gobots

5 ms·

1.
by gobots 12y ago
I worked to teach myself how to program. Started at the age of 9, pursued it off and on until I was 21 then went hard at it. I dropped out of community college because I had to work – so you're correct, working is something you must do
2.
by gobots 12y ago
So a non-believer has less rights than a believer?
3.
by gobots 12y ago
What is your point?
4.
by gobots 12y ago
explain.
5.
by gobots 12y ago
"By definition you can't learn about religion either because the only thing required for religion is to believe in it." That is a very weak argument. One cannot learn about religion because all you have to do is believe.. and
6.
by gobots 12y ago
Indeed – or more to the point: I wasn't clear in my original statement. I am learning about certain aspects of religion – not learning comparative religion. I am not however "learning atheism" as others have decided to claim
7.
by gobots 12y ago
Currently reading The Greatest Show on Earth and I have to agree, but I do agree with many of the points that were made in The God Delusion. I will say he should have spent less time on his memeology ideas.
8.
by gobots 12y ago
Once again, I have to point out I am an atheist, I'm not learning about atheism. Science != atheism. Reading about the evils of religion != learning atheism.
9.
by gobots 12y ago
I missed the article but it sounds interesting, please link it if you have it. You are correct only to a point when it comes to self-knowledge. I am horrified that I was never allowed to learn about evolution and science in general, though
10.
by gobots 12y ago
Thanks, but I'm way less hopeful now. When I utter the "atheist" word it seems I am actually handing people an exclusive ticket to explain to me why I'm wrong. Explaining non-belief is harder than explaining belief. I&#x
11.
by gobots 12y ago
And the "whys" will be answered by religion? I find that science does a better job of that. I'm infinitely more interested in physics and cosmology. As I have stated in other replies, I'm more interested in the negative
12.
by gobots 12y ago
I think there is a misconception in this thread that I am arguing against the study of religion, but I'm not. I understand the value in comparative religion classes in terms of enriching one's understanding of history and human cu
13.
by gobots 12y ago
My definition of religion isn't "spirit beings". My definition of religion is more along the lines of: A crutch for the weak, a tool for manipulation, an excuse for the lazy, and a template of evil for the manipulators. Edit:
14.
by gobots 12y ago
I'm sorry, what? I should avoid labeling myself as an atheist... when I'm an atheist? Why?
15.
by gobots 12y ago
Just to clarify – religion is a template, not THE template. The only proof I need is the proof of my own life experiences and the lives I've seen destroyed religion. See my other comment here: https://news.ycombinator.com&#x
16.
by gobots 12y ago
Sorry I misread your comment earlier in the tone that you were attempting to get an atheist to consider other religions. I believe there is a difference in the aspects of religion I am interested in from what you are describing. I simply am
17.
by gobots 12y ago
I'm the person above, to clarify some things: I was suicidal prior to leaving the religion. I didn't leave until age 29, but I have been suicidal since age 16. Leaving the religion however did worsen my depression. This is because
18.
by gobots 12y ago
God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything and the God Delusion are books about religion. I mentioned a few authors that I have read whose books cover either science, religion or a mixture of the two. I will grant you that I am not m
19.
by gobots 12y ago
What proof do any of these religions have?
20.
by gobots 12y ago
Congrats on getting out. I was the son of an elder and a Bethelite, so I definitly understand the difference between "week" and "strong" Witnesses.
21.
by gobots 12y ago
Sure thing, I'll shoot you an email now.
22.
by gobots 12y ago
Religion is the prefect template for corruption. Anywhere from hundreds to millions of devout worshipers who believe the unfounded teachings of a human (either in book form or spoken word) and are typically willing to die for those beliefs
23.
by gobots 12y ago
I'm glad you said this – I recently had the same thought. Jesus seems more like a humanist than a religious zealot. I would not be shocked to learn some day that the claims of being god, or god's son were later additions to his te
24.
by gobots 12y ago
Whereas I do believe much can be learned about the human psyche from religion, and that having a strong understanding of why religion exists is important, I don't feel it is necessary to make a deep study of each religion's core b
25.
by gobots 12y ago
Ah, I understand what you are saying. The problem is that, I truly don't believe in gods or spirits anymore. Without gods and spirits, what is the point of religion? I consider myself to be a secular humanist. How Religion Poisons Ever
26.
by gobots 12y ago
This is very true. I have since come to realize that I was constantly trying to skirt around certain beliefs and rules. I found myself rationalizing more often than I care to admit.
27.
by gobots 12y ago
Yes, but my brain doesn't work that way. I believe I have some form of ADD. I can typically get about 6 hours of quality programming in per day and then I have to crash. My side projects fail miserably if I don't put all of my eff
28.
by gobots 12y ago
The internet and some really shitty people that I worked with a while back saved me. Here's a bit of backstory. I believed 100% that I would never get old or die because Armageddon would come before then, the Earth would be restored to
29.
by gobots 12y ago
I'm an atheist.
30.
by gobots 12y ago
I had struggled with untreated suicidal depression for 15 years. I was very quiet about it. I am a web developer. Three years ago I was divorced from my wife, left my birth religion and quit my job. On top of all my issues I was suffering f

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