The argument that atheism is a faith, religion, or belief because it is a view on God, gods, or religion has shown up I don't know how many times in threads around here. It always seems to have a conceptual break in it.
I think I understand. Thank you for explaining it. I used to teach Religious Education and was frequently asked by students if I believed in god. I always asked them to explain what they meant by 'god' so I could tell them if I believed in their concept. Very few were able to give me any explanation. One pupil did and he went on to get an A* in his exam. I confused them even further when they asked me what my religion was and I told them I was a Pantheistic Jew. Or a Jewish Pantheist.
Yeah, and you're more patient than I am. Oh, atheists take it on faith (gettit? gettit?) that God doesn't exist, and we're fish who can't see the ocean? WOW, MY MIND IS BLOWN! I HAVE NEVER HEARD THIS ARGUMENT BEFORE!
If I was somehow in a position of not having to work for a living, I would love to go back to school and study religion.
So as a Jewish Pantheist, does that mean you believe that all the Gods society as presented really reference the same God (the God of Abraham). Or that all Gods exist?
I think that at varying times all gods existed in the minds and hearts of their followers. I would like to think, purely as a writer, that there is a Dwelling for Defunct Dieties somewhere.
LOL! Something sort of naively sweet about "So if enough people believe in God, is God real?" Could we try that please? If enough of us believe we are all going to get published and have runaway best sellers then it will be true!
If atheism is a religion, then NOT collecting stamps is a hobby.
Being militantly and enthusiastically anti-philatelic could actually be a kind of hobby.
It would depend on how much time and energy is devoted to it and whether or not one actually joins an anti-stamp-collecting organization.
Being militantly and enthusiastically anti-philatelic could actually be a kind of hobby.
It would depend on how much time and energy is devoted to it and whether or not one actually joins an anti-stamp-collecting organization.
But most atheists are not particularly militant, but will get called that if they dare to contradict religious people about anything.
Um, no. Claim of existence requires proof, not the opposite. If I claim leprechauns exist, then the onus is me to prove it.
True. But joining such a society would not necessarily imply that the joiner cares at all about stamps. They might just be annoyed at stamp-collectors talking about stamps all the time.
But most atheists are not particularly militant, but will get called that if they dare to contradict religious people about anything.
I think the onus is on the one making the claim, whether about existence or non-existence, if the one making the claim wants the one hearing the claim to adopt that belief or lack thereof.
If religionists come to your door, promoting religion, the onus is on the religionist.
If atheists come to my door, promoting atheism, the onus is on the atheist.
I love this. That is all.Not sure who said it, but to paraphrase someone else's description.
If atheism is a religion, then NOT collecting stamps is a hobby.
"Do you believe in fairies? … If you believe clap your hands; don't let Tink die." - Peter PanLOL! Something sort of naively sweet about "So if enough people believe in God, is God real?" Could we try that please? If enough of us believe we are all going to get published and have runaway best sellers then it will be true!
I might even make the case that atheism is a-theism. A different view of God or god. Which makes atheism a faith too.