How to End Atheism . . .

[!Kaggen]

deleted

 

[!Kaggen]

Regardless of which word was coined and used first obviously people believed in gods before other people denied existence of gods or rejected the validity of beliefs in gods.

It seems the original meaning of Atheist (coined by believers - aka Theists) was to deny or reject gods that were assumed to exist (do exist) rather than to merely not believe in gods or question their existence. Meanings of words change over time and today Atheist might mean “no belief in a god” to some. I don’t like or accept this meaning because “no belief in a god” was the default position of everyone before the concept and claims of gods ever existed. Given Atheist was a word created by those that believe in gods I think it should retain at least some connection to beliefs and claims that gods exist.

If Atheist means to deny or reject gods that do exist then I’m not an Atheist as I don‘t agree that they do exist. However if atheist means to refute and reject claims that gods do exist then I’m an atheist and this is the meaning of atheist I accept and use (this isn’t saying gods don’t exist).

Third time lucky.

Well said, the most rational explanation of atheism I have read on this forum so far.

 

[ynot]

Thanks.

Hope it’s obvious that I don’t seriously expect either of the “How to end Atheism” methods to ever be implemented let alone actually end Atheism even if they were. This thread is merely a “nice” way of saying . . .

(1) Put up or shut up.

Or

(2) If you don’t want to be called a liar then stop telling lies.

 

[SusanB-M1]

Debateable. What do you see as the purpose(s) or role(s) of the CofE that couldn't be replaced (assuming it even needs to be replaced)?

Well, it's just sort of there, providing a background that most people, it seems, don't think about but would really sit up and take notice if it disappeared. It's a part of the language. I certainly think that it is being talked about more with the information so easily accessible now, although this does of course mean that all the way-out religious web sites are there too!

Since I've read all the 'Thursday Next' series of books by Jasper Fforde, I know what should take the place of all religions and that's the GSD - General Standard Deity, which provides the place, rituals and help that religions have a monopoly on, while at the same time, everybody knows that there isn't a real god behind it!

 

[Last of the Fraggles]

Well, it's just sort of there, providing a background that most people, it seems, don't think about but would really sit up and take notice if it disappeared. It's a part of the language. I certainly think that it is being talked about more with the information so easily accessible now, although this does of course mean that all the way-out religious web sites are there too!

I'm still not really sure what you mean.

I don't think most people would really sit up and take notice if it disappeared. Certainly I don't think the Scots, the Muslims, the Jews, the Buddhists, the Catholics, etc etc would care much if the Church of England closed its doors.

I think there is a diminishing (though still significant) number of people who think the Church has any relevance to their life. I'm sure there are people who take comfort from its existence, who think of it as a nice way to have a wedding or funeral, and might think the local vicar is a thoroughly nice chap but I'm not sure it would be missed if it were gone.