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Fundamentalist Atheism
August 27, 2015 at 12:47 pm
(This post was last modified: August 27, 2015 at 1:29 pm by ScepticOrganism.)
Hello everyone, Hope you're all having a good day
I've often encountered individuals who parsimoniously claim that atheistic fundamentalism is an actual thing. But what does fundamentalism mean in the first place? According to dictionary.com, and several other lexicons, it is the strict adherence to any basic set of ideas or principles.
Just on that alone, you would get the impression that atheism is anything but fundamentalism. Atheists are intellectually flexible by nature.
Any atheist would tell you that if sufficient evidence/scientific consensus becomes present, they would change their beliefs in a heartbeat. But I think the key phrase here is " intellectually flexible by nature " With the emphasis being put on " Intellectually".
Sure, atheists might be willing to change their ideas based on reasoning and scientific/critical thinking, but what about those who harbor excessive hatred to not only religion itself, but to individuals who happen to follow it.
Does that in itself, constitute as fundamentalism?
"organizing atheists has been compared to herding cats, because they tend to think independently and will not conform to authority" -- Richard Dawkins
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RE: Fundamentalist Atheism
August 27, 2015 at 1:01 pm
I'm not sure what there is to be fundamental about. There's only one rule about atheism. The disbelief in gods. Everything else is up in the air. You could still believe in the supernatural. Just not gods. You will probably be secular, but you don't need to believe in evolution or the big bang theory.
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RE: Fundamentalist Atheism
August 27, 2015 at 1:05 pm
(This post was last modified: August 27, 2015 at 1:06 pm by Longhorn.)
I'm a wafflist fundamentalist. None of that liberal pancake shit
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RE: Fundamentalist Atheism
August 27, 2015 at 1:06 pm
I don't know about the label fundamentalist, but there are definitely a subset of atheists out there who come across as very militant in their behavior towards theists. This probably won't be a wholly popular statement I'm about to make, but it's entirely true; several atheists on this board possess a bigoted mindset when it comes to judging theists. You could be a theist of any stripe, doesn't matter, they'll think less of you for it.
There is also gnostic atheism, ie.; a 7 on the Dawkins scale. I'd say any person who takes positions with total epistemological certainty should expect the label of fundamentalist thrown their way, because they've met the entry prerequisite that enables fundamentalist thinking to flourish.
freedomfromfallacy » I'm weighing my tears to see if the happy ones weigh the same as the sad ones.
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RE: Fundamentalist Atheism
August 27, 2015 at 1:12 pm
Yes, there are extremist atheists. No one can deny that. Minimalist is probably the best example of someone around here who has no patience for them, but he has to deal with the likes of Drich and GodsChild.
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RE: Fundamentalist Atheism
August 27, 2015 at 1:13 pm
(This post was last modified: August 27, 2015 at 1:17 pm by robvalue.)
Sure, I would stop being an atheist if someone defined what a god is supposed to be (I have no idea and I suspect most believers don't either) and then provided evidence that such a thing exists. No one has got as far as defining it yet to my satisfaction. If it means "creator" then I wish people would just call it that! Maybe some people feverishly deny the possibility even if evidence was presented, I don't know. But this certainly isn't "fundamental" to atheism, as it is simply a stance on one single question.
What is less obvious and one thing that winds me up is the preconception of many religious types that becoming a theist means worship. It certainly does not follow. I can be aware of things and acknowledge their existence without having to kiss their ass. I might even think "God" is a piece of shit.
As for being anti-religion, most people with this stance (myself included) are against the harm religion causes, and its special treatment, rather than wanting to actually end religion.
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RE: Fundamentalist Atheism
August 27, 2015 at 1:16 pm
(August 27, 2015 at 1:12 pm)Chad32 Wrote: Yes, there are extremist atheists. No one can deny that. Minimalist is probably the best example of someone around here who has no patience for them, but he has to deal with the likes of Drich and GodsChild.
They deserveth to be shitteth upon.
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RE: Fundamentalist Atheism
August 27, 2015 at 1:17 pm
"Atheism is a religion! Atheism is a religion! Atheism is a religion" - Idiots
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RE: Fundamentalist Atheism
August 27, 2015 at 1:24 pm
(August 27, 2015 at 1:12 pm)Chad32 Wrote: Yes, there are extremist atheists. No one can deny that. Minimalist is probably the best example of someone around here who has no patience for them, but he has to deal with the likes of Drich and GodsChild.
Min is actually a rather lovable bigot. He realizes not all theists deserve the same level of abuse, his level of bigotry scales with the theist.
freedomfromfallacy » I'm weighing my tears to see if the happy ones weigh the same as the sad ones.
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RE: Fundamentalist Atheism
August 27, 2015 at 1:25 pm
Yes, there are extremist or militant atheists, but are there really any atheists who wouldn't be theists if presented with sufficient evidence? Of course not. That's why I dislike the term 'fundamentalist' to characterize more outspoken or strident atheists. The term is nonsense when applied to a group who lack a set of dogmas and who may have virtually nothing in common except a disbelief in god claims for want of good evidence.
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