I'm looking for a term that is much more all-encompassing than "atheism", the mere lack of belief in a single deity or in multiple deities.

Does anyone know if there is a term to describe a viewpoint which not only does not ascribe to, but in fact actively DENIES, anything whatsoever of a religious, spiritual, metaphysical, supernatural or mystical nature, including (but not limited to) not only the existence of a single deity or multiple deities, but also in:

• any kind of immortality or afterlife (such as heaven, hell, purgatory, limbo, or reincarnation),
• souls or spirits (whether human, animal, alien, or divine, or anything along the lines of nature spirits, ghosts, or "life force"),
• not only the existence, but also the very notion, of the “holy”, “sacred”, or “divine”,
• moral "causality" at work in the physical universe (for example, karma), or
• morality or ethics which exist independently of the human mind;

in other words, in all but reason, logic and science?

(Just for the record, please note that at least in the opinion of this writer, such a viewpoint would indicate that all so-called “spiritual” experience is essentially of a merely emotional nature.)

Just asking - thanks for any help anyone can offer.

Rationalist.

Or, antitheist if you actively disbelieve in all Gods.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relativism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rationalism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nihilism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistemology

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solipsism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallibilism

I hope that helps. You could've posted an introduction. Kinda feels like we are being used as dirty answer whores.

(October 10, 2011 at 12:58 am)vxhughes Wrote: I'm looking for a term that is much more all-encompassing than "atheism", the mere lack of belief in a single deity or in multiple deities.

Does anyone know if there is a term to describe a viewpoint which not only does not ascribe to, but in fact actively DENIES, anything whatsoever of a religious, spiritual, metaphysical, supernatural or mystical nature, including (but not limited to) not only the existence of a single deity or multiple deities, but also in:

• any kind of immortality or afterlife (such as heaven, hell, purgatory, limbo, or reincarnation),
• souls or spirits (whether human, animal, alien, or divine, or anything along the lines of nature spirits, ghosts, or "life force"),
• not only the existence, but also the very notion, of the “holy”, “sacred”, or “divine”,
• moral "causality" at work in the physical universe (for example, karma), or
• morality or ethics which exist independently of the human mind;

in other words, in all but reason, logic and science?

(Just for the record, please note that at least in the opinion of this writer, such a viewpoint would indicate that all so-called “spiritual” experience is essentially of a merely emotional nature.)

Just asking - thanks for any help anyone can offer.

The philosophical system you are described is called metaphysical naturalism. Richard Carrier wrote a book defending metaphysical naturalism.

http://www.amazon.com/Sense-Goodness-Wit...1420802933

Hi, aleialoura -

>I hope that helps.

Not what I was looking for, but I sincerely thank you for your time and effort.

>You could've posted an introduction.

I honestly mean this in a completely friendly, nonconfrontational way, just giving my opinion: to me that seems like giving a bit of an explanation of what I'm "all about" to a stranger that I stopped to ask for directions. I'm just someone who'd like to know a good label to describe such a viewpoint, because I hold that viewpoint myself, and I'd just like a brief way to describe this viewpoint in case it ever comes up in conversation with any new acquaintances. I never meant to express an intention of "joining the community", or that I would post any other topic to this forum in the future. No offensive intended.

>Kinda feels like we are being used as dirty answer whores.

Again, I honestly mean this in a completely friendly, nonconfrontational way, just giving my opinion: to me this response seems quite odd, completely “out of left field”, a little confrontational, and inappropriate (not that you can't find many such responses in virtually every forum on the internet). I note that the others who responded didn't seem to feel this way. Does anyone else here feel that aleialoura’s response was appropriate? Or is there an actual rule at this forum that new posters must introduce themselves?

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Hi, Justtristo -

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for, although I prefer the alternate nomenclature "ontological naturalism".


Hi, BethK -

Thank you as well for your help.

Naturalism is the prevalent world view. It is the myth that our culture adopts: Our ontology skews material over functioal.

I was a moderator an activist for Freethinkers and Atheists of Virginia. we did quite a few pickets on the steps of the supreme court.

If I may:

According to your specifications, one or more of these may apply for you

Apatheist

Antitheist

Strong Atheist

These all fit your list. But they merely mention what you DONT believe. If you are looking for something to point out what you DO believe then may I suggest:

Materialist

Physicalist

Naturalist

(those three are, in my opinion, the same thing)

labels labels labels.......

*sigh* I do have one as well, but only cause some people just HAVE to slap a label on you - and better you do it than allow them to.



But christ-almighty - can't we just live and call it good!

Cognitive dissonant might work, too.

I believe the technical and scientific term you are looking for is:

Uber-mega-super industrial strength-don't take no shit-fuck you and the preacher too and the sow he rode in on-life's a bitch so deal with it-monster atheist!


I'm pretty sure anyway.