Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dave G on March 30, 2011 at 9:10pm

I see and understand where you are coming from, Heather, but I don't call that atheism. I call it skepticism, and my atheism is a result of my skepticism in regard to religious claims and claims on the existence of deities of all sorts.

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Permalink Reply by Heather Spoonheim on March 30, 2011 at 9:25pm

Do you mean the part where I say my atheism aligns with Johny's, or the part where I go on to talk about my 'devout atheism'?

 

I can see how what I call 'devout atheism' definitely falls under skepticism, although for me there is actually a lot more too it - I just didn't feel it was an appropriate place to expand on those things.  Essentially I've taken an eclectic approach by blending my favorite parts of Skepticism, Humanism, Naturalism, and Alcoholism.

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Permalink Reply by Caesar MacEntire on March 30, 2011 at 12:20pm

Atheism is simply a belief that there is no god. I cannot say it is actually an open-minded perspective, because there are certainly ignorant atheists out there. With that said, many atheists seem to be more open-minded and have better reasoning skills, but usually it's not because they are atheist, but they are atheist because of it.

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Permalink Reply by Heather Spoonheim on March 30, 2011 at 12:21pm

[Like]

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Permalink Reply by Gregor Basić on March 30, 2011 at 12:45pm

I define atheism as unbelief in supernatural (which includes gods), that is why some people see themselves as naturalist which is the same thing. But form me to be an atheist also means that there is no luck, destiny, curse and so on.

p.s. in other words, you don't have to believe in god to believe that you're cursed, or that you are luckier than other people and so on

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Permalink Reply by Apple on March 30, 2011 at 1:07pm

I think you are missing the same point that many in this thread seem to be missing, and that is that atheism is not the same thing as naturalism or materialism.  As per your example, a person who believes that he is luckier than others, perhaps because he always carries a lucky horse shoe, but does not believe in any gods IS an atheist.  One does not have to be a naturalist, or a materialist or a rationalist to be an atheist.  This is very important to understand and it's a point that many people seem to miss.

 

I agree with Caesar's point.  Atheism is not the process, it is the conclusion.  This is why rather than simply pushing atheism I always push critical thinking skills.  With properly developed critical thinking skills and understanding of the scientific method people should come more and more to atheism and ultimately to naturalism.  But just because we may personally be naturalists / materialists (meaning the rejection of a "dual" physical and spiritual realities) does not mean that atheism by itself requires a completely naturalistic worldview.

 

For example, it is fairly clear that Heather is a skeptic, a rationalist, a naturalist and possibly an anti-theist.  But just identifying as an atheist does not automatically mean that all of these other concepts must apply.

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Permalink Reply by Gregor Basić on March 30, 2011 at 3:51pm

Then I shall cease to call my self an atheist, for I am a naturalist ;)
I was quick to answer because I forgot the greek theos in the word which means god or deity, I'm so used to call myself an atheist that I forgot what it means. Stupid of me.

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Permalink Reply by Will Sloan on March 30, 2011 at 5:20pm

Hmmm, great points, Apple. I think we can all agree that atheism can be about as subjective as anything else, but ultimately it does come down to the conclusion.

I just heard Old Gregg saying, "Make an assessment," in my head when I was thinking this all out. http://video.adultswim.com/the-mighty-boosh/make-an-assessment.html

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Permalink Reply by Heather Spoonheim on March 30, 2011 at 9:30pm

An honest politician?

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Permalink Reply by Caesar MacEntire on March 30, 2011 at 9:47pm

I wouldn't necessarily say I am an anti-theist, or as some conservatives put it, "Anti-Christian."  I will share my beliefs with those that would wish to hear, but I will not force people to believe what I believe, or condemn them for what they believe...  

 

UNLESS those people are actively forcing others to believe their beliefs, or condemning other people for what they believe.

 

Basically my rule is that the only acceptable offensive is a counter-offensive.

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