Atheism / Satanism

[robvalue]

I just went out for a walk, and I realized you can truthfully say you believe what you believe in all cases of belief, as just a weaker version of "I know what I believe". So I was wrong about that, although it would be a strange thing to say. If you don't know if you believe something, then you don't believe it, in my opinion. In that case you'd have to also say I believe that I believe I believe X, and so on. If you do know what you believe, then just stating the weaker case is technically true but perhaps misleading.

If someone is confused, then they are lacking a belief I would say. If there's that amount of doubt, there's no belief. But I suppose each person can only express themselves the best they can.

That was video was so good, I'm having revolting fantasies about it.

(But I still win hahahaha! Oops, is this still still on?)

[MJ the Skeptical]

Hello, I'm new here and I just wanted to know what the difference between atheism and LeVeyan Satanism is? I brought it up to one of my friends and they said they were practically the same thing. Any insight into this?

Thanks in advance.

You want to know the different between Leveyan Satanism and Atheism? essentially nothing other than the fact that they are Atheists who can't accept their atheism without dogma. 

The Levayan Satanists are cowardly atheists who won't take the on label but also want to follow some sort of dogma.

[Faith No More]

Even if it might be said that not believing a claim is a belief that the evidence is unconvincing, it's still not a claim to belief. It's sort of the difference between failing to pay your taxes and actively refusing to make a payment. Or not being hungry as opposed to going on hunger strike.

No, atheism is not a claim to belief, but it takes beliefs to defend it.  So, calling it a belief isn't exactly correct, but I guess I just feel like calling it a lack of belief isn't truly sufficient, either,  given that you have to rely on beliefs to defend it.

[Pizza]

Even if it might be said that not believing a claim is a belief that the evidence is unconvincing, it's still not a claim to belief. It's sort of the difference between failing to pay your taxes and actively refusing to make a payment. Or not being hungry as opposed to going on hunger strike.

No, atheism is not a claim to belief, but it takes beliefs to defend it.  So, calling it a belief isn't exactly correct, but I guess I just feel like calling it a lack of belief isn't truly sufficient, either,  given that you have to rely on beliefs to defend it.

True, since we have to have beliefs about what counts as good evidence and what is initially plausible. For example: I'm not a Christian because I believe the initial plausibility of bodily resurrection is fairly low. 

[Brian37]

Satanism is as stupid an idea as God belief. It is simply a human reaction by those who see a majority social norm behaving poorly and then using prior names and concepts and motifs to set up a new religion which is nothing more than the stupid attempt to pretend, like the religion it spun off of, to be the patent holder of human morality.

Our species morality is not in our labels, not even in the word "atheist". The positions someone holds or the social norms they subscribe to, do not automatically determine if the individual will do good or bad.

Our species ability to be cruel or compassionate is in our evolution, not the labels we assign ourselves or others.

[robvalue]

Strictly speaking you don't have to defend atheism at all. You may not even know why you reject the claim, it just feels like it's false. I'm not saying this is common, I'm just being a pointless anal little turd that gets kicked out the car a quarter of the way through the journey.

Gotta be yourself.

[Brian37]

Strictly speaking you don't have to defend atheism at all. You may not even know why you reject the claim, it just feels like it's false. I'm not saying this is common, I'm just being a pointless anal little turd that gets kicked out the car a quarter of the way through the journey.

Gotta be yourself.

Unfortunately we do. The word would not exist at all if people did not believe, but since it does atheist is the counter to theism. And as long as humans stupidly demonize a word that merely means "off" or "empty" those who hold that position will have to deal with theists. 

Silence is not an option considering that our planet is being used as a giant pissing contest between fans of sky heros.

[robvalue]

I'm saying you may not have a reason, at least not one you're consciously aware of.

I hear the claim, it sounds wrong. I dismiss it. I have no further thoughts in the matter. I cannot defend it, I have nothing to say. I'm not talking about myself but a hypothetical person, who maybe cannot even mentally process anything more than that.

I'm not suggesting this is normal or desirable, I'm just saying the definition of the word does not logically imply a reasoned argument or a set of conscious beliefs accompanying it. I'm not suggesting someone who does have an argument should pretend not to have one. I'm being equal opportunities. This person is still an atheist.

This is a very important distinction for pedants like me who have nothing else to live for but pick the tiniest holes, so please ignore me and I'll walk from here. Just don't drive through that puddle... Fuck.

[Cyberman]

Unfortunately we do. The word would not exist at all if people did not believe, but since it does atheist is the counter to theism. And as long as humans stupidly demonize a word that merely means "off" or "empty" those who hold that position will have to deal with theists. 

Ah, if you're talking about having to defend the position against the unwashed masses at the gate who profess not to understand it, or actually don't, then yes I agree. It's not something that's intergral to holding the position, anymore than I have to justify not watching Game Of Thrones by pointedly watching something else. However it can be something that requires justification when challenged.

[wiploc]

Hello, I'm new here and I just wanted to know what the difference between atheism and LeVeyan Satanism is? I brought it up to one of my friends and they said they were practically the same thing. Any insight into this?

Your friends are liars.