The Atheism Thread - Part 5

[Danalys]

I think the concept of atheism is quite silly, in that it's a religion for people without a religion. I think that tells how much of an impact religion have had on the world..

Personally, I don't call myself anything other than realist.

PS; a commentary to you above about science: in modern scientific method, nothing is ever proved. One makes hypotheses, based on the results of experiments, and then tries to disprove hypotheses. When a hypothesis have stood undisputed through a sufficient number of experiments, then it is considered valid until it eventually is disproved.

the term atheism was invented by theists so they could tell each other who was fair game and why.

 

[Doctor Evo]

I think the concept of atheism is quite silly, in that it's a religion for people without a religion. I think that tells how much of an impact religion have had on the world..

Personally, I don't call myself anything other than realist.

PS; a commentary to you above about science: in modern scientific method, nothing is ever proved. One makes hypotheses, based on the results of experiments, and then tries to disprove hypotheses. When a hypothesis have stood undisputed through a sufficient number of experiments, then it is considered valid until it eventually is disproved.

Careful here.

 

[Hawkingbird]

See the deal with the claims scientists make is that they are inferences drawn from evidence that is acquired through a systematic process. Every step of what they do has to be shared and transparent so that others can examine their work in order to find flaws in their work and their ultimate claims.

If you have reason to doubt a scientific study, you can gather the resources and do the experiment yourself and draw conclusions and engage in open discourse.

Its not a matter of "faith" in scientific claims, as others have said, its a matter of trust in the process. Its a matter of basic scientific literacy. That said I DO have quite a bit of skepticism in scientific claims. But so do scientists. Skepticism is the basic necessary disposition for free inquiry.

Can you really not see the difference between that and revealed truths that are true because a book says they are true? That religious claims are untestable? You keep saying that no one has disproved God, but it is moot as there are no grounds that anyone could ever do so.

If you want to keep following the line of what you can ABSOLUTELY prove, then basically the only thing you can be at all reasonably sure of is the existence of your own mind. If you want to go there, fine but its shallow and pedantic.

Wow, you pretty much explained my pointt:

 

[Doctor Evo]

Wow, you pretty much explained my pointt:

...even the part about your point being shallow and pedantic?

 

[chaseter]

More proof how Atheism is becoming a religion:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/konamorris/godless-comics?ref=home_location

I like how they see Atheism as a means to battle Christianity haha.

 

[moviedoors]

That still doesn't make it a religion.

 

[chaseter]

Trying to convert non-believers makes it a religion. They are preaching the truth!

 

[CoolCadaver49]

I... I don't think that makes it a religion dude. I'm pretty sure that some sort of faith in one or multiple higher powers or forces is what makes a religion a religion, not if/how they try to spread their ideals.

 

[Danalys]

believe in atheism or don't burn in hell.

 

[Doctor Evo]

Trying to convert non-believers makes it a religion. They are preaching the truth!

So promoting any world-view automatically makes that world-view a religion?

 

[Hawkingbird]

...even the part about your point being shallow and pedantic?

Maybe not that part...

 

[NateHevens]

Trying to convert non-believers makes it a religion. They are preaching the truth!

Yeah.

No.

You kinda need faith in some form of higher power or powers, first.

Although I do think the idea is kinda stupid. We need to stop focusing on converting theists, and focus solely on reaching out to those atheists who may, for whatever reason, feel alone and are afraid.

And they are more numerous than you think... even in the US.

 

[jadtechnic]

If a 'god' exists then logic dictates it would be a natural phenomenon. If there is a 'creator' then there will be science to back its existence.

Scientology ?

 

[jadtechnic]

the term atheism was invented by theists so they could tell each other who was fair game and why.

some of them still don't know :P

 

[Hawkingbird]

I think you should always keep an open mind. What I hate is people who shoot down religion as "stupid".

 

[Thundercrack85]

Not taking the bait. Not taking the bait.

 

[Breogan]

I think you should always keep an open mind. What I hate is people who shoot down religion as "stupid".

I know some religions really takes the high road on that one ...oh wait.

Psalm 14:1 - The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

Double standard, Nice!

There can be "stupid" "fool" name callers on both sides.

Not taking the bait. Not taking the bait.

Come on, you know you want to, they may as well believe in easterbunnies, magic unicorn land, invisible wish-granting teapots or anything else to make them feel good, that makes them you know what....... just say it!

 

[Thundercrack85]

Double standards are fun.

I suppose it is something of an uncomfortable reality for atheists, that a good chunk of the population think they're going to hell. Then again, the people telling us we're going to hell are all going to hell in somebody's else's religion. So... what goes around, comes around.

Probably why I like Hinduism, possibly the least petty religion.

 

[Breogan]

Double standards are fun.

I suppose it is something of an uncomfortable reality for atheists, that a good chunk of the population think they're going to hell. Then again, the people telling us we're going to hell are all going to hell in somebody's else's religion. So... what goes around, comes around.

I think that's a non-issue, as pointed out that imagined fate is equally projected on to people with the supposed "wrong" belief, as it is onto those with "no" belief. Atheist tend not to believe in any religion, not just the one that forecasts they are going to some imagined hell.

Probably why I like Hinduism, possibly the least petty religion.

The one with the Caste system?

 

[Edguy]

Careful here.

Please, elaborate.

 

[Thundercrack85]

I think that's a non-issue, as pointed out that imagined fate is equally projected on to people with the supposed "wrong" belief, as it is onto those with "no" belief. Atheist tend not to believe in any religion, not just the one that forecasts they are going to some imagined hell.




The one with the Caste system?

Hinduism didn't invent the caste system. No more that Christianity invented the European feudal system.

 

[Breogan]

Hinduism didn't invent the caste system. No more that Christianity invented the European feudal system.

It's roots form part of the Hindu Vedas.

 

[Dr.]

I think you should always keep an open mind.

"It pays to keep an open mind, but not so open your brains fall out." - Carl Sagan

 

[Piper Maru]

“It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.”

- Carl Sagan

 

[Breogan]

"Anything you don't understand, you attribute to God. God for you is where you sweep away all the mysteries of the world, all the challenges to our intelligence. You simply turn your mind off and say God did it." [Dr. Arroway] - - Carl Sagan