What is Atheism?

[Brian37]

How do you define atheism? It may seem simple, but small variations exist in accepted definitions.

Individuals, diverse in politics and class and nationality and exist all over the world. Outside that the only core thing we have in common is "off" or "empty" on deity/god claims. I hate "ism" being attached to the word "atheist". It is to me like trying to accuse and empty glass of having a club. 

I personally view my "off" position in context of past, present and future. As far as the past, it is all bunk to me with no evidence ever. Currently I am still in the "off" position. But "technically" and really to me only, future wise it would take extraordinary evidence to convince me of a deity/god. Science is currently pointing away from the need for a cosmic magic supernatural cognition in any case. Even with the future to me, the god of the gap argument is so fleetingly unlikely it really is not worth considering. "Monkeys might fly out of my butt" is about how I feel about the unknown future of a god existing.

I call my position "agnostic atheist", currently I am "off" on all past and present claims. But really even with the future which is unknown, even with that I don't see a future where any deity/god claim made now will be proven. Evolution was around long before our species or human language or the gods/superstitions we make up. Our planet is 4 billion years old and our universe is 13.8 billion years old. Postulating a cosmic super hero who only puts humans in all this this late in the game, only gives us 10,000 years of written language and sedentary communities, in all that, where we still kill and murder over these clubs, really doesn't strike me one bit as efficient, much less loving. 

And especially now having watched my mother die it is a stark reminder of reality. I don't hate a god or God for emotional reasons, anymore than I hate Batman or Lex Luther. I do find the logic believers try to sell simply lacking and intellectually insulting to me as to what is really valuable, our real provable existence, or real provable ability for compassion and empathy. None of the good in life is coming from a magic Sky Santa. 

Yesterday on PBS I watched a nature documentary which to me should be shown in every public school biology class. It showed mammals such as elephants and apes and tigers and how they set up social structures and interact and show EMPATHY for other members of the family. THAT is our reality. That is why I love my mom so much . My mom is the outcome of the good side of reality even with that harsh finality no human can escape. 

I don't even it like it when other atheists think they can re invent the wheel and create moral lists they think every atheist should follow. Not even the word "atheist" is a moral code. Our species behaviors, both good and bad are not a patent owned by a label, but in our evolution. My mom is good, because she is a good individual. And no matter the label, that ultimately is what all of us are, individuals. 

Evolution unfortunately does not care if cruelty or compassion win. Evolution does not care if cooperation or force win. Our advantage as humans can be, when we chose, as to how we move forward and what we choose. But that also goes with atheists too. We do not always agree, we don't have a moral code, nor are we a club. I have more in common with my mom than I do with some atheists even here. 

"Off" is the only way I define my position. Outside that, I do not always agree with others who also hold that "off" position.