Post by Sam Harris on Jun 25, 2013 18:45:06 GMT 9.5
“In fact, "atheism" is a term that should not even exist. No one ever needs to identify himself as a "non-astrologer" or a "non-alchemist." We do not have words for people who doubt that Elvis is still alive or that aliens have traversed the galaxy only to molest ranchers and their cattle. Atheism is nothing more than the noises reasonable people make in the presence of unjustified religious beliefs.” - Sam Harris.
Athiests do not believe in the existence of God or Gods. I think that is alright. One can't force one's self to believe in something. I also know a few athiests who live full and interesting lives, they are rather philosophical about their looming 'end' - and probably fit more into the one life they believe in while they are still here than we who might think 'next time round'.
We have one famous talk show host here in Australia who takes great(intellectual)pride in declaring that 'this is it, there is no more'. But I have noticed over the years that he invites a large number of (intellectual type) guests onto his show to talk about death, and their thoughts and experiences with that subject.
"Atheism is the last resort for folks who cannot or will not believe. Their lives must be truly empty." - me
Atheism is the default position for those who can belief but have found no deity in which to believe. Their lives are enriched by life itself.
Stephen F. Roberts - "I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours."
“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?” - Epicurus.
"Atheism is the last resort for folks who cannot or will not believe. Their lives must be truly empty." - me
I wonder sometimes whether people use the term atheist somewhat loosely.
It seems to me that most people lack recognisable evidence about gods and hence would be agnostic rather than atheist.
Atheism seems to me to be a doctrine - a belief that gods definitely do not exist. In the absence of evidence that seems to be deliberate choice of position.
Why would a rational person take such a position in the absence of evidence? Surely it is rational to await evidence before deciding?
Of course some decisions might never be made as evidence might never be found, but what is the harm in not deciding?
As an analogy I might point out that 150 years of search has not found the missing link to justify the theory that humans descended (ascended?) from monkeys, but the lack of evidence has not been of the least consequence to believers.
Why is it necessary to decide about gods when the evidence is not in place?
Is it a matter of who has pride of place within Existence?
"So what would be an easy example of extrapolating from human families to a higher correspondence of the same pattern?" relationships between family members can be extrapolated to any scale.
I don't think God would care in the least if we did not believe in Him. Most parents get the "I hate you" from the losing end of the argument some time or the other. Love is love. As parents we know they will mature in their own good time.
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting…trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home -Wordsworth