(March 3, 2019 at 4:50 am)Belaqua Wrote: I'm honestly surprised that there is any disagreement about what I've been saying. I'll try once more.
You are making a statement about every single atheist in the world: they do not believe in god. This is true by definition. I have never argued against that.
I am talking about a subset of all atheists. I am talking about adult atheists who live in a society. To be extra careful, I can also specify: atheists who are capable of language and conscious thought. That is, not babies, rocks, or lizards.
What I claim about such atheists is this:
1) All of them have heard claims made by religious people. e.g. "There is a god."
Do you agree with this so far? Is it possible for an adult who lives in a society and comprehends language not to have heard any claim by a religious person?
But the word god on its own is useless isn't.
I have not heard a good explanation of what a god is supposed to be so I feel I have incomplete information.
Its like saying "Brexit means Brexit" its not helpful.
(March 3, 2019 at 4:50 am)Belaqua Wrote: 2) They have found this claim unpersuasive.
Does this make sense to you? If they had found the claim persuasive, they wouldn't be an atheist. But the didn't, so they are still atheists.
well yes but see my above and define god.
(March 3, 2019 at 4:50 am)Belaqua Wrote: 3) They had reasons for finding the claim unpersuasive.
This has been the big sticking point. Somebody earlier accused me of being "anti-science" for claiming this!!??
But god has not been defined in any coherent way.
God
[ɡɒd]
NOUN
(in Christianity and other monotheistic religions) the creator and ruler of the universe and source of all moral authority; the supreme being.
synonyms:
God · the Father · Jehovah · the Almighty · the Supreme Being · [More]
(in certain other religions) a superhuman being or spirit worshipped as having power over nature or human fortunes; a deity.
"a moon god" · [More]
synonyms:
deity · goddess · divine being · celestial being · supreme being · [More]
So what is a god?
God
[ɡɒd]
(March 3, 2019 at 4:50 am)Belaqua Wrote: I claim this because when a person hears a religious claim and decides that it's not persuasive, there has to be some prior idea. It may be a good idea (e.g. I have reason to think that only scientific evidence is good, and I have heard none for this claim, therefore I don't find it persuasive.) Or it may be a bad reason (e.g. The nuns were mean to me therefore it must be wrong). But unless the atheist wants to claim that he dismissed the idea for no reason at all--that is, he wants to claim he is a totally unthinking person--there will have been some reason.
There is a black cat sat in my garden!
Do you believe me yes or no?
No clues.
(March 3, 2019 at 4:50 am)Belaqua Wrote: Which particular thing have I said which is wrong?
You have made many assumptions.
You can fix ignorance, you can't fix stupid.
Tinkety Tonk and down with the Nazis.
