Samantha Stein on The Atheist and The Bishop (BBC R4) - part 2

Interview with Samantha Stein and a Muslim science teacher on BBC Radio 4s 3 part documentary on ethics and religion in modern society.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Camp Quest
• AC Grayling
• Antony Grayling
• Richard Harries
• Atheist
• Atheism
• NOMA
• Secular
• Secularism
• Secular Education
• Inter-faith
• Samantha Stein

[Bezwaar123]

Atheism (i.e. nihilism) will always be in the minority since there has to be purpose in the world. Once the current atheism fad reaches its maximum influence and laid waste to the West, Judaism, Christianity and Islam will fill the void.

[kyrillp]

Ah right, thanks for clearning that up for me. A nihilist summer camp would be awesome! "let's go play on the swing Jack" "why? my displacement will ultimately reset to zero, let us instead sit and stare dispondently into the fire". I'm also glad that's you're inclusive in your view of meaningful gods

[ThePurpleSpeck]

Atheism and nihilism are not the same thing. Nihilism is the view that constructs of moral purpose and order are false; atheism is the state of being unconvinced a deity exists.

I don't accept the assertion that there necessarily 'has to be purpose in the world', and I struggle to see how not believing something exists will lay waste to anything.

[kyrillp]

You pre-suppose that Bezwaar came to this conclusion through his own logic rather than through mantra fabricated to insure membership prevails in his particular sect

[kyrillp]

well yeah I agree, but I guess a theist would say "that's not god's way" which is certainly very convenient but hard to argue against.

[ThePurpleSpeck]

Well quite possibly, but I still think noting the statement doesn't represent me is worthwhile.

[jamesstephenbrown]

"Science can't prove God"?

While I agree that science can't disprove God, it could well prove God, if God existed. If God were to appear and perform undeniable miracles then we could record them and prove that they happened. Just because a theory isn't falsifiable doesn't mean it's not provable. It just means, until it's proven there is no point paying it any attention.