RE: Theism and Western atheism are on the same continuum. Both are realist.
November 30, 2012 at 2:38 am
(November 28, 2012 at 4:03 pm)alwayson Wrote: Theism and Western atheism are both based on the assumption that things exist. Thus both are on the same continuum of realism.
The following is a summary of Madhyamaka (which is a system of negation):
All philosophical and religious positions revolve around only 2 views: Existence and Nonexistence.
One cannot claim that anything exists, since for something to exist it would logically have to arise from a) itself b) other or c) both these possibilities together
Something cannot arise from itself, because that brings numerous contradictions. For example, arising would have to be part of its intrinsic nature, which would in turn lead to endless arisings.
Something cannot arise from other, because then you could have a giraffe spring from a rock. Anything could arise from anything. Moreover if an entity in itself does not exist, an entity other than it does not exist either.
Something cannot arise from both these possibilities together, because each one has been individually negated already.
All we are left with is illusion. Things only seem real because of imputed identities.
Reference: Center Of The Sunlit Sky by Karl Brunnholzl
For an atheist, you sure have nihilistic views. Here is what an atheist is... Generally , at least most of the atheists that I know. It doesn't seem weak to me at all.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VeJy2a-QgWo#