Atheists & Agnostics

malthaussen

(18,529 posts)

40. Definitions, indeed.

Sat May 10, 2014, 10:11 AM

May 2014

"Belief" is used in such a sloppy manner in colloquial speech. So for that matter, is that god-word. For instance, if we define "god" as a metaphor used to construct a world-view, then the existence of such a "god" becomes not a matter of belief, but a plain fact. Is the thought of a unicorn a real thought?

But a world-view based only what is tangible and observed is also flawed. It limits one's understanding to the scope of his instruments. We are told today that the Big Bang is "fact," because we finally believe (that word again!) we have observation evidence. But if it is fact now, it was also fact before we could prove it. That's one of the ways the faith-peddlers sell their nostrums, after all: the story of Judas Thomas is quite instructive in that way.

-- Mal

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How do you define atheism? [View all] LostOne4Ever May 2014 OP

I define it as a 'failure to launch'. AtheistCrusader May 2014 #1

I want to go on the record LostOne4Ever May 2014 #2

Personally, ChairmanAgnostic May 2014 #3

Atheism: "Pending further evidence, I reject your magical sky man proposition." Bryce Butler May 2014 #4

The word is self-explanatory pscot May 2014 #5

Exactly. trotsky May 2014 #7

They're not 'making it difficult'. They are attempting to validate their special pleading by AtheistCrusader May 2014 #12

I side with the Greeks on this one Act_of_Reparation May 2014 #6

Isn't the belief that there is no god the same thing as Brainstormy May 2014 #8

no. Warren Stupidity May 2014 #14

Warren's got it exactly right. EvolveOrConvolve May 2014 #19

No, because belief and knowledge aren't the same thing. Act_of_Reparation May 2014 #22

Most people would say that Brainstormy May 2014 #30

I misread your post :\ Act_of_Reparation May 2014 #57

You are a gnostic atheist. LiberalAndProud May 2014 #51

Eh, a belief that there is no god-thing is the same as a belief that there is... malthaussen May 2014 #9

It is an issue when belief in the improbable magical sky being is then Warren Stupidity May 2014 #17

Logically equivilant, yes. malthaussen May 2014 #18

Can you point to ANY atheists skepticscott May 2014 #35

Yep. malthaussen May 2014 #36

Nice dodge skepticscott May 2014 #38

Eh, human behavior is subject to the tyranny of the bell-curve. malthaussen May 2014 #39

Another nice dodge skepticscott May 2014 #44

Im trying to keep my involvement in this thread to a minimal LostOne4Ever May 2014 #46

Agreed skepticscott May 2014 #48

I just don't believe in any gods. JNelson6563 May 2014 #10

I'd go with that definition. onager May 2014 #13

Well said, as usual. :) JNelson6563 May 2014 #16

Hey, that definition works for me. uriel1972 May 2014 #32

Not as a "non-belief," for sure ... Auggie May 2014 #11

An atheist is a person who doesn't believe in a god or gods. Iggo May 2014 #15

Definitions nil desperandum May 2014 #20

Definitions, indeed. malthaussen May 2014 #40

If you're here to tout "other ways of knowing" skepticscott May 2014 #47

Lack of belief in any god(s) LeftishBrit May 2014 #21

The Father Christmas reference... onager May 2014 #24

Speaking only for me... Solly Mack May 2014 #23

A lack of sufficient evidence. Promethean May 2014 #25

The Theists tried to plant questions in our heads Mr.Bill May 2014 #26

Personally, I don't believe in god because I don't believe god exists Heddi May 2014 #27

Not theism. It's like being pregnant. Either you're pregnant or you're not. valerief May 2014 #28

The way I see it, atheism is a lack of belief in any god or gods. Curmudgeoness May 2014 #29

Lack of belief in Gods. bravenak May 2014 #31

+1. deucemagnet May 2014 #49

non-theist defacto7 May 2014 #33

Lack of belief in any gods TxDemChem May 2014 #34

Atheism is a state of being unconvinced skepticscott May 2014 #37

Raises the question of what would constitute convincing evidence... malthaussen May 2014 #41

There is convincing evidence that the moon exists skepticscott May 2014 #45

This video is a great start. Promethean May 2014 #53

This message was self-deleted by its author LiberalAndProud May 2014 #54

I have no knowledge of frogmarch May 2014 #42

Yep. It's not a lack or an absence of belief. Iggo May 2014 #43

I'm an apatheist mr blur May 2014 #50

Thanks! skepticscott May 2014 #55

Ah, that was suposed to be a joke, mr blur May 2014 #56

and I don't care. AlbertCat May 2014 #60

As a lack of belief. jaded_old_cynic May 2014 #52

The disbelief, or lack of belief, in gods sakabatou May 2014 #58

To echo many previous responses Beearewhyain May 2014 #59