Opinions of atheism
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where got?Originally posted by laurence82:I stopped coz i afraid u will sent killers after me
who dare?
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diaoOriginally posted by Honeybunz:where got?
who dare?
if you dont dare, then u shouldnt be boss of killers company liaoz -
Originally posted by laurence82:diao
if you dont dare, then u shouldnt be boss of killers company liaoz
I only scared of you mah. The rest, i can kill. -
i guess u read these 2 threads before u form any images of me.Originally posted by binkaboink:wa best...
saw the guy from NUS with the double degree who tot showing his gf the mrt tracks up close was cool?
or saw the guy who tot prison was better than nus, tat he decided to go back visiting the second time round?
yea...all tt in less then a week ago...
so u think go uni and get mensa card very great, can become president is it? for ur info, i in local uni and a member at mensa...so i order u to bow down n worship me then...
this is a place to share thoughts n bounce off ideas, not can ppl...
yea, tot might wanna remind u...
tats all...
http://sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=203492
http://sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=203498 -
Sidetracking, it may also mean that atheists are good at evading the cops.Originally posted by kaister:Do you know that in US, only 0.21% of the prison population are atheists? Btw, 8% of the US population are atheist, and it only goes to show majority of the atheists show good conduct and are productive citizens of the world.
On the contrast, 74% of the US prison population are christians, around the same proportion as their population. Having a religion does not make you a better person.
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or Catholics are more likely to surrender themselves to the authorities ..Originally posted by SingaporeMacross:Sidetracking, it may also mean that atheists are good at evading the cops.
or less likely to appeal. -
I wouldn't know about that.Originally posted by Icemoon:or Catholics are more likely to surrender themselves to the authorities ..
or less likely to appeal.
It's kind of expected that you'll find plenty of Catholics in American jails. There are a lot of Hispanics in there, no? Whether practising or lapsed, they can still be classifed as Catholic. Afterall, we are a Church of sinners. -
...just wondering.... how many of these prisoners are considered to be educated, versus those that are not educated... so does it mean that education isn't good.Originally posted by kaister:Nope, just saying that having a religion doesn't make you a better person. No correlation of their conduction to their faith.
Do take note that the figures came from US. Maybe Singapore shows a different picture?
...and in another part of the world, say China, I wonder how many of their prisons are Christians?
my point being... the US is really a poor yardstick to measure anything. It consider itself to be a Christian nation, but the reality is - it is NOT! Also such statistics are laughable at best, and down right stupid at worst.
A more accurate measurement will be a multi-racial country with a secular government, say Singapore? not trying to be defensive here, but just taking a reality check. -
Will a check on the demography of prison population representative of the behaviour of the social groups in that country?
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Another thing I'd like to ask, is there a concept of morality in Atheism?
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Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive and what they conceal is vital. How one interprets such data is up to you.Originally posted by laurence82:Will a check on the demography of prison population representative of the behaviour of the social groups in that country?
There are numerous possible explanations on this:
1. Atheists know how to behave responsibility in the face of law.
2. Atheists are better at avoiding cops.
3. Atheists knows the loopholes in law and makes use of them well, probably due to their questioning nature
4. Catholics think their sins will be forgiven easily and therefore are less likely to take responsibility for their actions.
5. Catholics confess to their crimes easily, probably due to life-long conditioning...
6. Catholics are more likely to succumb to temptations and therefore needs religious guidance? (don't flame me on this. It's only speculation)
7. Catholism is more of a family religion, passed from generations to generations. Choice of catholism might not be conscious, whereas atheists might take a more active role in their beliefs. This active behaviour is reflected in their conscious avoidance of illegal behaviour.
As you can see, tons of explanations and I can still go on. The main point illustrated by these figures, is that religion is not correlated to conduct/ lawful behaviour.
Of course you cannot compare each and every different country and expect the same explanations for their culture and behaviour. This I agree.Originally posted by Chin Eng:...just wondering.... how many of these prisoners are considered to be educated, versus those that are not educated... so does it mean that education isn't good.
...and in another part of the world, say China, I wonder how many of their prisons are Christians?
my point being... the US is really a poor yardstick to measure anything. It consider itself to be a Christian nation, but the reality is - it is NOT! Also such statistics are laughable at best, and down right stupid at worst.
A more accurate measurement will be a multi-racial country with a secular government, say Singapore? not trying to be defensive here, but just taking a reality check.
However, due to lacking of data from Singapore and the strict control over media, I doubt anyone can get a breakdown by religion or race of prison inmates for that matter. US may be a christian nation but the statistics were compared to the population breakdown. Whether the country is multi-religious or not, does not matter cos' we're comparing the relative proportions.
Furthermore, what makes Singapore a good country for judgement and comparison then? It has a conservative government and is not representative of the world either.
They are not classified automatically. Instead the religion of each inmate in US were asked prior to imprisonment. As I said earlier, Catholism is passed from family to family, generation to generation, and thus people might take a lesser active role in trying to find their own faith or even attempt to take responsibility for their actions. This is only speculation and IS NOT A SWEEPING STEREOTYPICAL STATEMENT.Originally posted by SingaporeMacross:I wouldn't know about that.
It's kind of expected that you'll find plenty of Catholics in American jails. There are a lot of Hispanics in there, no? Whether practising or lapsed, they can still be classifed as Catholic. Afterall, we are a Church of sinners.
Now, anymore questions and doubts people?
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Strange thing to askOriginally posted by SingaporeMacross:Another thing I'd like to ask, is there a concept of morality in Atheism? -
I dare not say for everyone. I admit I am someone of little or no morality.Originally posted by SingaporeMacross:Another thing I'd like to ask, is there a concept of morality in Atheism?
If you think about it, morality is merely an ever changing standard of behaviour acceptable by the society. It means very little.
Eg, Homosexuality was clear-cut immoral behaviour, as dictated by the previously conservative and religious society. Now, it is widely acceptable and not labelled to be immoral.
However, I believe in not doing harm to others. I can still tell right from wrong. That belief comes from the fact that I would want to be responsible to myself and not because I want adhere my actions according to some standards set by the majority. -
Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive and what they conceal is vital. How one interprets such data is up to you.
Yeap, I was thinking along these lines..
There are numerous possible explanations on this:
1. Atheists know how to behave responsibility in the face of law.
2. Atheists are better at avoiding cops.
3. Atheists knows the loopholes in law and makes use of them well, probably due to their questioning nature
4. Catholics think their sins will be forgiven easily and therefore are less likely to take responsibility for their actions.
5. Catholics confess to their crimes easily, probably due to life-long conditioning... Laughing
6. Catholics are more likely to succumb to temptations and therefore needs religious guidance? (don't flame me on this. It's only speculation)
7. Catholism is more of a family religion, passed from generations to generations. Choice of catholism might not be conscious, whereas atheists might take a more active role in their beliefs. This active behaviour is reflected in their conscious avoidance of illegal behaviour.
As you can see, tons of explanations and I can still go on. The main point illustrated by these figures, is that religion is not correlated to conduct/ lawful behaviour. -
Yeap yeapOriginally posted by kaister:I dare not say for everyone. I admit I am someone of little or no morality.
If you think about it, morality is merely an ever changing standard of behaviour acceptable by the society. It means very little.
Eg, Homosexuality was clear-cut immoral behaviour, as dictated by the previously conservative and religious society. Now, it is widely acceptable and not labelled to be immoral.
However, I believe in not doing harm to others. I can still tell right from wrong. That belief comes from the fact that I would want to be responsible to myself and not because I want adhere my actions according to some standards set by the majority.
To begin with, what is the definition of morality?
Different religions have different definitions, where for example, in Christianity, I would think God's words is representative of moral values. If you use them to measure values held by atheists or other religions, for some points or another, the others would be measure as 'immoral'.
I think the main issue about atheism is not morality, but in believing in existence of God -
Another thing I'd like to ask, is there a concept of morality in Atheism?
Why not ? I obey the law because I understand is usefulness and the implication of compromising within a society. I do not hurt people because I understand wat it feels to be hurt and my compassion do not allow me to do it. I help other because I understand tat it will really help other and make a difference and tis make me happy. I don't do good deeds because they can make me easier go to heaven and I don't do bad deeds because I can go to hell for it. I do it because I really wanna help others. Tat is why atheist live like any other people and don't go around raping or killing people. -
since you put it that way... the communists and nazis aren't true atheists then...Originally posted by stupidissmart:Why not ? I obey the law because I understand is usefulness and the implication of compromising within a society. I do not hurt people because I understand wat it feels to be hurt and my compassion do not allow me to do it. I help other because I understand tat it will really help other and make a difference and tis make me happy. I don't do good deeds because they can make me easier go to heaven and I don't do bad deeds because I can go to hell for it. I do it because I really wanna help others. Tat is why atheist live like any other people and don't go around raping or killing people. -
That one is highly possible. We call this Cultural Catholicism.Originally posted by kaister:They are not classified automatically. Instead the religion of each inmate in US were asked prior to imprisonment. As I said earlier, Catholism is passed from family to family, generation to generation, and thus people might take a lesser active role in trying to find their own faith or even attempt to take responsibility for their actions. This is only speculation and IS NOT A SWEEPING STEREOTYPICAL STATEMENT.
Now, anymore questions and doubts people? -
Communists and nazis were brain-washed btw... they are atheists, just not very good ones.Originally posted by SingaporeMacross:since you put it that way... the communists and nazis aren't true atheists then...
Like I've said before, there're always black sheep. Most atheists become what they are by choice, not by influence or because it's cool. And due to this deeper understanding and proactiveness, we take more responsibility for our lives.
So to illustrate my point on how most atheists are well-behaved and law-abiding citizen, I've posted statistics of prison inmates' religion, somewhere earlier in this thread. -
What's stopping the Christians from doing so?Originally posted by kaister:And due to this deeper understanding and proactiveness, we take more responsibility for our lives. -
Dunno. I can't answer for them. Perhaps the more active process of choosing your path is more important than the destination itself.Originally posted by SingaporeMacross:What's stopping the Christians from doing so? -
I am using Singapore only because I cannot think of another countryOriginally posted by kaister:Of course you cannot compare each and every different country and expect the same explanations for their culture and behaviour. This I agree.
However, due to lacking of data from Singapore and the strict control over media, I doubt anyone can get a breakdown by religion or race of prison inmates for that matter. US may be a christian nation but the statistics were compared to the population breakdown. Whether the country is multi-religious or not, does not matter cos' we're comparing the relative proportions.
Furthermore, what makes Singapore a good country for judgement and comparison then? It has a conservative government and is not representative of the world either. Each country has it's own characteristics and using inmates' purported belief to gauge the effectiveness of that belief is not too accurate.
All I am saying is such US statistics are extremely bias and sometimes it is wrongly used to "prove" a certain point. While some leaders in the US government may claim that they are a Christian nation, the reality is, it is NOT.
Many Americans may claim to go to church, but how many of these are really practicing Christian? In some ways, it is no different from, say, the Philippines, which claim to be a Catholic country. Virtually every Filipino businessman I come across is a womaniser (this is from personal knowledge). -
since you put it that way... the communists and nazis aren't true atheists then...
Then can I put all the cults tat uses god in its story as christian ? These cults do mass suicide, prostitute their wife and donate all their money to the cult. Even some othordox christians self inflict pains and wound to themselves as well. So christian do all these ? -
All I am saying is such US statistics are extremely bias and sometimes it is wrongly used to "prove" a certain point. While some leaders in the US government may claim that they are a Christian nation, the reality is, it is NOT.
How do u define a christian/catholic nation then
Many Americans may claim to go to church, but how many of these are really practicing Christian? In some ways, it is no different from, say, the Philippines, which claim to be a Catholic country. Virtually every Filipino businessman I come across is a womaniser (this is from personal knowledge).
In tat case, it seems no country can be labeled as christian or catholic nation. Do buddhist deny thailand as buddhist nation because there r many transevites in thailand.... -
You are already in local uni and a member at mensa. I respect you. But some skive-fool guy has not even taken A level, claimed that he will ace it. He also hasn't taken the mensa test, but start boasting that he will bring the mensa card to show off to us.Originally posted by binkaboink:wa best...
saw the guy from NUS with the double degree who tot showing his gf the mrt tracks up close was cool?
or saw the guy who tot prison was better than nus, tat he decided to go back visiting the second time round?
yea...all tt in less then a week ago...
so u think go uni and get mensa card very great, can become president is it? for ur info, i in local uni and a member at mensa...so i order u to bow down n worship me then...
this is a place to share thoughts n bounce off ideas, not can ppl...
yea, tot might wanna remind u...
tats all...