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Light of my life

Mock Turtle

Oh my, did I say that!
Premium Member
Perhaps the 'atheism is a belief' argument could be resolved by seeing religious beliefs as looking towards the light - with many seeing something different in whatever 'light' they see - all the different religious beliefs. Atheists on the other hand are in the dark, not looking to the light, or seeing any. Not a good reflection perhaps on us atheists, but at least it might satisfy those intent on wilfully abusing language to assert atheism as some 'other faith'.

:hugehug:
 

Ayjaydee

Active Member
Perhaps the 'atheism is a belief' argument could be resolved by seeing religious beliefs as looking towards the light - with many seeing something different in whatever 'light' they see - all the different religious beliefs. Atheists on the other hand are in the dark, not looking to the light, or seeing any. Not a good reflection perhaps on us atheists, but at least it might satisfy those intent on wilfully abusing language to assert atheism as some 'other faith'.

:hugehug:
what's so dark about seeing clearly?
 

Jim

Nets of Wonder
Perhaps the 'atheism is a belief' argument could be resolved by seeing religious beliefs as looking towards the light - with many seeing something different in whatever 'light' they see - all the different religious beliefs. Atheists on the other hand are in the dark, not looking to the light, or seeing any. Not a good reflection perhaps on us atheists, but at least it might satisfy those intent on wilfully abusing language to assert atheism as some 'other faith'.

:hugehug:
I think that part of the problem might be from people who are continually denouncing religious beliefs calling their anti-belief views “atheism.”
 

Mock Turtle

Oh my, did I say that!
Premium Member
I think that part of the problem might be from people who are continually denouncing religious beliefs calling their anti-belief views “atheism.”

They should recognise this as being irreligious then rather than just atheism (they might be both) - much like what I believe - that most religions are the worst thing that humans have invented. Few could mistake my position. I suspect that most atheists can't express what they really feel - that the world would be a lot better off without the influence of so many, often disparate, religious beliefs - many having rather damaging doctrines concerning large numbers of people. But, as most also will believe in tolerance as a high ideal, they would want all to believe whatever they wanted with regard to some religious belief - as long as it didn't tend to harm others. Unfortunately, this appears not to be the case.

Still, if many do want to carry on believing a delusion (atheism equals faith), who are we to stop them - after all, it's just another illusion/delusion for them to add to their collection.
 
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PureX

Veteran Member
The belief that if God exists there would be "objective" evidence of it that the atheist would be able to recognize and accept, is a faith-based belief, as it clearly is not fact based. And as this belief guides the thoughts and behaviors of the atheist who believes it, it could be considered a kind of "religion". Especially when coupled with an unwarranted and unreasonable admiration for science as the only pathway to truth (scientism).
 

Ayjaydee

Active Member
The belief that if God exists there would be "objective" evidence of it that the atheist would be able to recognize and accept, is a faith-based belief, as it clearly is not fact based. And as this belief guides the thoughts and behaviors of the atheist who believes it, it could be considered a kind of "religion". Especially when coupled with an unwarranted and unreasonable admiration for science as the only pathway to truth (scientism).
Nope, I dont believe there would necessary be evidence. I just dont have a need to include a creator being in my basket of concepts.
 

bobhikes

Nondetermined
Premium Member
Perhaps the 'atheism is a belief' argument could be resolved by seeing religious beliefs as looking towards the light - with many seeing something different in whatever 'light' they see - all the different religious beliefs. Atheists on the other hand are in the dark, not looking to the light, or seeing any. Not a good reflection perhaps on us atheists, but at least it might satisfy those intent on wilfully abusing language to assert atheism as some 'other faith'.

:hugehug:

All beliefs without proof are faith. Proving others false without proving yours does not make it valid.
 

PureX

Veteran Member
Nope, I dont believe there would necessary be evidence. I just dont have a need to include a creator being in my basket of concepts.
An increasing number of atheists these days are falling under the spell of "scientism", and the arrogant presumption that their demand for "objective evidence" is the only logical and reasonable resolution to the mystery of "God" apart from determined atheism. This kind of irrational arrogance is often accompanied by a very similar (to yours) presumption that they have no need or use for the positive effects that the possibility of God's existence offers to the vast majority of their fellow humans. An arrogance that is soon borne out by the disdain they hold toward anyone who does feel the need or desire to avail themselves of the effects of that positive possibility.
 

Ayjaydee

Active Member
An increasing number of atheists these days are falling under the spell of "scientism", and the arrogant presumption that their demand for "objective evidence" is the only logical and reasonable resolution to the mystery of "God" apart from determined atheism. This kind of irrational arrogance is often accompanied by a very similar (to yours) presumption that they have no need or use for the positive effects that the possibility of God's existence offers to the vast majority of their fellow humans. An arrogance that is soon borne out by the disdain they hold toward anyone who does feel the need or desire to avail themselves of the effects of that positive possibility.
Wow. We just met and you figure you know all that about me! Lol. Hahahah. Try again in a week or so junior
 

PureX

Veteran Member
Wow. We just met and you figure you know all that about me! Lol. Hahahah. Try again in a week or so junior
Wow, your ego seems to have you imagining that my post was all about you simply because it was posted in response to yours.
 

osgart

Nothing my eye, Something for sure
My atheism is nothing like that. If there were a God I would be excited and enthused about it. I am 100 % certain there isn't. I would love to be wrong.

I know there are a lot of anti theists on here who talk about science as the only way to knowledge and truth. I don't buy into that either.

I do think there are theistic religions that are very unhealthy, and damaging myths. I fight that fight occasionally, but not all the time like some do.

I believe in an underlying reality of mind but nothing to the extent of an all good, all powerful being. That rules out deism and theism for me.

There are some other religions that hold a lot of merit and value though.
 

ChristineM

"Be strong", I whispered to my coffee.
Premium Member
Atheism : disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.

Anything else you want to blame on it is either down to the individual or a problem with a religious faith that cannot stand up to scrutiny
 

Mock Turtle

Oh my, did I say that!
Premium Member
The belief that if God exists there would be "objective" evidence of it that the atheist would be able to recognize and accept, is a faith-based belief, as it clearly is not fact based. And as this belief guides the thoughts and behaviors of the atheist who believes it, it could be considered a kind of "religion". Especially when coupled with an unwarranted and unreasonable admiration for science as the only pathway to truth (scientism).

Not necessarily the case. Some of us no doubt just base it on the probability of this being so, given what we experience and see all around us. As in - where some see evidence, some of us just see reality. The concept of a god or not doesn't influence my behaviour one bit, and I suspect this is so for many without a religious belief. I doubt we are any more admirers of science than all others. It just happens to have proven itself as being the most useful tool humans have developed - so far.
 
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PureX

Veteran Member
My atheism is nothing like that. If there were a God I would be excited and enthused about it. I am 100 % certain there isn't. I would love to be wrong.
I can't think of any possible way, logically (or honestly), that you could be certain of that.
 
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