KingEbukasBlog:
There are no gods to an atheist because no entity- abstract or concrete- is being elevated to a divine status (deity, deification) . So the atheist lacks the belief in deities simply because he is godless or without a deity (atheos) , nothing is a god or deity to an atheist . Simple .

Atheism is therefore , the rejection of deification . Yes , there are atheists who acknowledge the existence of intelligent source(s) of life on earth (Raelism) and there are those who believe the universe is created (defence of this stance comes , as they say , from the first cause argument) but they don't take the First Cause as a deity .

If you deify something or see it as a god , you are a theist ; if you don't see anything as a deity or god or deify something , you are an atheist .

Example
The pantheist sees the universe as a deity or a god , as an atheist you are not saying the universe does not exist because it is a deity , you simply reject deification . Use this simple logic to understand whatever I wrote above , it can be applied to just anything .

JackBizzle:


Ogbeni, no one asked you for your long story as you are not an atheist.

SWERVE.

KingEbukasBlog:

budaatum:

Pity you had to butt in.

budaatum:

Pity you had to butt in.

budaatum:


How do you define atheism?

What do you mean when you claim you are an atheist?

As an atheist, do you accept that there is a creator of the universe?

budaatum:


The religious background of most people defines their language. You would hence hear theists claim a belief in god, or atheists claim a lack of belief in gods. What an insult to the gods that you human beings subject them to your arbitrary held beliefs. If anything, does this not prove they are constructs of your minds?

I find this funny, though acceptable. If I were in a room with no windows and know not what is going on outside the room, it is possible to say, "I believe it is raining", but I can step outside the room and check to see if it is raining or not, and if it is raining and pissing down on my head, I won't just believe it is raining, I'll know it is raining! Unless I wish to delude myself of course, in which case I can claim all sorts of things - an alien from the planet Zog is washing its phandikons after devouring a upigathon, for instance. But, I'll know I'm deluded. Unless I've lost the use of my faculties, in which case I'm just mad, to which I expect a wide berth to be taken. I have stepped out the room regarding religion and deification and it pissed on my head and I don't do phandikons!

I am an atheist. I do not believe gods, spirits, angels, aliens, creators etc, exist or do not exist; I know that they do not exist. They are constructs, pretty good constructs at that, of humans, to explain the things we perceive. It stems from the desire to explain or find reasons for things. We just can't say, "we don't know" how certain things came into existence, so we come up with the best explanations we can within the limits of our existential time. This is the beginning of science in its most primitive form.

The first scientific claim in Judaism is that God created the Heavens and the Earth. The Jews saw all that existed and could not fathom existence without a creator, so they imagined one. They didn't do this in isolation. They got ideas from surrounding tribes and made up their own. The bible shows how unsure they were in the early books of Genesis, with God creating in one way, and another in the very next chapter. A critical look at the text has even allowed some to dispute which god did the creating! It was a great observation for its time, but some societies knew better, even at the time the Jews were coming up with their observations. But you try giving the works of Plato to people and see how many get through the first book. Some have though, and they teach ot to others. We call them pastors, albeit a one eyed pastor teaching the blind. In Buddhism, the Bodhisattva remains on earth cultivating supreme moral and spiritual perfection to be placed in the service of others. He brings them to realisation.

Knowledge of the process of development, or evolution, of Judaic Thought is what some great nations have built on to become what they are today. At one point they claimed the earth was flat, it was created on October 23, 4004 BC and God done it. But such beliefs have today been abandoned by many, and continuing to believe (as opposed to understandimg, or comprehending) what ancient Jews wrote is purely a misunderstanding, and a non acceptance of subsequent knowledge. Even the Jews don't believe their own myths anymore, so, to me, it is absurd that anyone does. However, I understand how people can believe these myths and know it is important that people know about these ancient believes. Someday understanding of them would come about, and believing would be abandoned.

One day it would be understood that gods exist because human beings have deified things into gods. Its a pretty neat trick, one that more developed nations use to further develop their nations. As is written in the book of John, "In the beginning was the word". We Nigerians would one day learn to use the power of the word. Just imagine, the immense work required to electrify Nigeria! Let there be light, would be the words that would be uttered, and there would never be a power cut in Nigeria ever again!

budaatum:


The religious background of most people defines their language. You would hence hear theists claim a belief in god, or atheists claim a lack of belief in gods. What an insult to the gods that you human beings subject them to your arbitrary held beliefs. If anything, does this not prove they are constructs of your minds?

I find this funny, though acceptable. If I were in a room with no windows and know not what is going on outside the room, it is possible to say, "I believe it is raining", but I can step outside the room and check to see if it is raining or not, and if it is raining and pissing down on my head, I won't just believe it is raining, I'll know it is raining! Unless I wish to delude myself of course, in which case I can claim all sorts of things - an alien from the planet Zog is washing its phandikons after devouring a upigathon, for instance. But, I'll know I'm deluded. Unless I've lost the use of my faculties, in which case I'm just mad, to which I expect a wide berth to be taken. I have stepped out the room regarding religion and deification and it pissed on my head and I don't do phandikons!

I am an atheist. I do not believe gods, spirits, angels, aliens, creators etc, exist or do not exist; I know that they do not exist. They are constructs, pretty good constructs at that, of humans, to explain the things we perceive. It stems from the desire to explain or find reasons for things. We just can't say, "we don't know" how certain things came into existence, so we come up with the best explanations we can within the limits of our existential time. This is the beginning of science in its most primitive form.

The first scientific claim in Judaism is that God created the Heavens and the Earth. The Jews saw all that existed and could not fathom existence without a creator, so they imagined one. They didn't do this in isolation. They got ideas from surrounding tribes and made up their own. The bible shows how unsure they were in the early books of Genesis, with God creating in one way, and another in the very next chapter. A critical look at the text has even allowed some to dispute which god did the creating! It was a great observation for its time, but some societies knew better, even at the time the Jews were coming up with their observations. But you try giving the works of Plato to people and see how many get through the first book. Some have though, and they teach ot to others. We call them pastors, albeit a one eyed pastor teaching the blind. In Buddhism, the Bodhisattva remains on earth cultivating supreme moral and spiritual perfection to be placed in the service of others. He brings them to realisation.

Knowledge of the process of development, or evolution, of Judaic Thought is what some great nations have built on to become what they are today. At one point they claimed the earth was flat, it was created on October 23, 4004 BC and God done it. But such beliefs have today been abandoned by many, and continuing to believe (as opposed to understandimg, or comprehending) what ancient Jews wrote is purely a misunderstanding, and a non acceptance of subsequent knowledge. Even the Jews don't believe their own myths anymore, so, to me, it is absurd that anyone does. However, I understand how people can believe these myths and know it is important that people know about these ancient believes. Someday understanding of them would come about, and believing would be abandoned.

One day it would be understood that gods exist because human beings have deified things into gods. Its a pretty neat trick, one that more developed nations use to further develop their nations. As is written in the book of John, "In the beginning was the word". We Nigerians would one day learn to use the power of the word. Just imagine, the immense work required to electrify Nigeria! Let there be light, would be the words that would be uttered, and there would never be a power cut in Nigeria ever again!

KingEbukasBlog:


The acknowledgement of the existence of a cosmic designer comes from an understanding of logic, science , deep observation of nature , moral values and duties , mathematics , intentional states of consciousness etc . If you contravene this , challenge me to a debate - open a thread , just two of us and prove your atheism to be true .

Proudgorgeousga:


your post agrees with ebukas definition

budaatum:

Logic does not prove the existence of a designer! Neither does science, nor any observation of nature, or moral values and duties, mathematics, or consciousness. Believers take a leap of faith and insert a designer. They have not proven one actually exists. And atheist don't accept one exists.

At the very least, you know what I mean when I use the word and that's good enough for me.

JackBizzle:


But bro, why are you asking for the definition of atheism?

budaatum:
While I claim atheists don't believe in the existence of any supernatural being including a creator. .

budaatum:

Care to elaborate please? Perhaps you can open my eyes.

budaatum:


One day it would be understood that gods exist because human beings have deified things into gods. Its a pretty neat trick, one that more developed nations use to further develop their nations. As is written in the book of John, "In the beginning was the word". We Nigerians would one day learn to use the power of the word. Just imagine, the immense work required to electrify Nigeria! Let there be light, would be the words that would be uttered, and there would never be a power cut in Nigeria ever again!

budaatum:

Trying to clarify for understanding. Someone claims atheists believe a creator exists but don't accept it is a god. While I claim atheists don't believe in the existence of any supernatural being including a creator.

I might have explained the person's position wrongly. Still trying to understand so, bear please if I am corrected here.

KingEbukasBlog:





You claimed atheists don't accept aliens exist . This is the first time of seeing that ever in my life . I don't even know what you are , but what I'm certain of is that you are conflating different philosophical positions in the name of atheism

JackBizzle:


Well, I believe that all atheist do not believe in god. There might be a creator but it might not be God.


Many sci-fi movies hint that it is an alien race that seeded life on earth. Life comes from life, as we have seen. It is a possibility even though there is no proof behind it.

Proudgorgeousga:


I'm not trying to get into an argument tho below is from your post



[b]So since you believe humans diefy things into gods [/b]simply because they don't really understand them or they seem special. then It means you are an atheist because you reject deificatin of things into gods.

Proudgorgeousga:


1st time of seeing what bloody liar. Many atheists have had this same argument with you on nairaland. Many atheists might be open to the idea of extraterrestrial beings on other planets. but they do not believe they actually exist because there is no evidence.

KingEbukasBlog:


Abeg relax jare . It has nothing to do with atheism . Everyone - theist and atheist- can be open to the idea of extraterrestrial life .

JackBizzle:


Well, I believe that all atheist do not believe in god. There might be a creator but it might not be God.


Many sci-fi movies hint that it is an alien race that seeded life on earth. Life comes from life, as we have seen. It is a possibility even though there is no proof behind it.

JackBizzle:

If there is extraterrestrial life, then your bible is false.

Proudgorgeousga:
There is no verifiable evidence a designer exist

budaatum:


No! No! No! People may do so. My position is that they do so in error! The fact that they deify things does not prove those things are supernatural or that they created anything. An example is Raelism, and FSM! And is what you would claim if I were to say "The stone statue in my garden is a deity because it created the universe"! Not only would you argue that it is a mere stone, but also that it did not create anything!

Would it not be absurd of me to claim it is only the defication of the stone that you object to?

Proudgorgeousga:


I'm not trying to get into an argument tho below is from your post



So since you believe humans diefy things into gods simply because they don't really understand them or they seem special. then It means you are an atheist because you reject deificatin of things into gods.

budaatum post=61395321:

No! No! No! People may do so. My position is that they do so in error! The fact that they deify things does not prove those things are supernatural or that they created anything. An example is Raelism, and FSM! And is what you would claim if I were to say "The stone statue in my garden is a deity because it created the universe"! Not only would you argue that it is a mere stone, but also that it did not create anything!

Would it not be absurd of me to claim it is only the defication of the stone that you object to?

anyway I disagree with his argument about a the existence of a designer being proven all we have is various versions and speculations i.e. African version, Jewish, Muslim or deist version. There is no verifiable evidence a designer exist especially the one that is three in one and sent himself as his son to die.

KingEbukasBlog:


Is this a world-wide consensus or what your imaginations reveal to you ?

Proudgorgeousga:

what imaginations?

The one that created a rib woman?

KingEbukasBlog:


Is this a world-wide consensus or what your imaginations reveal to you ?

Proudgorgeousga:


1st time of seeing what bloody liar. Many atheists have had this same argument with you on nairaland. Many atheists might be open to the idea of extraterrestrial beings on other planets. but they do not believe they actually exist because there is no evidence.

budaatum:


Part of this response referred to a position taken by the person you say we are saying the same thing, sorry. I hope you can separate the chaff and wheat.

I do not only reject defication, but know that the thing deified is not a deity and deified in error including the three in one, the stone in my garden and all other things that human beings have imagined through time to be gods.

The stone is a stone and not a god, and believing it is one does not make it a god. Gods do not exist outside the imagination of those who create one in their heads!