Any Downside to Atheism?

[Storm]

Well, I'm glad you said they're far from universal, because I think I'm an exception to both. I chanted both the Tripitaka and the Trisagion prayers today, and though I don't believe in God I have the utmost respect for his Mother.

The glass of Orthodox Christianity may be empty, but it's a beautiful glass.

Of course. I didn't have you specifically in mind, but I know many atheists who are exceptions.

 

[MSizer]

...they're far from universal, but two trends I've noticed are devaluation of ritual and an utter failure to grasp what myth is...

But how are those "downsides"? Ritual is essentially the pacebo effect, no? The witchdoctor didn't have penicillin, but he knew how to do a funky little dance around me to cast out my illness. Isn't that the same as a sugar pill? Or ritual can be a gathering of people to participate in a common practice, but again, I don't see how I'm devaluing it by saying that I want no part of it. I know a number of people who can't stand getting together to perform ritualistic actions.

And what is an utter failure to grasp mythology? It's a cultural set stories, sometimes believed literally, sometimes not, which serve to illustrate some sort of point, maybe to pass on wisdom, no? I suppose they have some fictional value if that's what you enjoy, but why should I value the myth of demonic possession when I know that a psychiatric professional is almost sure to provide me with better tools to deal with my condition?

Have I missed the point?

 

[Storm]

But how are those "downsides"? Ritual is essentially the pacebo effect, no? The witchdoctor didn't have penicillin, but he knew how to do a funky little dance around me to cast out my illness. Isn't that the same as a sugar pill? Or ritual can be a gathering of people to participate in a common practice, but again, I don't see how I'm devaluing it by saying that I want no part of it. I know a number of people who can't stand getting together to perform ritualistic actions.

Humans have an innate need for ritual. It doesn't have to be religious in nature. It is my firm belief that our entire society is forgetting this, and that contributes greatly to the... the discontent that pervades America (can't speak as to other countries).

And what is an utter failure to grasp mythology? It's a cultural set stories, sometimes believed literally, sometimes not, which serve to illustrate some sort of point, maybe to pass on wisdom, no? I suppose they have some fictional value if that's what you enjoy, but why should I value the myth of demonic possession when I know that a psychiatric professional is almost sure to provide me with better tools to deal with my condition?

Myth, by my understanding, is not exclusive to religion, either. (My personal mythology is drawn almost entirely from modern works, they just speak to me more.) It's the pinnacle of that most human of arts, storytelling. They're the stories that can change your life, rich with layers of meaning. They help us determine our ideals and face our demons.

To dismiss them is to rob oneself of part of one's birthright as a human.

 

[footprints]

I'm assuming this is rhetorical. Um, "atheism" is not a belief system. How can it contain either positives of negatives of some organization or other?

Could be rhetorical, might not be, what you want to see in it, you will see.

Your belief tells you Atheism is not a belief pattern, my belief tells me atheism is a belief pattern. China is an example of an Atheist country, so you are trying to tell me it isn't organized and imply it doesn't contain positives or negatives of a religious organization.

Atheists are human, and so contain human characteristics. At an individual level, the individual can hold all the beliefs that an organization can. Trying to make one group better than others, makes a person/group just the same as others that do it.

 

[mr.guy]

Your belief tells you Atheism is not a belief pattern, my belief tells me atheism is a belief pattern.

Ahh....so it's 'cuz you say so?

China is an example of an Atheist country, so you are trying to tell me it isn't organized and imply it doesn't contain positives or negatives of a religious organization.

To imply that china's primary national characteristic as atheistic is foolish and incorrect.

Atheists are human, and so contain human characteristics. At an individual level, the individual can hold all the beliefs that an organization can. Trying to make one group better than others, makes a person/group just the same as others that do it.

That you can make a label roughly describing a common element among folk is pretty friggin' different from a organization formed to express/practice/promote an ideology.

 

[mohammed_beiruti]

"Is there or is there not a god?"

Someone please explain to me why the answer to that question matters.

Is there any real demonstrable negative to not acknowledging god (hint: stories of hell and eternal damnation are not demonstrable)?

I can be kind, loving, selfless, and charitable all on my own. It is simply a matter of choosing to act out such characteristics. I can enjoy my membership in social organizations without having to imbibe any religious teachings.

What are the negative consequences to atheism? I just don't see a downside.

If you obey your desires then your desires is your God. regardless

 

[Malleus_de_Philosophia]

The only downside I see is people perhaps not accepting you or attacking you with false pretenses because they have a problem with atheism or don't understand it. Other than that, which occurs for theism also, I don't see any.

 

[Autodidact]

If you obey your desires then your desires is your God. regardless

Maybe you should define "God."

 

[MSizer]

...Your belief tells you Atheism is not a belief pattern, my belief tells me atheism is a belief pattern...

Your belief is wrong. It's my opinion that there is no god, but my atheism is a lack of belief. It is not, can not be, nor will ever be a belief pattern. You're an atheist to speghetti monsters, right? Do you have a hobby of not collecting stamps? Do you consider bald a hair colour?

Not.

 

[Storm]

Your belief is wrong. It's my opinion that there is no god, but my atheism is a lack of belief. It is not, can not be, nor will ever be a belief pattern. You're an atheist to speghetti monsters, right? Do you have a hobby of not collecting stamps? Do you consider bald a hair colour?

Not.

Well, to be fair... are you speaking of atheism in general, or YOUR atheism specifically?

 

[MSizer]

Well, to be fair... are you speaking of atheism in general, or YOUR atheism specifically?

Well, I suppose my experience is subjective, but by the way I've seen other atheists cringe when they hear "your atheism is a belief", I suspect many atheists feel the same way.

 

[Storm]

Well, I suppose my experience is subjective, but by the way I've seen other atheists cringe when they hear "your atheism is a belief", I suspect many atheists feel the same way.

Well, yes, but it's my opinion that some of them are cringing legitimately, and some just don't want to admit the truth.

Strong atheism is a belief. It's a weird belief in a negative, but a belief nonetheless.

 

[MSizer]

Well, yes, but it's my opinion that some of them are cringing legitimately, and some just don't want to admit the truth.

Strong atheism is a belief. It's a weird belief in a negative, but a belief nonetheless.

Only if you think that god is %100 impossible, and I have never met a single person in my entire life who has claimed to feel that way, despite my role as an organizer of a growing atheist social group.

So I'll admit that yes, if a person truly thinks that "god" is literally impossible, then it's a belief, but to be practical, I suspect such people are very few.

 

[Willamena]

Only if you think that god is %100 impossible, and I have never met a single person in my entire life who has claimed to feel that way, despite my role as an organizer of a growing atheist social group.

*raises hand* I do.

Of course, it depends on what you mean by "god"... and "impossible"...

 

[Storm]

Only if you think that god is %100 impossible, and I have never met a single person in my entire life who has claimed to feel that way, despite my role as an organizer of a growing atheist social group.

So I'll admit that yes, if a person truly thinks that "god" is literally impossible, then it's a belief, but to be practical, I suspect such people are very few.

Why so strict? Few people are 100% sure they're right, but you have no problem labelling their opinions belief.

 

[linwood]

So I'll admit that yes, if a person truly thinks that "god" is literally impossible, then it's a belief, but to be practical, I suspect such people are very few.

This would entirely depend upon your definition of "god" but I "believe" any popular accepted concept of "god" I`ve heard of is indeed impossible in our physical universe.

I`ve never seen an objective literal contradiction in existence so I "believe" there is no god.

For the very same reasons I "believe" ..I actually do exist.

Do any of us really "know" anything?
It`s all just different levels of "belief".

 

[MSizer]

Why so strict? Few people are 100% sure they're right, but you have no problem labelling their opinions belief.

Because the overwhelming lack of evidence isn't on their side of the coin.

 

[Autodidact]

Well, yes, but it's my opinion that some of them are cringing legitimately, and some just don't want to admit the truth.

Strong atheism is a belief. It's a weird belief in a negative, but a belief nonetheless.

Hey, I don't think my strong atheism is that weird. At least, it seems logical to me.:tribal:

 

[MSizer]

*raises hand* I do.

Of course, it depends on what you mean by "god"... and "impossible"...

You're literally the first person I've ever heard say that. Wow. Something new every day.

8^)

 

[Storm]

Because the overwhelming lack of evidence isn't on their side of the coin.

Of course it is. Once you have a belief, you have an assertion. "There is no God" is just as unevidenced as "YOUR ALL GOING TO HELL SINNERS!!!11!"

Hey, I don't think my strong atheism is that weird. At least, it seems logical to me.:tribal:

Not what I meant, doll.

Just most beliefs are positive, and the rules get kinda bendy when you break out of that mold.