Though the number of
nonbelievers in this country is on
the rise, many people are still
unclear as to what "atheism"
truly means. Recently, I've
encountered individuals on a
wide variety of sites who insist
they "know" certain things about
atheists, from our supposed
megalomania to our penchant
for being brutal dictators. These
assertions are often wildly
inaccurate. Here are a few things
to remember about the
freethinkers in your life.
1. Atheism is not a philosophy.
In fact, atheism is the result of a
philosophy. It describes the view
that there is simply no evidence
for supernatural forces,
imaginary friends, gods, or
otherwise. Skepticism is the tool,
atheism is the consequence.
Atheists are not motivated by
atheism, they are motivated by a
dedication to reason. Thus, the
argument "But X,Y, and Z terrible
dictators were atheists, therefore
atheists are evil!" misses the core
idea: Atheism tells no one to do
anything. Unlike religious texts,
which describe methods of
worship (keep the Sabbath,
mutilate your genitals, spread
your beliefs with a sword, etc.),
skepticism gives no normative
instruction.
Sam Harris sums it up quite
beautifully:
“Atheism is not a philosophy; it is
not even a view of the world; it is
simply an admission of the
obvious. In fact, 'atheism' is a
term that should not even exist.
No one needs to identify himself
as a 'non-astrologer' or a 'non-
alchemist.' We do not have
words for people who doubt
that Elvis is still alive or that aliens
have traversed the galaxy only to
molest ranchers and cattle.
Atheism is nothing more than
the noises reasonable people
make in the presence of
unjustified religious beliefs.”
2. "Atheist" does not mean
"amoral."
Atheists are frequently derided
as amoral, presumably because
many assume humans are
incapable of being good without
god. Recently, the Catholic Church
made sure to remind atheists
that we'll all wind up in hell. (at least we'll be in good
company.) However, to most
atheists, morality exists outside
of — and indeed predates —
religion. This means we believe
humans to be fundamentally
capable of conscientious, ethical
behavior without an oppressive
authority or fear of eternal
torment to keep us in line.
This belief in the fundamental
capability of humans to live good
lives leads many atheists to
humanism.
3. Atheism is nondogmatic.
Image
If Cthulhu, Mohammed, or Thor
show up tomorrow, atheistic
ideas will be subject to revision
and evaluation, just like any other
rationally-derived conclusion.
Atheists, as skeptics, will
challenge and update their
theories as their body of
knowledge grows. This
willingness to revisit accepted
theory is a fundamental aspect of
science.
Historically, the heliocentric
model deposed the geocentric
model, phlogiston theory was
replaced by oxidation, and the
caloric was replaced by the
mechanical theory of heat. The
distinction cannot be
emphasized enough: Science
corrects itself when it is wrong,
and gains explanatory power in
the process. Scripture, on the
other hand, remains static, as its
authority draws in part from its
immutability.
4. Atheism does not have all the
answers.
When skeptics point out the
flaws in religious creation
stories, we are often met with
the response that we have no
better explanation. But this is a
fundamentally flawed argument.
Atheism doesn't require that you
have alternate explanations to
existing religious beliefs.
You don't have to be sure about
the Big Bang, the origin of life, or
the existence of intelligent aliens
to reject the idea of a seven-day
creation story, reanimation of the
dead, or talking snakes. Quite
simply, the lack of an alternative
explanation does not make the
religious explanation any more
likely.
The certainty of many religions
answers to life's greatest
questions is what can makes
religion so psychologically
appealing. Our brains are wired
to crave certainty. Thus there is a
real biological cause for the fact
that we are more comfortable
when we are sure about a given
subject. It may be less cognitively
pleasing to maintain a position
of indecision, but an honest
assessment of the situation is
preferable to the fantastical
guesses of world religions.

How did I miss this thread?


Nice one, Zikdik

We don't have all the answers too. So when we say we don't know, don't explode.

And we're wise enough to realize that mockery and anger related to the butthurt of atheism is unhealthy and suggests negative influence.

Joshthefirst: We don't have all the answers too. So when we say we don't know, don't explode.

And we're wise enough to realize that mockery and anger related to the butthurt of atheism is unhealthy and suggests negative influence.

I thought that, for Christians, Jesus was "the answer".

The OP is a superb article.

onetrack:

I thought that, for Christians, Jesus was "the answer".

The OP is a superb article.

come on man, don't act as if you didn't get what I said.

Joshthefirst: We don't have all the answers too. So when we say we don't know, don't explode.

And we're wise enough to realize that mockery and anger related to the butthurt of atheism is unhealthy and suggests negative influence.

Atheists and butthurt? Butthurt is something synonymous with christains and christainity. You lot get that loads of times.
P.S: This is very interesting. A christian finally admits that they donot have all the answers.

Zikdik:
Atheists and butthurt? Butthurt is something synonymous with christains and christainity. You lot get that loads of times.
P.S: This is very interesting. A christian finally admits that they donot have all the answers.

Tell that to logicboy.


And God has the answers not us. We know Jesus is the way and the answer for the world's sin today. But to some questions asked, we have no answers.