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Atheism
Atheism is the disbelief in or denial of the existence of God or gods.
1,002 Questions
I dont think so, I heard he is a Christian or maybe he's just more like Spiritual.
What if we didn't have religion from the start and accepted science instead?
People have been striving to understand the unknown for all of eternity. Perhaps the basis of some religions were not fanatics, but rather just good story tellers.
Is a cluster of stars in the sky called Taurus really representing a bull, or is it just part of a good story about a bull? Maybe it was just someone telling a bit of BULL!!! Did people really believe that was really a bull?
It turns out that many of the great ancient civilizations including the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Mayans also had excellent scientists. The ancients were able to identify the closest of the planets as being different from the stars, and even describe their orbits around the sun. When I gaze into the night sky, I see stars, but to be able to pick out 5 of them as being planets, without even having a telescope, that seems to be something else.
As early as 500 BC, the Greeks were describing the earth as round, and by the time of Christ, they had a reasonably accurate measurement of the size of the earth.
Many believe that the Mayans had predicted the locations of the planets up until 2012, centuries after their civilization was conquered.
I suppose the problem with "religion" is the blind insistence that their stories are TRUE beyond all reproach, and aren't just good stories of the time.
"First there was Chaos, the vast immeasurable abyss, Outrageous as a sea, dark, wasteful, wild... From the formless confusion of Chaos, brooded over by unbroken darkness came three children; into this shapeless nothing they were thrown. Erebus, which is the unfathomable depth where death dwells and his two sisters, Nyx, or night, and Gaea, the earth. In the whole universe there was nothing else; all was black, empty, silent, endless."
Religions have tried to explain the beginning of time, before recorded history, even before man. And, perhaps the religion needed it to both justify Humanity's place on earth as well as justifying the heritage of the religion itself. The fallacy is that they keep several thousand year old documents as "DOCTRINE", rather than accepting new theories about the early earth, and about evolution.
Keep in mind, though, nobody on earth has ever witnessed the formation of a planet. So, every theory about the formation of the earth is based on our view today of planets that have existed for millions of years.
Religion was always used to explain the unexplainable. We couldn't have had science from the start because science takes careful observation and experimentation over long periods of time. It had to develop slowly- fortunately for all of us, it did!
Answer
Religion was always used to explain the unexplainable. We couldn't have had science from the start because science takes careful observation and experimentation over long periods of time. It had to develop slowly- fortunately for all of us, it did! It has always been there in the background.
Religion on the other hand was grasped at instantly. From the earliest dawn of humankind, fear and awe gave birth to religion. The first time a companion was struck by lightening someone cowered in fear and wondered what he/she could do to appease whatever it was that struck down their companion. It got a strangle hold on humankind back then and has never let go.
Answer
First of all, we need to address what is sadly a widely spread misconception. Science and religion are NOT mutually exclusive. Many of history's greatest thinkers (John Bacon, Leonardo DaVinci, and Sir Isaac Newton, to name a few) were all influenced by BOTH science AND religion. Many modern scientists are religious, even Christian. Some religious people are atheists and not interested in science (Buddha is not considered an omnipotent deity). Some people believe in God and do not subscribe to any organized religion.
That said, even without religion, some people just wouldn't be interested in math and science. Some people find those boring, no matter what their belief is. Some religious people find science and math fascinating. While a survey showed that most modern U.S. scientists are atheists, it also found that most were atheists who later became scientists, not scientists who later became atheists. An important distinction. It makes sense that people who don't accept the answers and explanations given by religion would turn to science. Also, religious people who turn to science would be looking for a better understanding of what they perceive to be God's creation.
All that said, if we didn't have religion from the start, just science, a few more people throughout the ages would have become scientists, a few less scientific thoughts would have been questioned for religious reasons (admittedly, science and religion have clashed occassionally). By today, we would probably have made a few more giant leaps in scientific discovery and advancement, and many minor ones. But this would have come at the cost of the great number of literary and artistic masterpieces that were overtly inspired by religion. Not to mention the social and humanitarian advancements that were openly made in the name of religion. In my opinion, gaining the Missing Link but losing Dante's Divine Comedy would NOT be worth the trade-off.
Has the Church committed any injustices?
There is not enough space on this site to list all the injustices done by the christian church...but here is a few for starters.
The elimination of competing Christian cults (called heretics) by early Christian churches,
The destruction of Rome by the Christian Goths, and the secret pagan sacrifices consented by the Pope,
the Church sent Christian Vandals that destroyed imperial North Africa,
the Church sent crusades in the eleventh century fighting in the lands around the eastern Mediterranean,
In 1204 the Fourth Crusade plundered Constantinople the most holy city at that time, with Christians fighting Christians.
The church justified religious wars, Crusades and the slaughter of unbelievers throughout Europe for centuries
The church justified the killing,imprisonment and torture of anyone accused of witchcraft.
The blatant promotion of male supremacy in the Bibles allowed the church to keep woman inferior to men for centuries.
The church approved of slavery and promoted it biblically.
The church banning the use of birth control by its members.
The churchs self-promoted discrimination against homosexuals.
And most recent is the church hiding and making safe harbors for child molesting clergy to flourish in.
How should an Atheist act around Christians?
an atheist should not act...but you should love your neighbor as yourself and you will be fine.
There is no need to act in any way differently when around Christians, Muslims, Hindus.. or anyone. Treate people with respect, and they should treat you with respect. If you find yourself discriminated against because of another person's religion, then that's their problem: not yours. Then you may wish to behave differently to normal (walk away or argue back, for example).But in general, being an atheist doesn't mean you have to behave in any way differently when around theists.
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It is difficult to picture where this topic would come up in business situations. In social situations some people persist in asking about a person's orientation in religion. Just ignore the probes. If the approach is covert - like asking everyone to stand for grace at supper - just stay sitting and butter your bread.
:Act according to your feelings and the context. There are no firm rules. You may wish to stay seating, but that could be considered rude. There's no harm standing up for grace: it is polite to do so. If you are determined to make a point, remain seated. It's up to you and how you feel.Does disbelief in God first assume the existence of God?
Although no doubt a theological specialist lurking on this site will be happy to give you a 5,000 word answer to this, the brief answer is 'no'. Disbelief in God does of course assume that you are familiar with the existing concept and dogmas concerning 'God' in various beliefs. It is (believers, forgive me) like not believing in Santa Claus meaning that he must therefore exist. But he doesn't.
Where do you derive your morals if you are atheist or agnostic?
- The natural feeling of repulsion that accompanies witnessing violence, deceit, and dishonesty.
- if by morality you mean knowing right from wrong then i was taught this as a child by my parents and teachers. religion is not tied to morality. there are many moral atheists and there are many immoral theists. im prety sure that most of the people on death row call themselves religious but i wouldn't call murder a moral activity. i believe that most people naturally seek to help others and try to avoid upset or discomfort. everyone gets enjoyment from making another person happy, we don't need a god to tell us to do it
- The golden rule: if I wouldn't want it done to me, I won't do it to someone else. It should be noted that this forms the basis of every religious moral code, and there is no relevance as to the source of this code; theists and atheists alike share the same basic principles.
Is atheism dead and God alive?
Atheism is real and functioning, so in all respects one would certainly consider it alive. As there has never been any substantial evidence for any god, if the choices are 'alive' or 'dead' then one could consider God to be dead, if that is your choice.
However with no evidence to provide God does not exist, then one can equally consider the opposite that God is very much alive.
American Atheists, eh? Well, being one I would have to say they are Atheists who are more involved in promoting science, reason, and rational thought over religion. In other countries such as Sweden or the UK. You would not have to do this because most of the people in said countries already know how important science is. Giving them a higher percentage of non-religious people. Like the Reason Rally that recently took place in DC. That couldn't have been imagined in somewhere like the UK because they don't need a rally for reason. America is somewhere around 85% Christian, and 15% Non-religious. It is said that there are more non-religious because there are those who don't want to tell their families because they are afraid of what they might think of them. On the other-hand, Sweden is 85% non-religious and the UK 48% non-religious. And such rallies are unnecessary. All in all, american atheists are atheists who live in America and are subject to religious dogma more often than that of other countries.
How does atheism affect moral life?
It really doesn't have much of an effect. Do all Christians agree and maintain the exact same morals? No, not really even close. Joseph Stalin was an atheist, but so was Carl Sagan. Do you think they would ever sit down with one another and have a cup of tea? No, probably not. Also, Stalin was a psychopath, Sagan not so much.
Morality arises from your environment more so than from any other factor. People do violent things to one another when they are brainwashed to believe in an objectified "Other."
What replaces a theory as a new result?
A theory is always a test case. It essentially says "This is our best idea - up to now" Science is always ready to improve its results an always searches for holes in existing thinking.
This is the primary ditinctiom between science and religion - religion usually starts with the "right answer" and seeks to justify it no matter what contradictions arise.
In the case of people having a crisis of faith, it is usually precipitated by a catastrophic event in their life. The question most commonly asked in this event is Why? Why did god let this happen? Why would god not save me from this? Why? The answers to that question, if the person is unable to accept "God has a plan", is to think that god has it in for you/your loved ones/ the planet/whatever and as those raised within the major religions usually retain a bit of fear of their deity, it is easier for them to believe in nothing that to believe in a god that is uncaring, or even to "switch horses".
Answer - insecurity of directionJourneys of faith are usually long, sometimes difficult, and always interior. Many, many people come to see organized religion for what it is. Where to go from that point can be scary and bewildering. Answer - combined factors- Some forget that there is not only a choice between religion and nonreligion, but the middle-ground of personal, undoctrinated spirituality.
- Others also group the first with the latter - sort of "spirituality is the same thing, regardless of who gives it to you, so the only way out is nonspirituality".
- The third and more practical factor is ignorance - if you don't know something exists, you aren't likely to care about it, much less try to find out more or join it.
It is almost certainly a blend of all of these, and more.
No definitely not. He is famous for attempting to prove Gods existence through his ontological arguments.
Why do atheists reject the design argument?
Primarily, the "design" argument is religious-faith-based construct and simply a new name for creationism. Atheists simply do not accept religious-faith-based arguments to explain the natural world.
Atheists tend to reject the design argument mainly because of our current knowledge of the theory of evolution. The vast majority of natural things which appear designed, such as wings, have been shown to be the process of evolution by natural selection.
There remain some things which appear designed that haven't yet been explained by evolutionary theory, but atheists typically argue that these are minor, and will be explained eventually since there is abundant evidence that supports evolution and it can be reproduced in the laboratory.
Another common line of argument is that the few things we cannot currently explain by evolution may never be explained, and for the time being it is better to say "we do not know" than "this means God did it". Scientific research is an ongoing process.
For an interesting and comprehensive discussion of 'intelligent design aka creationism" see the link provided below for the decision in Kitzmiller vs Dover.
Wyatt Ertel is an Americal high school student resident in Pinellas, Florida, who also works at Moe's Southwest Grill in Pinellas. He has a baby daughter called Irie- his religious beliefs are not clear, but he has a Facebook page which features him at prayer in more than one photograph, although he has also created a petition to get The Holy Bible banned on the grounds that it incites violence against women- he also believes in aliens and UFOs. He has what he refers to as a 'pre-existing condition' but does not elaborate upon what the nature of this is, and has been raising funds for a relative Devon Ertel. He has travelled extensively in Europe, although whether this is part of a sponsored trip to raise money for Devon or whether it is a desire to see Europe as a result of might be an ultimately terminal medical condition that will shorten his life, is unclear. He seems to be a somewhat obscure person with some contradictory beliefs.
No. She attended a church while growing up in Texas. Her mother was a Sunday School teacher there. She's stated in interviews and in her autobiography that she encouraged her daughters to know God and instilled values in them early on.
Do atheists believe in the nature of man?
I think a atheist only believe the nature of man.
Answer:
Atheists do not see the need for the existence of a deity to reach man's present state, Even though there is no general manifesto of how an atheist positions himself in the context of human society, in general they believe that man is the result of a long chain of environmental. evolutionary and ecological events. Human nature (morality, social interactions, social constructs, etc.) is the result of social evolution and altruism that furthers the existence of humans as a species.
Why was Huckleberry Finn banned for atheism?
Although Huckleberry Finn is fairly sceptical about religion (reflecting Mark Twain's scepticism), it's more it's racial language (particularly the use of the n-word) that's caused calls for the book to be banned from US schools - it's the fourth most banned book in USA schools.
Who are the Four Horsemen of Atheism?
The Four Horsemen of Atheism:
- Clinton Richard Dawkins (evolutionary biologist)
- Daniel Clement Dennett (cognitive scientist)
- Sam Harris (neuroscientist and philosopher)
- Christopher Eric Hitchens (journalist)
He is listed as a well known atheist and was known not to be religious.
How does society view atheist?
A recent poll puts Atheists somehow as one of the must distrusted groups in America, although no reason is given why and the poll was unscientic as well as very general. Many societies in the world are baed on secular principles and religion or lack of it does not enter into daily thoughts.
What do Atheists say about respecting others?
