What is the most common mistake that atheists make?

[prometheus11]

Okay. Now demonstrate that such a difference exists. What, other than stories about him, differentiate your god from the others?

 

[Koldo]

I have already explained (succinctly) in what respect in the original post of this thread. Atheists apparently believe that the only difference between monotheism and polytheism is that monotheists believe in the existence of only one Deity while polytheists believe in many deities. But other than this, atheists truly believe the monotheistic Deity is just like any other deity. (That's why atheists are always making these inane arguments trying to compare mythological deities to God. And that is why atheists are always using the term "god" (with a lower-case "g") to refer not only to the deities of polytheism but also to the Deity of monotheism.) What atheists fail to understand is that there is an infinite gulf between the deities of polytheism and the one Deity of monotheism. The gulf is between the difference between finite beings and infinite being, between beings composed of parts and the being without parts, between beings that are not metaphysically necessary and one that is, between beings that are conceivable and that being of whom no greater can be conceived.

None of which are relevant differences on this context.

 

[Rick O'Shez]

...between beings that are conceivable and that being of whom no greater can be conceived.

So the monotheistic god is like the BIG god compared to the little polytheistic ones? OK.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I have already explained (succinctly) in what respect in the original post of this thread. Atheists apparently believe that the only difference between monotheism and polytheism is that monotheists believe in the existence of only one Deity while polytheists believe in many deities. But other than this, atheists truly believe the monotheistic Deity is just like any other deity.

For many monotheists, this is true.

(That's why atheists are always making these inane arguments trying to compare mythological deities to God. And that is why atheists are always using the term "god" (with a lower-case "g") to refer not only to the deities of polytheism but also to the Deity of monotheism.)

So in your view, monotheists are atheists (i.e. people who don't believe in any gods)? If God isn't a god, then that's the implication.

What atheists fail to understand is that there is an infinite gulf between the deities of polytheism and the one Deity of monotheism.

... for some forms of monotheism.

You know, it's fine if you want people arguing against you to argue against your actual claims - fair enough. If an atheist - or anyone else - makes a bad assumption about what you believe, feel free to correct him. But what you're doing here - i.e. imposing your beliefs on others - is just as inappropriate from you as it is from anyone else.

You're entitled to your special brand of monotheism, but nobody's made you the king of monotheism - you don't have the authority to declare other monotheists' beliefs invalid just because you disagree with them.

 

[Gambit]

You cannot pick on atheist for refusing the madness on the constant evolution of what is supposed to be one god.

The philosophical tradition of classical theology has undergone refinement through the years (although it has not undergone any major paradigm shift in a very long time). If your argument is that our theological understanding is evolving with time, so what? Our scientific understanding is constantly evolving. I don't see any reason why our theological understanding should not be permitted the same luxury.

 

[Gambit]

To really know the many monotheistic god concepts, you have to know people, and know them well, because people have factually been the origin for every god definition ever created.

To really obtain a knowledge of our present understanding of God, you will have to seriously study philosophical theology. Until then, you will be making nothing more than straw man arguments, thereby revealing your ignorance on the subject matter.

 

[Revoltingest]

The philosophical tradition of classical theology has undergone refinement through the years (although it has not undergone any major paradigm shift in a very long time). If your argument is that our theological understanding is evolving with time, so what? Our scientific understanding is constantly evolving. I don't see any reason why our theological understanding should not be permitted the same luxury.

A difference between science & theology......
Science assumes to have imperfect understanding, & that new understandings continually replace the old.
No a posteriori facts are permanent or "true".

Many religions claim inerrant truth.
This doesn't comport well with change.....was the old inerrant truth errant?
Is the new truth the same?

 

[Gambit]

No, you are missing the obvious point. We are not talking about Yahweh. "Yahweh" as you would have it does not exist. Monotheists are talking about is the God who is ipsum esse subsistens. This concept isn't tied to any particular religion, and is utterly distinct in concept from the 'gods' of ancient polytheisms. How a particular tradition evolved from polytheism to monotheism is an irrelevant point. Because no one, no one is positing the existence of Canaanite Yahweh. And that's the equivocation this whole thread is about!

Exactly. This is known as divine aseity.

"God, as pure Subsistent Act of Existence (Ipsum Esse Subsistens) with no limiting essence, transcends all his creatures as consisting of existence and limited essences." (pg. 89, "The One and the Many: A Contemporary Thomistic Metaphysics" by W. Norris Clarke, S.J.)

The atheist wants to make a straw man argument by attacking a mythological conception of God. The atheist has a rather childish understanding of God and mistakenly assumes that all believers have the same childish understanding.

 

[Koldo]

To really obtain a knowledge of our present understanding of God, you will have to seriously study philosophical theology. Until then, you will be making nothing more than straw man arguments, thereby revealing your ignorance on the subject matter.

Such as Alvin Plantinga's works ? Like the one where he rejects divine simplicity ?

 

[Skwim]

I have already explained (succinctly) in what respect in the original post of this thread. Atheists apparently believe that the only difference between monotheism and polytheism is that monotheists believe in the existence of only one Deity while polytheists believe in many deities. But other than this, atheists truly believe the monotheistic Deity is just like any other deity. (That's why atheists are always making these inane arguments trying to compare mythological deities to God. And that is why atheists are always using the term "god" (with a lower-case "g") to refer not only to the deities of polytheism but also to the Deity of monotheism.) What atheists fail to understand is that there is an infinite gulf between the deities of polytheism and the one Deity of monotheism. The gulf is between the difference between finite beings and infinite being, between beings composed of parts and the being without parts, between beings that are not metaphysically necessary and one that is, between beings that are conceivable and that being of whom no greater can be conceived.

.

And humans aren't animals, but

.​

 

[Gambit]

That is perhaps true but some understanding of the concepts involved. Not by mine, which I attempt to callibrate by practical and realistic parameters.

Have you reflected on how much of the meaning of "God" and related concepts must be determined by the speaker?

Someone who identifies him- or herself as an anti-theist should have a fairly clear understanding of exactly what he or she is fighting against.

 

[Revoltingest]

The atheist wants to make a straw man argument by attacking a mythological conception of God. The atheist has a rather childish understanding of God and mistakenly assumes that all believers have the same childish understanding.

Some thoughts.....
- There's no need for straw men.
We disbelieve in supernatural claims because they're unverifiable, regardless of the details attributed to them.
- All concepts of God are mythological (supernatural beliefs having no basis in fact, you know).
- Atheists have the most grownup understanding of gods, ie, that they're not real.
Tis just like our understanding of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, & the fiscally conservative Democrat.

On that last one, I just had to go there.
Some noses demanded tweaking.

 

[Rick O'Shez]

The atheist has a rather childish understanding of God and mistakenly assumes that all believers have the same childish understanding.

But where do atheists get their understanding of God from? It must be theists if you think about it.

 

[Rick O'Shez]

..the fiscally conservative Democrat.
On that last one, I just had to go there.

You naughty devil!

 

[LuisDantas]

Someone who identifies him- or herself as an anti-theist should have a fairly clear understanding of exactly what he or she is fighting against.

I do. I advocate against the use of such a broken concept. That does not mean that I mistake it for a clearly defined one.

 

[Ouroboros]

@Salinger, are you the same person as @Gambit? You have very similar photos for your avatar and very similar style in discussion. Just wondering.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

The most common mistake atheists make is probably marrying the wrong person or pursuing the wrong career.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

The most common mistake that atheists make is a category mistake. They mistakenly believe that polytheistic deities belong to the same ontological frame of reference as the monotheistic Deity. This category mistake is made in a variety of (inane) arguments that atheists commonly make. For instance, atheists often argue that atheism is simply believing in one less god than you do. But this is a category mistake. Polytheistic deities (if they do exist) are celestial beings that belong to the same ontological level that angels do; they do not belong to the same ontological level that the monotheistic Deity does.

The most common mistake misguided theists make is having absolutely no idea what atheism means or what it entails.

 

[columbus]

Someone who identifies him- or herself as an anti-theist should have a fairly clear understanding of exactly what he or she is fighting against.

This will not become possible until theists stop redefining God to suit their current beliefs of preference.
The main argument being made here by the theists amounts to a sort of deism. The difference between tlaloc and feargod is entirely based on what you dismissed as "details". But if it weren't for those details there would be no religion.
To put a finer point on it, the difference between monotheism and polytheism is, to an atheist, just another detail.
Tom

 

[columbus]

Hypothetically, if hell turns out to be real and they don't want to be in a place like hell, then the greatest mistake of atheists is not believing in God

If you woke up in the morning 50 meters beneath the sea you would regret not wearing scuba gear to bed, now wouldn't you?
Tom