Atheism is a faith

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Since these represent concepts and do not describe God, I don't think any of them apply to the topic at hand.

I agree. If we were to take definition #5 as valid, my own existence would be enough to convince any atheist to change his or her mind.

 

[s2a]

Taking them one at a time then,
Since the concept of a perfect, omnipotent, omniscient originator and ruler of the universe is logically impossible, how does it require any faith to say it doesn't exist?
This is basically what the Greeks and Romans believed and is simply an example of "god of the gaps". While we have no clue how gravity works, I haven't heard anyone suggest (except in jest) that there is a god holding us down. Why should it require any faith to believe that the rest of nature is any different?

Obviously, you are also opposed to any alternative "intelligent falling" theories being promoted in some circles....

 

[camanintx]

Obviously, you are also opposed to any alternative "intelligent falling" theories being promoted in some circles....

You followed my link, didn't you?

 

[Storm]

I would say strong atheism is a faith.

 

[StripperClown]

Atheism takes about as much faith as not believing Zeus, Odin, or Shiva would to a Christian.

 

[Storm]

Depends on which flavor of atheism you mean.

 

[Willamena]

This is basically what the Greeks and Romans believed and is simply an example of "god of the gaps". While we have no clue how gravity works, I haven't heard anyone suggest (except in jest) that there is a god holding us down. Why should it require any faith to believe that the rest of nature is any different?

Not necessarily. As a symbol of said natural force, the god could represent its animate nature ("spirit").

 

[StripperClown]

There is no other real Atheism. It is simply a lack of belief in a God or Gods. Anything else is something different.

 

[rojse]

Depends on which flavor of atheism you mean.

I can understand why people that are vehemently atheists would be viewed as having a faith-based beliefs - they are unwilling and unable to consider other perspectives than their own, or that they might be wrong - but I don't think that there are many atheists that are like that. I think that most atheists take a default position of atheism, but are ready to reconsider their when circumstances or the situation changes.

 

[Storm]

There is no other real Atheism. It is simply a lack of belief in a God or Gods. Anything else is something different.

Strong atheism isn't atheism, in your book? What is it then?

 

[Willamena]

Atheism takes about as much faith as not believing Zeus, Odin, or Shiva would to a Christian.

Depends on which flavor of atheism you mean.

Also depends on what flavour of Christianity you mean.

 

[Storm]

I can understand why people that are vehemently atheists would be viewed as having a faith-based beliefs - they are unwilling and unable to consider other perspectives than their own, or that they might be wrong - but I don't think that there are many atheists that are like that. I think that most atheists take a default position of atheism, but are ready to reconsider their when circumstances or the situation changes.

I would call those "fundie atheists," and while they do exist, they're not who I was referring to.

Strong atheists actively believe there is no God. How is this not faith?

 

[Luminous]

Atheism( I mean Agodism even if its not Atheism) is a faith. the faith/believe that one is not wrong.
Atheism--- against religion
Agodism--- believe there are no gods

 

[StripperClown]

Strong atheists actively believe there is no God. How is this not faith?

You probably believe there is no Santa, Easter Bunny, magical pixies, etc. How faith does it take you to not believe those things?

 

[Willamena]

...the faith/believe that one is not wrong.

I think we all have that same faith.

 

[Storm]

You probably believe there is no Santa, Easter Bunny, magical pixies, etc. How faith does it take you to not believe those things?

Invalid comparisons. There is evidence that such things do not exist. The same cannot be said of God.

Besides, you're the one who implied that strong atheism isn't atheism. I still want to know what you think it is.

 

[Storm]

StripperClown, can we agree that to believe in something without evidence is faith?

 

[Luminous]

You probably believe there is no Santa, Easter Bunny, magical pixies, etc. How faith does it take you to not believe those things?

And i can plainly state that that is my believe. how knows there could be Santa(though there is clear evidence that he was invented). but i believe he doesn't exist. though maybe by coinsidence a real one could.

 

[StripperClown]

Invalid comparisons. There is evidence that such things do not exist. The same cannot be said of God.

Besides, you're the one who implied that strong atheism isn't atheism. I still want to know what you think it is.

But to many many people out there, there really is no real proof of God. There is no real proof for God's existence either. Atheists generally aren't going to believe in a God with out proper evidence. You don't assume something is with out proper reasoning that it's actually there. I could say I have a real purple leprechaun in my room. You wouldn't assume it's there unless it was shown to you would you?

There are plenty against religion who aren't atheists. You have your Humanists, Trans-humanists, and scientific groups, and others generally against religion. They don't necessarily have to be Atheists. If they happen to be Atheists so be it.

 

[StripperClown]

StripperClown, can we agree that to believe in something without evidence is faith?

But it doesn't work that way with a negative like that. It's a LACK of a belief... not a belief.