You're an atheist just like me.

[Sunstone]

I find this thread has very little to do with the current weather in Uganda. Am I the only one who's disturbed by this glaring oversight?

 

[astarath]

indeed...here here where is Uganda?

 

[Buttercup]

Hmmm... Well I never thought that the atheists who use this argument are calling Christians atheists, so much as they are trying to show that concerning other Gods than their own, Christians are atheists in that respect. Like they are atheists concerning any Pagan gods/goddesses. It's not like they mean they are totally atheist. At least that's typically how I've seen it used.

I can understand that to a point. That Christians are atheistic toward Wicca or whatever other religion because they don't believe in their gods. But, I still think it's a confusing way to argue. But, that's just me.

 

[LogDog]

Spinks (and other atheists) have made a similar arguments in the past. Everyone is an atheist in that everyone rejects all the gods in which they don't believe. What we usually call an atheist just rejects one more than everyone else. (The argument kinda assumes monotheism.) It's mostly a semantic argument but it does have a point.

That's what I'm talking about.

 

[Buttercup]

That's what I'm talking about.

I bet you aren't religious are you? Seems to me that only the non religious would refer to the religious as atheists in any form. Spinks probably just wanted to peeve people. A religious person does not like being called an atheist in any way.

 

[astarath]

in the same way that you might take offense if you were labeled an nihilist as opposed to an atheist. It's not that big a step merely go from not believing in God to not believing in anything. You really only believe in one or two more things than a nihilist

 

[lilithu]

I bet you aren't religious are you? Seems to me that only the non religious would refer to the religious as atheists in any form. Spinks probably just wanted to peeve people. A religious person does not like being called an atheist in any way.

Doesn't bother me!

 

[Buttercup]

in the same way that you might take offense if you were labeled an nihilist as opposed to an atheist. It's not that big a step merely go from not believing in God to not believing in anything. You really only believe in one or two more things than a nihilist

I understand all this. It could go on and on. But honestly, what help does this type of discussion bring toward better understanding? To me...it just seems as though people are trying to be clever and shocking (not you or anyone in particular, just this way of conversing).

 

[LogDog]

First of, this is what we argued about the last time we argued. I was saying that someone who rejects (ie - is angry at) God is not a true atheist.

Second of all, you are right. I didn't state the above argument correctly. :slap: Let me rephrase:

Everyone is an atheist in that there is always some god in which they don't believe. What we usually call an atheist just believes in one less than everyone else.

This clairifies my original post in that I'm simply suggesting that even the most religious individual has insight into what it is to be an atheist. Thanks.

 

[Buttercup]

Doesn't bother me!

But you're agnostic!

 

[matthew.william]

I think theres a very large gap between not believing in a higher power, and seeing the higher power in a different way. Just my thoughts though.

standing_alone, what part of Wisconsin are you from? It just so happens I too live in the state that produces world famous cheese, and a large number of serial killers. I live in Appleton.

~matthew.william~

 

[lilithu]

But you're agnostic!

True but I'm also a theist and religious.

 

[astarath]

sweet always good to keep your options open

 

[LogDog]

I bet you aren't religious are you? Seems to me that only the non religious would refer to the religious as atheists in any form. Spinks probably just wanted to peeve people. A religious person does not like being called an atheist in any way.

On more than one occasion I've been asked "how could you not believe in god?". My original post was only suggesting that the religious should be able to comprehend my nonbelief in the sense that they themselves are nonbelivers of the gods of the ancient Egyptians (just for example).

Sam Harris wrote, "the truth is, you (Christians) know exactly what it is like to be an atheist with respect to the beliefs of Muslims. Understand that the way you view Islam is precisely the way debout Muslims view Christianity. And it is the way I view all religions."

 

[Booko]

I'm an atheist and so are you. Here's why. If you're Christian, you (more than likely) deny the existence of the god of Islam and visa versa. Welcome to the team.

I used to be an atheist. I'm not a Christian.

Guess I'm not on the team. :sad:

I guess I'll just head on back to my FEMA Death Camp for my nightly noodle ration, then.

(Welcome to RF, btw)

 

[standing_alone]

standing_alone, what part of Wisconsin are you from? It just so happens I too live in the state that produces world famous cheese, and a large number of serial killers. I live in Appleton.

~matthew.william~

LOL, Wisconsin has produced a fair number of serial killers now that you mention it...

I'm from Manitowoc.

 

[Booko]

Finally! Someone who's merely agnostic about the Great Trampolinest!

I'm just as agnostic as lilithu...maybe more, since I don't do Santa. neener neener!

I believe in the Ayyam-i-Ha Camel!!!

 

[Buttercup]

Sam Harris wrote, "the truth is, you (Christians) know exactly what it is like to be an atheist with respect to the beliefs of Muslims. Understand that the way you view Islam is precisely the way debout Muslims view Christianity. And it is the way I view all religions."

I like the way Sam Harris explains his view. It's less confusing than other viewpoint I've heard concerning the matter of "religious atheists".

 

[XAAX]

I'm an atheist and so are you. Here's why. If you're Christian, you (more than likely) deny the existence of the god of Islam and visa versa. Welcome to the team.

I believe that any god ever conceived of and believed in exists as fragmented pieces of the one God...So I guess I don't fall into that category...

 

[Booko]

Spinks (and other atheists) have made a similar arguments in the past. Everyone is an atheist in that everyone rejects all the gods in which they don't believe. What we usually call an atheist just rejects one more than everyone else. (The argument kinda assumes monotheism.) It's mostly a semantic argument but it does have a point.

It depends on how exclusivistic the monotheism is, though.

There's a hole in that logic big enough I could drive a few million Baha'is through it, and probably some UUs as well.

I don't reject other people's gods...I see them as all part of the same thing.

I just don't follow their religion is all. No biggie.