Why I think being an atheist or religiously indifferent is rational

[Gyp Rosetti]

1) because I genuinely give a damn about people other than myself without religion telling me i have to
2) because joining any church of TBS is totally irrational

 

[Siro]

3) Because not making unfounded assumptions engineered to give you comfort is infinitely more rational than pretending a silly story about a magical sky dweller is a convincing and sufficient explanation in our age of reason.

 

[TroutBum]

I do it for the chicks, man.

 

[asian_roger]

I don't think a little religion can hurt if it helps guides some people towards a more fulfilling life, but does it really take much brains to know what is right or what is wrong? I think there's a heaven and a hell in way, but if you care and love others and just be good you can easily get into heaven without following a book step by step. Is "God" really so mean he punishes people for not reading a book, going to church, or failing to worship him? I don't really care if anyone is Buddhist, Muslim, Catholic, Jewish, or Christian. I only believe in prayers for others once in a while if a friend or family was in danger. I'd rather spend time with my family than ever stepping into a church or reading a single line from a well written book or listen to a meaningless preacher. Shouldn't any God or religious figure be cool with this? If they are not, then I can give a **** about them. Is this argument rational?

 

[babe]

I don't think a little religion can hurt if it helps guides some people towards a more fulfilling life, but does it really take much brains to know what is right or what is wrong? I think there's a heaven and a hell in way, but if you care and love others and just be good you can easily get into heaven without following a book step by step. Is "God" really so mean he punishes people for not reading a book, going to church, or failing to worship him? I don't really care if anyone is Buddhist, Muslim, Catholic, Jewish, or Christian. I only believe in prayers for others once in a while if a friend or family was in danger. I'd rather spend time with my family than ever stepping into a church or reading a single line from a well written book or listen to a meaningless preacher. Shouldn't any God or religious figure be cool with this? If they are not, then I can give a **** about them. Is this argument rational?

Computers are rational, with a finite set of rules.

The reason some people are not rational is because, even though they might have a finite set of rules, they don't follow them. Sometimes they want to, but can't. Sometimes they really don't care to, but do---for social reasons or pressures. I find the very idea that my set of "rules" is a sufficent or desireable guide is inconsistent with my obvious ignorance. I might follow my rules sometimes, and sometimes even feel good about being able to, but I hope and pray God will give me better sense when I need it. . . . .

I consider "faith" the effort to deiberately set aside rational conduct in hopes of doing something better. . . . .

But sometimes I still choose to dogmatically follow some simple moral code because I know it's just senseless not to. . . . .

Call me human.