Okay, time to set foot into this pond and test the water. Let's start with who I am so we can learn about who you are.
I am an atheist.
If that word confuses, frightens, or angers you -- good. Not good because I wish to cause dissension or hatred wherever I may roam (virtually or otherwise). Good because I can now clarify your misapprehensions and put to ease your fallacious estimations.
The word literally means a(without) theism(godbelief). I do not hold a belief in a god or gods. It doesn't mean that I know for sure that a god doesn't exist...it just means I don't believe in one (knowing and believing something isn't the same thing). That simple noun alone tells you absolutely nothing else about me; not my hobbies, likes or dislikes, political views, or sexual orientation. It's a single answer to a single question.
Most atheists are also naturalists: we "believe" in the natural world and not in anything "supernatural". I don't believe in unicorns, faeries, Easter Bunnies, or leprechauns -- for the same reason Idon't believe in a god: there is no evidence.
And I am as sure that the Abrahamic God (the God of Judaism, Christianity,and Islam) does not exist as I am that there is no Tooth Fairy.
I'll talk more about the subject if this community is as open-minded as claimed. I hope this turns out to be a place where we can talk rationally and calmly about believes, and hopefully change a few minds. Those who are interested may visit thesmalltownatheist.blogspot.com for more.
I am an atheist. I am a minority.
Am I alone?
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Comments: 11
@Amber: If you can't answer 'Yes' to the "do you believe in X" question, then you lack belief. Lacking belief in a god identifies you as an atheist.
You don't join a club, there's no tenets, doctrines, creeds, books, texts, tests, or religion to being atheist. Like I said, it's a single answer to a single question. Like when you're traveling by foot, you're a pedestrian. You didn't join any club, sign anything, or say any vow. It's just a qualification.
Being a nonbeliever, I do realize that a lot of people shy away from the use of the word because of the stigma attached to it. You may not wish to use the word, but if you do not have a positive believe in a deity, you are an atheist.
As for atheism vs belief in a deity, here's how I think of it. Actually, everybody is an agnostic. "a" (without) "gnos" (knowledge). There is no physical evidence for or against; without an appearance from god himself, a person's position is based on logic or emotional and entirely subjective personal experiences.
For me atheism is a way of life. I live atheistically, that is, without god. Or, more accurately, "I live my life as if there is no god". My decisions aren't driven by a theistic moral code. They are driven by my happiness. Please note, though that I make a distinction between "happiness" and "gain" or "pleasure".
For me, happiness is being at peace with those that I love.
Indeed, I too am an agnostic atheist (though I'm a bit more gnostic with regards to the Judeo-Islamic-Christian God). As I said in my article, knowledge and belief are not the same thing.
Gnosticism and agnosticism deal with what you know (or think you know), and atheism and theism deal with what you believe. The two aren't mutually exclusive, so it's possible to be an Agnostic Atheist, a Gnostic Atheist, an Agnostic Theist, or a Gnostic Theist. (see my blog for more: http://thesmalltownatheist.blogspot.com/2007/09/am-i-atheist-or-agnostic.html)
You and I don't "know" that there is no god, but we choose not to believe, since that is the default position on any claim (or it should be, anyway) without sufficient evidence to support the burden of proof.
And you make a good point as well; we should be at peace with and cherish each other. The one life we are certain we have should not be wasted, and we don't get a second chance to right the wrongs we may do to others. This makes life infinitely more valuable.
Heh, you'll have me writing another article here in the comments. For now, let me again thank you and everyone who reads and/or comments on my first post. Look forward to more.
Have any of you heard of Pat Condell? He's a British standup comedian and my views closely echo his videos on Youtube. He recently posted one about an American televangelist. It's worth watching.
@Tom: Yes, it's amazing how everything else in a theist's life is accepted only through evidence. I've asked believers to name just *one* other thing that they take on "faith", and they can't.
You're right, it is comforting to think that you'll see grandma again and live forever and gravel to god. Well, maybe not the latter so much, but it does ease the pain of dealing with death. It also means that you don't have to work anything out. Don't know how X works, or why Y happens? Don't worry, just have faith. There you go, now you don't have to think!