What makes somebody atheist and not a theist?

[lukethethird]

I certainly find claiming rocks and newborns to be atheists ridiculous.

Well, I asked a newborn and a rock if it believed in god and I got no response, so what are we to assume?

 

[RestlessSoul]

Well, I asked a newborn and a rock if it believed in god and I got no response, so what are we to assume?

That you talk to rocks?

 

[Link]

That you talk to rocks?

Maybe he got something like Majora's mask except it didn't work?

 

[lukethethird]

That you talk to rocks?

I just made that up, but if I were to...anyways the newborn will become an atheist until adults start puking into its brain.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Everyone starts out atheist. It's the epistemic default.

A better question would be: What makes someone a theist? How does one become completely convinced of something with so little objective evidence, so many different variations, and so many fantastical, counter-intuitive claims?

I doubt this given our biology.

Humans 'predisposed' to believe in gods and the afterlife

New research finds that humans have natural tendencies to believe in gods and an afterlife. Research suggests that people across many different cultures instinctively believe that some part of their mind, soul or spirit lives on after-death. The studies demonstrate that people are natural...

www.sciencedaily.com

 

[fantome profane]

That you talk to rocks?

There is nothing wrong with talking to rocks.

It is when the rock talks to you that you have a problem.

 

[ChristineM]

There is nothing wrong with talking to rocks.

It is when the rock talks to you that you have a problem.

Oh really, hmmm...

 

[Audie]

There is nothing wrong with talking to rocks.

It is when the rock talks to you that you have a problem.

Howsabout if it's a bush?

 

[Secret Chief]

Well, I asked a newborn and a rock if it believed in god and I got no response, so what are we to assume?

I assume neither are capable of meaningful cognition in order to come to an opinion. I might also assume that if you are talking to a rock you are mentally ill.

 

[Secret Chief]

will become

Quite possibly. So one should infer from that as a newborn they have not considered the issue and so it is inappropriate to consider them either atheist or theist.

 

[Heyo]

I doubt this given our biology.

Humans 'predisposed' to believe in gods and the afterlife

New research finds that humans have natural tendencies to believe in gods and an afterlife. Research suggests that people across many different cultures instinctively believe that some part of their mind, soul or spirit lives on after-death. The studies demonstrate that people are natural...

www.sciencedaily.com

I doubt the study really shows what it intends to. Most humans are prone to superstition (there are mutants like I am) but very few would come up with a god concept on their own. The "natural" superstition seems to be some kind of animism as we see that mostly with primitive cultures.

 

[Audie]

I assume neither are capable of meaningful cognition in order to come to an opinion. I might also assume that if you are talking to a rock you are mentally ill.

So you'd eay talking to a rock is
pretty much like talking to a yec

 

[Soandso]

Speaking for myself? I don't find the god concepts I've been presented convincing enough to believe in as literal, objective truths

 

[fantome profane]

Howsabout if it's a bush?

Never trust a bush.

 

[Audie]

More like this

Redirect Notice

 

[Valjean]

Once they render the term meaningless by removing any and all actual content (that they would have to defend) the term itself becomes irrelevant. So sure rocks and unicorns and babies are all "atheists". Why not? And yet they continue to assert their own atheism it as if it represents some great wisdom and truth on their part.

It's ridiculous.

Atheists rarely "assert." They speak up in response to the endless assertions of theists.

 

[Valjean]

You've seen me present this evidence over the years. I can't force you to accept to it.

You have not provided objective evidence. You play word games.

 

[Valjean]

This is one argument for God I've made which I believe the Quran makes as well: Why our existence is contingent on God's judgment and sight.

This presupposes God/Allah. You're positing a conclusion as a premise. You have provided neither evidence for God nor for the authority of the Quran.

 

[Link]

This presupposes God/Allah. You're positing a conclusion as a premise. You have provided neither evidence for God nor for the authority of the Quran.

It doesn't, God is the conclusion.

 

[Valjean]

I certainly find claiming rocks and newborns to be atheists ridiculous.

OK. Define "atheist" in a way that does not include all things lacking belief.