If Only If . . .

Yep. That's what I've been TRYING to tell all these atheists.

Ironically enough, ShawnLJohnson, I am myself an atheist, but I try to keep an open mind to the possibility that I am wrong, and by researching and studying different religions and different philosophies, I can formulate an approach to life and the unknown that provides purpose but makes sense.

Then you are a proud and productive Agnostic.

Perhaps, I don't bother to discern between atheist and agnostic, but I still retain my skepticism and search for meaning and purpose, whether I find it in secular humanism, Catholicism, Islam, or some other ideology. I personally still consider myself an atheist since I do not practice any particular religion and acknowledge a deity, but that is subject to change at any time.

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Indeed, atheists are generally stigmatized, but again, the label does not matter, but my pursuit for a purposeful and meaningful existence does. I hope you live in a tolerable area, where different ideas are accepted and discussed. I do not want to infuriate or illicit any anger or negative emotions from you. We are just discussion philosophy and religion, and I hope to keep it that way.

I am fairly tollerant. The one thing I do not tollerate is intollerance, ironically. And no, you haven't offended me. =P

Good, good, I'm glad to hear that. I'm presuming you're a Christian, are you?

I go to a Methodist church, but only because it feels good to refresh myself spiritually every so often, and they've been good to me. I guess you could say I am a Christian. I was born a Christian, was baptised, went through the ritual of confirmation. I enjoy the teachings of Jesus and sometimes read the bible (Psalms is my favorite book). The old wisdom has always enthralled me, and I believe we need to harken back a little to some of the old ways (that got us here) while saving the advances we've made in things like Civil Inclusion and the like. The beliefs of various religions have always fascinated me and I try to use the wisdom from each tradition that works for me. So I guess we are similar in the way we both seek truth.

I wish the best for your efforts, as they seem to be generating wonders; I have never been to a church besides a Roman Catholic one, and I never entered a mosque or temple of any kind. Hopefully, I will visit different religious buildings to talk to imams and gurus and the like, but regardless, we both seek meaning and purpose, and I hope we locate solace. I will try to reply to other comments you made on my pictures, as most are more than three months old. XD

Divisions in society are too prevalent, and so I try not to argue or hold onto a certain stance about political and social matter. I think people exist in order to attain happiness, exuberance, and purpose, and people have innumerable religions and philosophies which address these needs. Without some purpose or happiness, people don't live, they exist until their biological termination.

yeah.............................no