The Sects of Atheism

[GaryAnderson]

The correct answer for the dictionary definition of an atheist is : “I don’t know” regarding the existence of the afterlife and souls. A few of you have said that, in different words. 

You seem to be under the impression that views on gods necessarily entails specific views on souls and the afterlife. They do not. I can be an atheist and believe in the existence of souls and an afterlife. Some belief systems about gods assume things about gods, souls, and the afterlife. Belief in the Christian god entails beliefs about souls and the afterlife, but atheism isn't about the Christian god alone. Atheism in general isn't one of those belief systems and says nothing about souls and the afterlife.

By the way, dictionaries disagree on proper usage, but in general only report how people use a word; they really have no authority to dictate how a word should be used.

You seem to be under the impression that Atheism is a loosely defined word and so far I’ve discovered 3 sects here which I will explain in the end with some more sects that made the news in an official church.
Do you guys even know what you stand for and what you oppose?
The questions I’m asking relate specifically to religions (Buddhism included) and your definitions are “a lack of belief in gods).
So where are you in this spectrum and the questions I mentioned?

Devout pastafarian.

The only way to the great beyond is through FSM. Obviously we have souls if we didn't then who are all those chicken soup books for?

Cheers. I like your laid back attitude…. For now.

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Just as a note: an atheist CAN believe in souls and/or an afterlife, it's unusual among Western atheists, but I have met Buddhists who don't believe in any gods but do believe in reincarnation. I've met atheists who believe in ghosts as well. There just as much an atheist as I am, since they don't believe any deific beings are actually real.

If an “atheist” believes this than they’re not atheists.

To the OP: Self-reports about why people believe what they do can be interesting but not very instructive. Maybe you could just hang out for a while and get a sense of who everyone is personally and become part of the community.

You know if we had absolute evidence on these existential questions we wouldn’t be having this convo and myself and most of the world would be atheist or theist depending on what the absolute evidence says. This is basically an eternal human discussion.

Why are you so upset of words on a screen? How do you deal with opposing views in real life? Do you fight or do you take shelter?

One can disagree without being disagreeable. Since you’ve been snarky and condescending since your first intro post, this doesn’t seem to be a skill you’ve mastered.

Boru

But aren’t most posts here snarky and condescending in regards to religion? I mean I was browsing yesterday and today and saw some gems.
I’m not upset with all that. It’s pretty common. So the way I communicate is basically more direct and a direct response to other posts which can be condescending or assuming or generalizing intentions.

[Deesse23]

Can you please describe what and where you are in a belief system? Or no belief system? Or lack of belief?

I dont have a particular belief system. My beliefs are not where i start, but where my thinking ends. The foundation of my thinking is that i want to believe as many true things as possible and as few false things as possible. The base of my thinking is scepticism: To only believe in things as soon as i have sufficient evidence to warrant those beliefs

Atheism (agnostic) is a mere result of that. Not more, not less.

Once you’ve answered that, can you please answer the following: What can you tell me about souls and the existence of an afterlife?

Thank you.

I am sceptical of their existence because i do not see sufficient evidence to warrant such a belief....yet

I’m waiting for one here to give me the correct answer.

And here is your "correct answer":
There are no gods or souls. I have proof! Babies are tasty, especially for breakfast. Karl Marx rules, every woman should be forced to have an abortion at least once a year, x-mas should be illegal, and everyone who says "merry x-mas" should be put in a KZ, particuarly christians. Atheists are more intelligent than christians etc, pp

Happy now?

[Angrboda]

You seem to be under the impression that views on gods necessarily entails specific views on souls and the afterlife.  They do not.  I can be an atheist and believe in the existence of souls and an afterlife.  Some belief systems about gods assume things about gods, souls, and the afterlife.  Belief in the Christian god entails beliefs about souls and the afterlife, but atheism isn't about the Christian god alone.  Atheism in general isn't one of those belief systems and says nothing about souls and the afterlife.

By the way, dictionaries disagree on proper usage, but in general only report how people use a word; they really have no authority to dictate how a word should be used.

You seem to be under the impression that Atheism is a loosely defined word and so far I’ve discovered 3 sects here which I will explain in the end with some more sects that made the news in an official church.
Do you guys even know what you stand for and what you oppose?

"You guys?" Are you expecting us all to believe and think roughly the same way? I've got news for you. Getting atheists to agree on things is like herding cats.

The questions I’m asking relate specifically to religions (Buddhism included) and your definitions are “a lack of belief in gods).

You should have included that information in your question. I am fascinated by religion. Other people may have no interest.

So where are you in this spectrum and the questions I mentioned?

Since your question is related specifically to religions, the answer to your question is that I am religiously unaffiliated. I'll defer on the other questions since I don't believe that you are asking them in good faith.

[Neo-Scholastic]

There are no sects on AF,...just different personalities and epistemic approaches.

[GaryAnderson]

"You guys?" Are you expecting us all to believe and think roughly the same way? I've got news for you. Getting atheists to agree on things is like herding cats.

So where are you in this spectrum and the questions I mentioned?

Since your question is related specifically to religions, the answer to your question is that I am religiously unaffiliated. I'll defer on the other questions since I don't believe that you are asking them in good faith.

Yes, that’s why the title is called “Sects of Atheism” .

Thank you for answering my question. You’re basically saying that you’re Switzerland and don’t hold an opinion on the matter which makes you more closely aligned to the dictionary definition of an atheist.

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There are no sects on AF,...just different personalities and epistemic approaches.

This is a group or community where you share ideas which align with your “way of life” so you as a group represent these ideas.

[Peebothuhlu]

At work.

[Neo-Scholastic]

This is a group or community where you share ideas which align with your “way of life” so you as a group represent these ideas.

Since you are new, so I'm cutting you some slack. You just joined so it seems a bit presumptious to make general statements about a discussion forum you just joined. The only thing AF represents is Tib's intent to create and maintain a place for open discussion around, but not limited to, various aspects of atheism. The topics are wide-ranging and vary greatly in tone.

[Simon Moon]

Here's a little something you should know...going back to your spouting off about rules and banning and blah, blah, fucking blah.

I can, at any time, click a couple things and blast you into forum oblivion.  However, you are still here...not because you are a wonderful addition to the forum but because we, as staff, have rules we have to follow that require us to listen to the snarky drivel that spews forth from people like you.

How is the view from you high horse?

Why are you so upset of words on a screen? How do you deal with opposing views in real life? Do you fight or do you take shelter?

It's not the words on the screen that bother us.

It is your lack of intellectual integrity and honesty.

We are willing, and enjoy the interchange with intellectually honest interlocutors. You are quickly proving yourself not to be one.

[no one]

This guy:
Don't know how to tell you this, but, the afterlife is pay to play.

Thank you very much, have a nice day.

GaryAnderson:
I don’t understand your answer.

That's because you don't want to understand!

Are you mad at understanding?

Show me on the doll where understanding hurt you.

[brewer]

The correct answer for the dictionary definition of an atheist is : “I don’t know” regarding the existence of the afterlife and souls.

Assertion only.