10/3 (Tue.) Are you a convinced atheist? (host: Rock)

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Rock
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註冊時間: 週三 10月 31, 2007 9:03 am

10/3 (Tue.) Are you a convinced atheist? (host: Rock)

文章 Rock »

Are you a convinced atheist?
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/at ... 46291.html

圖檔

Religion around the world is on the decline.

For the first time ever, Norway now has more people who do not believe in God than do - with 39 per cent of atheists versus 37 per cent of believers.

In the US, meanwhile, a nation whose dollar bill signs states "In God We Trust", belief in the Christian deity is also at an all time low.

Research found that nearly twice as many Americans in 2014 said they did not believe in God as in 1980 - and that five times as many in 2014 said they never prayed, with millenials in particular accounting for the change in public opinion.

Now a map has shown degrees of religion around the world according to the countries with the most people saying they are "convinced atheists".

Yet despite a trend towards fewer people believing in God around the world, it appears only a few countries have more than 20 per cent of citizens who are comfortable about rejecting the notion of a diety entirely.

Here are six of the most atheist countries in the world, not including Norway:...
(Continue reading: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/at ... 46291.html)

Session One
1. What is an atheist, agnostic and theist by definition? What kind of person are you as for religion, and why?
2. What do you think of atheists? Are they, on average, smarter, more stupid or simply more rational comparing to others?
3. The diagram in the article shows that Taiwan, same as China, has a high percentage of convinced atheists. Do you agree? Please list the good things and bad things about a society with more atheists, and conclude that if it's good for the society.

Session Two
1. Many people make fun of "sea food" these days. Is this sarcasm rational, cynical, or ridiculous? Why don't most people make fun of the belief that Jesus Christ can perform miracles?
2. Think of (1) one thing about a religion which is so stupid that you'd never believe, and (2) one thing which is possibly true to you. Why do you think so?
3. Sung Chi-li (宋七力) was convicted of fraud in 1997 and sentenced to seven years imprisonment. But, his verdict was later overturned in 2003 by the high court which cited freedom of religion was protected under Taiwan's constitution (wiki). What do you think about it? Is the judge's decision reasonable? Does the decision serve the justice? Is it good for the people in Taiwan?
3.1 Since Sung Chi-li is not guilty, should the government apologize for violating he and his followers' religion freedom and compensate his loss, including his Miracle Association Memorial Hall demolished by the police?

********************************************************************************************************************************************
Agenda:
6:45 ~ 7:00pm Greetings & Free Talk / Ordering Beverage or Meal / Getting Newcomer’s Information
7:00 ~ 7:10pm Opening Remarks / Newcomer’s Self-introduction / Grouping
(Session I)
7:10 ~ 7:50pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
7:50 ~ 8:10pm Summarization (20 mins)
8:10 ~ 8:25pm Regrouping / Instruction Giving / Taking a 10 Minutes Break (Intermission)
(Session II)
8:25 ~ 9:05pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
9:05 ~ 9:25pm Summarization (20 mins)
9:25 ~ 9:30pm Concluding Remarks / Announcements ********************************************************************************************************************************************
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In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
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Laura
YOYO member
文章: 351
註冊時間: 週二 12月 16, 2003 10:28 am

Re: 10/3 (Tue.) Are you a convinced atheist? (host: Rock)

文章 Laura »

Rock is brave to issue this taboo topic.
It's interesting as well. :D
The best teacher is child,
the worst mistake for one is to abandon oneself,
the greatest treasure in the world is love!
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Rock
YOYO member
文章: 2161
註冊時間: 週三 10月 31, 2007 9:03 am

Re: 10/3 (Tue.) Are you a convinced atheist? (host: Rock)

文章 Rock »

The attendees were: Rock, Way, Laura, Chris, Joseph, Anne, Alicia, Momo, Steve, Luis, Kris, Christine. Thank you for coming on the Moon Festival's eve.
In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
Dan
Member
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註冊時間: 週四 9月 22, 2016 8:08 pm

Re: 10/3 (Tue.) Are you a convinced atheist? (host: Rock)

文章 Dan »

...and a certain "secular humanist."
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Rock
YOYO member
文章: 2161
註冊時間: 週三 10月 31, 2007 9:03 am

Re: 10/3 (Tue.) Are you a convinced atheist? (host: Rock)

文章 Rock »

Yes, Dan, we surely will remember this euphemism to get rid of the crime of blasphemy. Looking forward for the myth gathering, too. :D
In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
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