A real atheist FAQ.

[Hare_Geist]

What is atheism?

Atheism is nothing more nor less than a single disbelief. Besides the disbelief that there is a God, atheists can and do have little in common, and atheists can and do have things in common.

You can’t disprove God.

Burden of proof is on the person making the positive statement. Many atheists don’t believe simply because of lack of evidence. However, some believe they have disproved God, such as Sartre, who believed God was a manifest contradiction by definition. Again, atheists can and do have little in common, so ask each one personally.

How do atheists explain the universe?

Some believe the universe has always been, some say they don’t know, some don’t care, and some say the big bang.

Can you prove the big bang and evolution are not just theories?

Yes, but I’m not going to because that’s science, it has nothing necessary to do with atheism. Some atheists have low opinions of science, some are logical positivists, and some are instrumentalists.

Why do atheists hate Christians?

Don’t confuse atheism with antireligion or antitheism.

Why are atheists so arrogant and cruel about other people’s beliefs?

Why are you so quick to generalize? Some are very outspoken and in a harsh way, while others, such as Bertrand Russell, are much more soft spoken. Others respect religion, such as Arthur Schopenhauer, while others don’t give it a second thought and just go about their lives.

Atheists have no morals.

That’s not true, some are utilitarians, some are deontologists, and yes, some are relativists. You should really ask the individual what his views on morals are.

If atheists are so diverse, isn’t an FAQ silly?

Yes it is. You never see people who don’t believe in unicorns being defined by their disbelief and labelled aunicornists. Sadly both a fair amount of the religious and a small group of atheists, who I call Dawkinists, which is not to say Richard Dawkins doesn’t comprehend how silly it is, don’t seem to get this.

[jackketch]

Good post, there are indeed as many sorts of atheists as there are atheists.

That needs to be stressed.

[JesuitArtiste]

Well... I can't complain....

... Well save that it lacked bias, WHERE'S MY BIAS!

[AngryFemme]

Originally Posted by Hare_Geist

If atheists are so diverse, isn’t an FAQ silly?

Yes it is. You never see people who don’t believe in unicorns being defined by their disbelief and labelled aunicornists. Sadly both a fair amount of the religious and a small group of atheists, who I call Dawkinists, which is not to say Richard Dawkins doesn’t comprehend how silly it is, don’t seem to get this.

Two things you can count on in at least one of every five of Hare's posts: A shitload of philosopher name-dropping and at least one good jab against Richard Dawkins.

+1 for consistency!!

You seem to be isolating Dawkins just because he tends to SPEAK OUT about his disbelief. If this is the case, then I think the other "small" group of atheists you pointed out above is going to have to be broadened a bit to include the Brights, the Secular Humanist Council, Humanists.org, and a shitload of other scientists, lobbyists, policymakers, and more than just a "small group" of individuals who call themselves atheists, but believe that speaking out against religion in order to keep it out of public schools and government offices is both wise and necessary.

I hardly think all of the above groups take part in such organized endeavors just to be able to define themselves by their disbelief. Also, I don't think the 'Dawkinists' would have any need for a verbal platform at all, were it not for the fact that religion in mainstream society IS affecting laws, public policy and education.

It's funny how you point out how diverse atheists can be, but then group all the ones who push for a secular agenda into a neatly labeled package of "those who define themselves by their disbelief".

These people define themselves not as atheists first, but as mothers, fathers, scientists, doctors, office workers, humanitarians, humanists ... the list goes on and on. Usually the only time it is even relevant to bring out that they are atheists is when they are speaking their views on why they feel religion is harmful or dangerous when placed in government or public schools.

Ever seen an atheist parade, Hare? What about an atheist talk-show? Or an atheist sitcom? Or a concert that benefits atheism?

YOU are the one defining them by their disbelief.

[Surak]

I don't define myself by other people's stupidity, but I will speak out against it when it affects me.

[BrokeProphet]

Many self-described atheists are skeptical of all supernatural beings and cite a lack of empirical evidence for the existence of deities. Others argue for atheism on philosophical, social or historical grounds. Although many self-described atheists tend toward secular philosophies such as humanism and naturalism, there is no one ideology or set of behaviors to which all atheists adhere.

I am just wondering Hare, how YOU feel about theism attacking America for control of certian things. Control of what children are taught. Control of scienctific research like stem cells. Control of the voting public through the religious right.

[Hare_Geist]

Originally Posted by BrokeProphet

I am just wondering Hare, how YOU feel about theism attacking America for control of certian things. Control of what children are taught. Control of scienctific research like stem cells. Control of the voting public through the religious right.

I could honestly not care less anymore, to be perfectly honest with you.

PS, I don't consider humanism secular, I'm anti-humanism, and if you look at my posts, AngryFemme, you would see I drop philosopher's names far less than you believe. I also would like it if you delete your post, for putting words in my mouth and then knocking them down does not become you.

[AngryFemme]

Originally Posted by Hare_Geist

I could honestly not care less anymore, to be perfectly honest with you.

I guess those issues aren't worth caring about, considering there are far more pressing issues to fret on, like say ... having a canine blessed in a church. I guess the human beings can defend themselves, while our mutts can hardly muster up the language needed to ward of the silly rituals a Christian may force them through.

if you look at my posts, AngryFemme, you would see I drop philosopher's names far less than you believe.

But I do look at your posts, Hare. You're one of my favorite posters. I make it a point to read all your posts, and that was a given even before I helped jackketch moderate this forum.

I also would like it if you delete your post, for putting words in my mouth and then knocking them down does not become you.

Where did I put words in your mouth?

[BrokeProphet]

Originally Posted by Hare_Geist

I could honestly not care less anymore, to be perfectly honest with you.

PS, I don't consider humanism secular, I'm anti-humanism, and if you look at my posts, AngryFemme, you would see I drop philosopher's names far less than you believe. I also would like it if you delete your post, for putting words in my mouth and then knocking them down does not become you.

You honestly do not care? You do not care if children are reared believing in religion instead of science? You do not care if even a psuedo theocracy springs up? Historically theocracies have not been very good for a society. Theocracies create a dangerous climate and endanger non-believers historically.

Yet, you care if someone is (as you label them) a dawkinist. You believe (by your own posts that are IN FACT filled with philosophical name-dropping) dawkinism endangers or leads itself to a dangerous climate by labeling theists insane. Locking up the crazy bible thumpers as I recall.

How can you honestly seem to care about one and NOT the other?

P.S. I will let angryfemme tell you the words she did not put in your mouth.

Originally Posted by AngryFemme

But I do look at your posts, Hare. You're one of my favorite posters. I make it a point to read all your posts, and that was a given even before I helped jackketch moderate this forum.

I enjoy Hare's posts as well, as he is the ONLY person who can shut Obbe up.

[Hare_Geist]

Originally Posted by BrokeProphet

How can you honestly seem to care about one and NOT the other?

I dunno, I don't care about much anymore.