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Originally posted by Xtrozero
I think if you believe that there is something bigger is out there than just yourself and your lifeforce/soul doesn't just all end at death then you are not an atheist.
Originally posted by Xtrozero
reply to post by elocin
I think if you believe that there is something bigger is out there than just yourself and your lifeforce/soul doesn't just all end at death then you are not an atheist.
Originally posted by elocin
.. and it also apparently means "not believing in God"... but I honestly don't think there are a lot of people who call themselves atheists and follow exactly any of those definitions.
I think atheism to a lot of people means something different than the actual definition, and it should really mean just non-religious.
Originally posted by Xtrozero
I think we see this mostly when atheists wear it like a shield in a somewhat aggressive defensive attitude.
One question though, I find your words rather interesting when self describing your beliefs and so why not just say you are religious and keep it simple.
Originally posted by traditionaldrummer
Originally posted by elocin
.. and it also apparently means "not believing in God"... but I honestly don't think there are a lot of people who call themselves atheists and follow exactly any of those definitions.
This is the correct definition of "atheist" and most follow this definition.
I think atheism to a lot of people means something different than the actual definition, and it should really mean just non-religious.
There are other terms for these definitions actually.
"Non-theist" is commonly used by Michael Shermer, who does not follow religion and has no use nor belief in gods but may be open to new evidence of such.
"Anti-theist" is a term commonly used by Christopher Hitchens and defines not only atheism but a staunch and zealous opposition to religions.
Originally posted by elocin
You're completely right, but I still think that there are a lot of people who don't know the exact terms and definitions and just find it easier to say "atheist", especially in situations where they're answering a survey question and see the closest matching response to be "atheist". This study is based on statistics, of which were gathered by surveying. But a lot of people couldn't even tell you the difference between agnosticism and atheism.
Originally posted by traditionaldrummer
Are you sure about that? Atheism essentially means the lack of belief in deities. The above things you referenced really has nothing to do with deities.
Atheism is a doctrine that states that nothing exists but natural phenomena (matter), that thought is a property or function of matter, and that death irreversibly and totally terminates individual organic units. This definition means that there are no forces, phenomena, or entities which exist outside of or apart from physical nature, or which transcend nature, or are “super” natural, nor can there be. Humankind is on its own.
Originally posted by Xtrozero
Atheism
Originally posted by Xtrozero
A person who has beliefs but just not in god do not normally label themselves Atheist, but something else.
Originally posted by Annee
OK - - maybe if Atheists wore some kind of known symbol - - like Christians wear a cross - - I could see the shield you mention. I just do not see or have ever experienced an Atheist starting a
Originally posted by Annee
Originally posted by Xtrozero
A person who has beliefs but just not in god do not normally label themselves Atheist, but something else.
Enter Spiritual Humanist.
Yes - it is a real group - do have their own forum and ordained ministry.
Originally posted by Xtrozero
Originally posted by Annee
OK - - maybe if Atheists wore some kind of known symbol - - like Christians wear a cross - - I could see the shield you mention. I just do not see or have ever experienced an Atheist starting a
That is an interesting observation. So how does a religious person pick out an Atheist to bother?
Originally posted by Xtrozero
Originally posted by Annee
OK - - maybe if Atheists wore some kind of known symbol - - like Christians wear a cross - - I could see the shield you mention. I just do not see or have ever experienced an Atheist starting a
That is an interesting observation. So how does a religious person pick out an Atheist to bother?
Originally posted by Dennislp3
....all this says is that if we all believed the same things we wouldn't fight....do you need a study for that? I thought it was extremely obvious....
Originally posted by traditionaldrummer
You guys are aware that the symbol in my signature is one of the symbols chosen by atheists to identify themselves? It's the "American Atheist".