America's #1 Online Cigar Auction
first, best, biggest!

Last post 10 years ago by frankj1. 73 replies replies.
2 Pages12>
Would an Atheist make a good president?
Jump to Bottom | Previous Topic | Next Topic
gryphonms Offline
#1 Posted: Tue, Jan 21 2014, 11:05 AM EST
Joined: 04-14-2013
Posts: 1,983
I know this will cause strong responses, but a rather intelligent Christian friend of mine posed the following idea and it makes sense to me.

Since an Atheist's only chances of success is during this life; they will do everything in their power to make the best decision they can.

Therefore as president they should be less corrupable than anyone who has a second chance in a different life.
ZRX1200 Offline
#2 Posted: Tue, Jan 21 2014, 11:08 AM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,629
Right......
jackconrad Offline
#3 Posted: Tue, Jan 21 2014, 11:16 AM EST
Joined: 06-09-2003
Posts: 67,461
Many Atheist i know are more radical about being atheist than alot of religious people i know are.

Therefore i contend that Atheism is a religion.

What's wrong with a personal relathionship with God while not trying to shove it down everybody elses throat???
GhostTown Offline
#4 Posted: Tue, Jan 21 2014, 11:18 AM EST
Joined: 09-27-2013
Posts: 971
gryphonms wrote:
Therefore as president they should be less corrupable than anyone who has a second chance in a different life.


I think this is a rather stupid assessment, and I'm Atheist. To be human is to be "corruptable".
GhostTown Offline
#5 Posted: Tue, Jan 21 2014, 11:22 AM EST
Joined: 09-27-2013
Posts: 971
jackconrad wrote:
Many Atheist i know are more radical about being atheist than alot of religious people i know are.


Dang.... and here I thought on of the main beauties of atheism is that it's extremely difficult to cast a broad blanket statement like that over all of us. That we're all individuals who are generally independent thinkers.


"I know a lot of christians who believe tobacco is a stimulant and is a disgrace to god, therefor, all christians are against smoking tobacco."
DrMaddVibe Offline
#6 Posted: Tue, Jan 21 2014, 11:27 AM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,516
Love it...I'm going to choose to believe in the non-existence of something.

Anyone else see the paradox in that?

The frenzy of Antheism is contrary to what this nation was built on. Becasue a select few are entrenched in the notion of Freedom FROM Religion...which correct venacular is Freedom OF Religion...is akin to the folks at PETA wanting to elevate the "rights" of animals over humans.

Now, if we're talking about Agnostics...that's a horse of a different color.

Perhaps you and your friends that seek soooo damned hard to "intrigue" this board with your banal questions should do your own research on the Founding Fathers and their religious beliefs instead of a cigar board.
GhostTown Offline
#7 Posted: Tue, Jan 21 2014, 11:37 AM EST
Joined: 09-27-2013
Posts: 971
DrMaddVibe wrote:
Love it...I'm going to choose to believe in the non-existence of something.

Anyone else see the paradox in that?



It's certainly a strange way to describe it. Did you make that up yourself? "Choose to believe"? WTF says that?

DrMaddVibe wrote:
Freedom OF Religion...is akin to the folks at PETA wanting to elevate the "rights" of animals over humans.


lmao... PETA wants to elevate the "rights of animals over humans". Seriously? Could you find me a link to that? I don't support PETA, I just want to see this!


DrMaddVibe wrote:
Perhaps you and your friends that seek soooo damned hard to "intrigue" this board with your banal questions should do your own research on the Founding Fathers and their religious beliefs instead of a cigar board.


Wait.... not everyone is invited to speak their mind on cigarbid.com? I didn't see that in the forum rules.
DrMaddVibe Offline
#8 Posted: Tue, Jan 21 2014, 11:39 AM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,516
Why would you seek religious matters...in your case...who cares matters...on a cigar forum?


I bet you're the kind of jackwagon that orders a hot dog at McDonalds and complains when you don't get it too!
GhostTown Offline
#9 Posted: Tue, Jan 21 2014, 11:45 AM EST
Joined: 09-27-2013
Posts: 971
DrMaddVibe wrote:
Why would you seek religious matters...in your case...who cares matters...on a cigar forum?


I bet you're the kind of jackwagon that orders a hot dog at McDonalds and complains when you don't get it too!


You're quick at casting assumptions. I'm actually the type of guy who knows exactly what I want before I hit the drive thru lane at McDonalds and sit there quietly bitching about those in front of me who take forever staring at the menu. IT'S FAQING MCDONALDS!!! Everyone knows the menu by now. Or should.

I'm not seeking religious matters. I'm just commenting on the OP, which I said was stupid. With that out of the way..... do you not see, with your FORTY ONE THOUSAND POSTS, how often religion is brought up on this forum and accepted with open arms by christians throughout? There is nothing wrong with that. Doesn't bother me. But it seems that if atheism is brought up once.... you blow up and shout "Get it out of here!!".

Think
DrMaddVibe Offline
#10 Posted: Tue, Jan 21 2014, 11:47 AM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,516
GhostTown wrote:
You're quick at casting assumptions. I'm actually the type of guy who knows exactly what I want before I hit the drive thru lane at McDonalds and sit there quietly bitching about those in front of me who take forever staring at the menu. IT'S FAQING MCDONALDS!!! Everyone knows the menu by now. Or should.

I'm not seeking religious matters. I'm just commenting on the OP, which I said was stupid. That said..... do you not see, with your FORTY ONE THOUSAND POSTS, how often religion is brought up on this forum and accepted with open arms by christians throughout? There is nothing wrong with that. Doesn't bother me. But it seems that once atheism is brought up once.... you blow up and shouting "Get it out of here!!".

Think



Love it...yeah, you ARE that jackwagon.

What are the Founding Fathers beliefs on a "creator" then?

Why did they specify Freedon Of Religon?

Church of England much?
GhostTown Offline
#11 Posted: Tue, Jan 21 2014, 11:50 AM EST
Joined: 09-27-2013
Posts: 971
DrMaddVibe wrote:
Love it...yeah, you ARE that jackwagon.


I give up. RollEyes


I could give you a ten thousand word dissertation and when I'm done your going to reply with "you fuq pink donkeys, you jackwagon!"


Why bother?
DrMaddVibe Offline
#12 Posted: Tue, Jan 21 2014, 11:55 AM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,516
GhostTown wrote:
I give up. RollEyes


I could give you a ten thousand word dissertation and when I'm done your going to reply with "you fuq pink donkeys, you jackwagon!"


Why bother?



Try to impress someone.

For a good starting point...what book would an Atheist swear the oath of Office on?
snowwolf777 Offline
#13 Posted: Tue, Jan 21 2014, 12:11 PM EST
Joined: 06-03-2000
Posts: 4,082
gryphonms wrote:
I know this will cause strong responses, but a rather intelligent Christian friend of mine posed the following idea and it makes sense to me.

Since an Atheist's only chances of success is during this life; they will do everything in their power to make the best decision they can.

Therefore as president they should be less corrupable than anyone who has a second chance in a different life.


I don't know. I read the same thing and think that person might run the government like a pimp who has been told he has one week to live. What does it matter to him?Think
victor809 Offline
#14 Posted: Tue, Jan 21 2014, 12:12 PM EST
Joined: 10-14-2011
Posts: 23,866
gryphonms wrote:
I know this will cause strong responses, but a rather intelligent Christian friend of mine posed the following idea and it makes sense to me.

Since an Atheist's only chances of success is during this life; they will do everything in their power to make the best decision they can.

Therefore as president they should be less corrupable than anyone who has a second chance in a different life.


Yes and no.

Historically, religions of any type have been designed to codify a set of societal rules and expectations, and set up some "boogeyman" style punishment in the afterlife if one doesn't follow those, a simple method of controlling the masses. By that logic, a religious president would be theoretically less corruptible (all other factors being equal), AS LONG as the corruption itself went against whatever codified rules their religion had.

If the corruption in question doesn't intersect with the religious rules, then your theory makes some sense.
If the corruption in question can be justified by their religious rules (remember, doing right by a random religious text doesn't always mean you're doing something good for people)... then we're all screwed.

The thing to remember is that every individual (religious/non-religious) is looking to maximize their "happiness" in life (I'm using happiness as a single word surrogate for the bundle including a reduction in work, increase in leisure, fulfillment of all needs in Maslow's hierarchy, etc etc.). If you are dealing with someone who believes in an afterlife, they have to consider their happiness maximized across an eternal timeline (ie, heaven/hell/whatever). For a non-religious person, they only attempt to maximize their happiness over an 80+year span. I'm not sure how this would impact presidential decisions, but that would be the primary difference in decision making.
daveincincy Offline
#15 Posted: Tue, Jan 21 2014, 1:42 PM EST
Joined: 08-11-2006
Posts: 20,033
Meh...most of Washington looks pretty Godless anyway.



I was living like so many Atheists. I maintained that God did not exist. I was also angry with God for not existing.
Gene363 Offline
#16 Posted: Tue, Jan 21 2014, 2:02 PM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,850
daveincincy wrote:
Meh...most of Washington looks pretty Godless anyway.



I was living like so many Atheists. I maintained that God did not exist. I was also angry with God for not existing.


Oh they have a god alright, it's called, the almighty dollar.
bloody spaniard Offline
#17 Posted: Tue, Jan 21 2014, 2:10 PM EST
Joined: 03-14-2003
Posts: 43,802
gryphonms wrote:
I know this will cause strong responses, but a rather intelligent Christian friend of mine posed the following idea and it makes sense to me.
Since an Atheist's only chances of success is during this life; they will do everything in their power to make the best decision they can.
Therefore as president they should be less corrupable than anyone who has a second chance in a different life.


Hard to gauge human motivation, depends on the individual I would think, not necessarily on whether they're religious or not. Look at Obama and his creepy cult of personality. Who the hell knows what he is or if he REALLY believes in a deity?? Would you believe a liar's public affirmation for a "higher authority"?


But getting back on topic, Stalin, Hitler, and Mao appeared to have been atheist overachievers.
So I say sure, why not give it another whirl?
rfenst Offline
#18 Posted: Tue, Jan 21 2014, 5:22 PM EST
Joined: 06-23-2007
Posts: 39,379
Atheism is not a religion. Relions beleive in a spirit/spirits, gods or God. As to an athiest being President, I have zero problim with that.
snowwolf777 Offline
#19 Posted: Tue, Jan 21 2014, 7:37 PM EST
Joined: 06-03-2000
Posts: 4,082
bloody spaniard wrote:
But getting back on topic, Stalin, Hitler, and Mao appeared to have been atheist overachievers.
So I say sure, why not give it another whirl?



Long as we're doing "greatest hits", might as well include Pol Pot and Mussolini.

All Atheists who were really able to strut their stuff in leadership roles.
TMCTLT Offline
#20 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 8:46 AM EST
Joined: 11-22-2007
Posts: 19,733
rfenst wrote:
Atheism is not a religion. Relions beleive in a spirit/spirits, gods or God. As to an athiest being President, I have zero problim with that.



Why does ThiS ^^^ NOT surprise me.
DrMaddVibe Offline
#21 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 9:15 AM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,516
rfenst wrote:
Atheism is not a religion. Relions beleive in a spirit/spirits, gods or God. As to an athiest being President, I have zero problim with that.



http://firstchurchofatheism.org/

Think
GhostTown Offline
#22 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 9:21 AM EST
Joined: 09-27-2013
Posts: 971
DrMaddVibe wrote:
http://firstchurchofatheism.org/

Think



http://www.godhatesfags.com/


"christians"


Think


Not really fair, is it?
DrMaddVibe Offline
#23 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 12:15 PM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,516
Fair?

What would you know about what God hates?

You're too busy denying His existence and besides...since when is fair used in a scientific community?

Sounds more like someone's petty widdle feewings got butthurt!

Now...why would a non-religious entity attend a church?

A church by definition:

church [church] Show IPA
noun
1.a building for public Christian worship.
2.public worship of God or a religious service in such a building: to attend church regularly.
3.( sometimes initial capital letter ) the whole body of Christian believers; Christendom.
4.( sometimes initial capital letter ) any division of this body professing the same creed and acknowledging the same ecclesiastical authority; a Christian denomination: the Methodist Church.
5.that part of the whole Christian body, or of a particular denomination, belonging to the same city, country, nation, etc.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/church?s=t

I'm beginning to see where the petty comes from.
victor809 Offline
#24 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 12:22 PM EST
Joined: 10-14-2011
Posts: 23,866
Gene363 wrote:

Oh they have a god alright, it's called, the almighty dollar.


Because no christians are influenced by money ever...

nope.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_James_Hargis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Swaggart

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_Roberts

nah... they needed that money for gods work....
GhostTown Offline
#25 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 12:23 PM EST
Joined: 09-27-2013
Posts: 971
DrMaddVibe wrote:
Fair?

What would you know about what God hates?


You are so difficult to talk with. I think you miss every point I bring up! Or simply ignore it and continue spewing your hatred.
DrMaddVibe Offline
#26 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 12:40 PM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,516
victor809 wrote:
Because no christians are influenced by money ever...

nope.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_James_Hargis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Swaggart

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_Roberts

nah... they needed that money for gods work....





The Triumphal Entry

Matthew Chapter 21 :

12 Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,

16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.

19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

I wouldn't want to stand near them during Judgement.
ZRX1200 Offline
#27 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 12:46 PM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,629
GhostTown, DMV accepts your apology.
DrMaddVibe Offline
#28 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 12:48 PM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,516
ZRX1200 wrote:
GhostTown, DMV accepts your apology.



I'm sure God forgives him...he knows not what he does.

Me? I don't have Kleenex to hand out to butthurt Godless whiners!
victor809 Offline
#29 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 12:50 PM EST
Joined: 10-14-2011
Posts: 23,866
DrMaddVibe wrote:
The Triumphal Entry

Matthew Chapter 21 :

12 Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,

16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.

19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

I wouldn't want to stand near them during Judgement.


That has nothing to do with whether christians worship the "almighty dollar".
DrMaddVibe Offline
#30 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 12:55 PM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,516
victor809 wrote:
That has nothing to do with whether christians worship the "almighty dollar".

Frying pan Frying pan Frying pan

Yeah...it does!
GhostTown Offline
#31 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 1:07 PM EST
Joined: 09-27-2013
Posts: 971
DrMaddVibe wrote:
Frying pan Frying pan Frying pan

Yeah...it does!


No it doesn't. Which is your problem.


Look DMV!! A squirrel!!
DrMaddVibe Offline
#32 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 1:09 PM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,516
GhostTown wrote:
No it doesn't.


And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.


Yes...it does.
victor809 Offline
#33 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 1:32 PM EST
Joined: 10-14-2011
Posts: 23,866
That makes no sense within the context of the argument. Go use those arguments elsewhere.
DrMaddVibe Offline
#34 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 1:33 PM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,516
victor809 wrote:
That makes no sense within the context of the argument. Go use those arguments elsewhere.


OH...you were having an argument!

Yeah...good luck with that!
walksalone Offline
#35 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 2:07 PM EST
Joined: 11-10-2012
Posts: 379
OPANTIES.....their I clarified everything...
rfenst Offline
#36 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 2:14 PM EST
Joined: 06-23-2007
Posts: 39,379
What is wrong with any qualified or at leasted voted in athiest or non-Christian running for and/or being President?
HockeyDad Offline
#37 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 2:55 PM EST
Joined: 09-20-2000
Posts: 46,164
We tried a Muslim president and that didn't work.
DrMaddVibe Offline
#38 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 3:02 PM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,516
HockeyDad wrote:
We tried a Muslim president and that didn't work.



[email protected]
HockeyDad Offline
#39 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 3:12 PM EST
Joined: 09-20-2000
Posts: 46,164
I hear a UAV!
DrMaddVibe Offline
#40 Posted: Wed, Jan 22 2014, 3:48 PM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,516
Sure it's not Gabriel blowing his horn?
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#41 Posted: Fri, Jan 24 2014, 1:06 AM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
rfenst

they might say fasterest in stead of fast or perhaps leasted instead of least.

and with a college degree to boot
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#42 Posted: Fri, Jan 24 2014, 1:19 AM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
HockeyDad

BS!

disclaimer: i have not met mr hockeydad. i have never seen him nor spoken to him.

i couldn't pick him out of a crowed of two, but as any american citizen he is entitled

to his own opinion.

as i am an american citizen, i to am enitled to my use of upper case letters and

exclamation points..
ZRX1200 Offline
#43 Posted: Fri, Jan 24 2014, 1:22 AM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,629
OR YOUR EXCREMENT LETTERS!
HockeyDad Offline
#44 Posted: Fri, Jan 24 2014, 8:46 AM EST
Joined: 09-20-2000
Posts: 46,164
RICKAMAVEN wrote:
HockeyDad

BS!

disclaimer: i have not met mr hockeydad. i have never seen him nor spoken to him.

i couldn't pick him out of a crowed of two, but as any american citizen he is entitled

to his own opinion.

as i am an american citizen, i to am enitled to my use of upper case letters and

exclamation points..




SPARE ME YOUR


OUTRAGE!
hoyodude Offline
#45 Posted: Fri, Jan 24 2014, 9:22 AM EST
Joined: 07-17-2000
Posts: 4,395
snowwolf777 wrote:
Long as we're doing "greatest hits", might as well include Pol Pot and Mussolini.

All Atheists who were really able to strut their stuff in leadership roles.



As long as we're naming evil atheists why not a couple of these "good christians"? Seems only fair -

Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe (spreadin' that christian love...)
Tomas de Torquemada (started a little love-fest called the Spanish Inquisition)


And since the wee doctor vibrator is posting links, here's another for your enjoyment:

http://www.seesharppress.com/20reasons.html


...GT, that little troll is going to stomp his tiny feet any time he get's his My Little Pony panties in a twist. It's just the way he rolls. RollEyes
daveincincy Offline
#46 Posted: Fri, Jan 24 2014, 10:38 AM EST
Joined: 08-11-2006
Posts: 20,033
hoyodude wrote:
http://www.seesharppress.com/20reasons.html


Whoever wrote that should have used "religion" instead of "Christianity." There is a difference....most wouldn't know because they are too steeped in...religion...or unbelief altogether. Just sayin. And now back to your regular schedule.
bloody spaniard Offline
#47 Posted: Fri, Jan 24 2014, 3:58 PM EST
Joined: 03-14-2003
Posts: 43,802
Mugabe & Torquemada?
One is a black marxist racist & the other a jew who was probably forced into societal Christian conversion & probably wanted to mete out a little fanatical payback. Either way, even if considered Christians, they disregarded their religion except for convenience (sorta like Kennedy & MLK) and even though they did wrong, the suffering that ensued was minimal in comparison to that of their secular counterparts. In fact, if you need heavyweight religious wacko violators of human rights I would go with most in the middle east who worship allah.
bloody spaniard Offline
#48 Posted: Fri, Jan 24 2014, 4:08 PM EST
Joined: 03-14-2003
Posts: 43,802
Oh, and parts of the above were tongue in cheek, Chris. lol
No explaining why folks do what they do in the name of their religion- including the belief in no god.

As I said, I would vote for an atheist. Doesn't matter.
TheSmokensip Offline
#49 Posted: Fri, Jan 24 2014, 4:08 PM EST
Joined: 03-02-2013
Posts: 1,329
I dunno couldn't be much worse than our current Muslim leader.
bloody spaniard Offline
#50 Posted: Fri, Jan 24 2014, 4:10 PM EST
Joined: 03-14-2003
Posts: 43,802
TheSmokensip wrote:
I dunno couldn't be much worse than our current Muslim leader.

LOL I don't think Barry's much of anything, Smokenship. Same thing with Slick.
Users browsing this topic
Guest
2 Pages12>
Back to Top