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How have beliefs and practices in Atheism changed over the years?
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
No, it doesn't have any beliefs to change.
For a long time the word 'Atheism' was used to accuse people of not believing in the local or approved gods. Socrates was accused of being an atheist for not believing in the gods of Athens. Christians were also called atheists by the believers in Rome before Christianity became the official religion.From the Enlightenment period (1700s) in Europe atheism took on the concept of rejecting all gods. Thinkers, like Baron d'Holbach and Jean Meslier, denied in writing the existence of all gods, particularly the Christian god.
Today atheism includes two different but related beliefs - (1)the denial in the belief in god and (2) the rejection of the existence of god.
Since the advent of Darwinian evolution and the massive changes it brought to the scientific community, atheists have found more mainstream acceptance of their beliefs. As Richard Dawkins puts it, this has made it possible to be an 'intellectually fulfilled atheist.' This does not change atheists premises or their beliefs, but has simply been used as a pillar supporting them. They would thus claim, and frequently do, to have a massive amount of scientific data which supports their system of belief.
Atheists also point out the massive scientific consensus surrounding evolution, as if numbers somehow make their data correct. While the numbers are most certainly on their side, and the consensus, and the media generally, and the public school system as well, many people still do not share their beliefs. Others, some of whom are themselves atheists, question the scientific merit of a number of key evolutionary pillars. Nevertheless, they continue to remain committed to both, indicating the link between them and the importance which belief in evolution has come to play in modern day atheism. The two have thus become inextricably linked.
In line with this belief system is the apparent necessity to suppress and deny, rather than scientifically investigate any alternative views or contradictory data. This is even so within 'scientific atheism' itself where critics of the Big Bang, although growing in number due to increased data against it, have in the past remained silent lest they suffer discrimination. Even the late Stephen J. Gould raised his eyebrows at the denial of the Nobel Prize for Medicine to Dr. Damadian, its undoubted inventor and patent holder. This, as Gould himself no doubt perceived because of Damadian's open creationist views. Apart from the Big Bang dissenters, much contradictory data, and many serious unsolved problems remain, atheism continues to enjoy the support it finds in the modern scientific consensus.
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
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What is a living civilization?
The basic beliefs and practices of the people have not changed over the years. :)
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In the last five years do you think racist beliefs have changed?
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Has atheism produced someone like Michelangelo?
Almost certainly yes; atheism was illegal in Europe for many years, so non-believers kept very quiet! In more recent years, many modern artists are openly atheist.
How has atheism contributed to or affected modern society?
for the last several thousand years, it has generally been assumed that everyone must belong to one religion or another, and membership of the official religion of a nation was usually compulsory. It is only in the last two or three centuries that atheism has gradually become acceptable, and only in recent decades that most atheists have been able to openly state their lack of religious beliefs. Atheism has broken the monopoly of religion on the hearts and minds of people in modern society. Religion will continue and prosper for the forseeable future, but will learn a new tolerance towards other beliefs. The churches have been opened up to scrutiny in a way that was unimaginable in previous centuries. Although those who raise issues such as paedophilia and misuse of funds are overwhelmingly the Christian victims of abuse, it is atheism that has created a culture in which it is even possible to criticise the Churches. Some may be surprised to realise that religion has benefitted from atheism, but that is the case. Atheism has freed science up, both to investigate the natural world without preconceptions or fear, and to discuss the findings of science openly without being defensive when those findings differ from traditional religious beliefs. At a personal level, atheism has allowed everyone to choose what to believe or not believe, without being told that any divergence from a narrow interpretation of the Bible means a path to hellfire.
Who was the founder of Hindusiem?
Hinduism does not have a single founder. It is a collection of beliefs and practices that have evolved over thousands of years, with origins in ancient Indian culture and philosophy.
How old is atheism?
OpinionsSince religion had to have a beginning, atheism is older than religion. Richard Leakey (The Origin of Humankind) believes that the first evidence of religion shows up around 30,000 years ago, in certain cave paintings in Europe. Ritual burials, arguably evidence of religious practices, date from about the same time. Based on that evidence, all humans were atheists until around 30,000 years ago. Atheism was never 'created' and is not a response to any one religion, because it is not an organised philosophy - anyone who does not believe in any god is an atheist. .Atheism can't be "invented" it simply is. Atheism is the lack of belief in a god. Which obviously means atheism has been around for as long as any living thing has, even before that.Atheism did not "start" it is the original status of all humankind. Mark Twain is, however, good enough to tell us when religion started. In his words "Religion was invented when the first con man met the first fool." Even today children are atheists until inculcated into a religion by adults.We are all born Atheists and our eventual religious beliefs are largely a matter of geography. Therefore Atheism precludes religions.
Writings about jewish beliefs created about 2000 years ago?
Writings about Jewish beliefs created about 2000 years ago
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How has gymnastics changed over there years?
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What are Jay Leno religious beliefs?
Jay Leno is a very private person, and he says little about his religious beliefs. We do know he was raised a Christian, but he has not mentioned what role, if any, religion plays in his life today.
