Theism Vs Atheism; Billboard Wars!

As I was exploring around some atheistic websites, I stumbled upon www.Dangeroustalk.net and found collection of billboards advertising about theism and atheism, a literal cold war between theism and atheism; I found this really interesting as I never thought anyone would ever need to advertise about theism and atheism.

Lots and lots of questions sprung in my mind and I became determined to unravel the answers as soon as possible.

• Why advertise for theism and atheism?
• What returns will those people get from those advertisements?
• Is theism and atheism just a product or a way of life?
• Will people, upon seeing the advertisement change their beliefs?
• Why spend money on advertisement rather than doing something better?

I don’t think we need advertisement for theism and atheism, as it is a way of life and people choose how they want theirs. This is 21^st century and there is information all over and around, people will find out that information which suits them and follow on.

All advertisements are published for giving information about some kind of product or package, and they are meant to generate some kind of return for those who publish those advertisement. But in this case, this advertisement doesn’t provide a win-win situation for those who see it, the people who see these are already theists or atheists, who have their own ground principles for their belief thus we can see a clear picture it is not just for attracting any one besides waging a war between the belief and non-belief.

When I saw these photographs, I felt a deep pain in chest because the photographs give a meaning that theism and atheism is some kind of product operated by some not-for-profit organization but not a way of life people choose.

I don’t even see a slightest thinking that anyone would ever change their views upon seeing these huge billboards wasting money just to show that either theism or atheism is lesser than the other. I would rather advocate using the money on something lot better like feeding a poor or educating someone who cannot afford without discriminating on their belief and non-belief.

I would like to say to all the theists and atheists don’t bulldoze your beliefs and non-beliefs on anyone with some weird ideas. Let people choose out their way and live their life with their beliefs and non-beliefs as lots of information is available to anybody anywhere. I would personally want people to perceive information on their own, analyze and conclude because there is nothing more important than what someone believes on himself or herself.

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Maha Shivaratri, Night of God of Himalayas; Insane!

Shiva Natarâdja (Photo credit: dalbera)

Today, it is one of the insane festivals of Hindu Religion, Maha Shivaratri, celebrated every year on dark fortnight or krishna paksha( waning moon) on the month of Magh or Falguna. Millions of people in India, Nepal go to Shiva Temples this day to offer Bael leaves and bathe the “Shiva Linga ( Shiva penis)” with milk, water and honey. Vermilion paste is applied to Shiva Linga after the bathe, then it is offered with fruits, burning incense, with lit lamps and betel leaves.

Hindus worship Lord Shiva, on this particular day because it is told to be his favorite day, and there are many legends and stories about people worshiping Lord Shiva on this day. The legends exemplifies, if a true devotee performs rituals on this particular day, Lord Shiva will be really impressed and he/she shall be awarded with gain boons and blessings.

Millions of people worship Lord Shiva with different wishes or without wishes, it is hard to tell, but some general wishes are:

• Women want their husbands to be like Lord Shiva, as he is believed to be ideal husband.
• Save people from “Pralaya” meaning Deluge, as he is believed to be protector.
• Fill life with happiness, as he is believed to be giver of happiness.
• Yielding wealth and attainment of knowledge, as he is savior of all the people.

Lord Shiva is described to be very attractive and there is a legend that he was mourning his wife’s death and walking directionless. When he was passing by one village, wife’s of saints saw him passing by and upon seeing his big penis they followed him. After the Saints knew that their wife were following Shiva, they cursed him which made his penis fall off. After that day, “Shiva Linga” which means Shiva’s penis is worshipped by every Hindu.

In those old Scriptures, Lord Shiva is also elucidated as a  dope-head and a junkie. Smoking marijuana used to be his favorite daily activities, so were his followers. And in Nepal, on the day of Shivaratri, it is not illegal to smoke weed at all. It is a haven for the dope-heads out there.

Shivaratri, I would say it is one hell of an insane day. People fasting whole day and waking up whole night in hope that their wishes will be fulfilled worshiping a deity, and to be exact, the dick of the deity, whose stories are written in thousands of years old Scriptures. Kids and even some adults, stop every people walking, riding or driving to give them money in the name of Lord Shiva.  Unmanageable crowds at temples, only to get few seconds to offer stuffs they brought over the Shiva Linga. Millions donated in the name of Shiva, which is expended on making the temples attractive, feeding those lousy Brahmans and deposited as temple’s treasures rather than someone hungry fed or spend on someone poor education.

Women want their husband to be like Shiva, whose dick is erected in thousands of places worshiped by millions. Do they really want a husband whose penis is available to so many? Moreover, Shiva is proclaimed to be high on drugs all the time. Do those women want to marry someone who is high everytime? This is a really serious topic to be discussed, analysed and concluded for good of every women.

People obviously want to be safe and secured, don’t they? No one want to die shortly and natural calamities poses a huge danger as they cannot be predicted much early. Why not be conscious about saving our planet, our environment and act accordingly, rather than polluting and harming our surrounding  and asking a deity who is high on drugs all the time to save us from those calamities?

Who does not want to be happy? I don’t think there is anyone in this world who wouldn’t want so. People are continually doing lots of stuffs every time in order to make their life richer and happier. Then, Why leave it to some deity to make us happier, while we are continuosly on it?

I would like to be wealthy and have good knowledge on everything possible. I know it is all linked; wealth, knowledge, happiness and life. Should I work hard to create wealth? Should I study and gather valuable information to enhance my knowledge? Should I try to do things what makes me happy? all to make my life better; or Should I pray to dome deity to make my life better with wealth, knowledge and happiness.

I am not asking anyone to not believe on your deity and religion. I am asking you to ask yourself those questions, I know you will laugh heart-fully  when you think you are worshiping a “Dick” of your deity. Keep your faith but act upon yourself to change your life, don’t just sit back and just pray in hope for better.

Atheism ~ Morality in everyday Life.

from http://thenakedvoid.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Evolution-Morality.jpg

Vague claims have been made that Atheism and atheist’s are immoral in their everyday life. these claims are exceptionally made by religious figures and followers too. Many questions arise for them; not for atheist’s, like, Why are those claims made? Does any religious figures and followers personally know any atheist’s? Have the religious figures and followers observed daily activities of an atheist? And who is supposed to give logical answers to these questions?

None religious figures and followers will ever look at this issue this way and eer answer this question. And, I feel it is really important to clear the vague thinking of the religious figures and followers.

First I have to define Morality before anything, ” Morality is the differentiation among intentions, decisions, and actions between those that are good( or right) and bad (or wrong).”

Why those Claims???

Psalm 14:1 quotes, ” The fool hath said in his heart. There is no  God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works there is none that doeth good.”

The worldview is changing in a rapid pace and theist still depend upon books written few thousands years ago. Despite modern technology has changed their life drastically still the belief is ancient. they blindly believe that whatever is written on those books are the ultimate answers to life and the whole worldview, and if any person who questions is a fool. The book itself makes them believe those who don’t have belief are immoral, without any ethics, fools, who has done abominable works and never does any good.

Now, Should we judge people on their belief or rejection of belief in God, because some ancient books have told so, or personally understand his/her behavior, manner and what he/she does????

Observing Atheist and those who reject belief in Higher power.

It is 21st Century; communication, social networking, open discussions are on its heights. Anyone can observe on anything he/she wants to, anywhere. Before claiming or pointing out on anything, everybody should be 100% sure that the claim is not pointless and vague.

I personally know few atheist’s and they are absolutely awesome people and they are great with all people with or without religion too. Everybody knows them as good people with exceptional good manners and behaviours and they are very helpful too. they make good decisions which hasn’t ever harmed anybody as their ethical values are way above than average. they know about their rights and fulfill their everyday duties in right way.

This was a personal level description of some people I know who have high moral values in their everyday life. Now, lets look in a broader view of some people who don’t have belief in deity and they are none other than fourth largest religion with 376 million followers, Buddhist‘s.

I like to adhere to some quotation by Siddhartha Gautama ( BUDDHA) to support my views.

• Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many.
• do not believe in anything simply because it is found in your religious books.
• Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.
• Do not believe in traditions simply because they have been handed down for many generations.
• But after observation and analysis, when you find that it agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.

Buddha taught this lesson because he knew being rational is best of human beings. Humans already know something is good or bad by their intuition. And, when mixed up with rationality, it becomes an ethics in practice, that is where morality came into the books of religions, not because some “Deity” told some author to write.

One very interesting fact of this world is; every place and every time, there is  a share of people who are defying moral values and do harm in some way. We have to know this and accept that these people are bad (or wrong) in themselves and not by their belief’s, whether they are theist’s or atheist’s. Everyone should accept every theist is not good and every atheist is not bad, it depends upon what they are personally.

I hope people understand Buddha teachings, even he/she doesn’t follow Buddhism and start being rational in everyday life and practice high moral values.

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• Atheism ~ Is it a religion? (himalayanatheist.wordpress.com)
• More Facts (himalayanatheist.wordpress.com)
• Facts and Figures (himalayanatheist.wordpress.com)
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Atheism ~ Is it a religion?

 

Image via Wikipedia

Atheism and Religion is one of the most talked, criticized and controversial topic nowadays.

Many claim atheism is a religion and same proportion of people also claim it isn’t. There seems a lot of confusion among people. I have no idea whether my views will make sense to people or not but still I will try to explain my thought.

Firstly, looking up the definition of Atheism, ” In broader context, It is the rejection of belief in existence of deities or higher power“.

Secondly, Religion expressed, “In public aspect, it constitutes adherence or membership, congregations of laity, regular meetings or services for the purposes of veneration of a deity or for prayer to the deity, holy places related to deity and scriptures about deity”.

Religion admires the deity and has strong belief that the “deity” exists and they are the higher power of the world. While, on the other hand, Atheism rejects the belief, it concludes there is no existence of “deity” or the higher power.

The definitions and the explanations should make it clear that ” Atheism is not a religion”.

Atheism is exact opposite of religion. This statement makes it all clear that atheism is not a religion and the confusion should fade away. Confusions about the tag “ism” with Atheism and relating it with types of religion ending with “ism” is too vague and without any logic.

Disclaimer:

Atheism being opposite of religion doesn’t mean it is anti-religion.

Atheism is always a way of thought about what is logical, rational and relevant.

 

 

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More Facts

• Euhemerus(330-260 BC) published his views that gods were only the deified rulers, conquerors and founders of past.
• Early Christians were labelled atheists by non-Christians because of their disbelief in Pagan Gods.
• Atheism in 20th century has advanced in many societies as people started thinking critically.
• Atheism is recognized by philosophies like Existentialism, Objectivism, Secular Humanism, Nihilism, Anarchism, Logical Positivism, Marxism, Feminism.
• Political advancement of Atheism started by the works of Marx, Engels.
• State of atheism is accepted by governments of Albania, China, North Korea, Cuba.
• E.V. Ramasami Naicker, a prominent atheist leader of India, fought against Hinduism and Brahmins for discriminating and dividing people in the name of caste and religion.
• In 1967, Government under Enver Hoxha announced Albania the world first officially atheist state and closed down all the religious institutions of the country.
• A 2010 survey found that those identifying themselves as atheists or agnostics are on average more knowledgeable about religion than followers of major faiths.
• The movement in 21st century advocating atheism is called New Atheism.
• An International study reported positive correlations between levels of education and not believing in deity.
• In US states with highest percentage of atheists, the murder rate is lower than average than that of religious US states.

Related articles

• Is Atheism A Choice? (andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com)

Facts and Figures

Atheism has been prevailing for long time, its only that it hasn’t been widely accepted. I list some interesting facts and figures below.

• First individuals to identify themselves as atheists lived in 18th Century.
• Social experiments about Atheism have been performed. (e.g. American First Church of Atheism, Scandinavian Church of Atheology)
• Some forms of Buddhism doesn’t advocate belief in God.
• Hinduism also holds atheism to be valid, but difficult to follow spiritually.
• Estimate of 2.3% of world population are atheists. 
• France has been identified as the most Atheist country with a whopping of 32% total population following Atheism.
• The Greek word “Atheos” appeared in 3rd century meaning “without god”.
• In 16th and 17th Century, the word “Atheist” was taken as an insult. So, no one ever dreamed of being an Atheist.
• Great Philosophers like Ludwig Feverbach, Sigmund Freud argued that God and religious beliefs are nothing more than Human Inventions. These are also the views of many Buddhists, Karl Marx, Friedrich Engles, Mikhail Bakunin.
• Atheistic Schools are found in early Indian thought and have existed from the times of historical Vedic Religion.
• Among the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy, Samkhya, the oldest philosophical system do not accept God and early Mimamsa also rejected the notion of God.
• The rejection of personal creator God is also seen in Jainism and Buddhism.
• The 5th Century BCE Greek Philosopher Diagoras is known as “First Atheist”.

Atheism

Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities.^[1] In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities.^[2][3] Most inclusively, atheism is simply the absence of belief that any deities exist.^[3][4] Atheism is contrasted withtheism,^[5][6] which in its most general form is the belief that at least one deity exists.^[6][7]

The term atheism originated from the Greek ἄθεος (atheos), meaning “without god”, used as a pejorative term applied to those thought to reject the gods worshipped by the larger society. With the spread of freethought, skeptical inquiry, and subsequent increase in criticism of religion, application of the term narrowed in scope. The first individuals to identify themselves as “atheist” lived in the 18th century.^[8]

(Taken from Wikipedia)