Religion and Ethics BBS

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What's your view of atheism?

Posted by Devo on May 23, 2025, 10:31 am

Me? I see nothing good in it.

Atheism....

Posted by Skye on May 28, 2025, 10:06 am, in reply to "What's your view of atheism?"

could be defined in different ways. If theism is defined as a belief in god/s that are supernatural in nature, the 'a' in atheism means "without"... so it could simply mean non belief in supernatural gods, theories or stories related to theism.

Many people do not believe in magic, miracles or superstitions on a more selective basis... but most do not go around calling themselves a-superstitionists.

Many have likely heard many stories and theories about gods, Santa Claus, leprechauns, fairies, angels, ... but likely most don't literally believe the stories are true. Doesn't mean they might not find some value or benefit to at least some of the stories, however.

While many may be content to describe themselves as theists, atheists or as agnostics, others may not wish to place any such labels upon themselves, as they may not feel they can possibly 'know' that supernatural beings or events actually exist or do not exist, however one defines the term 'supernatural.' And since 'natural' knowledge has often been obtained about heretofore unexplained events or phenomenon that were previously considered to be miraculous or supernatural... that sorta takes the 'supernatural' out of previous beliefs for many... so someone who was a previous theist or believer might well become an unbeliever in theism... not that there aren't still many mysteries in the universe that we still do not have knowledge of.

One might just assume that everything in the universe is natural (whether explained or understood or not) rather than supernatural. Perhaps you could call them a naturalist, or someone who believes all things are natural or come from nature?

And instead of theists, you could just call them a supernaturalist, or superstitionist?... which would seem more accurate terminology, IMO. Otherwise, you get into really "arrogant" assumptions or territory when you start talking about god/s and such, and which ones exist and which ones don't exist..... and which ones inspired this book or that.... or not....

Great composition, and I would like to recommend an important addition, IMO.

Posted by Mondo Fuego™ on May 29, 2025, 9:15 am, in reply to "Atheism...."

Christianity is a "Faith", not a belief or religion.

The word "religion" comes from the Latin "religio - I seek".

Christians no longer "seek", they have "found" what they have "faith" in.

There is no mystery. There are no questions. There is no quest. They do not require any further explanation, exploration, investigation, reasoning and/or discovery.

There is no mystery of the Universe ... just the Majesty thereof.

Just an important and necessary addition to your super thoughtful post. You have a great head on your shoulders.

On another note, Baruch ('Benedictus de') Spinoza (one of my faves) presented an interesting explanation of the gestalt 'toute la chose' when he declared God and the universe are one and the same.

From Wiki:

Spinoza's metaphysics consists of one thing, substance, and its modifications (modes). Early in "The Ethics", Spinoza argues that only one substance is absolutely infinite, self-caused, and eternal. He calls this substance "God", or "Nature". He takes these two terms to be synonymous (in the Latin the phrase he uses is "Deus sive Natura"). For Spinoza, the whole of the natural universe consists of one substance, God, or, what is the same, Nature, and its modifications (modes).

It is a bit beyond, and in no way connected to or necessary to explain what constitutes "Faith", but interesting philosophical thought.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baruch_Spinoza

I was always a bit disappointed when René Descartes boldly declared: 'Cogito, ergo sum'. Sorry, René, but I would strongly argue it's: 'Sum, ergo cogito'. Existence is the necessary antecedent to thinking. A worm "exists", perhaps even without thinking. No thinking is going to make a worm "exist".

Also, James missed the boat as he questioned the dynamics of the man observing the squirrel on the tree. In terms of how we observe astronomical phenomenon, the man and the squirrel are revolving around a common center ... the tree.

OK, I will stop my critique of Philosophy 101 foibles.

Toute chose concourt au bien de ceux qui aiment Dieu.

I appreciate the way you look at faith vs. religion

Posted by Trish on May 29, 2025, 2:36 pm, in reply to "Great composition, and I would like to recommend an important addition, IMO."

it's akin to how I see spirituality vs religion (but of course on a different playing field). One can be spiritual without being religious.

Fantastic post

Posted by Trish on May 28, 2025, 1:32 pm, in reply to "Atheism...."

Agreed.

Posted by 7:77 on May 31, 2025, 6:25 am, in reply to "Fantastic post"

Dim.

Posted by Mondo Fuego™ on May 28, 2025, 5:59 am, in reply to "What's your view of atheism?"

Next!

It’s bullshit

Posted by Gustavo on May 27, 2025, 6:01 pm, in reply to "What's your view of atheism?"

I find it deficient in terms of understanding the Universe.

Posted by DFM on May 27, 2025, 1:22 pm, in reply to "What's your view of atheism?"

IMHO, there is simply TOO MUCH ORDER in the Universe for it to be the result of chance.

Atheists..

Posted by mark on May 24, 2025, 3:34 am, in reply to "What's your view of atheism?"

...spend the majority of there time talking about Christianity.

To me, it's the only logical conclusion.

Posted by CE0802 on May 23, 2025, 12:12 pm, in reply to "What's your view of atheism?"

Every single religion that has ever existed, every single god that has ever been invented (there have been roughly 3,000 of them throughout human history), have existed and been invented to explain things that humans could not otherwise explain.

People didn't understand why a volcano erupted.

So they created a god of the volcano, who could be placated by making offerings to the volcano.

They couldn't explain lightening. BAM! Zeus.

They couldn't explain how the sun crosses the sky. BAM! Apollo and his chariot.

They couldn't explain why the sea sometimes rages and sinks boats and kills people. BAM! Poseidon.

They couldn't explain how everything came to be. BAM! Yahweh.

We now know, of course, what causes volcanoes to erupt, and that lightening is not mysterious, and that the sun doesn't cross the sky, it just appears to because the Earth rotates, and we know what cause storms.

Not a great track record for religion.

And I see no reason to pick one god out of the 3,000 or so, and claim that THIS ONE is THE one that is "real".

Atheism is as blindly arrogant as most religions

Posted by Mugwump on May 23, 2025, 11:32 am, in reply to "What's your view of atheism?"

New atheists are the most arrogant of all

Posted by Devo on May 23, 2025, 12:02 pm, in reply to "Atheism is as blindly arrogant as most religions"

Yes, they really are!

Ah, the "King of Stupid" post of the day.

Posted by Mugwump on May 23, 2025, 2:03 pm, in reply to "New atheists are the most arrogant of all"

From one of the main sources.

Sad. They need a spiritual epiphany.

Posted by GOG on May 23, 2025, 10:49 am, in reply to "What's your view of atheism?"

Yes they need a lot of help

Posted by Devolution on May 23, 2025, 11:03 am, in reply to "Sad. They need a spiritual epiphany. "

Help that they desperately need.

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