I was responding to 'they would have nothing to talk about.' I agree, atheism is not a religion. Often, however atheists share epistemologies, ontologies and have similar opinions about a wide range of phenomena. It is often presented as if atheists mere share a lack of belief, and while technically possible, in reality it is not true.ThomasHobbes wrote: ↑May 31st, 2018, 3:21 amI know that. Some people just want to avoid theists. It's a waste of time looking for social interaction or going on a date only to find out that the person you have been talking to, buying drinks etc. is a god botherer.Karpel Tunnel wrote: ↑May 30th, 2018, 8:33 pm
Then there are an incredible number confused atheists. Just google 'atheist club' 'atheist organisation' 'atheist social groups' or check out meetup for atheist social meetups.
This does not amount to a "religion"
The End of Atheism
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Re: The End of Atheism
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Re: The End of Atheism
Calling atheism a religion is just something some people do to annoy atheists, I don't take that seriously.
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Re: The End of Atheism
Although if you are talking about Americans who self identify as atheists then you can start to make some generalities. But only generalities.
By the way. Why do you want atheists to share opinions?
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Re: The End of Atheism
I'm sorry. I thought I was free to voice an opinion. Your liking or disliking is irrelevant.
The last sentence of the OP reads, "So the argument about the existence of a divine superintelligence is over. Let's move on to more important issues: peace, justice, rational law and the freedom of the individual." There are so many hidden assumptions in there that it would take an entire book to cover. What do you want me to do? Quote extensively from The Last Superstition? I can do that, ya know, but then you'd complain that I don't have any any original thoughts.
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Re: The End of Atheism
Sadly the argument is not decided, And when Israel guns down 60 unarmed protestors, and ISIS beheads infidels what lies behind that is the notion of God- the same one paradoxically.Dark Matter wrote: ↑May 31st, 2018, 2:21 pmI'm sorry. I thought I was free to voice an opinion. Your liking or disliking is irrelevant.
The last sentence of the OP reads, "So the argument about the existence of a divine superintelligence is over. Let's move on to more important issues: peace, justice, rational law and the freedom of the individual." There are so many hidden assumptions in there that it would take an entire book to cover. What do you want me to do? Quote extensively from The Last Superstition? I can do that, ya know, but then you'd complain that I don't have any any original thoughts.
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Re: The End of Atheism
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Re: The End of Atheism
For me religion has an undeserved special status. I see it as no different than any other unreasonable belief. If you removed religion from the world tomorrow by magic there would be barely any change, in my opinion.
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Re: The End of Atheism
Often they are the rationalisations for actions that would have been taken, around resources, say, in any case. They justify the demonization - in those tworst cases - so that desired actions can be taken.Eduk wrote: ↑June 1st, 2018, 2:15 am Only religion? Does politics not serve equally well? Where does religion end and politics begin?
For me religion has an undeserved special status. I see it as no different than any other unreasonable belief. If you removed religion from the world tomorrow by magic there would be barely any change, in my opinion.
I would extend politics to include economic preferences. This may be considere obvious, but it's an area of politics often gets couched as science.
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Re: The End of Atheism
While true, it has been shown that those who use rationalizations are essentially equally comfortable using type X (religion) vs type Y (a secular one)Karpel Tunnel wrote: ↑June 1st, 2018, 4:20 amOften they are the rationalisations for actions that would have been taken, around resources, say, in any case. They justify the demonization - in those tworst cases - so that desired actions can be taken.Eduk wrote: ↑June 1st, 2018, 2:15 am Only religion? Does politics not serve equally well? Where does religion end and politics begin?
For me religion has an undeserved special status. I see it as no different than any other unreasonable belief. If you removed religion from the world tomorrow by magic there would be barely any change, in my opinion.
I would extend politics to include economic preferences. This may be considere obvious, but it's an area of politics often gets couched as science.
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Re: The End of Atheism
All you have to do is make an attempt. Your Twitter style response came across as typical of those lacking any cogent argument and relying on "snappy" rhetoric. It would be illogical to assume that the iceberg tip presented is attached to a large body of ice; it might just be a tip floating along.Dark Matter wrote: ↑May 31st, 2018, 2:21 pmI'm sorry. I thought I was free to voice an opinion. Your liking or disliking is irrelevant.
The last sentence of the OP reads, "So the argument about the existence of a divine superintelligence is over. Let's move on to more important issues: peace, justice, rational law and the freedom of the individual." There are so many hidden assumptions in there that it would take an entire book to cover. What do you want me to do? Quote extensively from The Last Superstition? I can do that, ya know, but then you'd complain that I don't have any any original thoughts.
I've never suggested before that you were unoriginal. Rather, you seem rather bizarre and alien as compared with most people I know and thus apparently "original" . So, if you have quotes that make your point and are genuinely relevant, go forth and quote. I promise not to call you unoriginal (not that I ever have done).
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Re: The End of Atheism
Magic? Urumph!Eduk wrote: ↑June 1st, 2018, 2:15 am Only religion? Does politics not serve equally well? Where does religion end and politics begin?
For me religion has an undeserved special status. I see it as no different than any other unreasonable belief. If you removed religion from the world tomorrow by magic there would be barely any change, in my opinion.
What form would your removal take? You'd have to change the way people think.
All churches, including the Vatican, and Meccah disappear, and you think this would make no difference?
If the human psyche was changed to remove religion you'd loose far more than you think. National identity, sports fandom, astrology, and many other irrational systems of thought would go too. 90% of diet fads, all alternative medicine and much of the standard remedies - from vitamin pills to flu "cures" too.
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