From: fsrey@rama.acf-lab.alaska.edu (Rex E. Young)
Subject: Re: Just how much smarter are atheists?
Organization: University of Alaska Computer Network
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 04:34:49 GMT

In article <910773f.30.724186770@ace.acadiau.ca> 910773f@ace.acadiau.ca  
(HEATHER LEE FYFFE) writes:
 
> slip....?  Everyone, whether they will admit it or not, knows that they  
have 
> a soul.  Noone can possibly believe that `I', what makes me `me', my 
> thoughts, my feelings, my personality, is merely a product of atoms  
jumping 
> around in the brain.  You all know that there is something intangible  
that 
> is `you'.  This is spirituality - not believing in ghosts, but believing  
in

Yes, I can believe this, and I do.  As beings, we are all unique, but
I can't honestly believe that somebody designed me, and knows all of 
my actions ahead of time.  If so, why was he/she/it so willing to let
me make mistakes rather than instilling me with the knowledge to prevent
these mistakes ahead of time? 
> people.  All people also wonder, at least a little bit, `why'.  This is  
the 
> God-shaped hole.  The longing for a purpose, the human condition.  The 
> proven to them, they wouldn't be happy about it.  They'd still like to  
know, 
> they just gave up trying to find out.
> 
> How else can you explain the intense happiness and joy that new  
Christians 
> experience?  We finally feel fulfilled, yes, this is what I've been  
waiting 

When I went to the church for guidance and to fill the 'hole' in me,
I felt very fulfilled, and very happy.  Only when I was at church, prayer
meeting, etc.  Feeling good is infectious.  When others around you feel
so good, you can't help but feel good yourself.
> for.  Now I have something to strive for.  How many ex-Christians can  
say 
> they felt that when they left the faith?  Most often they left because  
of 
> disillusionment, disappointment, and disgust with the Church and its 
> operations.  And I must say, in most cases I can't blame them.  The  
Church 
> as an organization is materialistic, egotistical, and uncaring about its 
> members.  But can those who left truly say that they have found  
happiness 
> since?  Sure, you may say it easily, and you probably will.  But I  
challenge 
> you to question whether you really, truly mean it, or is it just another 
> mask?

I have questioned this, and yes, I can truly say that I'm happier now than  
when I was Christian.  I spent much time wondering why God didn't speak to  
me as was allegedly done for so many others around me.  Now, I live for me  
and my morals, not those of an all-powerful, all-knowing entity that  
doesn't really seem to be all-powerful and all-knowing.

The entire tone of your article would suggest that you wouldn't believe
an differing viewpoint, even in the face of irrefutable evidence.  I 
would encourage you to be a bit more open-minded.
		Awaiting evidence of He/She/It's existence
		Rex E. Young III

_______________________________________________________
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored
by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency
a great soul has simply nothing to do.

I hate quotations.
May 1849

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

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