I agree with all you stated. Although in my earlier remarks I was not laying the groundwork for a debate. I stated there were many denominations of atheism, non-belief, etc. Wasn't trying to be argumentative, but some take offense with Atheism being paralleled to religion in any context; such as using words that are associated with...gasp....religion. Although atheism is a worldview, so says me.

(March 15, 2017 at 2:42 pm)PETE_ROSE Wrote: I agree with all you stated.  Although in my earlier remarks I was not laying the groundwork for a debate.  I stated there were many denominations of atheism, non-belief, etc.  Wasn't trying to be argumentative, but some take offense with Atheism being paralleled to religion in any context; such as using words that are associated with...gasp....religion.    Although atheism is a worldview, so says me.

Atheists forming different organizations does not make them a religion. 

Prove it is. Show us our holy book. Show us our holy founder. Show us our super natural heros you think we worship.

It isn't even a "worldview". We are NOT even a worldview. We have various views on politics and economics. Again, we are not monochromatic and we are not sheep. WE ARE NOT A RELIGION OR WORLDVIEW. You should know that by now having seen our infighting even on this page.

Get this through your head Pete, the only thing "atheist" denotes is the INDIVIDUAL's "off" position on god claims. Outside that we do not agree on all things all the time.

(March 15, 2017 at 2:31 pm)Simon Moon Wrote:

(March 15, 2017 at 2:15 pm)PETE_ROSE Wrote: A lot of linguistic semantics around here.  Beliefs.  World view.  Faith. Every known word can have a different meaning depending on context or other inferences and implication.  

If I said white someone would argue that it is not white, merely devoid of color or the opposite of black.

Not semantics at all.

In discussions such as these, it is important to agree on how both parties are defining words ahead of time, or else we talk past each other.

As it is, most atheists define atheism as the absence of belief in gods. If you insist that the atheist uses your definition, then you are not engaged with the atheist in the same conversation. If you can't come to agreement on the definition, then the best thing to do is stop using the word, and discuss the concept.

I define atheist as the absence of belief in gods. But I really don't care if you use that definition or not. It is the CONCEPT that is important.

White is not devoid of color, it is the result of all colors being combined.

I had to google it...

In physics, a color is visible light with a specific wavelength. Black and white are not colors because they do not have specific wavelengths. Instead, white light contains all wavelengths of visible light. Black, on the other hand, is the absence of visible light.

(March 15, 2017 at 1:30 pm)PETE_ROSE Wrote:

(March 15, 2017 at 11:44 am)Brian37 Wrote: How long have you been on this board Pete? You should know better having been a long time member not to repeat or parrot bullshit arguments.

"Atheist" means "off", nothing more than that. We are not a religion, we are not a gang, we are not a political party, we are not an economic view. We are very diverse in our class status from poor and middle and rich, very diverse in our political and economic views and we exist in every nation of every skin tone. WE DO NOT always agree on everything all the time. Please stop repeating a bullshit argument.

"off" is the only thing atheists have in common, outside that, if you want to know what an atheist holds as a position then that subject is particular to that individual. We are not sheep.

I suppose we disagree.  You show your bias by claiming arguments that do not support your perception as bs.  I wave my bs flag on you sir.  Many are sheep.  Not all atheists are well grounded in their beliefs just as many of the religious are not in theirs.  So again, more bs from the peanut gallery.

What is our holy book?
Who is our super natural hero?
Who is our prophet?
Who are our religious leaders?
What is the one economic policy we all hold?
What is the only class we all belong to?
What is the only nation we all come from?
What is the only skin color we all hold?

I'll give you a hint, you wont get past the first question so don't waste my time.

(March 15, 2017 at 3:07 pm)Brian37 Wrote:

(March 15, 2017 at 1:30 pm)PETE_ROSE Wrote: I suppose we disagree.  You show your bias by claiming arguments that do not support your perception as bs.  I wave my bs flag on you sir.  Many are sheep.  Not all atheists are well grounded in their beliefs just as many of the religious are not in theirs.  So again, more bs from the peanut gallery.

What is our holy book? Humanism
Who is our super natural hero? Mother Nature
Who is our prophet? Minimalist!!!
Who are our religious leaders? Dawkins, Harris, Dennit, Hitchens
What is the one economic policy we all hold? Whatever advances the greater good
What is the only class we all belong to? All
What is the only nation we all come from? All
What is the only skin color we all hold? All

I'll give you a hint, you wont get past the first question so don't waste my time.

Thought I would give it a shot!
Calm down my friend, we can remain friendly.

(March 15, 2017 at 2:42 pm)PETE_ROSE Wrote: I agree with all you stated.  Although in my earlier remarks I was not laying the groundwork for a debate.  I stated there were many denominations of atheism, non-belief, etc.  Wasn't trying to be argumentative, but some take offense with Atheism being paralleled to religion in any context; such as using words that are associated with...gasp....religion.    Although atheism is a worldview, so says me.

There are no "denominations" of atheism. The concept is laughable.

There is a baseline, beyond which one is an atheist. That baseline is absence of belief in gods. That is all that is needed to be an atheist.

Even if someone goes beyond that baseline, and, also claims to know there are no gods, hates religion, is an antitheist, is a Marxist, or whatever else you personally think goes along with atheism, the only thing that actually makes them an atheist, is their absence of belief in the existence of gods. FULL STOP.

None of that other stuff makes them another denomination of atheism. Please...

(March 15, 2017 at 3:23 pm)PETE_ROSE Wrote:

(March 15, 2017 at 3:07 pm)Brian37 Wrote: What is our holy book?  Humanism
Who is our super natural hero?  Mother Nature
Who is our prophet?  Minimalist!!!
Who are our religious leaders?  Dawkins, Harris, Dennit, Hitchens
What is the one economic policy we all hold?  Whatever advances the greater good
What is the only class we all belong to?  All
What is the only nation we all come from?  All
What is the only skin color we all hold?  All

I'll give you a hint, you wont get past the first question so don't waste my time.

Thought I would give it a shot!
Calm down my friend, we can remain friendly.

I am calm. I think your arguments are crap, that's all. What is it with theists who think if you are blunt and don't sugar coat something that makes the atheist a raving madman?

You wont get through any of that list so it is a waste of time. Just do the right thing and admit that "atheist" is not a religion and not even a worldview. 

What makes you think I am not friendly? Shit, my mom when she thought I was full of shit didn't hesitate to tell me what she thought. I think you are full of shit when you try to call "off" on god claims a religion or worldview. Now if we were talking about our favorite sport teams, favorite books or movies, I might agree with you. But on claiming "atheist" is a religion or "worldview", what do you want me to say? That is bullshit. I don't like lying to people.

No, some atheists call themselves "humanists", but that isn't exclusive to atheists. I don't think you need a label to say "be kind to others".

Nature isn't male or female, it is simply nature as to which evolution has lead to males and females and even asexual reproduction.

I like Minimalist but no, he is no prophet.

No I dont agree with everything Hitchens or Dawkins or Harris or Dennit say. That is bullshit. Dawkins is a stuffed shirt wouldn't invite him to a party. Hitchens was a war hawk and I think he was wrong about the Clintons. I also hate Harris's Buddhism fetish.

Atheists vote both economic left and economic right. You'd know that if you read the fights between some of us here who voted for Obama and others here who voted for Trump, like KUSA.


We do do belong to all classes and come from all nations and have left all the religions you can think of. 

So again, you have no case calling "off" a religion or worldview.

(March 15, 2017 at 3:23 pm)PETE_ROSE Wrote:

(March 15, 2017 at 3:07 pm)Brian37 Wrote: What is our holy book?  Humanism
Who is our super natural hero?  Mother Nature
Who is our prophet?  Minimalist!!!
Who are our religious leaders?  Dawkins, Harris, Dennit, Hitchens
What is the one economic policy we all hold?  Whatever advances the greater good
What is the only class we all belong to?  All
What is the only nation we all come from?  All
What is the only skin color we all hold?  All

I'll give you a hint, you wont get past the first question so don't waste my time.

Thought I would give it a shot!
Calm down my friend, we can remain friendly.

And failed miserably.

(March 15, 2017 at 3:38 pm)Harry Nevis Wrote:

(March 15, 2017 at 3:23 pm)PETE_ROSE Wrote: Thought I would give it a shot!
Calm down my friend, we can remain friendly.

And failed miserably.

We suck at fitting his unfounded notions. If we were good at fitting his "lost puppy", "if only they knew" we'd either convert or be in prison. I am glad I suck at fitting his stereotype.