RE: A question about defining 'Atheist'
July 10, 2014 at 4:30 pm
(This post was last modified: July 10, 2014 at 4:32 pm by Whateverist.)
(July 10, 2014 at 3:55 pm)orangebox21 Wrote: There is a bit of confusion for myself as a theist in trying to understand the definition of atheism. I've seen a few assertions throughout various threads and I have a few statement/questions for clarification.
1. I've heard some say it's not that the atheist has a belief in no-god, but rather a rejection of the proposition that God exists. How are these two positions different?
IMO, belief in no god requires more confidence than I have that we all have in mind the same idea of 'god'. When it comes to gods as separate entities that create universes and so on, those I do not believe in. But I think the gods people actually believe in and relate to, don't have to be understood in such an absurd way. So I reserve judgement unless there is adequate opportunity to clarify what sort of gods I disbelieve in.
(July 10, 2014 at 3:55 pm)orangebox21 Wrote: 4. Also involving the law of excluded middle, is the position of 'agnostic' (maybe there is a God) logically sound?
The excluded middle does not apply because non-belief does not have to lie anywhere on the disbelief/belief spectrum. Disbelief and non-belief are two separate questions. While disbelief entails non-belief the opposite need not be true.
(July 10, 2014 at 3:55 pm)orangebox21 Wrote: 6. It seems that the rejection of the proposition 'God exists' is a postion the atheist takes. If you reject the proposition that 'God exists' are you required to defend this position?
No, if you listed every belief that anyone anywhere has ever believed, I would not need to justify my my rejection of any of them. As they are my beliefs, I decide when the standard has been met.
(July 10, 2014 at 3:55 pm)orangebox21 Wrote: 7. If I as a theist were to reject the proposition that 'there is no-god', would I have to defend this position?
I don't see why. You also do not need to defend your position that you do believe in god(s). You set the standard for what is worthy of belief in your 'house'. You just have to please yourself then.
(July 10, 2014 at 3:55 pm)orangebox21 Wrote: 9. What label would you prefer to describe your worldview/religion? Please provide a definition and/or brief explanation.
I would say I am a non-believer in gods who nonetheless accepts that gods exist for believers, because I think gods are generated by the psyche. Phenomenologically speaking, gods have a similar status to our personal identities. They are both things produced in our brains which -at least so far- elude a nuts and bolts explanation. However I disbelieve any descrption of a god which seeks to concretize or objectivize their status.
