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Post by liberaljoe on Jul 21, 2010 14:18:37 GMT -5
An atheist believes in the non-existence of a god or gods. That is incorrect. An atheist does not believe. Period. What you're referring to is an antitheist, which is not the same. We;;, Richard Dwkins, who makes aliving out of being an atheist states that he believes God does not exist But semantically the 'a' surely negates what follows e.g. gnostic = one who knows (about God) agnostic = one who does not know(about God) Theist= one who believes that a God or Gods exist Atheist = one who believes that God does not exist. Answer the questio: Do you believe that God does not exist? Theist answers no atheist answers yes agnostic answers don't know OR Do you believe that God does exist? Theist answers yes atheist answers no agnostic answers don't know I certainly wish you bloody atheists would make up your minds! A belief that God exists is entirely rational A belief that God does not exist is entirely rational Trouble is with atheists, they are generally fundamentalist bigots that will not tolerate contrary beliefs
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2010 15:29:54 GMT -5
Richard Dawkins, who makes aliving out of being an atheist states that he believes God does not exist Proof, please. Do you believe that God does not exist? It's a trick question, so the atheist rejects it. Webster's Third International defines believe thus: 1 a: to have a firm or wholehearted religious conviction or persuasion -- usually used with in <believe in the Scriptures> and sometimes with on <and many believed on him there -- Jn 10:42(Authorized Version)> b : to receive in faith or trust : ACCEPT <a story that divided the audience into those who believed and those who didn't> -- often used with in <serfs incapable of believing in the sincerity of a master who desired to help them -- E.J.Simmons> <because of its sincerity ... this is the kind of play one would like to believe in -- Punch>
2 obsolete : to give credence : TRUST -- used with to <believe to your own virtues>
3 : to have a firm conviction as to the beneficial, genuine, or good quality of something -- used with in <believe in physical culture>
4 : THINK, SUPPOSE <inclined to believe in accordance with her husband>
transitive verb
1 a : to take (a statement or person making a statement) as true, valid, or honest : give credence to <believe the reports> b : to accept or receive as genuine, valid, or good <a bland assumption that all scientists ... decide and publish what science believes -- R.M.Weaver>
2 obsolete : to assume the existence of as true or valid <believe a God>
3 : to be of the opinion : SUPPOSE, SUSPECT <believe it will rain> <the dye is believed to be a complex acid> I do not assent to the statement "god exists" because I have not been presented with evidence for such a belief. That is not the same as saying "god does not exist."
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2010 15:31:53 GMT -5
Trouble is with atheists, they are generally fundamentalist bigots that will not tolerate contrary beliefs I tolerate people who believe in "god" the same way I tolerate children who believe in Santa Claus. In any case, why is tolerance of the irrational important?
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Post by fretslider on Jul 21, 2010 15:32:58 GMT -5
Trouble is with atheists, they are generally fundamentalist bigots that will not tolerate contrary beliefs Au contraire, joe. I couldn't care less what people choose to believe. The problem arises when they insist on shoving it in your face.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2010 16:34:53 GMT -5
I couldn't care less what people choose to believe. The problem arises when they insist on shoving it in your face. It's the believers doing the shoving, not the atheists. We're simply behaving rationally.
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Post by liberaljoe on Jul 22, 2010 1:47:22 GMT -5
You seem to consider that a belief in God is irrational. It is not. It is entirely rational. It is an unproved scientific hypothesis, just like many other unproved scientific hypotheses.
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Post by liberaljoe on Jul 22, 2010 1:50:56 GMT -5
Trouble is with atheists, they are generally fundamentalist bigots that will not tolerate contrary beliefs Au contraire, joe. I couldn't care less what people choose to believe. The problem arises when they insist on shoving it in your face. OK Fret, so you are not a bigot Many atheists are Joseph, from his postings here is a typical example of an atheist bigot. Dawkins most certainly is. So are most of the atheists that post on MBs I do not use the word bigot as an insult but simply as a descriptive word meaning they are intolerant of alternative beliefs.
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Post by liberaljoe on Jul 22, 2010 1:58:22 GMT -5
Richard Dawkins, who makes a living out of being an atheist states that he believes God does not exist Proof, please. I think that you will find that is what he says in 'The God Delusion' I do not assent to the statement "god exists" because I have not been presented with evidence for such a belief. That is not the same as saying "god does not exist." I honestly cannot see the difereence between that position and that of the agnostic who is awaiting proof for the existence of God, and suspends his judgement until proof is provided If you do not reject the existence of God than how can you possibly maintain that it is irrational to believe in God? You are admitting the possibility of his existence. I would consider your position to be irrational.
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Post by fretslider on Jul 22, 2010 2:27:33 GMT -5
Au contraire, joe. I couldn't care less what people choose to believe. The problem arises when they insist on shoving it in your face. OK Fret, so you are not a bigot Many atheists are Joseph, from his postings here is a typical example of an atheist bigot. Dawkins most certainly is. So are most of the atheists that post on MBs I do not use the word bigot as an insult but simply as a descriptive word meaning they are intolerant of alternative beliefs. I would far rather be a man of reason than a man of faith. Don't mistake science for a pseudo-religion, plenty of atheists do
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Post by fretslider on Jul 22, 2010 2:31:14 GMT -5
I couldn't care less what people choose to believe. The problem arises when they insist on shoving it in your face. It's the believers doing the shoving, not the atheists. We're simply behaving rationally. Yes this is a real problem. Belief is no substitute for fact. Until some tangible evidence supporting the existence of a god is produced I stand by the null hypothesis: There is no god.
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Post by liberaljoe on Jul 22, 2010 3:07:55 GMT -5
I would far rather be a man of reason than a man of faith. To describe a belief in God as unreasonable is arrogant and tending toward bigotry. It is entirely reasonable to believe that God exists
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Post by mouse on Jul 22, 2010 5:46:38 GMT -5
those who do not believe are quite often just as intollorant as those who extreemly believe little to choose between the two some times quite frankly i prefer the attitude of those who dont give a toss either way
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Post by liberaljoe on Jul 22, 2010 6:01:14 GMT -5
those who do not believe are quite often just as intollorant as those who extreemly believe little to choose between the two some times quite frankly i prefer the attitude of those who dont give a toss either way You mean the stupid?
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Post by fretslider on Jul 22, 2010 6:17:23 GMT -5
I would far rather be a man of reason than a man of faith. To describe a belief in God as unreasonable is arrogant and tending toward bigotry. It is entirely reasonable to believe that God exists A belief in a fictitious entity is unreasonable - adj 1 not influenced by, based on, or in accordance with reason or good sense.(Chambers dictionary) Bigotry? Like this.... "God speaks to us through the genius of bach" Bach used his genius for the baroque form, no god was involved. I think we know where you're coming from, joe.
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Post by liberaljoe on Jul 22, 2010 6:48:09 GMT -5
Is there any proof that God is fictitous? I will be fascinated to hear it. Your statements become more and more bigoted reinforcing the point I made about most atheists being bigots
I wonder where I am coming from?
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