Explain Atheism to Justinian2

[dafydd]

PvdA or D66 depending on what I like about their programs during elections

Partij van de Arbeid? I played at a PvdA gathering in Antwerp last summer.

 

[joolz]

Whilst I may have been having a go at Justinian2 on another thread, I think that if s/he is asking a genuine question then we should be courteous and give genuine replies. There are no stupid questions, even 'what is an atheist' is a sensible question if it comes from someone seeking knowledge and I'm prepared to give him/her the benefit of the doubt as there are certainly places that are so religious that they are blinkered to other ways of life, and if someone is born into that community then it is not their fault if they have gaps in their knowledge.

Plus, someone may cone to this thread in future seeking genuine answers to the question and it would be a shame if the question is not answered.

So, what is an atheist?

In my opinion the only generalisation you can make is that they meet the dictionary definition of "a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings".

In every other aspect of their lives atheists may differ. You'll find atheists who are male, female, gay, straight, transexual, black, white, old, young, rich, poor, educated, illiterate, carnivore, omnivore, vegetarian, working, unemployed, communists, socialists, capitalists, fascists, kind, cruel, loud, quiet, fat, thin, healthy, sick, sane, insane, philanthropists, murderers - in simple terms, atheists can be anything that religious people can be, but without the god/gods.

We are basically you, with just that one difference. That sounds like a cue for a song..... let's hold hands and sing. "We are the world, we are the people..."

cheerz

joolz

 

[ynot]

As I understand it "Atheist" was a term first coined by believers in a god (Theists). As the existence god was the "default conclusion" at the time "Atheist" meant a person that denied or rejected god. I don't accept this meaning because I see no evidence that a god exists to deny or reject. By this meaning I'm not an atheist.

In more recent times "Atheist" seems to have changed to mean - "A person that doesn't believe in a god". I don't like this meaning because it doesn't address Theism (belief in a god). The concept of a god existing only exists because some people claim one does. If the concept and claim didn't exist there wouldn't be anything to believe in or not. Atheism is a response to Theism.

I prefer "Atheist" to mean - " A person that doesn't accept the claims of Theists that a god exists". By this meaning I'm an Atheist.

 

[Kid Eager]

I was raised a Presby by a Baptist father and Methodist mother to be educated at a Church of England school.

Atheism and agnosticism were known to me at a young age, as were the other common religions. I found no evidence to support the existence of gods, so class myself an atheist.

I don't care what you believe or don't believe in, just don't expect me to react favorably if you try to get me to subscribe to your religion. Ditto for passing opinion/belief as fact/evidence.

 

[ynot]

Whilst I may have been having a go at Justinian2 on another thread, I think that if s/he is asking a genuine question then we should be courteous and give genuine replies. There are no stupid questions, even 'what is an atheist' is a sensible question if it comes from someone seeking knowledge and I'm prepared to give him/her the benefit of the doubt as there are certainly places that are so religious that they are blinkered to other ways of life, and if someone is born into that community then it is not their fault if they have gaps in their knowledge.

Plus, someone may cone to this thread in future seeking genuine answers to the question and it would be a shame if the question is not answered.

So, what is an atheist?

In my opinion the only generalisation you can make is that they meet the dictionary definition of "a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings".

In every other aspect of their lives atheists may differ. You'll find atheists who are male, female, gay, straight, transexual, black, white, old, young, rich, poor, educated, illiterate, carnivore, omnivore, vegetarian, working, unemployed, communists, socialists, capitalists, fascists, kind, cruel, loud, quiet, fat, thin, healthy, sick, sane, insane, philanthropists, murderers - in simple terms, atheists can be anything that religious people can be, but without the god/gods.

We are basically you, with just that one difference. That sounds like a cue for a song..... let's hold hands and sing. "We are the world, we are the people..."

cheerz

joolz

You do realise that s/he didn't ask the question and s/he isn't genuine in wanting to know the answer?

 

[Agatha]

So? Other people may be enlightened.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

I was born and raised in a WASP town. I don't know anything about atheists. I never even knew they existed before recent posts on this site. I thought they were an anomaly as uncommon as gay people.

No association intended. I just thought that each group, gays and atheists, were tiny - less than 1% of the total population. I now know I was wrong.

You need study your revealed writings of LRon more :

No culture in the history of the world, save the thoroughly depraved and expiring ones, has failed to affirm the existence of a Supreme Being. It is an empirical observation that men without a strong and lasting faith in a Supreme Being are less capable, less ethical and less valuable to themselves and society....A man without an abiding faith is, by observation alone, more of a thing than a man.

I don't know why you bother talking to us unless it is because you like to get enturbulated.

 

[Seismosaurus]

What do atheists do for Christmas?

I have a christmas tree - it's twinkling away at me right now. I buy presents for my nearest and dearest, and they return the favour. The family congregate at one place - used to be my parents, but these days it's my brother's place as he has the largest house. We eat a lot, drink a lot, watch the good stuff on TV, and generally celebrate our family for a few days.

What are your mores?

Pretty much try to be a good person, try not to hurt others, try to help others when you can, try to be kind, try to be happy.

What is your profession?

I'm a teacher by profession.

What is your charity?

I don't give to charity.

How do you vote?

For the right. Since I live in the UK, then by modern American standards puts me somewhat the the left of the Democrats.

 

[ddt]

Partij van de Arbeid? I played at a PvdA gathering in Antwerp last summer.

Which one? The Dutch PvdA - the mainstream Labour party, the equivalent of the Belgian SP.a. - or the Belgian PvdA, a small communist party that has never entered parliament? (and yes, both have the same full name).

 

[Justinian2]

I don’t believe you and I call - “Liar, liar pants on fire“.

You claim to be a “degreed engineer” so we can assume you’re an adult with at least some ability to observe and comprehend.

Unless of course $cientology requires that you read no newspapers or books. watch no TV, listen to no radio stations, don‘t use the internet, etc. Any one of these information media sources would have given you ample information regarding atheists, gays and other “horrible” realities of life.

Grow up and stop telling lies!

These were the numbers I believed:

Christianity

2.1 billion – 2.2 billion

33% – 34%

Christianity by country



Islam

1.5 billion – 1.6 billion[21]

22% – 23%

Islam by country



Buddhism

500 million – 1.9 billion[22]

7% – 29%[22]

Buddhism by country



Hinduism

1.0 billion – 1.1 billion

15.2% – 16.2%

Hinduism by country



Total

5.1 billion – 6.8 billion[22]

77% – 99%[22]

 

[R.A.F.]

I don't know anything about atheists. I never even knew they existed before recent posts on this site. I thought they were an anomaly as uncommon as gay people.

Been living under a rock??

 

[Seismosaurus]

These were the numbers I believed:

That reply has absolutely nothing to do with what you were responding to.

 

[R.A.F.]

These were the numbers I believed...

:

Wow...someone was really lying to you...and you believed it.

Makes me wonder what other misconceptions you take for granted as true.

 

[Ron_Tomkins]

Atheism is.... like an empty egg and without a shell.

 

[Justinian2]

And now I see these numbers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irreligion#cite_note-dentsu-4

Non-religion is MUCH higher in the world than in the USA.

 

[R.A.F.]

I have a christmas tree...

As do I...has nothing to do with religion...


Unless someone is going to claim that Christ had a "me" tree.

 

[Dessi]

What do atheists do for Christmas?
I celebrate Christmas with my family. Presents, food, vacation from work.

What are your mores?
Strong influence by Peter Singer. I view animal and human rights as essentially the same thing, pro-choice for some deeply philosophical reasons related to the way I view human rights, pro-legalization of soft drugs with a tendency to extend this position to all drugs across the board. I very strongly support LGBT rights.

What is your profession?
Software developer.

What is your charity?
See here. I give $1000-5000 to charity every year. This year, I gave to PFLAG, RCGA, GoGLBT, PETA, ASPCA, Sea Shepard Society, Special Olympics, NORML, Erowid. Also made several donations to open source software projects that caught my attention. I've made also made political contributions to the Democratic National Convention.

How do you vote?
Democrat. Voted Libertarian a few times. Following from this discussion, I'm unlikely to EVER vote for Republicans who are proudly and forcefully bigoted against my rights as an LGBT American.

 

[devnull]

And now I see these numbers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irreligion#cite_note-dentsu-4

Non-religion is MUCH higher in the world than in the USA.

Actually, you can be pretty certain the numbers are much higher. Its the same in Australia.

When people are asked for their religion (on a census maybe) they generally respond with the religion of their parents or family. When I was a kid I answered "CoE" for a while, even though we'd never been to church.

As atheism becomes more acceptable I think youll find that slowly the real numbers will be revealed.

 

[AdMan]

These were the numbers I believed:

Christianity

2.1 billion – 2.2 billion

33% – 34%

Christianity by country



Islam

1.5 billion – 1.6 billion[21]

22% – 23%

Islam by country



Buddhism

500 million – 1.9 billion[22]

7% – 29%[22]

Buddhism by country



Hinduism

1.0 billion – 1.1 billion

15.2% – 16.2%

Hinduism by country



Total

5.1 billion – 6.8 billion[22]

77% – 99%[22]

That was not an answer to the post you quoted.

Are you going to admit to your lies?

 

[joolz]

You do realise that s/he didn't ask the question and s/he isn't genuine in wanting to know the answer?

I was in the thread that triggered this one and know how it came about.

Justinian2 has demonstrated a distinct lack of knowledge about atheism elsewhere on JREF. I realise that could just be deliberate trolling, but equally it could be because of a lack of education or a blinkered upbringing, who am I to judge, and since Foster Zygote started this thread I feel we may as well put some info in here about atheism in case people come along later looking for the answer to that question (even if Justinian2 isn't).

Someone coming with a genuine interest in learning about atheism and finding a pile of rudeness and flames may, god forbid , think we were just like the religious folk some of us are complaining about.

cheerz

joolz