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Atheists: A Question About Newborn Kittens.
- Thread starter Secret Chief
- Start date
No, cats worship themselves, so they seem more aligned with a theistic subset of the Left-Hand Path.
Heyo
Veteran Member
I don't.
As the vast majority of atheists define atheism as the lack of belief in any gods, I have to conclude that newborn kittens (or humans for that matter) are atheists by definition.
That doesn't mean that I take their atheism serious - as I wouldn't take it serious if a parent said that by baptism their child is now a Christian.
Can god/goddesses be atheist?
Secret Chief
Veteran Member
To clarify (what, me?) I'm asking if one considers atheism to be the default position one is born with. By extrapolation, agreement with this being so, would suggest a kitten (or dog...) is also an atheist, lacking as it does a belief in gods.
Secret Chief
Veteran Member
I knew I should have said puppies
Secret Chief
Veteran Member
Obviously non-atheists can pitch in too (or else I wouldn't be posting in my own thread ).
).
VoidCat
Use any and all pronouns including neo and it/it's
I second this. I worship cats.
By definition; atheism is about what you are not, rather than what you are. Technically speaking, if you are not a theist, you are an atheist; however people generally apply such terms to people.
Secret Chief
Veteran Member
Indeed, but the question can always be answered, as it demonstrates whether or not one considers newborn babies to be atheists.
VoidCat
Use any and all pronouns including neo and it/it's
Happy b day
Well, I certainly don't consider them theists.
Generally, I consider "atheist" to be a term that describes a person, so no - I wouldn't consider a kitten to be an atheist.
Secret Chief
Veteran Member
Ok and what about newborn babies?
Atheism is a position on theism, hence the root word. Unless newborns have begun to come into the world with a position on theism, I would say that a newborn is neither an atheist nor a theist.
I've never met a kitten or cat who has expressed a particular viewpoint or opinion on the subject. Not yet, anyway. I never really asked either.
But I suppose it could be possible. For all anyone knows, all cats could worship a god known as "Meow," and every utterance they make is a sign of their worship and reverence.
Of course, they're not going to tell humans this.
Secret Chief
Veteran Member
So given newborn babies likewise are not known for expressing any opinion on the matter, can I take it you do not consider newborn babies to be atheists either?
HonestJoe
Well-Known Member
We can't know for certain and I don't think it really matters either way, but I do consider a concept of "passive atheism" which could apply - essentially anyone/thing that hasn't or can't consider the topic fully.
Of course, you quickly get to a point where that is indistinguishable from "neither theist or atheist" (if such a thing is possible), hence it not really mattering.