I just had an "encounter" with an atheist Q supporter here. I don't believe he is a shill or anything like that, but the dialog got me to start wondering.
Trump is pretty clearly Christian. Q posted bible verses making it pretty clear that he or they are Christian as well.
Based on what I was told by my debate partner, we Christians are spreading stupidity across the globe, and he feels it is his duty to show us how stupid we are (paraphrased - not his exact words.)
So here's my question: If you vehemently believe that there is no God, no higher power whatsoever, and all of this universe is just random happenstance, then why do you follow Q and support Trump?
How do you reconcile Q and atheism?
Q talked about Freedom of Thought quite a lot. I don't think it is compatible with faith. It is diametrically opposed. Faith is believing in that for which there can be no evidence.
u/#q3906
Q also posted Bible verses, blessings, admonished us to put on the full armor of God, and told us to pray.
And therein lies the crux of my question - why do you feel Q is worth listening to at all if he’s also a theist?
Q said "If you are religious, pray." That is very different than "If you don't believe in god you are a pig (paraphrasing what you said to me.)" I understand that prayer is one of the many ways to focus mental/spiritual energy. I don't think it is the best way but it is a way that millions of people employ. I just don't think it has anything to do with a god answering the prayer. Armor of god I understand in the same way. I have protection techniques that really seem to work in real time that have nothing to do with god. I have traveled at night laying in bed to places miles away and seen things that were confirmed the next day so who says they are more spiritually advanced?
Ok, (and please correct me if I am wrong) it sounds like you're taking those things and interpreting them through your own worldview, just as the religious people do.
Since your worldview does not allow for a literal "Armor of God", you interpret that to mean a more generic "protection from spiritual warfare"?
I am not so dogmatic. Maybe there is some creator of the universe and you can have his protection. I don't think so but I could be wrong. I suspect there never was a beginning and never will be an end to existence. We are biased to think so because we are biological organisms with a...beginning and end. I really don't think the religious teachings about it are correct, which is what I was talking about when you started making derogatory pronouncements about me.
The best post on this thread. Thank you for sharing!
I just want to let you know that freedom of thought is available to people of faith too, because it's partly how i came to find God. I have freedom of thought to dwell on anything, including evil and good, though i prefer to dwell on good as a personal choice because I've seen the benefit of doing so.
I also just want to also note that the faith definition you gave isn't exactly right, but while it may be true in some contexts, it's not applicable to all forms of faith. This isn't to start an argument, but testimony is in the realm of evidence, and while i understand it can be hearsay to some, the testimony of the scriptures is similar to Q's testimony, where things were shared to us that some may not have realized was true until just this week (re: epstein/pedophilia), and may have called hearsay when it was shared.
With epstein there have been statements by eyewitnesses for years and a conviction in court long ago. In the new testament there are no witness statements by people who knew jesus. You can choose to believe it. To claim it is based on evidence is not true as far as I can see. If such mind-boggling supernatural events did occur I would think someone at the time would have mentioned it in their writings when it happened. The gospels came way later.
I understand where you come from, there was a period in my life when i was atheist. I'm not looking to argue, only help share expanded thinking.
When Jesus said "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) - This verse has been proven true in the lives of many people who have turned to him for solace and peace during times of stress, anxiety, or despair (eg: the last 3 years). Through faith and surrendering burdens to Him, they have found comfort, strength, and a sense of peace that surpasses understanding. I'm one who can attest to this as being true as well.
The point im trying to make is that there are evidences of testimony, that if we quickly ignore, we may overlook a real truth, and it expands our thinking to consider them. I've been tripped by not doing this myself a number of times. But i now try to not be quick to dismiss, and if i am going to dismiss - i need to be certain.
I think that is a bending of the meaning of proof. People believe all kinds of things and feel very strongly about them. To me it doesn't matter how many believe it either. Do you think the number of hindus and the sincerity of their belief validates the reality of their pantheon?