Re: 5 Questions for Atheists (Veritas 48)

These responses come from something of a position of methodological naturalism, which rejects the category of the supernatural. From this position the entity known as 'god', should it turn out to exist, would be defined as a new phenomenon of natural origin and ontology, and therefore worthy of study. The answer to the first question would therefore be of this type. Two other questions refer to 'belief' which I do not regard as an entitely useful or indicative sense to judge the validity of any statement or experience, not do I think that the most interesting phenomena are those in which one believes; some of my most rewarding relationships are with ideas that I 'entertain' or 'play with' or 'invest in' or 'hope for' or 'fight against'. Belief is fairly low on my list of priorities. Regarding whether 'the new atheists' have been a useful addition to the various discussions around religion, I would say definately yes. Any set of ideas not only needs space to exist but also needs challenges to test its muscles against, and the established religions are distinctly flabby, with atrophied ideas and dull arguments. The rigours of a good work-out in the intellectual playground of open source knowledge will do religion a world of good. It might even turn into something I'd be willing to be seen out with.

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[Mtaalas]

After a minute I must say at least this:

Even if the naturalistic view of the world has nothing to say that there can't be god, it's not even the atheistic view to say "there's no god".

Atheism is disbelief in the claim that there's a god. and the disbelief is a default position when someone makes a positive claim about anything without any proof or evidence to back up that claim. There's no certainty that there's no god, only mathematics has certainties of any kind, but there's no proof either.

[conferencereport]

@Mtaalas I guess it would depend on whether you considered yourself a strong or weak atheist, or what Antony Flew calls a 'positive' or 'negative' atheist. A negative or weak atheist lacks a belief in a god (which is what you seem to be saying here) whereas a strong or positive atheist asserts a belief that there is no god. You're right that the former is more compatible with rational scepticism.

[skilletdrummer12]

Whether you continue the conversation or not, seriously you should read the book, even if not to learn about, then to laugh at us. Whether you are a Christian or not, it is a good read.

[conferencereport]

@skilletdrummer12 I have read it, and with all due respect, it's rubbish. I'm not laughing at you thought

[skilletdrummer12]

You act as though believing in God is a disease! You act as there is no evidence for Him and that if you believe then you are obviously delusional! This is false, for there is evidence for a Supreme Being. Read the book, A Case for a Creator. This book will help you out. It has much evidence, and in my belief, disproves Atheism. Christianity is not a disease! Even if your atheism was right, what would it matter. I would rather die believing God and being wrong than believing in no God at all.

[conferencereport]

@skilletdrummer12 Your last sentence tells me that there is not point continuing this conversation. Thanks for contributing and I wish you well.

[hakaboy6924]

In the beginning man created God

[Mtaalas]

@Mtaalas and to continue up: I watched the whole video and then thought a minute, read the comments and decided to define it once again as it's correctly defined. I saw too many people having trouble to understand what's atheism even is. Keep it going.

[TickingHand]

You would be an amazing person add to a crew for an epic deep space adventure.

[TheWeddingProducer]

Why are english people so ugly?

[TheUberCayk]

if you managed to program yourself into a belief you have to have an insane amount of will power to 'unprogram yourself'

if you managed to truthly convert yourself to a belief (i mean truley believe it) and go back then that is ver impressive,

other than that i respect your ability to argue your point very well whilst acknowledging other factors/ opinions

[Archy2034]

dont worry big guy.... "deny me on earth, and I will deny you in front of my father" you may need to rethink atheism.... to all the other atheist.. the same goes to you... you die and all of a sudden see God and want to believe, it will be too late.

[mikeisapro]

I think you are spot on about religious people having ingrained, unhealthy views about authority/perfection. It has seriously affected my father. Every little "mistake" he makes is such a big deal, same with me. This man can not think for himself at all, he needs an Instruction Book for the easiest of tasks (putting together a simple desk, any software installation, anything that has instructions) He needs everything to be told to him from an authority, and he plays master-slave games. Hes sick

[cake1834]

@strawberryraspberry5 cool it still does change its code