Alceste
Vagabond
"Opposition" implies some kind of purposeful activity.
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Atheism: A belief?
- Thread starter Orias
- Start date
"Opposition" implies some kind of purposeful activity.
I like that.
Still, I think it safe to say agree that "atheist" is the world view that stands in contrast, but not opposition, to "theist."
Alceste
Vagabond
Not exactly. "Atheist" doesn't mean anything except that deities are not part of the world view. Granted, "theist" barely means anything either, except that deities are part of a world view. I think I would need more information before "contrast" would be possible. For example, I have a nearly identical world view to many pantheists, except that I don't call the universe "god". Not much contrast, there.
Okay. To me, that description of "atheism" doesn't lack for contrast to "theism".Not exactly. "Atheist" doesn't mean anything except that deities are not part of the world view. Granted, "theist" barely means anything either, except that deities are part of a world view. I think I would need more information before "contrast" would be possible. For example, I have a nearly identical world view to many pantheists, except that I don't call the universe "god". Not much contrast, there.
Well obviously! <scratches head> And as 'some atheist' that is my view; it is the argument that I'm making.
Not quite. Yours is a sensible argument.
nonbeliever_92
Well-Known Member
Theism is one car driving.
Satanism is two cars colliding.
Atheism says there are no cars.
Copernicus
Industrial Strength Linguist
The sentence "I don't believe your an atheist" can mean either A or B:
A) I lack a belief that you are an atheist (i.e. I commit to no position on the matter)
B) I believe that you are not an atheist (i.e. I commit to a position on the matter)
The verb believe belongs to a class of verbs that produce this kind of ambiguity. The verb know does not. Hence, "I do not know that you are an atheist can only mean C, never D:
C) I lack knowledge that you are an atheist.
D) I know that you are not an atheist.
I don't believe you.
I think it's people who produce this kind of ambiguity. People with agendas.
Kilgore Trout
Misanthropic Humanist
All these atheist around, you would think someone would know what an atheist is.
Atheists generally seem to have no problem knowing what they are, and what they believe or not. I don't understand why so many others have a hard time accepting it.
Well, according to some, no such list is possible.
I think that person was trying to say "What exactly is the belief?". Saying atheism is a belief doesn't reveal anything about it.
how does an honest description of your beliefs mean they're in conflict?
Alceste
Vagabond
Well, according to some, no such list is possible.
It's a very short list, actually: "Do you believe in any deities?" If the answer is no, you're an atheist.
Gloone
Well-Known Member
Well I would probably agree now that I think about. I tend to think most atheist are crazy or out of their mind when they start talking about leprechauns, Santa Claus, Unicorns and other things.Well, according to some, no such list is possible.
So to make a list saying things like that don't exist is just kind of obvious and makes atheist seem like a strange people.
I am laughing just thinking about it. lol....
Gloone
Well-Known Member
A deity is organized religion right?
Gloone
Well-Known Member
If they are not your own beliefs, meaning you took them from someone else then they are in conflict with your own.I think that person was trying to say "What exactly is the belief?". Saying atheism is a belief doesn't reveal anything about it.
how does an honest description of your beliefs mean they're in conflict?