Are we all born an Atheist?

Belinda · Post by **Belinda** » August 1st, 2013, 6:23 am

Thinking Critical regarding your original question you may as well ask "Does my dog know that it is a Rottweiler?"

Thinking critical · Post by **Thinking critical** » August 1st, 2013, 9:30 pm

Belinda wrote:Thinking Critical regarding your original question you may as well ask "Does my dog know that it is a Rottweiler?"

That is a good point Belinda. Rottweiler is simply the name we have given them, the category they fit into. So perhaps subjectively No baby can possibly be an Atheist, but objectively they are.

Off topic, but I have always been curious as to wether dogs recognise other dogs as being the same breed as themselves?

Belinda · Post by **Belinda** » August 2nd, 2013, 4:57 am

Thinking critical wrote: (Nested quote removed.)

That is a good point Belinda. Rottweiler is simply the name we have given them, the category they fit into. So perhaps subjectively No baby can possibly be an Atheist, but objectively they are.

Off topic, but I have always been curious as to wether dogs recognise other dogs as being the same breed as themselves?

My lurcher was cornered and beaten up by an Akita and she still likes dogs of all breeds not excluding small barky furry ones, all breeds, now with the exception of Akitas. Being a sight hound she is able to recognise one of those across a field and will not approach. I take from this that a dog can learn from experience and this learning is facilitated by ability to generalise. Generalise, in my lurcher's case, from one Akita to all Akitas.

But in the case of an inexperienced dog and a newborn baby there can have been no learning. 'Atheist' is a general category , not an individual, and so all babies cannot be born atheist, even if in the most unlikely event that one unusual baby is born a ready-made atheist.

However, I do maintain that the psychological roots of God belief are in the all important need of the baby for its primary care giver especially the milky one, when the baby is newborn. I don't want to be sexist and so I also say that the male caregiver who although he is not naturally milky is very soon god to the baby because babies learn so very fast.

Thought_2000 · Post by **Thought_2000** » August 2nd, 2013, 12:06 pm

Spiral Out wrote: (Nested quote removed.)

Yes, that's true. However, an atheist does not oppose theism, they just don't participate in it.

An atheist is not obligated to be an anti-religious activist.

Why would an atheist be anti religious given that Atheism is a religion?

Spiral Out · Post by **Spiral Out** » August 2nd, 2013, 4:52 pm

Thought_2000 wrote:Why would an atheist be anti religious given that Atheism is a religion?

Atheism may be just as closed-minded, dogmatic and ideological as any religion but I wouldn't necessarily classify atheism specifically as a religion.

Post by **Misty** » August 2nd, 2013, 5:06 pm

North London now has an atheist church.

The U.S. military could recognize atheist chaplains.

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/20 ... a-religion

Spiral Out · Post by **Spiral Out** » August 2nd, 2013, 7:07 pm

Misty wrote:North London now has an atheist church.

That's the most moronic thing I've ever heard. I think these "atheists" are missing the point!

Misty wrote:The U.S. military could recognize atheist chaplains.

I stand corrected. That's the most moronic thing I've ever heard.

Thinking critical · Post by **Thinking critical** » August 2nd, 2013, 8:49 pm

Thought_2000 wrote: (Nested quote removed.)

Why would an atheist be anti religious given that Atheism is a religion?

I guess since I no longer play sports I'm still an athlete then, I'm a full time athlete in the sport of not playing sport. Since i'm not a racist I guess I'm a racist against racist's.

Atheism is freedom of indoctrination and ideologies, freedom from the judgement of a manifested ego who demands constant worshiping. Atheism gives hope to those who feel they are capable of finding there own meaning to life without the pressures of religion.

Misty wrote:

North London now has an atheist church.

The Idea behind the Atheist Church was that Atheists who had converted from Theism missed the social gathering of their Sunday church, they felt the still wanted a social gathering where they could be free to discuss there thoughts, sing songs and be happy in common ground where other members came to do the same thing, They don't stand around preaching "praise the stars for exploding and allowing their matter to give rise to life".

Post by **Misty** » August 2nd, 2013, 9:20 pm

www.firstchurchofatheism.com/ One can become ordained quickly, easily and for free!

Thinking critical · Post by **Thinking critical** » August 2nd, 2013, 9:36 pm

Thanks for the link Misty, I had to laugh.......the things people do

Spiral Out · Post by **Spiral Out** » August 2nd, 2013, 9:40 pm

Thinking critical wrote:The Idea behind the Atheist Church was that Atheists who had converted from Theism missed the social gathering of their Sunday church, they felt the still wanted a social gathering where they could be free to discuss there thoughts, sing songs and be happy in common ground where other members came to do the same thing

Then it isn't a "church". It's being called a church simply for shock value.

Thinking critical · Post by **Thinking critical** » August 2nd, 2013, 10:18 pm

Spiral Out wrote: (Nested quote removed.)

Then it isn't a "church". It's being called a church simply for shock value.

Sounds about right, it shocked me when I first heard about it

Thought_2000 · Post by **Thought_2000** » August 3rd, 2013, 12:44 am

Thinking critical wrote: (Nested quote removed.)

Sounds about right, it shocked me when I first heard about it

Just a question modest question;

Do Atheists have a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects? If so by definition, this is is referred to as a religion.

Is this the case?

-- Updated August 3rd, 2013, 1:15 am to add the following --

Thinking critical wrote:existence: This would infer that one must learn about God then make a choice as to weather they believe in him or not. This would then lead to the fact that one "doesn't believe in God" which is what I presume you would refer to as Atheism. The bigger picture I want to create is this. If a person spent the first ten years of his life completely oblivious to religion or a deity he would not believe in God for the fact it was not an option. His entire belief system of a God would be absent. Not believing could be called natural. One may come to create there own "definition of god" so he would be a theist in respect to his own perception of God. Until that time he would be an Atheist by definition in my opinion.

Finds it very hard to communicate with Critical Thinking but will give it a shot;

I have noticed after a few days of PC that your posts are very shallow and somewhat anger. I have no problem with your beliefs or others yet if your suggestions relate to "it just fell out of the sky" as a universal thing - I pity you. You say Humans evolved from apes and life is a universal poof. If your belief is of not one deity, I'm cool with that and knock yourself out. If you goal is to lead others in this "I have all the answers of life", knock yourself out. As you post the questioning of God and the only one deity, the holy ghost notes your posts and makes our creator aware. I would not like to be you....

Spiral Out · Post by **Spiral Out** » August 3rd, 2013, 11:08 am

Thought_2000 wrote:Do Atheists have a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects? If so by definition, this is is referred to as a religion.

That's a common ideology, not a religion. A religion is an ideology that has a fundamental belief, or faith, in that of unseen entities, properties or forces. For example, science falls into the category of religion.

Why are you trying so hard to equate atheism to a religion?