Comments on: Atheism

By: ltbugaf

ltbugaf — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 01:03:52 +0000

OK. What kind of beings behave irrationally, constantly?

By: Kim Siever

Kim Siever — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 23:19:49 +0000

He didn’t say the beings are irrational, just that their believing in something not based on reason is irrational. After all, the definition of ‘rational’ is consistent with or based on reason.

By: rick

rick — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 20:39:58 +0000

I continue to stand in awe of my ability to amaze you.

By: ltbugaf

ltbugaf — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 19:58:29 +0000

Since you dismiss all people who exercise faith as irrational beings, I continue to be amazed at how much time you choose to spend arguing with them.

By: rick

rick — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 19:41:20 +0000

The point is that in order for a rational discussion to take place, you must remove the irrational.

Believing in something regardless of any facts is irrational.

Believing in something regardless of any facts is faith.

By: ltbugaf

ltbugaf — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 19:25:55 +0000

Let’s get everyone who holds an opinion on issue X into a room to discuss it. Only first, to ensure objectivity, let’s disqualify everyone who believes that X is true. Once they’re out of the room, we’ll be able to have a balanced, rational discussion.

This is essentially what happens when everyone who believes in God is disqualified from speaking because they’re introducing religion, and everyone who doesn’t believe in God is encouraged to go on speaking. That’s Elder Packer’s concern. It’s not stupid, it’s not disingenuous, and it’s not invalid.

By: rick

rick — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 19:24:30 +0000

Are we speaking the same language here?

Your definitions for #1 and #2 are exactly the same as mine.

I also hold that your ‘ignorants’ are atheists, as well.

Your argument that atheism is a religious topic is akin to me saying that vegetarianism is a Hinduist topic since they both deal with the slaughter of animals for consumption.

It makes no sense.

Atheism unto itself is not a religion.

By: Jeff Milner

Jeff Milner — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 18:41:06 +0000

Is there a difference between saying:

I don’t believe there is a god.I believe there is no god.

Essentially they are the same thing. #1 is a clear statement that the person does not believe. To say that #2 is a belief about a religious topic, thereby making it a religion, is frankly, disingenuous, probably motivated on undermining what the atheists consider their intelligent evaluation of the evidence (or lack thereof) of the existence of deity.

Atheism is not a religion.

By: ltbugaf

ltbugaf — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 18:05:03 +0000

As to why Elder Packer uses the term “religion” in referring to them, I’ve already discussed that amply above. If it’s still beyond you, then either re-read or ask some questions.

By: ltbugaf

ltbugaf — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 18:04:02 +0000

Yes, Rick. I know that #2 has decided it’s unknowable and #1 has decided gods don’t exist. I already told you that. What I’m trying to figure out is what terms you have for them. Do you just call them all the same thing, erasing any definitional distinctions between “atheist” and “agnostic”?