Rational discussion about our current state of irrationality.

[beej]

Ah, so that's why Anthony killed himself but it's not like that for everybody. Gotcha.

I understand why you wanted to change the subject. 

There are lots of reasons why people kill themselves, I suppose. And if we want to just straw-man my argument down further, Christians commit suicide too. But despair has to be one of the biggest factors. It's easy for me to see how an atheist would fall into despair. As a Christian I have hope in a God who conquers sin and death. Even when I go through bad times, I have hope and joy.

Right now, atheism and religously unaffiliated people are on the rise. So is suicide. Maybe they are not related, I don't know. Maybe it's all......just......coincidence.

[neurosis]

Right now, atheism and religously unaffiliated people are on the rise. So is suicide. Maybe they are not related, I don't know. Maybe it's all......just......coincidence.

Streaming TV services are on the rise and so is suicide.  It must be streaming tv services.

That is the same argument anti-vaxers use to connect autism to vaccinations.  Ignore every other factor that may be linked and focus on the one that makes the most sense to you.

Not that either can't be linked, but you know, the thing.     Had to put a Biden joke in there.

[beej]

Streaming TV services are on the rise and so is suicide.  It must be streaming tv services.

That is the same argument anti-vaxers use to connect autism to vaccinations.  Ignore every other factor that may be linked and focus on the one that makes the most sense to you.

Fair enough. But you don't have to be a genius to know that Streaming TV shows doesn't have a lot to do with your outlook on life and death. On the other hand your thoughts on Eternity and what happens after death would most likely have a much higher impact on you if you are sitting there actually considering death as a solution to your problems

[neurosis]

Fair enough. But you don't have to be a genius to know that Streaming TV shows doesn't have a lot to do with your outlook on life and death. On the other hand your thoughts on Eternity and what happens after death would most likely have a much higher impact on you if you are sitting there actually considering death as a solution to your problems

That was obviously a ridiculous analogy, but is there any proof that atheists are any less happy than anyone else?

I'd be more willing to believe that everyone being diagnosed with god knows what these days and being put on prescription pills affects our lives more than not believing in something unprovable. Or that parenting is almost nonexistent and kids are being raised by electronic devices and never learn how to interact with people.

[Incogneeto]

I know I'll regret encouraging you, but I love the Incog Prose. 

When I lie down at Night I think about why?

There is no other Conclusion other than a Greater Intelligence.

Far beyond Our Capacity to Comprehend.

Let Go and Let God.

I wish I had The Capacity to explain my Own Feelings on "The Everything of God"

But I cannot find the words.

If I was capable you would understand my view.

But I would still fall short.

Simply Put when I hit the Sheets . I Thank God everyday.

And I pray if I do not wake.

[mowens]

Anthony Bourdain was a heroin addict for many years. He managed to quit heroin but was not able to give up alcohol. He never solved his addiction problems. He never learned how to live without drugs or alcohol. If an alcoholic quits drinking but changes nothing else he will still carry the misery he lived with while drinking. It had been building up in him prior to his death. He saw pictures of his girlfriend with other men and that was the final straw.

[Incogneeto]

I know I'll regret encouraging you, but I love the Incog Prose. 

Hey!! I Loves ya Beeg!!!

Yes I spelled it wrong on purpose.

Funny thing is.

God Does and we wonder.

[neurosis]

If an alcoholic quits drinking but changes nothing else he will still carry the misery he lived with while drinking.

Anyone who used addiction as a crutch is going to have a hard time quitting.

This is where I start to have conflicting feelings about religion. It does help some people build a new crutch (also probably not the right analogy).  There are people who need something like that to get by. Some times that faith crutch doesn't even help.

[beej]

Anyone who used addiction as a crutch is going to have a hard time quitting.

This is where I start to have conflicting feelings about religion. It does help some people build a new crutch (also probably not the right analogy).  There are people who need something like that to get by. Some times that faith crutch doesn't even help.

I'm doing a poor job of describing it if it looks like a crutch. It should look like a heart transplant.

[mowens]

Anyone who used addiction as a crutch is going to have a hard time quitting.

True addiction goes way beyond a crutch. It makes using feel as necessary as breathing.

[CNCAppsJames]

True addiction goes way beyond a crutch. It makes using feel as necessary as breathing.

That is a fact. When I was in rehab... man... I had to learn how to live. I mean shit... I literally used drugs almost every day from the time I was 13 until I entered rehab at 17 and almostb4 months. It was EXACTLY as natural.as breathing. It was beyond addiction. It just WAS. 

Oddly enough I can drink. I can have 1. I can have none. I can have a sip, ornI can get after it.  I really do not care. I can even go years without having even a sip and I don't even think about it. But the drugs... man, that's a demon I just cannot participate in recreationally.  Ever again. Not even once, because it won't stop there. It won't stop until I'm in the ground next time.