(September 17, 2012 at 1:44 am)notfussed Wrote: I don't think a potato could be an athiest. You have to be capable of thought, to in turn believe or make an opinion of something.
This is the core of the argument against my position.
But the ability to think is an assumed property in every other -ist, except atheism.
Atheism is the only position that seems to, by popular notion, define itself in the negative.
Consider epiphenomenalist- an affirmative belief. It's obvious that potatoes can't be epiphenomenalists.
Consider environmentalists- a position on something that incorporates a belief. It's obvious potatoes can't be environmentalists.
Consider feminists- a position that incorporates a belief, or a number of beliefs. Potatoes can't be feminists (feminists might argue that potatoes are part of the patriarchy and thus anti-feminist. Let me know, I might be mistaken).
All these -ists are positive beliefs, and thus obviously things only humans can hold.
But atheism is the LACK of a belief.
