(July 2, 2021 at 11:14 am)Five Wrote: What does this mean?
I've heard this on occasion leveled as criticism against atheists. Intuitively, I think I understand it....but when actually examining it and breaking it down, it doesn't make much sense.
It reminds me of "you just want to sin". My response is a knee jerk, "Yeah. Those things you call sin, I want to do some of them, yes, and that freedom to choose is important to me." So, with only having a vague assumption about the "you just want to be your own god" accusation, I tentatively say, "...yes. It is true I want to be in charge of my own life, my choices, and my destiny."
Thoughts?
Penn Jillette said it best paraphrasing, something like, " I could rape, sure, but the amount I want to rape is zero".
But that has nothing to do with wanting to be one's own god, that has to do with having empathy and compassion. Not even atheists are gods, nor should we want to act like a God or gods. It just means we don't need superstition to regulate ourselves.
I really warn, even atheists to not think of ourselves as being 100% in control of our own destiny's. Nobody ever is 100%. It is true that every human can do their best, and try their best, but even with such efforts, bad luck will hit everyone, at some point. nobody lives forever, and no matter how famous our wealthy, friend or foe alike, rich or poor, everyone dies eventually.
If you have been in a car accident that was not your fault, that is an example of someone affecting you beyond your control. You can only do your best. But even in doing such, there are countless factors, despite such that can affect you.
