An Exchange of Thoughts [On Atheism]

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Eunice: belief in God, faith and religion is a decision that a person must make. i respect atheists. i think it's very brave of 'em to live a life that not a lot of people will even think of living. we can always talk about how God has touched our lives in a lot of ways but atheists [the critical thinking-ones] would rather believe that they are happy because they did something that led to such happiness. they'd rather think they are in-charge.

What we think we know, we really dont know. [quoting the founder of the UP Atheists' Circle] As for me, i dont think i should defend my faith, it's something that i hold on to because i decided to. WE are all lost anyway, atheists, believers, there is no assurance.

Batchster: "Nobody can insist that you believe in God" yup, i believe ultimately, it's an existential choice no one can make for you but yourself.

"they'd rather think they are in-charge." well i dunno but this is something i don't particularly admire about them...

"What we think we know, we really dont know. [quoting the founder of the UP Atheists' Circle]" -->we were also taught in Ateneo that Socrates was wise because he knew that he did not know. This is precisely why i think it is foolish and arrogant for atheists, existentialists in particular, to place everything in their own hands and trust nothing and no one else but themselves. If that statemant was meant to attack believers then it totally missed its target. Faith is different from knowing. Faith does not claim that it knows. That is exactly why we BELIEVE.

"As for me, i dont think i should defend my faith, it's something that i hold on to because i decided to." i agree with your second statement because I, too, believe because I decided to. But I don't see the logic in saying that because it is a personal commitment, there is no reason to defend it. (is that what you were saying? please correct me if i understood you wrongly...) I've learned from Theo that that is the flaw of secularization. It reduces faith to personal spheres. but faith is not just one aspect of a person. I believe it gives meaning to the whole of one's existence. o well... sobrang haba, out of the topic na... some other time maybe

Eunice: i know the "we're in charge" statement's kinda arrogant, but id rather look at it as a vow to face life head on, without that hope of getting a miracle someday or of divine intervention, it's taking the blame for the consequences of your actions, may it be direct or indirect.

Existentialists and athesists just like us are travellers in this thing called life. We cant judge 'em just because we think they think so highly of themselves by not believin in a higher being. yes we believe, but if they dont, let's not take it against 'em. Life's harder,(i think) for them. it's bad enough that they dont have God beside 'em but if the society who claims to have faith will make it harder for 'em then that's just too much.

There is such a thing as interconnectivity. i think of my faith as my personal relationship with God but i do accept the fact that my existence affects others who also exist. Not defending my faith is not synonymous to being apathetic for that need to share my faith. I tell my story, i do what i think i should do and let it be my personal testimony of how God has long existed in my life. I dont have to engange in debates, in word plays because by doing so (in my opinion), it demonstrates my finding assurance from the nod of others whom i have convinced.

My last statement wasnt a statement of despair, it's a statement of respect. of that acknowledgment that i have no reason to judge others and that i myself am not the perfect believer that i should be. It's true that there is no assurance, but at the end of the day (just like what you said) WE STILL BELIEVE.. God bless.