RE: No rational case for God = increasingly desperate attacks on atheists
July 10, 2014 at 11:52 am
(This post was last modified: July 10, 2014 at 11:56 am by ManMachine.)
(July 10, 2014 at 10:12 am)FatAndFaithless Wrote:(July 10, 2014 at 10:10 am)ManMachine Wrote: Atheism is a faith. As much as there is no scientific evidence to prove the existence of deities, there is none to prove the non-existence of a deities either. Taking up a position of either asserting they exist or asserting they do not exist requires a leap of faith.
As much as theists should not fill vacuums in knowledge with their god, atheists should not fill vacuums in knowledge with the lack of a god, both are factually unsubstantiated positions unless they are prepared to accept theism and atheism are both positions of faith.
The most anyone can say factually is, we do not know.
MM
Woah, man, that's not what atheism is. An atheist is just one who doesn't accept the proposition that "God exists". It's not the same as saying "God doesn't exist". Some atheists say that, but that's not the definition of an atheist.
Fair enough, I was using a narrower definition of atheism. Some atheists can be characterised by their assertion that god(s) do not exist which I accept is not the same as rejecting a belief in their existence.
MM
(July 10, 2014 at 10:40 am)Jenny A Wrote:(July 10, 2014 at 10:10 am)ManMachine Wrote: Atheism is a faith. As much as there is no scientific evidence to prove the existence of deities, there is none to prove the non-existence of a deities either. Taking up a position of either asserting they exist or asserting they do not exist requires a leap of faith.
As much as theists should not fill vacuums in knowledge with their god, atheists should not fill vacuums in knowledge with the lack of a god, both are factually unsubstantiated positions unless they are prepared to accept theism and atheism are both positions of faith.
The most anyone can say factually is, we do not know.
MM
Is it a faith not to believe in unicorns? ----- Not believing in what there is no evidence for is not a faith. Should someone bring evidence that there are either unicorns or god, I will revise my opinion. It isn't a matter of faith.
Yes, like I just said above, I was using a narrower definition of atheism. I accept that there is a difference between rejecting the belief in the existence of deities and asserting they do not exist.
I would stand by the position that anyone specifically asserting deities do not exist (as opposed to rejecting a belief in deities) is taking a leap of faith.
MM
(July 10, 2014 at 10:50 am)Mister Agenda Wrote:(July 10, 2014 at 10:10 am)ManMachine Wrote: Atheism is a faith. As much as there is no scientific evidence to prove the existence of deities, there is none to prove the non-existence of a deities either. Taking up a position of either asserting they exist or asserting they do not exist requires a leap of faith.
As much as theists should not fill vacuums in knowledge with their god, atheists should not fill vacuums in knowledge with the lack of a god, both are factually unsubstantiated positions unless they are prepared to accept theism and atheism are both positions of faith.
The most anyone can say factually is, we do not know.
MM
No kidding. How long have you been here without being able to pick up that most of us are agnostic atheists? We don't assert there is no God, except possibly the married bachelor versions. I know it would be convenient for your position if most atheists were strong atheists, but they just aren't.
Yes, see above.
"The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions" - Leonardo da Vinci
"I think I use the term “radical” rather loosely, just for emphasis. If you describe yourself as “atheist,” some people will say, “Don’t you mean ‘agnostic’?” I have to reply that I really do mean atheist, I really do not believe that there is a god; in fact, I am convinced that there is not a god (a subtle difference). I see not a shred of evidence to suggest that there is one ... etc., etc. It’s easier to say that I am a radical atheist, just to signal that I really mean it, have thought about it a great deal, and that it’s an opinion I hold seriously." - Douglas Adams (and I echo the sentiment)
"I think I use the term “radical” rather loosely, just for emphasis. If you describe yourself as “atheist,” some people will say, “Don’t you mean ‘agnostic’?” I have to reply that I really do mean atheist, I really do not believe that there is a god; in fact, I am convinced that there is not a god (a subtle difference). I see not a shred of evidence to suggest that there is one ... etc., etc. It’s easier to say that I am a radical atheist, just to signal that I really mean it, have thought about it a great deal, and that it’s an opinion I hold seriously." - Douglas Adams (and I echo the sentiment)
