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Atheism: A belief?
- Thread starter Orias
- Start date
Kilgore Trout
Misanthropic Humanist
Yes, it's a magical type of belief called a "negative belief."
Think of it like being a million dollars in debt. You might think you're broke, but, in fact, you're a millionaire! You just happen to be a "negative millionaire."
Songbird
She rules her life like a bird in flight
I'm glad you asked! Atheism is a lack (or absence) of belief in gods.
:run:
What if I believe you had eggs for breakfast AND that Kilgore Trout is wearing a blue shirt??
Stumped now, ain'tcha?
I actually really liked mball's definition: Atheism is the "absence of the belief that gods exist, sometimes accompanied by the belief that gods don't exist". It seems to cover the bases a bit better.I'm glad you asked! Atheism is a lack (or absence) of belief in gods.
:run:
Songbird
She rules her life like a bird in flight
This is the only system where I can have loads of intelligence, looks, and charm!
Where do I sign up?
Magic Man
Reaper of Conversation
I don't think stating a fact is misleading. "Atheism is not a belief" is not misleading. If atheism was a belief, Kilgore wouldn't be an atheist.
Magic Man
Reaper of Conversation
Good. By that definition, atheism is not a belief, since it is the absence of a belief.
doppelganger
Through the Looking Glass
What about a person who believes in the literal existence of supernatural/non-causal things that can't be seen or experienced directly, but just does not call those things "God(s)"? "Atheist" or nay?
That depends - how is the general English-speaking public using my breakfast and Trout's shirt?
That's not how I was using the term "negative belief". It is simply the belief in the negative of a proposition.
For example, if I stated "I believe that the sun does not revolve around the Earth", the belief that "the sun does not revolve around the Earth" would be my negative belief.
I mean, you could turn any "positive belief" into a "negative belief". Theists hold the negative belief that "gods do not not exist." It's more about how you are wording the belief, rather than a "non-beliefness" on the part of the negative belief.
doppelganger
Through the Looking Glass
Coming from you, that's just the sort of thing that could make a believer out of me. :angel2:
Kilgore Trout
Misanthropic Humanist
I'm taking off my blue shirt, just for you.
Songbird
She rules her life like a bird in flight
In a very abusive way.
I shot this thread to hell fast. Sorry. Not really. Well, a little. But mostly not. Hold on....I believe I'm a tad sorry, but I wonder if it's more accurate to say I know I'm sorry. Subjective experience not observable by anyone else....Hey, there's a ladybug on my pants.
What were we talking about?
Kilgore Trout
Misanthropic Humanist
This is exactly the type of deranged talk we can expect from a damn sorryist.
Songbird
She rules her life like a bird in flight
doppelgänger;2419429 said:
Hold on, I think I just figured out how to multi-quote. Don't move, or it might disappear. How'd I do that?
You force me to think this way. You might lack a belief whatsoever of debt, but, in fact, you have a (misplaced or reasoned) belief that you do not have a debt. You have a billion dollar debt -- you are a a-billionaire.
There you go again with "a belief". Which belief? It is not defined to the average listener. So, you could be saying "atheism is not a belief that gods do not exist" rather than merely "atheism is not a belief that gods exist." Do you want to convey that first possibility?mball said:
Unless you specify which form of atheism you are referring to, you can neither say "atheism is not a belief" nor "atheism is a belief", since it is possible for both to be true. As proposed before, it can best be said that "atheism is not necessarily a belief."
If you are referring to Kilgore's atheism, then yes, that would not be a belief. (But that is only because I know he is a Lack of Belief atheist, and not a Negative Belief one.)
Magic Man
Reaper of Conversation
doppelgänger;2419423 said:
It all depends. Generally, I would say that someone who believes in something but doesn't call it "God" would be an atheist. Sometimes I'd even consider someone who does believe in something they call "God" to be an atheist. But from your description, that something could be a ghost or spirit or something. In that case, I'd say the person's an atheist.
Magic Man
Reaper of Conversation
I believe you mean an "asorryist".