Why agnosticism is superior to atheism.

[nkb]

psyadam wrote

I'll give you the point that, theoretically, if an atheist was a good person simply because he cared about people and was unselfish as opposed to a theist who hopes for a reward, the atheist is morally superior. My counter is that I don't think many atheists are like that.

Yet, atheists represent a minuscule percentage of the prison population, even proportionately.

In other words, theists, even with the threat of hellfire, can't keep from breaking the law.

Explain your "logic" again.

[psychodiva]

psyadam wrote

I'll give you the point that, theoretically, if an atheist was a good person simply because he cared about people and was unselfish as opposed to a theist who hopes for a reward, the atheist is morally superior. My counter is that I don't think many atheists are like that.

and you of course have lots and lots of evidence to back up your 'thoughts'?

[nkb]

By the way, according to psyadam, I am morally superior to him.

[psyadam]

Victus wrote

Jerks relative to what, though? Think about it. Humans, a social species, are sufficiently altruistic to develop into a population of 7 billion, and utterly dominate the planet in the process.

That's not altruistic enough for you? Really?

From Dictionary.com:

al·tru·ism
   /ˈæltruˌɪzəm/ Show Spelled[al-troo-iz-uhm] Show IPA
–noun
1.
the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others ( opposed to egoism).

perpetuating one's species does not equal altruism.

[psyadam]

psychodiva wrote

and you of course have lots and lots of evidence to back up your 'thoughts'?

just that most people are jerks

[psyadam]

nkb wrote

Yet, atheists represent a minuscule percentage of the prison population, even proportionately.

In other words, theists, even with the threat of hellfire, can't keep from breaking the law.

Explain your "logic" again.

I don't really have a response to that if it's true. I would like to have a source for that to confirm it's true though.

[psyadam]

nkb wrote

By that logic, theism is superior to agnosticism, genius!

I must admit you got me there.

[nkb]

psyadam wrote

I don't really have a response to that if it's true. I would like to have a source for that to confirm it's true though.

It's been posted and discussed here many times. "Search" is your friend.

[Captain Relativity]

psyadam wrote

I'll give you the point that, theoretically, if an atheist was a good person simply because he cared about people and was unselfish as opposed to a theist who hopes for a reward, the atheist is morally superior. My counter is that I don't think many atheists are like that.

By 'reward', I meant 'heavenly reward', of course. And again, all atheists, not just the atheists who selflessly work in leper colonies or AIDS infested third world villages or whatever the case may be, are morally superior to theists whose actions are dictated by concern over divine reward or punishment.

It all goes to motive, psyadam. What is the motivation for doing what you do? Face it, theists have an ulterior motive for pretty much everything they do in life; makin' it to heaven. Not so the atheist. Checkmate, theists!

[Victus]

psyadam wrote

perpetuating one's species does not equal altruism.

At which point, there is actually no such thing as altruism and your complaint regarding the inhumanity of humans becomes mute.

You didn't think this through, did you?

[nkb]

psyadam wrote

I must admit you got me there.

So, you're retracting your entire logic-lacking statement that started this thread, then?

[psychodiva]

psyadam wrote

just that most people are jerks

so- no evidence at all then- just your unfounded and anecdotal assertion that 'most' 'people' are 'jerks'- no definition of most? of people? or even of jerk?

well- what else can be expected lol

[psychodiva]

psyadam wrote

I don't really have a response to that if it's true. I would like to have a source for that to confirm it's true though.

just as i would like to have sources for - well - just about everything you have said so far

quid pro quo matey boy

[West491]

Relgion is not always directly related to morals.There exists immoral theists and moral theists. There exists immoral atheists and moral atheists. You say you know a lot of atheists who are jerks. From my personal experience, I have met many more theists who are jerks.

[Smellyoldgit]

West491 wrote

You say you know a lot of atheists who are jerks. From my personal experience, I have met many more theists who are jerks.

Which is why personal testimony 'evidence' should always be taken with a pinch of dodgy snuff.