(boru)
That's it! Atheists are the new Jews! ... Wait what? Do you mean to say that atheists are sensitive human beings just like religious people are, and subject to dehumanisation and so on? Well then does it work the other way too? Is it dehumanising to denegrate someone's worldview? You tell me.
(pocaracas)
I'm not sure that's exactly my point, it's more that atheists throwing their weight about (being brutish with their judgements) leads to a depression laden society, or somesuch. In any case what I really wanted to get across is that atheism in its most often expressed form (I called it 'so what' atheism) is a socially meaningful ethos that isn't as helpful as it should be. Or even harmful.
(french guy)
(Esquilax]
Well then consider the guantlet thrown down and accepted! I have a small list but am prepared to argue for the following single principle as most central to atheism:
- The belief in God or Gods is a legitimate subject for the method of doubt
The method of doubt of course includes all sorts of rational principles that need to be made explicit before they are accepted, but the principle above is I think known intuitively wherever there is rejection of God, even if not philosophically stated or developed in any sense. Of course I imply that the method of doubt (i.e. systematic, universal criticism) is required to make 'atheism' meaningful. You may now disagree?
A note: I can imagine somebody somewhere never hearing about God in their lives, but the most accurate thing you could say about such a life is that it is undecided in terms of God. Religion originates in ordinary experience, after all.
Quote:From such pronouncements are pogroms made
That's it! Atheists are the new Jews! ... Wait what? Do you mean to say that atheists are sensitive human beings just like religious people are, and subject to dehumanisation and so on? Well then does it work the other way too? Is it dehumanising to denegrate someone's worldview? You tell me.
(pocaracas)
Quote: the lack of faith in an almighty and just god can lead to a depression laden society
I'm not sure that's exactly my point, it's more that atheists throwing their weight about (being brutish with their judgements) leads to a depression laden society, or somesuch. In any case what I really wanted to get across is that atheism in its most often expressed form (I called it 'so what' atheism) is a socially meaningful ethos that isn't as helpful as it should be. Or even harmful.
(french guy)
Quote:Atheist is just a description of someone who does not believe in god. That's it. It is not an ethical system or praxis. Atheism has no principals other than not beleiving in God.and
(Esquilax]
Quote:Hey, real quick: aside from the lack of a belief in god, name one other principle of atheism.
Name it, and watch at least one person here tell you that they don't share it.
Well then consider the guantlet thrown down and accepted! I have a small list but am prepared to argue for the following single principle as most central to atheism:
- The belief in God or Gods is a legitimate subject for the method of doubt
The method of doubt of course includes all sorts of rational principles that need to be made explicit before they are accepted, but the principle above is I think known intuitively wherever there is rejection of God, even if not philosophically stated or developed in any sense. Of course I imply that the method of doubt (i.e. systematic, universal criticism) is required to make 'atheism' meaningful. You may now disagree?
A note: I can imagine somebody somewhere never hearing about God in their lives, but the most accurate thing you could say about such a life is that it is undecided in terms of God. Religion originates in ordinary experience, after all.
