as well bu asking and questioning. Whats your point?

[Unhappy438]

God gave us free will. It would be unfair if you could not choose to be an atheist and I could not choose to be ungrateful. It is what makes us different from the animals. We have choice. What point would creation have otherwise? O, yeah... You guys believe there shouldn't have to be a point to it...

So god gives us free will and then punishes us for using that free will?

[Geriatrix]

So you dont mind your God kills innocent babies to make a point to a man whom he originally made stubborn. That doesnt come across as INSANELY EVIL to you? If you can justify the killing of innocent babies, whats to stop you flying planes into buildings?

Have you seen those Insanity Deity memes? Whoa!

[ghoti]

Have you seen those Insanity Deity memes? Whoa!

Googles it.