Lack of belief is not a belief. At best, what is written on this art poster is like a sort of guess and shoulder shrug. After weighing the facts available, the author/creator has simply deduced a working philosophy; one that is far more logical and meaningful in the end than a theistic stance.
Is it nihilism? Not exactly. Nihilism is the belief that everything comes from nothing, is pointless and ultimately is destroyed. Has he said life is pointless? No, he said it means whatever you want it to mean.
And, by contrast, is eternalism any better? What is the point of living forever? Simply existing in perpetuity isn't any more meaningful than being mortal. Similarly, a theistic belief isn't any more meaningful since all meaning is arbitrary and subjective. In the end, they are equal, whether the meaning is ascribed by YOU or by "God." Meaning is ascribed by someone and someone exists for a period of time, imbuing his various actions with meaning of his choosing and whose choices affect t
hose around him. They are equally meaningful or meaningless.
Atheism is, however, the more logical choice for the very obvious reasons that there are in reality no inherently existing things. An inherently existing thing could have no beginning, no end and no possibility of change. Yet, everything in the universe begins, changes and ends, existing only as very temporary phenomena in dependence upon other temporary phenomena. This flux appears to have existed eternally and, logically, there is no reason to believe otherwise. Therefore, God is a truly nonsensical concept in the most straightforward sense. But, then, we all knew that from the very simple question "if all things supposedly need a creator, who created the creator?"
Your argument states that changes/states of flux are eternal. Thus through your argument, change is in fact an inherently existing thing since everything is and apparently has been changing with no apparent beginning and no apparent end in sight. Even the big bang is a continuous cycle with not apparent end or beginning, and because of that cycle the big bang's continuous and eternal state of change ensures that flux/change never will change.
mind frak?!? thanks for the string of thought buddy
The rejection of belief is not a belief in itself. What your putting forward is akin to saying that not smoking is a habit, or not collecting coins is a hobby.
Lack of belief in God or anything else is a belief because you believe it's fake. You can't stop believing like you can smoking because belief is an idea and a very different concept than smoking or collecting something. You smoke or you don't but just because you don't smoke, it does not mean you believe it's wrong. To not have a belief is to not have an opinion on a subject at all. If you say something does not exist then you hold the belief that it does not exist there for believing. Also believing is not a choice if you are sane and you see the sun rise then you must believe the sun rises. However there are certain things you can choose to believe in, mostly things you can't see happening or verify them yourself. Atheism means no belief in a deity or deities and if you go by the very stupid notion that religion equates to belief then atheism would be considered a religion just as Buddhism or satanism believe in no higher power but are in fact religions.
atheism isn't a religion, but it is a belief. you believe there is no god and choose to live as such. anger brings you nowhere, in fact, it probably humorous to the people you are trying to "convince"
No, Atheism is the belief that there is no god. The lack of belief in a god could be qualified as agnosticism or atheism, but both are defined and very different. As such, you either need to accept that theism MAY be true and you just don't know, or assert that it is NOT true, which requires some evidence on your part. You aren't just given a free pass on this because.
everything is nothing, it is all an illusion that we try give meaning to. what im trying to say is that ur nothing means something to me and vica versa....... anyhow peace be with and take a chill pill
his/her point is not that of religion, the point was that we don't need to follow guidelines set by others and conform to society, we can make up our own morals. Atheism is a religion, its just not a main stream one
No you are wrong neoform, because your are creating your own religion by not believing, as much as you do not wish to believe it you are an atheist. Which is a religion, not a very knowledgeable one but is still a religion.
I'm an atheist alright, but atheism isn't a religion. Notice how you didn't capitalize the word "atheist"? Think about that for a second.
Also note that 'religion' is defined as a belief in a super natural being or beings. Atheists do not believe in ghosts, gods or goblins or any other fairy tales, and we do not ascribe to any religion.
Like I said, atheism is as much of a religion as 'not collecting stamps' is a hobby.
I would agree with you that atheism isn't a religion, but it is a worldview. The funny thing is, the theist has more logic/reason than you do to support their worldview! I doubt you have any sort of reason to think God does not exist. But what does it matter? You are already dead. Any effort you put in this world, you are just wasting time till the inevitable heat-death and cosmic expansion of the universe. You do not even know the inevitable consequences your worldview MUST imply.
Logic?! Reason?!?! Are you serious!? I think you should read the bible again. If you look at it from a logical standpoint and a higher intelligence quotient than 65 you would be able to see that it resembles fairy tales quite strikingly.
Ha, atheism isnt a world view, it is simply not believing in a god. that is all it is. and how can you say theists have more logic than atheists? the whole point of religion is that there is a certain amount of belief involved. and belief is not logical.
World-view: A comprehensive world view (or worldview) is the fundamental cognitive orientation of an individual or society encompassing natural philosophy, fundamental existential and normative postulates or themes, values, emotions, and ethics.
Don't be an idiot and deny that being an atheist isn't a world-view. And while you are correct that being an atheist is simply not believing in a god everyone adds a twist to it "God is fake evolution is true!" or "Evolution and god don't exist life is nothing" so on and so forth. Belief is logical. I believe the sun rises every day. I believe that if I put my hand on a hot stove it will hurt. Belief is part of life kiddo. Get used to it, oh and start using your goddamn brain.
No you don't, you know the sun rises every day, you know the stove is hot.
How do you know these things? You can scientifically conclude this through experimentation and logical deduction.
Too many people confuse what they know with what they believe. Then they take the word "faith" and make it synonymous with "belief", and make it seem like it's normal and logical to believe in something that cannot in any way, shape or form, prove the existence of a supernatural being.
If you believe in god(s), feel free to point out why YOUR god is the right one, and how every other god(s) out there is wrong.
Read my other post that explains my point. "Religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of life and the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a supernatural agency,[1] or human beings’ relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, spiritual, or divine.[2] Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life. They tend to derive morality, ethics, religious laws or a preferred lifestyle from their ideas about the cosmos and human nature."
That is the definition of religion it does not mean you must believe in something supernatural it just means you have to have beliefs about life in general through that definition atheism is a religion which isn't a bad thing you just hate the word and you know it.
Actually Ryan, If you look at the facts, Atheism is the more knowledgeable one as we have more "factual" evidence of our beliefs (or non-beliefs). If you choose to believe that there is an invisible man in the sky that can listen to all we say and do at all times it is called religion. If you choose not to... it is atheism, plain and simple. Then again, I guess it would all depend on the your definition of the word "religion". Why don't you look it up for yourself.
has anyone noticed that the ones arguing for atheism, seem to harbor a lot of animosity towards anyone that does not share their own beliefs, while the "others" seem to be quite pleasant and non-darrogatory , i found this humorous
But atheists, historically, have never taken that animosity further by organising a crusade, or placing a jihad upon a person or group. Traditionally the concept of "believe what I tell you, or I'll hurt you" has been the practise for most religions. And even cases in recent history as well as today, this is demonstrated. (Belgrade, Bahgdad, Bombay, Beirut, Belfast and Bethlehem to name a few...)
There's a reason 'the burden of proof arguement' is a favourate one amongst atheists, because acknowledging 'fact' through 'proof' and 'evidence' has been pretty successful in bringing us useful medicine, and astounding sciencfic knowledge, as well as being one of the best trains of thought to have been conceptualised in the history of man.
jeese. cant ANYONE just take this for face value and just move on?? noone cares about anyone else's opinion apperently, especially the stubborn, so just add this to your beliefs or dont, then shut up and move on.
Have to disagree with you there Anonymous Dude. Dogmas involve rules that apply to all individuals regardless of their persona or situation. To ask people to follow their 'authentic' selves, as it were, is exactly what he claims: Anti-dogmatic. Just saying ;)
I hope you realize that, in refuting all the other major dogmas, you've created a dogma yourself and are telling people to follow it. Just saying.
Lack of belief is not a belief. At best, what is written on this art poster is like a sort of guess and shoulder shrug. After weighing the facts available, the author/creator has simply deduced a working philosophy; one that is far more logical and meaningful in the end than a theistic stance.
Is it nihilism? Not exactly. Nihilism is the belief that everything comes from nothing, is pointless and ultimately is destroyed. Has he said life is pointless? No, he said it means whatever you want it to mean.
And, by contrast, is eternalism any better? What is the point of living forever? Simply existing in perpetuity isn't any more meaningful than being mortal. Similarly, a theistic belief isn't any more meaningful since all meaning is arbitrary and subjective. In the end, they are equal, whether the meaning is ascribed by YOU or by "God." Meaning is ascribed by someone and someone exists for a period of time, imbuing his various actions with meaning of his choosing and whose choices affect t
hose around him. They are equally meaningful or meaningless.
Atheism is, however, the more logical choice for the very obvious reasons that there are in reality no inherently existing things. An inherently existing thing could have no beginning, no end and no possibility of change. Yet, everything in the universe begins, changes and ends, existing only as very temporary phenomena in dependence upon other temporary phenomena. This flux appears to have existed eternally and, logically, there is no reason to believe otherwise. Therefore, God is a truly nonsensical concept in the most straightforward sense. But, then, we all knew that from the very simple question "if all things supposedly need a creator, who created the creator?"
Your argument states that changes/states of flux are eternal. Thus through your argument, change is in fact an inherently existing thing since everything is and apparently has been changing with no apparent beginning and no apparent end in sight. Even the big bang is a continuous cycle with not apparent end or beginning, and because of that cycle the big bang's continuous and eternal state of change ensures that flux/change never will change.
mind frak?!? thanks for the string of thought buddy
The rejection of belief is not a belief in itself. What your putting forward is akin to saying that not smoking is a habit, or not collecting coins is a hobby.
Lack of belief in God or anything else is a belief because you believe it's fake. You can't stop believing like you can smoking because belief is an idea and a very different concept than smoking or collecting something. You smoke or you don't but just because you don't smoke, it does not mean you believe it's wrong. To not have a belief is to not have an opinion on a subject at all. If you say something does not exist then you hold the belief that it does not exist there for believing. Also believing is not a choice if you are sane and you see the sun rise then you must believe the sun rises. However there are certain things you can choose to believe in, mostly things you can't see happening or verify them yourself. Atheism means no belief in a deity or deities and if you go by the very stupid notion that religion equates to belief then atheism would be considered a religion just as Buddhism or satanism believe in no higher power but are in fact religions.
Not smoking is a choice just as smoking is a choice.
There for not believing in anything is just as much of a choice as believing is.
What does choice have to do with religion?
ATHEISM IS NOT A RELIGION, get it in your fraking head.
Not playing hockey is not a sport. Not collecting stamps is not a hobby. Nothingness is not something. Null is not a number.
frak, why is this so hard for you dimwits to understand?
atheism isn't a religion, but it is a belief. you believe there is no god and choose to live as such. anger brings you nowhere, in fact, it probably humorous to the people you are trying to "convince"
my friend. atheism is just what is says. not theism. it is not a belief system. disbelief of religion is not a belief in and of itself.
No, Atheism is the belief that there is no god. The lack of belief in a god could be qualified as agnosticism or atheism, but both are defined and very different. As such, you either need to accept that theism MAY be true and you just don't know, or assert that it is NOT true, which requires some evidence on your part. You aren't just given a free pass on this because.
WOW seems like someone needs to jump on the happy train.
everything is nothing, it is all an illusion that we try give meaning to. what im trying to say is that ur nothing means something to me and vica versa....... anyhow peace be with and take a chill pill
Negative. Not believing in religion is not a religion. FYI, 'not collecting stamps' is not a hobby.
his/her point is not that of religion, the point was that we don't need to follow guidelines set by others and conform to society, we can make up our own morals. Atheism is a religion, its just not a main stream one
It definitely is not a religion.
This poster is trying to tell other people how to live their lives. sounds like religion to me
You clearly have no idea what a religion is then.
religion |riˈlijən|
noun
the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods
--American New Oxford Dictionary
...atheism is def not a religion
No you are wrong neoform, because your are creating your own religion by not believing, as much as you do not wish to believe it you are an atheist. Which is a religion, not a very knowledgeable one but is still a religion.
Nope, you're wrong.
I'm an atheist alright, but atheism isn't a religion. Notice how you didn't capitalize the word "atheist"? Think about that for a second.
Also note that 'religion' is defined as a belief in a super natural being or beings. Atheists do not believe in ghosts, gods or goblins or any other fairy tales, and we do not ascribe to any religion.
Like I said, atheism is as much of a religion as 'not collecting stamps' is a hobby.
I would agree with you that atheism isn't a religion, but it is a worldview. The funny thing is, the theist has more logic/reason than you do to support their worldview! I doubt you have any sort of reason to think God does not exist. But what does it matter? You are already dead. Any effort you put in this world, you are just wasting time till the inevitable heat-death and cosmic expansion of the universe. You do not even know the inevitable consequences your worldview MUST imply.
Logic?! Reason?!?! Are you serious!? I think you should read the bible again. If you look at it from a logical standpoint and a higher intelligence quotient than 65 you would be able to see that it resembles fairy tales quite strikingly.
Ha, atheism isnt a world view, it is simply not believing in a god. that is all it is. and how can you say theists have more logic than atheists? the whole point of religion is that there is a certain amount of belief involved. and belief is not logical.
World-view: A comprehensive world view (or worldview) is the fundamental cognitive orientation of an individual or society encompassing natural philosophy, fundamental existential and normative postulates or themes, values, emotions, and ethics.
Don't be an idiot and deny that being an atheist isn't a world-view. And while you are correct that being an atheist is simply not believing in a god everyone adds a twist to it "God is fake evolution is true!" or "Evolution and god don't exist life is nothing" so on and so forth. Belief is logical. I believe the sun rises every day. I believe that if I put my hand on a hot stove it will hurt. Belief is part of life kiddo. Get used to it, oh and start using your goddamn brain.
No you don't, you know the sun rises every day, you know the stove is hot.
How do you know these things? You can scientifically conclude this through experimentation and logical deduction.
Too many people confuse what they know with what they believe. Then they take the word "faith" and make it synonymous with "belief", and make it seem like it's normal and logical to believe in something that cannot in any way, shape or form, prove the existence of a supernatural being.
If you believe in god(s), feel free to point out why YOUR god is the right one, and how every other god(s) out there is wrong.
I await your evidence.
those were legitimately the most faulty analogies ever. nice try
Read my other post that explains my point. "Religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of life and the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a supernatural agency,[1] or human beings’ relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, spiritual, or divine.[2] Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life. They tend to derive morality, ethics, religious laws or a preferred lifestyle from their ideas about the cosmos and human nature."
That is the definition of religion it does not mean you must believe in something supernatural it just means you have to have beliefs about life in general through that definition atheism is a religion which isn't a bad thing you just hate the word and you know it.
Actually Ryan, If you look at the facts, Atheism is the more knowledgeable one as we have more "factual" evidence of our beliefs (or non-beliefs). If you choose to believe that there is an invisible man in the sky that can listen to all we say and do at all times it is called religion. If you choose not to... it is atheism, plain and simple. Then again, I guess it would all depend on the your definition of the word "religion". Why don't you look it up for yourself.
has anyone noticed that the ones arguing for atheism, seem to harbor a lot of animosity towards anyone that does not share their own beliefs, while the "others" seem to be quite pleasant and non-darrogatory , i found this humorous
But atheists, historically, have never taken that animosity further by organising a crusade, or placing a jihad upon a person or group. Traditionally the concept of "believe what I tell you, or I'll hurt you" has been the practise for most religions. And even cases in recent history as well as today, this is demonstrated. (Belgrade, Bahgdad, Bombay, Beirut, Belfast and Bethlehem to name a few...)
There's a reason 'the burden of proof arguement' is a favourate one amongst atheists, because acknowledging 'fact' through 'proof' and 'evidence' has been pretty successful in bringing us useful medicine, and astounding sciencfic knowledge, as well as being one of the best trains of thought to have been conceptualised in the history of man.
Communism is responsible for quite a few dead and is based on athism as much as the evils done by Christians is based on what Jesus taught.
People do not kill in the name of no god, they kill people because they're politically problematic.
Religious murders are often done because people think their man in the sky wants them dead.
Try having religion rammed down your throat your whole life.
just say "no thank you I am full" the politely excuse yourself from the table to do other things. Maybe stumble upon?
Nice to see you are able to make yourself superior to both sides.
jeese. cant ANYONE just take this for face value and just move on?? noone cares about anyone else's opinion apperently, especially the stubborn, so just add this to your beliefs or dont, then shut up and move on.
Have to disagree with you there Anonymous Dude. Dogmas involve rules that apply to all individuals regardless of their persona or situation. To ask people to follow their 'authentic' selves, as it were, is exactly what he claims: Anti-dogmatic. Just saying ;)
This is a truly wonderful observation.