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Atheism
Atheism is the disbelief in or denial of the existence of God or gods.
1,002 Questions
No, he's an agnostic, meaning that he's not sure whether there's a God or not.
What were some of the major beliefs in the philosophy of Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche?
Friedrich Nietzsche believed that religion in general, is a strong controlling group that uses cultural Morality to gain influence of a big, uneducated, majority. Also, he believed that everyday when people get more educated, there will be big chances of them not buying into religious nonsense; thus paraphrasing "God is dead."
Was albert einstain an atheist?
For Einstein the Word God was Devoid of the Divine.
Most mortals believe in a "personal God", in heaven and souls, in idols and all kinds of sacred follies - - - and they also believe that Einstein believed in God.
Not only Einstein's personal God had been dead all along. In fact God was never even alive according to Einstein.
According to Einstein, God is "a product of human weakness".
Einstein's quotes have been used by dealers of delusions to confuse the common man to fool him about Einstein's true religious beliefs. Einstein categorically rejected the supernatural.
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"It was, of course, a lie what you read about my religious convictions, a lie which is being systematically repeated. I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly."
, the quick answer is that Einstein (maybe) did not believe in a personal God. It is however, interesting how he arrived at that conclusion.
In developing the theory of relativity, Einstein realized that the equations led to the conclusion that the universe had a beginning. He didn't like the idea of a beginning, because he thought one would have to conclude that the universe was created by God. So, he added a cosmological constant to the equation to attempt to get rid of the beginning.
He said this was one of the worst mistakes of his life. Of course, the results of Edwin Hubble confirmed that the universe was expanding and had a beginning at some point in the past. So, Einstein became a deist - a believer in an impersonal creator God:
"I'm NOT an atheist and I don't think I can call myself a pantheist.
We are in the position of a little child entering a huge library filled with books in many languages. The child knows someone must have written those books. It does not know how. It does not understand the languages in which they are written. The child dimly suspects a mysterious order in the arrangements of the books, but doesn't know what it is. That, it seems to me, is the attitude of even the most intelligent human being toward God."
Towards the Further Shore (Victor Gollancz, London, 1968), p. 156; quoted in Jammer, p. 97
"I am able to recognize, there are yet people who say there is no God. But what really makes me angry is that they quote me for the support of such views."
The Viereck interview with Einstein appeared first in the Saturday Evening Post (Oct. 26, 1929, p.17)
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Where do Atheists practice their religion?
atheists aren't religious they believe there is no God therefore they do not practice religoin
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on the contrary. Religion does not have to be mystical or non-rational (no offense), religion by definition is a particular system of faith. Some atheist don't practice religion, yes. but other atheists like, well, me and the others, have our own religion... which in our case we prefer to have Science as our particular system of faith, so technically, some of us have a religion.
No. Tim mcilrath is a self proclaimed agnostic. He went to a catholic school as a child, but to this day he is an agnostic.
How do atheistic existentialism view money and career?
Money and career are different among demographics, so the opinion of such also differs. Secular humanism, as a philosophy, really has no bearing on either; money and your job are objectively measurable and assessed.
They are necessary to thrive.
What percentage of atheists live in America?
According to adherants.com, there are about 3 million atheists living in the USA (about 9% of the population). Worldwide, there are an estimated 200 million atheists worldwide (though other estimates vary wildly up to 1.1 billion, a number which seems to include the nonreligious, agnostics etc).
These figures would mean that 1.5% of atheists live in the USA. But figures on this are notoriously unreliable, as it is very difficult to estimate the number of atheists in countries where it would be a stigma. In Iran, for example, telling people you are atheist could put your life in danger. In the USA, it can lead to social stigma - and would certainly affect a career in politics in a negative manner.
The true number of atheists both in the USA and worldwide is almost certainly higher than stated, so a very rough guess is all you will be able to get, I'm afraid.
Also: the figures I gave are a few years out of date, and secularism (which includes atheism) is the fastest growing philosophy - outstripping all major religions for growth over the last 150 years - so those numbers are changing by the year.
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9% of the U.S. population would be about 27 million, not 3.
Why does the world hate atheists?
Because people (mostly other religious people) think atheists worship Satan or they have no morals. Or that atheists hate god (how can you hate something you don’t believe in?) or religious people.
None of those things are true. Atheists do not worship Satan (we don’t believe in devils or demons); we don’t hate and we’re not mad at God; and we most certainly have a strong moral compass as we base our morals upon empathy and doing no harm. We don’t need fear of punishment to do good, we do good because it’s the right thing to do.
Can you name a moral theory that focuses on intentions?
The details of moral theories are not my area of expertise, but I am sure that somebody will come along soon with some juicy morsels.
Most moral theories focus on intentions, as to do otherwise would render acts which were meant to be good as bad. For example, seeing somebody drop a wallet and handing it in at a police station would be a good intention. But if the contents of the wallet revealed to the Desk Sergeant that his new Constable was, in fact, an internal investigator gathering evidence for the Sergeant's corruption, then the outcome would be bad. However, the intention was not to aid a corrupt policeman, so while the result was bad, the intention was good: thus the person cannot be said to have been morally bad under most moral codes.
Some moral codes also include ones thoughts as intentions. They say that if you think something then that is as bad as doing it, even though one cannot help ones own thoughts.
It also depends what you mean by "intentions". Again, some moral codes focus on the interaction between people and the harm or good it causes, while other codes try to dictate what what two consenting adults can do whilst alone together, and harming nobody else. Some codes even extend this to dictate what one can do when totally alone, with no intention to harm anything or anyone.
Jainism has a rather nice central code: "do nothing to intentionally hurt or harm any other living thing". The Jains have had some trouble with that, though, since germ theory and antibiotics were discovered.
Most moral codes, however, reflect not the original teachings or writings (or whatever created them), but the attitude of the person who subscribes. Thus: a Christian, a Muslim, a Jew, a Hindu, a Humanist, and a Buddhist may all subscribe to the same moral code but call it different things and believe (or not) in gods of various types.
Why are most atheists so seemingly intolerant?
There are two kinds of atheists--the intolerant ones like Michael Newdow, and the other kind. You don't actually realize the other kind ARE atheists, so you don't notice them.
Very few atheists are religiously intolerant, but their level of intolerance makes up for the rest of us. Most atheists I know are very tolerant - since they view everyone as a person first and their adherence to Christianity, Islam, pastifarianism or wicca as being a part of their make-up (like taking their coffee black)
If you are looking at the "hot dogging" atheists who make money by being outspoken, then you should compare them to TV evangelists who do the same thing for their point of view. Even then, the atheists are a poor second.
If by "intolerant" you mean why don't they listen to the "truth" - they know their truth already, thank you very much!
If by "intolerant" you mean why do they speak up when the religious insert their beliefs into public functions, consider what would happen if a Satanist were to give the grace at a PTA supper. You would then see intolerance. Perhaps atheists only seem intolerant to those who are, themselves, intolerant. Their calm unwillingness to be 'converted' may sometimes seem intolerant.
Answer
Atheists seem intolerant because of the societal taboo of saying anything against religion. Any argument made against religion is usually seen as a personal attack because the believes are held "sacred" by that person.
People don't like being told they're wrong, especially about something like religion, so if an atheist makes an argument that Genesis did not really happen, the person is likely to take it as a person insult, rather than a simple statement of proof against what a book that's 2000+ years old says.
Richard Dawkins put it perfectly during the Q&A after a talk at Randolph-Macon Women's College in Virginia. A student from the closeby Liberty University (that is the Jerry Falwell founded university) said in preface to his question "I've never been so awed and insulted at the same time..." to which Dawkin's response started with, "I don't know why you should feel insulted. I didn't insult you. I insulted god."
I guess its the equivalent of the "your mama" joke, but it's a "your diety" joke... "Your deity is so intolerant that if a person has relations with an animal he doesn't just say to kill the person. He says the unfortunate beast must be killed as well!"
See? I bet someone's going to erase my answer now because they'll find that joke personally insulted even though it is not directed at anyone, nor is it anything untrue. (The bible really says that about human/animal relations... those poor animals.)
Answer
Atheists are quite intolerant. There is always a sense of superiority when they pretend they know the answers. Yes, people of faith can have an attitude as well. But there is a lot of mocking that goes on by many atheists. I have a number of friends that seem to constantly have to have Christianity mocking status messages on their Facebook. To take it out of a faith type comparison for a moment, think of it this way. Most people aren't vegetarians yet probably have a vegetarian friend. But of these meat eaters, how many go out of their way to belittle the beliefs of the vegetarians? How many put up status messages in hopes of putting down vegetarians? It simply doesn't happen. Christians do post things such as inspirational passages. I can't say that isn't done. They may even go as far as asking non believers to just take a look into the Bible sometime or to go to a service. But I just don't see anything mocking or attempts to belittle. That seems to be something that only atheists do. It just screams of insecurity.
Answer
While some atheists are intolerant, an unbiased study of the history of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam will reveal that these three religions are more so intolerant themselves. Jewish, Christian, and Islamic history is replete with persecution, murder, genocide, and ethnocide of non-believers. I would recommend a reading of Michel Onfray's book, "Atheist Manifesto".
Pastafarians take the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) (Blessed Be His Noodled Goodness) as their deity. Many non-believers claim the church is a parody religion that shows the spurious nature of claims of "main stream" theists who want to "teach the controversy" in the areas of evolution, global warming and the theory of intelligent falling (AKA the Theory of Universal Gravitation), as well as topics like need for prayer in schools, at the opening of government functions and the swearing in of officials and witnesses.
Note that proving the non-existence of the FSM is as difficult as proving the non-existence of any deity. Like the Church of the Invisible Pink Unicorn and the Church of the Sub-Genius, Pastafatians are steadfast in their beliefs.
Information and photos available at Link.
How can atheists believe there is no God when they cannot prove it?
Perhaps theists should say there is probably a God, and atheists say there is probably no God (as Dawkins does).
Do atheist believe in marriage?
Yes. They marry other atheists, agnostics, members of all other religions.
They get married in religious ceremonies if the other party wants and in civil ceremonies. They are also involved in common law relationships which are regarded as being the equivalent of marriage in many jurisdictions.
The reasons for this are property laws, an outward and public commitment to their relationship, to get gifts, to have a party, to satisfy in-laws, to satisfy a sense of drama.
AnswerI'm an atheist and I would love to get married one day. I'd like to meet a woman who I love more than anything in the world, and with whom I want to have children. I want to marry her because that is the traditional way that my culture expresses the devotion required to make a life-long committment to another person.But if it doesn't work out, I'll have no ethical problems with considering a divorce, rather than remain in a relationship which is making both parties miserable.
But I'm incredibly picky (maybe that's why I'm still single).. so I'm hoping that I've got a decent chance of finding my one true love.
The bucket, ladies and gentlemen, is situated in the far corner, for your convenience.
Answer :
I am an atheist and i never got married, because I think I do not need to do so to prove my love to the person who shares my life.
Atheists are free to marry any person they want to. Even in religious ceremonies.
Answer:
Marriage is a social contract between two people and any people can decide to enter into this contract. I think tying religion to marriage is just a way for people to give themselves some assurance that the contract will not be broken by either party.
What is the historical term used to describe the destruction of holy images?
Iconoclasm. A person who does this is an iconoclast.
What is an atheists view on death?
Whereas most modern religions teach that when a person dies, the soul progresses to an afterlife in heaven or hell, or is re-incarnated in a new life on earth, secular belief is that there is no afterlife. We will live on in the memories of our loved ones, friends and acquaintances.
What is the Atheist view of how the world began?
First it is important to note that atheism is not an organized doctrine that formulates any speculative "explanations" for things we cannot explain otherwise. Atheism is simply a lack of belief in gods. People who are atheists generally look to science to explain the world around us.
Opinions from contributors:
Opinion
Life was created simultaneously with the earth, and universe. It is impossible for someone to wave their fingers and create people. The first life was definitely not the result of Adam and Eve inbreeding to create our race and other animals.
Opinion
Religionists try to explain the world based on faith in their religious beliefs. Atheists do not. Atheists rely on science to tell us how life evolved. You must remember that not too long ago Galileo was punished by religious authorities for writing that the earth revolved around the sun when the prevailing religious doctrine held that the earth was at the center of the universe. Religion does not explain anything. Religious belief is the unquestioning acceptance of something as true in the absence of proof.
Opinion
People who do not believe in Divine intervention, for the first existence of life, explain it, by the chance mixing of amino acids during the earth's formation. The proof is that you can simulate the early atmosphere of the Earth in a jar and see these same amino acids form.
Amino acids form the DNA chains that are the blueprints for living organisms.
The jury is still out on 'how the acids linked to form the first rudimentary life', but one explanation is an incoming comet, which being a dirty snowball, had all the ingredients.
This need not be a purely atheist view. It mostly upsets 'creationists'.
God can be brought back into the equation, by declaring that 'Evolution is the tool that God uses, in order to create things.' And 'who threw that snowball at us?'
Atheists explain the creation of earth and the universe the same way theists explain the creation of God. They DON'T. Atheism doesn't imply that followers know how the world was created.
The core belief is that there is no God, That is the Basis for all atheism. Now this view changes based on the individual. Some believe that the thought of a God or higher power is a form of ignorance and as such should be actively "disproved". On the other hand there is the atheist that does not believe in a higher power, and that is the extent of their belief.
Some atheists might be upset at this definition because it might not reflect exactly what they themselves believe. What is a given is that They do not believe in a higher power. If they have a belief other than this, it is not atheism, perhaps they are agnostic
What is the meaning of an atheist?
Atheism is the acceptance that there is no credible scientific or factually reliable evidence for the existence of a god, gods or the supernatural.
Is it wrong for a christian to have a relationship with an atheist?
I guess, if you're willing to put religion aside. The fact is religion is not that important a question in finding a potential mate or lover. Most couples have wildly different views on many topics. In the long run if the relationship becomes permanent most topics which seem important at the onset of a relation, or which those not actually in the relationship see as important, become unimportant when real problems of health, children and finances arise and the couple must find their own way.
Any relation based on "only I am correct" is pretty much doomed.
Another Perspective
Religion is very important to some people and you shouldn't begin a relationship with someone whose personal views you cannot accept. You should not date an atheist with the hope of converting him or her. Each should respect the others views if they want to continue with the relationship.
If you decide to continue with the relationship, the topic of children should come up long before you decide to make the relationship permanent. It is extremely important to have an understanding and a plan about how the children will be raised: with or without religion. That issue can cause serious problems in a marriage when opinions differ. It often happens that a deeply religious person who is married to a person of a different view wants the children brought up within the religion. Much family life revolves around religion in a religious household and the non-religious person can become marginalized or subject to repeated pressure to change.
On the other hand, if the parties are mature and loving, the relationship can flourish.
What is the difference between a non believer and an atheist?
Answer:
Theists (this would include Christians) believe:
- in god or gods
- the intervention of god or gods to alter probability and natural laws either randomly or through prayer
- goodness comes from the gods not from human minds
- some sort of afterlife
- some "purpose" to life
- some sort of eternal part ot humans (e.g. souls)
While there is no atheist "Bible" of beliefs there are several common threads in most atheists' worldviews:
- there is no deity, heaven, hell, devil, salvation etc.
- science works and gives us the best available understanding of the Universe
- people are moral without the threat of displeasing a deity
- life is a wonderful thing, parrtly because it is so fleeting
- altruism is a god thing, everybody wins
- there are no miracles, just probability
- when you're dead, you're dead
- they don't want you to try and "save" them
What percentage of the people in Canada are atheists?
Hard to say. Sadly, many Christians in Canada have been brainwashed into secularism.
Christianity is the primary religion of Canada. About half of all Christians in Canada are from the Roman Catholic Church.
What are some negative aspects about Christianity?
ANSWER:
The "bad things" about Christianity is the fact that there thousands of churches that claim to follow the Teachings of Christ.
Christ roundly condemned interdenominationalism (``And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.'' Mark 3:25).
Wicca is a facet of Paganism. Like Lutherans, Catholics and Seventh Day Adventists are Christians. The early practitioners of the Wiccan religion and of all Pagans in general were singled out and dubbed witches by the Roman Catholic Church and linked to devil worship. This was done in an effort to gain power, followers, acceptance and wealth. Thus today Wiccans and witchcraft have the negative connotations they do when in essence it was and is a religious system based on affinity with mother earth, use of herbs and other plants for various maladies and with groups of people combining their spiritual powers to effect changes or occurrences for the greater good.
For example: modern western society does not condemn or persecute homosexuals. But some Christians do. Most Christians do not believe this any more, but some on the right still do.
The same goes for women: modern western society accords women equal status and rights with men. Most Christians agree. The Mormons, however, do not. Neither do many evangelists.
AnswerIt should be noted that there are very good darwinistic reasons for morality. As mammals, we humans are very communal animals. We depend upon each other greatly, not just within a familial sense, but in a greater tribal sense as well. Examinations of the social interactions of other primates show us that it is not uncommon in nature for like animals to have an ingrained code of ethics when dealing with each other.
These codes of ethics are very rudimentary, and may not seem very moralistic to us humans, but it is easy to see how such behavioral norms are benificial to the speicies in an evolutionary way, and perhaps even a necessary part of any reasonably advanced social creature. After all, neanderthal man depended on his tribemates for survival. The neanderthal man who cheats, steals, and murders isn't as likely to pass on his genes as the neanderthal man who helps and loves his neighbors.
Thus we see how natural selection leads to morality.
AnswerYes they can. I am not an atheists myself but I do believe that they can be. A person who is atheist usually uses a myth approach which they teach in mythology in college. Being moral means to be good in nature and just because your religions views, or lack there of, is different doesn't mean that you can't be moral. AnswerIt all depends on the person. There are wonderful people of every background and belief and some terrible people from every one, too.
Was any signer of the declaration of independence an atheist?
The founders were a mixed group of Protestants that included the following denominations and included in that list were several who were also Deists.
- Episcopalian/Anglican
- Presbyterian
- Congregationalist
- Quaker
- Dutch Reformed/German Reformed
- Lutheran
- Catholic
- Huguenot
- Unitarian
- Methodist
There were no declared atheists who signed the Declaration of Independence. People who know about religious belief and rejected it as a part of their own life were treated with suspicion and contempt then much as they are today by religionists. However, a simple answer wouldn't explain the issue of atheism at that time. Several factors should be discussed to provide an informed answer to your question. Remember that this was the age of the Scientific Revolution and the Age of Enlightenment. Atheism was gaining a foothold in Europe among the intellectuals. Deism might be considered the first bridge leading from the traditional religious belief systems to atheism.
Deism holds that God does not interfere with the functioning of the natural world in any way. The world may have had a supernatural creator, who then stepped back, leaving nature to run things. He was not concerned with the daily life of people and did not communicate with them through books or revelation. Deists were more intellectually inclined individuals who were raised as Christians but viewed organized religion with disfavor. They didn't believe in supernatural events, the inerrancy of the bible or the Trinity.
Deists favored religious toleration, which would have supported an open expression of atheism. They tended to favor the civil freedom of conscience which was every person's right. Deists viewed the world with reason. An interesting aspect of reason is that free exercise of reason makes it possible to reason one's way into atheism. In fact, the United States Constitution did away with the harsh religious persecution practiced by the Puritans that was rampant in Colonial America. It bestowed all our citizens with the right to exercise the beliefs of their own choosing without fear of punishment. In no way did it launch the new nation as a Christian nation.
