Fundamentalist Atheists

[AmbiguousGuy]

I think the real issue here isn't with the use or meaning of the word, but with the emotional reactions of those who simply cannot separate the word from their prejudices.

There are, of course, no such thing as atheists.

But to many people, atheists are serious bogeymen. They threaten the foundations of faith. If you deny my God -- the very Explanation of life -- then I am going to call you an atheist and fear you, which means I'll pretty soon hate you and call you many ugly names.

 

[Willamena]

If you would first respond to the other post please or unless you are unable to. Because apparently to you that means rocks also possess a set of beliefs.

The other post responded to what was essentially sarcasm. A response to it isn't necessary. I fall on the side that opposes the meaninglessness of atheism.

If you define anything not believing in a deity then yes rocks are in fact atheists. But unless you have a pet rock who you believe talks to you then I don't see how you would make the correlation.

A child (or rock) would not believe in organized belief unless it was presented to them as holding truth. If you told a kid Zeus was the leader of the Gods and there was enough people saying he was.the kid would most likely believe Zeus is the king of the Gods. Or rock if you think they can think.

Atheism isn't just any "not believing in a deity," it requires an understanding of what it is that one is not believing in. That is what lends the word "atheism" and its counterpart "atheist" meaning.

 

[CynthiaCypher]

There are, of course, no such thing as atheists.

So all those people who self-identify themselves as "atheist" are just figments of my imagination?

 

[AmbiguousGuy]

So all those people who self-identify themselves as "atheist" are just figments of my imagination?

That's an odd question. Don't you trust your eyes and ears? I can see people. They look and behave a certain way. I can hear people. They are the only creature I know of which can use my language.

So let me ask you a question: If you walk into a room and see three men at a table, can you see the atheist? Which one is he?

If one of the men declares, "I am an atheist" can you be sure he an atheist? How do you know if he's lying or not?

 

[LuisDantas]

Are comatose people atheist too?

It depends basically on whether they can dream or conceive of deities in some other way while in the coma.

 

[Willamena]

That's an odd question. Don't you trust your eyes and ears? I can see people. They look and behave a certain way. I can hear people. They are the only creature I know of which can use my language.

So let me ask you a question: If you walk into a room and see three men at a table, can you see the atheist? Which one is he?

If one of the men declares, "I am an atheist" can you be sure he an atheist? How do you know if he's lying or not?

Atheism, like any other ideology, is clearly seen in the words and expressed thoughts of a person.

 

[AmbiguousGuy]

Atheism, like any other ideology, is clearly seen in the words and expressed thoughts of a person.

Really? Well, you've known me a long time now and have seen more of my words and thoughts than many others.

So can you tell me if I am an atheist?

 

[LuisDantas]

Atheism, like any other ideology, is clearly seen in the words and expressed thoughts of a person.

But atheism isn't an ideology. Not by itself.

It may even be a component of certain ideologies, but it is not an ideology.

 

[Willamena]

Really? Well, you've known me a long time now and have seen more of my words and thoughts than many others.

So can you tell me if I am an atheist?

I don't know you that well... but I have seen the materialist in you.

 

[AmbiguousGuy]

I don't know you that well... but I have seen the materialist in you.

So you're claiming that belief in God requires some kind of non-materialist or anti-materialist belief?

Anyway, since you can't or won't tell me whether I'm an atheist, I have to continue to believe that no such things as atheists actually exist. If they did, you could tell me whether I am one.

I also happen to know that I can be both a theist and an atheist at the same moment, so that, too, erodes my belief in such discrete objects.

 

[Willamena]

So you're claiming that belief in God requires some kind of non-materialist or anti-materialist belief?

Holy non sequitur, Batman!

No...

Anyway, since you can't or won't tell me whether I'm an atheist, I have to continue to believe that no such things as atheists actually exist. If they did, you could tell me whether I am one.

And that's the skeptic in you.

I also happen to know that I can be both a theist and an atheist at the same moment, so that, too, erodes my belief in such discrete objects.

And that's the realist in you.

 

[Willamena]

But atheism isn't an ideology. Not by itself.

That is arguable.

 

[Breathe]

But atheism isn't an ideology. Not by itself.

It may even be a component of certain ideologies, but it is not an ideology.

But can't the same be said of *theism?

 

[LuisDantas]

That is arguable.

Only if you want to twist the meaning of the word to the point of breaking it.

 

[ImmortalFlame]

But can't the same be said of *theism?

Yes.

 

[Breathe]

Yes.

Cool.
Now what?

 

[LuisDantas]

But can't the same be said of *theism?

To a point. The idea that it is significant to hold a concept of deity and to keep faith in it is certainly more directed and significant than atheism.

I would personally not consider pantheism or deism significant as ideological matter. Monotheism and even politheism, however, are something else entirely.

Oh, and anti-theism is certainly ideologically significant as well.

 

[ImmortalFlame]

Cool.
Now what?

Pool party?

 

[Breathe]

To a point. The idea that it is significant to hold a concept of deity and to keep faith in it is certainly more directed and significant than atheism.

I would personally not consider pantheism or deism significant as ideological matter. Monotheism and even politheism, however, are something else entirely.

Why do you think this?

Oh, and anti-theism is certainly ideologically significant as well.

Could you elaborate more please?

Pool party?

Niiice. And a BBQ?

 

[Willamena]

Only if you want to twist the meaning of the word to the point of breaking it.

You were the one who promoted it as meaningless.